Torres ready for comeback

Liverpool's Spanish striker Fernando Torres is nearing a comeback after five games out with a hamstring injury. Torres, 24, has not featured for Liverpool for a month. His side take on Bolton on Boxing Day and the assistant manager Sammy Lee said: "Torres is improving. He's been working very, very hard. As regards the Christmas period, I will say his rehab is coming on well," Luiz Felipe Scolari has condemned the red card shown to John Terry in Chelsea's draw with Everton on Monday as "not normal". Terry was sent off for a high challenge on Leon Osman and must now serve a three-match ban. The manager Scolari, who did not attend the post-match press conference, told ChelseaTV: "I looked at the game again and I don't change. I don't very well understand the decision."

Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas has confirmed he will not be undergoing an operation on his damaged knee. The injury is set to keep the Gunners' captain sidelined for around four months. He said: "After consulting with the best doctor possible, we have decided not to operate.The doctor recommended to me not to do it because I'm young and the meniscus is not damaged," Fabregas, 21, said in Marca.

The former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler, 33 has been released by Blackburn after new manager Sam Allardyce decided not to extend his "pay-as-you-play" contract. * Agencies