It might only be tribalfootball – that bastion of truth only rivalled by the Sun – but this corker takes some beating.

You might not remember Philippe Christanval. The report identifies him as ‘currently injured’. That’s in the same way that Claus Jensen was currently unfit. He’s fastly outstripping both Simon Elliot and Lee Cook as the man who spends so much time in the treatment room that he’s been shagging one of the physios.

Granted Christanval is an exceptionally gifted defender – the kind of centre-half so comfortable on the ball that we haven’t seen since the likes of Chris Coleman and Alain Goma. When he signed on a free transfer, I was astonished that we were able to attract a former French international, who had turned out for Barcelona in the past. Perhaps his injury problems have something to do with it.

He’s yet to make an appearance this season due to injury and the latest injury update doesn’t exactly sound encouraging. Having shaken off one knock, he’s now damaged a small bone in his big toe. He only managed 23 games last season – and was hauled off by Lawrie Sanchez, who sounded as though he was ready to get rid.

I would be absolutely amazed if Christanval turns up in Turin – and, even more so, if we get money for him.