Real Madrid have been dealt a blow with the news that Ferland Mendy will be sidelined for three to four weeks. 

The left-back picked up an injury during the second half of their midweek derby clash against Atletico Madrid at the Metropolitano.A problem with the biceps femoris in his left leg means he'll be out of action for at least 20 days, casting doubt over his availability for the Champions League quarter-final first leg against Arsenal on April 8 at the Emirates.Mendy had cemented his place as Carlo Ancelotti's go-to left-back in recent Champions League knockout ties. The Italian boss had relied heavily on his defensive nous to stifle the likes of Manchester City and Atletico Madrid.But a clumsy moment while playing a backpass to Thibaut Courtois changed everything, with Mendy instantly aware of the damage. Ancelotti turned to Fran García, who stepped up admirably for the remainder of regular time and extra time, putting in a solid shift.Looking ahead, if Mendy recovers on the quicker side of the estimate, he could be back, just about, for that crucial Arsenal clash on April 8. There's even a slim chance he might return for the La Liga fixture against Valencia beforehand. However, should the worst-case scenario play out with a full four-week absence, he'd be racing against time to feature in the second leg against the Gunners at the Bernabeu on April 16.Adding a twist to the tale, Wednesday's derby marked Ferland Mendy's 200th appearance in a Real Madrid shirt. The Frenchman, who lasted 83 minutes before limping off, has racked up this milestone in his sixth season with the club, during which he's lifted 13 trophies.Reflecting on his journey, Mendy first pulled on the famous white jersey on September 1, 2019, in an away draw against Villarreal. Since then, he's notched 136 wins, with his 200 games breaking down as 128 in La Liga, 53 in the Champions League, six in the Copa del Rey, 11 in the Spanish Super Cup, and two in the European Super Cup.Ancelotti has said of Mendy's importance: "He's a rock at the back, his ability to shut down attacks is vital for us."But with the 29-year-old now facing a spell on the sidelines, Real Madrid will need to adapt quickly as they eye a deep run in Europe.

Ferland Mendy's misfortune rocks Real Madrid's Champions League plans

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Vodacom Soccer | News | Ferland Mendy's misfortune rocks Real Madrid's Champions League plans

Ashley Du Preez wants to repay the faith shown in him by Kaizer Chiefs by putting in more consistent performances for the Soweto giants.

The forward signed for Amakhosi from Stellenbosch in June 2022 and now put pen to paper on a new two-year contract to stay at the Glamour Boys.Du Preez however has only netted four goals from 16 matches in all competitions this season and wants to up his rate, especially since fellow strikers Tashreeq Morris and Wandile Duba out with injuries."Yeah, definitely, as a player if the club trusts you, you need to give back to them," he said. "So, for me it's to be consistent and help the club because like I said if they trust you, offer you a contract."So, for me as a player it's to give back them, helping them win games because they believe in me so I need to believe in myself and be consistent in winning games for the club."Du Preez has lofty targets and has set his sights on being the top goal scorer for the club and competing for Lesley Manyathela Betway Premiership top goal scorer for the next few years.He added: "To be a top goal scorer for the club and competing in the league for top goal scorer and I think for us as a club, score goals, win games, so if they believe in you and wanting you to stay for another two years you need to believe that you can achieve those goals. So, keep on working very hard on achieving those goals."

Ashley Du Preez: I need to be consistent and win games for Kaizer Chiefs

Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro believes his squad is among the best in the club's history and remains confident that they still have a realistic shot at claiming the title.

