News

Rooney faces race to be fit

Author: John Harris
Date: 02/03/2010
Football betting

Wayne Rooney could miss England's friendly international against Egypt at Wembley on Wednesday after suffering a knee injury during Manchester United's Carling Cup Final victory against Aston Villa.

The 24-year-old came off the substitute's bench to score his 28th goal of the season in United's 2-1 victory.

Can England overcome their injury and off-field problems to beat Africa Cup of Nations winners Egypt at Wembley? - Latest Football Betting

Meanwhile, furious Villa boss Martin O'Neill slammed the decision not to send Nemanja Vidic off in the opening minutes of Sunday's game.

The Serbia international brought Gabriel Agbonlahor down inside the penalty area after only four minutes but was not even booked by referee Phil Dowd.

New Zealand businessman Victor Cattermole has revealed that he is still interested in buying Portsmouth even after the club confirmed last Friday that it would have to move into administration.

Cattermole's Endeavor Plan consortium was one of the four groups that were reportedly interested in taking over Pompey last week only to fail to complete a deal in time.

Tottenham Hotspur boss Harry Redknapp has confirmed that Tom Huddlestone could be set for a spell on the sidelines after the former Derby County midfielder had to be stretchered off the pitch during Sunday's 2-1 win against Everton at White Hart Lane.

Huddlestone was replaced by Younes Kaboul in the 52nd minute after being brought down by Everton's John Heitinga.

Initial reports suggest Huddlestone has sprained his ankle, but his absence leaves Redknapp with a central midfield headache as Jermaine Jenas is set to undergo surgery on Wednesday while Aaron Lennon and David Bentley are both currently injured.

In cricket, five uncapped players have been included in England's provisional 30-man squad for the ICC World Twenty20 but there is no place for Alastair Cook.

Cook is currently England's stand-in captain in Andrew Strauss' absence, and has been in good form recently.

The 25-year-old Essex opener has hit three consecutive fifties on the current tour of Bangladesh, the third being an impressive 64 from 68 balls that helped England win the opening one-day international on Sunday by six wickets.

Steven Finn, Peter Trego, Chris Woakes, Michael Lumb and David Wainwright all win a place in the squad for the first time while there are recalls for Ravi Bopara and Owais Shah.

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