EuroSports NEWS

Premier League – Fabregas injured three weeks ago

admin — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 09:13:43 +0000

Cesc Fabregas Arsenal captain could be out of action for up to three weeks after his injured hamstring in Tuesday’s Champions League defeat by Braga said manager Arsène Wenger.

Fabregas was in the 69th Minutes of the 2-0 loss to Portugal with his team-mate Emmanuel Eboue also suffering a knee injury and replaced.

“Eboue will be for a while and we will assess Fabregas have tomorrow (Wednesday),” Wenger told the club’s website after the game.

“There could be two to three weeks. It is very disappointing because I had a hesitation to play him (Fabregas) began before the game. I took the game and it was backfiring on us.”

Arsenal face Aston Villa in the Premier League clash on Saturday and Wigan Athletic in the Premier League quarter-final on Tuesday.
Reuters

Nigel Clough said Six more wins will do

admin — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 09:06:17 +0000

Manager Nigel Clough believes six more wins will guarantee Derby’s Championship status.The Rams have been without several key players for much of the season and that has left them languishing towards the bottom end of the table. Clough named an unchanged side for the first time against Newcastle in midweek.
Taking 10 points from the last 15 available has moved Derby up to 15th in the table but they remain just four points above the relegation zone.
Clough said: “We`re starting to see the benefit of having most of our best players available at the same time but there’s a long way to go.
“It’s like the season is starting here for us and we’ve got 16 important league games to come and we’ve got to win six of them. We think 18 points will make us safe and the priority is to get there as soon as we can.”

Cole undergoes ankle surgery

admin — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 09:04:37 +0000

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed Ashley Cole will undergo surgery on his broken ankle on Friday.Cole will be out of action for approximately three months after fracturing his left ankle in Wednesday’s Premier League match against Everton.
The England left-back limped off the pitch in the second half after picking up the injury in a challenge with Landon Donovan.
Ancelotti said: “We are very disappointed because he is a very important player. Now we have to do our best to get him recovered quickly.”
Yuri Zhirkov and Paulo Ferreira are considered the favourites to stand in for Cole, while former club-mate Wayne Bridge is among the contenders to come in to the England team.
Cole faces a fight to regain his fitness in time for this summer’s World Cup, with England opening their campaign in South Africa on June 12 with a match against the United States.
England manager Fabio Capello said: “It is bad news about Ashley. He’s a really important player. As a left defender he is very good and dangerous going forward. I hope it won’t be too tough for him.”

Coventry take Sears on loan

admin — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 09:03:32 +0000

Coventry have signed Freddie Sears on loan from West Ham until the end of the season.The up-and-coming England U21 international arrives with a promising reputation having first signalled his arrival on the professional scene with the winning goal on his debut for the Hammers to secure a late 2-1 win over Blackburn in March 2008.
He has gone on to make 25 Premier League appearances for the London club and spent the first half of this season on loan at Crystal Palace, where he failed to find the net in 18 games.
Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola was keen for him to get more match practice under his belt and his name has been linked with a host of Championship clubs.
Coventry manager Chris Coleman, who has been operating with just two strikers following Leon Best`s deadline-day switch to Newcastle, has made his move.

Defender Alex Pearce pens Royals deal

admin — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 15:23:46 +0000

Defender Alex Pearce has committed his future to Reading by signing a new contract which will keep him at Madejski Stadium until the summer of 2013.The Royals were keen to keep the highly-rated 21-year-old, whose contract was due to expire in the summer. He follows fellow Academy graduates Gylfi Sigurdsson and Simon Church in signing a new deal.
Director of football Nick Hammond said: “I’m delighted we’ve reached an agreement on this new contract for Alex. He has become an integral part of our squad with his performances on the pitch and also shown great maturity for a young man.
“Securing the young talent at the football club is key to our long-term future. We have signed a number of players to new contracts recently and that is vital for what we want to achieve as a club.
“They are young men who are still finding their way in the game but the experience they are gaining at this time will be invaluable for their futures.”
Pearce said: “It feels good to get it sorted and know I’m staying here for the foreseeable future. It’s a fantastic club with high ambitions and I’m very pleased to be a part of it.”

