Cech pulled out of friendly over fears for Chelsea keeper’s injury September 10, 2012 CZECH Republic doctors have played down fears over Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech after it emerged an elbow injury has left him unable to play without pain. The problem has been deemed sufficiently serious for Blues staff to ask their Czech counterparts to no longer select the 30-year-old for non-competitive friendlies. Cech has also been booked [...]
Diaby a doubt for Arsenal September 10, 2012 ARSENAL midfielder Abou Diaby’s fitness is again a concern for the club after France manager Didier Deschamps revealed that he has suffered a new muscular injury. Diaby’s career has been regularly undermined by a succession of injuries and the latest will keep him from today’s World Cup qualifier at home to Belarus and potentially from [...]
Rain ends England’s hopes of T20 victory September 10, 2012 ENGLAND can only hope for a draw from the Twenty20 series with South Africa after rain caused last night’s second match at Old Trafford to be abandoned. Hashim Amla’s 47 off 30 balls helped the tourists reach 77-5, with downpours limiting both sides to nine overs, and England were on 29-2 when the weather intervened [...]
Swansea sign left-back Tiendalli September 10, 2012 ■ FOOTBALL: Swansea City have signed former Holland U21 left-back Dwight Tiendalli as a replacement for the injured Neil Taylor, who has been ruled out for the entire season with a broken ankle. The Dutchman arrives on a free transfer after being released by FC Twente.
Coleman expects Wales goals September 10, 2012 ■ FOOTBALL: Chris Coleman has predicted his Wales side will tonight end their goal drought when they play Serbia in a World Cup qualifier in Novi Sad. “We will score goals and I thought we were going to get a goal against Belgium,” he said.
Ireland squad warn McClean September 10, 2012 ■ FOOTBALL: Sunderland winger James McClean received a dressing down from his Ireland team-mates after using Twitter to criticise the decision to leave him on the bench against Kazakhstan as a “joke” while using foul language. Striker Kevin Doyle said: “We said to him straight away – it’s not acceptable. We found out pretty much [...]
Dawson backs Gatland move September 10, 2012 ■ RUGBY UNION: Former British and Irish Lions scrum-half Matt Dawson believes the appointment of Warren Gatland as coach is the right one. “I think it’s the right appointment,” he said. “The Lions committee have absolutely nailed it. Maybe for once in goodness knows how long there’s very little controversy.”
Murray in the mood to magic first Major title at the US Open September 9, 2012 BRITISH No1 Andy Murray must tonight defeat Novak Djokovic in the US Open final if he is to capitalise on some of the finest form of his career and secure a so far elusive first grand slam title. In a matter of months Murray has dismissed fears over his fitness to at Wimbledon produce his [...]
Coe brings the Paralympics to a stirring close at end of Games September 9, 2012 THE London 2012 Paralympic Games last night came to an inspiring close at the Olympic Stadium in Stratford, with the London Games chairman Sebastian Coe praising the Paralympians, saying they had “lifted the cloud of limitation.” Last night’s spectacular closing ceremony, which was headlined musically by Coldplay, also saw Coe give a moving thanks to [...]
McIlroy readies for Ryder Cup with impressive win on US soil September 9, 2012 NORTHERN Ireland’s Rory McIlroy last night extended his outstanding run of form with victory at the BMW Championship in Indiana. The world No1 produced a final-round 67 to secure both the championship and his third Tour victory in four with an exceptional variety of play that combined astute long drives with composure on the tournament’s [...]