No silver lining for Valencia's Silva

Valencia CF may be without attacking midfielder David Silva for longer than expected, with surgery now being considered to resolve a left ankle problem picked up in his side's opening Liga win against RCD Mallorca.

'Chronic inflammation'
The club's chief medical officer Antonio Giner said: "Due to chronic inflammation [of the ankle] we opted for the player to receive treatment and to rest. If he doesn't improve, an operation will be considered." The club are set to make a decision on the 22-year-old next week but he looks extremely unlikely to be ready for the first leg of their UEFA Cup first round tie against CS Marítimo on 18 September in Portugal.