Former Wolves and England goalkeeper dies

West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper Ben Foster has revealed that a freak foot injury left him fighting for his professional career.

The keeper suffered the injury in unusual circumstances, as he snapped a bone in his foot during the fixture against Everton, at Goodison Park, in August.

The injury was even more odd, as Foster had no-one around him when the unfortunate injury occured.

Foster then had surgery to repair the problem, but had to endure four months on the sidelines.

Following the surgery, the Herfordshire born keeper was unable to walk for eight weeks.

Speaking in an interview with Tabloid Newspaper The Daily Star, Foster stated….

“It was the bone that takes most of the weight through the foot when you push off. For keepers, who are always on their toes, it’s a bad injury.

“I literally pushed and heard this click, and that was it.

“It was a horrible, horrible injury and it’s been a long, hard road back. If that injury happens to an outfield player, it is really touch and go whether they keep on playing.

“The doctor said if the bone didn’t knit, we were looking at having to fuse it together – and a year out.

“I was very worried that I’d miss the whole season and if the operation didn’t work, even longer.”

Foster also has ambitions of a World Cup place, having come out of international retirment last year.

“Brazil is where I want to be this summer. I’m 30 and I’ve never done a World Cup.”

Foster’s Albion face an in-form Everton at the Hawthorns, in a Televised game on Monday evening.

By Ben Reardon

@BenReardon1

Manchester United preparing for Wayne Rooney exit

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Jan 19, 2014

Fears are growing that the England striker will quit Old Trafford after the World Cup – and David Moyes has sanctioned a move for the PSG striker to replace him
Reds target: Edinson Cavani has been unsettled at PSG Reds target: Edinson Cavani has been unsettled at PSG
Getty

Manchester United are gearing up for a sensational swoop on superstar Edinson Cavani as they prepare for life without Wayne Rooney, writes Steve Bates of the Sunday People.

Boss David Moyes has sanctioned a move for PSG’s unsettled Uruguayan with fears growing at Old Trafford that Rooney may decide to jump ship after the World Cup finals in the summer.

The 28-year-old England hitman is out of contract in June next year and is thought to be waiting to see how the season develops before making any decisions on his future.

Luis Suarez’s Uruguay strike partner Cavani – disillusioned by the state of football in France just six months after his £53million move from Napoli – is seen by Moyes as the ideal replacement.

The 26-year-old is said to be disappointed with the standard of France’s Ligue 1 and believes French football is lacking in passion, intensity and atmosphere.

United know that after the transfer window disaster of last year they have to be on the front foot – and the capture of Cavani would appease Old Trafford fans

should Rooney leave.

Cavani’s advisors believe Old Trafford would be the ideal destination if PSG allow him to move on – and last night Moyes hinted a major signing is on the cards. “Judging by trips I’ve made recently and the things I am hearing, what has happened so far this season won’t be an issue when we sign players,” he said.

“The number of big players wanting to join Manchester United is incredible.

Trip “Maybe players want to go to other clubs for the money but if you ask them where they really want to be, what badge they really want to wear, then they’ll say Manchester United.”

Any deal for Cavani would be likely to cost United at least £55million.

In just 26 games for PSG this season Cavani has scored 18 goals – after bagging an impressive 104 in 138 matches in Serie A for Napoli.

Moyes took a trip to Paris to watch PSG beat Bordeaux in the French League Cup last week, although Cavani started on the bench before coming on as a substitute to set up the final goal in a 3-1 win.

The Uruguayan is not the only name on Moyes’s wishlist.

It’s believed United scouts have watched Schalke’s German whizkid Julian Draxler, with Arsenal also hot on the trail of the 20-year-old attacking midfielder who has a£37million buy-out clause in his contract.

Written by Steve Milne – What are your thoughts? have your say below 🙂

Wenger targets Juventus star Vucinic as Arsenal look for loan deal to bolster attack

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Jan 19, 2014

Arsenal’s transfer negotiator Dick Law has been in touch with the Serie A club about a loan deal for the 30-year-old Montenegro striker.

