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News in Brief - Weds 12th JanA review of the news from around the grounds of each Barclays Premier League club.
ARSENAL Theo Walcott admits that wearing the Arsenal No 14 shirt made famous by Thierry Henry increased the pressure on him to succeed. In June 2008, a year after Henry departed for Barcelona, Walcott inherited the vacated number of his boyhood hero and Arsenal's all-time leading goalscorer. Henry returned to Arsenal this week to train at London Colney ahead of the new MLS season and, speaking before his arrival, Walcott confessed that despite the pressure it's an "honour" to follow in the footsteps of his idol. "It probably did add more pressure," he said. "There were always comparisons between me and Thierry with the way we run and finish. To wear the number is a great honour. I didn't really realise at the time it was Thierry's number. As soon as I got home I told to my family and they said 'you know whose shirt that is don't you?'. He was always there for me if I wanted to talk to him. I was quite scared at first but as I got older and played with him a bit more he was fantastic. [When he was here before] it was great being around him and learning from the best. I've got a picture with Thierry [from when I first signed for Arsenal] and I look so scared. Being my hero as well, I was star-struck!"
ASTON VILLA Gary Gardner is determined to force his way into manager Gerard Houllier's plans after putting behind him a 12-month injury nightmare. Gardner returned from a year-long lay-off with a cruciate knee ligament injury by scoring twice for Villa's reserves in a 10-1 thrashing of Arsenal to move top of the Southern Group on Monday night. Now the 18-year-old midfielder is eager to show Houllier what he can do as he said: "When you hear the gaffer speaking highly of you, you feel really wanted. I just want to show him now what I have got. I want to show him how dedicated and determined I am to play for him. I will give him 100 per cent. I want to get into his plans."
BIRMINGHAM CITY Striker Matt Derbyshire is eyeing more success after finally kick-starting his Blues career at the weekend. Derbyshire netted twice in the 4-1 triumph at Millwall in the FA Cup third round on Saturday. The former Blackburn player has struggled to establish himself since moving to St Andrew's on loan from Greek outfit Olympiacos, but that frustration will be eased if he can continue to hit the target. Derbyshire said: "It's been very difficult for me. I won't lie to you. I haven't been given a massive opportunity at Birmingham City so far. I was obviously thinking 'is this the right place for me at the moment?' But hopefully this can be the start of things to come for me back in England."
BLACKBURN ROVERS Rovers Ladies were held to a 2-2 draw at home to 10-man Millwall Lionesses, who twice came from behind to secure a point. There was early drama at Radcliffe Borough, as Millwall defender Naomi Cole was sent off after just 15 minutes for deliberate handball on the line and Nicky Twohig fired home from the spot. Against the run of play, Wendy Morgan levelled the scores with a free header just five minutes later, but virtually straight from the restart, Rovers were back in front, thanks to Danielle Sheen's 10th of the season. Millwall equalised for the second time in the match when Kate Longhurst slipped the ball past Krystal Parker five minutes into the second half. The visitors defended for their lives from then on, but remained a threat on the break. And both sides were denied a winner by the woodwork, with a Millwall header clipping the top of the goal, while Kim Turner rattled the bar with a rasping shot from 25 yards, which had the keeper beaten all ends up.
BLACKPOOL Chris Basham is making rapid progress on his return from a broken leg suffered in a reserve fixture against Blackburn Rovers back in November. The midfielder has worn a protective boot since the injury but after an appointment with his surgeon on Friday the future looks bright for Basham. "I went to see the surgeon on Friday and he put a smile on my face for the first time in a long time, I could be back running by the back end of this week and then doing shuttle runs by next week with a bit of luck. Then I've got to see the surgeon in two weeks and see how long it will be before I can start kicking a ball again, so I'm really happy about that," said Basham.
BOLTON WANDERERS Zat Knight is pleased Bolton can look forward to a home tie with Wigan Athletic in the next round of the FA Cup given their form at the Reebok Stadium this season. The Trotters saw off the threat of York City with a 2-0 win on home soil on Saturday, and stand-in captain Knight is confident they can progress further still. He said: "We are doing well in the league so it will be nice to have a good cup run. As a professional you want accolades and, when you look back on your career, you want to say that you played in cup finals. We fancy our chances against anyone at home, so I'm happy that we have got a draw at the Reebok."
CHELSEA Carlo Ancelotti refused to guarantee Daniel Sturridge a run in the Chelsea side despite the striker's two-goal salvo in the holders' 7-0 FA Cup thrashing of Ipswich. Sturridge improved his remarkable record in the competition with his sixth and seventh goals in five starts after Ancelotti continued last season's policy of fielding some youngsters in the early rounds. But Sturridge looks likely to be back on the bench for Saturday's Barclays Premier League match against Blackburn, along with Josh McEachran and Patrick van Aanholt, who also made rare appearances against Ipswich. Manager Ancelotti said of Sturridge, who also netted five times for the reserves on Thursday: "He played well, scored, is a good player and a good striker, very dangerous. In the future, he'll have opportunities. We have a lot of games in this period coming up. I think he has to fight with the other strikers, but everyone has to fight. There are a lot of players in competition up front."
