Taylor on road to recovery

Last Updated: October 13, 2012 8:20pm

Neil Taylor: Making impressive progress in his recovery from a broken leg

Swansea City full-back Neil Taylor says he is ahead of schedule in his recovery from a broken leg.

Swansea City full-back Neil Taylor says he is ahead of schedule in his recovery from a broken leg.

The Wales international was expected to sit out the remainder of the season after fracturing his ankle in a Premier League clash with Sunderland on 1st September.

Taylor is, however, well on the road to recovery and believes he could be running again in the not too distant future.

He is reluctant to put a timescale on his recovery, but is delighted with the progress he has made to this point.

"I'm at the six-week stage today, and now I'm out of the cast and wearing a boot," Taylor told the club's official website.

"I'm at the stage where I'm looking to get rid of the crutches over the next week or two and get walking normally with the boot on.

"The six weeks seems to have gone fast, even though the first two weeks didn't seem like that at all.

"It feels like I have got somewhere, and I am told I am quite far ahead of where I should be, which is pleasing.

"Whenever you break a bone they say it is usually 12 weeks before you get strong enough to start jogging and things like that.

"At the end of the next six weeks I want to be able to jog. If I'm jogging by 12 weeks it will almost be a miracle the surgeons will say."

On a possible return date, Taylor added: "The quicker I can get back the better, but I have to be sensible too and be patient so that I come back as good as ever.

"I am being positive, but I can't get ahead of myself at the same time. I have to get it right."

After England's win over San Marino, we look at questions over the minnows' place at the top level.

Follow the latest from the written press with gossip and speculation from the national papers.

Port Vale ace Sam Morsy reveals his international ambitions in our latest League Two spotlight.

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Robben out for Netherlands

Last Updated: October 5, 2012 3:37pm

Arjen Robben: Netherlands winger is currently sidelined with an injury

Netherlands will be without star duo Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder for their two upcoming World Cup qualifiers this month.

Both the Bayern Munich winger and the Inter Milan playmaker are struggling with injuries, and will sit out the Oranje's Group D double-header against Andorra and Romania.

Paris St Germain defender Gregory van der Wiel and Manchester United's Alexander Buttner both have been left out by coach Louis van Gaal, who is also without goalkeeper Tim Krul and left-back Jetro Willems because of injuries.

Rafael van der Vaart, Ibrahim Afellay and Nigel de Jong all have returned to the Dutch squad after being ignored for their games against Turkey and Hungary last month.

The Netherlands have won both their matches in the 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign so far.

Netherlands squad:

Maarten Stekelenburg (Roma), Kenneth Vermeer (Ajax), Michel Vorm (Swansea City); John Heitinga (Everton), Daryl Janmaat (Feyenoord), Bruno Martins Indi (Feyenoord), Ricardo van Rhijn (Ajax), Nick Viergever (AZ), Ron Vlaar (Aston Villa); Ibrahim Afellay (Schalke), Urby Emanuelson (AC Milan), Nigel de Jong (AC Milan), Kevin Strootman (PSV), Rafael van der Vaart (Hamburg); Dirk Kuyt (Fenerbahce) Klaas Jan Huntelaar (Schalke ), Jeremain Lens (PSV), Luciano Narsingh (PSV), Robin van Persie (Manchester United), Ruben Schaken (Feyenoord).

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Galliani: Milan not for sale

Last Updated: October 13, 2012 10:51pm

Silvio Berlusconi: Is not looking to offload Serie A giants AC Milan

Adriano Galliani has reiterated that AC Milan president Silvio Berlusconi has no intention of selling the club.

Reports in Italy continue to suggest that Berlusconi is contemplating offloading the club in the wake of a disappointing start to the 2012/13 campaign.

Milan's early-season struggles have come on the back of a summer in which they offloaded star turns such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva, raising fears as to their ability to compete financially with the best in the business.

Galliani is aware of the rumours and grumblings inside the club, but insists there is no reason for those in charge of the club to stand aside.

"I really think the fans cannot complain at all," Milan's vice-president told Sky Sport Italia.

"I want to remind everyone that the presidency of Berlusconi has delivered 28 trophies in 25 years.

"I repeat what I have already said before - there is no ongoing negotiation that regards the sale of Milan."

Interested parties from Russia and Qatar have been linked with investment in Milan as the club attempts to manage mounting organisational debts.

After England's win over San Marino, we look at questions over the minnows' place at the top level.

Follow the latest from the written press with gossip and speculation from the national papers.

Port Vale ace Sam Morsy reveals his international ambitions in our latest League Two spotlight.

