Leeds land ex-Quin Gomarsall August 12, 2009 RUGBY UNION: World Cup-winning former England scrum-half Andy Gomarsall has signed for Leeds. Gomarsall, who was released by Harlequins at the end of last season, has agreed a one-year deal with their Premiership rivals. The 35-year-old said: “I considered retiring, but when Leeds got in touch I jumped at the chance to come here.”
Capello rules out Almunia England call August 11, 2009 FABIO CAPELLO last night dismissed speculation that Manuel Almunia will be drafted in to ease England’s goalkeeper crisis.With first-choice David James ruled out through injury and Ben Foster withdrawing with a knee problem, reports resurfaced once again linking the Spanish-born Arsenal shot-stopper with an unlikely call-up. Almunia, 32, is now eligible to play for England [...]
Pietersen suffers fresh Achilles setback August 11, 2009 ENGLAND batsman Kevin Pietersen’s place in the squad for next month’s ICC Champions Trophy is in doubt after he suffered a setback in his recovery from Achilles surgery. Pietersen, 29, has had hospital treatment after an infection developed in the stitching of his scar tissue, it emerged yesterday. The Hampshire player was ruled out of [...]
SPORT IN BRIEF August 11, 2009 Blades crash out of Carling CupFOOTBALL: League Two minnows Port Vale caused the shock of the night in the Carling Cup first round after beating Sheffield United 2-1 at Bramall Lane. A costly error from Blades keeper Ian Bennett allowed Marc Richards to notch a brace and hand Vale a famous victory against the Championship [...]
Trescothick: I’ll consider comeback if England ask August 11, 2009 SOMERSET batsman Marcus Trescothick, a veteran of England’s 2005 Ashes triumph, has hinted he could be ready to make a sensational return for the deciding Test of the current series. Trescothick retired from international duty in 2008 after suffering from a stress-related illness and has since resisted all attempts to coax him back to the [...]
JACK OF ALL TRADES August 11, 2009 ARSENAL’S teenage starlet Jack Wilshere made his England Under-21 debut in Groningen last night as Stuart Pearce’s side battled to a 0-0 draw in their friendly with Holland. Another debutant, West Ham’s Junior Stainslas, came close to scoring for the Three Lions but his shot, following neat interplay with Micah Richards, was well saved by [...]
Injury forces Schumacher to scrap plans for comeback August 11, 2009 SEVEN-TIME champion Michael Schumacher yesterday said he was “disappointed to the core” after being forced to abandon his hotly-anticipated comeback less than two weeks before his first race in three years. The German, 40, had been set to make a sensational return to the track at this month’s European Grand Prix as a short-term replacement [...]
Young given the nod to act as ‘clone’ for Gerrard August 11, 2009 ENGLAND coach Fabio Capello admitted he would like to “clone” injured midfielder Steven Gerrard after giving Ashley Young the nod to replace him for tonight’s friendly against Holland. Aston Villa winger Young will fill the left-wing berth due to be occupied by Gerrard, who withdrew from the squad yesterday after picking up a groin injury [...]
It’s Hart-ache for Foster as Joe gets call August 10, 2009 GOALKEEPER Joe Hart was last night handed an unexpected England reprieve after Ben Foster withdrew from the squad for tomorrow’s friendly with Holland through injury. The Manchester United starlet suffered a knock in the Community Shield match against Chelsea at Wembley on Sunday and misses out on the chance to earn a third international cap. [...]
Lampard: Shield row won’t hurt international relations August 10, 2009 CHELSEA’S Frank Lampard is adamant that bad blood between Blues and Manchester United players will not affect the England squad ahead of tomorrow’s friendly against Holland. United were incensed at Lampard’s goal in Sunday’s Community Shield, which Chelsea won on penalties after a 2-2 draw. The midfielder’s strike came while United defender Patrice Evra lay [...]