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Tuesday, 30th
May
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England 3 Hungary 1:
England's World Cup preparations continued with a 3-1 win over Hungary.
Steven Gerrard and John Terry both headed home free-kicks from David
Beckham in the space of four minutes early in the second half. Pal
Dardai pulled a goal back with a brilliant long-range shot before Peter
Crouch's excellent low strike late on. Theo Walcott came on to
become England's youngest ever international, while in the first half
Gabor Kiraly saved a penalty from Frank Lampard. |
|
 |
Everton have
smashed their club record transfer fee by finalising the £8.6m capture
of Crystal Palace's England striker Andrew Johnson. The fee beats
their previous record of £6m paid by boss David Moyes to bring James
Beattie from Southampton. Everton confirmed that Johnson, 25, had
passed a medical and he will be unveiled at a news conference on
Wednesday. He said: "Hopefully I can score goals for Everton."
Johnson, who is on World Cup standby duty for
England, added: "I'm looking forward to giving 110% in every game I
play." |
|
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Michael Owen
could be left out of the side for their World Cup warm-up against
Hungary tonight. Owen was set to play as a lone striker at Old
Trafford but may not be risked after an injury scare yesterday.
The Newcastle United forward underwent a scan on a tight thigh muscle
after training on Monday, which revealed no damage.
Sven-Göran Eriksson was believed to be keen to move
away from his usual 4-4-2 system and try Owen up front on his own, with
a five-man midfield. But with Owen a doubt it remains to be seen
whether Peter Crouch will be used in a similar role.
|
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Wayne Rooney will fly to Germany
with the rest of England's squad on Monday, despite the date for a scan
on his injured foot being brought forward. Sven-Göran Eriksson
wants to analyse Rooney's fitness ahead of the scan in Manchester on 7
June. A FA statement read: "Wayne will be accompanied by England
doctor Leif Sward who will then analyse the scan with Manchester
United."
|
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Monday, 29th
May
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|
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Wayne Rooney's
next scan on his broken foot will now take place on 7 June - a week
earlier than originally planned.
It was decided at a meeting today to bring
that date forward from 14 June. The deadline for England to change
their squad is 9 June, which means now they will have time to replace
Rooney should the scan provide bad news.
However, if the scan on shows that the fourth
metatarsal in Rooney's right foot has healed, he would have three days
to get fit for England's first group game or, more likely,
two-and-a-half weeks to prepare for the first knockout round match
should England qualify. Today's meeting, at Manchester United's
Carrington training ground, was attended by Sir Alex Ferguson,
Sven-Göran Eriksson and medical experts from Rooney's club and the
national team. A statement issued by Manchester United read: "It
has been agreed to obtain a further precautionary CT scan on June 7 in
order to help the England management to make a decision (on Rooney's
fitness) before the deadline of 9 June. Both parties agree that
everything possible is being done to aid recovery of a fracture that
involves the joint." The last line of that statement represents
the first confirmation that Rooney's fracture involves a joint - and
those type of injuries can take longer to heal. That news - and
the fact that the scan has been brought forward to before the deadline
to calling up a replacement - means the development is being seen as
negative news for the England striker.
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Andrew Johnson
will complete his £8.5m switch from Crystal Palace to Everton on
Wednesday. The 25-year-old is likely have a medical on today or
tomorrow before signing a four-year deal worth around £40,000 a week.
Palace will get more than £5m up front from the Premiership side.
