Gold Coast United coach Miron Bleiberg has revealed Jason Culina may not play again this season as he may need surgery on a chronic knee injury.

The Australia and Gold Coast midfielder had been nursed through the first part of the season by his club.

But having played several games in a short period of time for Australia at the Asian Cup in Qatar, the injury has flared up, forcing Culina to leave the national squad and head back to Queensland to see what needs to be done.

“”He (Culina) weighs his options,” Bleiberg said on Friday, saying the 30-year-old would see the specialist next week.

“(His options will be) whether it be surgery (now) or whether he can play and do the surgery later on if he can bear it and it’s not causing any damage.”

“And, the third option, maybe he doesn’t need surgery, he has six or seven months lay off you know.”

If Culina does have surgery on his knee it would end his season, but the midfielder is relatively confident it will not be necessary.

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“I’ve got an appointment with the specialist next week so it all depends on what they say but I feel good,” Culina told the Gold Coast Bulletin.

Gold Coast face Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park on Sunday.

Fabio Capello intends to field Arsenal prodigy Jack Wilshere in a withdrawn role when he starts his first match for England on Wednesday.

Wilshere, 19, has established himself as an automatic starter in the Arsenal midfield this season.

He made his England debut off the bench in the 2-1 win over Hungary in August, but will line-up from the kick-off for the first time against Denmark in Wednesday’s friendly at the Parken Stadium.

Despite his relative inexperience, England coach Capello believes the teenager has the ability to adapt to a variety of roles at international level.

“I know he prefers to go forward but an intelligent player can play anywhere,” Capello said.

“I used the example of Claude Makelele before. Andrea Pirlo also started just behind the forward player but ended up playing in front of the back four.”

“The thing is, he plays with confidence, never with fear. And other players have confidence in him.”

“He is not playing for a team that’s trying to stay in the Premier League. It is Arsenal, second in the table. It is incredible for someone so young.”

“I know Wilshere is 19 but I remember the best players I managed; (Franco) Baresi, (Paolo) Maldini, Raul. They all started really young.”

“It is the same talent. But people have to wait. He is young and needs experience in big games, like the Champions League and matches between the big teams in England.”

While great things are already expected of Wilshere, his club teammate Nicklas Bendtner has cautioned England against a repeat of the unreasonable pressure placed upon Theo Walcott.

Signed by Arsenal from Southampton in January 2006, expectations skyrocketed when Walcott was picked for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany.

But Walcott failed to make an appearance in the tournament and struggled to fulfil his early promise.

“Theo can be a lesson for the way you treat Jack,” said Bendtner, who will line up for Denmark against England.

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“It’s important to take it easy and realise he is a kid. He’s still young, even though he seems very mature and seems like he has played a long time.”

“I have my own theories on how Theo Walcott was treated by England,” Bendtner added.

“I don’t want to get too much into that because it will probably just get me in trouble.”

“Young players are always put under a lot of pressure very early in England. You always throw players around really quickly.”

Fulham boss Mark Hughes said referee Stuart Attwell’s insipid performance was to blame for their 1-0 loss to Bolton in the FA Cup on Sunday.The fifth round clash at Craven Cottage was decided by an Ivan Klasnic goal, but Hughes believed his side were robbed of vital scoring chances from set plays.”There were a couple of situations where you think the referee needs to make a positive decision and just waving your arms for an advantage can be a cop-out,” Hughes told Sky Sports.”In and around the box you don’t particularly want advantage. You want free-kicks and set plays, which we didn’t seem to get.””In the second half, there were a few decisions we found difficult to understand.”The match marked Bobby Zamora’s return to the pitch, as a substitute, after five months on the sidelines with a broken leg and Hughes lauded the English midfielder on his comeback.”If we take the positives, the appearance of Bobby Zamora was huge for us and everybody saw what talent he has and what we have missed this year,” he said.Bolton manager Owen Coyle had nothing but praise for his match-winner Klasnic, who scored a Cup winner for the second time in five days for Wanderers.”Klasnic is a born goalscorer. That’s a gift that has been God given to him,” Coyle said.”He came at the start of the season when he wasn’t fully fit, he missed pre-season and (once he) got himself to peak fitness Kevin Davies and Johan Elmander were in outstanding form.””But now he’s getting himself back to fitness which is great for me with Daniel Sturridge cup-tied.””We’ve got real competition in the forward areas and that augurs well for the rest of the season.”

