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General Sports News

King out of England squad

Author: Rose Young
Date: 24/03/2009

Ledley King has returned to Tottenham and will play no part in England's friendly with Slovakia or the World Cup qualifier against Ukraine.

Spurs had been at odds with the Football Association after their club captain was called up by head coach Fabio Capello despite his continuing battle with a chronic knee problem.

King met up with the rest of the 23-man squad in Hertfordshire on Tuesday morning but, just a matter of hours after returning to the international fold, the 28-year-old has now returned to White Hart Lane for medical treatment.

Meanwhile, Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson has vowed to stand by Gareth Southgate and has ruled out sacking the under-fire manager, despite betting experts predicting he will go soon.

Southgate's near three-year reign at the Riverside Stadium has been brought into question in recent weeks with the Teessiders unable to claw their way out of the Premier League drop-zone.

The 38-year-old was jeered by travelling fans following Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Stoke City, but Gibson has leapt to the defence of his under-pressure manager.

Newcastle United have dismissed reports suggesting they were considering appointing Terry Venables as a temporary manager in a bid to boost their survival hopes.

The Magpies slipped into the relegation zone after losing 3-1 to Arsenal on Saturday but, although manager Joe Kinnear is not due back at work until mid-April at the earliest following heart surgery, the club's hierarchy have no plans to make a temporary management appointment.

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney will not face any further disciplinary action following his red card at Fulham on Saturday.

It had been suggested that the Football Association could take further action as Rooney exchanged words with referee Phil Dowd after being shown the red card before lashing out at the corner flag as he left the field of play.

However, the FA, who has confirmed it will write to Rooney to 'remind him of his responsibilities' but will take no further action, has rescinded the red card Aston Villa goalkeeper Brad Friedel was handed in Sunday's 5-0 defeat at Liverpool.

In cricket, South Africa has won the race to host this year's IPL. Indian Premier League chairman and commissioner Lalit Modi is set to confirm the news at a press conference.

The tournament, which is due to be played from April 10-May 24, is being relocated from India due to security concerns.

Formula One's governing body, the FIA, has agreed to cut the cost of drivers' mandatory super-licences from the start of next season.

The fees rose by an average of £8,700 last year, to the Grand Prix Drivers' Association's (GPDA) disgust.

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