Borthwick passed fit for autumn dates September 21, 2009 ENGLAND manager Martin Johnson finally received some good news last night when captain Steve Borthwick was passed fit for the autumn internationals. It was feared the lock forward would be sidelined for months after he picked up an injury in Saturday’s bruising win over Harlequins but a scan revealed only a sprained rib cartilage. The [...]
Hatton:I will probably return to ring but don’t have fire back in my belly yet September 21, 2009 BRITISH former two-weight world champion Ricky Hatton has given his biggest hint yet that he will return to the ring. The Manchester-born fight has been considering retirement since his savage second-round knockout defeat to six-weight title-holder Manny Pacquiao in May. Hatton is currently working as a promoter for his own company, Hatton Promotions, but the [...]
FA set to hit Bellamy with suspension September 21, 2009 MANCHESTER CITY’S attacking options are set to shrink further today when Craig Bellamy is expected to be charged for confronting a pitch invader during Sunday’s tempestuous defeat at local rivals United. The Football Association was yesterday studying video footage of the incident, in which Bellamy appears to put his hand in the face of the [...]
Owen tips rivals City for the top September 21, 2009 HIS injury-time winner may have taken them down a peg or two in Sunday’s thrilling derby, but Manchester United striker Michael Owen expects rivals City to keep upsetting the Premier League’s elite. City announced their intention to break the Big Four’s stranglehold on the Champions League places with a £120m summer spending spree on some [...]
Ancelotti’s made us patient and so deadly, insists Ballack September 21, 2009 CHELSEA midfielder Michael Ballack believes their ruthless start to the season stems from a fresh approach instilled by new boss Carlo Ancelotti. The Blues have gained maximum points from their opening six Premier League matches, setting a record 11th straight win in the process and bagging 15 goals to boot. The German has excelled [...]
Sir Bobby honoured at star-studded memorial September 21, 2009 STARS flocked to Durham cathedral yesterday for a moving tribute to former England manager Sir Bobby Robson, who died in July after a battle with cancer. Gary Lineker and Paul Gascoigne, key figures in Robson’s 1990 World Cup squad, were joined at the service by Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and current England head [...]
Watt vowing to light up young guns’ class of 2009 September 21, 2009 ARSENAL starlet Sanchez Watt is itching to shine as boss Arsene Wenger prepares to unleash his youngsters in the Carling Cup tonight. Forward Watt, 18, is one of the latest crop of exciting talents to break through under Wenger’s guidance and is set to feature in the third round tie against West Brom. He said: [...]
Zola hoping Franco factor gives Hammers cup boost September 21, 2009 NEW West Ham signing Guillermo Franco is set to be thrust into action as Gianfranco Zola looks to ignite his side’s stuttering start to the season in the Carling Cup. The Hammers have struggled thus far in the Premier League, winning one from five, and sit just above the drop zone on goal difference. Franco, [...]
Benitez wary of Leeds threat September 21, 2009 LIVERPOOL boss Rafa Benitez is refusing to underestimate tonight’s Carling Cup opponents Leeds. Despite their current standing in League One, Benitez is expecting a difficult contest. He said: “We know it’ll be tough. It’s a massive club despite the division they are in.” Reds defenders Fabio Aurelio and Daniel Agger are back in contention following [...]
SPORT IN BRIEF September 21, 2009 Flower’s Pietersen hopes wiltCRICKET: England coach Andy Flower admits star batsman Kevin Pietersen may miss this winter’s tour of South Africa through injury. The 29-year-old batsman is currently recovering from Achilles surgery but a subsequent infection in the area has slowed his rehabilitation. “We’re still taking it day by day,” said Flower. “We’re still not [...]