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News in brief - Mon 8th Sept A review of the news from around the grounds of each Barclays Premier League club.  |
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Amaury Bischoff could be back in full training in a matter of weeks. The Portuguese Under-21 international was already carrying a groin injury when he signed from German outfit Werder Bremen over the summer. The midfielder said: "The injury is getting better bit by bit. I've been doing ball work for five or six days now and I am running three times a week. I'm nearly pain-free and I think that in two weeks I'll be training with the team and if all goes well, I'll speak with the manager and coaches here. Then I'll be back as quickly as possible." ASTON VILLA Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill has revealed that the club could offer Stiliyan Petrov a new contract after the midfielder's excellent start to the season. The Bulgarian's current deal runs out at the end of next season and O'Neill has hinted it could be extended. He said: "Petrov was starting to do it towards the back end of last season and the performances that he has put in this season have to be the norm for him. I think he has done great. The chairman has made it clear he will definitely sort out players who are doing it." BLACKBURN ROVERS Blackburn Rovers midfielder Vince Grella has been ruled out of Australia's World Cup qualifier against Uzbekistan on Wednesday due to injury. The 28-year-old has been struggling with a calf problem and was seen on crutches ahead of Saturday's friendly with Holland in Eindhoven. Coach Pim Verbeek insisted Grella's prognosis was "good", but added it was in the best interests of both his club Blackburn and Australia - who open the final round of World Cup qualifiers in the Uzbekistan capital - if he did not play. Grella has returned to Ewood Park for further treatment. BOLTON WANDERERS Gary Cahill believes Bolton Wanderers' tally of four points from the first three Barclays Premier League matches has not done the team justice. The influential defender said: "We have been creating a lot of chances and the only real downside has been the [Carling] Cup. As soon as people forget that game the better and we can kick on with the rest of the season. There are a lot of good things we can take from the start of the season but there are also a lot of things we can learn from." CHELSEA Tickets for the visit of Bordeaux in the Champions League on 16th September go on general sale today. The group also includes Roma and CFR Cluj. "There's a couple of tough groups - we've missed a few big teams - but there's the likes of Roma and Bordeaux in our group who we know are very good," said captain John Terry. EVERTON Former Everton striker Daniel Amokachi has hailed the influence of the Toffees' Nigeria star Ayegbeni Yakubu who captained his country in a 1-0 defeat of South Africa in a World Cup qualifier in Port Elizabeth on Saturday. Amokachi, now the Nigeria assistant manager, said: "He has been great with the players this week and he certainly commands respect within the group. He is a calm individual, but he has an air about him that the others really like. The coaching staff like working with him as well." FULHAM Derby County manager Paul Jewell has hailed Fulham midfielder Jimmy Bullard as an excellent role model for all aspiring footballers. The 29-year-old did not make the final cut for England's 2-0 win over Andorra match on Saturday but his elevation still represents a heartening story. Bullard rose from non-League football and reached the Barclays Premier League with Wigan Athletic under Jewell, who said: "I'm really pleased for Jimmy and I sent him a text telling him so. He has got his head down and worked really hard. Something like this gives people hope, especially the younger English lads who maybe don't play for the big clubs, who may be find themselves at a lower league club." HULL CITY Fabrice Pancrate has confirmed that Hull City were interested in signing him before he decided to stay with French side Paris Saint Germain. Tigers' manager Phil Brown spent a lot of his time in the run up to deadline day trying to boost his striking options, signing Rangers striker Daniel Cousin after missing out on Fraizer Campbell. But French forward Pancrate has revealed that he was also a target for the Premier League newcomers. The 28-year-old said: "I had a chat with [PSG head coach] Paul Le Guen as soon as I returned to training. I understood at this moment they didn't rely on me. And while I was speaking with an English club - Hull City - I was finally told that PSG wanted me to stay." LIVERPOOL Damien Plessis is eager to make a big impression at Liverpool and repay manager Rafael Benitez for the faith he has shown in him. The French midfielder said: "I want to play, to play again, and to play as much as possible. My plan is to perform well with my club in order to be called up again for the France Under-21 team. It's up to me to do what it takes with Liverpool to carry on this way. The good thing with Rafael Benitez is that he doesn't care whether a player is young or not. Everybody has equal chances." MANCHESTER CITY Mark Hughes is playing down all the hype surrounding Manchester City and has dismissed suggestions that he is already eyeing the next transfer window. He said: "Actually I am looking forward to the end of the international break so we can get the players back and start working with them. I'm a football person, working with players is what I do and making them go in the direction we want is key. The other issues surrounding the Club will be addressed by people with that expertise, so for now I'm just hoping that all my players