"After several days of careful consideration, I have
decided that my footballing future lies at Goodison Park. I find
the prospect of playing for one of the biggest names in British football
impossible to resist. I believe Everton will afford me the best
opportunity to fulfil my twin ambitions of winning major honours and
representing England again at senior level. I would like to thank
both Wigan and Bolton, firstly for having sufficient faith in my
abilities to lodge a bid and secondly for being so courteous and
professional during the course of our negotiations." |
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Sunday, 28th
May
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 |
Terry Venables
has turned down the chance to return to the Riverside as Middlesbrough
boss due to the demands of managing in the Premiership. He said:
"It had not entered my mind to work full-time again, but chairman Steve
Gibson was very persuasive. At 63 I couldn't have committed to
full-time management the way I would five or 10 years ago. I think
I have had my years as a full-time manager now." |
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Saturday, 27th
May
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Sven-Göran Eriksson
will unveil the team he expects to play in England's World Cup opener
against Paraguay in his side's final two warm-up games. Before
playing Paraguay on 10 June, England take on Hungary on Tuesday and
Jamaica on Saturday 3 June. Eriksson said: "If nothing special
happens, I will start with my best team in both games, the team I think
will start the World Cup. If someone is tired or has a small
injury, we wouldn't risk that player." |
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Eriksson
watched World Cup group opponents
Paraguay denied a victory by Denmark in Copenhagen. |
|
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Robert Green is
expected to miss the start of next season with the serious groin injury
which ended his World Cup hopes. Green will have investigative
surgery on Saturday to determine the extent of the injury he sustained
during the England B game against Belarus. "He's had scans which
showed quite a lot of damage in the groin area," said Norwich physio
Neal Reynolds. "He will almost definitely not be fit for the start
of the season." |
|
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Everton have
joined Bolton Wanderers and Wigan Athletic in making an offer of £8.5m
with Crystal Palace for striker Andy Johnson. In a statement,
Everton said Palace had accepted the bid for the England striker, 25,
who is on standby for the World Cup squad. The offer includes
performance-related clauses, as Everton do not want to pay the price in
a straightforward deal. Johnson met with Wigan boss Paul Jewell
and chairman Dave Whelan on Friday, with Bolton also waiting to hold
talks.
The former Birmingham City striker is understood to
favour a move to Everton, who were interested in him last summer.
Johnson is expected to travel to Merseyside within the next 24 hours,
the Everton website added. Palace have conceded they can no longer
keep Johnson at Selhurst Park after missing out on promotion to the
Premiership. Wigan were the first team to have an offer accepted
while Bolton also want to recruit the striker who netted 21 goals in the
2004-05 Premiership season. |
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Friday, 26th
May
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Wayne Rooney
will definitely miss England's
World Cup group stage games - after a scan revealed he cannot train for
at least another three weeks. Rooney's club, Manchester United,
confirmed the 20-year-old will require another scan on 14 June to
determine when he can return to action. If the striker's broken
metatarsal is given the all-clear, he would have 10 days to get fit for
a last-16 tie.
Rooney will meet up with the rest
of the England squad in Manchester on Sunday. He will continue his
rehabilitation with Manchester United's medical staff at their
Carrington training ground and will then fly to Germany with the England
party on 5 June. He will return to Manchester on 14 June for a second
scan. Sven said: "This is very encouraging news. I'm looking
forward to Wayne joining up with the rest of the squad on Sunday. The
fact that he is flying out to Germany with us will give everyone a huge
lift. I spoke to Sir Alex Ferguson today and we had a really good
conversation. Despite all the speculation, there has been a very
positive dialogue with Manchester United all along. We are very
grateful for the support that they have given Wayne and the England
team. We're still hoping that the second scan will show further
improvement and that Wayne can play his part in the World Cup."
|
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Scott Carson has been called into
the full squad as a replacement for the injured Robert Green. |
|
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Danny Mills has
been told he can leave Manchester City. The 31-year-old broke a
leg at Arsenal in October, but was frozen out of City's final fixtures
even though he returned to fitness in February. "I'm disappointed
the way things have turned out. I don't think the manager liked me
asking questions or making suggestions. I will see what offers are
on the table, but if nothing materialises I will stay and fight for my
place. Of course I was frustrated at not being in the team but my
opinions were an effort to improve the team, whether I was in it or not.
We must all want to learn and improve." City boss Stuart
Pearce said: "Our results in the last dozen games were just not good
enough. We can look for excuses but that's not my way. The bottom
line is we under-achieved. I can't argue about that." |
|
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Francis Jeffers will not have his
contract renewed at Charlton Athletic.
Jeffers, 25, has struggled to make an impact
at the club since his £2.6m move from Arsenal in August 2004. |
|
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Michael Gray
has signed a new two-year deal which commits him to Blackburn Rovers
until 2008. Former England international Gray, 31, would have been
out of contract next month and could have left for free. "It was
great to be part of the scene last season and what lies ahead is very
exciting. I'm very happy here and delighted to be staying on." |
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Thursday, 25th
May
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England B 1 Belarus 2:
- England B lost to 10-man
Belarus but their first World Cup warm-up game was marred by an injury
that is set to rule out Robert Green for the finals. |
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Sven-Göran Eriksson
was pleased by Michael Owen's return to first-team action. Owen
has been out of action for five months with a metatarsal injury.
