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Pep Guardiola says John Stones will get every opportunity at Manchester City if he continues to impress after the defender bounced back to top form.

The City boss brought in new centre-backs Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake at a cost of £102 million ($132m) in the summer to sort out the defensive problems that impacted their last campaign.

With Aymeric Laporte already at the club, Stones appeared to face an uncertain future after falling behind wantaway defender Eric Garcia and midfielder Fernandinho in the pecking order at the end of last season.

But the England international has impressed when starting City’s last two matches against Olympiacos and Burnley, which they won without conceding.

Stones also had problems with injuries last season but Guardiola said the new arrivals do not mean he cannot compete for a regular starting place.

"He played two already," Guardiola said. "The previous season it was difficult to feel it - sometimes for my decisions but most of the time because of injuries.

"It's good again because he was so concentrated and didn't make any mistakes. What we are looking for from the back four is to not make mistakes."

Asked about Stones’ reaction to extra competition, the City boss added: “It's not too complicated to understand. I see the performance and the levels, and the guys that help the team and help me have more chance to play.

“The other ones have to wait for the opportunity and they have to fight and wait for their moment and, when they have the moment, do it as well as possible.

“This business it works in this way, not any other way. What happened one week ago or today for example is past. Now you have to do it in the game in Portugal.”

City travel to Portugal on Tuesday to face Porto aiming to secure top spot in their Champions League group having already qualified for the knockout stages.

Kevin De Bruyne and Kyle Walker were left behind for last week's win over Olympiacos but came straight back into the side that beat Burnley 5-0 on Saturday.

But Guardiola warned his players that they will be in for a surprise if they think being left out means they will be straight back into the team after a break.

“It's not about rest,” he said. “I saw Kevin a little bit exhausted mentally that's true. Right now I see the players who are in a better condition or more focused.

"If these players believe they are rested because I am rotating, they are making a big mistake.

“I put in every game the best players for many reasons. Sometimes the health of the team or not being injured, But especially the players who perform well.

“The youngest player that we have, Phil Foden, gets the same treatment and opportunities as Fernandinho, our most experienced player.

“It doesn't matter if you won more titles in the past or scored a lot of goals, you have to show it on the pitch. In the recent past, in the present and especially in the future."

Mikel Arteta has revealed that Thomas Partey’s injury is more serious than Arsenal first feared and says it will be a ‘few games’ before the Ghana international returns.

Partey has not featured for there Gunners since he was replaced at half-time of the 3-0 defeat by Aston Villa on November 8.

Initially, it was believed the £45 million deadline day addition from Atletico Madrid would not be sidelined for too long with what was described as a thigh problem, but he has now sat out Arsenal’s last three matches.

And, speaking after Sunday’s 2-1 defeat by Wolves, Arteta could not confirm when the midfielder would be ready to return.

"I don’t think he will be with us in the next few games," said the Gunners boss. "We have been missing a lot of players. We have many, many different issues, but I don’t like to use that excuse.

"At the end of the day, we are all the time really close to winning football matches and we end up losing it in the last few games.

"This is only in our hands with the players that we have. It is what we have to do. We cannot change that. It is in our hands."

When asked whether Partey’s issue was more serious than first thought, Arteta added: "Yes."

Arsenal host Rapid Vienna in the Europa League on Thursday night before travelling to Tottenham next Sunday for the first north London derby of the season.

They then have Premier League games against Burnley, Southampton and Everton before Christmas, as well as a Carabao Cup quarter-final against Manchester City.

The defeat against Wolves left Arteta’s side 14th in the table with just 13 points from their first 10 league games - their lowest points tally ever at this stage of a Premier League season.

They have scored just 10 goals in the league and could will fall 11 point behind leaders Spurs, should they lose to their neighbours next weekend.

Arteta insists, however, is not worrying about his job, despite his side’s alarming run of form.

"The day I decided to be a coach I know that one day I will be sacked or leave the football club," he said. "I don’t know if it’s the day after I sign my contact, in a month’s time, a year’s time or six months’ time. I never worry about it.

"My only concern is to get the best out of the players, give the best possible service to the club and become better and better.

"I know, I repeat, in this profession, one day I will get the sack or leave but I don't know when that is going to happen."

