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General Sports News

No Scotland place for Gordon

Author: Rose Young
Date: 25/03/2009

Scotland manager George Burley has opted to play Allan McGregor ahead of regular goalkeeper Craig Gordon in Saturday's World Cup qualifier against the Netherlands.

Gordon has failed to regain his place in the Sunderland first team since recovering from injury while McGregor has been in fine form for Rangers recently.

Betting experts predict a comfortable Dutch victory.

Meanwhile, Stoke City defender Ryan Shawcross and Wolves striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake have pulled out of England's Under-21 squad for the matches against Norway and France.

Shawcross, who was only called up on Monday in place of Newcastle United's Steven Taylor, and Ebanks-Blake are both injured.

Didier Drogba finally seems ready to commit his future to Chelsea after spending much of the last 12 months trying to engineer a move away from Stamford Bridge.

The Ivory Coast international has returned to form since Guus Hiddink replaced Luiz Felipe Scolari as Blues boss and is enjoying his football once again.

Drogba still has 15 months to run on his current contract but his agent, Thierno Seydi, claims now is the time to start talking about a new deal.

Everton are confident that Tim Cahill will have recovered from a calf strain in time to feature against Wigan Athletic.

The Australia international missed Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Portsmouth with the problem and is currently on international duty as the Socceroos prepare for a World Cup qualifier against Ubezkistan.

Manchester City manager Mark Hughes has once again insisted that Brazil international Robinho will not be leaving Eastlands in the summer.

City signed the 25-year-old from Real Madrid for a British record transfer fee of £32.5million in August 2008 but the striker has been criticised for his inconsistency, particularly away from home, this term.

Robinho has scored 12 goals this season though and Hughes has no plans to sell him.

In rugby union, Ospreys full-back Lee Byrne could miss next month's Heineken Cup quarter-final against Munster after picking up a foot injury in Wales' Six Nations defeat against Ireland on Saturday.

The 28-year-old hobbled off the Millennium Stadium pitch in the 30th minute and a scan has since shown inflammation of a tendon in his left foot.

In cricket, Sussex Sharks have confirmed that Corey Collymore has signed a one-year extension to his contract while Warwickshire have decided not to re-sign New Zealand bowler Chris Martin.

Martin spent the 2008 season at Edgbaston but Warwickshire have opted to start the new campaign without an overseas player after Ian Salisbury announced his retirement from the game.

Finally, South Africa fast bowler Andre Nel has announced his retirement from international cricket at the age of 31.

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