"Michael Owen did well for one hour, more or less. He is fit. We didn't
want him to play any more." Owen added: "The foot felt fine. I was
never worried about by fitness. I feel sharp, I can't feel my foot and
I'm pleased I played for the 60 minutes." |
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Robert Green is
set to be ruled out of the World Cup finals after rupturing his groin.
The 26-year-old came on at
half-time, but within minutes he collapsed taking a goal-kick, allowing
Belarus to level. "I'm in agony. I felt it tweak as I made a save
then it ripped. I'm devastated." He will have a scan on Friday
after which it is expected he will be ruled out and replaced by Scott
Carson. |
|
 |
Crystal Palace
have accepted an £8.5m offer for striker Andy Johnson from Bolton
Wanderers. Bolton's bid matches the one Palace had already
accepted from Premiership rivals Wigan. Johnson's agent Leon Angel
said: "He will meet the clubs who have offers accepted and will make his
decision." The 25-year-old is expected to discuss his future
tomorrow after tonight's England B game against Belarus, for which he is
on the bench.
Johnson is on the standby list for England's World
Cup squad. He is thought to favour a move to Everton but the
Toffees have so far only offered £7.25m, while Palace chairman Simon
Jordan said there had also been interest from Portsmouth. |
|
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Wayne Rooney
underwent an MRI scan on his broken foot today but the result is not
expected until Friday. Specialists will analyse the result with
Manchester United's assistant team doctor Tony Gill before informing
England's team doctor Leif Sward. Fifa has imposed a deadline of
30 May for England to indicate whether Rooney is likely to be fit to
play. "Each team has to confirm by May 30 that their players are
fit," said Fifa medical officer Dr Jiri Dvorak.
"If Rooney is on the list that is confirmation it is
anticipated he will have recovered in time to participate."
|
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Wednesday,
24th May
|
|
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Michael Carrick
will get a chance to stake his claim for a place in England's midfield
in tomorrow's B international against Belarus. The 24-year-old is
set to start in the holding role alongside Spurs team-mates Jermaine
Jenas and Aaron Lennon. Middlesbrough's Stewart Downing will play
on the left wing. Sven-Göran Eriksson will use the game to see
Michael Owen and Peter Crouch in action up front, with Theo Walcott to
come off the bench.
The game was originally organised to give England's
fringe players a run-out, but with several players short of match
fitness, Eriksson has revised his plans. First-choice players Owen
and Ashley Cole both play, while Peter Crouch could win a place as
Owen's strike partner in Eriksson's World Cup XI should Wayne Rooney
fail to recover from a broken foot. Owen Hargreaves fills in for
first-choice right-back Gary Neville, while Jamie Carragher and Sol
Campbell pair up in central defence. The game at Reading's
24,000-capacity Madejski Stadium is a sell-out. |
|
David Beckham
wants to stay on as England captain after the World Cup and wear the
armband at the new Wembley. Beckham, 31, toured the building site
with the squad and said: "I'd love to lead the team out at this
stadium." Steve McClaren must decide whether to keep Beckham after
the World Cup. "The manager will decide and when Steve takes over
he will decide on that. For now I'm the captain and I will lead
the team into this World Cup and hopefully be successful. After that,
we'll wait and see." |
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Monday, 22nd
May
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Crystal Palace
say they have turned down an £8m bid from Premiership side Bolton
Wanderers for striker Andy Johnson. Bolton Wanderers are one of
three top-flight sides, along with Everton and Wigan Athletic, chasing
the 25-year-old. But, even though Eagles chairman Simon Jordan
seems prepared to sell Johnson, he only appears willing to do so if the
price matches his valuation. |
|
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Wayne Rooney
is making a "perfect recovery" from his
broken foot and has every chance of playing at this summer's World Cup,
according to the England team doctor's. The 20-year-old Manchester
United striker will have a scan on the injury on Thursday to check its
progress. However, Dr Leif Sward said: "Everything points to a
perfect recovery. I have the highest hopes for Rooney and the
World Cup. I hope I can give a perfect answer after the next MRI
scan on Thursday." |
|
 |
Fenerbahçe
have insisted they have not offered a deal to Sol Campbell.
