Cameroon U-turn set to deprive Hammers of Song for a month January 5, 2015 WEST HAM are bracing themselves for a major blow ahead of tonight’s FA Cup third round clash at Everton as influential midfielder Alex Song looks set for a prolonged absence with Cameroon at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Song was initially left out of the Cameroon squad having been omitted from the international picture [...]
Arsenal confirm Podolski exit as Wenger eyes defensive recruits January 5, 2015 ARSENAL yesterday confirmed that striker Lukas Podolski has joined Italian side Inter Milan on loan until the end of the season. Germany World Cup winner Podolski has found himself on the periphery of Arsenal’s first-team picture this term, failing to start a Premier League fixture and only managing a miserly 99 minutes of top-flight football. [...]
Robson and Lyth sparkle for Lions as Trott wobbles January 5, 2015 OPENERS Sam Robson and Adam Lyth both smashed centuries while skipper Jonathan Trott failed as England Lions began their tour of South Africa with a dominant batting display on day one of their warm-up clash with Gauteng Invitation XI in Soweto yesterday. Middlesex’s Robson struck 109 while Yorkshire run-machine Lyth amassed 106 as the pair [...]
Ill Farah out of cross-country January 5, 2015 DOUBLE Olympic and world champion Mo Farah has been forced to withdraw from Saturday’s cross-country race in Edinburgh after a bout of the flu left him behind with his training schedule. Farah, 31, had been due to represent Great Britain and Northern Ireland against the United States and Europe in the Great Edinburgh XCountry international [...]
Double Seven out for season January 5, 2015 EARLY Grand National fancy Double Seven has been ruled out for the season after suffering an injury. The JP McManus-owned nine-year-old was third at Aintree under Tony McCoy in April, six lengths behind winner Pineau De Re, and was among the early favourites for this year’s renewal. “It’s a shame he won’t be there this [...]
Pietersen stars for Melbourne in big bash January 5, 2015 ENGLAND exile Kevin Pietersen struck his second half-century of the Big Bash campaign to steer Melbourne Stars to a super-over victory against Michael Lumb-inspired Sydney Sixers yesterday. Pietersen smashed eight fours and a six in his 37-ball 50, while his knock of 54 helped the Stars post 150-6 after former England batsman Lumb smashed 80.
Mercury soars to 44C in Murray’s Aussie warm-up January 5, 2015 BRITAIN’S Andy Murray overcame scorching 44C heat and a shoulder injury to boost his Australian Open preparations with two wins at the Hopman Cup in Perth yesterday. Murray beat Benoit Paire in straight sets and then joined Heather Watson to defeat Paire and Alize Cornet in an epic deciding mixed doubles clash to earn Great [...]
Wiggins signs Sky deal for Paris-Roubaix bid January 5, 2015 CYCLIST Sir Bradley Wiggins has confirmed plans for a final attempt at winning one of the sport’s most iconic events, the Paris-Roubaix one-day classic, before he swaps road for track racing later this year. Former Tour de France winner Wiggins has agreed a short-term contract with Team Sky that will take him into a sixth [...]
Burgess admits tackling rugby union is tougher than expected January 5, 2015 CODE-SWITCHER Sam Burgess has revealed the conversion to rugby union from league is proving a harder task to master than he initially envisaged. Surgery to fix a broken cheekbone delayed his union debut until November but after a smattering of cameos the 26-year-old made his first start for Bath in their 17-8 Premiership defeat to [...]
Serena enjoys instant boost January 5, 2015 RETURNING to work in the New Year is enough to make anyone reach for a coffee, and world No1 Serena Williams showed she was no different at the Hopman Cup in Australia yesterday. Williams called for the drink after losing the first set of her singles match with Italy’s Flavia Pennetta to love and the [...]