![](http://www.premierleague.com/javaImages/6c/cb/0,,12306~3787628,00.gif[/img[b]EVERTON[/b] Seamus Coleman has insisted Everton will take no notice of off-the-field issues at Liverpool ahead of the Merseyside derby at Anfield on Sunday. Kenny Dalglish sensationally replaced Roy Hodgson at the helm on Saturday and will lead the Reds in the 215th meeting between the sides. But Coleman, who set-up the opening goal for Tim Cahill in October's 2-0 win over Liverpool, says they will be focusing on themselves this week. "Maybe Liverpool and their fans will be more up for the game now they have a new manager but it will not change how we approach the game," said Coleman. "We can only worry about ourselves, we just need to prepare well this week." [img]http://www.premierleague.com/javaImages/85/cb/0,,12306~3787653,00.gif)
FULHAM Mark Schwarzer is determined to achieve success with Australia at this month's Asian Cup but admitted leaving Fulham in the middle of their fight for Barclays Premier League survival was far from ideal. The Cottagers currently lie one point above the drop zone and manager Mark Hughes has already resigned himself to losing his number one keeper for the remainder of the month. Should Australia reach the final of the tournament that would mean Schwarzer will miss four Barclays Premier League matches. The 38-year-old said: "It is never ideal at this time of year to be missing Premier League games, especially with Fulham in the precarious situation they are in. In an ideal world I would like to have stayed but also play in this tournament. I want to be in two places at once. It would have been great if there was a window we could play this tournament in but unfortunately that is not the case. I have been here in the summer; it is not pleasant and not easy to play in so this is the logical time to play it and unfortunately it clashes with club football."
LIVERPOOL Liverpool have dismissed suggestions the compensation due to former manager Roy Hodgson in the wake of his sacking could impact upon the club's transfer budget. The former Fulham manager's departure was confirmed on Saturday morning after just six months of the three-year deal that he signed last summer. Reports have implied Hodgson, who has been succeeded by Kenny Dalglish until the end of the season, will be due a year's salary as a lucrative pay-off, but commercial director Ian Ayre insists that the club will not be hit in the pocket. "We reached an agreement with Roy and certainly that type of payment does not come into the same area of business as our transfer budget," he said.
MANCHESTER CITY Michael Johnson played 45 minutes of City's EDS Senior Cup 4-0 victory over Rochdale as he continued his comeback from a lengthy spell on the sidelines. The injury-hit midfielder looked as if he'd never been away with a range of passing that oozed Barclays Premier League class, but it was goals from Alex Nimely, Abdi Ibrahim and a brace from John Giudetti that settled the match.
MANCHESTER UNITED Jonny Evans is relieved to have finally banished his Carling Cup nightmare. Having already accepted it had not been his most productive few months as a Manchester United player, Evans' season took a sharp downturn at West Ham last month. Much of the blame for the 4-0 defeat to the side currently propping up the Barclays Premier League was laid at Evans' door. He was hauled off by Sir Alex Ferguson not long after Carlton Cole had bagged the Hammers' fourth and the intervening five weeks have brought intense soul-searching at United's Carrington training ground. But Ferguson has always been keen to stress the positives. And, after playing a major role in securing a clean sheet, and an FA Cup fourth-round tie at Southampton thanks to a well-received win over Liverpool, Evans can look forward with confidence once more. "Don't remind me about West Ham," he said. "It has been difficult since then in terms of dealing with the mental side of things. I have always had confidence in my own ability and great support from my family and the manager. I just had to step back and think about the things I needed to do to get back to getting the basic stuff right. The manager has been telling me I have been doing well in training and wanted to get me a game."
NEWCASTLE UNITED Huddersfield Town have signed Newcastle defender Tamas Kadar on a one-month loan deal. Kadar has arrived at the Galpharm Stadium to provide cover at left-back during the veteran Gary Naysmith's ongoing injury absence. Hungarian youngster Kadar has made two appearances in the Carling Cup for Newcastle United this season and was on the bench for Saturday's shock FA Cup defeat by Stevenage Borough. Terriers boss Lee Clark is happy to have signed the 20-year-old and is confident Kadar has a role to play over the coming weeks. "He comes here having played in the Premier League and he is an international footballer, having gained his first cap for Hungary at just 20 years of age," Clark said. "I was still at Newcastle when he signed as a youngster and I worked with him there, so we know what we are getting."
STOKE CITY Tony Pulis insists the club have not received any offers for Turkey international Tuncay. The forward has struggled to establish himself in the Stoke side this season and has started only three matches in the Barclays Premier League. He started Saturday's FA Cup tie against Cardiff City and scored in the 1-1 draw, but has been tipped for a move away from the Britannia Stadium. A host of Barclays Premier League clubs have been linked with bids for Tuncay, but Pulis has not fielded offers for any of his players. "Don't believe all you read in the papers," said Pulis. "We have had no offers for Tunny or anybody else." Pulis also praised Tuncay's goal against Cardiff which earned Stoke a replay against the Championship side next week. He added: "Tunny scored a really good goal in the first half, but he missed a couple of good chances in the second half. He had one just after half-time - he is so good in those situations where he has a touch and finishes them. But he has good ability and his goal was a good one."
SUNDERLAND :sunderland:
Steve Bruce has revealed he could potentially have three of his big guns back in action when Newcastle United visit the Stadium of Light this Sunday. Bruce is monitoring the progress of Nedum Onuoha, Lee Cattermole and Danny Welbeck and says all three could be in contention this weekend. On-loan Manchester City defender Onuoha has been missing since limping out of the defeat to Blackpool with a hamstring problem. Meanwhile captain Lee Cattermole was injured in the same match and has been resting a back complaint, while Welbeck damaged a hamstring against Aston Villa. Having the three back in contention would be a huge boost for Bruce, who has seen his squad decimated by injuries over the festive period. But he has warned he will not be afraid to leave any of the trio out if they are not 100 per cent healthy. "Onuoha, Cattermole and Welbeck might be in the equation, but we'll see how things go," he said. "It's early in the week right now. I hope we'll have some of our big players back for Sunday's game. One thing you want is your players going out there 100 per cent fit. If they're not they don't play, it's as simple as that."
