Lampard has faith in out of sorts England pal Ferdinand October 12, 2009 ENGLAND midfielder Frank Lampard has backed out-of-sorts international colleague Rio Ferdinand to bounce back from his current malaise. Ferdinand was heavily criticised for his performance in the shock defeat in Ukraine on Saturday, in which the Manchester United defender made the latest in a series of high-profile errors. Despite those slips manager Fabio Capello is [...]
Tug-of-war for Eriksson after County boss sacked October 12, 2009 NOTTS COUNTY yesterday sacked manager Ian McParland – paving the way for Sven-Goran Eriksson to make a swift return to management. The Swede looks set to move down from his director of football role with the mega-rich Meadow Lane club. But the 61-year-old has a dilemma on his hands after facing calls from his homeland [...]
Massa upbeat after return to F1 testing October 12, 2009 FERRARI’S Felipe Massa yesterday took the wheel of a Formula One car for the first time since his horror smash but admits his competitive return will have to wait until next season. The Brazilian reached another milestone in his recuperation from July’s life-threatening accident in Hungary, which fractured his skull and rendered him comatose, by [...]
McGeechan awaiting Quins’ next move October 12, 2009 FORMER British and Irish Lions coach Ian McGeechan insists he has not received any contact from Harlequins about taking over at The Stoop. The Scot is a free agent after parting company with Wasps in May and is seen as the ideal replacement for Dean Richards, who quit as director of rugby in the wake [...]
Axed Hoggard rejected new deal, insist Yorkshire chiefs October 12, 2009 YORKSHIRE Cricket Club yesterday hit back in their row with bowler Matthew Hoggard, insisting the former England pace man had turned down a lucrative new contract at the start of the season. Hoggard, 33, publicly expressed his “anger and disappointment” after being released by the county after 15 years for financial reasons. But the division [...]
Barry backs Heskey’s Villa quit threat October 12, 2009 FORMER Aston Villa captain Gareth Barry has risked reigniting the wrath of his old fans by backing Emile Heskey’s threat to quit the Midlands side. Striker Heskey is considering asking for a January transfer unless he gets the Premier League minutes he needs to retain his place in the England team for next summer’s World [...]
Benayoun plays down Man City move rumours October 12, 2009 LIVERPOOL midfielder Yossi Benayoun has distanced himself from reports he could leave Anfield for big-spending Manchester City in January. The Israel captain has shone on occasion this season but remains outside of Rafael Benitez’s core of most trusted players. City, meanwhile, are being tipped to launch another assault on the transfer market when the window [...]
Media coverage stings Cannavaro after Italy captain cleared of doping offence October 12, 2009 ITALY captain Fabio Cannavaro has lashed out at the media after being cleared of wrongdoing in relation to a failed doping test. The World Cup winner tested positive for cortisone after taking medication that contained the banned substance for a wasp sting. Cannavaro, 36, had requested an exemption from testing as a result of the [...]
Striker Kalou’s the latest Blue to sign extended Chelsea contract October 12, 2009 CHELS EA striker Salomon Kalou has become the latest player to sign a new contract at Stamford Bridge. The Ivory Coast international’s contract was due to expire at the end of the season but the Blues have tied him down to a new three-year deal. He joins fellow countryman Didier Drogba, Ashley Cole, John Obi [...]
BORTHWICK EYEING COMEBACK October 12, 2009 ENGLAND captain Steve Borthwick has declared himself “good to go” as he prepares to make his comeback from injury in Saracens’ Amlin Challenge Cup trip to Toulon. But the lock admits he feared he had suffered a fractured eye socket following a kick from Gloucester’s Olivier Azam last month. “It was a nervous time,” he [...]