Kazenga LuaLua will leave Newcastle

admin — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 15:15:41 +0000

Kazenga LuaLua has dropped the biggest hint yet that he will leave Newcastle in the summer transfer window.The 19-year-old striker, who is currently on loan at League One side Brighton, has revealed he is unhappy with his current billing at St James’ Park.
Following a groin injury, LuaLua has failed to emulate fellow reserve-team graduates such as Tamas Kadar and Nile Ranger, who have both gone on to make regular appearances in the Magpies` first team.
The teenage frontman told the Newcastle Chronicle: “I don’t really know about my future there. After this season I’ve got one more year.
“I have been playing for Newcastle’s reserves for about five years now and I don’t want to keep playing for the reserves, so maybe in the summer it will be time for me to move. We’ll see what happens.
“It has been disappointing at Newcastle, because at the start of the season I was playing and coming on as a sub. Then, when I injured my ankle and groin, that was at a time when some of the other young players were pushing for a place, so it hasn’t been a good season for me.”

Fabricio Coloccini to return

admin — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 15:10:34 +0000

Team news ahead of this weekend’s Championship action, with Newcastle defender Fabricio Coloccini fit again for the trip to Swansea.Saturday February 13
Swansea City v Newcastle United (12:45)
Argentina international Coloccini (hamstring) returns to the Newcastle squad for their trip to Swansea. Ryan Taylor also sat out the game at Pride Park with a similar problem, but he should be available once again. But left-back Jose Enrique, who damaged a hamstring during the 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace on January 27, is still out, as is Nicky Butt, who has missed the last two games with a thigh injury.
Swansea will be able to welcome back defender Angel Rangel (ankle) and boss Paulo Sousa has no new injury worries. Cedric van der Gun is nearing a return from the hamstring injury that has kept him out since the beginning of January, but the Dutch forward is unlikely to feature against Chris Hughton’s men. Striker Craig Beattie will definitely not be involved due to an ankle problem, while defender Albert Serran remains sidelined with a hamstring injury.
Preston North End v Blackpool (13:00)
Preston boss Darren Ferguson will be reluctant to make any changes when his side host bitter rivals Blackpool. On-loan Manchester United youngster Matt James impressed alongside Paul Coutts and the duo look set to again form the central axis in midfield. Jon Parkin also dovetailed effectively with Danny Welbeck in attack while the recalled Chris Sedgwick also shone on the right hand side of midfield. Midfielder Richard Chaplow (groin) and defender Callum Davidson (concussion) missed out in midweek and will be assessed. Winger Paul Parry (knee) and midfielder Barry Nicholson (broken leg) remain sidelined as Preston aim to condemn Blackpool to a fourth successive defeat.
Blackpool boss Ian Holloway must decide whether to recall any of his suspended trio for the trip to rivals Preston. Barry Bannan, Neal Eardley and Ishmel Demontagnac were spotted in a Blackpool nightspot last weekend and were subsequently axed. Bannan (broken toe) and Eardley (knee) are major doubts for the Deepdale. Midfielder Charlie Adam is suspended but striker Brett Ormerod is available after completing a three-match ban.
Doncaster Rovers v Nottingham Forest
Doncaster boss Sean O’Driscoll is set to welcome back midfielder Dean Shiels (ankle) for the visit of promotion-chasing Nottingham Forest. Defenders Jason Shackell (groin), Adam Lockwood (foot) and Byron Webster (foot) all remain sidelined, with the latter breaking a metatarsal in training last week. However, O’Driscoll has no new injury or suspension worries to contend with as he bids to help his side climb the Championship table.
Forest are expected to make changes. Joe Garner could lose his place for the trip to south Yorkshire with Dele Adebola, Robert Earnshaw and David McGoldrick all vying for recalls. Another possible switch could see James Perch return at full-back with Chris Cohen reverting back to a midfield role.
Leicester City v Scunthorpe United
Leicester’s leading scorer Matty Fryatt (broken jaw) will begin a lengthy absence when Scunthorpe visit the Walkers Stadium. Boss Nigel Pearson will hope Yann Kermorgant can recover from the hamstring strain that has seen him miss the last two matches. If he is included it is expected he will only be on the bench. Martyn Waghorn has been playing with a knee niggle recently and he is likely to do so again, with either Dany N`Guessan or Steve Howard partnering the on-loan Sunderland striker in attack. Midfielders Lloyd Dyer and Nolberto Solano are pushing to be included in the starting XI.