Mikel Arteta says David Luiz was substituted at half-time in Arsenal's Premier League match against Wolves because he felt "uncomfortable" following a head collision with Raul Jimenez.

The Arsenal centre-back was left bleeding and required a bandage after he clashed heads with the striker as they challenged for a cross in the Wolves box.

Jimenez had to be stretchered off the field as a result of the injury, having been knocked unconscious, but Luiz was able to keep playing.

Arteta opted to substitute the 33-year-old during the break, however, with Rob Holding called on to take his place in the Gunners' defence.

The home side's manager says Luiz was cleared to stay on by the team doctor, but admits the player was worried by the end of the half.

"I was shocked [at the collision] because I saw the reaction of the players," he told BBC Sport. "They were asking the doctors. We knew David Luiz was OK, it was just a cut. Raul Jimenez looked pretty bad.

"The doctor did all the tests and protocols to make sure the player [Luiz] was safe to continue. David was just worried about his cut, he never lost consciousness. He couldn't really head the ball, he was uncomfortable - nothing else - so we took him off."

Wolves went on to win the match 2-1, leaving Arsenal with just one point from their last three Premier League matches. 

"They had two shots on target in the first half and scored twice," Arteta said when asked about his side's performance.

"The team showed a real resilience, togetherness and belief to try to win in the second half. We generated the chances but didn't score.

"We need more goals to win football matches. We need to keep supporting the players. All players go through [tough] periods. We're creating chances but struggling to score goals. That's the difference between winning and losing.

"When you lose matches the confidence goes down because they believe things can happen again. You need to win after a defeat. We've been doing this in my time here. This is the first time since we've been here [that they've had a losing run]."

Next week Arsenal take on north London rivals Tottenham, who are top of the table after drawing 0-0 with Chelsea on Sunday.

"It would be great [to bounce back against Spurs]," Arteta added. "There's not a bigger motivation than for us to go to Spurs and try to beat them."

Edinson Cavani may be the subject of an investigation from the Football Association after allegedly using a racially offensive term in a social media post.

The Manchester United striker came off the bench to fire his side to a 3-2 win against Southampton on Sunday.

The Red Devils were 2-0 down when the Uruguay international came off the bench for the second half and set up Bruno Fernandes to pull one back before heading in two of his own to seal the three points deep in stoppage time.

The 33-year-old shared some of the positive messages he received from fans in the wake of the victory and responded to one post with the message "Gracias n******".

Cavani has since deleted the post.

The term Cavani used is the same Uruguay co-star Luis Suarez is said to have used during his altercation with Patrice Evra in October 2011, which resulted in the former Liverpool star being fined £40,000 and banned for eight matches.

The FA and United have not commented on the issue as of yet.

Cavani joined the Old Trafford side in a free transfer in October and has scored three goals in five substitute appearances in the Premier League.

Coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was full of praise for the striker after his impact in Sunday's game and has been impressed by his movement off the ball. 

“He is one of the best because of his experience and qualities, that movement," Solskjaer said.

"He is one of the best movers you can see. He can peel off the shoulder, he can get in front of you, he can pin you.

"He wants to be in between the two posts, which I love. I love a centre-forward who gets in there. It might hurt sometimes but, when you’re there and you get the ball there, you've gambled and the ball’s been delivered, it's a goal. Two goals!”

United captain Harry Maguire went as far as to hail him as an example for other strikers.

"He has been without a club for a few months so he is coming in and catching up. He is a great professional, he is great to have around the place, he is great in the dressing room and I think you saw today what he brings to the club," he said.

"His movement when the ball is wide is to a level that not many strikers can reach. He is always on the move, always getting across people and that’s why he has always scored goals. So if there are any strikers out here wanting to learn and watch, I am sure they are studying his movement and what he has done in his career."

Al Hilal captain Abd Al-Latif Saeed has revealed he was impressed by Vipers SC’s Abdulkarim Watambala, Ibrahim Orit and Disan Galiwango during the Caf Champions League preliminary round meeting at the St Mary’s Stadium on Saturday.

Vipers went down 1-0 against the Sudanese side but Watambala and debutants Orit and Galiwango impressed despite the end result, according to Al Hilal’s skipper Saeed.

Walid El Shoala scored the goal that gave Al Hilal the first-leg advantage ahead of the return leg that will be played on December 5.