Agent Alessandro Lucci, who represents Vucinic, is understood to be ready to fly to London this week to assess Arsenal’s desire to sign his client.

Arsenal stayed on top of the Barclays Premier League table yesterday — one point ahead of Manchester City — with a 2-0 home win over Fulham.

Vucinic now looks the most realistic option to boost their strike power, with Theo Walcott out for the season and Olivier Giroud and Nicklas Bendtner the only recognised centre-forwards in Wenger’s squad.

The manager is prepared to rely on Mesut Ozil and Lukas Podolski as alternatives to Giroud but clearly it would be desirable to bring in an experienced centre-forward.

With Real Madrid refusing to release Alvaro Morato, the striker Wenger had hoped to bring in on loan to supplement his team, Arsenal have turned to Vucinic.

He has fallen down the pecking order at the Serie A leaders, behind Carlos Tevez and Fernando Llorente.

The stumbling block which could prevent the move is that Juventus want to sell the player and will not settle for less than £10m.

Wenger wants to keep his transfer funds for the summer, when he is expected to bid for Atletico Madrid’s Diego Costa, Bayern Munich’s Mario Mandzukic and Schalke’s Julian Draxler.

Wenger last night admitted he was still on the hunt for a striker.

‘We are looking at potential possibilities to get someone in but we are not especially interested in Vucinic,’ he said.

‘I would love to announce to you something that would excite you but I don’t have the opportunity to do so.’

Written by Steve Milne – Have your say below 🙂

Tottenham transfer tempting Napoli forward Goran Pandev

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Jan 19, 2014

Reports in Italy suggest the 30-year-old will be on his way to White Hart Lane in the coming days, should his current club wrap up the signings of Jorginho from Hellas Verona and Michel Bastos from UAE side Al Ain.

Pandev, who joined Napoli on loan in 2011 before making the move permanent a year later, is believed to be concerned over his future playing opportunities at the Stadio San Paolo and is intrigued by the prospect of a chance to experience the Premier League.

For Spurs, the Macedonian could prove a good stop-gap option, with Jermain Defoe off to Toronto next month and Roberto Soldado continuing to struggle to find form.

Written by Steve Milne

Real Madrid thrash Real Betis to move level with La Liga leaders Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.

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Jan 19, 2014

Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo capped a fine week by thrashing in the opening goal at bottom club Real Betis.

Bale, who had last netted against Valladolid on 30 November, curled in a superb free-kick before Karim Benzema scored his 100th goal for Madrid.

Angel Di Maria converted a rebound and Alvaro Morata wrapped up an easy win.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side knew a victory would put pressure on top two Barca and Atletico, who play Levante and Sevilla respectively on Sunday.

And they responded with a dynamic performance against a Betis side who offered little resistance.

Portugal captain Ronaldo, who also scored in Wednesday’s Copa del Rey win at Osasuna, celebrated being named as the world’s best player by blasting in his 21st goal of the season from long range.

Betis keeper Stephan Andersen did not even move and was beaten easily again shortly after by Bale’s pinpoint set-piece.

The Welshman, who moved to the Bernabeu in an £85m world-record transfer, has drawn criticism in recent weeks after failing to hit top form following a calf injury.

And the 24-year-old’s relief was clearly evident as he was mobbed by his team-mates in celebration of his 10th goal for Los Blancos.

France striker Benzema blasted inside the post, following great build-up play from Luka Modric, shortly before half-time to rack up his century in all competitions since joining from Lyon in 2009.

After the break, the away side continued to press and scored their fourth when Argentina winger Di Maria thumped a low drive into the bottom corner.

Substitute Morata, who Ancelotti reiterated on Friday would not be leaving the Bernabeu after being linked with Premier League side Arsenal, clipped in from close range in the final minute.

