ARMBAND OPTIONS February 7, 2012 STEVEN GERRARD PROS: Captains a high-profile club in Liverpool and has plenty of Champions League and international tournament experience CONS: Recent England appearances have been limited by injury and his fitness is an ongoing concern ASHLEY COLE PROS: The most capped member of the England squad and an automatic choice who is preparing to appear [...]
Bell the unfortunate victim of Cook’s undroppable status February 7, 2012 AFTER their Test mauling at the hands of Pakistan it was inevitable that England, hamstrung having made Alastair Cook their one-day captain, would drop one of their senior batsmen ahead of the limited overs series against the same opposition. With Cook undroppable, any one of Kevin Pietersen, Eoin Morgan, Jonathan Trott or Ian Bell could [...]
Jury out on Redknapp as verdict proves elusive February 7, 2012 TOTTENHAM manager Harry Redknapp has been made to sweat on his fate after the jury in his trial for alleged tax evasion failed to reach a verdict last night. The 12 jurors will reconvene and continue their deliberations at Southwark Crown Court this morning on the 13th day of the high-profile trial. Judge Anthony Leonard [...]
Hammers in Olympic setback February 7, 2012 THE CHANCES of West Ham moving into the Olympic Stadium appear to have receded after legacy chiefs the OPLC launched a search for a stadium sponsor. The OPLC’s move means the Hammers will not be able to sell naming rights to the venue as part of any deal to relocate from Upton Park after the [...]
Hodgson to keep England place as Flood’s sent home February 7, 2012 SARACENS fly-half Charlie Hodgson looks set to continue his England renaissance against Italy on Saturday after his main rival for the No10 shirt Toby Flood was sent back to his club Leicester yesterday. Head coach Stuart Lancaster has decided that Flood, who made his comeback from injury for the Tigers last Saturday and has spent [...]
Raikkonen leaves rivals trailing on comeback February 7, 2012 FORMER world champion Kimi Raikkonen announced his official return to Formula One after a two-year absence yesterday by setting the fastest time on day one of pre-season testing in Jerez. The sport’s regulations meant the 32-year-old, who will drive for Lotus this year, had to wait until yesterday to try out his new team’s 2012 [...]
Millwall edge FA Cup thriller February 7, 2012 FOOTBALL: Millwall are through to the FA Cup fifth round where they will face Bolton at the New Den following a dramatic 3-2 win over Southampton at St Mary’s. The Lions were 2-1 down with 13 minutes left but goals from Dany N’Guessan and Liam Feeney, who struck in injury time, turned the tie on [...]
Parks retires from Scotland duty February 7, 2012 RUGBY UNION: Scotland fly-half Dan Parks announced his retirement from international rugby last night, just five days before the Six Nations clash with Wales. Parks, 33, won his final cap in last Saturday’s defeat against England in which his error resulted in Charlie Hodgson scoring the game’s only try.
Davies and Ferris both cited February 7, 2012 RUGBY UNION: Wales lock Bradley Davies and Ireland flanker Stephen Ferris have been cited after Sunday’s Six Nations clash between the two sides. Davies was yellow-carded for a tip-tackle on Donnacha Ryan, while Ferris received an identical punishment for his tackle on Ian Evans. Both players will appear before an independent Six Nations disciplinary committee [...]
Contador calls ban an injustice February 7, 2012 CYCLING: Spain’s Alberto Contador has described his two-year ban for failing a drugs test as a “terrible injustice”. Contador plans to appeal after being found guilty of doping for testing positive for clenbuterol during the 2010 Tour de France. On Monday he was stripped of his 2010 Tour victory and will miss this year’s event [...]