News

No England action for Bridge

Author: Lynda Collins
Date: 26/02/2010
Football betting

Manchester City left-back Wayne Bridge has said he does not want to be considered for selection by England.

The news means that Fabio Capello will not be able to include the former Southampton and Chelsea defender in his squad for this summer's World Cup finals in South Africa.

Can England end their 44-year wait for success in the World Cup Finals this summer? - Latest Football Betting

Bridge has made his decision after a relationship between his former partner Vanessa Perroncel and Chelsea and England defender John Terry became public knowledge.

Although Capello stripped Terry of the England captaincy, Bridge has said his place in the squad has become 'untenable and potentially divisive'.

It is a major blow for Capello as first-choice left-back Ashley Cole is currently injured and Bridge was expected to replace him in next Wednesday's friendly international against Egypt which England are overwhelming sportsbook favourites to win.

Meanwhile, England captain Rio Ferdinand will miss the Egypt game because of his troublesome back injury.

The Manchester United defender will miss Wednesday's game at Wembley after feeling a twinge in his back earlier this week.

He was forced to sit out Tuesday's 3-0 victory against West Ham United and had already been ruled out of this weekend's Carling Cup Final against Aston Villa.

Ferdinand had only recently returned to action after being sidelined for more than three months with a long-standing back complaint.

Manchester United midfielder Anderson's season is over after it was confirmed that he suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury against the Hammers.

The Brazilian has been ruled out for six months after sustaining the problem in the first half against the Hammers although Sir Alex Ferguson believes the 21-year-old will have recovered in time for the start of next season.

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has confirmed that Aaron Lennon will see a specialist as the winger attempts to get to the bottom of his troublesome groin injury.

The 22-year-old England international has been sidelined since picking up the injury in the 2-0 win against West Ham United in December.

Lennon was thought to be close to a first-team return only to suffer a setback in training earlier this week.

In rugby league, Castleford Tigers coach Terry Matterson has responded to Richard Owen's lengthy absence with a broken leg by snapping up Wigan's exciting young winger Shaun Ainscough on a one-month loan deal.

The 20-year-old scored 17 tries in just 12 senior appearances for the Warriors last year, with four coming in one game against Wakefield Trinity Wildcats.

BET NOW