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Taylor on road to recovery

Last Updated: October 13, 2012 8:20pm

Neil Taylor: Making impressive progress in his recovery from a broken leg

Swansea City full-back Neil Taylor says he is ahead of schedule in his recovery from a broken leg.

Swansea City full-back Neil Taylor says he is ahead of schedule in his recovery from a broken leg.

The Wales international was expected to sit out the remainder of the season after fracturing his ankle in a Premier League clash with Sunderland on 1st September.

Taylor is, however, well on the road to recovery and believes he could be running again in the not too distant future.

He is reluctant to put a timescale on his recovery, but is delighted with the progress he has made to this point.

"I'm at the six-week stage today, and now I'm out of the cast and wearing a boot," Taylor told the club's official website.

"I'm at the stage where I'm looking to get rid of the crutches over the next week or two and get walking normally with the boot on.

"The six weeks seems to have gone fast, even though the first two weeks didn't seem like that at all.

"It feels like I have got somewhere, and I am told I am quite far ahead of where I should be, which is pleasing.

"Whenever you break a bone they say it is usually 12 weeks before you get strong enough to start jogging and things like that.

"At the end of the next six weeks I want to be able to jog. If I'm jogging by 12 weeks it will almost be a miracle the surgeons will say."

On a possible return date, Taylor added: "The quicker I can get back the better, but I have to be sensible too and be patient so that I come back as good as ever.

"I am being positive, but I can't get ahead of myself at the same time. I have to get it right."

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Magpies won't lose strike duo

Last Updated: October 13, 2012 11:40pm

Papiss Cisse and Demba Ba: Did not qualify with Senegal

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew will not lose strike duo Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse to 2013 Africa Cup of Nations duty in January after Senegal failed to qualify, but is likely to be without Ivory Coast midfielder Cheick Tiote.

Senegal's visit of Ivory Coast was called off in controversial circumstances on Saturday, with the visitors leading 2-0 and 6-2 on aggregate.

The decision to award the visitors a penalty in the 76th minute, which Didier Drogba converted after his opener, sparked crowd trouble.

Manchester City, who had brothers Yaya and Kolo Toure in action alongside Drogba, said on their official website: "City's Yaya and Kolo Toure are both safe after crowd trouble halted play as Senegal hosted the Ivory Coast in Dakar.

"Disturbances broke out as Didier Drogba put the Elephants 2-0 up, after what was deemed a controversial penalty decision in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

"Fires were started in the stands at Stade Leopold Senghor and missiles were launched on to the pitch before the players were escorted to safety.

"Yaya and Kolo were both involved in the second leg clash and early reports suggest the brothers are unharmed."

Arsenal could also lose Ivorian forward Gervinho to international duty at the tournament in South Africa and Wigan could be without striker Arouna Kone.

Chelsea are set to lose John Obi Mikel and Victor Moses to Nigeria after both scored against Liberia to secure their country's place in the tournament.

Nigeria thrashed Liberia 6-1 on Saturday to claim a decisive 8-3 aggregate win and seal their qualification for the competition.

Mikel and Moses were both on target, with the latter grabbing a brace as the Super Eagles strolled to victory.

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce is set to lose summer signing Modibo Maiga to international duty with Mali after he scored to help his country claim a convincing 4-1 away win over Botswana, sealing a 7-1 aggregate victory and booking their spot in the finals.

Fulham's Mahamadou Diarra and Queens Park Rangers midfielder Samba Diakite could also be involved.

QPR's Adel Taarabt, Karim El Ahmadi of Aston Villa and Arsenal's Marouane Chamakh could also be called upon after Morocco snatched a late 4-0 win over Mozambique to beat them 4-2 on aggregate.

Uganda were left heartbroken after beating Zambia 1-0 to send the game into extra-time and penalties on an aggregate score of 1-1, only to lose 9-8 on spot-kicks to the reigning African champions.

Tunisia advanced on away goals after a goalless draw at home to Sierra Leone left the aggregate score at 2-2, while Ghana beat Malawi 1-0 on Saturday to claim a 3-0 aggregate success.

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Magpies won't lose strike duo

Last Updated: October 13, 2012 11:40pm

Papiss Cisse and Demba Ba: Did not qualify with Senegal

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew will not lose strike duo Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse to 2013 Africa Cup of Nations duty in January after Senegal failed to qualify, but is likely to be without Ivory Coast midfielder Cheick Tiote.

Senegal's visit of Ivory Coast was called off in controversial circumstances on Saturday, with the visitors leading 2-0 and 6-2 on aggregate.

