The big news: Liverpool hit by Coutinho scare

Liverpool forward Philippe Coutinho had a scan on his ankle injury on Monday as it is rumored that he could be sidelined until the middle of January. Coutinho was stretchered out after colliding with Didier Ndong of Sunderland during the first half of Saturday’s 2-0 win at Anfield.

Though the results of the scan are yet to be revealed, ligament damage is said to be the cause. That usually means a player is sidelined for five or six weeks. It means Coutinho looks certain to miss key games. Liverpool face Everton in the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park on December 19 and Manchester City at Anfield on New Year’s Eve.

Other top stories

  1. Newcastle United midfielder Jack Colback has been fined £25,000 after accepting a Football Association misconduct charge related to betting. He placed a bet on a fixture that took place on 16 March in a game not involving the 27-year-old’s own club. 
  2. Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha has submitted a request to Fifa to swap his international allegiance from England to the Ivory Coast. Abidjan-born Zaha grew up in England and won two caps for the Three Lions. If accepted, Zaha will be eligible to feature in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.
  3. Former Bengaluru FC coach Ashley Westwood signed as the coach of Malaysian side Penang FC for the 2017 season after rejecting several offers from across Asia and a few European clubs. During his three-year tenure with the 2016 AFC Cup runners-up Bengaluru FC, Westwood won two I-League titles along with the Federation Cup in 2014-’15.
  4. In a shocking decision, Kenny Jackett has resigned as the Rotherham United manager after five games and 39 days in charge. Jackett had managed only one point and defeats against Preston, Leeds and Derby extended the club’s winless run to 14 games. 
  5. Inter Milan beat 10-man Fiorentina 4-2 to hand their manager, Stefano Pioli, his first win since taking charge. Marcelo Brozovic, Antonio Candreva and Mauro Icardi, who scored twice, struck for the hosts as they dominated the opposition.