News

Ferdinand set for longer lay-off

Author: Sir David Smith
Date: 22/08/2009
Football betting

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that Rio Ferdinand is facing another month on the sidelines with a thigh injury.

Ferdinand missed last week's Premier League curtain raiser against Birmingham City after picking up a thigh injury during training.

Ferguson initially suggested the defender would be missing for two weeks but scans have now revealed a slight tear in his thigh muscle.

Can Manchester United win at Wigan on Saturday without Ferdinand? - Latest Football Betting

Liverpool's defensive problems have also increased following news that Daniel Agger faces an extended spell on the sidelines.

Agger has missed the opening two games of the season with a back problem and the Denmark international has now been told he requires surgery.

The 24-year-old centre-half is now likely to be sidelined for six to eight weeks.

Manchester City boss Mark Hughes claims he is still interested in Joleon Lescott but has revealed there have been no developments in his pursuit of the Everton defender.

Hong Kong businessman Carson Yeung has tabled an £81.5million offer for Birmingham City.

Yeung's Grandtop International Holdings company already owns a 29.9 per cent stake in the club but has been looking to takeover at St Andrew's following their return to the Premier League.

The deal would take Grandtop's holding to 80 per cent of the club.

Fulham boss Roy Hodgson admitted Thursday's 3-1 Europa League play-off victory over Amkar Perm has been overshadowed by a serious injury to Andrew Johnson.

Johnson is facing two months on the sidelines with a dislocated collarbone after a cynical body-check from Perm defender Dmitry Belorukov left him in a heap on the turf.

In cricket, England batsman Ian Bell claims there is plenty of reason for optimism after a difficult first day of the fifth and final Ashes Test.

The Warwickshire right-hander top-scored with 72 as England scrapped to reach 307-8 at stumps against online betting favourites Australia.

Several England batsman again made starts before losing their wickets, but Bell doesn't believe the pitch lends itself to high scoring unlike most Test matches at The Oval.

"It was a tough day, scoring felt quite hard and the ball didn't come on to the bat as it usually does at The Oval," he said.

"The match is right in the balance and the first session on Friday is huge."

Meanwhile, the England & Wales Cricket Board has refused to comment on reports that Andrew Flintoff requires knee reconstruction surgery which could sideline him for nine months.

Elsewhere, Sebastian Vettel has agreed a contract extension which will keep him with Red Bull until the end of the 2011 Formula One season.

Vettel is one of the hottest properties in F1 following his debut victory at the Italian Grand Prix last season while driving for Toro Rosso.

The 22-year-old German has since joined senior team Red Bull Racing and has won a further two races this season.

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