Post by Salem6 on Jan 13, 2004 9:55:03 GMT
Footie odds 'n ends
DAVID BECKHAM is in Real Madrid’s squad to face Second Division Eivar tonight, despite carrying an ankle injury.
Becks, 28, will have a late fitness test ahead of the King’s Cup clash, even though he ruled himself out just 48 hours earlier.
On Sunday, the England skipper showed off his badly swollen right ankle and the gash which needed four stitches.
And he insisted: “It is still really sore. I kicked one ball and that was it.”
But a dip in form means Real boss Carlos Queiroz is desperate to have Becks back as soon as possible.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GRAEME SOUNESS has told Matt Jansen: It’s time you raised your game.
Blackburn’s former England Under-21 striker is now fully fit after overcoming life-threatening head injuries from a motorbike accident 18 months ago.
But Jansen, 26, has hit just three goals this term and Souness said: “Matt is honest enough to admit his form is not what he would want it to be — or what we would want it to be.”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JASON ROBERTS will return to the scene of his worst nightmare after sealing a £2million switch to Wigan.
The West Brom striker, who will become the Latics’ record buy when he signs a 3½-year deal today, will link up with former Bristol Rovers strike partner Nathan Ellington.
Roberts, 25, is set to make his debut at rivals Preston on Saturday. Nearly two years ago he broke his foot there and then struggled at Albion and Portsmouth.
But he said: “This move is a fresh start. Nathan and I bring the best out of each other.”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TEDDY SHERINGHAM is feeling the strain of life in the Premiership — and considering retirement.
Sheri, 37, signed a one-year deal at Portsmouth in the summer after being dumped by THFC.
The former England striker said: “I still enjoy football but I need more rest between games. I’m not getting any younger.
“I know the end of my career is getting closer and I need to look at something else.
“We’ll see how the team do and how I go on and then I’ll make a decision.
“Nothing is planned but I’ll probably go into management — if I’m lucky.”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STEVE McCLAREN called for his Middlesbrough side to be Ghostbusters as they prepare to face Arsenal three times in eight days.
Boro are reeling from a seventh straight defeat by the Gunners in the 4-1 rout at Highbury.
Now boss McClaren is demanding an end to the jinx ahead of their Carling Cup and FA Cup clashes.
He said: “Arsenal have a bit of a hoodoo over us and the time has come to break it.
“We don’t like losing and the players were upset and angry after what happened on Saturday. Now I’m looking for a reaction.”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHRISTIAN ZIEGE’S hopes of facing old club Liverpool on Saturday look over after he cut his head last night.
THFC’ German international defender lasted just 25 minutes of his first game back since recovering from a knee injury.
Ziege, 31, needed five stitches in the wound after clashing with Coventry striker Andy Morrell.
There was better news for THFC as new midfielder Michael Brown marked his debut with a goal in the reserve match.
The former Sheffield United star, 26, struck with a low 18-yard drive in the 36th minute.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SAM ALLARDYCE hopes to sign Djimi Traore on loan from Liverpool.
The Bolton manager wants the 23-year-old French left-back until the end of the season.
Allardyce has also urged Kevin Davies not to quit the Reebok.
Davies, 26, is out of contract at the end of season but has the option of another year at Bolton.
Allardyce, whose side host Tranmere tonight, said: “He is playing out of his skin and is the focus of every attack.”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JOE ROYLE has denied there is a dressing-room rift at Ipswich.
Skipper Jim Magilton and striker Shefki Kuqi were involved in an angry exchange at the end of Saturday’s 1-1 draw at promotion rivals Reading.
But boss Royle scoffed at rumours he was calling a clear-the-air meeting.
Royle insisted: “I’m laughing at the very thought. It was nothing, a storm in a teacup.”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COVENTRY are set to make Eric Black their new boss following Gary McAllister’s decision to quit.
Black has been in charge of team affairs since McAllister went on compassionate leave in the middle of December because of an illness to his wife, Denise.
Player-boss McAllister, 39, stepped down yesterday after 20 months in charge, leaving Black favourite to land the job by the end of the week.
City chairman Mike McGinnity said: “I’m extremely sad that Gary has decided to leave.
“We wish him and his family the very best of luck for the future.”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FREDDIE LJUNGBERG is playing through the pain barrier to keep Arsenal’s title challenge on track.
But the Swedish midfielder, 26, fears he will be burnt out by the time he plays for his national team at Euro 2004 in June.
Ljungberg, who netted in the Gunners’ 4-1 win over Middlesbrough on Saturday, revealed he has foot and hamstring injuries.
But he said: “You have to keep on playing, even through pain.
“Getting into shape for Euro 2004 is the most difficult thing for me when you are playing so many matches for your club.”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NEWCASTLE’S bloody hero Andy O’Brien has NOT been hit with a career-threatening broken nose.
Newcastle fans were horrified to see O’Brien’s nose apparently being pushed out of joint during Sunday’s 0-0 draw at Manchester United.
