Wenger rues Rosicky loss and eyes buys August 6, 2009 ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Tomas Rosicky’s injury curse has struck again, ruling him out for six weeks. The Czech midfielder only returned from an 18-month lay-off in pre-season, but has suffered a hamstring injury. “He could be out for six weeks,” said Wenger. “It is hard to accept because he had looked [...]
Butcher hangs up his bat August 6, 2009 CRICKET: Former England batsman Mark Butcher announced his retirement from cricket last night with immediate effect. The Surrey captain, 36, scored 38 first-class centuries – eight of them for England – in a career spanning 17 years. He managed five County Championship matches for Surrey this season but has now admitted defeat in his battle [...]
Bent: Twitter jibe worked August 6, 2009 FOOTBALL: Striker Darren Bent admits his Twitter outburst against Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy helped speed up his £10m move to Sunderland. Bent, 25, hit out at Levy on the social networking site after the proposed transfer was delayed. Bent said: “In the long run it seems like it has paid off but at the same [...]
Fulham progress in Europe August 6, 2009 FOOTBALL: Fulham booked their place in the Europa League play-off stage with a 3-0 win over FK Vetra. Midfielder Dickson Etuhu opened the scoring at Craven Cottage, before a brace from striker Andrew Johnson completed a 6-0 aggregate win over the Lithuanian side.
Tigers pounce for pair August 6, 2009 FOOTBALL: Hull City have completed the double signing of Seyi Olofinjana from Stoke City and USA international Jozy Altidore. Midfielder Olofinjana has joined on a four-year contract for £3m, while striker Altidore arrives on a season-long loan from Spanish club Villarreal, subject to a work permit. Newcastle defender Habib Beye could be next to arrive [...]
Casey’s USPGA injury worry August 6, 2009 GOLF: England’s Paul Casey is a major doubt for next week’s US PGA Championship after suffering a chest injury last night. The world No3 pulled a muscle teeing off at the seventh hole of the WGC Bridgestone Invitational in Ohio. Three-time major winner Padraig Harrington held the early clubhouse lead with a six-under-par 64.
Schumi return excites Brawn August 6, 2009 FORMULA ONE: Ross Brawn insists that he is relishing the prospect of going head-to-head with former protege Michael Schumacher. The Brawn GP boss helped Schumacher to seven world titles – two with Benetton, five at Ferrari – before the German quit three years ago. Schumacher has come to Ferrari’s aid to replace the injured Felipe [...]
Friends Reunited was a squandered opportunity August 6, 2009 THERE’S a recession on, stupid. That was the response Michael Grade gave yesterday when pressed on why the broadcaster flogged its social network Friends Reunited for just £25m, having bought it for £170m less than four years ago. That the downturn has dented the value of the site, along with virtually every other media business, [...]
Advertising slump pushes ITV into red August 6, 2009 INCUMBENT ITV chairman Michael Grade yesterday remained tight-lipped as to any progress made on appointing a successor, as the broadcaster revealed the deepest advertising slump on record had pushed it into the red over the first half. ITV reported a £105m loss for the six months to end of June, after it lost £108m, or [...]
CITY VIEWS: FOLLOWING POOR RESULTS, WHAT ARE YOUR VIEWS ON ITV? August 6, 2009 BENJAMEN PAGE WILLS & CO“They need to commission better programmes if they want to improve but to be honest I think digital is too great a competitor to them these days.” JAMIE MACKINNON BROKER“I think they will be around forever and I still watch their programmes. I’m a big Corrie fan so I won’t give [...]