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Hull chairman Duffen quits

Author: Sir David Smith
Date: 30/10/2009
Football betting

Hull City chairman Paul Duffen has resigned after just over two years in charge at the KC Stadium.

Duffen has decided to step down with immediate effect, following a turbulent time at the club.

This week has seen the club deny that manager Phil Brown had been sacked, following fevered press speculation.

Sportsbook favourites for the drop City had also been warned that they could face serious financial problems if they are relegated from the Premier League this season.

The club's accounts, filed five months late to Companies House, say that in the event of relegation the club will need to generate a £23million surplus just to meet their existing liabilities.

Can Hull City escape the threat of relegation? - Latest Football Betting

The agent of Tottenham Hotspur striker Roman Pavlyuchenko has admitted that his client may be forced to seek a White Hart Lane exit to safeguard his World Cup hopes.

The 27-year-old Russia international has fallen out of favour since the arrival of boss Harry Redknapp, with his only two starts this season coming in the Carling Cup.

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez was pleased with the class shown by Alberto Aquilani on his debut for the club.

The £20million summer signing from Roma was made to wait for his Reds bow due to a knee injury, but showed up well as a substitute in the 2-1 Carling Cup fourth round defeat at Arsenal.

Benitez said after the loss: "There were a lot of players showing passion, character and quality on the pitch and Aquilani was one of these player.

"He has the quality, but he needs to improve his match-fitness. You can see he can pass the ball in the final third, he can make a big difference."

Lancashire have signed West Indies fast bowler Daren Powell on a two-year contract.

The 31-year-old paceman, who has previously played in England with Hampshire, needs to secure a visa and international clearance to complete his move to Old Trafford.

Powell has played in 37 Test matches and 55 one-day internationals for the Windies, but has struggled to secure a regular place on the international stage

Veteran lock forward Simon Shaw is expected to be fit in time to feature in England's international against Argentina in mid-November.

The 36-year-old Wasps ace will definitely miss the clash with Australia on November 7, but Wasps director of rugby Tony Hanks expects Shaw to be ready to take on the Pumas and New Zealand.

England boss Martin Johnson has allowed three more players from his squad to rejoin their Guinness Premiership clubs in order to improve their fitness ahead of the autumn internationals.

England face Australia in their first clash on November 7 ahead of further games against Argentina and New Zealand.

Prop David Barnes has returned to Bath, while Wasps flanker Joe Worsley and Gloucester centre Mike Tindall will return to Johnson on Sunday ahead of the November Tests.

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