Hartley injury a blow for England May 20, 2010 ENGLAND team boss Martin Johnson has suffered his first blow of the summer after hooker Dylan Hartley was ruled out of the forthcoming tour of Australia and New Zealand with a knee injury. The 24-year-old went over on his knee during Northampton’s 21-19 Premiership semi-final defeat to Saracens last weekend and now faces a battle [...]
SPORT | IN BRIEF May 20, 2010 Els slips up on own design GOLF: Ernie Els was left to rue his own design changes after his BMW PGA Championship bid hit the buffers at Wentworth yesterday. The South African found the new water ditch on the controversial 18th hole of the West Course, which he has recently finished redesigning. It took him [...]
Let Fabregas move on, says Merson May 19, 2010 ARSENAL legend Paul Merson believes it is inevitable that Cesc Fabregas will return to Barcelona this summer and insists the captain deserves credit for being honest with the club about his desire to move. But he warns the Gunners squad needs a complete overhaul during the close season and fears that the departure of Fabregas [...]
Arsenal ought to demand £45m for captain May 19, 2010 CESC FABREGAS, like any footballer, is entitled to ask for a move, but unless Arsenal receive in excess of £40m he can have no complaints if they refuse his request. Fabregas has been at the club for almost seven years, six of those as a first team regular, and has done everything that could be [...]
Capello: 2018 bid not hurt by Triesman May 19, 2010 FABIO CAPELLO insists England remain the “perfect” hosts for the 2018 World Cup despite the controversy surrounding Lord Triesman. Triesman resigned as chairman of the bid – and indeed from the Football Association – on Sunday after he accused rival bidders Spain and Russia of conspiring to bribe referees at this summer’s showpiece. World governing [...]
Boss Johnson warns players over behaviour Down Under May 19, 2010 NO-NONSENSE Martin Johnson has laid down the law to his England squad ahead of their tour of Australia and New Zealand later this month. Two years ago, England quartet Danny Care, David Strettle, Topsy Ojo and Mike Brown found themselves at the centre of sex allegations, while on an ill-fated tour of New Zealand under [...]
I didn’t think I’d even make the squad, let alone win it… May 19, 2010 MARTIN PETERS epitomises every young footballer’s dream. Once described by Sir Alf Ramsey as “10 years ahead of his time”, the West Ham trainee was just 22 years and 177 days old when Ramsey handed him his England debut on 4 May 1966 against Yugoslavia at Wembley. Within just two-and-a-half months, he had carved his [...]
Back injury forces Richards to call time May 19, 2010 LONDON IRISH scrum-half Peter Richards has been forced to retire from the game with a back injury. Richards, 32, was restricted to just 16 appearances in the Guinness Premiership this season – the last one coming in February. “I’ve had a great career and thoroughly enjoyed my rugby wherever I’ve played,” Richards said. “I would [...]
Unsettled Liverpool manager Benitez admits he would like to coach Spain May 19, 2010 RAFAEL BENITEZ says he dreams of one day coaching the Spanish national team – but insists he has no plans to leave Liverpool just yet. Under-fire Benitez has been tipped to quit Anfield this summer after failing to secure qualification for the Champions League. Inter Milan have been linked but Juventus, another potential destination, have [...]
Foster just as good a keeper as Hart, says Blues boss McLeish May 19, 2010 BIRMINGHAM manager Alex McLeish has backed new recruit Ben Foster to be just as successful as his predecessor, fellow England hopeful Joe Hart. Goalkeeper Foster yesterday completed his £6m move from Manchester United, signing a three-year contract at St Andrews. McLeish moved quickly to replace Hart, who was recalled by Manchester City after enjoying an [...]