Soccer: Henry out until after Christmas

LONDON - Thierry Henry will miss all of Arsenal's English premier league soccer Christmas programme and is unlikely to be available until after the New Year because of a hamstring injury, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger revealed.

Henry has been sidelined recently with a neck problem but Wenger is more worried by the new setback.

"Thierry Henry has started his rehabilitation," Wenger said.

"He's still not completely free with his hamstring but he starts to work again.

"We hope we can build him up and make him competitive again.

"The neck problem is sorted out. It was sciatic nerve problem but the hamstring is the most troubling at the moment."

Asked if Henry would be out until the New Year, Wenger said: "Realistically, certainly yes.

"I wouldn't set a precise timescale as it's difficult to predict but Christmas certainly we will miss him."

- AFP