Walcott returns as Arsenal target top January 18, 2010 ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger has been boosted by the return of winger Theo Walcott and midfielder Denilson for tomorrow’s crunch visit of Bolton. The Gunners will leapfrog Chelsea and Manchester United to go top of the Premier League if they can win their second clash against the Trotters in four days by at least two [...]
Injury crisis for Gatland as Phillips and Peel miss out January 18, 2010 WALES coach Warren Gatland has been left with a scrum-half injury crisis after Mike Phillips and Dwayne Peel failed to make the 35-man squad for the Six Nations squad. Phillips, the British and Irish Lions star, is Gatland’s first-choice No9 but has been out since October after injuring his foot playing for Ospreys against Clermont [...]
Bet on Schumy to claim title No8, insists Brawn January 18, 2010 MERCEDES team principal Ross Brawn says he wouldn’t bet against Michael Schumacher claiming an eighth world championship this season. The 41-year-old retired from F1 back in 2006 after claiming two world titles with Benetton and five with Ferrari – all under the guidance of Brawn. Now the pair are reunited for the Mercedes team this [...]
Charl can equal Seve’s haul January 18, 2010 CHARL SCHWARTZEL will go in search of a little piece of history in Qatar next weekend – and you wouldn’t bet against the South African achieving it. Victory at his home Joburg Open at the weekend was Charl’s second straight win on the Tour, following his success in the Africa Open. The legendary Seve Ballesteros [...]
FOOTBALL | IN BRIEF January 18, 2010 Rafa foiled, but will strengthen LIVERPOOL boss Rafael Benitez is hopeful of strengthening his squad in the January transfer window – but has been warned off Sunderland striker Kenwyne Jones. “We will see if we can do something more in this transfer window,” said Benitez, despite his financial constraints. “If we cannot we will stick [...]
SPORT | IN BRIEF January 18, 2010 Tigers coach loses a finger RUGBY LEAGUE: Castleford Tigers head coach Terry Matterson is recovering after losing a finger in a freak training ground accident. The 42-year-old Australian got his wedding ring caught on a fence as he went to retrieve a ball in training in Perpignan. He was rushed to hospital and was held [...]
Northern Rock in £10m Newcastle shirt deal January 17, 2010 NEWCASTLE United has signed a new £10m sponsorship deal with Northern Rock. The four-year agreement will see the nationalised bank remain as Newcastle’s sponsor from season 2010/11 to 2014. Northern Rock’s chief executive Gary Hoffman hailed the renewed sponsorship as a good deal for taxpayers. The bank, which is based in Newcastle, was taken into [...]
Fab Gunners stay in chase January 17, 2010 ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger has warned his title rivals that Cesc Fabregas is only getting better after the skipper’s return inspired a hard-fought but crucial victory. Fabregas crowned his return from a three-match injury lay-off with a goal and a hand in Fran Merida’s clincher as the Gunners stayed on the heels of the Premier [...]
England end tour with a whimper but Strauss hails trip as a success January 17, 2010 ENGLAND captain Andrew Strauss refused to blame controversy over the decision review system after his side were denied a memorable series victory by a thrashing from South Africa in the final Test. The hosts clinched a draw in the four-match series by sealing an emphatic victory in Johannesburg by an innings and 74 runs before [...]
Rovers end winless streak after Fulham lose Dempsey January 17, 2010 FULHAM boss Roy Hodgson is unlikely to buy in January despite losing influential midfielder Clint Dempsey to a suspected serious knee injury. Hodgson saw Dempsey limp off as his side slumped at Ewood Park to goals from Blackburn defensive pairing Christopher Samba and Ryan Nelsen. The in-form American midfielder is due to face England at [...]