 “Three players caught my imagination. Shirt number 25 [Watambala], shirt number three [Galiwango] and the wide forward [Orit] who came on were brilliant,” Saeed said after the game as per Football256.

“I think they were good on the day for their side and caused a couple of problems for our backline. We have to take notice of them for the second leg.”

Vipers head coach Fred Kajoba stated some of his players underperformed and thus put them under pressure before the decisive second leg encounter.

“Poor first half, very good second half but now we have to go back to the drawing board and correct those small mistakes,” Kajoba said after the game.

“In the first half, we did not play good football. I felt some of the players were below par in the first half and I thought they were not at the level required to play at Vipers.

The Ugandan coach revealed what made them look a more solid side in the second half.

“I liked how we handled the game in the second half. I thought we were better, braver, and had purpose about our play," Kajoba continued.

“We shifted our shape to a back three, and that helped us have more men inside their half.

“That gives me a lot of confidence in the team that we can build on that and turn around this fixture. It is not entirely out of our hands and I am positive we can get the result in Sudan.”

Vipers returned to the continental football after they were declared champions when last season was cancelled in May due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Kenya U20 head coach Stanley Okumbi is upbeat ahead of the Cecafa Championship semi-final tie against Uganda on Monday.

The Rising Stars will face Uganda’s Hippos in the first semi-final in a day’s time and Okumbi believes his charges are well prepared for the encounter at Black Rhino Academy, in Arusha, Tanzania.

“We have a chance to make history,” the former Harambee Stars head coach told the Football Kenya Federation website.

“The boys are well prepared and motivated. It’s like a derby, we will give our best to get everything out of the match.

Festone Omoto and Benson Omalla scored the goals that sealed Kenya’s semi-final slot against Sudan on November 27.

The goal was the second for Omalla in the tournament after he got onto the scoresheet in the opener against Ethiopia where he also grabbed two assists.

The Rising Stars emerged from Group B as winners and were undefeated, and Uganda are expected to offer them the toughest challenge yet in the knockout stage.

“First of all I want to help the team to go all the way and win the competition, and qualify for the U20 Africa Cup of Nations as well,” Omalla stated as he revealed his expectations in the tournament in an earlier interview.

“Finally, I want to give my best for the team and get at least seven goals for the team."

South Sudan also qualified for the semi-finals and will clash with the host and reigning champions Tanzania in the second semi-final.

William Kundu, Phillip Biajo and Khamis Atari and Japhet Ntunzwenimana’s own goal handed South Sudan a 4-0 victory against Burundi for them to secure their place in the last four as the best runner-up.

The win was the biggest registered by the junior Bright Stars in the competition after they had frustrated Uganda in the opening game which ended in a 0-0 draw.

They finished with four points, the same as Uganda but with an inferior goal difference.

South Sudan, Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda will fight for the two positions that will guarantee nations the available slots in the 2022 U20 African Cup of Nations that will be held in Mauritania.

The Cecafa final and bronze medal match will be played on December 2.

Kerala Blasters picked a point from their Sunday night clash against Chennaiyin at the GMC Stadium in Bambolim.

The result meant that Kibu Vicuna and his men are yet to register their first win in the Indian Super League 2020-21 after three games. 

Kerala Blasters didn't start the game well as Chennaiyin created plenty of chances in the first 30 minutes. The Marina Machans attacked with the likes of Esmael Goncalves, Rafael Crivellaro and Jakub Sylvestr as Kerala Blasters were continously forced to play inside their own half.

However, Vicuna was impressed with the way his team changed the tempo after 30 minutes and came back strongly. He also mentioned that both the teams played evenly-matched football in the second half of the match but his players were tired in the last 20 odd minutes due to crammed scheduling. 

"I think we play, we didn't start the match well but in the middle of the first half we started to play better. To have the ball, to give cross to the opponent half. In the second half it was very even, I think we were tired in the last 20-30 minutes because we played on Thursday. My feeling is that if we play in the same conditions as the opponents (playing their second game instead of third) we get the three points," Kibu Vicuna said in the post-match interview. 

