News

Rooney boost for United

Author: Brandon Barker
Date: 10/03/2010
Football betting

Manchester United have been handed a major boost ahead of Wednesday's Champions League last-16 second leg clash with AC Milan after Wayne Rooney was able to take part in training on Tuesday morning.

The 24-year-old former Everton player had to sit out Saturday's 1-0 win against Wolves and was expected to miss the Rossoneri encounter.

Sir Alex Ferguson had blamed Rooney's absence on the striker's desire to carry on playing after he starred in United's 2-1 Carling Cup final victory over Aston Villa before playing for the full 90 minutes as England beat Egypt in a friendly international.

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Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard could be in hot water with the Football Association after appearing to flash a V-sign when he was booked by referee Andre Marriner during his side's 1-0 defeat at Wigan Athletic at Monday.

A clearly frustrated Gerrard was shown the yellow card with nine minutes of the match left after clattering into James McCarthy.

Replays of the incident appeared to show the midfielder gesturing towards Marriner as well as mouthing an obscenity at the official. The referee did not appear to see the gesture but the FA may decide to take the matter further.

Fabio Capello is believed to be furious after discussions between himself and the England squad in the build-up to last Wednesday's friendly international against Egypt were secretly taped.

The Football Association are believed to have started procedures to ensure that conversations between England players and coaches remain confidential.

The FA's lawyers have reportedly contacted media organisations warning that publication of the contents of the recording would be illegal and a breach of the Data Protection Act and Press Complaints Commission rules.

In rugby union, Joe Worsley will make his first Six Nations start of the season after England manager Martin Johnson made two changes to his side to face Scotland, a game that his side are sportsbook favourites to win.

The Wasps flanker returns to the starting line-up for the first time since last year's autumn internationals for the Calcutta Cup clash at Murrayfield.

The 75-times capped international was a second-half replacement during the defeat to Ireland last time out and comes into the starting line-up at open side at the expense of Lewis Moody.

Elsewhere, Leicester lock Louis Deacon comes in for shoulder injury victim Simon Shaw. Full-back Delon Armitage has shaken off the effects of a rib injury and will start.

Johnson has also named uncapped Leicester scrum-half Ben Youngs among the replacements with Paul Hodgson dropping out.

Northampton lock Courtney Lawes and Brive hooker Steve Thompson have also been named on the bench.

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