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General Sports News

King earns shock England recall

Author: Sir David Smith
Date: 23/03/2009

Fabio Capello has called up Leighton Baines and Ledley King to the England squad for the forthcoming games against Slovakia and Ukraine.

Everton left-back Baines has been given the nod by the Italian coach as fellow full-back Wayne Bridge of Manchester City is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury.

Meanwhile, Spurs captain King has been handed a first call-up under Capello following his impressive recent form for the north London club.

King's club-mate Aaron Lennon has also been included following a recent spell in the under-21 ranks.

As expected, there is also a place in the squad for Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster.

Meanwhile, Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka will spend the next three weeks on the sidelines with a toe injury.

He will miss France's World Cup qualification double-header against Lithuania as well as Chelsea's Champions League quarter-final first leg clash against Liverpool.

Les Bleus coach Raymond Domenech has brought Paris St Germain striker Guillaume Hoarau in to his squad to replace Anelka.

In cricket, Indian Premier League commissioner Lalit Modi is close to revealing which country will host this year's competition.

The IPL, which is scheduled to start next month, is being moved away from India because it clashes with elections.

England and South Africa are in the running to host the Twenty20 event, with the southern hemisphere nation slight betting favourites.

Meanwhile, the Rugby Football League have launched an inquiry after Wakefield Trinity Wildcats forward Leon Walker died during a reserve team game against Celtic Crusaders.

The 21-year-old collapsed in the 63rd minute of the game and was airlifted to Morriston Hospital, Swansea, where he was pronounced dead.

Walker is the second Wakefield player to die in the last six months. Adam Watene died after collapsing during a training session in October 2008.

In rugby union, Danny Cipriani may miss out on selection for the British & Irish Lions amid concerns over an ankle problem.

The 21-year-old fly-half is one of the players under consideration for the summer tour to South Africa by coach Ian McGeechan despite his omission from the England side for the recent Six Nations.

But McGeechan, who is also the director of rugby at club side Wasps, has admitted he is concerned by ongoing problems with Cipriani's ankle.

The player suffered a fracture dislocation of his ankle in a club match against Bath ten months ago and still has a screw in the joint which needs removing.

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