Benayoun plays down Man City move rumours October 12, 2009 LIVERPOOL midfielder Yossi Benayoun has distanced himself from reports he could leave Anfield for big-spending Manchester City in January. The Israel captain has shone on occasion this season but remains outside of Rafael Benitez’s core of most trusted players. City, meanwhile, are being tipped to launch another assault on the transfer market when the window [...]
Media coverage stings Cannavaro after Italy captain cleared of doping offence October 12, 2009 ITALY captain Fabio Cannavaro has lashed out at the media after being cleared of wrongdoing in relation to a failed doping test. The World Cup winner tested positive for cortisone after taking medication that contained the banned substance for a wasp sting. Cannavaro, 36, had requested an exemption from testing as a result of the [...]
Striker Kalou’s the latest Blue to sign extended Chelsea contract October 12, 2009 CHELS EA striker Salomon Kalou has become the latest player to sign a new contract at Stamford Bridge. The Ivory Coast international’s contract was due to expire at the end of the season but the Blues have tied him down to a new three-year deal. He joins fellow countryman Didier Drogba, Ashley Cole, John Obi [...]
BORTHWICK EYEING COMEBACK October 12, 2009 ENGLAND captain Steve Borthwick has declared himself “good to go” as he prepares to make his comeback from injury in Saracens’ Amlin Challenge Cup trip to Toulon. But the lock admits he feared he had suffered a fractured eye socket following a kick from Gloucester’s Olivier Azam last month. “It was a nervous time,” he [...]
Ross is the latest Ryder mover October 12, 2009 ON THE GREENS WITHSAM TORRANCEROSS MCGOWAN is the latest unfamiliar name to throw the Ryder Cup formbook upside down with a polished performance to win the Madrid Masters at the weekend. McGowan’s seven-shot victory saw him claim a first European Tour victory and saw him shoot to second, behind Simon Dyson, in the early Ryder [...]
SPORT IN BRIEF October 12, 2009 Sabres crash to defeatCRICKET: Somerset’s chances of qualifying for the next stage of the Champions League suffered a blow after they crashed to a 44-run defeat to Trinidad & Tobago in Bangalore. Denesh Ramdin top-scored with 39 as Trinidad smashed 150-9 from their 20 overs and took a firm hold on the game when they [...]
Injury forces Rooney out of England date with Belarus October 11, 2009 ENGLAND striker Wayne Rooney last night pulled out of Wednesday’s final World Cup qualifier against Belarus after suffering a calf injury. Rooney picked up the knock during Saturday’s shock 1-0 defeat in Ukraine – their first loss in a competitive match under Fabio Capello. Head coach Capello is unlikely to call up a replacement for [...]
I may skip the tour to Bangladesh, says Strauss October 11, 2009 CAPTAIN Andrew Strauss has admitted he could take a long-awaited rest when England tour Bangladesh early next year. Strauss has had a frantic schedule since taking over as skipper in January, spearheading a home and away series against the West Indies, the successful Ashes campaign, a one-day drubbing against Australia and the Champions Trophy. He [...]
Terry: Defeat could be good for us October 11, 2009 ENGLAND captain John Terry believes Saturday’s shock defeat to Ukraine will prove a welcome reality check to their World Cup aspirations. Fabio Capello’s men went into the match with their place at next summer’s finals already assured and buoyed by a 100 per cent record in qualifying. But talk of mounting a genuine challenge for [...]
Tigers roar back to deny Ospreys win October 11, 2009 LEICESTER head coach Richard Cockerill saluted his injury-hit team’s never-say-die attitude after watching them claw back to draw 32-32 with Ospreys in the Heineken Cup at Welford Road. The Tigers fought back from 26-8 down with a late Jeremy Staunton try to share the spoils and earn themselves a try-scoring bonus point in their opening [...]