Jose Mourinho has revealed he is still seeking two more signings in order to compete for honours in Spain and Europe this season. The Real Madrid coach has already signed Angel di Maria, Pedro Leon and Sami Khedira this summer but admits he needs more recruits at both ends of the pitch as he looks to bring silverware to Real. "I think the club can still give me a defender but it's difficult to find quality players and youngsters with a lot of potential," he told the Portuguese newspaper Record. "As well as a defender I would like another striker. If another attacking player comes in, he will be more than welcome.
"For the centre of the attack I have Karim Benzema and Gonzalo Higuain, although Cristiano Ronaldo can also occupy that role. But I prefer for him to have more freedom to feel comfortable - he has too much talent to be limited to that position. That's why I would like to have someone else - let's see if it's possible." In Italy, Stevan Jovetic is facing up to seven months on the sidelines after damaging ligaments in his right knee.
The Fiorentina midfielder, who has been almost an ever-present since signing from Partizan Belgrade in 2008, suffered the injury in pre-season training on Tuesday and tests yesterday revealed the extent of the damage. The talented 20-year-old is now set to undergo surgery and will miss most of the Serie A campaign. A statement on the club website read: "Fiorentina announce that Stevan Jovetic has suffered a tear to the anterior cruciate ligament and the external collateral ligament of the knee.
"The footballer needs a surgical operation which will be planned in the next few days. "It is foreseen it will take between six and seven months for his return to complete competitive activity." The Montenegro international, who suffered the injury in a clash with Mario Bolatti, his teammate, should hopefully return in February or March. Meanwhile, in America, Major League Soccer's DC United have fired Curt Onalfo, their coach, and put Ben Olsen, the former midfielder, in temporary charge of the struggling club.
United are bottom of the Eastern Conference with just three wins from 18 games and the worst scoring and defensive record in the 16-team league. Onalfo, who was fired from Kansas City last season, took over at DC in December having previously been a player and an assistant coach at the club. * Agencies
