SPORTS

Fabregas doubtful to face Villarreal

April 15, 2006 13:40 IST

Arsenal's teenage midfielder Cesc Fabregas and defender Sol Campbell are doubtful for Wednesday's Champions League semi-final first leg against Villarreal, manager Arsene Wenger said on Friday.

Fabregas injured his foot in the 5-0 win over Aston Villa two weeks ago. Wenger told reporters the Spaniard is unlikely to be fit in time after missing the midweek draw at Portsmouth.

Campbell is also likely to miss the next two games after surgery on the broken nose he suffered at Portsmouth.

The 18-year-old Fabregas has been outstanding in this season's Champions League and scored the first goal in the 2-0 quarter- final first leg win over Juventus.

"There is a little chance," Wenger said. "But he had a recurrence of the injury. It is a worry, and we want to clear the problem completely. At the moment it is not clear."

"Sol Campbell is injured because of Wednesday's comeback," Wenger told Arsenal's website. "He has a broken nose and had surgery on Thursday night.

MINOR CHANCE

"He will be out for the West Brom game (on Saturday), of course, and has a minor chance to be available for Wednesday, but should be available for next Saturday (against Tottenham).

"He was very disappointed because he came back and was sharp. I felt he was ready physically so to get injured again is of course disappointing for him. But it's a minor problem."

Wenger insists Fabregas and Thierry Henry, who will start against West Bromwich Albion at Higbury, are the obvious choices for this year's PFA prizes.

"My list (for the PFA Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year) is very short," Wenger said. "It is Thierry Henry and Ceesc Fabregas - and by miles.

"You cannot see anyone coming close to them. Henry has scored 22 goals in the league, crucial goals in the Champions League, and scored the decisive goal for France against Ireland to qualify for the World Cup.

"I believe second after Henry is Rooney, but how many goals has he scored compared to Henry? Players can have one good year but if you look at the way Henry has progressed year by year I feel he is a special player.

"There is more in this guy. It is hard to imagine but there will be more to come in the next two or three years - I hope they will be here."

Henry, whose contract runs out in 2007, has yet to sign a new deal.

Source: REUTERS
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