Reports in British newspapers had
suggested the 31-year-old Arsenal defender was the subject of an £8m bid
from the Turkish side. It was claimed that Campbell's
representative had met
Fenerbahçe officials last
week. But a statement on the
Fenerbahçe
website said: "Reports that Campbell will sign in the coming days do not
reflect the realities." |
|
 |
David Beckham
has reiterated he wants to end his playing days at Real Madrid.
"At the end of my career, I want to be known as a player who played at a
top level, for the best teams. And they do not come much better
and much bigger than Manchester United and Real Madrid." Beckham
also revealed that his ambition is to become England's most-capped
player. "I want to carry on playing for the country and leading
England out as much as possible and for as many games as possible.
I would love to get Bobby Moore or Sir Bobby Charlton's record of caps.
I would love to reach that number of caps." |
|
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Middlesbrough
chief executive Keith Lamb says they have yet to decide on the identity
of their new manager. Former Boro boss Terry Venables, 63, has
been strongly linked with the post and even hinted he had been offered
it. But Lamb said: "No decision has been taken yet and we will not be
commenting on the ongoing media speculation until an appointment has
been made." |
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Sunday, 21st
May
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Michael Dawson
has been called into England's World Cup squad as a standby. The
22-year-old defender replaces Charlton's Luke Young, who withdrew after
injuring his ankle in training. The uncapped Dawson helped Spurs
to fifth position in the Premiership and a place in next season's Uefa
Cup. It is the first time Sven-Göran Eriksson has selected the
former Nottingham Forest defender but he has been a regular at Under-21
level.
Dawson will join his new international team-mates
when they meet up in Watford on Monday. |
|
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Terry Venables
has hinted that he has been offered the vacant manager's position at
Middlesbrough. The former England boss is understood to have held
talks with Boro chief executive Keith Lamb on Saturday. And
Venables told said: "It is extremely flattering to be offered this
opportunity. A lot excites me about going back. But I am 63 now
and I must think if I'm prepared to commit myself to full-time
Premiership football." |
|
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Sven-Göran Eriksson
believes the handling of his exit after the World Cup could have been
handled better by the FA. "The only thing that I am a little sad
about is the timing of the announcement about my leaving. "Leaving
after the World Cup - I think that is fair. But it was the timing of the
announcement which was wrong."
Eriksson still had two years left on his contract
when he and FA chief executive Brian Barwick held a news conference in
January to say he would be leaving after this summer's finals in
Germany. "That should have happened in another way. But that
is life and we are here ready to start another World Cup. I think
we will win it, of course. There can be no excuses now. I have
fought for four years to get a proper break before the tournament and
now we have that. And I have said in the past that I believe this
is our best opportunity to win the World Cup. Besides, I am
motivated by the nation's expectations. It's fantastic and I welcome
it." |
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Saturday, 20th
May
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Luke Young has
withdrawn from the standby list for England's World Cup squad because of
an ankle injury. Young picked up the injury in April, but had been
in Portugal with the squad for the last week and joined full training
for the first time on Friday. But after holding discussions with
Sven-Göran Eriksson, Young opted to withdraw from the standby list.
Eriksson is deciding whether to call up a replacement for the
26-year-old. |
|
Thursday, 18th
May
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Peter Taylor
has pulled out of the running to be the new manager of Charlton
Athletic. The England Under-21 coach was among the favourites to
land the post and had an interview with the Addicks earlier in the week.
But he ruled himself out of contention. "Every day I've thought
about it, thinking that my heart is not in it. My heart is staying with
Hull City. When you get that gut feeling, I think you should stay
put. I'm very proud of what's been achieved at Hull, and I still
think there's more we can do and it's a great football club. I know me
and the chairman had a few rows in the early part of the week, but we've
also got a great relationship, so I don't want to leave." |
|
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Dennis Wise has
agreed to become the new Swindon Town manager.
