Serie A
De Vrij to undergo surgery: Lazio defender Stefan de Vrij faces a spell on the sidelines as he prepares to go under the knife to correct a knee issue. The 23-year-old has been plagued by a long-standing knee problem and the Netherlands international will be operated on next week, Lazio confirmed on Friday. De Vrij has only appeared in two Serie A matches this season, while he played in both Champions League matches against Bayer Leverkusen.
Premier League
Costa and Pedro set for late fitness test: Diego Costa and Pedro will undergo late fitness tests to determine if the pair will play for Chelsea in Saturday's clash with Liverpool. Costa damaged ribs in Tuesday's Capital One Cup penalty shootout defeat at Stoke, while Pedro has been absent in recent games with an undisclosed knock. Midfielder Nemanja Matic is available after serving a one-match suspension, but goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois (knee) and defender Branislav Ivanovic (hamstring) remain out.
Newcastle facing goalkeeper crisis: Newcastle United goalkeeper Rob Elliot has joined Tim Krul and Karl Darlow on the sidelines. The goalkeeper suffered a thigh problem in this afternoon's goalless draw against Stoke City. It is a recurrnce of the injury that saw Elliot miss the second half of last season. Krul is out for the rest of the season with a serious knee injury, while Karl Darlow is "one or two" weeks away from returning from an ankle problem, according to coach Steve McClaren.