Betis sacked recently-appointed West Bromwich Albion coach Pep Mel last month and are bottom on 11 points after 20 matches, five adrift of Rayo Vallecano and Real Valladolid.

Written by Steve Milne

Match Reaction: Liverpool v Aston Villa

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Jan 18, 2014

The visitors Aston Villa certainly gave Liverpool a tough game as they went 2-0 up after 36 minutes through Andreas Weimann and then Christian Benteke. But Daniel Sturridge scored just on half time to give the home side some encouragement in the second half. Liverpool looked more lively in the second half and were awarded a penalty when Suarez went down in the 52nd minute. Gerrard converted to level the scores and it remained 2-2 up to the final whistle, leaving Liverpool in fourth, 3 points behind Chelsea.

Liverpool manager, Brenden Rodgers’ reaction: “We just couldn’t get going in the first half. We changed the system after the first goal. I felt we couldn’t get any flow. The second half we showed great spirit and got the equaliser.

“You have to give credit to Aston Villa. Christian Benteke was a real threat and Andreas Weimann was a problem. It wasn’t until we changed it around that we got a foothold in the game.

“It is a mark of the mentality that we were not at our best but we still dig out a result. We will learn from it and move on.

“It was vital to get that goal before half time. That gave us the spark going into the second half. The response from the players was outstanding.”

Aston Villa boss, Paul Lambert’s reaction: “We should have had three or four goals in the first half. We were fantastic, really good. We came here last year and won 3-1 and I thought we played a lot better today. In the first half we were outstanding.

“Their goal gave them a lifeline going into half-time. I am not so sure about the penalty, I think Brad Guzan has pulled his arms away. I don’t think it is a penalty. With the magnitude of the game you have to be 100% sure, Brad’s arms have been pulled away.

“I don’t think we could have done any more except win the game. There were major plus points, Nearly every player was outstanding.”

By Phil Wellbrook

Match Reaction: Crystal Palace v Stoke City

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Jan 18, 2014

Crystal Palace battled on to win 1-0 at Selhurst Park, with Jason Puncheon being the man on the scoresheet. Puncheon capitalised on an error by Oussama Assaidi and drilled in the only goal of the game, a win which sees Palace lift off the foot of the table.

Crystal Palace manager, Tony Pulis’ reaction: “Sixteen games to go and we’ve given ourselves a chance from not having a chance but we can’t get carried away.

“Punch [Jason Puncheon] is a good player and people miss penalties. People might say not by that much but Punch had to get over it and there were no problems.”

Pulis was also aware of the support and warm reception he gained from the travelling Stoke fans. “It was wonderful from the Stoke supporters and I thank them very much. We had a wonderful 10 years together.

“My wife and daughters were Stoke supporters for 10 years so it was difficult for everybody but the main thing was the three points and I hope and pray to be able to go back to Stoke with Palace next season.”

Stoke City boss, Mark Hughes’ reaction: “We huffed and puffed a bit and tried to force the issue but made it difficult for ourselves by conceding a poor goal. That’s been the case of late and it’s something we need to take out of our game.

“Once they got the first goal, in a game that lacked quality, that was going to be key to winning the game and Palace were able to get that through poor defending.

“We need to nip that in the bud and we gave them a helping hand. They were able to get people behind the ball and we didn’t have the guile or purpose to create the chances.”

By Phil Wellbrook

Match Reaction: Manchester City v Cardiff

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Jan 18, 2014

Manchester City are now within one point of leaders Arsenal following a 4-2 win over Cardiff at the Etihad, which also saw Pellegrini’s side score their 100th goal this season in all competitions. City achieved this feat quicker than any team in Premier League history and this set the tone for a goal fest in Manchester.

Edin Dzeko opened the scoring in the 14th minute, and after a Craig Noone equaliser in the 29th minute, Navas restored City’s lead just after the half hour mark. City dominated the second half and saw Yay Toure and Sergio Aguero add their names to the scoresheet, before Cambell grabbed a 90th minute consellation for Cardiff.

