Kewell may miss start of season

Harry Kewell faces an examination on an Achilles tendon injury that is jeopardising his start to the season.

Harry Kewell faces an examination on an Achilles tendon injury that is jeopardising his start to the season.

Leeds United's Australian forward, who hopes to play for his country at the Sydney Olympics next month, was ordered to take a complete rest last week, but now he is back in light training. He will rest again over the weekend and have another examination on Monday.

The Liverpool manager, Gérard Houllier, could be starting the new season without Robbie Fowler after his captain suffered an ankle injury. Fowler was carried off during Liverpool's 4-0 friendly win over Glentoran in Belfast on Thursday when the England forward scored one of the goals.

Houllier said: "He damaged his ankle when the goalkeeper fell on him. You never know how long these things take. It looks in this case as though it might be one or two weeks."

The ankle problem is the latest setback for Fowler, who made few appearances for Liverpool last season due to a long absence with a knee injury.

Tottenham supporters have labelled the club's offer to refund season-ticket money following the sale of David Ginola to Aston Villa as a "cheap publicity stunt". Mark Jacob, a spokesman for the Tottenham Action Group, said: "Do the club think supporters are so stupid to believe this type of stunt?"

* The French captain Laurent Blanc, 34, who decided to retire after Euro 2000, is to play his last match for France against a rest of the world selection on 16 August in Marseilles.