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Fabregas misses Porto clash

Author: Sir David Smith
Date: 09/03/2010
Football betting

Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas will miss the second leg of his side's Champions League round of 16 tie against FC Porto due to a hamstring injury.

The 22-year-old Spain international midfielder limped out of the weekend 3-1 win over Burnley and has not recovered sufficiently to feature at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday evening.

Manager Arsene Wenger has previously stated that he might gamble on Fabregas' fitness, telling his club's official website: "I'm ready to take the gamble, but it depends how big the gamble is.

"If it is more than a 50 per cent chance his hamstring goes then I will not take it."

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In-demand Benfica winger Angel Di Maria has played down rumours linking his with a certain exit from the Portuguese giants in the summer.

The 22-year-old Argentina international is attracting interest from a number of clubs, with the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United among the interested parties.

However, Di Maria told the Portuguese media: "I am very happy and perhaps I have having the best moments I have had as a player.

"My head is with Benfica and I will not speak about my possible exit until the end of the season."

An unbeaten century from Jonathan Trott has boosted his chances of being included in the England side for Friday's first Test against Bangladesh.

Trott's 101 not out on day two of a three-day warm-up against Bangladesh A in Chittagong ensured he sent out a timely message to the selectors.

The Warwickshire batsman's place at number three had been in doubt following a disappointing recent tour to his native South Africa.

England declared on 281-7 after Ian Bell (47) and Matt Prior (73 not out) also got among the runs.

In replay, Bangladesh A finished the second day on 131-3 in their second innings after James Tredwell took two wickets.

Chief executive Roger Draper has promised a full internal review from the Lawn Tennis Association following Great Britain's latest Davis Cup humiliation.

John Lloyd's future as team captain has come under the spotlight after Lithuania inflicted a fifth consecutive defeat on his ailing side in a Europe-Africa Zone Group II clash over the weekend.

"I share the deep disappointment and frustration at this result. Five defeats in a row is unacceptable," Draper told the LTA's official website.

"So I have asked the player director, Steven Martens, to review last week's performance and result, and report back to me and the main board as soon as possible.

"That review needs to be swift and decisive as it is clear some real improvements need to be made."

Wales scrum-half Mike Phillips has signed a new long-term contract with Magners League outfit Ospreys.

Phillips, 27, has pledged his future to the Liberty Stadium outfit until at least 2014 despite suggestions that he could be tempted away by lucrative contract offers from French clubs.

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