SPORT IN BRIEF
Zhirkov plays down surgery fear
CHELSEA winger Yuri Zhirkov has denied reports he needs an operation to cure the knee problem that has prevented him making his Premier League bow.
Zhirkov is not expected to return before the Blues face Burnley on Saturday week, but the Russian summer signing said suggestions of surgery “don’t correspond to reality”.
Walcott comeback still on ice
ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger admits he does not know whether winger Theo Walcott will be back for their crunch trip to Manchester United on 29 August.
Walcott has missed the Gunners’ first two games of the season, and Wenger said of the United game: “We will see. It is always difficult to set a date. But we believe it is a question of days not weeks.”
Aguero happy to remain in Spain
ATLETICO MADRID striker Sergio Aguero has ruled out a £40m move to the Premier League, insisting he wants to stay with the Spanish club.
Aguero is now cup-tied for European competition after playing, and scoring, in the Champions League qualifying victory over Panathinaikos on Wednesday.
And the Argentine says he never wanted to leave, amid reports of interest from Manchester United and Chelsea. He said: “I’ve always said I wanted to stay at and this is what has happened.”