Essien seeks Nations Cup switch

Ghana midfielder Michael Essien has called for a rethink on the timing of the African Cup of Nations. Chelsea are braced to lose Essien, Didier Drogba, Mikel John Obi and Salomon Kalou for up to a month during next January’s tournament in Ghana.

And Essien thinks that switching it to start at the end of the European season would have the support of players.

“If they can change it would be good for us players and it would be good the clubs too,” said Essien.

“You have to leave in January, which is a difficult month for the club, but you have to go and help your country. If they can change it would be good for us.”

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has planned for the loss of his African players as the Blues look to win the title back from Manchester United.

Middlesbrough agree fee for Mido

Middlesbrough have agreed a fee with Tottenham for the London club’s out-of-favour Egyptian striker Mido. Mido, 24, is having a medical at Boro and the Teessiders are hopeful of completing a deal before Thursday.

Sunderland and Birmingham have also expressed an interest in the £6m-rated striker but it appears Boro boss Gareth Southgate has won the battle.

“We have agreed a fee with Tottenham and that has enabled us to have him up to see us,” said Southgate.

“He’s currently in the process of having his medical and hopefully, if everything goes well, we’ll have some news in the next 36 hours.”

Mido has fallen further down the pecking order at White Hart Lane with the arrival of Darren Bent in a £16.5m move from Charlton this summer.

LA Galaxy wait on Beckham injury

Los Angeles Galaxy are awaiting an update on David Beckham’s ankle problem before deciding if he will play in Wednesday’s SuperLiga semi-final. The 32-year-old England midfielder has been restricted to only 37 minutes on the pitch since joining the Galaxy.

He missed Sunday’s game against New England Revolution and there are concerns that the long flight back to LA may have caused his ankle to swell.

A statement on whether he will face DC United is expected later on Tuesday.

After the SuperLiga match, the Galaxy next face a trip to New York to face the Red Bulls on Saturday.

The Red Bulls, who attracted a crowd of 12,103 in their last game, have sold 55,000 tickets for the Major League Soccer encounter against the Galaxy – with Beckham the main attraction.