England News June,
2005
Thursday, 30 June 2005 -
Sammy Lee is the new assistant manager of Bolton Wanderers
following the departure of Phil Brown to Derby County. Lee leaves his
full-time role as National Coach at the Football Association, but remains on
England's coaching staff on a part-time basis. "The opportunity Sam
Allardyce has offered me with Bolton is too good to ignore. Bolton are a
club that has made incredible progress in recent years and it will be great to
join them. It will be great to join them as they kick off their first ever
European campaign. I'm also delighted that I will be continuing my role
with the England team as we continue our qualification matches for next year's
World Cup. I'd like to pay tribute to Bolton and the FA for allowing me
the honour of maintaining my role with the national team."
Michael
Owen will not be sold by Real
Madrid. The 25-year-old, who has had limited Bernabeu starts, has been
linked with Chelsea, Arsenal and
Manchester United. But Real
director of football Arrigo Sacchi said: "Owen is not for sale because he is
part of our coach Wanderley Luxemburgo's plans. "Some things written about
who is coming to and leaving Real are almost as incredible as science fiction."
Sacchi said that Owen remained content in Madrid. "Owen has not told us he
is unhappy or that he wants to leave and that is what really matters to us, not
what stories appear in the press. He has signed a contract and he is a
very professional player. Since I have been at Madrid I have never heard
him complain - not even when he was not in the first team and, like all players,
wanted to play more minutes."
Chris Kirkland has
chosen West Bromwich Albion over
Celtic as his destination for a
season-long loan. Kirkland, 24, wants to stay in the Premiership to prove
his fitness and win back his England squad place. "I had the chance to go
to Celtic, but I wanted to stay in the Premiership as it is the place to be.
All my family are down here as well and with Bryan Robson and Joe Corrigan here,
it just seemed the right move, and I'm sure I can justify that." Kirkland
will join up with the Baggies on Friday for a two-week period of training and
assessment with a view to signing a loan deal on 15 July. And Baggies boss
Bryan Robson is delighted, saying: "I'm trying to get good competition for
places."
Wednesday, 29 June 2005 -
England's assistant coach Tord Grip has revealed
that he and coach Sven-Göran Eriksson
could opt to quit their posts after the 2006 World Cup in Germany. In
March, Eriksson signed a new deal running until 2008 in order to ward off
speculation linking him to Chelsea. But Grip has said that the Swede had a
get-out clause allowing him to leave early, although he did not expect Eriksson
to exercise it. "It is true that we can leave after the World Cup next
summer. We do have that clause. But if everything goes as we expect and we
have a good World Cup, I think we will stay until 2008."
Kevin
Phillips has joined Aston
Villa in a £1m transfer from Southampton. "I'm determined to make my
mark and show I can still get goals in the Premiership," Phillips said after
signing a two-year deal. The former England striker scored 23 Premiership
goals in 64 top-flight appearances for the south-coast club. He is the
first of the high-profile names at Southampton to leave the club since they were
relegated.
Steven Gerrard will open
talks about a new long-term Anfield contract on Wednesday. Gerrard's
agent, Struan Marshall, is scheduled to meet
Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry
in a bid to finally thrash out a deal.
Real Madrid and Chelsea have both
been linked with 25-year-old, but Liverpool are confident he will stay at
Anfield. Gerrard's current contract at Liverpool expires in June 2007 and
he is expected to be offered an £80,000-a-week deal. Liverpool manager
Rafael Benitez is desperate to keep Gerrard at the heart of his Champions
League-winning side as he rebuilds for the future.
Tuesday, 28 June 2005 -
Steve Stone is currently in West Yorkshire as Leeds
United are set to complete the signing of former England midfielder on a free
transfer from Portsmouth. The
33-year-old is believed to have undergone a medical at the Elland Road club's
Thorp Arch training ground. Stone was told at the end of last season that
he would not be offered a new deal at Fratton Park. Former Pompey boss
Harry Redknapp was interested in taking him to Southampton but Leeds appear to
have won the race.
Robert Green can leave
Norwich City for £2.5m.
Portsmouth chairman Milan Mandaric
says City are willing to let 25-year-old keeper go. Mandaric said that he
was keen to sign a new keeper after releasing Shaka Hislop last season.
"We were trying to see if Green would be available and for what money. We are
not quite sure yet what to do in the goalkeeping department, We asked
Norwich for information and they told us they would sell him for £2.5m and
that's about all we know. We're not quite sure what to do. We are happy
with Jamie Ashdown but we are thinking about maybe making some changes there."
