We’re going all out for the perfect 10, says Rooney October 8, 2009 STRIKER Wayne Rooney has revealed boss Fabio Capello is demanding a ‘Perfect 10’ from England’s triumphant World Cup qualifying campaign. Capello’s men have already secured their route to next summer’s World Cup with eight straight wins, but the Italian is looking to finish qualifying with another six points from their remaining two matches. England make [...]
Shah left stunned by shock omission October 8, 2009 OWAIS SHAH yesterday admitted he felt hard done by at being left out of England’s one-day squad for the winter tour of South Africa. The Middlesex batsman has been a mainstay of the one-day side for the past 12 months and helped England qualify for the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy just 12 days ago [...]
Harmison has future despite England snub October 8, 2009 NATIONAL selector Geoff Miller insists the door has not been closed on Steve Harmison’s international career despite his omission from England’s Test and one-day squads for the tour of South Africa. The 30-year-old pace man was left out in favour of Durham team-mate Liam Plunkett and Sussex all-rounder Luke Wright as England look to fill [...]
Saudi suitor eyeing full Liverpool buyout October 8, 2009 THE SAUDI prince interested in buying a stake in Liverpool has refused to rule out purchasing the club outright. But Prince Faisal bin Fahad bin Abdullah has warned he will not invest while Anfield is swamped with more than £300m of debt. And he is adamant he will not act as a “marriage counsellor” to [...]
International stars back England’s World Cup bid October 8, 2009 ENGLAND’S 2018 World Cup bid team has emphasised its multicultural credentials by employing an array of foreign stars such as Kolo Toure and Gianfranco Zola as ambassadors. Ivory Coast defender Toure, who captains Manchester City, and Italian West Ham manager Zola will canvass support at home and abroad and appear in promotional materials. Nigerian former [...]
League delays decision over QPR chief Briatore October 8, 2009 MOTORSPORT mogul Flavio Briatore’s future at QPR remains in limbo after the Football League delayed a decision on whether to ban him from the game. The Italian, who co-owns the west London club, faces being barred following his indefinite suspension from Formula One for race-fixing. Football League rules forbid someone from being a director or [...]
SPORT IN BRIEF October 8, 2009 Murray pulls out of ShanghaiTENNIS: Britain’s Andy Murray has been forced to pull out of another tournament by a persistent wrist injury. The world No3 has withdrawn from next week’s Shanghai Masters 1000 and does not expect to play until next month’s Valencia Open with one eye on the prestigious season-ending ATP World Tour Finals [...]
Now for Europe, but we’ll be taking nothing for granted October 8, 2009 WHILE it’s nice to receive plenty of plaudits for our winning start to the season, there isn’t one person in the Saracens camp taking anything for granted. This weekend we take on Italian side Rovigo in our first European Challenge Cup action of the season, but you can be assured there will be no complacency [...]
CANNAVARO FAILS DOPE TEST October 8, 2009 ITALY captain Fabio Cannavaro has failed a dope test after taking a medicine for an insect bite that contained the banned substance cortisone. The 2006 World Player of the Year, 36, has claimed an exemption with Juventus insisting the sting could have become fatal but for immediate medical care. Cannavaro will be interviewed by anti-doping [...]
Grant makes shock return to Pompey October 7, 2009 PORTSMOUTH chief executive Peter Storrie has moved to reassure manager Paul Hart that his job is safe despite yesterday confirming the sensational return of Avram Grant as director of football. Pompey goalkeeper David James warmly welcomed the appointment of Grant, who spent the 2006-07 season in the same role before being lured to Chelsea, where [...]