Manchester City boss, Manuel Pellegrini’s reaction: “Maybe I am not 100% happy because we conceded the second goal in the last minute. But we scored four and missed five or six clear chances so if we continue to play like we are, we are always going to score more than we concede.

“We are playing fantastic football at the moment. We play with fantastic intensity and that is how we must continue. The best way to play is the way we are playing now. I know it is easier to go back with 10 players in our box and try and have a couple of counter attacks, but that is not my way, it is not the style I think this club wants.

“It is impossible for me to have a headache when you have three strikers [Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko and Alvaro Negredo] playing at the level they are at the moment.”

Cardiff manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s reaction: “We did feel that after about 60 minutes we were in the game. The crowd was maybe turning a little against them and you start wondering if we could get something from the game, but obviously they have quality players who scored their extra two goals.

“They have been dominant, our gameplan was to start on the front foot, be aggressive but we played against a very good team. When you are in the run of form like they are, they just go into the next game expecting to win, so good luck to them.

“We can stay up. No doubt about that. The league got tighter today – from bottom to 10th it is five points. We will look to improve. Parts of all the performances have been very good. For half an hour we did very well today but for two or three minutes they blitzed us.”

By Phil Wellbrook

Match Reaction: Arsenal v Fulham

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Jan 18, 2014

Arsenal have secured a fifth successive Premier League win wollowing their 2-0 win over Fulham. The win was settled by two second half Cazorla goals, one he slotted in from a nice bit of passing play and the other, a low driven 20 yard strike.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger’s reaction:

“We were maybe not quick enough in the first half. In the second half our tempo was much better and we created chances.

“The players were conscious we had to step up a gear. It was just a question of time and Santi Cazorla delivered two special goals.

Wenger is very much aware of the pressure at the top of the table: “The pressure is there but it is a positive one. I believe it is important to keep focused on the way we want to play and our solidarity in the side, which is exceptional and that will get us the points.

“There are five or six teams who will fight for the Championship. From our side we just need to be consistent.”

Fulham manager Rene Meulensteen’s reaction:

“I thought we did ever so well. We were up against a top side. We limited them after their strong start.

“If we produced a bit more quality we could have nicked a goal in first half, but we will take a lot of heart from this performance.”

By Phil Wellbrook

Cristian Tello gives Liverpool hope of summer move

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Jan 18, 2014

The 22-year-old has been linked with a move away from the Catalan giants, after struggling to hold down a regular starting place in Tata Martino’s side this term.

Tello has made just 13 appearances since the start of the season, leading to speculation over a January move as he looks to book his place in the Spain squad for this summer’s World Cup.

But amid speculation he could move to Anfield this month, Tello has openly dismissed the prospect of upping sticks, at least for the time being.

‘I will definitely stay at Barcelona until June, then we will see in the summer,’ said the youngster.

But despite a move this month looking unlikely, Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers will be encouraged by Tello’s comments about reassessing his situation come the end of the season.

Written by Steve Milne

Steven Gerrard tipped to play on until he’s 40

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Jan 18, 2014

Liverpool manager Rodgers reckons his veteran skipper can follow the example of Serie A greats Javier Zanetti and Andrea Pirlo and adapt his role in the middle of the park to extend his career.

Argentine Zanetti has stunned the football world by recovering from a crippling Achilles tendon injury to play for Inter Milan at the age of 40.

And Pirlo, whose 35th birthday is fast approaching, was recently voted Italy’s player of the year and elected into UEFA’s hall of fame.

Both have capitalised on switches to a holding role at the base of a midfield diamond – a position Gerrard has adopted in recent games for the Reds with increasing success – and Rodgers is backing his captain to be so successful in the new position he can emulate Pirlo.

