Newcastle winger Hatem Ben Arfa has trained with his team-mates for the first time since suffering an horrific double leg fracture in October last year.
The 24-year-old returned to Tyneside after doing the bulk of his rehabilitation in France, and was able to warm-up with the rest of the squad on Tuesday morning before going off to work by himself once again.
Ben Arfa told the club's official website: ''It is great to back in Newcastle and back with the lads. I joined in with the warm-up this morning and managed to do a bit of light training on my own, and it was good to see the rest of the players after such a long time.
''I will be continuing to follow my rehabilitation programme now I am back in Newcastle, and would like to thank the fans for their support while I have been out injured.
''It has been a difficult period without football, but I am pleased with how my recovery has gone and look forward to pulling on a black and white shirt again and getting back onto the St James' Park pitch.''
The France international has been sidelined since fracturing both his tibia and fibula in a challenge with Manchester City's Nigel De Jong on October 3. He had surgery to repair the initial damage, and then a second operation after an infection threatened to cost him his leg.
Ben Arfa has called for tougher punishments on dangerous tackles He accepted a texted apology from De Jong - who escaped without a yellow card at the time - but wants stricter measures in order to avoid a repeat.
He told Canal Plus: ''I do not really understand English. But in his text, he told me he did not intend to hurt me and he was sorry. I told him it was okay, it was football.
''Anyway, the problem is that there was not even fault. I think he can get away with anything if there are no sanctions. 'I do not want to come down on the referees, but we still have to protect players a little more so if he wants to tackle like this again he thinks twice.''
Ben Arfa also revealed he required emergency surgery to save his leg. Quoted in several newspapers, he said: ''I needed a second operation because I had an infection. It was a big infection which could have been very dangerous. 'I was told that I could have had my leg cut off if they didn't operate on me very quickly.''
Ben Arfa is now hoping to return as soon as possible, although whether or not that happens this season remains to be seen. The midfielder was on loan from Marseille when the injury happened and, although he had made only four appearances at that point, the club had seen enough for new manager Alan Pardew to complete a permanent move for him in January.
''The club gave me much respect, much love,'' the France international said. ''I want to do a lot for this club because they gave me great confidence. For a human being, that's huge. It touched me.''
Newcastle head for Aston Villa on Sunday having all but completed the task of securing their Barclays Premier League status with seven games still to play, and if they can complete the job quickly, Pardew may decide it is not worth risking Ben Arfa before the new campaign gets under way.
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Official calls for unified British team
LONDON -- Britain's sports minister has urged the soccer associations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to let their players join the British team at the 2012 London Olympics.
As of now, the British team will only include Englishmen because the other three nations in the United Kingdom fear their independence within FIFA will be jeopardized by allowing their players to participate.
But sports minister Hugh Robertson emphasized Tuesday that "cast-iron guarantees" had been given by FIFA to let top players like Wales winger Gareth Bale play.
Speaking at the SportAccord conference in London, Robertson said he "would hate to see for political reasons any young man or woman denied a chance to compete for their country."
As of now, the British team will only include Englishmen because the other three nations in the United Kingdom fear their independence within FIFA will be jeopardized by allowing their players to participate.
But sports minister Hugh Robertson emphasized Tuesday that "cast-iron guarantees" had been given by FIFA to let top players like Wales winger Gareth Bale play.
Speaking at the SportAccord conference in London, Robertson said he "would hate to see for political reasons any young man or woman denied a chance to compete for their country."
Redknapp backs Arsenal to win the title
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp thinks Arsenal now have an "unbelievable'' chance of pipping Manchester United to the Barclays Premier League title.
Three weeks ago Arsenal were in the running for an incredible four trophies, but they saw their season come crashing down to earth with a poor run of form which saw them lose in the Carling Cup final and suffer elimination from the FA Cup and the Champions League.
Morale may have taken a hit but Arsene Wenger's side still have a good chance of ending their six-year trophy drought if they can overcome the three-point gap which separates them and league leaders United. The Gunners have the advantage of a match in hand - against Tottenham at White Hart Lane - and have arguably an easier run-in than the Red Devils.