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR Leyton Orient have extended the loan of Tottenham midfielder Paul-Jose Mpoku until the end of the season. The Belgium Under-19 international has been with the League One club since September and has made a huge impact on the first team. He has scored twice in nine starts and five substitute appearances, including a goal in the memorable 8-2 FA Cup win over Droylsden. Mpoku's initial loan ended after the cup victory over Norwich on Saturday but he will now remain at Brisbane Road until 31st May.
WEST BROMWICH ALBION Striker Roman Bednar is in no rush to quit the club after admitting that his return from a loan at Leicester City feels like a new beginning. The 27-year-old had said in November that he would not return to The Hawthorns after leaving because he did not feel that he had the trust of boss Roberto Di Matteo. But Bednar is now back with West Brom and featured as a substitute in Saturday's FA Cup upset at Reading. The Czech claims that life with the Baggies now feels like a "fresh start" and he is determined to prove his commitment. Bednar said: "I'm happy to be back and whether I played or not on Saturday wasn't important for me. I'm working hard and it feels like a fresh start for me. I chose myself that I want to stay. Everyone knows I love this club and I'm going to try to prove I should play. I'm happy to be here with the players and I'm working hard, that's what I promise. I was pretty unhappy, and everyone saw that, before I left for the loan at Leicester. I have put my head straight. I had a good time at Leicester but I still feel like my place is here. I've got something left to prove. I love this club and I still want to be here. I went to see the gaffer and he said if I work hard I will get chances. That's enough for me."
WEST HAM UNITED Manchester City defender Wayne Bridge looks set for a loan move to West Ham. The England left-back is keen to secure regular first-team football and had been linked with both the Hammers and Aston Villa in recent days. But speaking as he unveiled new signing Edin Dzeko on Tuesday, City boss Roberto Mancini suggested West Ham were in pole position. He said: "Bridge, I think today (Tuesday), is in London for a medical." Bridge has made a total of 57 appearances for the club since joining City in a £12m deal from Chelsea two years ago.
WIGAN ATHLETIC Callum McManaman hopes to "kick on" after marking his full debut with a goal in Saturday's FA Cup tie at Hull. McManaman only found out at late notice from manager Roberto Martinez that he would be making his first start for the Latics in the third round tie at the KC Stadium. He responded by scoring his side's second in a 3-2 victory, though, and now the 19-year-old is looking for more action in the senior team. "I was made up to be in the starting line up - especially in such a big competition as the FA Cup," McManaman said. "You can see the gaffer likes to give the younger lads a run out, so it does give you hope. We have all done well this season in the reserves, so it's good that we were given the chance."
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS Nenad Milijaš believes Wolves will return to Barclays Premier League action on Saturday - with a trip to Manchester City - with renewed confidence having fought their way out of the bottom three. And the skilful Serbian, is also pleased Wolves hit back to draw at Doncaster on the back of the excellent win against Chelsea. Next up is the trip to Eastlands and a City side in fine form and second in the table as they bid to show they are genuine title contenders. Milijaš said: "It's so close - we know we can play a great game, lose and be bottom of the table. We know we must take points from the games - points are most important and that's what we're trying to do. The players, the team and the gaffer don't deserve to go out of this division. We're much better than last season - players signed for this season have improved the squad and we've all learned a lot from last year. I think we deserve to stay up, but we just need to show to everyone in our results. On Saturday we played against a good footballing team who tried to pass the ball. To avoid defeat - especially away from home - is good for us because we remained unbeaten and we have another chance. Now we must think about the Man City game and try to take points from that one. It will be a very hard game but we took three points against them at home and we'll try to get something at their place too."
Courtesy of: premierleague.com
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News in Brief - Mon 17th JanA review of the news from around the grounds of each Barclays Premier League club.ARSENALArsene Wenger feels football should not be "punished" for paying high wages, as long as clubs live within their means. It is 50 years ago this month since the £20 weekly maximum wage was abolished in English football. Much has changed in the last half-century, with some Barclays Premier League players reported to be earning more than £200,000 a week. Arsenal have been held up as an example of sensible financial governance by UEFA and Wenger believes provided teams can keep within their resources, then they should be free to agree whatever deals are appropriate for players. "Why would you just want to punish football? There are plenty of people out there who make much more money than footballers," Wenger said. "What you want is that every company is managed in a responsible way, that is the first step our society has to go. I don't know why if a company makes a £50m profit, people in the company shouldn't be rewarded. That would mean only the owners would be rewarded, that would be unfair. People that work in the company have to get their share of the success of the company. If you want to limit wages in the whole society, why not? But that needs a complete debate and is more political than sport."
ASTON VILLA Gerard Houllier is optimistic of his side turning the corner. He has completed the £6m signing of midfielder Jean Makoun from Lyon as he looks to freshen up his squad during what remains of the January transfer window. Houllier said: "I'm aware that at the end of January we could be in a bad position. But hopefully we will be able to cope for the rest of the season if we get one or two signings. It's all so very tight. There are five points between so many teams. We win two games and it's a different ball game. It's a heavy schedule in January."