Norwich City later deny this!
First round draw is made today: Roy McFarland's
Chesterfield meet Huddersfield Town, Peter
Taylor's Hull City travel to Blackpool, Carlton Palmer's Mansfield Town meet
managerless Stoke City, Mick Harford's
Rotherham United face Port Vale, Brian Little's Tranmere Rovers travel to
Scunthorpe United, Colin Todd's Bradford City play Rochdale,
Glenn Hoddle's
Wolverhampton Wanderers play Chester
City, Steve Coppell's Reading play Swansea City, Mark Wright's Peterborough
United travel to Plymouth Argyle, Joe Royle's Ipswich Town play Yeovil Town and
Paul Merson's Walsall face Crystal Palace.
Monday, 27 June 2005 -
Dennis Wise
has completed his move to Southampton. The former Millwall player-manager
was released by the Lions at the end of the season and has signed a one-year
deal at Saints as a player only. Wise, 38, began his career as an
apprentice at Southampton but was released as a teenager. Boss Harry
Redknapp said: "I'm glad we've got him, he has plenty of experience and you
can't have too much of that at this level. He's a fighter and a winner and
we need that kind of character in the squad. He can be a big influence for
us on the pitch and although he's 38 he's still very fit and a terrific player."
Sunday, 26 June 2005 -
Frank Lampard's
agent has claimed that Real Madrid offered £20m, plus England striker Michael
Owen and midfielder Santiago Solari for the Chelsea star. However, the
Blues turned down the bid for the 27-year-old midfielder. Agent Steve
Kutner said "It is very flattering for Frank to be wanted by a club as big as
Real. But Frank has just had an incredible season at Chelsea and as long
as they want him he will give everything to help them win more and more
trophies." It is believed that Real were ready to up his wages from a
reported £80,000-a-week to £90,000-a-week, while also offering him an image
rights package. The bid would also seem to suggest that former Liverpool
striker Owen may no longer have a future at Real. The 25-year-old had
always insisted that he was happy at the Bernabeu.
Saturday, 25 June 2005 -
Shaun
Wright-Phillips
is heading to Chelsea, according to reports - despite the fact that
Manchester City have received no formal bid. Chelsea are poised to make
another high-profile swoop after reportedly agreeing an £18m deal for Manchester
City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips. Both The Sun and the Daily
Mirror reveal that the Premiership champions had agreed a five-year deal
with the 23-year-old England international. City boss Stuart Pearce had
hoped to keep the highly-rated Wright-Phillips, who signed a new contract last
season. But the club are heavily in debt and could not refuse the offer.
Wright-Phillips, joined City in the summer of 1998 having been a trainee at
Nottingham Forest and has
played almost 150 games for the club.
Arsenal were also thought to be keen to sign him but could not compete with
the spending power of Roman Abramovich. Should the deal go ahead, City may
be able to use some of the money to pursue Southampton's England striker
Peter Crouch.
Chris Kirkland is set to
choose West Bromwich Albion over
Celtic as his destination for a
loan spell. Kirkland, 24, wants to stay in the Premiership to prove his
fitness and win back his England squad place. His agent told the
Express & Star: "Chris is a little concerned Scotland means 'out of sight,
out of mind.' The opportunity at Albion suits all parties. They get a top
keeper, and Liverpool can see Chris prove his fitness and show what he can do."
Friday, 24 June 2005 -
Michael
Owen is not joining Manchester United, at least according to United
assistant manager Carlos Queiroz. Queiroz, who had an ill-fated stint as
Real coach, also ruled out a bid for Luis Figo, who is set to leave the Spanish
giants this summer. "Casillas is not in Manchester's plans, Owen does not
interest us either, and there is no Figo negotiation," he said.
Steve Stone is wanted by Harry Redknapp. The
Southampton boss is keen to trim his squad to allow him to pursue his interest
in Stone. The ex-Forest and England player was released by Portsmouth at
the end of last season.
Gary Johnson
maybe on his way to Tottenham
Hotspur. Chelsea may offer defensive pair Robert Huth and Glen Johnson
to Spurs in a bid to end the row over the Blues' approach to sporting director
Frank Arnesen. Spurs have given Chelsea until 1200 BST on Friday to
resolve the problem or face a Premier League probe. Chelsea infuriated
Spurs chairman Daniel Levy when Arnesen was pictured on owner Roman Abramovich's
yacht. Abramovich is now reported to have flown to London for discussions
on the Arnesen affair and broker a peace deal. The sticking point could be
persuading England right-back Johnson and Germany central defender Huth to leave
the champions for White Hart Lane, with Carlton Cole and
Wayne Bridge also mentioned as
potential bargaining chips.
