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Back injury sidelines Onions

Author: Brandon Barker
Date: 12/03/2010
Cricket betting

England fast bowler Graham Onions has been ruled out of the whole Test series against Bangladesh due to a back injury which has forced him to fly home.

The 27-year-old had initially been ruled out of the first Test in Chittagong, but is now a definite absentee for the second game in Mirpur.

England skipper Alastair Cook confirmed: "The MRI scan didn't show too much structural damage, so it does look like a short-term thing.

"But these matches come so quickly and he hasn't had any proper bowling on this tour, so we couldn't see how, physically, he could be ready.

"If he was fit, he wouldn't be match-fit to play in the next Test match, so there's obviously no point in him being here."

Portsmouth administrator Andrew Andronikou has vowed that no players will be allowed to leave the club before their FA Cup semi-final against either Tottenham Hotspur or Fulham.

Andronikou announced 85 job losses at the ailing Fratton Park club on Wednesday, but insists that footballing matters will remain untouched for the foreseeable future.

He told The News: "Selling players is an option, but first I need to broach the subject with the Premier League. I need their concession.

"However, I will not be looking to sell players before the semi-final and I will not be looking to cancel loan agreements before the semi-final.

"With players, I've got a difficult position because there is a balance to apply. The minute I start tinkering with the football part it will be a big mistake. I can promise I will leave that until after the semi-final."

Real Madrid's technical director Jorge Valdano has handed the dreaded vote of confidence to head coach Manuel Pellegrini after the Spanish giants were knocked out of the Champions League by Lyon.

Real could only manage a 1-1 home draw in the second leg of their last 16 tie, losing out 2-1 on aggregate and failing to make the quarter-finals of the competition for the sixth successive season.

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However, Valdano said after the setback: "We will respect him because we believe in his work, although we know that the coach of Madrid is always accompanied by controversy.

"He has a contract for next season and the plan is that he will continue being our coach. The season hasn't finished and there are still things to fight for."

Ireland winger Geordan Murphy is keen to agree a new long-term contract with Guinness Premiership leaders Leicester Tigers.

The 31-year-old Tigers captain, who is set to pen a three-year deal at Welford Road, is expected to star for his country in this weekend's Six Nations clash against Wales.

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