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Schumacher abandons return

Author: Craig Williams
Date: 12/08/2009

Michael Schumacher has abandoned his Formula One comeback because of a neck injury.

The seven-time world champion was hoping to deputise for Felipe Massa at Ferrari starting at this month's European Grand Prix at Valencia and for the rest of the 2009 season.

The Brazilian suffered a head injury during practice for the Hungarian Grand Prix two weeks ago and will not race again this year.

Schumacher took part in a private practice day last week but has now admitted that a neck injury suffered during a bike accident in February will prevent him from returning to Formula One action.

Veteran test driver Luca Badoer will now stand in for Massa.

The England and Wales Cricket Board has released a statement in which they claim Andrew Flintoff is expected to be fit for the fifth and final Ashes Test.

The all-rounder missed the fourth Test thrashing at the hands of Australia at Headingley last week after England medical staff ruled he was not fit enough to play.

But following a period of rest, the swelling on the soon-to-retire talisman's long-running knee problem has reduced and the ECB are optimistic that he will be fit to play at The Oval.

However, the news surrounding Kevin Pietersen is not so positive with the batsman forced to return to hospital with infected scar tissue following a recent Achilles operation.

Pietersen went under the knife last month after struggling to play a full part in the first two Ashes Tests against Australia.

He had already been ruled out of the remainder of the series after aggravating the long-running problem during the second Test victory at Lord's.

Now the ECB has confirmed that the 29-year-old Hampshire batsman has returned to hospital for further treatment.

In football, Everton have turned down an official transfer request from Manchester City transfer target Joleon Lescott.

Lescott has been the subject of two unsuccessful bids from the big-spending Eastlands club so far this summer and Toffees boss David Moyes has reiterated his claim that the England defender is not for sale.

Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard has pulled out of the England squad to face the sportsbook favourite Netherlands with a groin problem.

The Football Association has confirmed that Gerrard will not take part in Wednesday's international friendly in Amsterdam as 'a precaution'.

Can England win in Amsterdam without Steven Gerrard? - Latest Football Betting

Gerrard will now by assessed the Liverpool medical staff before a decision is made on whether he can take part in their Premier League opener against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

The midfielder is the second player to pull out of Fabio Capello's 23-man squad for the midweek friendly encounter.

On Monday, Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster withdrew and was replaced by Joe Hart of Manchester City.

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