Chelsea stung by new blow as Carvalho faces two months out

Chelsea face the bleak prospect of being without Ricardo Carvalho for up to two months. The Portuguese centre-half injured his back during Sunday's draw with Everton and, according to the Portuguese FA's doctor, Henrique Jones, he "should rest for at least eight weeks."

It is a further setback for Chelsea manager Avram Grant, who was left to bemoan his team's ill-fortune with defensive injuries after being held by Everton when he was left with the Brazilian Alex and Tal Ben Haim in the centre of defence. John Terry, Ashley Cole, Paulo Ferreira and Petr Cech have all been out of action of late, although Terry and Cole are both closing in on a return to fitness. Cole is expected to be playing again after the international break.

Portugal had hoped Carvalho would be fit to play in their final Euro 2008 qualifiers against Armenia and Finland, but his injury has proved more serious than first thought. "Ricardo suffered a back injury around his vertebrae and will be sidelined for about two months," Jones said. "We were expecting him to be fit for the Portugal games but further examinations have proved otherwise."

Tottenham Hotspur were yesterday given the go-ahead for a new £30m training complex in north London. Enfield council's planning committee approved plans for the new training complex at Bulls Cross, just off the M25. Spurs will also spend £2.3m on community coaching.