News

Boro line up Strachan

Author: Lynda Collins
Date: 22/10/2009
Football betting

Former Celtic manager Gordon Strachan looks certain to be named as Middlesbrough's new boss after chairman Steve Gibson axed Gareth Southgate on Tuesday evening.

Southgate was relieved of his duties after Boro, who remain one of the sportsbook favourites to win promotion this term, had moved to within a point of Championship leaders West Brom by beating Derby County 2-0 at the Riverside Stadium.

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Meanwhile, Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez remains convinced his side can reach the last 16 of the Champions League even after Tuesday's 2-1 home defeat to Lyon.

It was the Reds' fourth successive loss in all competitions and piled the pressure on the beleaguered Benitez.

Liverpool are now third in Group E and must travel to Lyon in November for their next group game but, having already lost to Fiorentina, their hopes of progressing are hanging by a thread.

Leicester City are being linked with the former Netherlands international Edgar Davids.

The Foxes have spoken to the 36-year-old, who is also being linked with a transfer to Portsmouth, about a possible move to the Walkers Stadium.

Davids is a free agent after his contract with Ajax expired in June 2008 but he has a wealth of experience having played for AC Milan, Internazionale, Barcelona, Juventus earlier in his career.

Former Manchester United midfielder Danny Pugh has penned a one-year contract extension with Stoke City that will keep him at the Britannia Stadium until the summer of 2012.

The 27-year-old accepts that he has a tough job breaking into the current Potters first team but is prepared to be patient and take his chance when it comes.

In cricket, Pakistan all-rounder Yasir Arafat has agreed a deal to return to Sussex as their overseas player for the summer of 2010.

The 27-year-old has enjoyed a couple of spells at Hove already, as well as spending the summer of 2007 with Kent.

Meanwhile, Nottinghamshire have released Jason Brown even though the veteran off-spinner still had 12 months left on his two-year contract.

The 35-year-old moved to Trent Bridge a year ago after spending more than a decade with Northamptonshire but struggled in the season just ended with a calf injury and has not played any first-class cricket since June.

Finally in rugby union, Leicester Tigers boss Richard Cockerill has poured cold water on rumours linking Lote Tuqiri with a move to Welford Road.

The winger was sacked by the Australian Rugby Union three months ago for what was believed to be a breach of discipline and is currently without a team.

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