Arsenal will look to capitalise on Manchester United’s midweek slip-up at Chelsea when they welcome Sunderland to the Emirates on Saturday.Arsene Wenger’s men trail leaders United by four points in the Premier League standings, though they have a game in hand on their title rivals after the Red Devils were overrun 2-1 at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday. The Gunners themselves suffered a setback over the weekend when their quest to end a trophy drought stretching back to 2005 was denied by a determined Birmingham in the Carling Cup final. But suggestions that the shock defeat would rock Arsenal’s season were quickly answered on Wednesday when Wenger’s side romped to a 5-0 FA Cup triumph over Leyton Orient, setting up a quarter-final show-down with United in the process. Although Cesc Fabregas is recovering better than expected from a hamstring injury, Wenger says his midfield maestro is unlikely to feature against the Black Cats.”I don’t think he will be involved on Saturday against Sunderland,” Wenger said, ahead of a tough period for his side.”We have an important game against Sunderland on Saturday, Barcelona on Tuesday and Manchester United in the quarter-final of the FA Cup after that.”Wenger confirmed than striker Robin van Persie would miss ‘three to four weeks’ with a tear in the ligament at the back of his knee, while Arsenal will also be without Theo Walcott with an ankle problem and Lukasz Fabianski and Thomas Vermaelen will remain in the sidelines.Sunderland also have their own injury concerns, with Danny Welbeck, Lee Cattermole, Michael Turner, Fraiser Campbell and David Meyler all sidelined.Steve Bruce’s side enter the match in poor form, with just one win from their last seven in all competitions and four consecutive Premier League losses, but Bruce is still confident his side can pull off a surprise on Saturday.”Over the course of a season there is going to be a time when your team doesn’t perform well,” Bruce said.”We couldn’t have picked a more difficult period to try and get a response with games against Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City. But we know we’re capable of getting a result somewhere and we must get our heads down to get ready for the challenges ahead.”Sunderland won the reverse fixture at the Stadium of Light 1-0 thanks to an injury-time strike from Darren Bent and given their good record against some of the Premier League’s heavyweights in recent years, will give themselves a chance but beware a fired-up Arsenal side ready to make amends for their cup loss.

Argentine giant Independiente continue to struggle after falling to a 3-1 loss at home to Godoy Cruz in Group 8 of the Copa Libertadores.The loss leaves Independiente in bottom place after the first meetings between all teams in the group.The home side went into the break behind despite striker Facundo Parra opening the scoring in the 16th minute.Midfielder Hernan Fredes turned the ball into his own net inside half an hour before winger Ariel Rojas gave the visitors the lead four minutes later.Forward Ruben Ramirez clinched the the points for his side 11 minutes after half-time when he made it 3-1.It moved Godoy Cruz into top spot in the tightly contested group after starting the day bottom.Cerro Porteno maintained their unbeaten start in Group 5 but had to settle for a 1-1 draw with Deportivo Tachira.Forward Roberto Nanni gave the Paraguayans a 28th-minute lead with his fourth goal of the tournament but they relinquished the advantage on the hour mark.Columbian striker Sergio Herrera gave the Venezuelan outfit their equalizer, though they remain winless and bottom of the group after securing two draws.Union Espanola moved off the bottom of Group 4 thanks to two goals in the opening half an hour in their 2-1 victory over Velez Sarsfield.Martin Liguera opened the scoring for the Chilean outfit in the third minute in fortuitous fashion after a scramble fell for him to volley into the roof of the net from six yards.Midfielder Braulio Leal headed home the second in the 26th minute thanks to his quick reactions after having his initial header saved.The visitors pulled one back with 20 minutes to play courtesy of substitute David Ramirez, who placed his shot underneath goalkeeper Eduardo Lobos.Union Espanola remain just outside the top two on goal difference while Velez Sarsfield are bottom.

