*All times CAT (GMT+2)

Football | Nigeria

Mikel set to return



John Obi Mikel will return from his three-match ban for Chelsea in the Barclays English Premier Boxing Day fixture against Norwich City at Carrow Road.

The English FA announced on December 7 that Chelsea midfielder, Mikel, had been given a three-match ban and fined £60,000 for "using threatening and/or abusive and/or insulting words and/or behaviour" in the aftermath of his side's game against Manchester United in October.

The former Lyn Oslo midfielder stormed into the match officials' changing room after the Blues' 2-3 defeat at Stamford Bridge and angrily confronted referee Mark Clattenburg, who he allegedly believed racially abused him.

After sitting out the club’s last three domestic matches, Mikel has now been included in the Chelsea squad for Wednesday’s trip to Norwich by manager, Rafa Benitez.

Mikel’s elder brother, Ebele has now told supersport.com that the midfielder is poised to make a swift return to the first team after serving out his suspension.

“I spoke to him this (Wednesday) morning and he says he is in great shape as he has not missed a single training session. He has also told me that he is likely to start today (Wednesday) against Norwich,” Ebele told supersport.com on Wednesday.

Shop

Gerrard: My Autobiography
Steven Gerrard is a hero to millions, not only as the inspirational captain of Liverpool FC, but as a key member of the England team.
R118.00
Red: My autobiography
No player has been more synonymous with the glory years of Manchester United Football Club over the past two decades than right-back Gary Neville.
R195.00
The Professor: Arsene Wenger
Idealistic, passionate and scientific, Arsene Wenger led the modernisation of English football
R138.00
FIFA 13
All-new Attacking Intelligence infuses players with the most sophisticated artificial intelligence ever achieved
R564.95


Comments

More expert analysis and opinion from Sport24
The opinions expressed by Sport24 experts and bloggers are theirs alone, and do not necessarily represent those of SuperSport

Sports Talk



Dr Errol Sweeney
Why are referees explaining their decisions?
Match officials make mistakes because they are like you and me - human. However, in modern...

John Dykes
A day for sentiment, stats and hard cash
The title may have been won weeks ago and the relegation issues settled seven days back but there...

Emeka Enyadike
Beckham, most popular football star
Is David Beckham the most famous football player ever? I tweeted from my @EmekaEnyadike handle and...

Segun Odegbami
Dortmund may surprise favourites
I cannot disguise my interest in Barcelona. I never hide my love for their style of play that is...

Calvin Emeka Onwuka
Not this time Arsenal
The league title is with Robin van Persie and his Manchester United teammates. Man City have...

Neil Tovey
Khune top of the class
Kaizer Chiefs are on the verge of clinching their first league title since 2005. One man’s name is...