The central defender, 24, was warned another break could finish his career after his nose was busted twice in the second half of last season.
Boss Bobby Robson said: “We did a job on him at half-time. We stopped the bleeding and plugged his nose.
“He also had a busted mouth but he’s a courageous player.”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ZINEDINE ZIDANE has warned Arsenal they could still lose striker Thierry Henry to Real Madrid.
Real midfielder Zidane says there is no stopping Real president Florentino Perez in the transfer market.
Perez has spent £135million to sign Luis Figo, Zidane, Ronaldo and David Beckham.
Henry, Beckham and Ruud van Nistelrooy have been named in the uefa.com 2003 Team of the Year.
TEAM: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Paulo Ferreira (Porto), Alessandro Nesta (AC Milan), Paolo Maldini (AC Milan), Roberto Carlos (Real), Luis Figo (Real), David Beckham (Real), Zinedine Zidane (Real), Pavel Nedved (Juventus), Thierry Henry (Arsenal), Ruud van Nistelrooy (Man Utd). COACH: Jose Mourinho (Porto).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALAN PARDEW could sacrifice striker David Connolly to raise funds to raid the transfer market.
West Ham have four other hitmen in Jermain Defoe, Marlon Harewood, Brian Deane and on-loan Neil Mellor on the books.
But boss Pardew wants more strength in other areas and may have to lose Connolly to pay for it.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GERARD HOULLIER has told Celta Vigo: Bruno Cheyrou is staying put.
The Spaniards had hoped to take the French international midfielder on loan until the end of the season.
But Liverpool boss Houllier insisted: “Bruno’s injury problems are behind him now and he is in the squad all the time.”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SOUTHAMPTON hope to sign Millwall keeper Tony Warner, 29, for £250,000 in the next 48 hours.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MILLWALL boss Dennis Wise wants to lure striker Danny Dichio, 29, from West Brom.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BRADFORD are trying to extend striker Alun Armstrong’s month-long loan deal from Ipswich.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OLDHAM’S fitness expert John Harbin has teamed up with old boss Iain Dowie at Crystal Palace.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHARLTON and Aston Villa both want to sign £5million-rated Sheffield United defender Phil Jagielka.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CELTIC boss Martin O’Neill will snap up Sunderland defender Michael Gray — if he can sell Steve Guppy and Bobby Petta.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BRISTOL ROVERS striker Andy Rammell, 36, is retiring after failing to get over a long-term knee injury.
www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2002390000-2004020123,00.html
DAVID BECKHAM is in Real Madrid’s squad to face Second Division Eivar tonight, despite carrying an ankle injury.
Becks, 28, will have a late fitness test ahead of the King’s Cup clash, even though he ruled himself out just 48 hours earlier.
On Sunday, the England skipper showed off his badly swollen right ankle and the gash which needed four stitches.
And he insisted: “It is still really sore. I kicked one ball and that was it.”
But a dip in form means Real boss Carlos Queiroz is desperate to have Becks back as soon as possible.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GRAEME SOUNESS has told Matt Jansen: It’s time you raised your game.
Blackburn’s former England Under-21 striker is now fully fit after overcoming life-threatening head injuries from a motorbike accident 18 months ago.
But Jansen, 26, has hit just three goals this term and Souness said: “Matt is honest enough to admit his form is not what he would want it to be — or what we would want it to be.”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JASON ROBERTS will return to the scene of his worst nightmare after sealing a £2million switch to Wigan.
The West Brom striker, who will become the Latics’ record buy when he signs a 3½-year deal today, will link up with former Bristol Rovers strike partner Nathan Ellington.
Roberts, 25, is set to make his debut at rivals Preston on Saturday. Nearly two years ago he broke his foot there and then struggled at Albion and Portsmouth.
But he said: “This move is a fresh start. Nathan and I bring the best out of each other.”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TEDDY SHERINGHAM is feeling the strain of life in the Premiership — and considering retirement.
Sheri, 37, signed a one-year deal at Portsmouth in the summer after being dumped by THFC.
The former England striker said: “I still enjoy football but I need more rest between games. I’m not getting any younger.
“I know the end of my career is getting closer and I need to look at something else.
“We’ll see how the team do and how I go on and then I’ll make a decision.
“Nothing is planned but I’ll probably go into management — if I’m lucky.”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STEVE McCLAREN called for his Middlesbrough side to be Ghostbusters as they prepare to face Arsenal three times in eight days.
Boro are reeling from a seventh straight defeat by the Gunners in the 4-1 rout at Highbury.
Now boss McClaren is demanding an end to the jinx ahead of their Carling Cup and FA Cup clashes.
He said: “Arsenal have a bit of a hoodoo over us and the time has come to break it.
“We don’t like losing and the players were upset and angry after what happened on Saturday. Now I’m looking for a reaction.”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHRISTIAN ZIEGE’S hopes of facing old club Liverpool on Saturday look over after he cut his head last night.
