“Kun” can expect no Bolton love

 

Sergio Aguero's sparkling brace in his Manchester City debut has not won over everyone it seems.

According to the Sun, the Argentinean striker is set to face a hate mob at The Reebok stadium on Sunday as City make the short trip to their near neighbors in a Barclays Premier League encounter.

The last time Aguero visited the Reebok, he was sent off while wearing the colors of Atletico Madrid after spitting at Bolton midfielder Matt Taylor.

Aguero had only been on the playing field for 12 minutes as a sub before he reacted furiously to a heavy challenge from Taylor during Atletico's blistering UEFA Cup third-round tie with Bolton back in February 2008.

The spitting incident and the red card, sparked a mini-brawl between the two sets of players and Aguero has defended his actions ahead of his return to the Reebok with his new team-mates.

"I remember the incident. I was spitting in the direction of the player - but not to the player,' Aguero told the Sun.

"However, the officials thought that and suspended me. I don't know what the reception will be like. As long as our fans welcome me, I'll be happy."

City fans will certainly be doing their best to keep their £38million signing's mind focused on the game after witnessing what the striker is capable of doing on Monday.

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Porto striker Falcao all set for Atletico medical

 

Atletico Madrid have agreed a deal to sign Colombia striker Falcao from Portuguese Porto, the La Liga club announced on their website.

The 25-year-old striker has been a productive scorer for Porto since joining from Argentine club River Plate in 2009 and last season helped the club win the Portuguese league and cup double as well as the Europa League.

His signing will help cover the loss of Argentina ace Sergio Aguero, who left Atletico for English side Manchester City this summer.

A statement on the Atletico website read: "Atletico Madrid and Porto have reached an agreement for the transfer of Radamel Falcao to the Rojiblancos.

"The Colombian striker, top scorer in last season's Europa League with 17 goals, will sign a contract for five years with our club."

An announcement from Porto to the Portuguese Securities Market Commission (CMVM) confirmed the fee to be €40million, although the provision for "variable compensation" could see that total rise to €47million.

Falcao will now travel to Madrid to talk about personal terms and undergo a medical.

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Ferguson: Captain Vidic out for five weeks

 

Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed defender Nemanja Vidic's calf injury is worse than first thought with the Manchester United captain facing up to five weeks on the sidelines.

Central defender Vidic limped out of the 2-1 win at West Brom last Sunday, although it was initially expected a nerve problem would keep him out for just two weeks.

However, Ferguson said: "The situation has reversed and Vidic has a calf muscle injury, which means he'll maybe be four to five weeks."

There was some good news for Ferguson, though, with Vidic's regular defensive partner Rio 
Ferdinand apparently set to return quicker than expected from a hamstring injury also sustained at The Hawthorns.

Ferguson's statement at the time was Ferdinand would be out of action for six weeks, missing 
England's Euro 2012 double-header against Bulgaria and Wales next month, as well as the start of United's latest Champions League pursuit.

However, following a visit to a expert in Munich during the week, the injury is not as bad as first feared.

Although the centre back has not been definitively ruled out of Monday's match with Spurs at Old Trafford, it is more likely he will be ready to face rivals Arsenal at home six days later.

"Rio is not as bad as we thought and he could be ready for our game with Arsenal," said the Scot.

"I don't think he'll be ready for Monday, but it's amazing how assessments can change in the space of a few days."

Ferguson will now pair new signing Phil Jones and Jonny Evans together at the heart of his defence for the visit of Spurs, whilst Chris Smalling will fill in at right back.

Ferguson at least has experienced Patrice Evra available again at left back after he missed the game at West Brom with a knee problem.

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Blackburn close to Vukcevic signing

 

Blackburn are closing in on the signing of Sporting Lisbon front man Simon Vukcevic.

Rovers have revealed to Sky Sports News that the Montenegro forward, who can also play in midfield, is undergoing a medical.

The 25-year-old has long been linked with a move to England and he finally looks set to get his move to the Premier League.

It is reported a fee of £2million has been agreed with Sporting for the striker, who could pen a deal in the next 24 hours.

Vukcevic looks set to be one of three new signing in the coming days.

Rovers have suffered a annoying time in the transfer market, with only striker David Goodwillie and midfielder Radosav Petrovic arriving, from Dundee United and Partizan Belgrade, respectively.

This week they missed out on one of the biggest names in European football when former Real Madrid striker Raul decided to reject an offer and stay with Schalke in the Bundesliga.

Kean has received more encouraging news from three other players, though, and an unnamed midfielder and defender will have medicals with the Lancashire outfit over the next two days.

Kean said of the Raul offer: "We said we'd be interested if he was available. We were waiting on something to come back from Schalke and then it got into the press that it had moved forward but we got a fax from Schalke on official headed notepaper to say he wasn't available at any price.

"That was the extent of it. We were excited about it, we had funds available to try to go after him but it never materialised, so that was disappointing.

"But that's one player. Last week we had active bids out there and that's progressed. There are bids that have been accepted. We're at a point of having medicals so that's positive, because it's been slow.

"The lads are going to come here, we've agreed terms with a couple of players so we're hopeful next week we'll have another couple of faces to add to David Goodwillie and Radosav.

"The good thing is we've followed through with things. It's been slow but we've stuck with it and it's coming together."

Injuries to well-known centre-back pairing Ryan Nelsen and Christopher Samba meant Kean was forced to go with teenager Grant Hanley and defensive midfielder Steven Nzonzi in defence for their opening league match last weekend, a home defeat to Wolves.

However, Kean is hopeful Nelsen and Samba will both be fit to face Aston Villa while influential midfielder Petrovic is also in line to make his debut.

"To get Ryan Nelsen and Chris Samba back on the training ground, being such imposing figures and when you see how well they did last year, is fantastic," he said.

"I thought last week Steven Nzonzi adapted very well considering he'd only played there as a 12-year-old boy, I thought he showed good composure and confidence to go back there, but we missed him then in the middle of the pitch.

"But if we get the centre-backs back, Steven can move back into the middle and all of a sudden it's a different outlook."

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Chelsea hit by Petr Cech injury

 

Chelsea stopper Petr Cech has been ruled out for three to four weeks after suffering a knee injury in training.

The 29-year-old fell awkwardly at the end of training and will now miss Saturday's Barclays Premier League match with West Brom and the following weekend's visit of Norwich.

Blues manager Andre Villas-Boas said: "Petr Cech yesterday suffered a medial ligament injury and will be out for three to four weeks."

He added: "It was the end of training, a normal training incident.

"He fell awkwardly with his weight on top of him.

"We expected much worse when we saw the incident."

The injury have also ruled Cech out of his country's Euro 2012 qualifier against Scotland at Hampden on September 3.

Cech, who kept a clean sheet in his team's 0-0 Premier League opener at Stoke City last weekend, could be back on September 10 trip to Sunderland.

He has been a powerful figure since arriving at Stamford Bridge from Rennes in 2004, helping the London club win three Premier League titles, three FA Cups and two League Cups.

Portuguese goalkeeper Hilario, 35, looks set to take over between the posts for the Blues in Cech's absence.

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