Monty: Casey still snubs me December 15, 2010 RYDER CUP captain Colin Montgomerie admits he has hit a brick wall with his efforts to speak to Paul Casey, 10 weeks after leaving him out of his team at Celtic Manor. Montgomerie overlooked Casey for one of two wildcard picks to face the United States in October, after the Englishman failed to qualify automatically. [...]
Hopley backs selection process December 15, 2010 RUGBY UNION: The boss of the Rugby Players Association has given a cautious endorsement of England’s plans not to select overseas-based players after next year’s World Cup in New Zealand. Chief executive Damian Hopley said the proposals are “heavy-handed” but admitted: “If this is what it takes to get the best results from England at the 2015 [...]
Kean will have input in transfers December 15, 2010 FOOTBALL: Blackburn caretaker manager Steve Kean will have the final say on any signings during the January transfer window, according to the club’s owners. Venky’s group chairwoman Anuradha Desai denied that Rovers’ transfer policy is being set by an external agency and confirmed Kean will oversee any decisions. She said: “He [Kean] knows the players best [...]
Getting to know the real McCoy December 14, 2010 WE meet outside Ascot’s weighing room just after lunch. That’s my lunch, not AP’s, as he doesn’t really do lunch. That’s the sacrifice he and other jockeys make to maintain their racing weights. But, that’s where comparisons with other jockeys stop. With over 3,300 career winners to his name and 15 consecutive Jockey Championships, there [...]
England must go for jugular. This isn’t over… yet December 14, 2010 I CAN’T think of a better Christmas present to everyone involved in English cricket than securing the Ashes; it would be absolutely fantastic. Victory in the third Test, which starts in the small hours of tonight, would guarantee we bring the urn back to these shores, and you can be sure that’s exactly what all [...]
Arshavin: no time for self pity December 14, 2010 ARSENAL forward Andrey Arshavin has implored his teammates not to dwell on Monday’s damaging defeat at Old Trafford and quickly turn their attention to Saturday’s visit of Stoke. Ji-Sung Park’s solitary goal handed Manchester United a significant edge in the title race – Sir Alex Ferguson’s charges now hold a two point lead with a [...]
Mancini to keep Tevez out of Juve game December 14, 2010 WANTAWAY Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez returned to the club yesterday, but won’t travel with the rest of the squad ahead of tomorrow’s Europa League dead rubber against Juventus. The City skipper trained at the club’s Carrington complex having flown back from a pre-approved holiday in Tenerife, where he met up with his teammates for [...]
Little appeal in backing struggling Australia despite record in Perth December 14, 2010 MOMENTUM is with England as the Ashes roadshow heads west to Perth for the third Test of a series that has so far seen the tourists soothe some painful memories. The draw in Brisbane and win in Adelaide has given England a huge boost and their fortunes couldn’t be more different to four years ago. [...]
Blackburn determined to go British December 14, 2010 FOOTBALL: Blackburn are on the lookout for a British manager to replace Sam Allardyce but insist they are in no rush to appoint a new boss. Coach Steve Kean was placed in temporary charge of first team matters after Allardyce was axed on Monday. “It’s a very prestigious decision so we have to take some [...]
Notts to start defence against Hants December 14, 2010 CRICKET: Nottinghamshire will not begin the defence of their LV= County Championship title until 14 April after being given a week off in the opening round of next season’s fixtures. Mick Newell’s side travel to Abu Dhabi for the season curtain-raiser against an MCC XI on 27 March, but will not be in action again [...]