BIRMINGHAM CITY Rangers manager Walter Smith said he has "no idea" whether Kenny Miller has played his last match for the club after they cruised to a 4-0 win over Hamilton in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League. The striker has been holding talks with Birmingham and Fiorentina after failing to agree a new deal with the Scottish champions, but was back in the starting line-up for the match at Ibrox. Miller - with 22 goals already this season - failed to find the back of the net as Rangers closed the gap on SPL leaders Celtic to five points with three matches in hand. Asked whether he expects Miller to have played his last match for the Glasgow giants, Smith said: "No idea."
BLACKBURN ROVERS Former Arsenal midfielder John Jensen is delighted to be back in England's top flight after being named Blackburn assistant manager. Jensen, 45, is teaming up with new boss Steve Kean, initially until the end of the season. The former Denmark international, who has been out of work since leaving Randers in October, made his bow against Chelsea on Saturday at Stamford Bridge. He said: "From what I see and hear this looks like a very exciting time for Blackburn Rovers, with the new owners and a new manager. I think I can bring knowledge and experience to the job and I also believe I can help players become better individually and the team to improve as a collective unit. I view it as a great opportunity."
BLACKPOOL Manager Ian Holloway believes his team have thrived this season because they are free of the weight of expectation - which is how he wants things to stay. Following their surprise promotion via the Championship play-offs in May, the Seasiders have performed impressively so far in their maiden Barclays Premier League campaign. Holloway feels the way Blackpool were so widely written off in the summer has worked to their advantage and, although he admits it is nice to prove the doubters wrong, the 47-year-old is wary of people's views shifting. "I've got the easiest job in the world, because there are no expectations on me," said Holloway. "If that starts to build with our crowd, then I've got to dampen and quash that because that is why we are doing so well. In my opinion, expectation in football has gone completely crazy, and nothing sums it up more than us. If we turn up, everyone is booing their team before they even start - 'boo, you can't have Blackpool passing it past you, what is going on? It's only Blackpool'. You have to earn the right to be a good team, whoever you are, in any division. If you look at managers who have got the sack, where has that come from? The expectations of everybody. Even if you are only one or two points off where you think you should be as a club, then the manager gets the sack these days."
BOLTON WANDERERS The club have paid tribute to former England international Nat Lofthouse OBE who has died aged 85. Lofthouse made more than 450 appearances for the Trotters, scoring 255 goals for the club between 1946 and 1960. He also represented England 33 times and scored 30 goals. Bolton announced Lofthouse had died peacefully in his sleep at his nursing home on Saturday night. Chairman Phil Gartside said: "On behalf of everyone at Bolton Wanderers Football Club, I would like to extend our deepest condolences to Nat's family, who are very much in our thoughts at this time. Nat undoubtedly is a Bolton Wanderers legend. He was a one-club man and our football club meant as much to him as he did to us. We will miss him but we will celebrate his life, his legacy and great times that he brought to Bolton Wanderers."
CHELSEA Salomon Kalou admits he has not scored enough goals since joining Chelsea. Kalou ended a personal drought dating back to November when he finally netted his 50th for the club in the FA Cup third-round thrashing of Ipswich Town. It took the 25-year-old four and a half years and 210 appearances to reach the milestone, something he accepts is not good enough, especially with Chelsea crying out for a consistent goalscorer during their worst slump in the Barclays Premier League for almost 15 years. "To be honest with you, every game I play with Chelsea, I come out of it with regret because I feel like I should have scored another goal," the Ivory Coast international said. "Jean-Marc Guillou (my coach growing up) always used to say, 'The most difficult thing is not knowing how to score but knowing how to create yourself a chance'. I know that I can create chances for myself, I do it every game and now I just have to concentrate on putting more of them in the net."
EVERTON
David Moyes has confirmed they have accepted a bid from Chelsea for Steven Pienaar. The Merseyside club have, though, turned down Tottenham's offer for the midfielder. Moyes said: "We have accepted an offer from Chelsea. Steven has not agreed terms with Chelsea. We've given his representatives a chance to talk to Chelsea but they've not got permission to talk to Tottenham because they've not offered the same money."
FULHAM
Fredrik Stoor has brought a frustrating two-and-a-half-year spell with Fulham to an end by joining Norwegian club Valerenga. The Swedish right-back arrived at Craven Cottage in 2008 with high hopes of making his mark in the Barclays Premier League. However, his route to the first team was blocked by the good form of John Pantsil and he was only given limited opportunities to impress. Stoor spent time on loan at Derby last season but has made no secret of his desire to leave Fulham on a permanent basis. The 26-year-old's transfer request was finally granted before the start of the current window and he has now sealed a move to Valerenga. Stoor will hope to play far more regularly for his new club and perhaps resurrect his international career, having been part of the Sweden squad at Euro 2008.
LIVERPOOL Manager Kenny Dalglish is happy to work with Director of Football Strategy Damien Comolli who has been in the post since November working on transfer policy and a long-term blueprint. And despite Dalglish's extensive knowledge of football at many levels, even having been out of management for more than a decade, he is happy to defer to the Frenchman on such matters as he is concentrating on getting things right with the current squad. "Forget transfers and talk about the position Damien has," said Dalglish. "There is so much demand on a manager's time that it is important to have someone actively organising people, going to see either teams for reports on matches or individual players. Having conversations daily with people in the game and seeing what the movement of players are and then reporting back to the manager so the two of them can make a decision. I think it is a fantastic help and I don't have a problem with Damien."