Kerala Blasters' English striker Gary Hooper completed 14 passes with 67 per cent pass accuracy in his 84 minutes of play. He came in as a replacement for the club's all-time topscorer Bart Ogbeche but hasn't gotten off to a flying start. Vicuna backed his forward and said that he needs time to gel with the team.

"No, we expect from Gary that he's scoring goals. He needs time also to play with the team, to know the team. To know his teammates and for sure Gary is going to have a good season," Vicuna said. 

Vicuna also provided an update on the fitness status of Sahal Abdul Samad, Vicente Gomez and Sergio Cidoncha. Sahal is close to recovering and could have played against Chennaiyin if not for tired on-field players forcing the coach to change his plans. The coach also revealed that Gomez wasn't fully fit to start the game and that Cidoncha has suffered an ankle injury. 

Sami Khedira remains open to a Premier League transfer, and insisted he has never lost contact with Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti.

The Germany international seems set for a divorce from Juventus sooner rather than later, as he is completely out of favour at the Serie A club.

Khedira has no issue with Andrea Pirlo’s decision making, insisting it is a coach’s right to head in any direction they wish, but wants to be back on the field.

The 33-year-old has been linked with Everton and Tottenham, having worked under Toffees coach Ancelotti and Spurs boss Mourinho earlier in his career, and he says talks have taken place.

The Premier League is an attractive option for the midfielder, and is hopeful Juve can help ease his way out of Turin.

“If the opportunity arises to move to the Premier League, that's an option,” Khedira told ZDF. 

Commenting on his relationships with Mourinho and Ancelotti, Khedira said the lines of communication are open.

“There are talks and an exchange,” Khedira said when asked if he had been speaking to Mourinho and Ancelotti. “We never lost touch after our time together at Real Madrid.”

Khedira has given over five years’ excellent service to Juventus, and he remains committed to helping the club.

He does not want his current exile to sour his relationship with the club and their supporters, and insisted there has been no talk about a termination of his contract.

“If you can't do it on the pitch in games, you can do it in training and off the pitch," said Khedira. "When I go, I want Juve and their fans to remember me as a great player.

“There was no offer to terminate the contract. There was no talk of financial issues.”

Khedira last represented Germany in 2018, having been one of the players who disappointed at the World Cup - where they crashed out at the group stage in Russia. 

The national team was in focus during the international break on account of a thumping at the hands of Spain. 

Khedira was asked by ZDF if he had thought about a return to the national team, to which he replied: "[The top priority is] to be back on the pitch with a club, then it has always been my aim to strive for the highest. That is and will remain the national team.”

Edinson Cavani may have been the hero for Manchester United against Southampton on Sunday, but Roy Keane was perplexed by the striker's delay in getting ready to come on in the 3-2 victory.

The 33-year-old striker was called on to replace Mason Greenwood at half-time with the Red Devils trailing 2-0 at St Mary's. He went on to orchestrate a tremendous comeback for the visitors, first setting Bruno Fernandes up to pull a goal back before firing in two of his own as they sealed the three points deep into stoppage time.

United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hailed the Uruguay international for his "great impact" on the game, while team-mate Harry Maguire says he is the best striker he has faced in training - but while the praise floods in for Cavani, former midfielder Keane was not impressed by his tardiness.

Although Solskjaer made the substitution during the break, the former Paris Saint-Germain star did not come on until a minute after the game resumed because he had to change his boots.

"He was slow getting onto the pitch, with them boots," Keane said on Sky Sports . "Just as well he did score because how the guy is not prepared and ready to go on is mind-boggling. Obviously he didn’t need the boots in the end, he scored with two headers.

"He had a great contribution when he came on, with that quality, hunger and desire."

Former United captain Keane says the attacker has shown that he still has the quality to impress in the Premier League, having now scored three goals from five substitute appearances.

"It was always a gamble when he came to the club," he added. "People were doubting why he came to the club, did he have the hunger and desire?

"We’ve seen clips of him in some other games and we thought: ‘Has he still got it?’, but we’ve seen proof of it today, he could turn out to be a huge signing for United. It’s worked out well today."

United's next game is against Cavani's former team, as they take on PSG in the Champions League in Wednesday.

Ghanaian giants Asante Kotoko held Mauritanian side Nouadhibou to a 1-1 away draw in their 2020-21 Caf Champions League opener on Sunday.

