Sidwell Out Of Cup Tie

sporlife

Tue 12 Aug, 12:09 PM

Aston Villa midfielder Steve Sidwell will miss this week's UEFA Cup qualifier in Iceland with a calf strain.

The ex-Chelsea player sat out the recent friendly against his former club Reading, as well as two games on last week's trip to Spain, after suffering the problem in training.

And manager Martin O'Neill has opted not risk him for Thursday's second qualifying round first leg against FH Hafnarfjordur ahead of the Barclays Premier League opener against Manchester City on Sunday.

"I think Steve will only start doing a bit of work later this week so he will not be fit for Thursday," O'Neill told the club's official website.

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Yay!No own goals this time around!
From MichealS, on Tue 12 Aug 2:42PM
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Paul - a player can play in the inter-toto and not be 'cup tied' - but the game against FH is an actual UEFA Cup qulifier round; so I think it means Barry would be cup tied.
From nrhands@..., on Tue 12 Aug 1:07PM
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I understood the qualifiers were exempt of that rule, only when they reach the UEFA proper will persons be cup tied if they play and then move on. Guess someone will correct me!!
From Hayeseef, on Tue 12 Aug 12:27PM
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Guess that means Gareth Barry's going to get a start which will mean he will be "cup tied".
From DW, on Tue 12 Aug 12:15PM
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