Football: Illie doubt for Valencia

VALENCIA COULD be without their much-touted striker Adrian Ilie for next Wednesday's Champions' League match with Manchester United at Old Trafford.

The 25-year-old Romanian international missed his club's goalless draw against Real Oviedo at the weekend because of a liver complaint and the Valencia physiotherapist, Jorge Candel, said: "Our objective is to ensure he is recovered for the game in Manchester but there is no chance of him appearing against Seville at the weekend.

"A biliary obstruction is proving a constant annoyance and preventing him from living any form of normal life."

Ilie has established himself as Claudio Lopez's regular partner for the in-form Spanish side and has scored twice in five Champions' League appearances so far this season.

Illie's absence would come as a boost to Sir Alex Ferguson's team, who desperately need a victory in the second stage of the Champions' League after their opening 2-0 defeat against Fiorentina.