Van Gaal hands Valdes United training chance October 23, 2014 MANCHESTER United boss Louis van Gaal could hand stricken goalkeeper Victor Valdes a permanent deal in January after allowing the ex-Barcelona stopper the chance to continue his recovery from a torn cruciate ligament at Old Trafford. Valdes was given his La Liga debut by Van Gaal as a 20-year-old in 2002 and went on to [...]
Champions League: Rodgers adamant he will not accept Balotelli’s antics October 22, 2014 LIVERPOOL 0 REAL MADRID 3 LIVERPOOL boss Brendan Rodgers insists he will discipline Mario Balotelli after the Italian striker swapped shirts with opponent Pepe at the end of a half in which Real Madrid dominated and outclassed their rivals at Anfield last night. The Reds had won all three previous meetings with Real, a trend [...]
Lancaster backs Robshaw to end debate over his England future October 22, 2014 ENGLAND head coach Stuart Lancaster has backed Chris Robshaw to cast aside constant speculation over his role in international rugby and prove his pedigree after re-naming the Harlequins flanker as skipper for the autumn internationals. Lancaster has included a trio of uncapped players – Bath winger Semesa Rokoduguni, Saracens second row George Kruis and Northampton [...]
Quigg aims to use title defence as prompt for Frampton clash October 22, 2014 WBA super-bantamweight champion Scott Quigg intends to use his fifth title defence against Hidenori Otake as a springboard to fight Belfast’s IBF titleholder Carl Frampton. The 26-year-old’s bout with the Japanese champion will feature on the undercard of Nathan Cleverly’s rematch with Tony Bellew at the Echo Arena, Liverpool in November. Veteran Otake will be [...]
Murray maintains surge to reach ATP Finals October 22, 2014 BRITAIN’S Andy Murray continued his bid to qualify for the season ending ATP World Tour Finals in London by seeing off the challenge of Jurgen Melzer in the first round of the Valencia Open yesterday. The 27-year-old dispatched the veteran Austrian in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3, to set up a second-round clash with Italy’s Fabio [...]
Evans intent on resuming career after serving custodial sentence October 22, 2014 FORMER Sheffield United striker Ched Evans last night reiterated his intention to prove his innocence and resume a professional football career. Evans has submitted an appeal to the Criminal Cases Review Commission after spending two and half years in prison as part of a fiveyear sentence for rape. The 25-year-old, who has always protested his [...]
Wenger composed over handing rookie keeper his European bow October 21, 2014 ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger insists he has no qualms about thrusting keeper Emiliano Martinez into the limelight and handing the rookie stopper his Champions League debut against Belgian champions Anderlecht in Brussels tonight. Wenger’s hands are tied with regular No1 Wojciech Szezesny suspended after receiving his marching orders against Galatasaray in the last round of [...]
England setback as centre Tuilagi misses autumn October 21, 2014 ENGLAND’S injury problems ahead of the autumn internationals have continued to mount with Leicester centre Manu Tuilagi set to be ruled out after suffering a groin problem. Head coach Stuart Lancaster names his 33-man elite player squad for the QBE series today, with England’s first match against the All Blacks on Saturday 8 November, and [...]
Champions League: City continue continental stutter October 21, 2014 CSKA MOSCOW 2 MANCHESTER CITY 2 OPTIMISTIC Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini refused to accept the odds are now stacked against his side qualifying for the Champions League knockout phase despite surrendering a two-goal lead against CSKA Moscow in the Russian capital yesterday. Israel’s Bibras Natkho held his nerve to convert a late penalty and [...]
Sunderland players dig deep to issue apology with ticket refund October 21, 2014 ASHAMED Sunderland players will offer long-suffering fans who endured their side’s 8-0 humiliation against Southampton at St Mary’s on Saturday an apology in the form of a monetary refund. The 2,600 fans who made the 630-mile round trip to the south coast and witnessed their side’s shocking performance will be offered a full refund on [...]