The 39-year-old will be joined at the County Ground by former Chelsea
team-mate Gustavo Poyet. The pair have verbally agreed to sign for
Swindon and contracts are due to be drawn up later on Thursday.
|
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Wednesday,
17th May
|
|
 |
Champions League Final:- Barcelona 2 Arsenal 1
Despite an opening goal from Sol Campbell, ten-man
Arsenal go down by two goals in five minutes. Ashley Cole also
played the full ninety-minutes alongside Campbell. |
|
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Wayne Rooney
will undergo a scan on 25 May which may determine whether he is fit to
play for England at the World Cup. Sven-Göran Eriksson said:
"After 25 May we will know much more about what will happen with Wayne.
It will be a pity if he does not make it - but our chances do not stand
or fall with Wayne Rooney." |
|
Sven-Göran Eriksson
says he has not ruled out the possibility of using Steven Gerrard as a
striker at the World Cup finals. With Wayne Rooney a doubt with a
broken foot and Michael Owen only just back from a similar injury,
Gerrard has been touted for a forward role. "Steven Gerrard can
play in a lot of positions and one is as a second striker. I'm
sure he could play as first striker but a lot depends on Rooney." |
|
|
Terry Butcher
has signed a two-year deal to become head coach at A-League champions
Sydney FC. The ex-England defender said: "I had four wonderful
years at Motherwell and I leave Scotland with good memories.
However, football in Australia is taking giant leaps forward and I am
looking forward to being part of it." |
|
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Middlesbrough
have distanced themselves from speculation linking Terry Venables with a
return to the Riverside. Reports in several English newspapers
suggested the 63-year-old had been offered the Boro manager's job and
would be unveiled at the weekend. But the club's chief executive,
Keith Lamb, said: "We will be beginning the search for a new manager at
the weekend, not unveiling one. We are ruling nothing in and
nothing out at the moment." |
|
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Dennis Wise is
in negotiations to become Swindon Town's new manager. The club are
hoping to announce him as their new boss by the end of the week.
The 39-year-old former England international only managerial experience
came at Millwall, where in 18 months in charge he lead the team to the
FA Cup final against Manchester United.
It is not yet known if Wise wants to continue
playing. |
|
Monday, 15th
May
|
|
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Sven-Göran Eriksson
has confirmed his 23-man squad for this summer's World Cup.
Eriksson has not made any changes
from the provisional list of players he announced last week, which
included 17-year-old Theo Walcott. Injured striker Wayne Rooney is
in the squad and Eriksson has until 24 hours before the team's first
game on 10 June to decide whether to replace him. Jermain Defoe
and Andrew Johnson are on standby if Rooney fails to recover.
Eriksson will take his players to a training camp in
Portugal to start preparations for the finals in Germany during the
summer. He will be without Arsenal defenders Sol Campbell and
Ashley Cole, who will be travelling to Paris for the Champions League
final against Barcelona on Wednesday. |
|
Saturday, 13th
May
|
|
 |
The 125th FA Cup Final ends with
Liverpool winning a
thrilling tie on penalties against West Ham United. West Ham
took an early two-goal lead with a Jamie Carragher own goal and another
Hammer's strike, before Liverpool pulled one back. Steven Gerrard
lashed home an equaliser after the break before Paul Konchesky's
speculative cross put West Ham ahead. Gerrard's stunning
last-minute strike forced extra-time, and then penalties, of which
Liverpool won 3-1. |
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Thursday, 11th
May
|
|
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Joe Royle has
parted company with Ipswich Town. Royle led the club to 15th place
in the Championship this season and left after a meeting with the
Portman Road club's chairman David Sheepshanks. "Joe and I met on
Thursday and agreed that this is the right moment to go our separate
ways. The parting is entirely amicable. I would like to place on
record our warm appreciation and thanks for the tremendous job Joe Royle
has done. He managed the club initially through turbulent times
and built a side that reached the play-offs in two out of the last three
seasons." |
|
Wednesday,
10th May
|
|
 |
Steve Coppell
has signed a new one-year contract with Reading after guiding the Royals
into the Premiership. Coppell, who was named the League Managers'
Association manager of the year, took Reading up as champions. "In
my mind there was never any doubt that I'd sign another contract at
Reading. It was never an issue for me. We are looking forward to
the next challenge, which is infinitely bigger than the last one." |
|
 |
Alan Smith
could be back by early September, seven months after breaking his leg,
according to his manager Sir Alex Ferguson. Smith has returned to
light jogging. "I would think he will be back towards the
beginning of September. There is no mental block, it doesn't
bother him. His approach is amazing. He still has a bit of a limp
but he was out on the training ground last week walking around and went
for a little jog." |
|
|
David Thompson
has been released from his Wigan Athletic contract. Thompson, 28,
joined from Blackburn Rovers in the January transfer window on a
short-term deal and scored the last goal of Wigan's campaign at Arsenal.
