Mahrez cleared for Chelsea clash
London:manchester City’s record signing Riyad Mahrez could play in Sunday’s Community Shield against Chelsea after a scan showed he had suffered no significant damage to his left ankle in a friendly with Bayern Munich.
The 27-year-old Algerian international forward -- for whom City paid Leicester £60 million earlier this month — had to leave the pitch in Miami on Saturday after being fouled by Bayern’s Chris Richards.
However, City said in a statement on Monday that a scan had showed nothing alarming.
“Riyad Mahrez has been given the all-clear to return to training later this week after picking up an ankle knock,” read the statement. “However, a scan today (Monday) has revealed no significant damage, and he could be available for selection for this weekend’s Community Shield against Chelsea.”
Mahrez’s replacement Bernardo Silva went on to score a double as City beat the German champions 3-2.
SISSOKO INJURY IS NOT SERIOUS: POCHETTINO
LOS ANGELES : Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has allayed fears of a long-term absence for midfielder Moussa Sissoko, who suffered a hamstring injury during Sunday’s pre-season defeat by Barcelona. Frenchman Sissoko was replaced by Georges-kevin N’koudou in the first half of Tottenham’s International Champions Cup tie against Barcelona. The reigning Spanish champions won 5-3 on penalties after the match ended 2-2 after 90 minutes.
“Yes, I think it’s minor. Maybe he was a little bit tired, but I think it’s not a big issue,” Pochettino told Spurs TV. “We will wait... the next few days to see what happened.”
Tottenham midfielders Victor Wanyama and Erik Lamela also missed the Barcelona game.
AGE CHEATING HALTS IRAQ U-16 TEAM
BAGHDAD: Despite having shaved to look younger, Baghdad airport officials knew there was something fishy about Iraq’s under-16 football squad headed Monday for a regional tournament in the Jordanian capital.
Several of the 23 players for the West Asia Football Federation (WAFF) tournament starting on Wednesday were found to be overage, said the Iraq Football Association (IFA), which immediately sacked the squad officials.