MANCHESTER CITY Roberto Mancini wants to go down in history as the man who ended Manchester City's 35-year trophy drought. Twelve months ago, Mancini famously declared his intention to rip down the taunting clock that hangs from the Stretford End at Old Trafford, ticking round each season that ends without silverware on the blue half of Manchester. The Italian did not get his wish as United emerged triumphant in a thrilling two-legged Carling Cup semi-final. But the hunger has not gone away. And after another frantic summer of team-building, plus last week's £27m arrival of Bosnia and Herzegovina frontman Edin Dzeko, Mancini believes City are better placed than they have ever been to emulate that 1976 League Cup triumph. "I would like people to look back on my time here and say I was a good manager, a manager that ended a long wait for silverware - and much more," Mancini said. "Nobody knows what the future holds. But the feeling around the club is very good. We have improved as a team over the past few months and there is a momentum building up. After so many years, the fans deserve success. I believe they will have something to celebrate before too long."
MANCHESTER UNITED Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed no talks have taken place with Ryan Giggs over another contract extension for next season. However, given the Scot's assessment of Giggs' performance against Liverpool at Old Trafford, it seems certain the winger will be granted another 12 months. "Ryan is an incredible human being," said Ferguson. "He defies the logic of forwards when he plays at the level he did last Sunday. Obviously we know how to manage him. He doesn't play every week but he makes a contribution that lifts the team. He did that in the second half last week. He was outstanding. His fitness was fantastic. He kept going for the whole 90 minutes. He has been doing that for two decades. No other player has ever done that - or is ever likely to. He is quite an amazing man." That will be welcome news for the 37-year-old, who, having ruled out an international comeback, is keen to extend his club career for as long as possible. "I am feeling good and as long as I am feeling good and still enjoying it, I will carry on playing," he said. "As long as the club wants me as well, I will."
NEWCASTLE UNITED Joey Barton believes his form this season has warranted an England call-up. He said: "I don't think anyone's playing better than me in the country. That's an honest answer, not a big-headed answer. I'm a keen football fan and watch football and there are probably six or seven midfielders getting in the squad for an England game and I certainly don't think there are two players playing better than me - English players - at the minute. But obviously with me it's not all about football, is it? When Fabio Capello came in he said he was going to pick form players and I don't think he's done that."
STOKE CITY Tony Pulis says he is "desperately disappointed" that his proposed move for Demba Ba broke down after Hoffenheim's Senegal striker failed a medical. A fee believed to be £7.1m was agreed between the clubs - as well as personal terms. However Ba, 25, who needed knee surgery last summer, has now returned to Germany although Pulis refused to divulge what the problem was. Speaking after the 2-0 victory against Bolton, Pulis said: "I am desperately disappointed. You look at him and he has a tremendous scoring record. We have been over to watch him three or four times. Everyone has come back with good reports. But we have to put the club first and I understand that." Pulis, however, hinted the deal could still be resurrected. "It might be. You don't know, " he said. "The deal we agreed was a great one for the club. It was within our budget, which was really important. There was no problem with the negotiations and the kid wanted to come to Stoke which was brilliant."
SUNDERLAND :sunderland:
Leeds United have bolstered their backline after re-signing George McCartney on loan from Sunderland for the remainder of the season. The Northern Ireland international spent much of the first half of the Championship campaign on loan at Elland Road, but returned to the Stadium of Light this month. Ben Parker has been filling in at left-back of late for the Whites, however, Leeds have brokered a deal that sees McCartney back in Yorkshire until the summer. The 29-year-old made 17 appearances for Simon Grayson's side this season and played a key role in their lengthy unbeaten run which ended recently against Cardiff. "I'm delighted we've been able to bring George back until the end of the season. He did well over the course of his last loan spell and I know what he can bring to the table," Grayson told the club's official website. United chairman Ken Bates added: "The additional revenue earned from the Arsenal game has helped make this loan possible as we continue to invest both on and off the field."
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR Rafael van der Vaart has revealed he wants to stay at White Hart Lane for the rest of his career. The Holland international has been a revelation since his £8m deadline day move to Spurs last August and is enjoying life in north London. "I love it here. I love the players and I love the down-to-earth attitude at the club," said the 27-year-old. "If I have the opportunity, I would stay here for the rest of my career."
WEST BROMWICH ALBION Manager Roberto di Matteo hailed Chris Brunt as the "natural" choice to lead the Baggies against Blackpool on Saturday. The Italian decided on Thursday that his regular skipper, goalkeeper Scott Carson, would not be involved on Saturday after a string of indifferent performances. Di Matteo told his club's official website: "Chris has matured a lot in the time I've been at the club. He's become a very consistent player. He's got a great personality and is very well respected. I think he is a natural captain."
WEST HAM UNITED Manager Avram Grant has vowed to continue in his position until told otherwise. There has been much speculation over the future of the Israeli, but he said after the 3-0 defeat to Arsenal: "I live my life to do my job, but I cannot say it (the speculation) has helped. Still, I need to do my job, that is what is important."
WIGAN ATHLETIC Reports have suggested Victor Moses may be interested in representing Nigeria at international level rather than England, a decision Roberto Martinez says the player must consider carefully. "Nowadays, when you represent your country you need to give up a lot of time and make a lot of commitments in a busy schedule," Martinez said. "Only the player can make that decision - he really needs to play for the nation that he feels is his nation. That is something Victor will have very clear. He is a very proud young man and he knows exactly what he wants to do. All the advice he can get can be a little help, but it could be misleading. As a player you need to look inside, see where you want to perform for your country and chase that dream, however hard it might seem at the time. But Victor has got amazing potential."
