BALLACK TO MISS BLUES` EURO TIES

Michael Ballack was not included in Chelsea's squad list for the Champions League group stages.

The Blues submitted their list of players last Friday and could not guarantee the Germany midfielder would feature in the majority of the Group B games as he is recovering from summer ankle surgery.

Jose Mourinho's men play Valencia, Schalke and Rosenborg twice before the group stages finishes on December 11.

The club's stance suggests Ballack may not return to domestic duty before the end of October.

"Naturally, we hope Michael's recovery is as quick as possible, that he returns to full training ahead of schedule and that he will then be available for the latter stages of the competition, should we qualify," read a statement from Chelsea.

The 31-year-old has not played since April and, because he is not registered, he will now not feature in European action until at least February, as long as Chelsea qualify for the first knockout round.

It has been a difficult weekend for Mourinho on the injury front, and he also has the frustrations of the international break to add to his concerns.

Frank Lampard was ruled out of Sunday's Aston Villa defeat with a thigh problem and he is still rated doubtful for England's European Championship double-header against Israel and Russia.

"I think he is definitely out of both games. I don't know, but I don't think (he will be ready)," said Mourinho in the London Evening Standard.

Striker Didier Drogba was forced off at Villa Park with a knee problem but at least there are 12 days before the club's next clash, with Blackburn coming to Stamford Bridge.

The break for international football, however, means other irritations for Mourinho.

"I have to speak to the players after 10 days," he said.

"Some players will arrive back on Thursday week and some on Friday week and then we have to play Blackburn on Saturday.

"I will now be working with half a dozen players and the kids from the reserves, enjoying my work every day - but not with the objective of preparing a team for the next game."

Mourinho admits the late withdrawal of Lampard disrupted plans for the Villa clash.

He said: "Lampard pulled out after training on Friday when doing individual work. It meant all the work we did in the week, you have to forget.

"You then have to try and build a team on Saturday to try and play such a difficult game (on Sunday)."

Taken from =football365=

MOURINHO FEELS FRUSTRATED

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has the frustrations of the international break adding to the injury concerns from the defeat at Aston Villa.

Frank Lampard was ruled out of the clash with a thigh problem and he is still rated doubtful for England's Euro 2008 double-header against Israel and Russia.

"I think he is definitely out of both games. I don't know, but I don't think so," said Mourinho in the London Evening Standard.

Striker Didier Drogba was forced off with a knee problem but at least there are 12 days before the club's next clash, with Blackburn coming to Stamford Bridge.

The break for international football, however, means other irritations for Mourinho.

"I have to speak to the players after 10 days," he said. "Some players will arrive back on Thursday week and some on Friday week and then we have to play Blackburn on Saturday.

"I will now be working with half a dozen players and the kids from the reserves, enjoying my work every day - but not with the objective of preparing a team for the next game."

Mourinho admits the late withdrawal of Lampard disrupted plans for the Villa clash.

He said: "Lampard pulled out after training on Friday when doing individual work. It meant all the work we did in the week, you have to forget.

"You then have to try and build a team on Saturday to try and play such a difficult game (on Sunday)."

Taken from =football365=

WENGER `GAMBLE` IS PAYING OFF

Gilberto has branded Arsene Wenger's refusal to pay large transfer fees for star players a "big gamble".

But the Brazilian midfielder believes Arsenal are now reaping the reward of the stability created by Wenger's policy of adding selectively to the squad.

Wenger has responded to claims by former Gunners chairman David Dein that the club needs huge investment to be remain competitive by vowing to continue with his frugal approach.

After two barren seasons Wenger's belief in his young squad appears to be paying off with Sunday's 3-1 victory over Portsmouth lifting them to second in the Barclays Premier League.

The starting line-up against Pompey was assembled for less than £30million, yet at this early stage they seem genuine title contenders.

Gilberto said: "It's a big gamble when clubs spend big money for each new season but we do not spend.

"But while we haven't spent a lot of money, we have been playing together for a few years now.

"That makes a difference in the game because we all know each other - if I pass to Cesc Fabregas he knows exactly where the forwards will be. That's important.

"We must keep focused because other clubs have made some very good signings.

"Arsene has his policy of signing players and he does what he believes is right for the club.

"He spends as little as possible and that helps the club when they do need to spend money."

Wenger's belief that his young side is ready to flourish has been given credibility by their fine start to the Premier League.

They have accumulated 10 points from four matches - double their tally of the same stage last term - and Gilberto believes the familiarity of their new surroundings at the Emirates is partly responsible for the improvement.

