Lampard backing Barkley to continue upward trajectory June 6, 2014 ENGLAND vice-captain Frank Lampard admits he sees parallels between Everton youngster Ross Barkley, 20, and the teenage Wayne Rooney who terrorised Euro 2004. Barkley, who could win his sixth cap in tonight’s final World Cup warm-up match against Honduras, shone this week against Ecuador and looks ready to announce himself on the international scene in [...]
Merciless Nadal obliterates Murray’s French Open hopes June 6, 2014 BRITAIN’S Andy Murray is looking forward to returning to his more favoured surface of grass after yesterday’s bludgeoning by Rafael Nadal in the French Open semi-final ended his clay court season. Nadal, who has lost just once at Roland Garros in 10 years, zeroed in on a ninth title in Paris with a ruthless 6-3, [...]
Celtic appoint Norwegian coach June 6, 2014 FOOTBALL: Celtic have named Norwegian Ronny Deila as their new manager on a rolling 12-month contract. The 38-year-old joins the Scottish champions from Stromsgodset, who he guided to the league title last season in his homeland. Deila replaces Neil Lennon, who stepped down in May.
Magpies swoop on Canary Islands June 6, 2014 FOOTBALL: Newcastle have signed 20-year-old Spanish striker Ayoze Perez from Tenerife. Perez, the Magpies’ first summer business, plundered 16 goals from 34 games in the country’s second tier last term. His arrival follows the departures of forwards Loic Remy and Luuk de Jong, who were on loan, and Shola Ameobi.
Yardy sidelined for a month June 6, 2014 CRICKET: Sussex all-rounder Michael Yardy has been ruled out for a month with a torn bicep muscle. Yardy suffered the injury bowling in last week’s T20 Blast match against Glamorgan. The county said he would be able to bat again in around four weeks but would need more time to be resume bowling.
England boss mulls calling replacement for injured Ox June 5, 2014 ENGLAND manager Roy Hodgson was last night sweating on the fitness of midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain with scans on a knee injury showing medial ligament damage. The Arsenal star limped off during the second half of Wednesday’s 2-2 draw with Ecuador in their penultimate friendly before the World Cup kicks off next week. The early prognosis [...]
Robson backed to prove his Test opener worth June 5, 2014 ENGLAND selector James Whitaker has backed Middlesex batsman Sam Robson to make the Test opener’s position his own when he makes his bow against Sri Lanka in the familiar surrounds of Lord’s next week. Robson, one of the three uncapped players in a 12-man squad for the first of two Tests, is set to partner [...]
Weary Murray bids to dethrone King of Clay June 5, 2014 SHOULD Britain’s Andy Murray beat world No1 Rafael Nadal in today’s French Open semi-final it will represent an achievement that arguably surpasses even last year’s historic Wimbledon success. Following Wednesday’s quarter-final victory against Gael Monfils, Murray said equalling his finest ever run at Roland Garros was nothing to celebrate. But should he conquer the King [...]
Football Comment: Arsenal man has to go to Brazil, and why Rooney’s beyond doubt June 5, 2014 IF THERE is any chance of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain playing at this World Cup then Roy Hodgson has to keep him in the England squad and resist calls to summon a replacement. The Arsenal midfielder was excellent on Wednesday night against Ecuador, before injuring his knee ligaments late in the game – a blow that looks [...]
Snow Sky withdrawal leaves 16 battling for Derby victory June 5, 2014 SIXTEEN runners are set to contest tomorrow’s Investec Derby after the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Snow Sky was withdrawn yesterday, on the eve of the Epsom meeting. Khalid Abdullah’s colt failed to recover from a minor knock to a joint. The Lingfield Derby Trial winner had been trading at 20-1, but was deemed “not 100 per [...]