Thursday, 23 June 2005 -
Jonathan
Woodgate will be fit for the new season, according to
Real Madrid.
An ongoing thigh problem has prevented the 25-year-old defender from playing for
Real since he signed from Newcastle for £13.4m last August. But Real
director of sport Arrigo Sacchi expects Woodgate to play in the club's tour of
USA, China and Japan. He said: "The doctors say that he will make a full
recovery. We are really looking forward to that and he will be a really
important 'signing' for us."
Sunday, 19 June 2005 -
Andy Johnson
wants to leave Crystal Palace to
improve his chances of making England's World Cup squad. The Eagles
have already rejected a bid from Tottenham for the 24-year-old, who believes he
could lose his England place following Palace's relegation. "I must leave.
I want to play for England in the World Cup finals next summer. That's it in a
nutshell." However, chairman Simon Jordan insisted again that the club
would not sell him. "If Andy doesn't like it he can throw his toys out of
the pram, but will that really help his England chances? I don't think so," he
said.
Saturday, 18 June 2005 -
Lee Bowyer
may still make a move to Birmingham City. The Blues have made a bid to
revive their move for Bowyer - despite a fans' backlash against the deal.
Boss Steve Bruce was furious after a small group of supporters protested,
prompting Bowyer to ditch the deal. But chairman David Sullivan still
hopes to sign the 28-year-old Newcastle United star after receiving support from
fans. He still hopes to clinch the deal, saying: "Lee is upset by what's
been said, but we've had hundreds of e-mails and letters wanting us to sign
him." Sullivan plans to send the messages of support to Bowyer in an
attempt to prompt a change of heart. He said: "I wouldn't say the deal is
dead, but I think the chances of pulling it off are only 10%. Lee's given
Newcastle two years of good service without getting into trouble and I don't
understand what the problem is."
Ashley Cole is set to resume contract talks with
Arsenal when he returns
from holiday next week. Cole is unhappy that the club have so far refused
to meet his demands and feels the damage cannot be repaired. But the
24-year-old's future was discussed at a Gunners board meeting this week and
chairman Peter Hill-Wood hinted the club may make a new offer. "We have to
wait to see how he feels. Everybody wants him to stay and we'll talk after he
returns," Hill-Wood said.
Paul Gascoigne has been offered the chance to become a
player-coach of Scottish side Clyde. The 38-year-old left a similar role
at Boston United last October and has since been linked with clubs in the UK and
abroad. Bully Wee boss Graham Roberts - also a former
Tottenham Hotspur,
Rangers and England player -
approached Gascoigne at an exhibition game for ex-Old Firm players in May.
"I had a long chat with Paul and he told me he was desperate to get into
coaching. This week I spoke to his advisor Dave McGhee about him becoming
our player-coach next season. He has spoken with Paul and he seems quite
keen on the idea. This would be a fantastic coup for us and with his
talent and knowledge of the game it would be great for the youngsters at the
club to work with him."
Wednesday, 15 June 2005 -
:
England drop to 7th in the latest rankings, despite beating United States
and Colombia last month.
Scott Parker
has joined Newcastle United for a fee of £6.5m.
"As soon as Chelsea made it clear they were prepared to let me leave, I was keen
on this move. I've played here a few times. I know how big the club is. I
was impressed with the manager Graeme Souness. He's a major factor behind
my decision."
Tuesday, 14 June 2005 -
Lee Bowyer
is wanted by Birmingham City. He has already opened discussions with
Birmingham City after being given permission by Newcastle United. City
chairman David Gold is keen to bring the 28-year-old midfield man to St Andrews
and said: "Lee Bowyer's record speaks for itself. We know that Steve Bruce
is special in getting the best out of players with his man-management skills. He
has shown that on so many occasions."
Jamie Redknapp has lost his battle against a knee
injury. Boss Harry Redknapp's hopes of bouncing Southampton back into the
Premiership were dealt another blow by the announcement of his son's retirement.
He had visited the Colorado clinic of specialist Dr Richard Steadman, who is
believed to have advised him to quit.
Scott Parker
is in talks with Newcastle United today as they close in on a £6.5m deal.
Parker has travelled to Tyneside to meet Newcastle United officials as boss
Graeme Souness hopes to sign the 24-year-old midfield man.
