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General Sports News

Owen vows to take chance

Author: Rose Young
Date: 05/07/2009

Michael Owen is convinced his injury problems are now behind him and is confident that he can be a hit at new club Manchester United.

Owen put pen to paper on a two-year deal at Old Trafford on Friday evening after joining the Premier League champions in a surprise free transfer switch from Newcastle United.

The former Liverpool and Real Madrid striker has lost his England place during four disappointing years with the Magpies but has denied suggestions that he is injury prone.

"A lot is made out of it but I certainly don't feel like I'm injury-prone," he said.

"I want to thank Sir Alex (Ferguson) for the faith he has shown in me and I give him my assurance that I will repay him with my goals and performances."

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Elsewhere, highly-rated Manchester City striker Daniel Sturridge has completed his transfer to FA Cup winners Chelsea.

The 19-year-old, who has penned a four-year contract at Stamford Bridge, will join up the rest of the Blues' first-team squad for pre-season training next week.

Former Liverpool player and manager Kenny Dalglish has returned to Anfield to take up a senior role in the club's academy and as a global ambassador for the Premier League outfit.

Arsenal's England Under-21 international Kieran Gibbs has pledged his long-term future to the club by putting pen to paper on a new contract.

Paul Ince has returned to MK Dons after agreeing a two-year contract to re-take the managerial reins at the League One club.

Ince guided the Dons to promotion from League Two and the Johnstone's Paint Trophy during the 2007/08 campaign - his first at the club - before leaving to take over at Blackburn Rovers the following year.

His spell in the Premier League lasted just 17 games before he was sacked in December.

In rugby union, France international wing Maxime Medard has been diagnosed with swine flu.

Medard was diagnosed with the bug on his return from France's tour of the southern hemisphere, where Les Bleus played matches in New Zealand and most recently Australia.

Steve Harmison doesn't believe he has played his way into contention for a place in the England's cricket side for the first Ashes Test.

The Durham paceman has caused Australia problems in a warm-up game at Worcester this week.

However, despite his impressive spells for the England Lions, he believes the fact he missed out on making the 16-man pre-Ashes training squad means he will not be playing in the first Test, for which Australia have been made online betting slight favourites.

In rugby league, Sean Long will be absent for around two months after suffering a fractured jaw during St Helens' surprise 20-10 defeat at Salford on Friday night.

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