Exclusive: Shearer: No chance of England winning next year’s World Cup November 12, 2013 ENGLAND football great Alan Shearer says the national team have no chance of winning the World Cup and has warned that striker Wayne Rooney is at risk of burn-out before next year’s tournament in Brazil. Coach Roy Hodgson allowed himself to dream of lifting the trophy last month after England secured their place at the [...]
Welbeck and Carrick out for Three Lions November 12, 2013 INJURED Manchester United duo Michael Carrick and Danny Welbeck will miss England’s friendlies with Chile and Germany, the Football Association confirmed yesterday. Carrick played in the champions’ 1-0 defeat of Arsenal on Sunday, but aggravated an Achilles injury and will not be used in either game this Friday or next Tuesday. Meanwhile Welbeck is yet to [...]
Tuilagi a doubt for Six Nations after undergoing chest surgery November 12, 2013 ENGLAND centre Manu Tuilagi faces a race against time to be fit for the start of next year’s Six Nations campaign, according to Leicester boss Richard Cockerill. The 22-year-old tore a pectoral muscle in his club’s 31-6 win against Newcastle in September and was forced to undergo surgery this week following a setback in his [...]
Aussie captain Clarke taunts Cook’s team over selection November 12, 2013 AUSTRALIA captain Michael Clarke has lit the touchpaper ahead of next week’s first Ashes Test by claiming he knows exactly what XI England will send out to play in Brisbane. Clarke, speaking at Australia’s Ashes launch event, insists Hampshire’s Michael Carberry will open the batting and that Surrey’s Chris Tremlett will take the third fast-bowling [...]
Djokovic prepared to sacrifice No1 ranking for 2014 grand slam haul November 12, 2013 WORLD No2 Novak Djokovic intends to prioritise adding to his six grand slam titles next year over regaining the No1 ranking from Rafael Nadal. The 26-year-old beat Nadal in the ATP World Tour final at the O2 Arena on Monday night to continue his sensational 22-match unbeaten run. Djokovic, who lost his world No1 ranking [...]
Cricket Comment: England have to call cover if Prior out of first Test November 12, 2013 HE MAY not grab the headlines like Alec Stewart or Adam Gilchrist did, but we mustn’t underestimate the contribution Matt Prior has made to England’s success. Not just a wicketkeeper but also a genuine batsman, Prior is a major cog in this squad’s wheel. I am a huge fan of his and in all of [...]
Bailey handed surprise chance to become Aussies’ Ashes hero November 12, 2013 UNCAPPED batsman George Bailey has been rewarded for his fine one-day international form with a surprise inclusion to Australia’s 12-man squad for next week’s first Ashes Test in Brisbane. The 31-year-old averaged 79.67 during the recent six match one-day series against India, where he captained Australia in the absence of the injured Michael Clarke. Bailey’s [...]
Davies set for switch to France November 12, 2013 RUGBY UNION: Wales centre Jonathan Davies will move from Scarlets to Clermont Auvergne in July. The 25-year-old has penned a two-year contract. Davies suffered a chest injury against South Africa on Saturday and will miss the remainder of Wales’ autumn internationals.
Legal battles take toll on McIlroy November 12, 2013 GOLF: Former world No1 Rory McIlroy admits off-field distractions have plagued his game this year as he goes in search of his first win for 12 months at the DP World Tour Championship. McIlroy, who tees off at 5am tomorrow, said: “I’ve seen more lawyers this year than I care to see in my entire [...]
Strachan hoping to poach Caulker November 12, 2013 FOOTBALL: Scotland boss Gordon Strachan hopes to convince defender Steven Caulker to switch allegiance from England. Caulker can turn his back on the Three Lions having won his only cap to date in a friendly defeat to Sweden last year.