Pirates are set for a crucial showdown against league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns at FNB Stadium on Sunday, a match that could have a significant impact on the title race.Currently, Sundowns hold an 18-point lead over the Buccaneers. However, Riveiro's men have four games in hand, meaning they could reduce the gap to just six points if they win them all.A victory over Sundowns would further boost their title ambitions, cutting the deficit to just three points if they capitalise on their remaining fixtures.However, Pirates will be looking for redemption after suffering a heavy 4-1 defeat to Sundowns in their first-round encounter.Riveiro remains optimistic despite the challenge ahead, highlighting the quality of his squad."First of all, [it is] my players - knowing what they're capable of doing, knowing how they're willing and ready to compete, how hungry they are, and our capacity as the technical staff to try to help them to achieve what they want to achieve. So, nothing around us that can make me feel negative," Riveiro told a press conference."If you look at our performances so far in every competition, I think we're one of the best teams in Pirates' history."The numbers are there, the performances are there, so we have to be positive because we have reasons to be positive."He added: "You can look at the games we have played in the league and the games that our opponent, the team that is top of the log played already... it's unreal, the log and everything is still possible and in our hands and we have to perform at a level that the challenge requires." &nbsp;

Jose Riveiro confident Orlando Pirates are not out of the title race

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has outlined the Gunners' strategy to bring star winger Bukayo Saka back into the fold as they prepare for a blockbuster Champions League quarter-final clash against Real Madrid next month. 

The North London outfit are eager to see their talisman return to action after a lengthy injury layoff.Saka, a key figure for both club and country, suffered a torn hamstring in late December and has been sidelined since undergoing surgery.His absence compounded Arsenal's woes, with forwards Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz also ruled out for the season due to injuries over the following weeks. Despite fan frustration, the Gunners opted against splashing cash in the January transfer window, a decision that drew heavy criticism from supporters and pundits alike.Now, they appear focused on conserving funds for a summer spending spree.In the Premier League, Arsenal's title hopes have faded, with Liverpool stretching their lead to 15 points after last weekend's results. The Gunners, who still have a game in hand and a trip to Anfield on the horizon, are now shifting their attention to Europe. With Gabriel Martinelli recently back in the mix after a month out, all eyes are on Saka's recovery ahead of the crucial Real Madrid tie.Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Arteta provided an update on Saka's progress. "He's going to be here at the training ground, hopefully more with the ball at his feet than he has had," he said."That will mean he's passing, shooting, running, everything. He's already done quite a lot on the pitch by himself. Next, we need to get him into competitive sessions with others around him and see how he handles that. He's getting closer, stepping up, and making very good progress."The Gunners face a London derby against Chelsea this Sunday, a match Arteta sees as a chance to capitalise on Liverpool's absence due to their Carabao Cup final commitments. "Two teams that want to dominate, press high, and play with the ball—it's about imposing our style and keeping them away from their strengths," he said."There's a lot of quality on that pitch, and that's going to be key."Meanwhile, Arteta also praised the club's academy graduates, including Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly, who have followed a similar path to Saka. "They've played together for years, but their careers will be unique," he said. "What one does won't affect the other—it's a luxury to have talents you trust and love on this journey."Recent updates from Arsenal's official X account confirm Saka was spotted training individually this week, fueling optimism among fans. Arteta's cautious yet confident approach suggests the Gunners are building momentum at just the right time for their European showdown.

Bukayo Saka returns as Arsenal gear up for Real Madrid clash

Kaizer Chiefs defender Rushwin Dortley is set for a spell on the sidelines after undergoing knee surgery. 

The centre-back sustained the injury during a league match at the beginning of the month, forcing him out of action for an unspecified period.Dortley has already missed key fixtures for the Soweto giants, including matches against Magesi, Stellenbosch, and Cape Town City.His absence will extend to international duty as well, dealing a blow to South Africa's 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.The 22-year-old will be unavailable for the crucial upcoming qualifiers against Lesotho and Benin, both set to take place in Polokwane.Additionally, he will miss next week's high-profile clash against Ivory Coast.Kaizer Chiefs have yet to confirm a definitive timeline for Dortley's recovery, with medical staff monitoring his progress post-surgery."The surgery was deemed essential to ensure a full recovery and reports indicate it went smoothly. Amakhosi's medical team is optimistic about Dortley's prognosis," the club stated."While the timeline for his return remains uncertain, there is hope he will be back on the field donning the iconic gold and black colours in the not too distant future." &nbsp;