Terry expects Chelsea to make signings

Captain John Terry expects Chelsea to make the most of the January transfer window.

The Blues have had a transfer ban suspended pending appeal so will be free to bring players in when the window opens again.

And Terry expects manager Carlo Ancelotti and owner Roman Abramovich to discuss some moves. 'It's good news about the transfer ban being suspended but we lose four good players to the African Nations Cup in January anyway,' he told The Sun.

'I'm sure the club and the manager are looking into that and having good talks with Roman.

'I wouldn't be surprised if we do go out and buy because we don't know what's going to happen in the summer - or the following summer.'

James: I will be fit for World Cup

England goalkeeper David James expects to be fully fit for next summer's World Cup.

The 39-year-old missed Saturday's friendly against Brazil because of an ongoing knee problem, which has also seen him given a special training routine which gives him time off on Mondays.

But the Portsmouth stopper told the Daily Mail: 'I'm not concerned about my knee and it will not be a reason why I won't be fit for the World Cup. 'If the injury was a serious one I'd be looking to rest for a number of weeks and miss a load of games for Portsmouth.

'But I don't need to and that should tell you everything. By managing the situation, I am able to play every week.

'But I missed England squads earlier in the season because I couldn't train the way the manager (Fabio Capello) wanted me to.

'He has a very strict policy.

'If you can't do their training before a game he won't pick you and that's fair enough.

'And I missed the last squad for Brazil because it was considered more sensible to give me a two-week break.

'The same went for a number of the lads.

'For me, it has proved a good decision because the knee is getting better all the time.'

Indeed, James hopes to win his 50th cap when England next play in March.

'By the time England play again in March my left knee will be fine,' said James. 'I see it as a chance to win my 50th cap, something I'd love to do at Wembley, and if I'm selected I will be fully fit.'

He added: 'I can see why the manager might be a bit worried but it's not strictly true that I can't train for two days after every game.

'I just have a programme in place for now that is designed to allow the knee time to make a full recovery and it means I don't do any goalkeeping training on a Monday.

'I just go in the gym and do conditioning work before returning to goalkeeping work the next day.

Maradona handed two-month football ban

Argentina coach Diego Maradona was banned for two months and fined more than £14,000,000 after a foul-mouthed outburst at the end of last month's decisive World Cup qualifier in Uruguay.

Maradona, 49, who faced a potential ban from some of his team's matches at next year's World Cup, apologised for his behaviour and showed remorse, soccer's governing body FIFA said.

He was sanctioned after an expletive-filled rant when interviewed on the touchline and produced another outburst in the post-match media conference, which was broadcast live on several television networks. Maradona told the media to 'suck it and keep on sucking'. Named as Argentina coach 13 months ago after fighting off drug addiction, alcohol problems and obesity, Maradona appeared in person before the disciplinary tribunal behind closed doors at FIFA headquarters.

'The FIFA disciplinary committee...decided today to impose a two-month ban on taking part in any football related activity and a 25,000 CHF ($24,630) fine on the head coach of Argentina Diego Maradona,' a FIFA statement said.

'The committee took into consideration the apologies and the sincere remorse shown by Maradona in its decision, which was communicated to him at the end of the meeting.

'The committee stressed that any breach of this decision or any repetition of a similar incident would mean that stronger sanctions would have to be imposed in the future.'

FIFA said the sanction would start immediately and run until Jan. 15. It means Maradona will not have to miss any competitive internationals, although Argentina are due to face the Czech Republic in a friendly at a venue to be decided next month.

The ban is the latest episode in the turbulent career of Maradona, who was thrown out of the 1994 World Cup for a doping offence, one of three such bans he received as a player.

Maradona flew in from Madrid, where his team lost 2-1 to Spain in a friendly on Saturday night.

Wearing dark glasses and a track suit, he swept past reporters at Zurich airport refusing to comment.

Around 20 onlookers with Argentina flags and a similar number of journalists gathered outside the gates of FIFA headquarters in a quiet Zurich suburb on a grey, damp autumn day. Maradona was inside the building for just over 2-1/2 hours.

Maradona rounded on his critics after Argentina beat arch-rivals Uruguay 1-0 to secure their berth in the South Africa in the last game of an 18-match qualifying campaign.

The 1986 World Cup winner had been heavily criticised for defeats against Bolivia, Ecuador, Brazil and Paraguay that left twice world champions Argentina on the brink of failing to reach the World Cup for the first time since 1970.

Appointed in October last year, Maradona's coaching credential have been repeatedly questioned.

He has called up more than 70 players for 14 matches (eight qualifiers and six friendlies) and been criticised for his team selections.

Maradona's tenure has been marked by clashes with players, coaches, journalists and directors, most notably playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme who quit the team saying he and Maradona did not live 'by the same codes'.

Arsenal confirm six-week lay-off for Van Persie

Arsenal have confirmed striker Robin van Persie will be out of action for 'approximately six weeks' after suffering ankle ligament damage during Holland's international friendly against Italy on Saturday.

Initially it had been feared the Dutch forward - who has scored eight goals in 15 games in all competitions this season and emerged as one of the Gunners' key figures - could be set for a much-longer spell on the sidelines.

Van Persie, 26, will return to London later this week to continue his rehabilitation but is set to miss key clashes with Barclays Premier League leaders Chelsea at the end of the month, the trip to Liverpool on December 13 as well as the rest of the hectic Christmas schedule. A club statement from Arsenal read: 'Following the care given to van Persie by the Dutch FA, he will travel back to London this week and continue his treatment with the Arsenal medical team at London Colney.

