Paris Saint-Germain boss Mauricio Pochettino backed Sergio Ramos to return before the end of the month after the Spaniard was ruled out of Sunday's clash with Monaco.
The former Real Madrid captain made his long-awaited PSG debut in last month's 3-1 win at Saint-Etienne after a calf injury, but has not played since due to muscle fatigue.
Speaking at a media conference ahead of welcoming Niko Kovac's Monaco to the Parc des Princes on Sunday, Pochettino indicated that Ramos is likely to be back available soon.
He defended his decision to play the 35-year-old for the full 90 minutes against Les Verts, who had Timothee Kolodziejczak sent off in first-half stoppage time.
"Will [Ramos] play again in 2021? Yes, we hope to see him again by the end of the calendar year," the former Tottenham manager said.
When asked if Ramos played too much against Saint-Etienne, Pochettino added: "No, he was feeling good. We played 11 against 10 most of this game. The requirement was maybe not the same as 11 against 11."
PSG beat Club Brugge 4-1 in their final Champions League group game on Tuesday and Pochettino was asked by reporters about his ambitions in the competition, particularly considering their second-placed group finish that means they will be unseeded in Monday's draw for the last 16.
"Is there a team that we particularly fear? Honestly, no. There are only very good teams. They have all their strengths. We are PSG, we have to beat all the teams," Pochettino said.
"Before February and the Champions League, we have matches [here] where we have to perform well. One of the club's objectives is to win the Champions League, but we also have to be focused on the present."
PSG lead the way in Ligue 1, sitting 11 points clear of second-placed Rennes going into the weekend, but have drawn their last two league games, with questions arising as to whether Pochettino is getting the best out of his star-studded squad.
"We would like to be able to perform at a high level for 90 minutes, on a regular basis," the Argentine coach said. "It's difficult. The level is high in Ligue 1 and in the European Cup.
"We expect a tough game against a very good [Monaco] team. They are not worse off than last season. They have a great coach, great players."
Rumour Has It: Man Utd sanction £80m move for Kane to get the jump on transfer rivals
Harry Kane's future at Tottenham remains in limbo, given his contract status and the departure of Antonio Conte.
The 29-year-old forward, who recently became Spurs' all-time leading scorer, is out of contract in 2024.
Kane has previously spoken about his desire to contend for silverware and almost joined Manchester City in 2021.
TOP STORY – MAN UTD SANCTION KANE MOVE
The Manchester United bosses have sanctioned a potential £80million deal for Tottenham striker Harry Kane, reports the Daily Star.
United are ready to ramp up their interest in the England captain, who has interest from Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Chelsea.
The report claims United hope to get the jump on their rivals and open up talks soon, with a view to having a deal agreed with Kane within weeks.
ROUND-UP
– The Times reports Bayern Munich want to sign Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount who previously worked with the German champions' new boss Thomas Tuchel.
– Arsenal are circling for Eintracht Frankfurt's Danish midfielder Jesper Lindstrom who may be available for €30m, reports Sport1.
– The Mirror claims Liverpool have joined the battle to sign Evan Ndicka from Eintracht Frankfurt as a free agent in the off-season.
– Barcelona may cash in on Samuel Umtiti's revival on loan at Lecce and look to recoup a transfer fee this off-season according to SPORT.
– Sky Italy claims former Real Madrid boss and France World Cup winner Zinedine Zidane is on Tottenham's shortlist to replace Conte, along with Mauricio Pochettino, Julian Nagelsmann and Luis Enrique.
Argentina 7-0 Curacao: Messi caps 100th international goal with first-half hat-trick
Lionel Messi scored his 100th international goal before capping his performance with a first-half hat-trick as Argentina routed Curacao 7-0 during Tuesday's friendly in Santiago del Estero.
Messi came into the game on 99 international goals but did not need to wait long to bring up triple figures, netting a 20th-minute opener, in a lopsided match-up where the world champions raced to a 5-0 half-time lead.
The Argentinian captain played the entire 90 minutes, scoring three goals within 17 devastating first-half minutes, while he also laid off the assist for Enzo Fernandez's powerful strike among the flurry.
Messi was denied early on by Curacao goalkeeper Eloy Room's sharp save, but soon after Giovani Lo Celso found him in space inside the box, setting him up to jink past two defenders and fire in a low right-foot shot for his 100th Argentina goal.
Nicolas Gonzalez added a second in the 23rd minute when he out-jumped Room to head home from a corner, before he played provider for Messi's second with a neat left-foot finish in the 33rd minute.
Two minutes later, Messi held up the ball and dished out a deft pass for Fernandez to lash home, with the Paris Saint-Germain star wrapping up his hat-trick when he raced on to Lo Celso's lofted pass and coolly converted after taking two touches.
Room brilliantly denied Lautaro Martinez twice early in the second half, while Leandro Bacuna fizzed Curacao's best chance over the bar from a 63rd-minute free-kick on the edge of the box.
Substitute Angel Di Maria added a sixth goal from the penalty spot in the 78th minute after Cuco Martina's handball, with Gonzalo Montiel side-footing home another from Paulo Dybala's cutback in the 88th minute.
Arteta issues Saka warning - 'He has room for improvement'
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has heaped praise on Bukayo Saka for his consistency but claims the youg star still has room for improvement.
Saka has been a key pillar in Arsenal's Premier League success this term, with the side sitting eight points clear of second-placed Manchester City as they chase their first league title since 2003-04.
Only Manchester City's Erling Haaland and Tottenham's Harry Kane have more combined goals and assists in the league this season, with Saka having netted 12 goals with 10 assists. Saka has also started all 28 of Arsenal's league games this campaign.
"First of all, I think you have to recognise what he's been doing," Arteta told Sky Sports about 21-year-old Saka.
"The consistency he's shown at his age and at this level is something rare to see. He's taken it with normality.
"If you ask me if he has room for improvement, I would say: 'Yes - a lot.' He's never satisfied, he always wants more and he can still do a lot of things better and more efficiently, but we are really pleased to have him."
Talks are ongoing between Arsenal and Saka on a new deal, with his current contract due to expire in 2024.
Last week former Arsenal centre-back Kolo Toure urged the club to sign Saka on a 10-year deal to secure his long-term future.
Saka was outstanding for England at last year's World Cup and netted in Sunday's 2-0 win over Ukraine at Wembley.
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