Operation means Drogba may miss start of season

Didier Drogba, the Chelsea striker, is facing a three-week spell on the sidelines after an operation on a groin injury. Drogba's surgery makes him a doubtful starter for the English season's curtain raiser against Manchester United in the Community Shield at Wembley on Sunday, August 8. A Chelsea statement read: "The decision to perform the procedure after his return from the World Cup was made to optimise his rehabilitation."

Ricardo Carvalho, Chelsea's Portuguese defender, has revealed he has an agreement with the club which will see him leave Stamford Bridge this summer and has issued a come-and-get-me plea to former manager Jose Mourinho, the new Real Madrid coach. Carvalho followed Mourinho to Chelsea in 2004, after winning the Champions League with him at Porto. "If there was a possibility to sign for Madrid, I would go there right now swimming or running," Carvalho told Spanish newspaper AS. "Chelsea have a commitment with me to let me go this summer, for reasons which those responsible at the club and I know."

Meanwhile, Manchester City completed the signing of Aleksandar Kolarov yesterday after the Lazio left-back was granted a work permit and passed a medical. Despite speculation linking Wayne Bridge with Liverpool, Roberto Mancini, the City manager, said the 24-year-old Serb's arrival did not mean the end of the England defender's City career. "I want two top-class players for each position," said the Italian, who beat off interest from Real Madrid to sign the defender. "I saw Kolarov in his Lazio debut in 2007. I am looking forward to working with him."

* Agencies