'Van Persie will be out of action for approximately six weeks.'

Although Van Persie could be back for what is likely to be a season-defining few weeks when Arsenal host Manchester United on January 31 before games against Chelsea and then Liverpool, the loss of the skilful Dutchman could not have come at a worse time for Gunners boss Arsene Wenger.

Denmark striker Nicklas Bendtner (groin) and England forward Theo Walcott (knee) are already out until early December.

Van Persie suffered the injury to his right leg in the 10th minute of Saturday's goalless draw against Italy in Pescara.

He was carried off on a stretcher following a heavy challenge from Azzurri defender Giorgio Chiellini and tests yesterday showed partially torn ligaments in his right ankle.

Van Persie had also suggested he would be out for the best part of two months.

'I have had a scan. I am probably out for between four and six weeks,' he told Dutch television programme Studio Voetbal.

However, the striker did absolve Juventus defender Chiellini of blame, adding: 'There was no intent.'

Van Persie scored twice in the 3-0 victory over Spurs last month, revelling in his new role at the head of a 4-3-3 formation, with Wenger afterwards describing him as a mixture of club legends Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp.

Everton end winless run as Hammers sink into mire

David Moyes warned Everton not to get carried away by ending their winless run with victory at West Ham yesterday.

Goals from Louis Saha and Dan Gosling ensured a first Premier League success in five for Moyes' men and the Scot said: 'We have not played well so we cannot ask for any more. When it was 2-0, I felt we had shored it up with nearly a perfect away performance where you have got the goals but did not play well. The key is always to find a winning formula and we found one. But we need to play better. At the moment, we are lacking just a bit of quality.'

Tony Hibbert's own-goal gave the Hammers hope but boss Gianfranco Zola was left perplexed by the result.

'We have to analyse the problems first and find solutions,' he said. 'I felt the players gave everything.'

World Cup dream appears over for Owen

Michael Owen's World Cup dream appears to be over.

After being overlooked since the friendly defeat in France over 18 months ago, it was expected Owen would eventually force his way into Fabio Capello's England squad after he completed a surprise summer move to Manchester United.

Yet Owen has found a starting spot hard to pin down at Old Trafford. Despite Dimitar Berbatov's absence, he was only on the bench for United's defeat at Chelsea yesterday.

Capello does not feel it is enough to warrant Owen's inclusion, despite citing the striker as "my torment" in a recent interview.

And, after leaving him out of his squad for Saturday's friendly with Brazil in Qatar, it is difficult to envisage that stance changing.

If Owen is despondent, Darren Bent will join up on Tuesday with a clear sense of focus.

Bent has fallen behind Carlton Cole in the battle to be back-up to Emile Heskey as England's main striking target man and not even some fine early-season form for his new club Sunderland, and a ringing endorsement from manager Steve Bruce, had been enough to get him back in - until now.

With Heskey and Cole both ruled out of what will be England's 31st meeting with the most glamorous team in the planet, after which there will be just one game - next March - before Capello must name his provisional squad, Bent has been handed his chance.

Whether the 25-year-old edges ahead of Peter Crouch, who has a remarkable record of 16 goals in 17 starts for his country, is open to question.

However, Capello will probably want to see Bent in action at some stage and the former Tottenham star, who left White Hart Lane is acrimonious circumstances this summer, must not waste the opportunity.

When picking a side to face the five-times world champions, Capello's hardest choice would appear to be at left-back.

Even though he completed the full 90 minutes at Stamford Bridge, Ashley Cole has not been selected, triggering the call-up of Aston Villa's Stephen Warnock.

Normally, Wayne Bridge would be the automatic stand-in for Cole but the Manchester City defender produced a woeful performance against Burnley yesterday.

His poor positioning was highlighted by BBC pundit Alan Hansen for two of the Clarets' three goals, so Warnock, whose international career extends to a single eight-minute substitute appearance in Trinidad last year, might harbour hopes of a starting berth.

Alternatively, Capello may place his trust in James Milner, who has made a big impression on the Italian recently and is apparently capable of filling in at full-back.

Largely, the squad is notable for who is not in it rather than who is.

Rio Ferdinand and Steven Gerrard head a long list of injured absentees, which also includes Cole, David James, whose only appearance for England since last April was as a substitute in the Ukraine last month after Robert Green had been sent off, and Aaron Lennon.

David Beckham was also last night ruled out of England's first trip to Qatar after the Los Angeles Galaxy secured a place in Friday's Major League Soccer Western Conference final with victory over local rivals Chivas USA.

Hull boss Brown boosts job chances with crucial win

Under-fire Hull boss Phil Brown chose to avoid the media after Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink's late winner handed his team a vital win over Stoke.

The Tigers, having won just three times in 33 Premier League games, had seemed destined for another damaging defeat after a first-half strike from Matthew Etherington.

But Brown's side, re-invigorated by the presence of record signing Jimmy Bullard, earned reward for their greater endeavour as Seyi Olofinjana levelled against his former club - and Vennegoor of Hesselink struck moments after Stoke had captain Abdoulaye Faye sent off for a second booking. He does like the spotlight - there's nothing wrong with that - but tonight he's chosen not to,' said assistant manager Brian Horton, when asked about Brown's absence from the post-match press conference. 'He has just come out of the spotlight. He is having a Guinness. Why shouldn't he?'

Horton, however, was more guarded when asked whether he felt, after a week of speculation, the win had saved Brown's job.

'We hope we can now go on a run and nobody talks about stupid things like that,' he added.