PITTSBURGH -- Sidney Crosbys latest concussion-related layoff may not be a concussion after all, but rather a more-treatable neck injury that went undiagnosed for weeks if not months. After meeting with specialists on both U.S. coasts during the last week, the Pittsburgh Penguins captain was told he has a soft tissue injury that is causing swelling in his top two vertebrae. Multiple doctors agreed there is no fracture. While another concussion has not been ruled out -- he was sidelined for 61 games over two seasons with one -- Crosby was told the neck problem can cause symptoms much like those associated with a concussion. "The biggest thing I can take from this is this is something I can work on. I can come in and get my neck worked on," Crosby said Tuesday night. "There is a pretty big possibility this (the neck problem) could be causing some of the issues. I hope thats the case and with treatment it will improve and hopefully thats the end of it." There is nothing more that Crosby and the Penguins want than for this to be the end to a medical nightmare that has forced the NHLs biggest star -- and its most marketable asset -- to miss all but eight games over the last 13 months. "From what Ive been told, this is something pretty commonly linked with concussion symptoms, and in a way thats encouraging," Crosby said. "Theres no magic to get rid of it but, if this is contributing, this is something we can obviously treat and work on and hopefully it will go away." The star centre is currently limited to skating only and cannot practice with the full Penguins team. But if the neck treatment proves successful, Penguins general manager Ray Shero is hopeful that Crosby can return later this season to a talented team that is seen as a Stanley Cup contender even without him. Shero emphasized that no doctor -- and numerous physicians and specialists have been consulted -- believes the problem might be career-threatening. "Hes a hockey player and wants to play hockey, and he sought out other medical treatment to get back to playing the game and hopefully, through his efforts , this is going to happen soon," Shero said. "Theres been no indication from any doctor where he would have to shut it down for the season or retire. Were going to try to manage these symptoms and get them under control and get a handle on this and get him back on the ice." Crosby skated at Consol Energy Center with injured teammates Jordan Staal and Simon Despres on Monday and Tuesday. He will not accompany the Penguins to Toronto for the second half of a back-to-back series Wednesday. News of the previously undiagnosed injury broke last weekend, after Crosby met with Dr. Robert S. Bray, a Los Angeles-based specialist. A CT Scan and MRI revealed the neck injury, and Bray gave Crosby an injection to reduce the swelling. Crosby does not believe he will require further injections. Brays report was analyzed by Dr. Alexander Vaccaro, a spinal trauma expert at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, and he and other specialists -- including Crosbys Pittsburgh-based medical team -- determined Crosbys neck wasnt broken. All the doctors involved held a conference call Monday, when Penguins co-owner Mario Lemieux, team CEO David Morehouse and Crosbys agent, Pat Brisson, met in Philadelphia with Vaccaro. While the Penguins-assigned doctors did not discover the neck injury -- doctors dont know if its recent injury or developed more than a year ago -- Crosby said he is not angry or upset with his treatment. When news of Crosbys latest medical misfortune broke during the all-star weekend in Ottawa, there was considerable speculation that the issue might cause a rift between the Penguins and their biggest star. Crosby, whose current contract expires after the 2012-13 season, insisted that wasnt true. "The team has been very encouraging and theres not a lot of answers with this stuff," said Crosby, who was urged by the Penguins on multiple occasions to seek outside opinions. Shero said the goal of all the doctors involved -- whether they work for the team or not -- is to get hockeys megastar star back on the ice, and as soon as possible. Crosby, who is 24, won an NHL scoring title, an MVP award, the Stanley Cup and an Olympic gold medal by age 22. The unstated message: Its already been far too long for the Penguins to be without the sports premier player. "Were all in this together," Shero said. "The one thing were trying to find out is whats causing symptoms, and how we can get him back safely to play. He will not return to play until symptoms disappear and thats the goal of everybody here." Crosby first complained of neck pain after being leveled by a David Steckel hit in the Capitals-Penguins outdoor game on Jan. 1, 2011, in Pittsburgh. Crosby was not initially diagnosed with a concussion, but was told he had one after absorbing another hard hit, from Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman, on Jan. 5. Crosby, who was enjoying his best season to date, didnt return that season amid a lengthy medical melodrama subsequently played out for month after month. Crosby wasnt ruled to be symptom free until being cleared to play Nov. 21, when he made a memorable comeback by scoring two goals during a four-point night against the Islanders. But he played in only seven more games until the concussion-like symptoms returned following a physical game against the Bruins on Dec. 5. Now, as it turns out, the concussion might not be a concussion after all. "Maybe this is an issue that is causing some of these problems and, if we get that under control, that would be great news," Shero said. Still, as Penguins coach