“Maybe he wasn’t ready to do it 18 months ago because he had so much to his game, but it is a position that I know excites him now,” he explained.

“Tactically, once he does more work on when to become the third man dropping in or pushing on, he’s got a great chance of playing that role to the level of a Pirlo or a Javier Zanetti. They are doing it late in their 30s – Zanetti is 40 – and because of the way Stevie looks after himself, that is a position he can play for sure.

“It’s not a case of putting him back into that role because he’s Steven Gerrard – it’s because I think he’s got the qualities to play and operate in that position at a very high level.”

Gerrard will turn 34 in May, and many assume his days at the very highest level are numbered, with next summer’s World Cup in Brazil seen as his final flourish.

But at that same age, Pirlo was masterminding Italy’s Euro 2012 triumph over England, cementing his place in the tournament’s all-star XI with that cheeky penalty shoot-out chip.

And Zanetti defied the advancing years by fighting back from an injury that would have seen off much younger men, to not only come back last month for Inter, but inspire a derby victory over their arch-rivals AC Milan to further enhance his legend.

For Rodgers, Gerrard has all the characteristics to fulfil a similar role for club and country and he is looking to slowly integrate him into the position to ensure the Reds’ talismanic captain carries on for several more years.

“I always look at every player not only in terms of their favourite position but where else we can prolong them, and that applies especially to older players,” he explained.

“Everything about Steven’s game fits with that controlling player, from how he co-ordinates a team with the ball and his range of passing, which is still at a top level.

“He is a world class dead-ball specialist and physically, in that role where you need to move from side-to-side to block spaces, he has shown he has that as well. Plus, he’s got the range to open up a game short and long.”

Not that Gerrard is ready for the bath-chair just yet.

He has still been used in an advanced role this season, posting impressive stats that rival any midfielder in the Premier League (Gerrard tops the list for passing accuracy and possession, and is close to the top in terms of assists and creating chances), and Rodgers wants to get the best out of him for much longer.

“He’s a world class operator at the top end of the field and still has the moments when he can affect that,” he added. “But where his role was very much about creating and scoring goals, he has seen the development of the team in terms of the numbers scored and there is not the reliance on him for that.

“He has other big qualities that can really help the team and help his career as well. You will still get that flurry from him where he can go on and shoot.”

Liverpool entertain Aston Villa in Saturday’s televised tea-time match, looking to extend their Anfield winning streak to nine straight wins.

Rodgers could usher Joe Allen, and possibly Mamadou Sakho, straight back into the starting line-up.

Written by Steve Milne – Have your say below 🙂

Arsene Wenger plays down Julian Draxler transfer talk

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Jan 18, 2014

Arsene Wenger made a joke about UFOs when quizzed as to whether Julian Draxler has already had a tour of the Arsenal training ground.

Draxler is Arsenal’s No.1 transfer target and the interest among fans has become so intense that it has almost become an accepted fact on Twitter that he has already checked out Arsenal’s facilities.

Arsenal boss Wenger laughed: “That’s like a unidentified flying object. Some see them everywhere!”

It would not be the first time that a player checked out a perspective club but Wenger’s humorous tone tried to play down the interest in Draxler.

Wenger admitted it would be unlikely for Arsenal to be able to do a deal in January for Draxler despite even Per Mertesacker admitting he was “curious” about the potential deal which would see another German at Arsenal.

“I am curious as well, of course I’m curious it’s my nature,” said Wenger. “But the transfer period lasts until the 31st of January. Are we close to signing anybody? At the moment I would say no.

“It’s not about German, it’s about talent and quality. At the moment the quality is produced in Germany so we are of course interested where the talent is and where the good education of the players is. At the moment Germany produces top level players.”

Wenger also insisted Arsenal have never made a move for Fulham’s Dimitar Berbatov and had no intention of doing so.

“You should ask the question, do I rate Berbatov as player?” said Wenger. “Highly. Have we made any approach to sign Berbatov? No.

