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Liverpool lose injured duo

Author: Rose Young
Date: 17/10/2009
Football betting

Liverpool will be without both Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres for Saturday's Premier League trip to Sunderland.

England midfielder Gerrard and Spain striker Torres both missed their country's midweek World Cup qualifiers after picking up groin problems earlier in the international break.

Gerrard's injury was thought to be more serious that Torres' but, speaking ahead of the trip to the Stadium of Light, Reds boss Rafael Benitez has revealed that neither of his two leading players will be fit enough to take part.

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Meanwhile, sportsbook second favourites Manchester United will be without injured striker Wayne Rooney for Saturday's Premier League visit of Bolton Wanderers to Old Trafford.

Rooney missed England's World Cup qualifier against Belarus on Wednesday with a calf strain picked up against Ukraine the previous weekend.

Sunderland have handed Boudewijn Zenden a contract until the end of the season following a successful trial at the Stadium of Light.

The 33-year-old former Liverpool and Barcelona midfielder has impressed Black Cats boss Steve Bruce during a two-week spell on Wearside.

Manchester City boss Mark Hughes has attempted to draw a line under the Robinho to Barcelona transfer rumour after insisting the Brazil star is staying at Eastlands.

Robinho, who is currently sidelined with an ankle injury which has restricted him to just three appearances this season, has recently been linked with a January move to the Spanish and European champions.

However, Hughes is adamant that the £32million British transfer record signing will be staying at Eastlands.

Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill has drawn a line under the Emile Heskey exit story after assuring the striker that he still remains a key part of his squad.

Heskey held talks with O'Neill on Thursday following his return from England duty after stories emerged during the international break that he was unhappy at Villa Park.

The former Liverpool and Wigan Athletic striker was quoted saying he was considering leaving the Midlands club in January in order to protect his World Cup place.

But after subsequently claiming he was misquoted and pledging his future to Villa, O'Neill now believes the issue is now closed.

Elsewhere, Somerset's director of cricket Brian Rose is confident that Marcus Trescothick's health problems at the Champions League in India will not affect his county future.

The 33-year-old former England left-hander was forced to head home midway through the tournament, having hoped to overcome his long-standing stress-related illness issues.

Meanwhile, Australia have named Michael Clarke as their new Twenty20 captain.

The 28-year-old batsmen replaced Ricky Ponting at the helm during Australia's recent limited-overs games against England when the regular skipper was given time off to recuperate after a busy summer.

Jenson Button has pledged to remain calm ahead of a Brazilian Grand Prix which could make or break his chances of winning a maiden Formula One world championship.

The Brawn GP driver holds a 14-point lead over team-mate Rubens Barrichello and 16-point advantage over Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel, but has struggled during the second half of the season and seen his lead in the drivers' standings steadily whittled away.

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