England to face Mexico and Japan
Football story by sport.co.uk, Thu, 04 Mar 2010 09:09:10GMT

England will take on Mexico and Japan as they step up their preparations for this summers World Cup Finals in South Africa.The Football Association has confirmed the two friendly games and also a pre-tournament training camp in Austria which will form the backbone of head coach Fabio Capellos meticulous preparations. Capello will announce a provisional squad on May 16 - the day after the FA Cup Final - before heading off to Austria for a training camp.Players involved in the FA...

Death of Alexander stuns football
Football story by sport.co.uk, Thu, 04 Mar 2010 09:09:09GMT

Macclesfield Town manager Keith Alexander has passed away at the age of 53.He died after returning to his home following his sides 1-0 League Two defeat at Notts County on Tuesday evening.During his second stint as Lincoln City boss in 2003, Alexander suffered a ruptured cerebral aneurysm which led to a brain haemorrhage and spell out of the game. But he returned to the Sincil Bank outfit before moving on to manage Peterborough United and then Bury.Alexander also made history when...

Coyle rejects Wenger complaints
Football story by sport.co.uk, Thu, 04 Mar 2010 09:09:07GMT

Bolton Wanderers manager Owen Coyle has dismissed suggestions from Arsene Wenger that his Arsenal players are being deliberately targeted. Wenger demanded more protection from referees in the face of overly-physical opponents after Shawcross late tackle left Gunners midfielder Aaron Ramsey with a horrific double leg break last weekend. But despite Wengers protests, Coyle doesnt accept that other teams are deliberately targeting his Arsenal players. quot;They are special players, no doubt about that, but there is no way in the world that anyone would go...

England hit back to beat Egypt
Football story by sport.co.uk, Thu, 04 Mar 2010 09:09:05GMT

England responded to the shock of going a goal down to beat Egypt 3-1 in an entertaining friendly international at Wembley.Peter Crouch, a half-time substitute for the ineffective Jermain Defoe, who was starting his first England match for 16 months, scored twice while Shaun Wright-Phillips, who came on for Steven Gerrard midway through the second period, was also on target.It was always going to be a tough game against a team that won the Africa Cup of Nations for a third...

Smalling hoping to learn from Old Trafford stalwart
Football story by sport.co.uk, Thu, 04 Mar 2010 09:09:03GMT

Fulham FC youngster Chris Smalling admits he is relishing the prospect of linking up with Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand when he moves to the Premier League champions in the summer. The England Under-21 international will link up with his Manchester United colleagues in June after Sir Alex Ferguson agreed to pay Fulham FC a reputed pound;10 million for his services, and Smalling canrsquo;t wait to learn from the 31-year-old Old Trafford stalwart. Smalling revealed he met Ferdinand when he underwent his medical...

Reds lose Aurelio for three weeks
Football story by sport.co.uk, Thu, 04 Mar 2010 09:09:02GMT

Liverpool defender Fabio Aurelio will miss up to three weeks with the thigh injury picked up during Sundays 2-1 victory over Blackburn Rovers.The 30-year-old Brazilians season has been blighted by injury since rupturing knee ligaments during a summer holiday.He has started only eight Premier League games all campaign and the latest setback has come as a blow to Reds boss Rafael Benitez."Its not good news and we think he is going to be out for maybe another two or three weeks,"...

Burnley Fulham and Wigan in shock battle for Europe
Football story by sport.co.uk, Thu, 04 Mar 2010 09:08:58GMT

Premier League trio Burnley, Wigan Atheltic, and Fulham are ready to battle it out for a surprise Europa League spot. England are currently third in the UEFA Fair Play rankings and if they finish the campaign in the top three one of the Clarets, Cottagers, or Latics would be in pole position to claim a place in Europe next season. At this point in time Burnley, Wigan Athetic, and Fulham are the highest placed sides who could claim the award. Despite this,...

Top Ten: Inspired Premier League buys
Football story by sport.co.uk, Thu, 04 Mar 2010 09:08:56GMT

While managers are often remembered for the signings that donrsquo;t work, there have some been cracking buys since the beginning of the EPL. Players that have come in for next to nothing and almost single handily turned a clubs fortunes around, with some even going on to achieve legendary status. Here at Sport.co.uk we take a look at ten of the best inspirational buys. Paul Kitson and John Hartson In January 1997, the Hammers were rooted to the bottom of the table...

We have them and they are world class players
Football story by sport.co.uk, Thu, 04 Mar 2010 09:08:55GMT

Liverpool FC goalkeeper Pepe Reina believes Rafa Benitezrsquo;s side have the edge over their fellow Premier League rivals competing for a top four finish, because they can call on the talents Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres. Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City, Liverpool FC and Aston Villa are all vying for Champions League football next season, but the Spanish international feels the presence of the aforementioned pair can fire them back amongst Chelsea FC, Manchester United and Arsenal FC. While Chelsea FC, Manchester United...

Brady: Wilshere is a tough cookie
Football story by sport.co.uk, Thu, 04 Mar 2010 09:08:53GMT

Liam Brady believes that young Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has the mental strength to cope with football at the highest level as the 18-year-old looks to garner further first team minutes on loan at Bolton Wanderers for the rest of the season. Owen Coyle recruited the young Arsenal star on loan for Wanderers in January having initially registered his interest in the tricky midfielder whilst at Burnley. The England under-21 international has since made several appearances for the Trotters as they attempt...