Since the start of the season and during the January transfer window there were stories linking the out of favour Manchester City winger, Shaun Wright-Phillips with a move to Liverpool. Although the Reds are enjoying a revival under Kenny Dalglish, there are bound to be transfer targets for the club come the summer – would SWP prove to be value for money?

The career of Wright-Phillips has been an interesting one to date. Since bursting onto the scene with City at the start of the decade, Wright-Phillips quickly shrugged off any comparison to his famous father figure by making a name for himself as a tricky right winger. In the last season of his first spell at City, he scored 10 goals in 34 league games, his best record to date and it earned him a big money move to Chelsea.

Although making a number of appearances, and in addition earning a few winners’ medals, he never established himself as a first team regular for the Blues and eventually returned to City. However, while the big money signings and ambitions at Chelsea may have stifled his first team ambitions, the same thing has happened now at City.

Now at 29 years of age, SWP could do with one last move to finish his career on a flourish rather than warming up the subs bench. Could Liverpool be the right club for him? Possibly, as the Reds would need more creativity in their team, especially on the wing. He would provide decent competition for Dirk Kuyt, or allow the Dutchman to move up front.

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However, if NESV are to use their ‘money ball’ approach used in baseball, then the signing of SWP would not make sense, as he is over the age of 27 and would not have a significant re-sale value. Although football is entirely different from the economics used in baseball and American sport in general, whilst the signings of Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez were long term solutions – it would make sense for the Reds to make some short term solutions for an immediate impact.

It would be value for money as the transfer rumours back in January were linking the player to the Anfield club for around the £4 million mark, which wouldn’t break the bank. Plus Wright-Phillips is now an experienced winger whose dribbling and pace can cause teams problems, as well as being an excellent provider of crosses for the likes of Carroll to attack.

On the other hand, NESV and Liverpool fans may disagree with the signing of SWP if they want to challenge the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City, it certainly wouldn’t match their ambitions. But perhaps Wright-Phillips needs to be given a chance to prove his worth at a top Premier League club and under the guise of Dalglish, he could be the right man to get the best out of the winger.

Alternatively, Liverpool may look elsewhere for a younger winger with more potential and a longer term investment. In that case, SWP should look elsewhere if he’s to finish off his career with an impact, although recent reports indicate that he’s determined to stay at City and break into the first team, but it just sounds like déjà-vu to me.

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Take a look at the Liverpool representative in our Top TEN solo goals of all time…

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Almeria have sacked coach Jose Luis Oltra as the club desperately tries to avoid relegation from the Spanish top flight.Almeria are bottom of the La Liga standings with eight games to play this season, three points behind their nearest rivals and four short of the safety of 17th place.

The club slumped to a 3-1 loss at home to Athletic Bilbao on Monday, and have won just one of their past eight league games.

Alberto Benito, the club’s sporting director, confirmed Oltra’s sacking after Tuesday morning’s training session at the Estadio de los Juegos Mediterraneos, as Almeria begin the search for their third manager this season.

Oltra was handed the job in November, following the sacking of Juan Manuel Lillo in the wake of their 8-0 mauling at home by Barcelona on November 20.

Oltra, 42, was at the helm for 18 league games for only four wins, although the club did make it to the semi-finals of the Copa Del Rey during his reign, losing out 8-0 on aggregate to Barcelona.

”The club took this decision in the understanding that a change is needed in the team dynamic as there are still chances to achieve safety, which at the moment is four points away,” a club statement read.

”Jose Luis Oltra, who UD Almeria thank for his work and professionalism, will bid farewell to the squad on Wednesday morning.”

Aston Villa have confirmed manager Gerard Houllier will miss the club’s final four Premier League matches of the season.Houllier, 63, is under observation after complaining of chest pains last week, and the Frenchman previously endured major heart surgery in 2001 while in charge of Liverpool.

