Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva has allayed fears he could be out long-term with a knee injury.

Lucas lasted just 21 minutes of Saturday s 2-2 draw with Aston Villa at Anfield, having been brought on at half-time.

Reports had claimed the Brazil international could miss two months of action, but he moved to quash those on his official Twitter account.

He posted: I would like to let you know that my injury isn t serious and I will be back in a few weeks. Thanks.

Lucas missed much of the 2011-12 season after suffering a cruciate ligament injury in his knee, while a thigh issue kept him out of action for three months last term.

The 27-year-old s revelation will come as welcome news for Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers, who is currently without Daniel Agger (cal…

Lyon have agreed a fee with Celtic for striker Moussa Dembele, the Scottish Premiership champions have confirmed.

Dembele had looked set to remain in Glasgow past Friday s deadline, with Celtic having rejected Lyon s inital approach for the 22-year-old.

However, Celtic have now confirmed a deal has been agreed with Lyon for Dembele, who signed from Fulham in 2016 and has scored 51 goals during his time at the club.

Speaking after his team s 1-0 loss to Nice, Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas told reporters the package to sign Dembele on a five-year deal was worth €22million.

We just signed two players, he told reporters, while also announcing the capture of teenage forward Lenny Pintor from Brest for an initial  €5m.  

Moussa Dembe…

Russia international Denis Cheryshev has joined Valencia on a season-long loan from LaLiga counterparts Villarreal.

Valencia announced the deal in a brief statement on their official website and did not disclose whether the switch includes a right to buy the 27-year-old midfielder.

Cheryshev was one of the stars of the host nation s campaign at the 2018 World Cup, scoring four goals in five appearances in their run to the quarter-finals, as well as converting his penalty in the shock shoot-out win over Spain in the last 16.

He enjoyed a previous loan spell with Valencia during his time at Real Madrid in 2016, scoring three times in six LaLiga starts.

That followed a temporary stint at Villarreal, who Cheryshev joined on a permanent basis in June 2016, on…

(GSM) France striker Nicolas Anelka believes their poor form doesn t have to be a handicap.

Les Bleus struggled to qualify for the World Cup finals after controversially beating Ireland in a play-off game to get to South Africa.

Recent results against Tunisia (1-1) and China (1-0 defeat) haven t added to their confidence ahead of the tournament that starts next week.

However, Chelsea forward Anelka believes that their poor could work as an advantage leading into the competition.

“I think we have a good squad but we didn t play very well in the qualification, that s why people maybe don t think we will go far, but in football you never know. Anything can happen,” Anelka told the Official Chelsea Website.

“If we win our first two games and co…

Robert Lewandowski snatched a dramatic late victory for Barcelona at Celta Vigo, converting a retaken penalty deep in injury-time for a 2-1 win.

The Catalan giants were on course for a second straight draw after old foe Iago Aspas cancelled out Lewandowksi’s first goal with a deflected effort just after half-time, his 200th career strike.

But with almost 97 minutes on the clock, the tension ramped up as the veteran striker stood over a last-gasp spot-kick and missed.

Lewandowski held his head in his hands but was offered a lifeline when the referee judged that goalkeeper Vicente Guaita had stepped off his line and ordered it to be taken again.

Unfazed, the 35-year-old repeated the same stuttering run-up as before and slotted it home to secure the points…

Brazil will face United States in an international friendly in Foxborough, Massachusetts in September.

Fresh from their CONCACAF Gold Cup exit, USA on Thursday announced the friendly, to be played at Gillette Stadium on September 8.

Jurgen Klinsmann s men have a good record against top-10 teams this year, having already beaten Netherlands and Germany.

Dunga s Brazil, who are ranked sixth in the world, were knocked out in the quarter-finals of the Copa America in June.

The record between the nations is one-sided, with Brazil having won 16 of the 17 encounters.

USA and Brazil last met in 2012, when the five-time world champions claimed a 4-1 win after Neymar opened the scoring.

…

Swansea City are still working towards an agreement that will see Michu depart the Liberty Stadium, says manager Garry Monk.

Michu proved a huge fans favourite with the Welsh club after he plundered 18 Premier League goals in his debut season in 2012-13 form that saw Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins value him at £30million.

However, he struggled to replicate that form in his second campaign and spent last season on loan at Napoli where injuries restricted him to just three Serie A appearances.

The 29-year-old forward is not a part of Monk s plans for the coming season, but Michu who has been linked with former club Rayo Vallecano has yet to find a new club.

We re still trying to come to an agreement that suits both parties and hopefully help Michu find what…

According to Sky Sports, Liverpool s Ryan Kent, currently on loan at Glasgow Rangers, has revealed he wouldn t object a prolonged stay at the Scottish club, now led by Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard.

Kent spoke about the possibility of staying at the Ibrox Stadium beyond the end of the current season-long loan deal, and said it was certainly something he would consider. He spoke high praise of the club and the fans, but he added it was something Rangers would have to discuss with his parent club, Liverpool.

The winger made only one senior competitive appearance for the five-time Champions League winners, 57 minutes in a 2-2 draw against Exeter in the FA Cup in January 2016.

His loan spells include stints at Coventry City, Barnsley, Freiburg, Bristol City, and now…

According to Corriere dello Sport, AC Milan have come close to deciding to cut the loan deal, which saw Tiemoue Bakayoko move from Stamford Bridge to San Siro this summer, short.

Chelsea signed the midfielder for almost £40million last summer, but his time in London so far can be rightly described as a failure. He failed to impress under Antonio Conte and new manager Maurizzio Sarri saw no role for the former Monaco man in his squad. He had made 92 appearances and scored five goals for the French side over the span of three years, winning the 2016/17 Ligue 1 title in the process. He also made the Champions League Team of the Season and earned a cap for France that year.

However, Gennaro Gattuso apparently revealed Bakayoko lacked maturity to play for the Rossoneri. Th…

Willian wants to stay put at Fulham, though a decision has yet to be made on the Brazilian s future at Craven Cottage.

The 34-year-old former Chelsea and Arsenal playmaker joined Fulham in September last year and has been a key player for Marco Silva s men this season.

Fulham signed off on an impressive first campaign back in the Premier League with a 2-1 defeat at Manchester United on Sunday, with Willian setting up Kenny Tete s opening goal.

That represented Willian s fifth league assist of the season, and his 10th direct goal contribution in the competition for Fulham.

Willian – who is soon to be out of contract – is unsure if he will be staying in west London, but he would be happy to do so.

I don t know yet, he told Stats Perform. Honest…