Craig Gordon, Hearts, Celtic, Sunderland and Scotland
Thursday

Craig Gordon has announced his retirement from football after a 25-year playing career. The 43-year-old goalkeeper won 84 Scotland caps, played 766 first-team matches and ended his second spell with boyhood club Hearts this summer.

Gordon overcame major knee, leg and injury setbacks across spells with Sunderland, Celtic and Hearts. He won five league titles with Celtic, lifted multiple domestic cups and became one of Scotland’s most respected modern goalkeepers.

Manchester United and Manuel Ugarte
Wednesday

Manchester United have confirmed Manuel Ugarte has undergone successful surgery on a knee ligament injury suffered with Uruguay at the World Cup. The midfielder was stretchered off during Uruguay’s final group game against Spain and now begins rehabilitation.

United were open to offers for Ugarte this summer, but any transfer is now off because he is expected to miss most of next season. Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans have already arrived, but another midfielder is still possible.

Spain, Luis de la Fuente, Lamine Yamal and Pedro Porro
After Spain’s World Cup semi-final win over France

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente eased concern over Lamine Yamal after the teenager appeared to struggle physically against France. He said early checks showed no known injury, while Pedro Porro is being monitored for possible overuse issues.

The update matters because Spain have already reached Sunday’s World Cup final and need both players available. Yamal appears to have escaped serious trouble, but Porro’s condition will be assessed after he was substituted late against France.

Barcelona and Frenkie de Jong
Tuesday

Frenkie de Jong is reportedly facing several months out after returning from the World Cup with a serious knee injury. Initial checks at Barcelona have raised major concern, with reports suggesting he could be sidelined until November.

Barcelona have not yet released a final statement, but the early diagnosis would be a major blow before the new season. De Jong played through the Netherlands’ World Cup run and remains central to the club’s midfield plans.

William Saliba, France and Arsenal
Tuesday during France v Spain

William Saliba was forced off during France’s World Cup semi-final defeat by Spain after his long-running back issue flared up badly. The Arsenal defender went down without contact before being replaced by Maxence Lacroix.

Reports say Saliba had already been managing the problem for months and may need further assessment before the new season. His exit compounds Arsenal’s concern after a demanding campaign that included 50 club appearances last season.

Kylian Mbappe, Didier Deschamps and France
Tuesday before France face Spain

Didier Deschamps says Kylian Mbappe is fit for France’s World Cup semi-final against Spain despite concerns over an ankle issue. Mbappe trained separately for part of Monday’s session, but France insist there has been no setback.

Mbappe was substituted during France’s quarter-final win over Morocco after describing the problem as minor. Deschamps said the modified training workload was part of recovery planning, keeping France’s captain available for a decisive semi-final.

London City Lionesses and Kosovare Asllani
Tuesday

London City Lionesses captain Kosovare Asllani is set to sign a one-year contract extension despite a serious knee injury. The Sweden international suffered a complex multi-ligament injury, including an ACL rupture, and faces a long recovery.

BBC Sport says London City are offering the extension to support Asllani even though she may not play again for the club. The 36-year-old hopes to regain fitness before next year’s Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

Everton and Megan Finnigan
Monday

Everton captain Megan Finnigan has signed a one-year contract extension with the Women’s Super League club. The deal means the 28-year-old centre-back will reach 20 years at Everton, including her time in the club’s academy.

Finnigan missed last season with an ACL injury but said her recovery is in a positive place and progressing well. She has made more than 200 senior appearances since 2015 and hopes this season marks her return.

Declan Rice, Thomas Tuchel and England
After England’s win over Norway

Thomas Tuchel said Declan Rice spent most of the three days before England’s World Cup quarter-final win over Norway in bed with sickness. Rice started the match but was substituted at half-time as England chased the game.

Tuchel said Rice was also managing a neural issue affecting his hamstring and lower back, so England removed him early to avoid wasting a later substitution. The update matters as England prepare for Argentina in Wednesday’s semi-final.

Marc Guehi, Declan Rice and England
Before Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final against Norway

Marc Guehi and Declan Rice are fitness concerns for England ahead of their World Cup quarter-final against Norway. Guehi has a hamstring issue, while Rice has missed two training sessions because of illness and existing hamstring and back problems.

Thomas Tuchel is still optimistic both will be available, but Guehi missing another session would place his starting role in doubt. Reece James returning to full training offers some relief after Jarell Quansah’s two-match suspension.