Miyaichi hungry for Wigan impact
Arsenal loanee Ryo Miyaichi hopes to make his Wigan return against Reading later this month after a three-month layoff with an ankle injury.
The winger has not featured since the Latics' 3-0 defeat to Liverpool back in November - a game in which he was making his first appearance since recovering from a groin knock.
"It will be a big relief to get back because it has been quite a tough time to be sat on the sidelines," he told reporters.
"I had a groin injury at first when I was with the national team last year.
"That injury put me out for a few months and then I came back in the game against Liverpool at Anfield and after that game I picked up an ankle injury which has made things frustrating.
Category: News
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Date: 14.02.2013 - 22:03
Keller defiant as Schalke struggle
Schalke head coach Jens Keller has dismissed media speculation that he might lose his job despite his team having won just once in 2013.
Keller took over following Schalke's final Bundesliga fixture before the winter break after Huub Stevens was sacked, but the team's fortunes have not improved under the 42-year-old, with just four points being earned from as many games so far in 2013.
Schalke have slumped to 10th on the Bundesliga table, their lowest position of the season, but while media speculation is rife that Keller might lose his job, the former Stuttgart and Wolfsburg defender has claimed he is not worried.
"From the first game in the cup (which Schalke lost to Mainz) the media have wrote about this (that there is pressure on Ke
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Category: News
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Date: 14.02.2013 - 22:00
Allegri talks up Balotelli potential
AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri says Mario Balotteli could become one of the world's most lethal forwards.
The 22-year-old striker, never far from controversy, has been in clinical form following his 22 million-euro transfer from Manchester City, scoring three goals in his first two games in Serie A.
"I am satisfied with what Mario is giving us on the pitch. But, he has the possibility of becoming a world-class player - if he devotes himself to football," Allegri told reporters.
Milan's coach said Balotteli's potential brilliance is not a foregone conclusion, but expressed his hope the Italy international will make the most of his considerable promise.
"I hope he takes my advice," Allegri said.
Category: News
Views: 785
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Date: 14.02.2013 - 21:59
Allardyce plays it cool over contract limbo
Sam Allardyce says there is "no problem" regarding his future at West Ham United despite a lack of talks over an extension to his contract.
The 58-year-old's deal concludes at the end of the season, and co-chairman David Gold has revealed negotiations will not take place until the team have secured their top-flight survival.
Despite West Ham being dragged toward the drop zone after winning just two out of their last 11 Premier League games, Allardyce has indicated his happiness with the arrangement and praised the co-owners' patience.
"There's no problem," he told reporters.
"We'll talk once our (Premier League) status is secure.
"Some owners pull the trigger early but it is not
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Category: News
Views: 753
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Date: 14.02.2013 - 21:32
Heynckes braced for in-form Wolfsburg
Bayern Munich head coach Jupp Heynckes expects his side to be tested on their trip to Wolfsburg, who are improving under Dieter Hecking.
Wolfsburg started the season terribly under Felix Magath, earning just five points from their opening eight matches to sit bottom of the Bundesliga, prompting the 59-year-old to leave.
Interim head coach Lorenz-Gunther Kostner led Wolfsburg to four victories from his nine games in charge before Hecking took over during the winter break.
Since the Bundesliga's resumption, the Wolves have picked up seven points from four matches to move up to 12th on the table.
Bayern head to the Volkswagen Arena on Friday, where Wolfsburg have lost just once in their past six games and Heync
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Views: 701
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Date: 14.02.2013 - 21:31
Villas-Boas flags player departure
Tottenham Hotspur manager Andre Villas-Boas says one of the club's five centre-backs will be leave at the end of the season.
Jan Vertonghen, Michael Dawson, Steven Caulker and William Gallas have been competing for first-team action this season, while Younes Kaboul has been sidelined since August with a knee injury.
"It's a difficult one," Villas-Boas told reporters.
"We won't start another season with five centre-backs.
"We have five top central defenders at the moment - a mixture of young players coming through with lots of experience, and then you have such tremendous central defenders as William, Dawson and Younes Kaboul."
Tottenham accepted a 9 million-pound bid for Dawson from Q
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Views: 727
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Date: 14.02.2013 - 21:29
Laudrup wants to stay with Swansea
Swansea manager Michael Laudrup says he wants to stay at the English Premier League club after an impressive debut season.
The Dane's contract runs until the end of the 2013/14 season, and Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins has expressed his confidence that the 48-year-old will ignore speculation linking him with a possible move to Chelsea or former club Real Madrid.
Laudrup said last week he was in no rush to enter talks over a new contract, prompting questions over his future, but he has since moved to clarify the situation.
"My intention is to stay," he told the BBC.
"I have a contract for next year as well and I think it's a very interesting team we're building up here. We will try to build on in the summe
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Category: News
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Date: 14.02.2013 - 21:27