Real Madrid and Hungary legend Puskas 'critical'.

Real Madrid great Ferenc Puskas is in critical condition in a Budapest hospital, according to media reports.

Sport daily Nemzeti Spor said the 79-year-old, who has been in intensive care for two months, is suffering from a fever and pneumonia.

Puskas has been confined to hospital for six years with Alzheimer's disease.

He led Hungary's Golden Team of the early 1950s, before taking Spanish citizenship and becoming part of Real Madrid's all-conquering team.

Puskas scored a remarkable 83 goals in 84 matches for Hungary between 1945 to 1956, many of them with his hammer of a left-foot.

After leading Hungary to the 1952 Olympic Gold medal, he was part of the Mighty Magyars who became the first overseas team to beat England on home soil in 1953, scoring twice in the 5-3 win at Wembley.

Hungary then rolled England over 7-1 in Budapest and were consequently installed as favourites for the 1954 World Cup in Switzerland.

But injury to Puskas severely hampered the Magyars and they lost in the final to Germany.

Puskas joined Real Madrid and, along with Alfredo di Stefano, was the inspiration behind a string of domestic and European titles.

He scored four goals in Real's 7-3 win over Eintracht Frankfurt in a remarkable final at Hampden Park in 1960, and won the European Cup three times with Madrid side.

In all, he scored 512 goals for Real in 528 matches and in 1962 he took out Spanish citizenship in time to play for his adopted country in the 1962 World Cup.

Cicinho back by March.

Real Madrid's medical team say that defender Cicinho should be back in action in March after undergoing surgery on his inured knee.

The 26-year-old damaged the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee playing against Real Betis on September 23 and it was clear that he was set for a long spell on the sidelines.

Initial reports suggested that the Brazilian full-back would be out of action for the entire campaign but following an operation to correct the problem, Dr Alfonso del Corral, who carried out the procedure, reckons he will play again this season.

"The operation has been a success," he revealed. "The player is feeling high-spirited and happy. We are in no real hurry (for his return), but we expect him to be able to play again in March."

Real did not miss the South American on Tuesday, hammering Dynamo Kiev 5-1 in the Champions League.

Successfully operated: Cicinho underwent surgery.

Cicinho's operation was completed successfully. The medical team led by Real Madrid's repaired and reconstructed the anterior cruciate ligament injuries suffered by the Brazilian right fullback on his right knee. “We expect him to play again sometime in March,” stated Doctor Del Corral.


Cicinho was admitted to the surgery room at 4 pm CET. One and a half hours later, Doctor Del Corral was attending the media, reading out the medical report and answering their questions.

The head of Real Madrid's Medical Services expressed it in these terms, “The operation has been a success. The player is feeling high-spirited and happy.” Regarding the recovery period, the doctor specified, “We are in no real hurry, but we expect him to be able to play again in March.”

Finally, the player has expressed that he would like to go back home to Sao Paulo for a portion of the recovery period. Del Corral thinks this will entail no problems whatsoever, explaining, “We will talk it over. I think we can break it up between Spain and Brazil.”

MEDICAL REPORT:
Patient Mr. Cicero Joao de Cesare underwent a surgical procedure on 26-9-2006 at Madrid's Ruber Internacional Hospital performed by Dr. Del Corral and his team, who repaired the torn anterior cruciate ligament of the player's right knee, an injury sustained during the League match played on 23-9-2006.

The surgery effectively repaired the ligament. There have been no complications during the intervention and the post-operative, so far.

He will be discharged approximately 24 hours after the operation and is set for a 5 to 6 month recovery period.

Cicinho hit with serious knee injury.

Real Madrid right back Cicinho ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.

Madrid gave no details of his expected recovery time, but news reports Sunday said Cicinho is expected to be sidelined for six to eight months.

The Brazil international will undergo surgery on Monday, the club said.

Cicinho was injured when he twisted his knee after being hit by the ball in the 29th minute of Madrid's 1-0 league win over Real Betis on Saturday.

Cicinho's absence will allow Madrid to sign a replacement even though the transfer window closed last month. FIFA rules permit long-term injured players to be replaced.

Madrid signed Cicinho from Sao Paulo in January 2006 for a fee of €6 million (US$7.7 million) after he helped Brazil win the Confederations Cup the previous year.

The 26-year-old defender will miss his first match on Tuesday, when Madrid hosts Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League.

Madrid also gave medical details about David Beckham and Roberto Carlos.

Beckham, who has been on the bench for Madrid's last two games, has tonsillitis and has been advised to rest. Roberto Carlos' left sinus has been stitched after he was elbowed in the face by Betis defender Juanito Gutierrez in Saturday's game.

Former Real Madrid player Owen to have scond knee surgery.

Former Real Madrid and current Newcastle United striker Michael Owen returned to the United States on Monday to undergo a second operation on his injured right knee.

The England international had cartilage damage repaired at the Colorado clinic of Dr Richard Steadman on his first visit in July. But he was forced to wait eight weeks before the second stage of the operation - to repair the ruptured anterior cruciate ligament - could be performed.

The 26-year-old Owen was injured during England's World Cup group match against Sweden in June.

"I will be having the operation done in a couple of days, and I'm confident with positive thinking I will be back as good as ever," Owen told Newcastle's Web site. "I have been basically biding my time since the first operation to prepare for this one, and once it is out of the way I can get on with the rehabilitation."

The injury is expected to keep the former Liverpool player out of action for the remainder of the year.

t is Owen's second injury since joining Newcastle from Real Madrid last offseason. He fractured the fifth metatarsal of his foot in a Premier League game against Tottenham in December.

Steadman has successfully treated Alan Shearer, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Craig Bellamy in the past.