BRIT HOPEFULS PREPARE FOr ULTIMATE OPEN TEST July 13, 2011 • Strong winds may see tees brought forward • Winner must favour brain over muscle HOPES of a first British winner of The Open since 1999 will be tested to the limit not only by a stellar international field but also by the elements which threaten to turn Royal St George’s into a place not [...]
Refreshed Poulter is primed for action again July 13, 2011 ENGLAND’S Ian Poulter is feeling refreshed and ready for another Open challenge having spent the last couple of weeks enjoying life away from the golf course. While his contemporaries have been readying themselves by playing at last week’s Scottish Open, and before that at Le Golf National in Paris, Poulter took a seat in the [...]
Liverpool agree £20m Downing fee July 13, 2011 Liverpool moved a step closer to signing England winger Stewart Downing from Aston Villa last night when the two clubs agreed on a fee of £20m. Former Middlesbrough player Downing has been a key summer target of Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish, and talks with the 26-year-old can begin. Liverpool said in a statement on their [...]
No problems with Nasri’s attitude July 13, 2011 ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger has praised the attitude of his unsettled midfield star Samir Nasri. The France international is stalling on signing an extension to his contract, which expires next summer, amid significant interest from Manchester United and Manchester City. he 24-year-old featured as a second half substitute in Arsenal’s 4-0 win over Malaysia yesterday [...]
Springbok skipper Smit all set for Saracens move July 13, 2011 PREMIERSHIP champions Saracen’s have completed the flagship signing of South Africa captain John Smit. The 33-year-old, the most capped skipper and forward in Springbok’s history, will join upon the conclusion of October’s World Cup in New Zealand. “I am delighted to have signed for a club widely renowned for their ferocious work ethic,” said Smit. [...]
Cavendish rejoices after snatching green jersey July 13, 2011 BRITAIN’S Mark Cavendish powered to victory on stage 11 of the Tour de France and moved into the sprinters’ green jersey in the process. The 167.5 kilometres route from Blaye-les-Mines to Lavaur came down to the expected sprint finish and Cavendish’s HTC-Highroad team controlled it superbly in the torrential rain. Heading into the finish Mark [...]
Bad boy Barton is banned from US July 13, 2011 NEWCASTLE’S preparations for their pre-season tour of the United States were thrown into disarray yesterday when two players including Joey Barton were refused entry into the country. Barton (right), 28, who was given a six-month jail sentence after admitting assault and affray in 2008, has been denied the necessary permission to travel with the rest of [...]
QPR complete double swoop July 13, 2011 FOOTBALL: Premier League new-boys QPR have completed the signings of England internationals Jay Bothroyd and Kieron Dyer. Bothroyd, who made his England debut last November, joins on a free from Cardiff while Dyer, whose career has been beset by injuries, was released by West Ham a the end of last season. Meanwhile, west London rivals [...]
Ex Wasps chief Hanks joins Sale July 13, 2011 RUGBY UNION: Sale Sharks have appointed former Wasps director of rugby Tony Hanks as first-team coach. The 40-year-old, who left Wasps as director of rugby in February, will look after the side’s attack, game plan and defence. Sale director of sport Steve Diamond said: “He is the final piece of the off-field jigsaw and we [...]
REFRESHED RORY’S READY FOR ACTION July 12, 2011 MAN of the moment Rory McIlroy insists slipping back into competitive mode will be the easiest part of coming to terms with his breakthrough success at last month’s US Open. The 22-year-old took three weeks off following his record breaking maiden Major victory at Congressional, a move that has been criticised by his former Ryder [...]