Downing: Villa move will aid my World Cup dream July 16, 2009 ENGLAND winger Stewart Downing insists he had to quit Middlesbrough for Aston Villa in order to boost his prospects of playing in next summer’s World Cup. Downing completed a £12m transfer yesterday, signing a four-year contract with Martin O’Neill’s improving Premier League outfit. It ended the left winger’s long association with his hometown club, which [...]
SPORT IN BRIEF July 16, 2009 Cavendish keeps green jerseyCYCLING: Britain’s Mark Cavendish retained the top sprinter’s green jersey after Nicki Sorensen won yesterday’s 12th stage of the Tour de France.Saxo Bank rider Sorensen claimed his maiden stage win in his 10th year as a professional, while overall leader Rinaldo Nocentini kept hold of the yellow jersey after finishing in the [...]
Magnificent Strauss cuts out England middle men July 16, 2009 HERO captain Andrew Strauss insisted his England side were still in the hunt for a match-winning total despite missing out on an opportunity to put the Australians to the sword at Lord’s. The Middlesex opener smashed 22 fours in a magnificent 161no as England ended a rollercoaster opening day of the second Test on 364-6. [...]
‘Caught in injury hell but I’ll keep plugging away’ July 15, 2009 SO, crippling injuries have sadly taken their toll on Andrew Flintoff’s Test career, but for former England team-mate Simon Jones, the battle goes on. The Welsh-born paceman played a starring role in the 2005 Ashes success, but has been ruled out of Test action ever since after suffering a plethora of ankle and knee problems. [...]
Adebayor’s in but Blues will ‘not sell Terry’ July 15, 2009 MANCHESTER CITY last night closed in on the £25m signing of Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor – but were then told to forget about adding John Terry to their star-studded revolution. Adebayor, 25, yesterday passed a medical and was then granted a work permit, meaning his move to Eastlands is now merely a formality. But Chelsea [...]
Villa in 12m Downing deal July 15, 2009 ASTON VILLA are closing in on the £12m signing of Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing after the clubs agreed a fee yesterday. Downing, who has been ruled out until October with a foot injury, spent the afternoon in the midlands discussing personal terms with Villa. Relegated Boro have admitted they are ready to sell their most [...]
FOOTBALL IN BRIEF July 15, 2009 Blues pair see bans reducedCHELSEA duo Didier Drogba and Jose Bosingwa have both had their European bans reduced by one game after appealing against charges of improper conduct from the Champions League semi-final against Barcelona in April. Drogba will now serve a three-game suspension and Bosingwa two. Black Cats chasing CrouchSUNDERLAND boss Steve Bruce has [...]
Turnberry is a course fit for champions so Tiger should feel perfectly at home July 15, 2009 IT’S no coincidence that on each of the three occasions that Turnberry has hosted the Open Championship that the player standing on top of the world rankings has gone on to become champion. For me, that speaks volumes for the condition of this beautiful Ayrshire course – not least for the dominance of Tiger Woods, [...]
Mosley will quit FIA presidency July 15, 2009 FORMULA ONE: Max Mosley has confirmed he will step down as president of motorsport’s governing body, the FIA, when his term ends in October. And the 69-year-old has backed former Ferrari team boss Jean Todt to be his successor. Mosley has been at odds with leading teams for months over the reform of F1, causing [...]
Record success for Cavendish July 15, 2009 CYCLING: Britain’s Mark Cavendish reclaimed the top sprinter’s green jersey after winning his fourth stage of the Tour de France. Cavendish’s victory was his eighth in total at the event, equalling Barry Hoban’s British record. Italy’s Rinaldo Nocenti retained the yellow jersey and leads Alberto Contador by six seconds, with seven-time winner Lance Armstrong a [...]