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General Sports News

Blair earns Lions call-up

Author: Rose Young
Date: 11/05/2009

British and Irish Lions head coach Ian McGeechan has brought Scotland scrum-half Mike Blair into his squad for this summer's tour of South Africa to replace the injured Tomas O'Leary.

The squad change is likely to affect rugby betting prices, with South Africa now odds-on favourites to win the series.

O'Leary was ruled out of the tour after suffering a fractured ankle last month while playing for Munster in the Magners League.

New Zealand forward Jerry Collins, who is currently with French side Toulon, has agreed a two-year contract with the Ospreys.

Meanwhile, Glasgow Warriors centre Max Evans' season could be over after he damaged knee ligaments in the 34-23 Magners League defeat to Ospreys.

The Scotland international will see a specialist surgeon to determine the exact nature of the injury after he had to be stretchered off the pitch early in the second half.

In rugby league, holders St Helens face a trip to Championship side Gateshead Thunder in the Challenge Cup quarter-finals.

Gateshead are the only non-Super League team left in the competition after beating Oldham Roughyeds.

Elsewhere, Hull KR entertain Warrington Wolves in the last eight while Huddersfield Giants play Castleford Tigers and Wigan Warriors come up against Salford City Reds.

In football, Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta is confident that he will have recovered from a thigh injury in time to play in the Champions League Final against Manchester United on May 27.

Iniesta tore a thigh muscle during Barcelona's 3-3 draw with Villarreal on Sunday but insists it is only a minor injury.

AC Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti has once again played down reports suggesting he is set to become Chelsea's next manager.

Interim Blues manager Guus Hiddink has said on numerous occasions that he will be leaving Stamford Bridge when the season finishes, fuelling rumours that Ancelotti is set to replace him.

Chelsea were reported to be interested in appointing the Rossoneri boss last summer, before eventually opting to name Luiz Felipe Scolari as Avram Grant's successor.

Egypt international Amr Zaki could have played his last match for Wigan Athletic after being stretchered off the pitch during the 3-1 defeat at West Bromwich Albion.

It is feared that the striker suffered cruciate ligament damage when he landed awkwardly following an aerial challenge.

Zaki's loan spell at the JJB Stadium from Zamalek runs out at the end of the month and boss Steve Bruce is unlikely to make the deal permanent.

In tennis, France's Richard Gasquet has been provisionally suspended after testing positive for cocaine.

The 22-year-old, who could face a two-year ban from the sport, failed the test at the Miami Masters in March.

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