MADRID, Jan 31 — Real Madrid are set to boost their team for the new year with a former World Player of the Year without spending a penny when they return from La Liga's winter break for a local derby at Getafe on Monday (2100 GMT).

Brazil playmaker Kaka has been out for five months since having surgery on his left knee but he has returned to training and delighted Real fans with some exquisite touches in a practice match open to the general public on Thursday.

"He's been out a long time but he's already showing that he is a Ballon d'Or winner. I'm sure he's going to bring us many days of glory," team mate Pedro Leon told reporters.

Kaka has struggled to live up to his €65 million (RM273.07 million) price tag since switching from AC Milan in 2009 and a string of injuries, combined with doubts among fans over his commitment, means he still has much to prove in Spain.

The 28-year-old's return on Monday, or perhaps in the King´s Cup yesterday, gives coach Jose Mourinho options going forward with striker Gonzalo Higuain still injured.

Mourinho also has to shuffle his defence with first-choice centre backs Ricardo Carvalho and Pepe suspended. Sergio Ramos and Raul Albiol are likely to deputise.

Both Real and Getafe have won their last five games in all competitions, but the seventh-placed hosts have a knack of upsetting their neighbours at the Coliseum. They have lost only twice to Real there in the last six seasons.

AFELLAY DEBUT

Second-placed Madrid trail leaders Barcelona by two points, and they could start their match five adrift with the in-form champions hosting promoted Levante on Sunday (1700). Barca are unbeaten in 23 outings in all competitions.

Pep Guardiola also has to make changes in defence with Carles Puyol injured and Gerard Pique suspended, while top scorer Lionel Messi has permission not to return from holiday until Jan. 2 and will probably be rested.

New signing, Dutch midfielder Ibrahim Afellay, could make his debut.

Third-placed Villarreal are forced to continue the defence of their unbeaten home record without two of their leading figures, Nilmar and Marcos Senna, when Almeria visit on Monday (1900).

Brazil striker Nilmar, their top scorer with 10 goals, is to have a surgery on a knee problem while Spain midfielder Senna has damaged a hamstring, and both will be out until February.

Fourth-placed Valencia and fifth-placed Espanyol meet at Mestalla on Sunday (2100) separated only by goal difference, in the battle to hold the last remaining Champions League qualification berth moving into January. — Reuters

 

LONDON, Dec 31 — Edin Dzeko's chances of joining Premier League title chasers Manchester City have been boosted with a ringing endorsement from City's manager Roberto Mancini.

The 24-year-old Bosnia striker is one of the Bundesliga's most prolific scorers and City are reported to be in negotiations to sign him from VfL Wolfsburg once the transfer window opens tomorrow (Saturday).

"We have the chance to win the league this year and the decisive factor could be Edin Dzeko," Italian Mancini told the Daily Mail. "This player can decide titles and that is why we want him."

City, who are level on points with Manchester United at the top of the table, albeit having played two more games, have relied heavily on the goals of Carlos Tevez.

With Emmanuel Adebayor and Roque Santa Cruz both out of favour with Mancini and Mario Balotelli yet to settle despite his hat-trick in the 4-0 win over Aston Villa on Tuesday, Dzeko's goalscoring record looks enticing.

Dzeko was Bundesliga topscorer with 22 goals last season and second topscorer the season in 2008/9 with 26, when Wolfsburg won the title.

He has scored 10 league goals in the first half of this season, even though Wolfsburg are struggling in 13th place.

Wolfsburg's English manager Steve McClaren said recently that it could be hard for the club to keep hold of Dzeko.

"We hope that Edin stays because he is a world class striker, but we are in the business of football and nothing is 100 per cent certain," he said. "We will have to see what happens."

Wolfsburg have declined to comment on the speculation surrounding the player. — Reuters