Chavez's lengthy absence from Venezuela hasn't stopped his government from making some significant changes.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

If the England international suffers a recurrence of the original problem he would face another lengthy absence.

BBC: Hargreaves faces career concerns

Birmingham midfielder Johnson will make his return to Northern Ireland duty after a lengthy absence caused by injury.

BBC: N Ireland match on as rain eases

Any lengthy absence for Van Persie will also be felt by the Dutch as they prepare for the 2010 World Cup.

BBC: Van Persie faces six-week lay-off

Tevez scored in United's win which keeps them within two points of leaders Arsenal, but a lengthy absence could have damaged their title challenge.

CNN: Man Utd given Tevez injury boost

The operators added that the club had "consistently exceeded income" and had "no contingency plans" to guard against a lengthy absence from the Premier League.

BBC: Coventry City FC faces ?1.1m rent demand

Jon Clarke was parachuted straight into Northampton's side after a lengthy absence, and Wasps exploited his lack of match practice with a slick try on 12 minutes.

BBC: Wasps 35-29 Northampton

While the move to permit trials in absence aims to improve certainty for victims, opponents argue that such trials would be subject to lengthy appeals and potentially retrials which would in turn require witnesses to retestify.

BBC: NEWS | UK | Scotland | Absent trials move is ruled out