The decision to award the visitors a penalty in the 76th minute, which Didier Drogba converted after his opener, sparked crowd trouble.

Manchester City, who had brothers Yaya and Kolo Toure in action alongside Drogba, said on their official website: "City's Yaya and Kolo Toure are both safe after crowd trouble halted play as Senegal hosted the Ivory Coast in Dakar.

"Disturbances broke out as Didier Drogba put the Elephants 2-0 up, after what was deemed a controversial penalty decision in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

"Fires were started in the stands at Stade Leopold Senghor and missiles were launched on to the pitch before the players were escorted to safety.

"Yaya and Kolo were both involved in the second leg clash and early reports suggest the brothers are unharmed."

Arsenal could also lose Ivorian forward Gervinho to international duty at the tournament in South Africa and Wigan could be without striker Arouna Kone.

Chelsea are set to lose John Obi Mikel and Victor Moses to Nigeria after both scored against Liberia to secure their country's place in the tournament.

Nigeria thrashed Liberia 6-1 on Saturday to claim a decisive 8-3 aggregate win and seal their qualification for the competition.

Mikel and Moses were both on target, with the latter grabbing a brace as the Super Eagles strolled to victory.

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce is set to lose summer signing Modibo Maiga to international duty with Mali after he scored to help his country claim a convincing 4-1 away win over Botswana, sealing a 7-1 aggregate victory and booking their spot in the finals.

Fulham's Mahamadou Diarra and Queens Park Rangers midfielder Samba Diakite could also be involved.

QPR's Adel Taarabt, Karim El Ahmadi of Aston Villa and Arsenal's Marouane Chamakh could also be called upon after Morocco snatched a late 4-0 win over Mozambique to beat them 4-2 on aggregate.

Uganda were left heartbroken after beating Zambia 1-0 to send the game into extra-time and penalties on an aggregate score of 1-1, only to lose 9-8 on spot-kicks to the reigning African champions.

Tunisia advanced on away goals after a goalless draw at home to Sierra Leone left the aggregate score at 2-2, while Ghana beat Malawi 1-0 on Saturday to claim a 3-0 aggregate success.

After England's win over San Marino, we look at questions over the minnows' place at the top level.

Follow the latest from the written press with gossip and speculation from the national papers.

Port Vale ace Sam Morsy reveals his international ambitions in our latest League Two spotlight.

View the original article here

England suffer Walcott blow

Last Updated: October 14, 2012 9:45am

Injured Theo Walcott ruled out of Poland clash

England forward Theo Walcott has been ruled out of Tuesday's World Cup qualifier against Poland with a chest injury.

The Arsenal player was taken to hospital after a bruising challenge from San Marino's goalkeeper Aldo Simoncini in the opening minutes of a 5-0 win on Friday and scans confirmed he must return to his club for further treatment.

The Football Association are yet to reveal the full extent of the injury, but England manager Roy Hodgson suggested after the game that Walcott had suffered a worrying problem.

"I don't think it is going to be good," he said.

"He is in hospital overnight. We can only hope it is bad bruising but he was pretty badly beaten up."

Aaron Lennon came on for Walcott at Wembley and Hodgson is unlikely to call-up a replacement wide-man as Adam Johnson is also in the squad.

England's medical staff will assess midfielder Frank Lampard's knee injury on Sunday and check on full-back Ryan Bertrand, who missed the San Marino match with a virus.

After England's win over San Marino, we look at questions over the minnows' place at the top level.

Follow the latest from the written press with gossip and speculation from the national papers.

Port Vale ace Sam Morsy reveals his international ambitions in our latest League Two spotlight.

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Wenger wary of Carroll quality

Last Updated: October 5, 2012 2:45pm

Andy Carroll: Striker has fan in Wenger

Arsene Wenger has revealed his admiration for Andy Carroll as he prepares his Arsenal side to cope with the physical threat of the West Ham striker.

The on-loan Liverpool forward appears to have rediscovered some of the form that deserted him following his high-profile move from Newcastle to Anfield.

Wenger says he never questioned the quality of the 23-year-old but is not surprised that his career faltered at Liverpool given the weight of expectation that accompanied his £35m price-tag.

However, he insists there will be no special plan to stop Carroll at Upton Park as the Gunners attempt to bounce back after losing their unbeaten league record to Chelsea last time out.

"Carroll has the quality and that will come out with time. We expect Carroll to be at his best - it is down to us to deal with that," said Wenger. "We can only focus on our own performance and be at our best.

"He started very well, then he had to deal with a high level of expectation with a massive transfer on his shoulders going to an historic club where a lot was expected of him. Maybe it was a bit too early for him.

