Injured Pietersen faces wait over third Test recovery bid July 21, 2009 ENGLAND will delay a decision on whether Kevin Pietersen is fit for next week’s third Ashes Test until the batsman has sought specialist advice on his troublesome Achilles. Pietersen has struggled with the injury all year and suffered discomfort during England’s second Test victory at Lord’s earlier this week. The Hampshire player scored 32 and [...]
Arsenal lose another star after Nasri breaks leg July 21, 2009 ARSENAL’S pre-season preparations suffered a hammer blow yesterday when midfielder Samir Nasri was ruled out for up to three months with a broken leg. The France international, who scored seven goals in 44 appearances last season, fractured a fibula during a training session at the club’s camp in Austria. Nasri’s injury came just days after [...]
Westwood struggles to deal with Open nightmare July 21, 2009 LEE WESTWOOD admits he is struggling to come to terms with his Open heartbreak. The English hope squandered a two-shot lead going into the turn before a three-putt bogey on the last hole saw him miss out on a chance to join Stewart Cink and Tom Watson in a play-off. It was the latest in [...]
TEENAGER DALEY MAKES A BIG SPLASH July 21, 2009 YOUNGSTER Tom Daley became Britain’s first world diving champion at the age of 15 after winning the 10m platform final in dramatic style yesterday. The Devon teenager, who shot to fame by qualifying for last year’s Beijing Olympics, was only lying third before the last round but produced a superb closing dive to beat favourite [...]
Rio: Predator Owen will fire us to trophies July 21, 2009 MANCHESTER UNITED defender Rio Ferdinand believes shock summer signing Michael Owen has the killer instinct needed to deliver more silverware to Old Trafford. United manager Sir Alex Ferguson surprised most observers when he plucked a jaded Owen from the disarray of relegated Newcastle and signed him the striker a free transfer. Rejuvenated Owen has repaid [...]
Al Fahim completes Pompey takeover July 21, 2009 SULAIMAN AL FAHIM yesterday got the green light to complete his takeover of Portmsouth – and then promptly handed caretaker boss Paul Hart a new two-year deal. The UAE-based businessman became the first prospective club owner to pass the Premier League’s new fit and proper person test after having agreed, in principle, to take over [...]
Quins man’s 12-month ban ‘entirely disproportionate’ July 21, 2009 PLAYERS’ chief Damian Hopley has leapt to the defence of Harlequins winger Tom Williams, after he was handed a 12-month ban for faking a blood injury. Williams was found to have fabricated a cut to his mouth in order to allow Quins to make a late substitution during their Heineken Cup quarter-final defeat to Leinster [...]
Contador holds off Armstrong to stay in front July 21, 2009 SPAIN’S Alberto Contador remained in pole position in the race for the Tour de France yellow jersey after yesterday’s 16th stage in the Alps, from Martigny to Bourg-Saint-Maurice. The 26-year-old finished 10th in the Alpine stage and now leads seven-time champion Lance Armstrong by one minute and 37 seconds. Britain’s Bradley Wiggins remains in third, [...]
ERIKSSON SET FOR NOTTS LANDING July 21, 2009 FORMER England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson is being lined up for a sensational return to English football – with League Two side Notts County. The Magpies, who were recently taken over by Middle Eastern group Munto Finance have targeted the 61-year-old Swede to work in a director of football role as a sign of their ambition. [...]
Bolt’s fitness concerns July 21, 2009 ATHLETICS: Olympic sprint champion Usain Bolt admits he will not be fully fit when he faces Asafa Powell and Tyson Gay at next month’s World Championships in Berlin. Bolt, who won 100m and 200m Olympic gold last summer, and fellow Jamaican Powell will warm up by competing at the London Grand Prix at Crystal Palace [...]