Ferdinand out of England squad Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has withdrawn from England's squad to face San Marino and Montenegro.
The 34-year-old met with England manager Roy Hodgson in London on Sunday with both parties reaching an agreement that the centre-back's specific training and medical requirements could not be fulfilled during the international break.
Despite being unavailable for the World Cup 2014 qualifying fixtures against San Marino on Friday and against Montenegro next Tuesday, Ferdinand wants to continue playing for England.
"I'm disappointed Rio will not be available, but due to the detailed pre
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Category: News Views: 926 Added: SkyDate: 19.03.2013 - 07:49
Villas-Boas seeks end to slump Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas has urged his side to fight for their place in the top four after a torrid run of results. Defeat at home to Fulham on Sunday marked back-to-back league defeats for Spurs, who scraped through to the Europa League quarter-finals on away goals despite a 4-1 humbling against Inter on Thursday.
The slump has seen Arsenal close to within four points of their north London rivals in the race for the final Champions League spot, the Gunners also holding a game in hand.
Villas-Boas has stressed that his players must remain focused on achieving a top-four place, especially given their late-season fadeouts in recent campaigns.
Category: News Views: 1036 Added: SkyDate: 19.03.2013 - 03:28
Baines hails Mucha heroics Everton defender Leighton Baines has hailed the performance of goalkeeper Jan Mucha in his side's 2-0 victory over Manchester City.
The England international praised the Slovakian's understated display, which kept the defending Premier League champions from equalising before Nikica Jelavic's late goal put the game out of reach for Roberto Mancini's men.
Baines conceded that it must have been tough returning to the side after a long period as understudy to the currently injured Tim Howard, but believes Mucha put in an excellent performance, making several key saves.
Category: News Views: 857 Added: SkyDate: 19.03.2013 - 03:25
Scotland hatch plan to stop Bale Assistant manager Mark McGhee says Scotland have a plan to deal with Gareth Bale when they face Wales in Glasgow on Friday.
Gordon Strachan's second in command is confident that the hosts can stop the winger and insists that they will carry their own threat as well.
"I've been watching a lot of Gareth Bale recently. We will have a plan to deal with him but we are the team and will exert our own pressure," McGhee told reporters.
"I've seen teams who have dealt with Bale's quality. I don't think we will be man-marking him.
Category: News Views: 776 Added: SkyDate: 18.03.2013 - 23:01
Totti in Prandelli´s plans for Brazil Cesare Prandelli says he will not rule out recalling Francesco Totti to the Italy squad for World Cup 2014, if he can remain fit.
The Roma forward already has 58 caps for his country, but his national team coach is open to the idea of a recall - even though the player officially retired in 2007.
"If we qualify for the World Cup then I'll take a look at what shape he is in," the 55-year-old coach told reporters.
"He is proving to be in exceptional physical condition," Prandelli said.
Italy are top of Group B in their bid for World
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Category: News Views: 848 Added: SkyDate: 18.03.2013 - 22:21
Baines wants six points for England Leighton Baines insists England must collect six points from their World Cup qualifiers against San Marino and Montenegro.
Roy Hodgson's side face San Marino, who are bottom of Group H with no points, on Friday before flying on to Montenegro to play the Group H leaders next Tuesday.
With England in second place, two points behind Montenegro and three points ahead of Poland, who have a game in hand, Everton left-back Baines believes his team-mates must stay focussed in their bid to reach Brazil 2014.
"The first game is one that everyone expects us to win and is a game we must win," Baines told the
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Category: News Views: 785 Added: SkyDate: 18.03.2013 - 22:19
Georgia comes first, then Spain Didier Deschamps has warned his players not to think about Spain ahead of their World Cup 2014 qualifier against Georgia on Friday.
France, who sit second in Group I behind Spain, will take on Georgia on March 22 and the table-toppers just four days later.
And Deschamps is worried his players may be distracted by the prospect of facing Vicente Del Bosque's side, rather than focusing on the task at hand.
"We must focus our energy on the Georgia game to win. Though Spain is in their minds," the 44-year-old told reporters at a press conference.
Category: News Views: 842 Added: SkyDate: 18.03.2013 - 22:17