On-loan defender Brendan Moloney has returned to parent club Nottingham Forest for treatment after suffering a medial ligament injury. Cliff Byrne is likely to be suspended as he was sent off at the Hawthorns, although the Iron are appealing the decision and have yet to hear the outcome. Marcus Williams is available after suspension but forward Garry Thompson is still nursing a hamstring injury.
Middlesbrough v Peterborough United
Middlesbrough skipper Gary O’Neil (groin) and Chris Killen (hamstring) are doubts. However, Emanuel Pogatetz and Scott McDonald should be available again. Julio Arca, who has missed the last two games with a toe problem, is unlikely to return, while Chris Riggott (hamstring), Rhys Williams (pelvic injury) and Jeremie Aliadiere (ankle surgery) are back in light training. Seb Hines (ankle and knee ligament) and Matthew Bates (cruciate ligament) remain on the sidelines.
Peterborough manager Jim Gannon is debating a tactical change ahead of the trip to take on Middlesbrough. Gannon has favoured a 3-4-1-2 formation in his two games in charge so far but reverted to 4-4-2 for the second half of the 2-0 defeat at Cardiff in midweek and may start with the more orthodox shape. Centre-half Gabriel Zakuani remains sidelined with a groin injury but Gannon has no other problems as he looks for a first away win of the season.
Sheffield United v Bristol City
Sheffield United goalkeeper Mark Bunn (broken hand) misses out Ian Bennett will continue in goal. Defender Chris Morgan is not likely to return for a fortnight due to a rib injury, while fellow centre-half Marcel Seip (hamstring) is also out. On-loan Arsenal youngster Kyle Bartley impressed in the 2-1 defeat to Preston on Tuesday and is set to keep his place. However, defender Andrew Taylor is available after a hamstring injury and set for at least a place on the substitute’s bench. Midfielder James Harper continues to struggle with an ankle injury and is set to see a specialist to determine the extent of the injury.
Bristol City striker Nicky Maynard (dead leg), winger Jamal Campbell-Ryce (calf) and midfielder Danny Haynes (illness) all remain in the treatment room after missing Tuesday’s defeat at Watford. Jamie McCallister sustained a calf injury at Vicarage Road and he will not travel north, while Johnson has revealed that another unnamed player has come down with an illness. Jamie McCombe and Brian Wilson remain long-term absentees so Johnson may be forced to scour the loan market ahead of the clash.
Barnsley v Plymouth Argyle
Barnsley boss Mark Robins will be without suspended Ryan Shotton while fellow defenders Bobby Hassell and Rob Kozluk are also set to miss out again as they continue to struggle with groin and knee injuries respectively. On-loan Manchester City youngster Keiran Trippier impressed in the 2-1 defeat to Middlesbrough on Tuesday and is set to keep his place. On-loan Burnley striker Jay Rodriguez could make his first start after coming on for Anderson Da Silva against Middlesbrough.
Plymouth defender Karl Duguid (ankle) faces a late fitness test ahead of the trip to Barnsley. David McNamee replaced right-back Duguid at Reading after recovering from a shin injury but he was later substituted due to a groin problem, which is set to rule him out. Midfielder Chris Clark switched to full-back to cover for McNamee at Reading and he will be on standby along with youngster Ryan Leonard. New Zealand striker Rory Fallon (groin) is also set to face a late fitness test with recent signing Kenny Cooper, on loan from Munich 1860, waiting in the wings for his first start.
Coventry City v Queens Park Rangers
On-loan West Ham striker Freddie Sears battles Freddy Eastwood and Clinton Morrison for a starting berth. However, boss Chris Coleman may decide not to make any changes to his forward line following the defeat of Nottingham Forest. Midfielder Aron Gunnarsson (leg) and centre-back James McPake (back) are injury doubts.
Marcus Bent (hamstring) is out of QPR’s trip to face Coventry so Tamas Priskin will be his likely replacement. Beleaguered boss Mick Harford can welcome back defender Peter Ramage from suspension but midfielder Mikele Leigertwood is in the middle of a three-game ban. Akos Buzsaky and Adel Taarabt are pushing to start but fellow midfielders Gavin Mahon and Martin Rowlands (both knee) are still out.
Follow live coverage of this weekend’s Championship action right here on Eurosport-Yahoo!