Houllier was absent from the touchline for Villa’s 1-1 draw at home against Stoke on Saturday, and his assistant Gary McAllister has been placed in charge of the team until the end of the season.

Villa director general Charles Krulak said the priority was for Houllier to get well without the pressure of management.

“It is serious, something that we have to be concerned about,” Krulak said.

“I am afraid he will not be on the sidelines for the remainder of our games. The key is his health and that he recovers completely.”

McAllister, a former manager at Leeds and Coventry, said he will have no problems stepping into the role but concedes he is relatively inexperienced.

“The facts are I’m a professional man. I’m the number two and when the manager is not here, I’ve got to go in,” McAllister said.

“I’m fortunate I’ve managed another big city club in Leeds and another not far away from here at Coventry.”

“I’m trying to get better at knowing the character of the modern-day player.”

“My experience is not massive. My main experience is coming from being an ex-player.”

McAllister said he was unsure when Houllier would return to work.

“We are very much in the hands of the specialist. There is a lot of monitoring going on, there are loads of machines in and around Gerard,” he said.

“As far as I am concerned, the way I see it, it is a bit early to suggest the length of time he is going to be in there or what the next step is.”

Genk lead the Belgian First Division Championship Playoff after Marvin Ogunjimi’s late winner helped secure a 3-2 win away to Gent.Visitors Genk led through goals from midfielder Kevin De Bruyne and Hungary international Daniel Tozser early in the second half of Saturday’s match at the Jules Ottenstadion.

Defensive midfielder Stef Wils pulled one back for the home side from the penalty spot on 52 minutes, before Israel striker Shlomi Arbeitman equalised on 72 minutes.

Genk looked to be heading for a costly draw, before Ogunjimi struck with eight minutes remaining to snatch all three points and remain top of the group.

Standard Liege are second, level on points with Genk, after beating Anderlecht 2-1 at home.

Centre-back Roland Juhasz had levelled for visitors Anderlecht following Moroccan midfielder Mehdi Carcela-Gonzalez’s 32nd-minute opener.

But Burundi forward Mohammed Tchite grabbed the winner for Liege with 10 minutes remaining.

Defeat leaves Anderlecht in third position, on course for to secure the automatic Europa League qualification berth.

Club Brugge remain fourth, which earns a Europa League playoff berth, after winning 1-0 away to Lokeren.

Croatian midfielder Ivan Perisic struck the winning goal four minutes before the break, with defeat leaving Lokeren bottom of the group.

Roberto Martinez saw Wigan’s 1-1 draw away against Aston Villa as a point gained as their Premier League survival still hangs in the balance.Martinez was pleased with his team’s performance and he said: “We showed great concentration, great maturity and it’s another point against a very difficult opposition.”

“We scored a good goal from open play which is always the hardest thing in football and then disappointingly we conceded from a set piece.”

Ali Al Habsi should have saved Ashley Young’s first half free kick that found the bottom corner of the net, but Martinez was full of praise for his keeper.

“Goalkeeping is a lonely position and we have to rely on Ali, his concentration and quality was there for all to see. He was there for the team when we needed him,” Martinez said.

“We had to defend at times and we did that really well but considering the position we’re in that’s a very good performance.”

Gary McAllister took charge of Aston Villa in the absence of Gerard Houllier, but he was less than impressed with the game.

“I don’t think it was a game of high quality, I think it was a grinding point by us, and it was a little bit frustrating. It wasn’t pretty at times,” he said.

“Again, we go a goal behind due to an unforced error and then we worked our way back in to the game and we did have two or three good chances to get our noses in front but I’ve got to say a draw was a fair result.”

McAllister also defended striker Emile Heskey, who received a yellow card for barging into the referee and was substituted at half time, much to his disgust.

But McAllister said: “He won’t be disciplined by me. I know he is not happy with his reaction.”

“I saw him before I came back onto the pitch for the second half and he had calmed down.”

“Did he stay to watch rest of game? I am unsure. I’ve not seen him since.”

“Knowing him the way I do, someone I admire, a good friend, someone I’ve played with, that was just not Emile.”