Real great Raul leaves door open to England swansong July 26, 2010 REAL MADRID legend Raul insists he could yet make a surprise switch to the Premier League after bringing down the curtain on his glorious spell at the Santiago Bernabeu. The 33-year-old, who began his career at Real and went on to win 16 titles with the Spanish club, yesterday denied a widely-anticipated transfer to German [...]
Mascherano poised to quit Liverpool as Hodgson’s powers of persuasion fail July 26, 2010 LIVERPOOL midfielder Javier Mascherano looks set to shatter the fragile optimism surrounding Roy Hodgson’s reign by quitting Anfield. The Argentina midfielder is thought to have been told he can leave after holding talks with Hodgson upon his return form holiday yesterday. Mascherano is wanted by Inter Milan, where Rafael Benitez, the man who signed him [...]
Time to go back to basics July 26, 2010 AFTER a desperately disappointing Seniors Open Championship at the weekend, it’s high time I took a rest from the game and go back to basics. I knew my game was struggling, hence the three-hour trip across Scotland to see my dad in the build-up to Carnoustie. It saw me through the first day, helping me [...]
Goodwood Rip ride for top jockey Moore July 26, 2010 RYAN MOORE will ride Rip van Winkle in his bid for back-to-back victories in the Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood tomorrow. The three-time champion jockey takes the reigns of the Galileo colt as he looks to emulate his Group One success of 12 months ago. The Aidan O’Brien-trained four-year-old was rated the second best miler [...]
Hammers manger Grant pledges to keep spending July 26, 2010 WEST HAM manager Avram Grant insists his summer spending is not finished as he prepares for his first season in charge at Upton Park. Grant has already enticed German midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger, French striker Frederic Piquionne and Mexican World Cup star Pablo Barrera to east London. But the Israeli still hopes to land his former [...]
LOOK WHO’S BACK! July 26, 2010 ENGLAND World Cup winner Jason Robinson has been tempted out of retirement by National League Two club Fylde next season. Flying winger Robinson, who turns 36 on Friday, retired from playing in 2007 and spent a 14-month spell as head coach of Sale, which ended in April. He joins up again with his ex-England coach [...]
Harbinger rated as world’s best July 26, 2010 RACING: Harbinger has been rated as the top horse in world racing after his King George VI success on Saturday. Sir Michael Stoute’s four-year-old was handed a rating of 135 – up 13lb from 123 – after his impressive 11-length success at Ascot. The rating is just one pound below that of last year’s iconic [...]
Ailing Federer calls on Annacone July 26, 2010 TENNIS: Roger Federer has turned to Lawn Tennis Association coach Paul Annacone for a “test period” in order to rediscover his best form. The 16-time Grand Slam winner has slipped to third in the world rankings after losing in the quarter-finals of the last two Slams. Annacone, Tim Henman’s former coach, quits as head coach [...]
Captain Kumar leads Sri Lanka July 26, 2010 CRICKET: Kumar Sangakkara and Tharanga Paranavitana both hit centuries as Sri Lanka rallied to 312-2 on day one of the second Test against India in Colombo. Leading 1-0 from the first Test, Sri Lanka won the toss and began strongly with opener Tillakaratne Dilshan making 54 before captain Sangakkara (130no) and Paranavitana (100) continued the [...]
Hants and Notts reach t20 semis July 26, 2010 CRICKET: James Vince’s 66 not out helped Hampshire to a five-wicket win over Warwickshire with one ball to spare and ensured their place at the Friends Provident t20 finals day at their home ground of the Rose Bowl. Joining them in the last four are Nottonghamshire, who successfully stifled Sussex to record a 13-run win [...]