“We have Bendtner who is coming back, we have Yaya Sanogo who is making very good progress in training.

“Of course we have lost Theo Walcott and that for us was a big blow but hopefully we can compensate but we have not made any approach.”

Wenger is hopeful Nacho Monreal and Tomas Rosicky – albeit in a mask to protect his broken nose – will be fit after getting injuries at Aston Villa.

But Aaron Ramsey and Mikel Arteta will miss Fulham and the FA Cup tie with Coventry to be fit to face Southampton on Tuesday week.

Written by Steve Milne – have your say below 🙂

David Moyes blasts Chelsea rival Jose Mourinho over Wayne Rooney transfer

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Jan 18, 2014

Manchester United manager Moyes could yet pull a major shock by taking a gamble to involve injury-hit Rooney against Mourinho’s Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Blues boss Mourinho has been up to some serious mind games this week in anticipation of the mouth-watering Premier League clash, by claiming champions United will try to offload striker Rooney to a foreign club in the summer.

“Manchester United were very clear last summer, they don’t swap or sell players to their direct rivals in this country,” the Special One said. “I don’t see that changing this summer. But I think maybe they will try to sell to a non-direct rival, not in England.”

Moyes though, not only bluntly dismissed that notion, he insisted he would never talk about the west Londoners or their players in the same disrespectful way.

Asked about the comments on Rooney, the Scot responded with a searing stare and the words: “I completely disagree. I can only tell you I disagree. Although he will go to Brazil [to play in the World Cup]…”

Moyes also suggested United would give Rooney a new contract, when he added emphatically: “The club will deal with that. They will do all the things they need to do, no question.”

And asked if it was poor form from Mourinho to indulge in such obvious mind games ahead of Sunday’s game, the former Everton manager replied: “I wouldn’t do it, but everybody has their own style.

“I wouldn’t talk about other managers at other clubs and I wouldn’t talk about other players at other clubs. I can’t tell you what his motivation is, but only time will give you the answer about Wayne.”

Moyes also revealed Mourinho has offered a personal apology for the interpretation of comments he made earlier in week, where he was reported as saying the Old Trafford hierarchy are ‘not happy’.

And the Scot responded with some mind games of his own.

Although he stated publicly that Rooney would not play at the Bridge, the England star underwent a full training stint on Friday, after being put through a special behind-closed-doors session a day before.

Rooney will train again on Saturday morning, and the Mirror understands Moyes will NOT make a decision on his availability until Sunday – when he will wait to see how the 28-year-old comes through his training programme.

If Rooney feels strong enough, he could be involved at Chelsea from the bench – or even be a surprise starter.

Rooney has been on a warm-weather break in Egypt to try to recover from his groin injury, accompanied by United’s head of performance Richard Hawkins, who put him through some serious fitness session.

Moyes will also make decisions on the involvement of Phil Jones and Marouane Fellaini, who both trained on Friday, and also indicated out of favour star Wilfried Zaha could be in his match-day squad.

The Old Trafford boss dismissed claims Zaha had stormed out of a meeting, which was alleged to have ended in a shouting match after the winger was told by his manager he couldn’t go out on loan.

In fact, Moyes revealed he WILL let the England international go out to get some starts… just as soon as he has cover.

“Wilfried Zaha has a chance [of facing Chelsea]. I have told him that if I can’t get him the games I will put him out on loan,” he explained. “But he can’t go out while we have Ashley Young and Nani injured – and I would be surprised if anyone thought that was a possibility.

“Did he storm off? I had 30 seconds chat on the training pitch today and we were talking away. So there was nothing like that.

“That is what I have indicated to the boy – maybe towards the end of the window if others are fit. But he is a Manchester United player, that’s what he is.”

Written by Steve Milne – Have your say below 🙂

Cardiff boss confident of Vincent Tan backing

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Jan 18, 2014