Osman Ibrahim opened the scoring for the Porcupine Warriors in the first half but Hemeya Tanjy hit back for the hosts in the preliminary round first leg fixture at Stade Cheikha Ould Boidiya.

The two teams will come face to face again on December 6, with the aggregate winners progressing to the next round of the competition where a date with Al Hilal Club of Sudan or Ugandan outfit Vipers awaits.

In the absence of injury first-choice goalkeeper Felix Annan, Kotoko coach Maxwell Konadu picked Kwame Baah over Razak Abalora and Danlad Ibrahim for the No.1 spot.

Striker Kwame Opoku got the nod to lead the attack owing to his promising start to his Kotoko career, having scored in each of the club's two Ghana Premier League (GPL) games played thus far this season.

It took only five minutes for the visitors to break the deadlock as Ibrahim benefited from an Emmanuel Gyamfi assist to shoot past the goalkeeper.

After Baah was called into action for a save in the 17th minute, the goalkeeper faced a penalty five minutes later when Yussif Mubarik was adjudged by the referee to have handled the ball in the box.

Tanjy stepped up and coolly converted from 12 yards to draw the hosts level.

Eight minutes to half-time, Kotoko came close to restoring their lead but the goalkeeper rushed out promptly to collect the ball after Imoro Ibrahim put Godfred Asiamah one-on-one with the shot-stopper.

Back from recess, Gyamfi went close with a header after connecting to Evans Adomako's cross but the attempt went straight to the goalkeeper.

Both teams made further attempts to snatch a winner but failed to find the target as the referee brought the game to an end.

In the Caf Confederation Cup, Ashanti Gold could not make the most of their home advantage as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Salitas of Burkina Faso on Sunday.

The preliminary round first leg fixture took place at the Len Clay Stadium in Obuasi.

The Miners now have it all to do in the reverse fixture scheduled for Ouagadougou on December 5.

The winners after the two legs will face  El Amal of Sudan or KVZ FC of Zanzibar in the next stage of the championship.

Chelsea and Tottenham failed to fully capitalise on Liverpool's slip-up as Frank Lampard and Jose Mourinho oversaw a tightly contested 0-0 draw at Stamford Bridge.

With Liverpool pegged back by Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday, Spurs could have moved two points clear of the Reds at the top of the Premier League. Chelsea – playing the 1,000th game of the Roman Abramovich era – were also vying for pole position.

Yet despite a bright start in Sunday's London derby, with Timo Werner having a goal disallowed, neither side could make the breakthrough in what was an encounter short of clear chances.

Looking to score in three consecutive Premier League games for the first time since September 2019, Tammy Abraham missed three presentable opportunities as Chelsea had the better of the second half, with Olivier Giroud also fluffing his lines late on as the points were shared.

Hakim Ziyech sent a half-volley into Hugo Lloris' gloves in the opening minutes, but Spurs showed their threat on the counter when Harry Kane slipped in Steven Bergwijn, who drilled over.

Chelsea mounted a swift break of their own two minutes later – Werner finishing in stunning fashion off the right-hand upright – but the offside flag spared Spurs.

Edouard Mendy then made a fine save from Tottenham full-back Serge Aurier, though that strike was the second of just two attempts on target in what became a cagey first half.

Chelsea got behind Spurs' line in the 48th minute, with Reece James aiming a brilliant cross towards Abraham, who failed to make solid contact with his header.

Abraham missed a near-identical chance moments later, before he failed to tuck in from Werner's pinpoint delivery.

Mason Mount saw a long-range strike kept out with nine minutes to go, though Abraham's replacement Giroud had the best chance of the closing stages, only to lob a tame effort straight to French compatriot Lloris.

What does it mean? Defences reign supreme

There were just 18 attempts between the sides on Sunday, with 13 going Chelsea’s way and the Blues managing three on target compared to Spurs' one.

It was a display which bucked the trend for two of the league's three leading scorers, who sit either side of second-placed Liverpool in the standings, with Tottenham top on goal difference.

Silva keeps Kane and company quiet

Kane has been involved in 16 Premier League goals this season (seven goals, nine assists), more than any other player. However, Tottenham's talisman and his sidekick Son Heung-min were kept under strict control by Chelsea captain Thiago Silva, who helped ensure that Spurs failed to have a single attempt during the second half of a Premier League game for the first time since December 2018.

