New Arsenal striker a doubt for England friendly after training injury

Roy Hodgson has confirmed new Arsenal striker Danny Welbeck is a doubt for England’s friendly against Norway after suffering an ankle injury in training.

The 23-year-old sealed a £16million deadline day move to the Emirates from Manchester United in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

But in his first session at the Gunners’ London Colney training ground, where the Three Lions made their preparations for Wednesday’s tie at Wembley, the striker picked up a knock in training that puts his participation in doubt.

On Welbeck’s late move, England manager Hodgson said: "We are happy for Danny. He felt the move might lead to more regular football and that will only be to our advantage and we think or hope he will be ready to start for Arsenal.

"But unfortunately in training today he did manage to receive a knock in the session, but I have been assured he is okay and that it will not rule him out, but obviously I suppose it could happen.

"I would be very disappointed if he could not play tomorrow because of what happened with the last kick of the session."

Hodgson is planning to field a "young team" against Norway, although the Three Lions coach revealed none of the four uncapped players in the 22-man squad will start.

While Calum Chambers, Fabian Delph and Danny Rose may get a chance off the bench, Jack Colback will have to wait.

The Newcastle midfielder will be available for the Switzerland match but an injury he injury picked up while playing for Newcastle at the weekend rules him out of the Wembley encounter, where he could be joined on the sidelines by Welbeck.

Hodgson confirmed Colback's absence from Wednesday night's match, saying: "He's been having treatment since we got together on the Sunday but unfortunately it's still going to be a day too soon for him.

"Hopefully he'll recover by Thursday so when we go to St George's Park he'll train but unfortunately he's out of the game for tomorrow, but he's the only one."

Tottenham defender has surgery following ongoing injury troubles

Tottenham and England right-back Kyle Walker has undergone lower abdominal surgery, his club have announced.

The 24-year-old has not played for Spurs since March, and no timescale was put on his recovery in a brief statement on their official website on Tuesday evening.

"Kyle Walker has undergone lower abdominal surgery," it read.

"The England right-back's pre-season preparations were disrupted by the abdominal injury and the decision to have surgery was taken following further medical assessment by specialists."

The north London club had initially hoped to avoid surgery, but resorted to sending the player for an operation in a bid to fix the long-standing problem.

"Kyle is good some days. On other days he has a bad feeling," boss Mauricio Pochettino said last month.

"We believe he may recover soon, but we need to be calm with him because it is an injury that he has had for five months."

Exclusive – Wenger can get the best out of Welbeck, says Man United legend

Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel believes Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger can take Danny Welbeck to the next level.

The England striker joined the Gunners on transfer deadline day in a £16million move as Radamel Falcao signed for the Red Devils on loan.

And as it looks like Welbeck will be given a chance to play as a central striker at the Emirates with Olivier Giroud absent through injury, Schmeichel feels Wenger is the right man to get the best out of the 23-year-old.

“I don’t think it’s a gamble [by Arsene Wenger to sign Welbeck]. It’s unfair to use his goalscoring stats against him. I know he has started a few games [centrally] but he’s not really had a proper opportunity to be a number nine and he will get that at Arsenal.

“Danny Welbeck is a fantastic player he’s got great technique it looks a bit awkward but it’s difficult to play against.

“He’s lightning quick and I think he appreciates he has to work on his goalscoring ratio. It’s not what it should be as he gets chances, but he hasn’t been able to put them away.

"Maybe he’s been working too much on the flanks and using up all his energy so when he gets an opportunity in front of goal he hasn’t got that little bit of concentration you need to stick it away.

“He’s getting a chance with Arsenal now, it’s a great opportunity. I think he’s getting a great manager [in Arsene Wenger] who can bring him up to the next level.”

Transfer rumours and paper review – Wednesday, September 3

Here's the top transfer-related stories in Wednesday's newspapers...

Manchester United are lining up a move for Roma's Netherlands midfielder Kevin Strootman, 24, in the January transfer window. (Daily Mail)

Liverpool have agreed personal terms on a one-year deal with former Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes, with the free agent set to move to Anfield imminently. (Daily Express)

But the Reds could have to wait until November to sign Valdes, 32, as he is recovering from a knee injury. (Daily Star)

Liverpool striker Fabio Borini's demands over wages and a get-out clause in his contract scuppered a move to QPR for the 23-year-old. (The Sun)

French winger Hatem Ben Arfa, 27, is likely to have played his last game for Newcastle United after joining Hull City on loan. (Daily Telegraph)

Ben Arfa almost cried at the warm welcome he got when he arrived at Hull. (Daily Mirror)

Paris St-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi claims Argentina winger Angel Di Maria, 26, wanted to join the Ligue 1 club before his move from Real Madrid to Manchester United. (Daily Mail)

Manchester United striker Welbeck joins Arsenal

Arsenal have signed Danny Welbeck from Manchester United, the club have announced.

The Gunners, along with Tottenham and Everton, were linked with a move for the forward on transfer deadline after he was deemed surplus to requirements at Old Trafford by new manager Louis van Gaal.

And, after bartering over the deal, a transfer worth a reported £16million was finally agreed, with Welbeck signing a long-term deal at the Emirates.

The Man United academy product, 23, scored 20 Premier League goals in 90 appearances across six seasons and has 26 England caps to his name.

Manchester United seal loan swoop for Falcao

Manchester United have completed an incredible transfer deadline day loan swoop for Radamel Falcao, the club have confirmed.