THFC’ German international defender lasted just 25 minutes of his first game back since recovering from a knee injury.
Ziege, 31, needed five stitches in the wound after clashing with Coventry striker Andy Morrell.
There was better news for THFC as new midfielder Michael Brown marked his debut with a goal in the reserve match.
The former Sheffield United star, 26, struck with a low 18-yard drive in the 36th minute.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SAM ALLARDYCE hopes to sign Djimi Traore on loan from Liverpool.
The Bolton manager wants the 23-year-old French left-back until the end of the season.
Allardyce has also urged Kevin Davies not to quit the Reebok.
Davies, 26, is out of contract at the end of season but has the option of another year at Bolton.
Allardyce, whose side host Tranmere tonight, said: “He is playing out of his skin and is the focus of every attack.”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JOE ROYLE has denied there is a dressing-room rift at Ipswich.
Skipper Jim Magilton and striker Shefki Kuqi were involved in an angry exchange at the end of Saturday’s 1-1 draw at promotion rivals Reading.
But boss Royle scoffed at rumours he was calling a clear-the-air meeting.
Royle insisted: “I’m laughing at the very thought. It was nothing, a storm in a teacup.”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COVENTRY are set to make Eric Black their new boss following Gary McAllister’s decision to quit.
Black has been in charge of team affairs since McAllister went on compassionate leave in the middle of December because of an illness to his wife, Denise.
Player-boss McAllister, 39, stepped down yesterday after 20 months in charge, leaving Black favourite to land the job by the end of the week.
City chairman Mike McGinnity said: “I’m extremely sad that Gary has decided to leave.
“We wish him and his family the very best of luck for the future.”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FREDDIE LJUNGBERG is playing through the pain barrier to keep Arsenal’s title challenge on track.
But the Swedish midfielder, 26, fears he will be burnt out by the time he plays for his national team at Euro 2004 in June.
Ljungberg, who netted in the Gunners’ 4-1 win over Middlesbrough on Saturday, revealed he has foot and hamstring injuries.
But he said: “You have to keep on playing, even through pain.
“Getting into shape for Euro 2004 is the most difficult thing for me when you are playing so many matches for your club.”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NEWCASTLE’S bloody hero Andy O’Brien has NOT been hit with a career-threatening broken nose.
Newcastle fans were horrified to see O’Brien’s nose apparently being pushed out of joint during Sunday’s 0-0 draw at Manchester United.
The central defender, 24, was warned another break could finish his career after his nose was busted twice in the second half of last season.
Boss Bobby Robson said: “We did a job on him at half-time. We stopped the bleeding and plugged his nose.
“He also had a busted mouth but he’s a courageous player.”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ZINEDINE ZIDANE has warned Arsenal they could still lose striker Thierry Henry to Real Madrid.
Real midfielder Zidane says there is no stopping Real president Florentino Perez in the transfer market.
Perez has spent £135million to sign Luis Figo, Zidane, Ronaldo and David Beckham.
Henry, Beckham and Ruud van Nistelrooy have been named in the uefa.com 2003 Team of the Year.
TEAM: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Paulo Ferreira (Porto), Alessandro Nesta (AC Milan), Paolo Maldini (AC Milan), Roberto Carlos (Real), Luis Figo (Real), David Beckham (Real), Zinedine Zidane (Real), Pavel Nedved (Juventus), Thierry Henry (Arsenal), Ruud van Nistelrooy (Man Utd). COACH: Jose Mourinho (Porto).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALAN PARDEW could sacrifice striker David Connolly to raise funds to raid the transfer market.
West Ham have four other hitmen in Jermain Defoe, Marlon Harewood, Brian Deane and on-loan Neil Mellor on the books.
But boss Pardew wants more strength in other areas and may have to lose Connolly to pay for it.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GERARD HOULLIER has told Celta Vigo: Bruno Cheyrou is staying put.
The Spaniards had hoped to take the French international midfielder on loan until the end of the season.
But Liverpool boss Houllier insisted: “Bruno’s injury problems are behind him now and he is in the squad all the time.”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SOUTHAMPTON hope to sign Millwall keeper Tony Warner, 29, for £250,000 in the next 48 hours.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MILLWALL boss Dennis Wise wants to lure striker Danny Dichio, 29, from West Brom.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BRADFORD are trying to extend striker Alun Armstrong’s month-long loan deal from Ipswich.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OLDHAM’S fitness expert John Harbin has teamed up with old boss Iain Dowie at Crystal Palace.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHARLTON and Aston Villa both want to sign £5million-rated Sheffield United defender Phil Jagielka.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CELTIC boss Martin O’Neill will snap up Sunderland defender Michael Gray — if he can sell Steve Guppy and Bobby Petta.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BRISTOL ROVERS striker Andy Rammell, 36, is retiring after failing to get over a long-term knee injury.
www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2002390000-2004020123,00.html