The Brazilian midfielder said: "It's very nice to make a start like this. Last season it was completely different.

"Now we have to keep going, accumulate as many points as we can and keep going. We need to keep playing like we know we can.

"The younger players have become more experienced because of the time they have spent together.

"Last year it was very hard for us to adapt to the width of the pitch. We had a very bad start and it was difficult to recover from that.

"But that was our first year and now we look completely different. We were better near the end but we must not now allow the same thing to happen again."

Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp has bemoaned the international break that means most of his squad will be absent from training for the next 11 days.

He said: "The problem is I won't see my players until Friday week.

"I can't sit down with them and show them videos and discuss the goals in detail.

"Then when they come back we are concentrating on playing Liverpool.

"Am I then going to start getting into them about what they did against Arsenal?

"I have to pick them up and be positive about beating Liverpool. It's crazy. What work can you do on the training ground?

"I've got six players for the next weeks and who knows how many of the nine or 10 who are away will come back fit."

Taken from =football365=

BENT BOOSTS SPURS ATTACK

Darren Bent is expected to give Tottenham boss Martin Jol another selection dilemma in attack for the clash against Arsenal after the international break.

Bent is getting closer to a return from a thigh problem but missed the thrilling draw against Fulham at the weekend, and there are hopes he will be fit for the north London derby a week on Saturday.

Robbie Keane was disappointed at the weekend when he was taken off for Jermain Defoe, with Spurs then letting a 3-1 lead slip away at Craven Cottage.

Bent's return adds to Jol's problems of keeping four strikers happy but the former Charlton player insists the squad is fully behind their manager, who has appeared under pressure since the infamous meeting between Spurs officials and Sevilla coach Juande Ramos.

"He's been fantastic," said Bent.

"You can see the players are behind him 100%, everyone loves him. Whatever is going on behind closed doors we know nothing about.

"The players love him, the fans love him. He's our manager. It's surprising as we've finished fifth in the last two years - people are saying if you don't finish fourth then he's out. I think that is ridiculous."

He added on Sky Sports News: "You've still got four strong squads in Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea. It's not going to be easy but we know what we have to do."

Bent arrived at White Hart Lane in the summer for £16.5million, with Jol spending around £40million in total on players which has increased the pressure to get Champions League football.

Sporting director Damien Comolli, whose relationship with Jol has been under scrutiny during Spurs' poor start to the season, was pleased with the club's summer transfer activity.

"All of the players are internationals for their age-group or at full senior level," said Comolli.

"They are big talents and we are confident they will fulfil their potential at this club and go on to have successful international careers.

"This would be good for them, but also good for us as international football can only broaden their experience, which can only be of benefit to our squad."

Centre-back Michael Dawson was scheduled to play in a reserve match against Birmingham as he steps up his return from an ankle injury.

Taken from =football365=

ANDERSON ENJOYS UNITED BOW

Anderson is hoping to build on his Manchester United debut after describing the experience as "amazing".

The former Porto star, 19, played the first half of United's Premier League clash with Sunderland before being replaced by Louis Saha who scored the winner in a 1-0 victory.

With Chelsea losing to Aston Villa, United are only two points behind their Premier League rivals.

Anderson enjoyed performing in front of over 75,000 supporters at Old Trafford.

"It was amazing, not just for me but for my family as well," he said.

"As a young boy it was always my dream to play for a big European club.

"I was lucky enough to do it with Porto and now I am at United. I feel proud to be here and I want to do my best."

However, Anderson took his time before making the switch to the Premier League.

He said: "I heard about United some time ago through my agent but we thought it would be better for me to wait a little bit longer.

"I was doing well at Porto and knew that joining a club like United would bring its own pressure.

"But when they expressed an interest in me again in the summer I felt it was the right time."

Anderson was given an insight into United from Portugal winger Cristiano Ronaldo and liked what he heard.

"He told me about the club and what a great place it is, " Anderson told www.manutd.com.

"Joining United is a dream come true for any footballer in the world."

Anderson is already being talked up by some pundits as the new Ronaldinho.

But United's new recruit believes he has a long way to go to emulate his fellow Brazilian.

Anderson said: "You have to remember that Ronaldinho is an established top-class footballer.

"He has been named the best player in the world twice. He is a great guy and a good friend of mine.

"But no two players are the same. It is an honour to play alongside him, it's something every footballer in the world would like to do.

"He is a great player and I hope one day I can reach the level he is at."

Taken from =football365=