Most of the talk surrounding the Red Devils suggested they need to bring in a new defender but manager Louis van Gaal pulled a rabbit out of the hat by landing the Colombian striker in a season-long switch with an option to buy him.

The Monaco man, 28, scored 11 times in 20 Ligue 1 games last season before an anterior cruciate ligament injury ended his campaign early and stopped him from playing in the World Cup.

But now, as he returns to fitness, the former Porto and Atletico Madrid sensation has the chance to prove himself at Old Trafford after a loan deal was agreed.

Radamel Falcao told the club's official website: “I am delighted to be joining Manchester United on loan this season. Manchester United is the biggest club in the world and is clearly determined to get back to the top. I am looking forward to working with Louis van Gaal and contributing to the team’s success at this very exciting period in the club’s history.”

Louis van Gaal said: “I am delighted Radamel has joined us on loan this season. He is one of the most prolific goalscorers in the game. His appearance-to-goal ratio speaks for itself and, when a player of this calibre becomes available, it is an opportunity not to be missed.”

Transfer Rumours And Paper Review: Tuesday, September 2

Here's the top transfer-related stories in Tuesday's newspapers...

Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo, 29, says Colombia striker Radamel Falcao, 28, will be a fantastic signing for Manchester United. (Daily Mirror)

Liverpool striker Fabio Borini's £10m move to QPR broke down because the 23-year-old could not agree personal terms. (Daily Mail)

The Reds are likely to sign former Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes, 32, as a free agent in October. (Independent)

Toronto FC striker Jermain Defoe, 31, failed in his attempts to find a Premier League club on deadline day despite travelling to England to push through a deal. (Daily Telegraph)

And here are the latest talkSPORT.com transfer tales...

Wenger targeting deadline day move for injured Giroud replacement

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has admitted he is targeting a transfer deadline day swoop for another top striker to replace injured frontman Olivier Giroud.

The north London club confirmed this week that France international Giroud is set for a lengthy stint on the sidelines after undergoing surgery on a broken ankle, and is unlikely to return to action before the New Year.

That leaves £35million summer signing Alexis Sanchez plus youngsters Yaya Sanogo and Joel Campbell at Wenger’s disposal up front, though the back-up duo are still largely untried at the top level.

The Gunners have been linked with a sensational late move for unsettled Paris Saint-Germain forward Edinson Cavani.

And, asked if his priority ahead of Monday’s fast-approaching 11pm deadline is to strengthen his attacking options, Wenger admitted: “Yes, because we have a big injury there.

“But we still have plenty of players on our bench with a lot of quality, today we had Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jack Wilshere, Lukas Podolski, Tomas Rosicky, Calum Chambers and Joel Campbell.

“We’re still working very hard but it doesn’t depend only on us, you need all three parties to agree.

“We are open, we work on it, but let's not fool ourselves; Man City lost against Stoke and had strikers, it's not just about buying one player.

"But we want to and we are open to it. The pressure to buy is always there, we have to live with that, we try our best.”

The Gunners’ lack of flair in front of goal was evident as they could only manage a 1-1 draw against Premier League newcomers Leicester City at the King Power Stadium on Sunday.

Sanchez opened the scoring after 20 minutes though the Foxes immediately equalised through Leonardo Ulloa, and Wenger believes the injury to commanding centre-back Laurent Koscielny in the first-half had a lasting effect on the whole team.

He added: “After the injury to Koscielny we lacked that bit of sharpness and creativity to transform our possession into goals.

“We weren’t cautious enough at the end, we could have maybe lost the game because we wanted to win so much.

“Having three away games in the last two weeks, at Besiktas, Everton and here at Leicester, you could see we were mentally a bit jaded.”

Chelsea striker Torres completes two-year loan switch to AC Milan

Chelsea striker Fernando Torres has joined AC Milan on a two-year loan deal.

The 30-year-old will play for the Serie A giants, following three-and-a-half years at Stamford Bridge, in which he helped the Blues lift the Champions League, the Europa League and the FA Cup.

A statement on the west London club's website said: "Chelsea Football Club thanks Fernando for his service during the past four seasons and wishes him the very best for his loan in Italy."

Sannino resigns as Watford manager

Watford have announced the resignation of Giuseppe Sannino as Hornets manager, 24 hours after his side beat Huddersfield 4-2 at home to climb up to second in the Championship table.

The 57-year-old Italian has called time on his stay at Vicarage Road after just under nine months in charge, saying he had taken the club "as far as I can" despite their promising league position.

"I took over a very talented squad when I arrived - but they were boys in many ways", Sannino said on Watford's official website.

"I'm proud of what we have achieved and I have no doubt that the squad now, who look very much like men who know exactly what they must do, are very capable of getting promotion from this tough Championship league.

"I know I have given everything to Watford; I have given my heart and soul to the job and I have been happy to do this because of the wonderful support I have received from everyone - and most of all the fans, who are truly amazing.

"However I feel I have gone as far as I can so, for the benefit of me and the club, I feel the time is right for me to move on."

Sannino's departure leaves a third vacancy in the Championship, with Leeds and Huddersfield also searching for a manager.

Watford must now start their hunt, with several Italian names likely to be linked.

Under the rule of the Pozzo family, the Hornets have opted for Gianfranco Zola and then Sannino, with the latter replacing the former after he left the job in December last year.

A brief statement from the club said: "Watford FC wishes to thank Beppe Sannino for all that he has achieved while with the club, wishes him well for his future in football and extends an open invitation to Beppe and his family as guests of the Hornets at any future matches."