"Thommo is a good little player, but he has found it difficult, in
particular as he has had a couple of niggly injuries. But he is
very unlucky because you could see what he's capable of at Arsenal,"
said Paul Jewell. |
|
|
Ian Walker has
been handed a new two-year contract at the Reebok Stadium. The
34-year-old was kept out by number one Jussi Jaaskelainen all last
season but Allardyce has rewarded his "attitude and commitment".
Sam Allardyce said: "It has been a tough year for Ian as he has found it
difficult to get ahead of Jussi in the starting line-up. I've been
impressed with him and it's very pleasing he wants to stay rather trying
to ply his trade elsewhere."
Walker failed to make a single league appearance for
Bolton during the last campaign and has played just five times since
arriving from Leicester on a free transfer last summer. |
|
Tuesday, 9th
May
|
|
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Theo Walcott is
confident he can cope with the pressure of playing at a World Cup after
being named in England's squad. Walcott, 17, has not played a
competitive game since joining Arsenal from Southampton in January.
But the striker said: "At Southampton I was 15 going on 16 and dealt
with a lot of pressure. I'm a bit more mature now, so I think I'll
find it easy really. I've improved by training with world-class
players and have been doing really well lately. I feel fresh - I
haven't played for a while. I just want to get a couple of games under
my belt now. When I moved [to Arsenal] I was very nervous - my
hero was here, Thierry Henry - but now I've settled in fine." |
|
|
Terry Butcher
flies to Australia today for talks that may see him appointed coach at
Sydney FC. He wants to run the rule over the A-League side before
making a decision. "I want to see the facilities and what they
have got to offer. If things go well I could be their next coach.
I am at a wonderful club at Fir Park. They have given me permission to
speak, but want me to come back if Sydney isn't right for me, which is
great." |
|
 |
Michael Owen
will not to take part in Alan Shearer's testimonial match at St James'
Park on Thursday after being told by Sven-Göran Eriksson. The
striker had been set to play against Celtic to improve his match fitness
after a four-month lay-off with a fractured metatarsal. "I have
told Michael he cannot play on Thursday. It would be the worst
thing in the world if he was to break down in a testimonial game."
The forward is now set to make his comeback for as captain for England's
B team in their match with Belarus at Reading on 25 May. He is
also pencilled in to take part in England's Old Trafford friendlies
against Hungary on 30 May and Jamaica on 3 June before the 23-man party
head for Germany on 4 June. |
|
 |
Chris Sutton
has been released from his Birmingham City contract. Nicky Butt has also
ended his loan deal and returned to Newcastle United. |
|
Monday,
8th May
|
|
|
Sven-Göran
Eriksson has named teenagers Theo
Walcott and Aaron Lennon in his provisional 23-man England squad.
But Shaun Wright-Phillips, Ledley King and Darren Bent miss out, while
Jermain Defoe is on a five-man standby list. Walcott, 17, is one
of four strikers in Eriksson's squad, along with Wayne Rooney, Michael
Owen and Peter Crouch. Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing and
Bayern Munich's Owen Hargreaves are the other surprise inclusions.
The standby list includes uncapped West Ham United
midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker and Crystal Palace striker Andy Johnson.
Uncapped Walcott meanwhile is yet to make a first-team appearance for
Arsenal and Eriksson said his decision to include the youngster was a
last-minute one. "I only decided finally this morning. It's
a big gamble, I know it is. I am excited to see him, he's a big talent.