Rossi bosses testing again

admin — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 17:33:15 +0000

The first MotoGP test of 2010 finished with reigning seven-times world champion Valentino Rossi maintaining his place on top of the Sepang timesheets for the second day in succession.Rain delayed the start by an hour and brought forward the finish by an hour as the session ended at 5pm local time.
In between the showers, Rossi – the last rider out on track at 1.15pm – managed to beat his Thursday best by 0.486 seconds during his 32 Friday laps of the Malaysian Grand Prix circuit.
“After yesterday this second day has been very good as well, even though we lost a few hours to the rain, and the end we were still able to finish all our work,” said the Fiat Yamaha rider.
“We worked on the new bike to find a better setting and I was happy to be the fastest overall – even though this is just testing this is important for me. At the next test we will have a few more new things but we’re already happy because we’re fast and strong.
“There is room to improve of course: Sepang is always a good track for the Yamaha so we will have to wait until Qatar to get a better understanding of our level, but we have made a great start.”
Rossi’s pace was enough to keep Ducati’s Casey Stoner in second place, although the 2007 world champion gained a little ground on Rossi by closing to within 0.395sec.
Third fastest was Rossi’s team-mate and 2009 title runner-up Jorge Lorenzo, who led the way earlier in the day before finishing 0.755sec behind ‘The Doctor’.
The fourth and final rider within one second of Rossi was the fourth of the MotoGP ‘big four’ – Repsol Honda’s Dani Pedrosa – who progressed from eighth on day one to lead the RCV challenge. The Spaniard worked mainly on the rear of his bike, including testing swingarms.
Despite still feeling jet-lagged, World Superbike champion Ben Spies turned heads with an impressive performance on day two. The Texan vaulted from twelfth to fifth place to be both the highest-placed rookie and satellite rider.
The Monster Tech 3 Yamaha star lapped 1.3sec behind Rossi, but ahead of Andrea Dovizioso (Repsol Honda), Colin Edwards (Tech 3 Yamaha), Nicky Hayden (Ducati Marlboro), Aleix Espargaro (Pramac Ducati) and Loris Capirossi (Rizla Suzuki).
Gresini’s Marco Melandri was the top satellite Honda rider in 11th, with Hector Barbera – the top rookie on Thursday – dropped two positions on the timesheets to 12th for Aspar Ducati.
Melandri’s team-mate Marco Simoncelli was the only faller on day two, the former 250cc world champion high-siding from his RCV at the fast turn five, where James Toseland crashed last year.
The Italian fortunately walked away unharmed and later resumed testing. Simoncelli finished the day in 15th position.
This week’s outing was the first of three pre-season tests to be held before the start of the new racing season. The next test is also at Sepang, from February 24-26.
During the test, MSMA representatives met to discuss the future 1000cc engine rules for MotoGP. A further meeting will now be held later this month in Barcelona.