"Since I have seen him at West Ham, he looks back to the Carroll we have seen at Newcastle, that means with less pressure."

Wenger, however, insists the Hammers are anything but a long ball side under Sam Allardyce, who guided them back up through the play-offs and to a solid start this season.

"West Ham have a good balance, they are efficient, they are a good mixture I must say between direct play and playing on the ground," he said.

"Technically they are quite sound in midfield, they have Carroll and (Carlton) Cole up front who can go for high balls.

"We know we will have a big challenge there, we know we will only get away with the points if we perform at our best."

Wenger added: "Allardyce has again a very good team and you have to give him credit for that.

"He has built a good team, well balanced, always efficient and he is a good manager because he lasts."

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We hear from Michael Owen and visit the Liverpool academy... plus you'll get all the scores you need.

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Liverpool V Manchester United LIVE Blog

Rivalries don’t get much fiercer than Liverpool and Manchester United and we’ve got all the action from today’s game here on the FootballFanCast.com LIVE blog.

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Liverpool v Manchester United ¿ tributes to Hillsborough

Fans and players of both Liverpool and Manchester United paid their respects at Anfield to the 96 fans who died at Hillsborough in 1989.

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Roberto Mancini wary of Adam Johnson threat

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini knows Adam Johnson can make life difficult for his side as he returns to the Etihad Stadium this weekend.

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Mancini wary of Johnson

Last Updated: October 5, 2012 2:13pm

Adam Johnson: England winger left Manchester City for Sunderland in the summer

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has warned his players that they need to be careful against Sunderland winger Adam Johnson.

The 25-year-old will make his first appearance against the Premier League champions on Saturday since leaving them for the Black Cats in the summer.

Mancini signed Johnson from Middlesbrough in 2010 for £7million and is wary of the England international's talent.

"I think Adam played well here," said the Italian. "The problem was maybe that he didn't play always. For young players like him it is important to play every game.

"I am sure he will do well for Sunderland and go to another top team because he deserves this. He is a good guy and a good player.

"I hope he can have a good game on Saturday because I like Adam, I think he is a really good player.

"He wanted to play every game and here it was difficult, he decided to leave."

Mancini then expressed his frustration at City's early kick-off on Saturday, with the club having faced Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Wednesday evening.

"Now we need to recover very well because we play Saturday 12.45 - I don't understand this," he lamented.

"It is incredible that we play Wednesday night and now have two days and 12 hours to recover very well.

"We didn't play a very good game but we lost a lot of energy in the game and we need to recover.

"Everywhere (else) the team that plays in the Champions League plays three days or four days before the game and then after, three days minimum to play another game. Here, this is strange."

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Tottenham ace still wanted in West London

Queens Park Rangers will look into bringing Michael Dawson to Loftus Road in January after failing to secure him in the summer according to boss Mark Hughes. Rangers have made a poor start to the season after lots of changes to their squad over the past few months, but it seems Hughes is already planning more deals for the club in the new year and the out of favour Tottenham defender is top of his wish list

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Tottenham ace still wanted in West London

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Tottenham and Liverpool lead race for Isco

Tottenham have joined Liverpool as they chase Spanish striker Isco with a view to a January deal. The Malaga attacker made his Champions League debut against Zenit St Petersburg on Tuesday and scored twice.

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Wenger wary of Carroll quality

Last Updated: October 5, 2012 2:45pm

Andy Carroll: Striker has fan in Wenger

Arsene Wenger has revealed his admiration for Andy Carroll as he prepares his Arsenal side to cope with the physical threat of the West Ham striker.

The on-loan Liverpool forward appears to have rediscovered some of the form that deserted him following his high-profile move from Newcastle to Anfield.

Wenger says he never questioned the quality of the 23-year-old but is not surprised that his career faltered at Liverpool given the weight of expectation that accompanied his £35m price-tag.

However, he insists there will be no special plan to stop Carroll at Upton Park as the Gunners attempt to bounce back after losing their unbeaten league record to Chelsea last time out.

"Carroll has the quality and that will come out with time. We expect Carroll to be at his best - it is down to us to deal with that," said Wenger. "We can only focus on our own performance and be at our best.

"He started very well, then he had to deal with a high level of expectation with a massive transfer on his shoulders going to an historic club where a lot was expected of him. Maybe it was a bit too early for him.

"Since I have seen him at West Ham, he looks back to the Carroll we have seen at Newcastle, that means with less pressure."