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS Mick McCarthy is convinced he won't be sacked and expects the club to stay up. The Molineux manager who is on a 12-month rolling contract, wants to remain with the club for the long term and has also revealed he has the full support of the board even if they are relegated from the top flight. McCarthy expects to continue in his job which he has held for the past four-and-a-half years despite 14 managers having already lost their jobs since the start of December. "I have no intentions of going anywhere," the 51-year-old said. "I intend staying in the Premier League and being here next season. There's no-one here apart from a few on message boards or phone-ins who say 'sack the manager'. But that's not what I hear from the majority of people. Our fans have been brilliant, and the same goes for people within the club. I keep saying we'll go back in the bottom three but that doesn't worry me. We're not going down, though," he added. "I fully expect us to be out of it on 22nd May because we've got players who know what it's about. If we did go down the club doesn't need the money, so there won't be any stupid sales or wholesale departures. They'll have to put up with me and they'll have to get us back up."
Courtesy of: premierleague.com
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News in Brief - Tues 18th JanA review of the news from around the grounds of each Barclays Premier League club.ARSENAL Thomas Vermaelen's comeback has been put on hold again after the Arsenal defender confirmed he will undergo minor surgery on a troublesome Achilles injury. He said: "I have already tried to come back three times, but the pain proved too much on each occasion. Recent tests showed a minor problem next to the Achilles tendon has been causing the pain. That's why I'll undergo surgery. I knew I had a problem at the beginning of September, when I was preparing for Belgium's games against Germany and Turkey. I didn't want to miss them, but after the game in Turkey, the pain became too great."
ASTON VILLA Gary McAllister has challenged Aston Villa to climb clear of relegation trouble after the "psychological boost" of moving out of the Barclays Premier League bottom three. Assistant manager McAllister was full of praise for the way Villa recovered to earn a point from a 1-1 draw in the derby match with Birmingham City at St Andrew's. James Collins' deflected shot cancelled out the Blues' opener from another central defender in Roger Johnson. McAllister said: "We are fully aware a little run of results can get you moving up this league because it is ever so tight at the moment. It's a plus psychologically to be out of the bottom three when you pick the papers up. But we are working to pull ever further away from the position we are in. That's the target. We are aware of who've we played and who we haven't played and what sort of run of games we've got coming up. We don't like being in this position but there is going to be a period where we feel we can pick up points."
BIRMINGHAM CITY Kevin Phillips has admitted he is ready to leave Birmingham in the transfer window. The veteran striker is in his third season with the Blues having signed a one-year contract extension last summer. But the 37-year-old has been linked with Celtic after remaining a fringe player this term, making just five substitute appearances in the Barclays Premier League. Phillips accepts McLeish's desire to bolster his squad but the former Sunderland man has confirmed he is willing to consider offers from elsewhere this month. "It's frustrating, I'm disappointed," he said. "Who knows where my future lies, but if it's elsewhere, I'll look at it. I'm ready to come on (for Birmingham) and score goals if called upon. But the manager is in the window for another centre-forward and if we can bring in a top-quality one, I'm all for that. I'm in no rush to go anywhere but if the right move comes along and me and my family fancy it, then yes, I would look at it."
BLACKBURN ROVERS Roque Santa Cruz came off the bench for his second Blackburn debut at the start of the second half against Chelsea following Friday's move from Manchester City and manager Steve Kean was happy with the striker's display. "He's not played so many minutes, as everybody knows," said Kean. "But I felt he showed great quality when he came on." Santa Cruz is set to be joined at Ewood Park by United States midfielder Jermaine Jones, who Kean revealed was close to completing a loan move from Schalke.
BLACKPOOL Blackpool captain Charlie Adam insists it is "easy" to focus on his football despite all the speculation concerning his future. Adam is a target for several Barclays Premier League clubs and has been the subject of failed bids from Aston Villa and Birmingham, in addition to being linked with Liverpool. The 25-year-old impressed again in Blackpool's defeat by West Bromwich Albion at the weekend and says he has no problems concentrating on his game. "I am not here to speak about speculation," said Adam. "There is nothing I can say on it. Is it hard to concentrate on my game when clubs are putting bids in? No, it is easy. At the end of the day I am a footballer and I want to keep playing. If anyone has seen the performances I have had over the last month or so, then they will know the speculation has not derailed me."
BOLTON WANDERERS Legend, leader and loyal are just three of the words employed to describe Nat Lofthouse following his death on Saturday night. The 'Lion of Vienna', who scored a phenomenal tally of 30 goals in 33 appearances for England, passed away peacefully in his sleep at his nursing home. Aside from being a robust, strong, powerful forward, Lofthouse will predominantly be remembered for being a one-club man, rare in this day and age given the liberal movement of players between clubs. Lofthouse played for his hometown club Bolton Wanderers between 1946 and 1960 before retiring from the game with a knee injury, playing more than 500 matches in which he scored 255 league goals and a further 30 in cup competitions. Reflecting on the man and player, close friend Sir Bobby Charlton said: "He was a leader, he had fantastic ability in the air, and he was strong, but he was also a talisman. I played four or five games with England at the end of his career and I felt he was the one who was in charge, he was the leader. I'm really sorry, and anybody in this part of the world will be very sorry, he isn't with us any more because he was a fantastic credit to the game."
