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General Sports News

End of the road for Laursen

Author: Craig Williams
Date: 15/05/2009

Aston Villa defender Martin Laursen has confirmed his retirement after admitting defeat in his battle to overcome the latest in a long line of knee problems.

The 31-year-old Dane's last appearance for the Midlands club came back in January when he made an aborted comeback from an injury picked up against West Ham United the previous month.

Laursen, who made 91 appearances and scored 11 goals in his time at Villa Park, had battled knee problems throughout his career.

Manchester United will again be without Rio Ferdinand for Saturday's potential title-clinching meeting with Arsenal.

The defender missed the midweek 2-1 victory over Wigan Athletic with a calf strain and United boss Sir Alex Ferguson will not rush him back ahead of the Champions League Final meeting with Barcelona on May 27.

Meanwhile, Ferguson claims reports that Carlos Tevez could break his contract to remain with Manchester United are 'far-fetched'.

United must strike a deal with Tevez's third-party owners, led by agent Kia Joorabchian, if they are to make his two-year loan stay into a permanent transfer this summer.

The deal requires a settlement fee which is believed to be around 30million which United are believed to be reluctant to pay.

Reports on Friday morning suggested that United could ask the Argentina striker to break his contract with Joorabchian, but Ferguson has distanced the club from such suggestions.

Elsewhere, Newcastle United boss Alan Shearer claims Michael Owen has laughed off the 'ludicrous' suggestion that he could retire at the end of the season.

Owen's representatives have already rubbished one report in a Friday newspaper which claimed the 29-year-old striker was considering hanging up his boots in order to become a racehorse trainer when his contract expires in the summer.

Tottenham Hotspur will discipline Ledley King after the club captain was arrested outside a London nightclub last weekend.

The 28-year-old England international has apologised for his conduct after being arrested and bailed over an alleged assault in the early hours of Sunday morning.

In rugby union, Ian McGeechan has confirmed that he is to step down as director of rugby at London Wasps.

The 62-year-old British & Irish Lions head coach leaves the club after four seasons in charge, with Waikato coach Tony Hanks stepping in to fill McGeechan's boots

Meanwhile, Danny Cipriani has delayed having an ankle operation in order to play international rugby this summer.

The 20-year-old Wasps and England fly-half still needs a metal plate inserted into the ankle he fractured 12 months ago removed.

However, he wants to play for England in their Test series against Argentina this summer, while he remains on standby for the British & Irish Lions' trip to South Africa.

Reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton has admitted he has become disillusioned with Formula One.

The 24-year-old Briton won the drivers' title last year despite the backdrop of the spying scandal which led to a record fine for his McLaren team.

McLaren have proved to be off the pace at the start of the new season and Hamilton's unhappiness has been compounded after being accused of misleading stewards at the season opening Australian Grand Prix.

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