Posts Tagged ‘England’

Tony Pulis: Keen for Jonathan Woodgate to stay at Britannia Stadium

Stoke manager Tony Pulis is poised to offer defender Jonathan Woodgate a new deal to remain at the Britannia Stadium for another season.

The 32-year-old has made 21 league and cup appearances for the Potters this campaign and needs to play in just three more games to trigger a clause in his current deal, which would extend his stay at the club for another year.

Woodgate, who was restricted to just four games in his last two years at Tottenham, returned to training last week after a month out with a calf problem and is determined to earn a recall to the side and earn a new deal.

But with just seven Premier League games remaining, the former England centre-back is unsure he will reach his magic tally.

However, Pulis has indicated that he is not willing to let Woodgate depart the club and is keen for the player to sign a new 12-month contract.

“If he doesn’t get the games in that doesn’t mean we aren’t going to offer him a new contract,” said Pulis.

“Woody has been brilliant, playing in a lot more games than people probably thought he could play, and he’s good to have around.

“He’s been very good for (Ryan) Shawcross and (Robert) Huth in lots of respects.

“So let’s get the season out of the way and then we’ll sit down and discuss everything with (chairman) Peter (Coates) and the family.”

Sone Aluko: Ready to sit down and discuss a new deal at Rangers

Rangers forward Sone Aluko has hinted he would be willing to sit down and discuss a new deal at Ibrox.

Aluko is out of contract in the summer after signing a short-term deal upon his arrival last November.

The Nigerian has impressed for Rangers and his performances have not gone unnoticed by clubs elsewhere.

Spanish side Rayo Vallecano have already held talks with Aluko’s agents about a move, while a number of clubs in England are also thought to be keeping tabs on his situation.

Gers boss Ally McCoist is keen to keep hold of the 23-year-old and Aluko admits he will make a decision on his future once Rangers sort out their financial problems

Focus

“We’ll see what happens next,” Aluko told the Daily Record.

“There are a lot of things going on at the club but it will get to the point where I will sit down with them and take it from there.

“It is not something I am looking at right now.

“I am concentrating on playing and winning games for Rangers and carrying on my good form. That is my only focus just now.

“We are all dependant on the situation and what happens, so once the club figures out what the next step is I will decide as well.”

Diego Maradona: Wants his son-in-law Sergio Aguero to leave England

Diego Maradona has backed the idea of Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero moving back to Spain with Real Madrid.

Recent weeks have seen the Spanish league leaders linked with a sensational summer move for the former Atletico man.

The Argentine was on Real’s radar before he joined City and now they are said to be stepping up their interest again with fellow countryman Gonzalo Higuain linked as part of a potential swap deal.

Aguero himself was quick to deny the suggestions that he could leave City when Real were linked last month.

But Maradona’s quotes have again stoked up the flames of speculation over Aguero’s future.

Speaking to Argentine radio station La Red, Maradona said: “Kun has to play for Real Madrid.

“Even though he is flying at City, the best thing would have been to sign for Madrid. He made a mistake.

“Now, as he is doing so well, it will be difficult to get him from City. However, if Madrid want someone, they get them.”

Maradona insists that Real will pay the money needed to land Aguero.

“Florentino has no limits. It’s a question of convincing City – but not with money because they have plenty of that,” he added.

Mahela Jayawardene: Scored another century

Related links
Teams
Also see

England were once again frustrated by a century from Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene but fought back to reduce the hosts to 238-6 on the opening day of the second Test in Colombo.

Jayawardene followed up his 180 in the first Test in Galle with 105 this time out but England will still retain hopes of dismissing their opponents for a satisfying total on day two.

James Anderson took three quick wickets in the morning before a stubborn stand of 124 between Jayawardene and Thilan Samaraweera (54) turned things back in Sri Lanka’s favour.

But the duo were both removed before the end of the day, with Prasanna Jaywardene joining them after adding just seven to leave the home side with work to do despite their skipper’s heroics.

More to follow…

Click Here for Your Free Bet

Angelo Mathews: a calf problem forced him to miss Sri Lanka’s victory in Galle

Sri Lanka will be without Chanaka Welegedara for the second Test against England but Angelo Mathews has been passed fit to play in Colombo.

Seamer Welegedara claimed just one wicket in his side’s victory in Galle, though he did contribute 32 runs down the order.