CHELSEA Carlo Ancelotti insisted Didier Drogba was "close to his best" despite another goal-shy performance by his star striker in Chelsea's 2-0 win over Blackburn. Drogba's display was one of few areas of concern on Saturday as the Barclays Premier League champions produced arguably their best outing for more than two months to end their worst run since 1996. The 32-year-old Ivory Coast international has struggled to get back to his bulldozing best since a malaria scare earlier this season and continued to look below full power against Rovers. He was unable to bully Christopher Samba and Ryan Nelsen yesterday, appeared a yard short of pace, and failed to show the kind of clinical finishing that made him one of the most feared forwards on the planet when one on one with Paul Robinson. But manager Ancelotti was happy with his contribution, saying: "Didier is very close to his best. He played a good game for the team. He didn't score but it doesn't matter. He played the second half for the team, he came back to help the midfielders. It was an unselfish match for him. This is important also if he doesn't score. Didier is not the quickest player. He's a good player because he has power, he has strength, he has ability, he has skill. Last year, he scored 40 goals and maybe he didn't have as many opportunities as he did in this moment. This is the life of the striker. Sometimes, you shoot one time at the goal and you score. Sometimes you have to shoot 10 times to score."
EVERTON Everton manager David Moyes admitted some of his players were overawed early on in their first derby at Anfield but felt they got to grips with things for the start of the second half in the 2-2 draw. "I am disappointed we didn't take all three points after the second half but delighted to only come in 1-0 down after the first half because Liverpool were the better team," he said. "In the first half we never got to the pitch of the game and it looked as if we had some young players in the team who looked overawed by the start of the game. Liverpool won all the duels so it needed a word to correct it at half-time and in the second half we were terrific. I thought we had a chance when it went to 2-1 because we were on top but we were missing three or four big players. I know Liverpool were missing two (Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher) but it is different for a club like Everton, who have a much smaller squad."
FULHAM Aberdeen have completed the signing of midfielder Rob Milsom from Fulham. Milsom, 24, signed a contract until the end of the season and is in contention for a debut against St Mirren on Saturday, with fellow central midfielder Paul Hartley suspended. Milsom said: "I like to bring a lot of energy to the midfield and get on the ball and pass it." Milsom is keen to impress to increase his options for the summer but also wants to prove to Aberdeen he is worthy of a longer deal. "You put yourself in the shop window every time you play but I'm here at Aberdeen and want to do well for them," he said. Milsom made only one first-team appearance for Fulham but had loan spells for Southend, Brentford and Finnish side TPS. "I want to play first-team matches so I was delighted to take this opportunity," he added. "I want to further my career and make myself a better player. Working under Craig, I'm sure I can do that."
LIVERPOOL Liverpool youngster Jay Spearing believes the battling draw with neighbours Everton can provide impetus for both the club and his career. The 22-year-old midfielder was handed a surprise start in the absence of captain Steven Gerrard in what proved a lively Merseyside derby at Anfield, ending 2-2. It was only the Wirral-born Academy graduate's second Barclays Premier League start and represented a major vote of confidence from new manager Kenny Dalglish. Spearing only made his comeback from a broken ankle for the reserves last week but he acquitted himself well with a nerveless and wholehearted display in the intense derby atmosphere. Spearing said: "This tops everything. In my whole career I've been aiming to play in a derby, especially at Anfield, and to get the nod was a massive boost for myself and a great moment for the family. But any game for Liverpool is a massive thing for myself and now I want to get a run in the team and hopefully show I'm capable of sticking around." Dalglish has shown he is prepared to give youth a chance having started 20-year-old Martin Kelly in all three matches since taking over from Roy Hodgson and given substitute appearances to Jonjo Shelvey, 18. Spearing added: "You can see from the off - he's put Martin Kelly in and that's the third game on the bounce now. Hopefully I can follow in his footsteps and get a run going. He has faith in us so we must be doing something in training. It's down to us - but it's him as well. It's good he's got the belief to chuck us in."
MANCHESTER CITY Sblankhorpe United have signed Manchester City midfielder Abdisalam Ibrahim on a month-long loan deal. Ibrahim is on the fringes of Roberto Mancini's first-team squad at City and has been allowed out to gain further experience. The Norway Under 21 international has made three appearances during his City career and made his debut against Sblankhorpe in the FA Cup 12 months ago.
MANCHESTER UNITED Sir Alex Ferguson praised the form of his defence which was back to its best with Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic back in harness in the 0-0 draw with Tottenham Hotspur. Ferguson said: "We defended very well, they never gave us any trouble with their attacking. We had one or two good opportunities at times when we got to the last third of the field but we just didn't quite have the cutting edge. The kind of pressure we were under was just long balls into the box really. With Ferdinand and Vidic as your centre-backs you know you can cope with that. They were fantastic. The whole back four did really really well. We showed good possession but were also careless in possession at times. In the context of Tottenham's home record this season and the performances they have given, we have got to take it as a good point for us. It's about winning games and keeping your nerve and today, defensively, we kept our nerve."