Ryder Cup rubbish without Woods

admin — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 17:32:45 +0000

A Ryder Cup without world number one Tiger Woods is a diminished event, according to European captain Colin Montgomerie.Woods, who is taking an indefinite break from golf, has been in hiding since admitting in December he had cheated on his wife.
“I do think it will be diminished if he doesn’t play (at the Ryder Cup in October) but at the same time that’s up to him and America,” said Montgomerie ahead of this week’s Dubai Desert Classic.
“Any event he enters is a bigger and better event because of him and I hope he does play.”
Woods also missed the 2008 edition of the biennial team event as he was recuperating from knee surgery.
Montgomerie was speaking on the same day it was announced that Emirates would be the official airline of the Ryder Cup match between the US holders and Europe in Wales.
The 46-year-old Briton also spoke of world number two Phil Mickelson’s controversial use of a 20-year-old Ping-Eye 2 wedge with square grooves at last week’s San Diego Open.
“It’s for the authorities to get together and decide that this is really not the way to go,” said Montgomerie.
“He has found a loophole in the laws and he’s using it but … it’s not really what we’re looking for.”
As of January 1, new rules relating to club-face grooves were implemented at the top level after research found modern configurations could allow players to generate almost as much spin with irons from the rough as from the fairway.
All clubs, with the exception of drivers and putters, have been affected by the change which limits groove volume and groove-edge sharpness, effectively replacing U-grooves with V-grooves.
The Ping-Eye 2 wedge used by Mickelson and a handful of other players, although containing square grooves, is deemed legal because of a lawsuit won by its manufacturer over the USGA in 1990.
PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem is scheduled to discuss the grooves dispute with players later on Tuesday in the build-up to this week’s Northern Trust Open in Los Angeles.
Montgomerie also turned his attention to the recent return to form of Ryder Cup stalwart Robert Karlsson and likely rookie Martin Kaymer.
Swede Karlsson won an individual tournament for the first time in 16 months when he lifted the Qatar Masters trophy on Sunday while German Kaymer triumphed at the Abu Dhabi Championship two weeks ago.
“(He is a) good match-player Robert Karlsson, good golfer and nice guy too, and I am delighted he won in Qatar and of course delighted about Martin Kaymer,” said Montgomerie.
“Both have come back from injury … for Paul Casey also to contend last week after injury as well … it’s all looking very strong for the team.”

The Boston Celtics pile misery on Nets

admin — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 17:32:18 +0000

The Boston Celtics rebounded in the fourth quarter to beat the New Jersey Nets 96-87 on Friday and hand the NBA’s worst team their 13th consecutive road loss.The Nets held a one-point advantage going into the fourth quarter but the Celtics’ Eddie House scored all 10 of his points in the final session as Boston ran out winners.
“That’s our mentality. Feed the pig, whoever has it going,” said Rajon Rondo, who had 17 points and 11 assists.
Coach Doc Rivers had put House, Glen Davis and Rasheed Wallace on the floor with Rondo and high scorer Ray Allen to ignite the Celtics. And it worked.
The unit went on a 14-4 run and had the game under control before starters Kevin Garnett, Kendrick Perkins and Tony Allen returned.
House had Boston’s first five points of the quarter to put the hosts up by two and they never trailed again. The reserve guard made it 84-77 with his second three-pointer and 10th point in six minutes.
Ray Allen scored a team-high 26 points as the Celtics recorded their third win in a row.
“We thought that we could just outscore them,” Celtics coach Rivers said.
“I didn’t say much at halftime. I basically said, ‘I don’t think I need to talk. We’re a defensive team and tonight we want to outscore them.’ And I said, ‘Good luck.’”
Still, the Boston defense remained lacklustre until the fourth, according to Rasheed Wallace.
“We didn’t pick it up probably until about the six or seven mark in the fourth,” he said.
New Jersey’s fifth consecutive loss meant they dropped to 4-45 for the season.
Brian Lopez had 19 points and Devin Harris 17 for the visitors, who could wind up with the NBA’s worst record in a season. Philadelphia holds the record at 9-73 for the 1972-73 season.
“I expect a lot more out of myself,” Lopez said. “It’s tough going against them because they’re so physical and talented.”