Abraham fails to deliver

Chelsea forward Abraham has scored 18 Premier League goals since the start of last season, twice as many as any other player for the Blues, but on Sunday he squandered arguably the best three opportunities that Lampard's side managed to create.

Key Opta facts

- Chelsea and Spurs played out a goalless draw in the Premier League for the first time since November 2015, and for the first time in the league at Stamford Bridge since March 2012.
- Spurs have taken 13 points away from home in the Premier League this season (W4 D1), their most in their opening five away games of a league campaign since 1991-92 (also 13).
- Following Sunday’s draw, Spurs (9) and Chelsea (8) are the two teams on the longest current unbeaten runs in the Premier League.
- Spurs have kept a clean sheet in three consecutive away games in the Premier League for the first time since November 2013, when they had a run of three under Andre Villas-Boas.
- This was the first Premier League game in which neither Kane nor Son scored for Spurs since September's 1-1 draw with Newcastle, ending a run of six consecutive league games in which at least one of them netted.
- Chelsea’s Mendy has kept more clean sheets than any other goalkeeper in the Premier League this season, with this being his fifth in six appearances in the competition.

What's next?

It is back to European action for both of these sides in midweek. Chelsea travel to play Sevilla in the Champions League on Wednesday, with Spurs facing LASK a day later in the Europa League.

Lionel Messi's goal and his celebration in honour of Diego Maradona were "great in every sense", according to Barcelona head coach Ronald Koeman.

Messi scored in fine style to cap a 4-0 victory over Osasuna at Camp Nou on Sunday, a game that was preceded by a tribute to former Barca star Maradona, who died on Wednesday.

Having found the net, Messi removed his Barca shirt to reveal a Newell's Old Boys jersey bearing Maradona's famous No 10. The 1986 World Cup winner spent a season at the club, where Messi was later a youth player, towards the end of his career.

Koeman was impressed both with his captain's finish and with the way he chose to pay his respects to his Argentine compatriot.

"These are the things of a great player: first because of the play and the goal, and second because of the gesture towards Maradona. It was something really great in every sense," Koeman said. "I didn't know Leo was going to do that celebration."

Antoine Griezmann was arguably Barca's star performer against Osasuna, assisting Philippe Coutinho's goal after having scored a stunning volley three minutes before half-time.

The France international at last appears to be finding his feet for the Catalans, having been directly involved in six goals in his past six matches after contributing to just one in the previous 20.

"Antoine looked very good today," said Koeman. "From his position, he played with a lot of freedom, he gave an assist and scored a great goal. This is the player we want.

"I don't think he has changed. He always worked hard to have this opportunity, but he scored a great goal and now it seems he feels freer on the pitch and that's a positive."

The opening goal was scored by Martin Braithwaite, who has scored in consecutive matches for the first time since January for Leganes and has contributed three goals and one assist in his most recent four games.

"We needed more of a number nine today to fix the centre-backs and to be able to find more space behind a team that closes up at the back," Koeman said. "Martin is working very well. We know the team works well in defence, they played with five at the back, and we had to play with a high rhythm with the ball to look for goal."

Eden Hazard has been ruled out of Real Madrid’s Champions League clash with Shakhtar Donetsk on account of injury, but Karim Benzema is back in the fold.

Belgium international Hazard arrived at Real in the summer of 2019 to much acclaim, but has had a stop-start time in Madrid on account of injury.

Injury struck again at the weekend, as Hazard limped off against Alaves in La Liga.

He lasted only 30 minutes of the shock 2-1 loss at home, after which manager Zinedine Zidane gave an injury update.

"I think and hope it's just a knock," Zidane said at his post-game press conference. "I hope it's not muscular."

It may be that Zidane’s hopes are realised and the problem is only a knock, but with a mere three-day turnaround between the two games, Hazard has not been included in the 21-man squad for Tuesday's match.

Zidane expressed concern with his side’s form following the defeat to Alaves.

"I don't have an explanation," Zidane said. "Tonight we alternated good moments with bad moments. When they scored a goal after three minutes, things got very complicated for us.

"The other day in Milan we played a good game and today...It is reality, our reality today. What we have to do is keep working, recover players and change the dynamics. We don't have consistency."

