Star Vainikolo’s relief as GBH charge is dropped September 29, 2009 ENGLAND winger Lesley Vainikolo has admitted his relief after charges of causing grievous bodily harm were dropped yesterday. The former rugby league star, 30, was accused of punching Jake Aliker outside a Bath nightclub in the early hours of 26 October 2008. But a jury failed to reach a verdict at the Gloucester player’s trial [...]
Ferguson: Rooney as good as Kaka, Ronaldo and Messi September 29, 2009 MANCHESTER UNITED manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes striker Wayne Rooney has the ingredients to rival the biggest megastars in the world game. The 23-year-old is set to make his 50th appearance in the Champions League tonight when United host German title winners Wolfsburg. Rooney was electric on his European debut, hitting a hat-trick in a [...]
Pietersen vows he’ll be fit for SA Tests September 29, 2009 ENGLAND batsman Kevin Pietersen is refusing to take no for an answer as he races to be fit to board the plane for South Africa. The 29-year-old has been frustrated by setbacks in his recovery from Achilles surgery and has not played since the second Ashes Test at Lord’s in July. But he is hoping [...]
London 2012 hopefuls given 10m cashback from Visa September 29, 2009 BRITISH chiefs believe they will be able to unleash their strongest team ever at the London 2012 Games after receiving a significant cash injection from Visa. The credit card provider is believed to have paid around £10m to be Team 2012’s presentation partner, giving them promotional rights to more than 1,000 British athletes. That represents [...]
Selling Cahill would be suicidal, insists Megson September 29, 2009 BOLTON boss Gary Megson has categorically ruled out selling star defender Gary Cahill this season. The 23-year-old has impressed for the Trotters ever since his move from Aston Villa in January 2008. And his eye-catching performances have not gone unnoticed with rumours rife that Tottenham and Italian giants AC Milan and Juventus are contemplating a [...]
McAllister ‘No’ to Portsmouth No2 position September 29, 2009 PORTSMOUTH boss Paul Hart admits he is bitterly disappointed at the club’s failure to appoint Gary McAllister as his assistant. Former Leeds manager McAllister, who last week turned down the chance to become Scotland No2, could not agree terms to move to Fratton Park. The 44-year-old played at Elland Road at the same time as [...]
Sarries to face Boks at Wembley September 29, 2009 RUGBY UNION: Premiership leaders Saracens will play South Africa at Wembley as part of the world and Tri-Nations champions’ tour this autumn. Saracens will host the Springboks on 17 November after their Test against France as part of their preparation for their matches against Italy and Ireland. The tourists’ opening match is against Leicester Tigers [...]
I won’t push it, insists Button September 29, 2009 FORMULA ONE: Championship leader Jenson Button insists he will not be taking any unnecessary risks in his bid for a first world title. The Brawn GP driver, is closing in on Lewis Hamilton’s crown with a 15-point lead over team-mate Rubens Barrichello with only three races left. But the Briton, who has talked up the [...]
Injury rules out Aussie Clarke September 29, 2009 CRICKET: Australia have suffered a blow after key batsman Michael Clarke was ruled out for the rest of the Champions Trophy. Vice-captain Clarke, 28, has failed to recover from a lower back problem he picked up during his side’s 6-1 one-day series win over England this month. Clarke is the second Aussie to depart the [...]
Harrison still has title dream September 29, 2009 BOXING: Britain’s Audley Harrison is adamant he will still become world champion as he bids to reignite his career by winning Friday’s Prizefighter. The 37-year-old has endured a turbulent time since turning professional after winning gold at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. He said: “I had plans to be the heavyweight champion of the world in [...]