Chris Kirkland
is wanted by West Bromwich Albion. Baggies manager Bryan Robson has
confirmed that he is interested in taking the Liverpool goalkeeper on a
long-term loan deal. "We are interested in signing him for a certain
amount of time. I hope to have him over for training so we can assess his
fitness. If all is all right there could be a loan deal. I am hoping to
have talks this week and a deal is something we are definitely looking at."
Monday, 13 June 2005 -
Michael Owen says he may have to leave
Real Madrid because
the Bernabeu side will be strengthened after a second season without a trophy.
The 25-year-old hinted that a return to England may be on the cards - if he
proves to be surplus to requirements. "I spent many years in England. I
did well and, perhaps, that's why I'm still talked about. If someone comes
and tells me there is a club interested in me and that I have to go, then I will
have to do that. I understand the way it is. A year without titles - then
another after that. That's not for Real Madrid. The president Florentino
Perez and the management will decide which players have to leave and which will
come. It's the same at Real Madrid as other clubs."
Saturday, 11 June 2005 -
Teddy Sheringham is set to play in the Premiership as a
40-year-old after signing a new one-year contract with West Ham United. Sheringham joined the Hammers a year ago after being released by Portsmouth.
He scored 20 Championship goals to help them reach the play-offs though he was
on the bench for the final in the 1-0 win over Preston. Sheringham, 39,
said: "It's a great opportunity to be playing Premiership football again."
Les Ferdinand has been awarded a MBE in the Queen's
Birthday Honours. Former England U21 manager Dave Sexton has received an
OBE.
Friday, 10 June 2005 -
Steven Gerrard &
Liverpool
will be given the chance to defend their Champions League crown after being
given a place in the first qualifying round for next season. However, Uefa
changed its rules after a meeting of the executive committee and Liverpool will
play in the opening round of qualifiers. Their first leg will be on 12 or
13 July with the second on 19 or 20 July. The Uefa Cup spot which
Liverpool had earned for finishing fifth in the Premiership will not transfer to
another English club - meaning disappointment for Stuart Pearce's Manchester
City, who would have taken it.
Sir Bobby Robson
said he would consider a return to football if the right job came along.
Robson was linked with a job as director of football at Hearts earlier this
week. "If I got the right offer then I would take it. I'm 72 going
on 49 because I still have the energy and the drive." Robson apparently
turned down the chance to manage Hearts because of family reasons. He has
been linked with a number of jobs since leaving Newcastle United, but says he is
waiting for the right offer.
Thursday, 9 June 2005 -
Scott Parker
is now a target for Newcastle United. Manager Graeme Souness is growing
increasingly confident he can win the race to sign the Chelsea midfielder.
Parker, 24, is also being pursued by Everton and Tottenham Hotspur, but Souness is set
to step up his efforts after returning from holiday. "He is a player we
like very much and we are definitely interested in signing him, He's a
player I've admired for a very long time and there is no question he will be an
excellent signing for us."
Jonathan
Woodgate is back in training with
Real Madrid and will work on his
fitness all summer to be ready for the start of the season. Woodgate, 25,
has recovered from the thigh injury that kept him out of action for the whole of
2004/05. After working alone throughout June, he will join up with the
rest of the Madrid squad when their pre-season training begins in July.
Sir Bobby Robson
believes England can win the World Cup next year - and says Wayne Rooney could
be the star of the tournament. "We have a fine team and we weren't very
far away in Portugal in 2004. I think we will be hard to beat and have every
chance. In Rooney we have an artist. I think that boy is sensational."
England lost to Portugal on a penalty shoot-out in the quarter-final of the
European Championship last year. "We should've done better but were a bit
unlucky," added Robson. "And our players should be better next year.
Rooney's come on. What is Rooney, who is only 19, going to be like when he's 23,
24, 28 if he keeps on the straight and narrow? I think he's going to be awesome.
I think on our hands we have a Maradona or a Pele - a top, top player."
Sven-Goran Eriksson came under fire after their exit at Euro 2004. But
Robson, who took England to the World Cup semi-finals in 1990, said: "If you
judge the guy on results you can't accuse him of anything. Overall his
percentage of winning is terrific. He hasn't lost many games has he?" Not
since 1958 has a team from outside Europe won a World Cup held on the continent,
but Robson believes England's biggest opposition will come from South America
this time. "I don't know how good Brazil are going to be and you don't
know what's going to come out of Argentina but those are the two dangers, they
always are. "I don't see anything out of France, Germany or Italy that
will frighten us - I really don't." Robson also thinks England skipper
David Beckham, who has had some criticism over his performances for his country
in recent years, is still one of their key players. He added: "A lot will
depend on our belief and our make-up and one or two key players not getting
injured. Rooney is key. I think Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard are key
as is Beckham. He has his critics but there is nobody better than Beckham.