United and Chelsea will face each other in the Champions League quarter-finals and despite their elimination from the Europa League, Manchester City still have to fight on two fronts given that they are in the semi-finals of the FA Cup. Redknapp believes that gives Spurs' north London rivals their best chance of winning the Premier League title since they last lifted the trophy in 2004.
"Arsenal have got an unbelievable chance of winning the championship now,'' Redknapp said. "They are the only team with a clear run at it so you'd have to think they've got the best chance they're ever going to have. They are not playing Saturday, midweek, Saturday, midweek, like some of the other teams.
"If Man Utd can go on and win the league now, with these games coming up, that would be an amazing feat. They have injuries - I've read today that Rio Ferdinand could be out for the season. Arsene must be sitting there and saying: 'This is fantastic'.''
Three weeks ago Arsenal were in the running for an incredible four trophies, but they saw their season come crashing down to earth with a poor run of form which saw them lose in the Carling Cup final and suffer elimination from the FA Cup and the Champions League.
Morale may have taken a hit but Arsene Wenger's side still have a good chance of ending their six-year trophy drought if they can overcome the three-point gap which separates them and league leaders United. The Gunners have the advantage of a match in hand - against Tottenham at White Hart Lane - and have arguably an easier run-in than the Red Devils.
United and Chelsea will face each other in the Champions League quarter-finals and despite their elimination from the Europa League, Manchester City still have to fight on two fronts given that they are in the semi-finals of the FA Cup. Redknapp believes that gives Spurs' north London rivals their best chance of winning the Premier League title since they last lifted the trophy in 2004.
"Arsenal have got an unbelievable chance of winning the championship now,'' Redknapp said. "They are the only team with a clear run at it so you'd have to think they've got the best chance they're ever going to have. They are not playing Saturday, midweek, Saturday, midweek, like some of the other teams.
"If Man Utd can go on and win the league now, with these games coming up, that would be an amazing feat. They have injuries - I've read today that Rio Ferdinand could be out for the season. Arsene must be sitting there and saying: 'This is fantastic'.''
Shevchenko backs Torres to find goals
Former Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko thinks Fernando Torres needs to "believe in himself" and try to avoid thinking about his goal drought if he is to become a success at Stamford Bridge.
Shevchenko joined the Blues in a record-breaking £30.8 million deal as one of the most feared strikers in world football, but left a shadow of his former self - branded a 'flop' for his failure to settle in England.
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich smashed that record outlay by splashing £50 million on signing Torres from Liverpool in January, but the Spain frontman has found life at Stamford Bridge difficult thus far, failing to score in 428 minutes of football across his first six games.
That is a record that is actually worse than Shevchenko's start at the club; not counting the Ukrainian's goal against Liverpool on his debut in the 2006 Community shield, he took just five competitive matches to find the net.
But Shevchenko scored just nine Premier League goals in three years at the Blues, failing to live up to a prolific reputation following his big-money move from AC Milan, and he has warned Torres that he must relax if he is to avoid the same fate and begin to justify his price tag.
"[Torres needs to] believe in himself and stay very calm because the goals are coming. I know he works hard, maybe he shouldn't think about it," Shevchenko told talkSPORT.
"Chelsea play different football to Liverpool, he needs time to adapt. The price of the transfer was very high and in England everyone is putting a lot of pressure on him.
"I think he has to be relaxed and not be worried, he's a big name, a big player and goals are coming."
Shevchenko joined the Blues in a record-breaking £30.8 million deal as one of the most feared strikers in world football, but left a shadow of his former self - branded a 'flop' for his failure to settle in England.
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich smashed that record outlay by splashing £50 million on signing Torres from Liverpool in January, but the Spain frontman has found life at Stamford Bridge difficult thus far, failing to score in 428 minutes of football across his first six games.
That is a record that is actually worse than Shevchenko's start at the club; not counting the Ukrainian's goal against Liverpool on his debut in the 2006 Community shield, he took just five competitive matches to find the net.
But Shevchenko scored just nine Premier League goals in three years at the Blues, failing to live up to a prolific reputation following his big-money move from AC Milan, and he has warned Torres that he must relax if he is to avoid the same fate and begin to justify his price tag.