Benzema could provide the French coach with that change in dynamics after being included for the trip to Ukraine.

The French forward has not featured for Real since scoring against Valencia on November 8 due to injury, but he has come through training and will travel with the squad for a game that will see them progress to the knockout stages with a win.

His presence at the head of the attack will be a welcome addition to Zidane.

Real trail Borussia Monchengladbach at the top of Champions League Group B, but two wins from their final pair of games - against Shakhtar and the German side - would guarantee their progression as pool winners.

However, a trip to Ukraine in winter is never a welcome one - especially for a side who have won only one of their previous four outings in all competitions.

Ronald Koeman is hopeful that Clement Lenglet's injury is not serious after the defender was forced off during the 4-0 win against Osasuna on Sunday.

Lenglet had to be replaced midway through the second half when he sustained an ankle injury following an aerial challenge with Osasuna's Ruben Garcia.

Barca were already short in defensive options, with centre-backs Gerard Pique, Samuel Umtiti and Ronald Araujo ruled out with injuries, leaving Koeman with no option but to bring on Carles Alena to replace Lenglet.

Although Koeman is not sure if the 25-year-old will be able to feature against Ferencvaros in the Champions League in midweek, he does not expect to be without the France international for too long.

“I have spoken with the doctor and it seems we will have to wait for tomorrow for tests, but it does not seem that that serious," he told reporters. "I don’t know about Wednesday’s game but I hope it’s nothing major.”

Koeman called on 21-year-old defender Oscar Mingueza to partner Lenglet in the centre of the back line to cover for the injuries.

Minguez made his senior debut in the Champions League win against Dynamo Kyiv in midweek and Koeman was happy with his second display for the Blaugrana. 

“I told him that he played really well, but he lost the ball two times in areas where you cannot lose it," he added. "We spoke about that. One poor touch can lead to a chance for the opponent. You can have a good game, but two mistakes can cost you the match. He has to learn and improve.”

The result puts Barca in seventh place in La Liga with 14 points from nine matches. They are nine points adrift of leaders Real Sociedad and Atletico Madrid and Koeman is aware they must climb their way up.

"Our situation in the table is still very complicated, we are quite a few points behind," he said. "We have six games, four at home, between now and the end of the year. We cannot lose more.

"If a team is not playing well it can be complicated, we saw that with Real Madrid yesterday. Atletico are very strong and at the moment they are not failing, but a lot can still happen."

Bloemfontein Celtic recorded a 2-0 victory over AS Maniema Union away in the 2020/21 Caf Confederation Cup preliminary round first-leg match at Stade Joseph Kabila Kabange on Sunday.

Harris Tchilimbou handed Phunya Sele Sele an early lead, before Menzi Ndwandwe doubled the visitors' advantage in the first-half and they were able to contain the Greens and Blacks thereafter.

Phunya Sele Sele were oozing with confidence after securing their maiden win of the season in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) when they edged out Black Leopards 1-0 in midweek.

Menzi Ndwandwe and Harris Tchilimbou were among the players who were recalled to the starting line-up by coach John Maduka as Celtic made their debut appearance in continental football.

On the other hand, the Green and Blacks were in good form having won their last three matches in the Congolese Linnafoot Super League against Dauphins Noirs, Rangers FC and Groupe Bazano.

Patsheli Pinoki and Pepito Bahoso started upfront for Daouda Lupembe's side with Maniema making their second successive appearance in Africa's secondary club football tournament.

Celtic caught the hosts by surprise as they grabbed two early goals to take a 2-0 lead within the first 10 minutes of the encounter which was played in the Congolese city of Kindu. 

The deadlock was broken by Congo-Brazzaville international Tchilimbou, who beat Maniema goalkeeper Jackson Lunanga to make it 1-0 to Celtic just five minutes into the match.

Lunanga, who was part of the DR Congo squad which faced Angola in the 2022 Afcon qualifiers earlier this month, was beaten again four minutes later.

The 23-year-old shot-stopper failed to stop an effort from Ndwandwe as Celtic took a 2-0 lead with the in-form striker netting his third goal in five competitive matches for Phunya Sele Sele.

Maniema launched attacks as they looked to pull one back, but they were frustrated by the visitors' solid defence on the day and ultimately, Celtic secured a 2-0 victory.