And pace in football today is worth a lot. For me it's a good
squad, an interesting squad. There are some new players, some young
players and it is an attacking squad with a lot of pace which is
necessary in a World Cup." |
|
Sunday,
7th May
|
 |
Premiership football: A David Thompson goal puts Wigan
Athletic 2-1 in front, but eventually lose 4-2 to an Arsenal side
appearing for the last time at Highbury. Arsenal also sneak into
fourth place of the table, overtaking an ill Tottenham Hotspur, who lose
to West Ham United, despite a Jermain Defoe goal, the Hammers win
includes a missed Teddy Sheringham penalty. Garth Barry scores for
Aston Villa in the 2-1 against Sunderland. Kieran Richardson
secures Manchester United's win over Charlton Athletic by scoring the
fourth goal in the 4-0 victory. Robbie Fowler and Peter Crouch
both score for Liverpool in their 3-1 win over Portsmouth. |
|
Saturday,
6th May
|
|
 |
Sir Bobby Robson
is battling cancer for a third time.
the former England manager has had surgery to remove an egg-sized tumour
from a lung. It was discovered by chance after he injured his ribs
during a skiing accident in France. |
|
Friday,
5th May
|
|
 |
Robbie Fowler
will sign a new one-year contract to stay at Liverpool next week.
The 30-year-old was on a
short-term deal after joining on a free from Manchester City in January.
Rafael Benitez said: "This is fantastic news, Robbie has done really
well and he deserves this. He has scored vital goals for us and
has worked really hard. I am delighted to have him with us for next
season, he is an important member of our squad." |
|
 |
Darren Anderton
has been released from his contract at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The 34-year-old midfielder's deal expires at the end of June and will
not be offered a new deal. Chief executive Jez Moxey has warned
Wolves will be forced to operate on a tight budget next season.
"Glenn Hoddle and I have talked about the rebuilding that we need to do
and this means certain players will not be re-signed."
Moxey also said that 38-year-old Paul Ince, out of
contract this summer, will hold talks with the club. "We will be
entering talks with Paul... to explain our plans for the future, but at
this stage there are no guarantees that we will be re-signing any of
them." |
|
|
Brian Little
has left Tranmere Rovers by mutual consent. The 52-year-old, who
joined the club in 2003, took Rovers to the FA Cup quarter-final in his
first season and the play-offs in 2005. But Rovers have only
managed to win 13 games this season and they secured their League One
safety by beating MK Dons last week. Little said: "I've thought
about this long and hard and am sure this is right for the club and for
me personally. I've really enjoyed the last three seasons here,
despite the problems we have has this season. I would like to wish
everyone at the club every success for next season." |
|
Thursday,
4th
May
|
|
|
Steve McClaren
has been appointed the next England manager, ending months of
speculation over Sven-Göran Eriksson's successor.
Eriksson's current assistant has agreed a four-year deal starting on 1
August.
McClaren insisted that he was not bothered by the
lengthy process, which took almost three months and gave the impression
he was not the first choice. |
|
Sven-Göran
Eriksson will take injured
striker Wayne Rooney to the World Cup, even if he is only fit for
England's ultimate target - the final on 9 July. "Why would I do
that? To win the final. We are talking about Wayne Rooney, you do
not want to rule him out until it is 100% sure. The doctors will
talk to each other. If he is fit, he is fit. It is just a matter
of whether he can play football or not. I don't know if it is
going to be possible to have him in the World Cup or not. I hope so and
I will believe so because I am optimistic by nature. I am not
depressed. It is a pity Wayne Rooney got injured but we have a lot of
good players and we will have a good World Cup. You have to move on.
Life is not finished just because of that. Wayne probably will be
picked in the squad but he will stay in Manchester to do recovery and he
will stay there until all the doctors involved think he is football-fit,
whether that is before during or after the World Cup, I don't know.
I think every England fan will agree with me when I say I don't want to
rule out Wayne. I don't want to hear the words 'definitely out'. I
want to wait as late as possible. If we think he can make part of
the World Cup he will be in. Why shouldn't he?" |
|
John
Terry has been given the
all-clear for the World Cup after receiving positive results from a scan
on his injured ankle. "He should be fine," said Chelsea club
doctor Bryan English. |
|
Wednesday, 3rd
May
|
|
|
Wolverhampton Wanderers
have announced that Glenn Hoddle will stay on as manager at the club.