"[Torres needs to] believe in himself and stay very calm because the goals are coming. I know he works hard, maybe he shouldn't think about it," Shevchenko told talkSPORT.
"Chelsea play different football to Liverpool, he needs time to adapt. The price of the transfer was very high and in England everyone is putting a lot of pressure on him.
"I think he has to be relaxed and not be worried, he's a big name, a big player and goals are coming."
Chelsea to face United in quarterfinal
NYON, Switzerland -- Chelsea will play English rival Manchester United and nine-time winner Real Madrid was paired with Tottenham in Friday's draw for the quarterfinals of the Champions League.
Favorite Barcelona will meet Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk, possibly the weakest team left in Europe's elite club competition, and defending champion Inter Milan will take on Schalke.
If Spanish rivals Barcelona and Madrid both progress, they would meet in the semifinals. They already play each other twice next month, first in the league and then in the final of the Copa del Rey.
The first legs of the quarterfinals take place April 5-6, with the return matches a week later.
Madrid, coached by two-time Champions League winner Jose Mourinho, is through to the last eight for the first time since 2004. It will be up against a Spurs team that finished at the top of its group, above Inter, and eliminated AC Milan in the last 16 in its first season in the competition.
Chelsea's pairing with United means England's two most successful clubs in recent years will play three times in the span of a month, as they also meet in the Premier League on May 7.
United beat Chelsea on penalties in the 2008 final in Moscow to become European champions for the third time.
Barcelona has lost just once in the Champions League and once in the Spanish league this season, making Pep Guardiola's side the favorite for the trophy.
Shakhtar topped its group and beat AS Roma 6-2 in the first knockout round, so it will not be taken lightly by Barcelona.
Inter will play a German team for the second straight round, having beaten Bayern Munich in the last 16 in a repeat of the 2010 final in Madrid. The Italian side is looking to become the first club to successfully defend the Champions League in its current format.
Favorite Barcelona will meet Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk, possibly the weakest team left in Europe's elite club competition, and defending champion Inter Milan will take on Schalke.
If Spanish rivals Barcelona and Madrid both progress, they would meet in the semifinals. They already play each other twice next month, first in the league and then in the final of the Copa del Rey.
The first legs of the quarterfinals take place April 5-6, with the return matches a week later.
Madrid, coached by two-time Champions League winner Jose Mourinho, is through to the last eight for the first time since 2004. It will be up against a Spurs team that finished at the top of its group, above Inter, and eliminated AC Milan in the last 16 in its first season in the competition.
Chelsea's pairing with United means England's two most successful clubs in recent years will play three times in the span of a month, as they also meet in the Premier League on May 7.
United beat Chelsea on penalties in the 2008 final in Moscow to become European champions for the third time.
Barcelona has lost just once in the Champions League and once in the Spanish league this season, making Pep Guardiola's side the favorite for the trophy.
Shakhtar topped its group and beat AS Roma 6-2 in the first knockout round, so it will not be taken lightly by Barcelona.
Inter will play a German team for the second straight round, having beaten Bayern Munich in the last 16 in a repeat of the 2010 final in Madrid. The Italian side is looking to become the first club to successfully defend the Champions League in its current format.
Channel 2
Silva still hopeful of title
David Silva believes Manchester City still have every chance of mounting a title challenge this season - especially if they can carve out a win at Chelsea on Sunday.
City have stuttered in the league in recent weeks and find themselves seven points behind leaders Manchester United. But with the distraction of the Europa League gone following Thursday's exit to Dynamo Kiev, Silva thinks the gap is not insurmountable.
Silva told The Sun: "If we win at Stamford Bridge and United have a few more problems in the closing weeks, there is still a chance of us winning the league.
"Chelsea are also obliged to win, so the situation increases the pressure. I think the team with the better attack will win. We need to hold our nerve and not change our attacking philosophy."
Ancelotti: Mancini a great tactician
Carlo Ancelotti has praised his compatriot Roberto Mancini ahead of Chelsea's crucial Premier League clash with Manchester City on Sunday.
Ancelotti believes the game could prove decisive in each side's season and admits that he finds Mancini a difficult manager to overcome.
"He's a very intelligent coach who prepares a tactical game very well,'' Ancelotti said. "That's the reason I have difficulty against him. I hope to change that on Sunday.''