come back fit and well. I think the fans are right to be optimistic but it takes time to build a team and as I have said before we have to make sure that the balance of the squad is right. That's my job, but we'll get there as quickly as we can." MANCHESTER UNITED Ryan Giggs believes Mike Phelan's promotion to assistant manager at Old Trafford is an "excellent appointment" by Sir Alex Ferguson. Phelan had held the position of first team coach, subsequently taken up by Rene Meulensteen, since 2001 having spent five years at Old Trafford as a player during the late 80s and early 90s. Giggs said: "I played with Mick and know him well. You always trust the manager with these things, but it is an excellent appointment. Mick knows the club well, has a very good relationship with the players and is a very good coach." MIDDLESBROUGH Gareth Southgate has tipped Robert Huth for a return to the German national side following the defender's impressive start to the season. The Middlesbrough manager said: "He's been putting in all sorts of hours to get himself onto the field. He is very composed on the ball, has great strength and he's horrible to play against because he hurts people! I think it's a matter of time before he gets back in to the German side. He has been on standby a couple of times recently so he is obviously in their thoughts. Ability wise he's definitely good enough, so I would think he'll be getting a call before too long." NEWCASTLE UNITED At an independent regulatory commission hearing on Friday, midfielder Joey Barton was given a £25,000 fine and a 12-match suspension, six of which are suspended until the end of the 2009/10 season. Barton admitted a charge of violent conduct relating to a training ground assault on his then Manchester City team-mate Ousmane Dabo in May 2007. He is suspended for six matches with immediate effect. The suspended sanction of six further matches will be automatically invoked in full should Barton be found guilty of any similar charge involving violence or be dismissed from the field of play for violent conduct [but not for serious foul play]. PORTSMOUTH Goalkeeper David James is enjoying playing under new England coach Fabio Capello. The Italian has instilled a strict sense of discipline but James insists he is not uncomfortable with the situation. "He's been very clear," James said. "He's had a go at me a few times in training over things but I would much rather know that he is unhappy than walk away wondering what he is thinking. Mr Capello's straight, frank manner is superb." STOKE CITY Midfielder Glenn Whelan scored his first international goal on Saturday afternoon as the Republic of Ireland recorded a 2-1 win over Georgia in Germany. Georgia goalkeeper Giorgi Loria fumbled the long-range effort into the net. SUNDERLAND Sunderland manager Roy Keane is set to throw new signing George McCartney straight into his side against Wigan Athletic. The Northern Ireland defender re-joined the Black Cats on transfer deadline day and Keane is now hoping McCartney will be able to build up his match fitness while away on international duty. He said: "I would have thought George will feature at Wigan. He had one or two problems over the last few weeks but he was on the bench for West Ham last weekend, and his matches for Northern Ireland will help his fitness." TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR Spurs' Luka Modric has declared he is ready to face England when he lines up for Croatia on Wednesday. After defeat to Slaven Bilic's men ended their Euro 2008 qualification hopes, the Three Lions will be eager to seek revenge in the World Cup 2010 qualifier, but Modric has revealed his side is hopeful of a repeat performance. He said: "I'm looking forward to the game. It will be nice to play against England again because we love playing against the big teams. England didn't go to Euro 2008 because of us so they will try to make it difficult, but I am still confident we can win." WEST BROMWICH ALBION Midfielder James Morrison expects team-mate Ishmael Miller to come back firing after missing the opportunity to secure three points against Bolton last week. Morrison claims Miller was "devastated" after failing to put away a 78th-minute chance in the goalless draw at the Reebok Stadium. Scotland international Morrison said: "Ish was devastated in the dressing room at Bolton because it's a tough league and we need to take those chances. Ish wants to score goals and it was good he was disappointed. He'll get over it and work hard in training, trying to put things right. He's just got to think he's going to get the next one." WEST HAM UNITED The club is looking for members of official overseas supporters clubs to feature in the matchday programme. If your supporters club wants to get involved and prove how much you love the Hammers, email fanatic@westhamunited.co.uk, including the official club name, location, number of members, contact details and a brief paragraph about the club from the organiser. WIGAN ATHLETIC Wales coach John Toshack has hailed the performance of Wigan Athletic midfielder Jason Koumas in his side's victory over Azerbaijan. The 28-year-old put in an impressive display for his country despite missing a penalty in the 66th-minute which would have given Toshack's side the lead. The manager said: "His attitude is much better with us over the last 12 months, I have seen an improvement. We are not waiting and wondering now if he will turn up. And as a player I do like what he can do. Jason has got a lot of goals in the last dozen games. We are very aware of what he does well and we also know what he is not so good at, we are not learning anything new about him." |
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