Celtic will advance to the first round if they avoid a defeat against Maniema in the second-leg encounter which is set to be played in South Africa on December 5. 

The winner on aggregate between the two teams will face either Futuro Kings FC of Equatorial Guinea or Nigerian outfit Rivers United in the first round.

Diego Maradona's doctor insists he has "nothing to hide" and is "proud" of the treatment he administered to the late football star.

Police in Buenos Aires were sent to the home and private clinic of Leopoldo Luque and collected files as prosecutors launched an investigation into the circumstances around Maradona's death.

The 60-year-old Argentina and Napoli great died of a reported heart attack at his home this week, where he was recuperating following successful surgery to remove a blood clot on his brain earlier in November.

Dr Luque told reporters on Sunday he had the backing of his professional body, the Argentine Society of Neurosurgery.

He also detailed how Maradona, who struggled with alcohol and drug dependency issues, took the decision to undertake his rehabilitation from home.

"We were all gathered to see the best for Diego: the doctors, myself, his family. Nothing could be done without his will," Dr Luque said. "We sought to put together a containment scheme for the issue of the pills he was taking and to control alcohol consumption.

"There were no medical criteria [to keep Maradona in hospital]. We could have taken him to a rehabilitation centre, but we needed Diego's okay. It was his decision.

"Here there are no decisions, there are medical criteria. When you operate on a patient, the discharge criteria depend on the patient. There wasn't a doctor error.

"He had a heart problem that can happen in a patient like him. Everything possible was done to reduce that chance, but you cannot block the possibility.

"I had the full endorsement of the Argentine Society of Neurosurgery that Diego needed the surgery. Six doctors evaluated him. Death had nothing to do with [the surgery]."

Dr Luque added: "He was discharged after surgery. The ideal thing would have been for him to undergo rehabilitation, but he did not want to. We managed to get a nurse to accompany him, but he had the medical discharge.

"We tried to keep him in the clinic, but it is not a rehab centre. I extended the hospitalisation as long as I could. I am at the disposal of the justice department. With Diego, I did the best I could. I am proud of what I did. I have nothing to hide."

There has been a huge, nationwide outpouring of sympathy for the much-loved Maradona following the death of the man who captained Argentina to World Cup glory in 1986.

On Sunday, Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi paid tribute to his compatriot after he scored in a 4-0 La Liga win over Osasuna.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink feels Tammy Abraham has to do more if he wants to be the leader of Chelsea’s attack.

The forward appears to be Blues manager Frank Lampard’s preferred option at the head of his attack, with Olivier Giroud a regular on the bench and Timo Werner operating out wide.

It is a show of faith for a player who has five goals to his name across all competitions this season, but he drew a blank in the 0-0 draw with Tottenham in the Premier League on Sunday.

It was a tight, hard-fought contest at Stamford Bridge - but Abraham did have three presentable chances.

Two of the openings were headers from delicious crosses from the right foot of Reece James, while the third saw him tumble to the ground easily when seemingly ahead of his marker Eric Dier.

Commenting on Abraham’s chances, former Blues striker Hasselbaink questioned the England forward’s end product.

"For me Abraham has to do better,” Hasselbaink told Sky Sports . “[Reece] James cannot do any more for him, he put the ball in the right space. 

"Put your head against it. The other one as well, it does not matter who you are, as a striker these are brilliant crosses.

"What do you want as a striker? These moments, this is what you want. These are the moments that are counting for Abraham and he has to step up.”

Reflecting on the chance that saw Abraham tumble under minimal contact from Dier, Hasselbaink said: “Why is he going to the floor? He has done the most difficult part, stay on your feet and tap it in.

“It is a 1-0 type of game and he has had three opportunities where he has to make them his own.”

Hasselbaink believes Abraham has the potential to lead Chelsea’s attack, but questioned whether he is doing enough work on and off the field.

“He has done ever so well last year,” Hasselbaink said. "Half of the season he was a breath of fresh air. Second half of the season he had it difficult, but it is normal as he is a young boy.

"This season he has to step up and at times he can do better. With his stature and ability he should score more goals, and [more] important goals.

"I wonder if he watches clips of himself after games, as his movement and holding up the ball can be better. He needs to keep on improving.”