Dan Bylsma cautioned earlier in the day, Crosby is not yet close to being cleared for full contact, much less game action. But, given how little good news the Penguins have received concerning Crosby for the last year, perhaps this is a breakthrough. "I just want to get back out there and Im trying to do everything I can to do that," Crosby said. nike free 3.0 ár . Upon league review following Torontos January 26th game at Rochester, the NLL decided Whites hit on Knighthawks forward Casey Powell warranted a match penalty despite there being no penalty assessed on the play. nike free 5.0 ár .E.I. Rocket, Josh Currie has never produced the way he is right now. http://www.nikeairmax90magyar.com/ . CC Sabathia pitched six innings in the start for the Yankees, allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits and two walks while striking out seven. The New York bullpen shut down the Tigers from there, tossing three perfect frames. Nike Air Max 90 Női . PETERSBURG, Fla. Nike Air Max 90 Olcsón . -- Helio Castroneves paced the first day of IndyCar practice at Barber Motorsports Park, setting the stage for what could be more domination by Penske Racing.LONDON -- Cesar Azpilicueta seized on a defensive blunder and Juan Mata scored a slick second as Chelsea dumped Premier League leader Arsenal out of the League Cup with a 2-0 victory at its London rival on Tuesday. The fourth round loss ends one route to a trophy for Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who failed to mastermind a victory over Jose Mourinho for the ninth time as he looks to deliver his clubs first silverware since 2005. Mourinho now has a quarterfinal to look forward to in the competition that gave him the first trophy of his first Chelsea reign in 2005. Manchester United will be joining Chelsea in the last eight after Javier Hernandez scored twice in a 4-0 victory over Norwich. In a shock result, Fulham was beaten 4-3 by second-tier club Leicester. Stoke was forced into extra time against Birmingham but won 4-2 on penalties after it finished 4-4 over 120 minutes. West Ham also required penalties to see off lower-league opposition, but won 2-0 at Burnley with goals in regulation time. At the Emirates Stadium, Chelsea was in action for the second time in three days, although only Gary Cahill survived the team that beat Manchester City on Sunday. Wenger made eight changes for the side that won at Crystal Palace on Saturday to remain top of the league. But in the cups, Arsenal has now lost twice in eight days, having been beaten at home in the Champions League by Borussia Dortmund last Tuesday. A blunder at the back gifted Chelsea the opener in the 25th minute after launching a swift counterattack. Arsenal defender Carl Jenkinsons backwards header was too weak to reach goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski, and Chelsea defender Azpilicueta ran through and dispatched the ball into the net. Arsenal rarely looked like equalizing and Mata smashed the second into the roof of the net in the 66th after Willian nodded the ball back to the Spain midfielder in a move that started from a throw in. It left the home crowd demoralized. "Lets not go too quick for conclusions," Wenger said. "Its difficult to swallow what happened to us in the last week." But asked about his poor record against Mourinho, Wenger quipped: "I dont think he scored the first goal." At Old Trafford, United turned in thee kind of performance missing largely in the league this season and Hernandez might hope for more game time up front after this double.dddddddddddd The Mexico striker opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 20th after Leroy Fer fouled Adnan Januzaj. He was on target again nine minutes into the second half, heading home after Mark Bunn parried an initial effort. "He has waited patiently for his opportunities and when he gets them he has taken them," United assistant manager Steve Round said. Phil Jones volleyed in Uniteds third, and Fabio da Silva collected a long ball from Wayne Rooney and slipped it past the onrushing Bunn. Play had been halted for around eight minutes in the second half after Norwich midfielder Robert Snodgrass was knocked out during a clash of heads with Rafael da Silva and was taken to the hospital. "It is very much concussion," Norwich manager Chris Hughton said. "He has also taken a whack in the incident itself so they will have a look at that and X-ray that just to make sure there is nothing broken." In a seven-goal thriller at Leicester, it was a night to forget for Fulham. Although Hugo Rodallega put Fulham in front, Wes Morgan, Chris Wood and Ignasi Miquel put Leicester 3-1 up by the 53rd. Fulham staged a comeback through Rodallega and Giorgos Karagounis, who scored directly from a free kick in the 86th. But Lloyd Dyer restored Leicesters lead for good three minutes later. At Turf Moor, West Ham left it late to see off Burnley thanks to two penalties. Matthew Taylor scored the first in the 76th after Jason Shackell brought down Kevin Nolan, and Jack Collison netted in stoppage time after being fouled by Keith Treacy, who was sent off. Entering the final five minutes at St. Andrews, Stoke looked set for a 3-1 victory against a Birmingham side that had been reduced to 10 men on the stroke of half time when Wade Elliott was sent off amid a mass melee. But Birmingham substitute Peter Lovenkrands scored twice in the last five minutes to send the game to extra time. Kenwyne Jones restored Stokes lead just four minutes into the additional period before Olly Lee levelled for Birmingham. The clubs luck ran out, however, in the shootout. cheap jerseys wholesale jerseys ' ' '