Look at that ball he put in the other day for Michael Owen, his acceptance of
the ball, where he just knows when to knock it in, and how to eliminate the
keeper. He is a wonderful crosser and he is always a danger on free-kicks
- and that's an asset. Every clever team has to have a Beckham in my
opinion because free-kicks might win you the game. All the great teams
have a specialist free-kick taker and we have one in Beckham - what we need now
is one with a left foot."
Wednesday, 8 June 2005 -
Lee Bowyer
has been ordered to appear in court after his on-pitch bust-up with Newcastle
United team-mate Kieron Dyer, Northumbria Police has confirmed. Bowyer,
28, has been summonsed to Newcastle Magistrates' Court but no action will be
taken against Dyer, 26. England midfielder Bowyer has been charged with a
public order offence. Bowyer's lawyer Steve Barker said: "It's our
intention to have the decision to prosecute him reviewed judicially in the High
Court." Barker said the reason they had decided to challenge the police
action was "because we have very real concerns that the decision has been made
for political rather than legal reasons". The agent, who said Bowyer would
not be making any comment himself, said "He hasn't been charged because it's not
a chargeable offence. "He will be summonsed to answer information that he
has committed an offence under Section Four of the Public Order Act. In simple
terms it's called threatening behaviour."
Peter Crouch
will not be leaving Southampton for Liverpool, after the Saints turned down a £5
million bid for the striker. Chairman Rupert Lowe said: "We want to keep
the squad together and the relegation clauses in players' contracts mean we do
not need to sell. Our destiny remains in our own hands."
Tuesday, 7 June 2005 -
Sir Bobby Robson
is wanted by SPL Heart of Midlothian side to be their new director of football.
Contact has been made with the 72-year-old, who has also coached Barcelona,
Porto, PSV Eindhoven and Sporting Lisbon. Robson has been out of football
since last August when Newcastle sacked him after a poor start to the season.
Teddy Sheringham could finish his career in Australia.
Sheringham, 39, has been in talks with Queensland Roar, who see him as an ideal
target man but are concerned by how much the ex-England man would cost.
"Players in England can still command big salaries even in lower divisions,"
Queensland coach Miron Bleiberg said.
Paul Ince is set to sign a new one-year contract
extension with Wolverhampton Wanderers. The former England international,
37, is due to put pen to paper on the deal at Molineux on Tuesday afternoon.
Wolves chief executive Jez Moxey said: "Myself and
Glenn Hoddle were keen to see Paul
re-sign. He still has a big impact here. This latest contract is a
testament to the way he has looked after himself. We look forward to
seeing him sign so he can lead us on to greater success."
Monday, 6 June 2005 -
Sven-Göran Eriksson
will receive a prestigious medal for his contribution to football from
Sweden's King Carl XVI Gustaf. The 57-year-old Swede will be awarded the
King's Medal of the Twelfth Size with Royal Blue Ribbon at Stockholm's royal
palace on Thursday. Eriksson is honoured for "his valuable contribution to
the sport of soccer," the Royal Court said on today.
Paul Robinson
has revealed he is close to agreeing a new, long-term contract with Tottenham
Hotspur. The 25-year-old said: "I've been in negotiations for a few weeks and
we're just about there. It's a long-term contract that will keep me here
for a few years. It's a commitment but one I'm happy to do. There has
never been any doubt on my part that this is where I want to be. I've thoroughly
enjoyed my first year here and I hope to have many more."
Robert Green
is not subject to a transfer bid, according to
Fulham. The Cottagers have
insisted that rumours linking them with the
Norwich City goalkeeper are
unfounded. Fulham have sold Edwin van der Sar to Manchester United and
have been linked with Green as a replacement. Norwich City were relegated
during the past campaign and Green, 25, knows he needs to be in the Premiership
to improve his England prospects. A Fulham spokesperson said: "There is no
truth in the speculation. We have made no approach to Robert."
The Premier
League has confirmed that
Ashley Cole has launched an appeal against the £100,000 fine imposed at the
independent tapping up inquiry.
David Beckham believes his team-mate Michael Owen wants to stay at
Real
Madrid, despite speculation linking the striker with a move back to England.