Ancelotti and Mancini have a friendship dating back to their playing careers. "We were team-mates in the national team - he's a friend,'' Ancelotti said. "Not such a friend because he's won too many times against me.
"He has to understand that he is my friend, so sometimes he can give his friend something.''
Mancini also proved his fellow Italian's nemesis towards the end of the pair's time in charge of AC Milan and Inter Milan, respectively, and has now won six of the last seven head-to-head clashes between them.
With Chelsea and City boasting the biggest-spending owners in English football, Ancelotti and Mancini are arguably the most under-pressure managers in the country.
"This is normal, managing that pressure, for the coach," said Ancelotti. "It's one of the skills a coach must have in football.
"The second thing is to be patient, not just with the players but with the club and the journalists. It's a good skill to have, patience, a very good skill.''
Ancelotti is hoping to beat Manchester United in the Champions League for a second time when the two sides meet in the quarter-finals. He knocked the Red Devils out four years ago when he was in charge of AC Milan.
"It was a fantastic evening for Milan and a bad one for Manchester," he said. "They were surprised by the way we started that game but it was a tie that was always in the balance.
"Winning the Champions League is not an obsession for Chelsea, it is a dream. At Milan the Champions League was the most important thing every year. We didn't focus on winning Serie A.
"Losing to Inter Milan last year was a bad moment for everyone at Chelsea. Now we have to see if we deserve to be in the semis again."
"I am always happy to play against United because you know it will be a fantastic game with fair play. Sir Alex [Ferguson] is one of the greatest managers ever. What I like most about him is that even though he has won a lot of trophies he has always maintained his humility."
Rodwell move not already agreed
Everton manager David Moyes has rejected claims that a deal is already in place which will see Jack Rodwell move to Manchester United in the summer.
United have been linked with Rodwell for the past two seasons and press speculation has suggested that the two clubs have agreed a fee for the England Under-21 international to tread the same path as Wayne Rooney in 2004.
Moyes insisted: "We are not vulnerable. I have heard the stories about Jack and they are a load of rubbish.
"We have a great working relationship with Manchester United. The chairman (Bill Kenwright) has a great relationship with David Gill and I have with Sir Alex (Ferguson).
"To say that a deal is already done for Jack is completely untrue and I don't know where those stories have come from."
Holloway blasts FA over fines
A furious Ian Holloway has insisted the Football Association need to show more social responsibility and not hoard disciplinary fines for themselves.
Holloway believes Sir Alex Ferguson's £30,000 fine for criticising referee Martin Atkinson should have been given to the Japan earthquake appeal, while he was angry that Blackpool's fine for fielding a weakend side against Aston Villa could not be paid to former youth team coach Gary Parkinson.
Parkinson is now paralysed with 'locked-in syndrome', one of the after effects of his recent stroke. Holloway thinks the FA should more humility by giving the £25,000 to a worthy recipient rather than keeping the cash for themselves.
"What do the FA need the money for, and what right have they got to it, anyway?" he said. "Why can't they help the rest of the world, for a change, and do something useful with it?
"You don't mind quite so much if it goes towards a charity, and when you think of what is happening to so many people in Japan at the moment, it could easily have gone there.
"When we were fined, I got the club to ask the FA if they could give the money to Gary Parkinson and his wife. That's where I wanted it to go, but we didn't even get a reply."
Dunn out of Fulham clash
Blackburn midfielder David Dunn has been ruled out of Saturday's trip to Fulham because of a hip muscle tear.
Dunn, 31, missed last weekend's defeat at Aston Villa and will be on the sidelines again when Rovers head to Craven Cottage.
"David has a small tear and it will take a few days for it to settle down, ruling him out of this week's action," a club spokesman said.
Rovers will also be without defender Ryan Nelsen, who serves a one-match suspension for after being sent off at Villa Park.
Dunn, 31, missed last weekend's defeat at Aston Villa and will be on the sidelines again when Rovers head to Craven Cottage.
"David has a small tear and it will take a few days for it to settle down, ruling him out of this week's action," a club spokesman said.
Rovers will also be without defender Ryan Nelsen, who serves a one-match suspension for after being sent off at Villa Park.
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