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Modric to be fined for missing training, tour

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Tottenham coach Andre Villas-Boas said midfielder Luka Modric will be fined for skipping training and missing the team's tour of the United States.

Pursued by Chelsea when Villas-Boas was its manager during the previous offseason, Modric has this time been linked with a move to Real Madrid.

"He has had interest in the past but he has always behaved professionally," Villas-Boas said. "Unfortunately for him he is going to be fined for not being present. He is a player who has always offered so much for Tottenham ... but the chairman feels the fact he is not present is not common professional behavior."

Tottenham has since announced on its website that the Croatian international returned to training in London on Monday.

Villas-Boas was speaking ahead of Tuesday's friendly against LA Galaxy, the first of Spurs' three matches in the U.S.

The London club will also play Liverpool in an all-Premier League game on July 28 in Baltimore before finishing up against the New York Red Bulls on July 31.

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PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Fernando Torres joined the Chelsea squad on Tuesday for the remainder of its offseason tour of the United States.

Torres had been given a three-week break after being part of Spain's European Championship-winning squad. He won the Golden Boot as top scorer at Euro 2012 with three goals.

Torres took part in training at the Novacare Complex, the headquarters of the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles, before undertaking some fitness work away from the other players.

Chelsea is halfway through its four-game tour of the U.S. The team beat Seattle Sounders 4-2 last Wednesday before drawing 1-1 with Paris Saint-Germain at Yankee Stadium on Sunday.

The Champions League winner will play the MLS All-Stars on July 25 on Wednesday before traveling to Miami to pay AC Milan at Sun Life Stadium three days later.

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MANCHESTER, England (AP) — England midfielder Gareth Barry is hoping he will have recovered from the abdominal surgery that forced him to miss the European Championship in time for Manchester City's start to the Premier League season.

"I think the worst of it's over now," said Barry. "I don't really want to put a timescale on it, but hopefully I'll be ready for the main games starting."

The 31-year-old Barry has been training at the Carrington practice ground, looking to improve his fitness before Man City defends its Premier League title.

"Obviously it was a fantastic end last season and now there will be more pressure on the team," Barry said. "But to head into the new season as champions gives you a great deal of confidence."

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LIVERPOOL, England (AP) — Everton has withdrawn from an Indonesian pre-season tournament scheduled for later this week following the withdrawal of Turkish side Galatasaray.

Concerned at the organization and structure of the Java Cup, Everton said it "repeatedly asked for clarity and assurances from the organizers on the issues but unfortunately have not received the answers we required in the timeframe necessary to ensure our participation."

Everton's squad will now stay in the Britain to continue its preparations for the season.

Everton begins its Premier League campaign on Aug. 20 against Manchester United at Goodison Park.

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