NEWCASTLE UNITED Alan Pardew left the Stadium of Light disappointed after Newcastle United came within seconds of completing a derby double over Sunderland. The Magpies looked to be heading for a deserved victory courtesy of skipper Kevin Nolan's 52nd-minute strike when the Black Cats' record signing Asamoah Gyan bundled home an injury-time equaliser to spare his side's blushes. Pardew was delighted with the way a side deprived of key men Andy Carroll, Cheik Tiote and Steven Taylor took the game to their hosts and came agonisingly close to a third successive Barclays Premier League victory. He said: "Sunderland are having a great season and you have got to remember that. We are really disappointed because we know our performance and some of our play deserved to win. We will take that and it will arm us for next week when we have got a tough game [against Tottenham].
STOKE CITY Tony Pulis has confirmed the door has not closed completely on a potential deal for Demba Ba. A £6m move for the Hoffenheim striker appeared to have collapsed at the weekend after the Senegal international failed a medical. But Pulis is refusing to throw in the towel on the 25-year-old and may yet pursue a deal before the transfer window closes at the end of the month should Ba's injury not be too serious. "It is important to stress it fell through because of a problem with one of his legs," Pulis said. "If our club doctor has said it's going to take three, four or five months to settle down, I don't see any point doing a deal. But if it's weeks, who knows? It might be right to do it."
SUNDERLAND Derby day saviour Asamoah Gyan has shrugged off the pressure of his record price-tag as he attempts to prove he is worth it. The 25-year-old Ghana international spared Sunderland a second dose of misery at the hands of arch-rivals Newcastle on Sunday with a last-gasp equaliser which he knew little about. His strike may have proved priceless on the day, but manager Steve Bruce will hope for a lasting return for a man who cost him in excess of £13m when he arrived at the Stadium of Light from French club Rennes during the summer. Gyan's latest goal was his eighth of the campaign, but just his second in 10 matches, although he insists he will deal with the weight of expectation as he attempts to make his way in the English game. He said: "I like to be myself. I play my game. The price-tag, the manager just saw that in me. He wanted to bring me at all costs to Sunderland and finally, they made a deal. It's a challenge for me. It shows the quality they have seen in me, so I am happy to have signed. Football is not about talking, it is demonstrated on the field. I don't believe in talking too much."
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR Harry Redknapp has admitted time was running out in his bid to sign David Beckham on loan. He said: "David has to be back there (America) in February and there's not a lot of time, which is a shame."
WEST BROMWICH ALBION Chris Brunt does not believe replacing his close friend and axed keeper Scott Carson as Albion's captain will cause any friction between the duo. Carson was dropped in favour of former Hull keeper Boaz Myhill for the meeting with the Seasiders after a poor run of form, with Brunt handed the armband by Di Matteo. Brunt said: "The circumstances aren't great with the way things have panned out but that's football. But if Scott isn't playing, he can't be captain so there will be no hard feelings between me and him. We are good friends, he is my room-mate, I have played with him a long time so I don't think it will be an issue. It's the manager's decision and everyone has to respect that."
WEST HAM UNITED West Ham United defensive coach Wally Downes maintains it was hard enough for Avram Grant to think about how to shackle Arsenal's attacking talent without all the speculation over his job. The Irons manager yesterday woke to more reports he was set to lose his job whatever the result against the Barclays Premier League title chasers at Upton Park, with Martin O'Neill ready to step in. However, no official statement was made on Grant's position following the 3-0 defeat by the Gunners, who cruised to victory after a brace from Robin van Persie and Theo Walcott's close-range strike. "It is hard enough to be playing against [Cesc] Fabregas, [Samir] Nasri and people like that, to also worry about what is in the papers and the rumours. It can take away from it if you let it," Downes said. "But they are professional footballers and if you were to worry about the outside influences you would drive yourself nuts. I don't think anything has changed all week. The rumours that are going around are in the media - on the television and in the press. We are not getting any answers. It is the same question getting batted around all the time. The owners haven't made a statement because as far as I am concerned the position has not changed. If and when they want to make a decision they will make a statement. Avram is doing a very difficult job to the best of his abilities. We are supporting him as staff and whoever was in this position would find it very difficult."
WIGAN ATHLETIC Roberto Martinez was frustrated his side could not hold out for the victory after conceding a late equaliser to draw 1-1 with Fulham. "The feeling when you concede that late, it leaves you with a bad taste," Martinez said. "In the first half we couldn't be ourselves or as fluent as we want to be for different reasons. We had probably the best move in the game with a header from Hugo which hit the post, and we didn't do that enough. But then I was proud with the reaction in the second half. We started to grow into the game, were a little bit braver to get on the ball and take risks and we achieved the hardest thing in football, which is scoring that first goal. After that we had a good chance to kill the game off. When we couldn't get on the ball and allowed Fulham to push forward I felt that we defended really well with good intensity, and Ali was magnificent commanding his defence. It had to be a deflected shot that beat us really late. Those details probably sum up our afternoon - we didn't get that little bit of luck that you need in games."
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS Mick McCarthy is confident his side will stay up even though their latest outstanding display went unrewarded at Manchester City on Saturday. McCarthy's side came off on the wrong end of a seven-goal thriller with City despite dominating the opening half-hour and then producing a rousing comeback that came so close to snatching them a point. The result dropped Wolverhampton Wanderers back into the bottom three, but coming after triumphs over Liverpool and Chelsea over the festive programme, it has fuelled McCarthy's belief that Wolves will retain their top-flight status. "Of course we can stay up," he proclaimed. "Without a doubt. We will. We are not far away from where we were last season in terms of points and games played. We just had a good run, are playing well and getting players back. If we get a few more back we will be OK."
Courtesy of: premierleague.com
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