Carragher needs surgery as Van Damme heads home

Jamie Carragher, the Liverpool defender, is likely to be out for three months while Phil Neville, the Everton captain, expects to be fit for Saturday's testing trip to Chelsea.

Liverpool

Jamie Carragher, the Liverpool defender, is likely to be out for three months after being told he requires surgery on a dislocated shoulder. The centre-back, 32, suffered the injury in Sunday's Premier League defeat at Tottenham Hotspur. Carragher told the club's website: "I'll be having surgery at the end of the week. The average is about 12 weeks. I'd like to come back before that but I've got to make sure it's right. It's difficult for me when I'm injured. It hasn't happened very often, and I'm very lucky with that I suppose, but maybe it's caught up with me a little bit now. I'm sure towards the end of the season when people are maybe feeling a little bit tired I'll be raring to go."

Chelsea

Nicolas Anelka, the man at the centre of the France World Cup boycott, was planning to quit the national team even before their troubled tournament in South Africa in June, the Chelsea striker has revealed. In an interview with French magazine Les Inrocks due to be published today, Anelka said he had informed Raymond Domenech, the then coach, of his decision to end his international career after the World Cup. "The truth is that I told Domenech before the World Cup that I'd quit the France team after the competition whatever was to happen there," Anelka said. Anelka, 31, was kicked out of the France squad after a 2-0 defeat against Mexico for insulting Domenech at half time. The France players, in support of Anelka, then refused to attend a training session and Les Bleus were eliminated in the group stage.

Wolves

Jelle van Damme is leaving Wolverhampton Wanderers and returning home after just five months with the Premier League club. Wolves say the Belgian full-back will move to Standard Liege if he passes a medical. Van Damme is to leave Wolves immediately, but cannot play for Standard Liege until the transfer window opens on January 1. Standard Liege will pay the same undisclosed fee that the English club paid Anderlecht in June and Jez Moxey, the Wolves chief executive, said "We receive the entire fee in the same way as we paid it." Van Damme scored once in six Premier League appearances.

Everton

Phil Neville, the Everton captain, expects to be fit for Saturday's testing trip to Chelsea. Neville, 33, was forced to miss last weekend's 4-1 home defeat to West Bromwich Albion with a knee problem. "The injury is coming on. It has taken longer than I thought to clear up but I should be back for the weekend," he told the club's website. "It was stiff after Sunderland and, having played that game, I probably knew I would miss West Brom but I should be back in full training by the middle of the week and then back in to face Chelsea."

West Bromwich Albion

Somen Tchoyi is hoping an impressive performance against Ipswich Town in the Carling Cup tonight can bolster his chances of becoming a Premier League regular for West Brom. The Cameroon international midfielder showed his quality with a stunning goal as a substitute in West Brom's 4-1 win at Everton on Saturday. Tchoyi has been largely confined to a bit-part role this season, but he is hoping he can impress at Portman Road, if selected, and put himself in the frame to start Sunday's home league encounter with Newcastle United. Tchoyi said: "I want to play. I came to England to play in the big league. I am working hard for the team and to try and get more time on the pitch. Tomorrow's game - if I am chosen - is a big chance for me to show I'm worthy of a starting place."