Wenger, however, insists the Hammers are anything but a long ball side under Sam Allardyce, who guided them back up through the play-offs and to a solid start this season.

"West Ham have a good balance, they are efficient, they are a good mixture I must say between direct play and playing on the ground," he said.

"Technically they are quite sound in midfield, they have Carroll and (Carlton) Cole up front who can go for high balls.

"We know we will have a big challenge there, we know we will only get away with the points if we perform at our best."

Wenger added: "Allardyce has again a very good team and you have to give him credit for that.

"He has built a good team, well balanced, always efficient and he is a good manager because he lasts."

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What can we actually expect from Sunderland?

Few football clubs have had starts harder to gauge than Sunderland.

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What can we actually expect from Sunderland?

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EPL 12-13 City v QPR Mancini Preview Part 2

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EPL 12-13 City v QPR Samir Nasri Post Match Interview

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MATCH REPORT

These two sides may look very different the next time they are in Premier League action but this game enjoyed a familiar scenario and the usual happy ending for the home side.

With four new faces either on the bench or on their way to Manchester in the next ten days or so and seemingly half a bus load heading for Loftus Road, Roberto Mancini and Mark Hughes will both soon have selection decisions to make.

The big difference of course is that, after the international break, Mancini will be going through the gears in pursuit of a second successive domestic title and training his sites on Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid in the interim. His City predecessor Mark Hughes will have less lofty ambitions.

Mancini will be plotting with seven points from a possible nine -- a perfectly acceptable haul from the opening three games of the season.

There was never any danger of this game being able to replicate the epic final day emotion of last season -- no match could -- City were comfortable from first whistle to last and once Yaya Toure had opened the scoring in the 16th minute the home side were almost in exhibition mode.

Yaya's shot, after Carlos Tevez' initial effort had been blocked, carried too much venom for Rob Green who could only help it into the net.

Green, much maligned for his early season performances, was one of the better Rangers performers in the opening half, saving well to his left from David Silva.

There has been much talk about City formations since pre-season and what Mancini may have in mind the future. That didn't matter a jot here with the home side's fluidity making the putting of numbers against their shape a complete waste of time and effort.

QPR certainly struggled to work out where the Blues were coming from next. They were frequently penned in and thankful that Boswinga cleared off the line from Edin Dzeko whilst the Blues were occupying a different galaxy in the first half.

The only nagging doubt at the break was that the Blues -- not for the first time -- had not made the most of their possession and chances. One sensed Mancini would be saying just that in the interval.

City certainly came out with renewed intent in the second period.

Green again saved his side, this time from Tevez, but as feared by the faithful the surprisingly flaky home side conceded the second goal of the game when Zamora headed in from close range after Joe Hart had denied Andrew Johnson.

The Bosnian was involved again in the third goal deep into injury time. His shot was going well wide of the target when Tevez deflected it home.

The goal may have come a little too late for Mancini's liking. The Blues ought to have sealed the win long before the 92nd minute.

Still that's 26 Premier League games at the Etihad Stadium without defeat and no one said a title defence would be a cake walk. Mourinho might well have been contemplating just that from his seat high in the stands.

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Silva pens City deal

By Graeme Bailey - Tweet me: @skygraemebailey.   Last Updated: September 17, 2012 3:08pm

David Silva: New deal with Man City

Spanish star David Silva has signed a new five-year contract with Manchester City, the Premier League champions have confirmed.

The 26-year-old had two years left on the deal he signed when he joined the club from Valencia in 2010.

Reports had suggested Silva was set to agree terms on a new long-term deal worth £200,000 per week and City have confirmed that he has now put pen-to-paper.

The player revealed his delight at committing to City to 2017, telling the club's official website: "I'm very pleased.

"I'm delighted to be extending my contract and being here really does feel just like home for me."
David Silva Quotes of the week

"I've been here for two years now and I feel very happy here at the club, in the city and with all the people.

"So now I'm delighted to be extending my contract and being here really does feel just like home for me.

"We've won the Premier League title and two other trophies too, and the team is growing and we are now aiming at the Champions League and so that also is another reason to want to stay here and try and win it.

"As I said, I feel very comfortable here and I want to try and win trophies like those.

"These last two years have gone very well and so let's hope that the next five go as well or even better.

"The fans have always given me their support since I arrived here, and recently they've been wanting me to sign, so hopefully this goes someway to thanking them for the affection they've shown towards me, something which also helped me decide to put pen to paper."

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Nick Miller feels Andre Villas-Boas may have a problem deciding between Adebayor and Defoe.

Matt Stanger wonders whether Chelsea's squad is actually any stronger than last season.

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