News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane will be out of action until March after suffering an ankle injury in the weekend's Premier League defeat by Manchester United, the north London club said on Tuesday.
England captain Kane, who is Tottenham's top scorer with 20 goals in all competitions this season, hobbled away from Wembley on Sunday after picking up a knock towards the end of the 1-0 defeat by United.
"Following preliminary assessments, we can confirm that Harry Kane has damaged ligaments in his left ankle," Spurs said in a statement.
"The striker will continue to be monitored by our medical staff as he commences rehabilitation and is expected to return to training in early March."
Kane's absence looks a major blow for Spurs, who are currently third in the league, with their totemic striker now set to miss key derbies in the league as well as big cup ties at home and in Europe.
Kane will be out of the League Cup semi-final second leg against Chelsea at StamfordBridge next week, which Tottenham are leading 1-0 thanks to his goal at Wembley in the first match.
He is also likely to miss both legs of the Champions League last-16 clash against Borussia Dortmund.
With Son Heung-min jetting off to represent South Korea at the Asian Cup, manager Mauricio Pochettino's goalscoring options will be tested in the coming weeks.
Spurs, who are nine points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool, could also be without Kane when they face top-four rivals Chelsea (Feb. 27) and Arsenal (March 2).
It leaves Pochettino with Lucas Moura and Fernando Llorente to call upon as replacements up front, as the manager has already confirmed the club are not looking to sign players in the January transfer window.
Manchester United fans angry at reduced ticket allocation for Arsenal tie
Manchester United supporters have been left furious as it appears they are to be offered a reduced ticket allocation for next week's FA Cup fourth-round trip to Arsenal.
According to the competition guidelines, United are entitled to up to 15 percent of the 60,000 capacity at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium when the two sides meet on Jan. 25.
While the allocation for the match should be around 9,000 tickets, Manchester United Supporters' Trust (MUST) said they have been told that Arsenal are offering only 5,000 tickets, citing "safety reasons".
"What makes the FA Cup special is the larger away allocations than you get in league games," a MUST spokesman said.
"For Arsenal to offer little over half the proper allocation is a joke. The game is just 10 days away and at present United are unable to sell tickets to their fans.
"Supporters need to make arrangements for a fixture which has already been shifted to an inconvenient Friday night kick-off time."
United supporters have been backed by their counterparts at Arsenal, who said they would expect a full allocation in case of a potential replay at Old Trafford.
"Set at 15 percent in rules. Creates great atmosphere and creates differentiation to PL (Premier League). So frustrating to see this under threat at Emirates for MUFC Cup tie," the Arsenal Supporters' Trust wrote on Twitter.
Despite the competition rules, Arsenal said the away allocations are set following discussions with their Safety Advisory Group.
"Ticket allocations are based on ongoing safety assessments and in consultation with our Safety Advisory Group, which includes representatives from the local authority and police," an Arsenal spokeswoman said.
Arsenal with 13 FA Cup wins and United with 12 are the most successful clubs in the world's oldest knockout competition.
Fulham sign Dutch forward Babel from Besiktas
Fulham have signed Dutch international forward Ryan Babel from Turkish club Besiktas on a permanent deal running until the end of the season, the Premier League club said on Tuesday.
Babel makes a return to the English game, having made 146 appearances for Liverpool during his three-and-a-half year stint on Merseyside between 2007 and 2011.
The 32-year-old is manager Claudio Ranieri's first signing of the January window as 19th-placed Fulham seek a way out of the Premier League relegation zone.
"I definitely have faith that Fulham can stay up," Babel told the club's website.
"That's one of the reasons that I'm here, to try and help that to happen. I'm ready to go, I'm excited and I can't wait."
Babel could make his debut when Fulham host Tottenham Hotspur in the league on Sunday.
Australia's Rogic stuns Syrians with late strike to book spot in last 16
Tom Rogic smashed home an injury time winner to earn defending champions Australia a 3-2 win over Syria on Tuesday evening and a place in the knockout rounds of the Asian Cup.
The Celtic midfielder struck from 25 yards out to see off a determined Syrian side in an incident-packed clash, with victory ensuring the Socceroos advance to the Round of 16 in second place in group B alongside Jordan.
The Jordanians won the group after playing out a goalless draw with Palestine, leaving the Syrians bottom of the group and out of the competition.
"Tommy is key to what we do with the ball," said Australia coach Graham Arnold.
"A lot of time we don't find him when he's free, but when you get him free and free him up he can do anything.
"He's a wonderful player and a joy to coach."
