Heskey raring to go as Owen reunion looms

Emile Heskey insists he never gave up hope of earning an England recall as he relishes the prospect of resuming his partnership with Michael Owen.

Heskey could make his first appearance since the Euro 2004 finals in Portugal in Saturday’s qualifier for the 2008 tournament against Israel, after being called into the squad this week by Steve McClaren.

Owen has always sung the praises of Heskey and he has scored 11 times in 12 starts alongside him – including his hat-trick in the 5-1 demolition of Germany in Munich in 2001.

Golden Eaglets reach the final

The Golden Eaglets have shown again that they were the team to beat in this World Cup. Throughout this tournament they have shown power and skill and agility and i’m not surprised that they trashed Germany. I’m hoping that they redeem Ghana by trashing Spain in the final.

Fabregas: No Real regrets

I think it’s absolutely great that Fabregas has chosen to stay at Arsenal. He is an excellent young player and has a lot to offer. And he’s playing good football at Arsenal where he is always assured a place in the first team. Who knows what would have happened when if he went to Real Madrid. He could have been even better but you never know and given his status now, i think it was a wise decision nonetheless to stay at Arsenal.

Golden Eaglets reach the final

Goals from Macauley Chrisantus, Yakubu Alfa, and Kabiru Akinsola helped Nigeria seal a hard-fought 3-1 victory over Germany at Suwon Sports Complex on Thursday and earn a place in Sunday’s Final against Spain in Seoul FIFA World Cup Stadium.

Nigeria coach Yemi Tella rang two changes to the side that defeated Argentina 2-0 on Sunday, with defenders Usman Amodu and Daniel Joshua given their third chance to play in this tournament, while Germany boss Heiko Herrlich opted to start with his best eleven who scored four goals against England in the quarter-final.

With the rain coming to a stop an hour prior to the kick-off, it was the Germans who took the initiative on the slick pitch. In the 4th minute, Sascha Bigalke rounded three defenders on the left before unleashing a low shot from the centre of the area which was easily saved by Oladele Ajiboye.

Fabregas: No Real regrets

Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas says he has no regrets about turning his back on a potential move to Real Madrid.

 The Spain international has long been linked with a move to the Bernabeu and Fabregas revealed he had spoken with Real president Ramon Calderon and sporting director Predrag Mijatovic during the close season.

However, Fabregas snubbed a possible return to his homeland to remain with the Gunners, with whom he signed an eight-year contract extension last season, and the 20-year-old is happy with the choice he made.

“The truth is I will always be grateful for it (the interest from Real),” said Fabregas. “They said what they had to say and in the end I decided, for good or for bad, to remain with Arsenal,

“We shall see what happens in the future, but now I am going 100% with the decision which I have taken.”

source:premierleague

Derby’s Fagan gets four-match ban

Derby County’s Craig Fagan has been hit with a four-match suspension by the Football Association for stamping on Liverpool’s Alvaro Arbeloa on Saturday. Striker Fagan, 24, was found guilty of misconduct by an FA regulatory commission, after denying the charge.

“The commission imposed the automatic three-match ban, plus an additional match as they considered the denial to be frivolous,” said an FA statement.

Fagan can appeal against the additional one-game ban, but not the three games.

The FA statement added: “Referee Alan Wiley confirmed that he did not see the incident, and that had he done so he would have sent Fagan off.”

Fagan will miss games against Newcastle (home), Arsenal (away), Bolton (home) and Reading (away).

source:bbcsports

England wait on Hargreaves injury

England boss Steve McClaren has confirmed midfielder Owen Hargreaves is a doubt for Saturday’s Euro 2008 qualifier against Israel at Wembley. Hargreaves missed training on Wednesday with a thigh injury and is struggling along with Steven Gerrard, while Frank Lapmard and David Beckham are out.

“Thankfully a scan only revealed a small problem,” said McClaren.

“We’re still hoping he will be available for Saturday, and he is definitely not ruled out.”

He added: “We’ll give Owen as much time as we can before making a decision.

“He’s a determined character and we know that he really wants to play. Naturally, we won’t take any unnecessary risks with him though.”

The Manchester United player was recently sidleined for his club with tendonitis and has yet to play two games in a week following his £18m summer switch to Old Trafford from Bayern Munich.

Shevchenko questions Chelsea snub

Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko said he has been left baffled as to why manager Jose Mourinho has not played him this season. The Blues claim Shevchenko, 30, is still recovering from hernia surgery despite the player having scored in a charity game in Ukraine this week.

“I don’t know why Mourinho isn’t playing me – I don’t understand it,” said the Ukrainian.

“But I’m not worried. I will just wait for my chance to come.”

The striker, who was signed from AC Milan for £30m in the summer of 2006, has failed to live up to expectations at Stamford Bridge.

Wenger agrees new deal at Arsenal

Arsene Wenger has agreed a new three-year contract as Arsenal manager, BBC Sport understands. The Gunners are set to announce in the next two days that an agreement has been reached with the 57-year-old French boss.

“The new deal will earn Wenger about £4m a year,” said BBC sports editor Mihir Bose.

“The timing is no big surprise because the last time he signed a new deal was towards the end of his last contract.”

Wenger’s deal was set to run out at the end of the season and speculation over his future was fuelled by the departure of striker Thierry Henry in the summer and vice-chairman David Dein, who brought him to the club.