Hoddle has come under pressure from Wanderers fans who are unhappy with
the club's recent form and he was booed off the field against Brighton
in April. And chief executive Jez Moxey attacked Hoddle's failure
to reach at least the Championship play-offs. But after a board
meeting Moxey said: "Glenn is a proven manager and we are confident that
he has the skills needed to re-build the squad next season." |
|
|
Tord Grip
admits Sven-Göran Eriksson has not yet devised a Plan B to deal with
Wayne Rooney's possible absence from the World Cup. Grip said:
"We're working on Plan B now - but just how that plan looks, I really
don't know. "We are optimistic Michael Owen will play, but it's
not so good for Wayne." |
|
Tuesday, 2nd
May
|
|
 |
Ledley King has
signed a new four-year contract with Tottenham Hotspur. The
25-year-old England central defender's current deal had been due to
expire at the end of next season. "The new deal has taken a while
to sort out, but there was never any question about me staying. I
want to continue captaining this club in what is hopefully going to be a
very successful period." |
|
|
England will be
allowed to replace Wayne Rooney in their World Cup squad up until 24
hours before their opening match against Paraguay on 10 June. Fifa
confirmed that their regulations allow for a player to be substituted
provided the governing body is supplied with evidence of serious injury.
If a replacement is called up Rooney would take no part in the
tournament. A Fifa said: "It's the same as any other Fifa
competition. With a medical report, players who are on the
official list, as of 15 May can be replaced up to 24 hours prior to each
team's first match." |
|
Steve McClaren said he is looking forward
to the FA making their announcement on who will be the new England
manager. Newspaper
reports have claimed McClaren will be confirmed as Sven-Göran Eriksson's
successor on Thursday. "I am just looking forward to the matter
being settled one way or the other. The FA has gone through a
process and will make a decision when they want." |
|
Monday,
1st May
|
|
 |
John
Terry will
sit out the rest of Chelsea's season but manager Jose Mourinho insists
the defender will be fit for England's World Cup campaign. Terry,
25, needed stitches in a leg wound during the win over Manchester United
and is carrying an ankle knock. "He's improving every day and will
be ready physically to join the national team. I think mentally he
can forget Chelsea now for a couple of months and start to concentrate
on England."
Skipper Terry left Stamford Bridge on crutches after
the 3-0 win against Manchester United and Chelsea club doctor Bryan
English revealed the player will have a scan on a sprained ankle.
English said: "We put two stitches in at half-time, then took them out
at the end and replaced them with three. In the second half he
also twisted his ankle a little as well, so he actually had two
injuries. He will have a scan on Tuesday, but I am not concerned
about anything and expect him to be fully fit for England."
Mourinho has also offered to help England's World Cup campaign by
resting Frank Lampard and Joe Cole from the last two Premiership games
of the season against Blackburn on Tuesday and Newcastle on Sunday.
Mourinho said: "I'm ready to let them finish for the season now, to have
one more week to rest or maybe have a holiday or go to some paradise."
|
|
|
Sir Alex Ferguson
says he doubts Wayne Rooney will play in this summer's World Cup.
Ferguson said: "You never know, but at the moment I doubt that he will
take part because of the recovery time. Without doubt it is a
crippling blow for England. When you see brave players staying
down after a tackle you know it's genuine and he's in pain and that's
what I felt with Wayne. At first we didn't think it was too bad,
but when we sent him for the scan it identified the problem and we
realised what a blow it was for the boy and for England. I spoke
to Wayne on Saturday evening and he was obviously a bit down, but I told
him these things happen. I would think this injury is even more of
a killer-blow to him because he knows he is missing major tournaments.
This time round it is even worse because he is more mature and is a more
rounded player who has improved dramatically over the last two years. So
it is a real, real blow. I have tried to get hold of Sven so I can
give him as clear an opinion from us as possible because he will be
reading a lot of stuff in the newspapers. We have spoken to
the England doctor and I think it is important that I give as much as
information as I can to Sven to make sure he is absolutely clear on what
road he can take. Wayne will be in plaster for the next few weeks
and he'll be having regular scans to see how it is healing." |
|
|
Steve McClaren
will be named as the new England manager by the end of the week,
according to newspaper reports. The Football Association board
will meet on Thursday and there has been speculation that members will
be asked to approve McClaren as the new boss. Sam Allardyce, Alan
Curbishley and Martin O'Neill are also in contention.
Allardyce said yesterday that he believed he was
still in the frame for the England job. He said: ""I have been
disappointed once and I thought it was all over when Scolari was offered
the job. But it has all turned around and it appears I am back in
the frame. I am more than keen - it is my dream job. I am in with
a shout and I am hopeful, but until I get a phone call I will not know
one way or another." |
England Football Online