Beckham, 30, who is reportedly set to sign a new contract at the Bernabeu, told
Spanish newspaper Marca: "I think Owen wants to continue at Real Madrid.
"What is obvious is he has had a great season and has scored a lot of goals.
Michael has an ability to score goals and if you give him a chance he takes it."
It has been suggested that Real may be ready to offer midfielder Beckham a
two-year extension to his present deal, which runs until the summer of 2007.
Stewart Downing
is aiming to be back for the start of the new Premiership season after
undergoing knee surgery. He was injured in training with the England squad
in the United States and flew home for an operation to remove part of a damaged
knee cartilage. "I have had the cartilage shaved but it has all gone well.
I expect to be back training again in a month."
Saturday, 4 June 2005 -
Azerbaijan 0 Poland 3
-
Poland climbed to the top of Group Six after a convincing victory over lowly
Azerbaijan in their World Cup qualifier. Pawel Janas' men were rarely
troubled during the match as goals from Tomasz Frankowski, Tomasz Klos and
Maciej Zurawski gave the visitors a welcome three points. Poland now hold
a two-point advantage over England at the top of the standings with
bottom-of-the-table Azerbaijan still awaiting their first win in the
competition.
Friday, 3 June 2005 -
Andy Johnson
has had a transfer bid rebuffed by Crystal Palace. Bob Dowie, Palace's
Director of Football, confirmed Tottenham Hotspur had made a bid to bring the
England forward to White Hart Lane.
Matthew Upson's
Birmingham City future is shrouded in uncertainty after he turned down a new
contract at St Andrews. And Upson's agent Barry Neville hinted the England
defender may leave in search of European football. He said: "We did speak
to Birmingham about a new contract but Matt decided he did not want to accept
it." The 26-year-old has been linked with Middlesbrough, and Neville
added: "I think Matt feels he needs to be playing in Europe."
Peter Crouch
is wanted by Liverpool but Southampton manager Harry Redknapp has pleaded with
Crouch to stay at the club, despite Liverpool reportedly close to signing the
striker for £5m. "I can understand someone like Peter if they get a big
club coming in for them. It's hard because the money he'd earn in the
Premiership would far outweigh what he'll earn in the Championship. I'm
hoping he will stay with us. In an ideal situation, if come January we're
mounting a challenge, he will stay with us, give us a bit of time and see how it
goes."
Wednesday, 1
June 2005 -
Ashley Cole,
Chelsea and José Mourinho have been found guilty in the Premier League's
tapping-up probe. Blues chief executive Peter Kenyon, Mourinho, Cole and
agents Pini Zahavi and Jonathan Barnett were said to have met at a London
restaurant in January. England and Arsenal defender Cole, who flew in from
the US for the hearing, Chelsea and Blues boss Mourinho are likely to receive
unprecedented fines. All three parties have 14 days to appeal against the
verdict.
Robert Green
says he will have talks with his club,
Norwich City, over his future when he returns from
holiday. Green, 25, made his England debut in Tuesday's
3-2 win over
Colombia and he is keen the Canaries' relegation does not harm his international
ambitions. "My future is something to think about when I get back from
holiday. It's not ideal, the Premiership is the place to play. In the
England squad, there aren't many outside the Champions League let alone the
Premiership." He added: "I was picked for one friendly international when
I was in the Championship. David James was picked in the same way when at West
Ham. If you have England aspirations you have to prove yourself at the top
level."
Rio Ferdinand says he is getting "closer and closer"
to agreeing a new deal with Manchester United. Ferdinand, 26, who has two seasons
left on his contract, says talks are ongoing between United and agent Pini
Zahavi. "We are still negotiating and coming closer and closer together.
I mean, it has been about a month now we have been negotiating and obviously
things that have happened in recent weeks have slowed it down a bit."
Sol Campbell has assured
Arsenal he will be fit to
start pre-season training. The central defender sustained an ankle injury
during the early stages of England's friendly international with the United
States. He was ruled out of the second game of the tour against Colombia
but a scan showed that the injury was not serious. "I've had an MRI scan
and there is no ligament damage. It is really a bad kind of twist. The
ground at Chicago was not the best for playing football on. I just yanked
the ankle and it was a matter of getting the fluid away and it will be no more
than two or three weeks before it is fine. I'll be back flying for
pre-season training. This has been such a frustrating season with injuries but,
thank God, it has not happened in World Cup year."
___________________
CG
England Football Online