However a groin injury means he will miss the second and final match of the series, with fellow paceman Shaminda Eranga, who has made one Test appearance in his career so far, taking his place in the 14-man squad.

There is also a place for Mathews, though the all-rounder will not be available to bowl due to the calf problem that kept him out of the opening Test.

“Welegedara bowled with some discomfort during the Galle Test and a scan revealed that he had strained his groin,” chief selector Ashantha de Mel said.

On Mathews, he added: “Mathews has been declared fit and we have brought him in but he will not bowl.”

If Mathews is recalled it is likely to be at the expense of Dinesh Chandimal, who made scores of 27 and 31 at number six in the 75-run victory.

Sri Lanka squad: Mahela Jayawardene (captain), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Lahiru Thirimanne, Kumar Sangakkara, Thilan Samaraweera, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Prasanna Jayawardene, Rangana Herath, Suraj Randiv, Suranga Lakmal, Dhammika Prasad, Shaminda Eranga, Tharanga Paranavitana.

Edin Dzeko: Striker is focused on Manchester City after again being linked with a move to Juventus

Edin Dzeko’s agent insists the striker is focused on Manchester City’s title challenge following speculation of renewed interest from Juventus.

The Bosnian striker’s future at the Etihad Stadium is again the source of rumours as Roberto Mancini continues to assess ways to fine-tune his squad in the summer.

Recent reports claimed Dzeko could be included in any swap deal for Real Madrid forward Gonzalo Higuain, while Italian giants Juventus have held a long-standing interest in the 26-year-old.

Dzeko enjoyed a blistering start to the current campaign, but has been in and out of Mancini’s starting line-up in recent weeks after scoring just three Premier League goals since the start of November.

That has prompted speculation he could be the forward sacrificed to make space for new recruits in the summer, but Dzeko’s representative Irfan Redzepagic says the former Wolfsburg hit-man is not thinking about his future.

Happy

“There is no news about his future,” Redzepagic told tuttomercatoweb.com.

“Now, Edin has to think about the Premier League, he is focused on Manchester City.

“He is thinking about this, about England, he’s happy and will end his season here.

“I don’t want to talk about the future. I cannot say anything about Juventus’ interest because he’s only thinking about City.

“We will talk about it in due course, but not now.”

Pavel Pogrebnyak: Would like Fulham deal

Loan star Pavel Pogrebnyak has insisted that he is happy at Fulham and

would be ready to sign a permanent deal.

The Russia international joined Fulham on loan from Stuttgart and has made a huge impact at Craven Cottage with five goals.

Martin Jol concedes he is desperate to keep the 28-year-old, who in turn admits he would be happy to continue his working relationship with the Dutchman.

“I need a coach like Jol and would love to stay in England and continue to work with him,” he said.

“A conversation with the club’s leadership will be held in the near future.

“The English game is faster than in Germany, and there are a lot of battles. But I think I’ve got used to it.”

A number of other Premier League clubs are believed to be monitoring Pogrebnyak’s situation.

Daniel Sturridge: Wants main roles with Chelsea and England

Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge insists he is a centre forward and that he is hoping to lead the line for England this summer.

The 22-year-old is back at Stamford Bridge after spending the latter part of last season on loan at Bolton.

After impressing hugely at the Reebok, Sturridge has re-entered the Chelsea fold in just as impressive form.

He is now emerging as a first-team regular with nine Premier League goals to his name – although he has spent his time playing wide of a front three.

“I am an attacking player. I am young and fresh and I want to prove myself,” he told the Sun on Sunday.

“That’s the position I will always pick myself, centre-forward.

“But whatever position the manager picks me in I’m happy and right now, for the team, I’m in the wide position.

“I will always give 100 per cent and work as hard as I can to get the success we all want.”

Rooney role

And despite only making his debut for England late last year, he feels he is more than capable of replacing Wayne Rooney – who is suspended for the first two matches of Euro 2012.

“I am someone who is trying to champion a new way of playing – in my team, in my national team and in my career,” he said.

“You only have one football career and in 10 years’ time I don’t want to look back and be depressed because I didn’t achieve my targets. So I believe I can do it.

“Wayne Rooney is obviously a world-class player, everyone knows that. But the one thing that’s always driven me on is that desire to succeed, to be the best I can be. So I would love the opportunity.”