register to 888sport
888sport time:

News

Trott earns England call-up

Author: Craig Williams
Date: 05/08/2009

England have called up Warwickshire batsman Jonathan Trott to an expanded 14-man squad for the fourth Ashes Test against Australia at Headingley.

The 28-year-old right-hander has played in two Twenty20 internationals, but has yet to feature in the longer form of the game, with his selection giving England, who are now the online favourites to regain The Ashes, the option of playing six batsmen.

Also back in contention is left-arm seamer Ryan Sidebottom, with spinner Monty Panesar the only man left out of the squad from the drawn third Test at Edgbaston.

In football, Blackburn Rovers manager Sam Allardyce has added to his attacking options by signing Chelsea youngster Franco Di Santo on loan until January.

The 20-year-old moved to Stamford Bridge from Chilean side Audax Italiano in January 2008 and, seven months later, made his debut against Tottenham Hotspur when he came off the substitute's bench.

He has still to start a first-team game for the Blues and has failed to score in 16 substitute appearances for the club.

Rovers are also reported to have beaten off competition from Portsmouth to snap up the Croatian star Nikola Kalinic.

Meanwhile, reports suggest that Real Madrid have agreed to meet Liverpool's asking price for Spain international Xabi Alonso.

The long-running transfer saga could finally be resolved this week after Anfield officials met with the Galacticos' executive director-general Jose Angel Sanchez before the Reds' pre-season game against Espanyol.

The Liverpool Daily Post claims that Real will pay 35million euros to secure Alonso's services with a further 2.5million euros to be paid at a later date.

Will Liverpool be able to challenge Chelsea and Manchester United for this season's Premier League title? - Latest Football Betting

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is unwilling to increase his offer for Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh.

The Morocco international has been touted as a possible replacement for Emmanuel Adebayor at the Emirates Stadium, but Wenger is growing increasingly frustrated by the French side's stance.

Chamakh spoke of his anger at disgust at Bordeaux's refusal to let him move to the Premier League and Wenger agrees with the 25-year-old forward.

Everton have confirmed that they have opened talks with Arsenal's Switzerland international Philippe Senderos.

However, chairman Bill Kenwright insists no deal for the 24-year-old, who spent last season on loan at AC Milan, has been finalised.

The Swiss Football Federation claimed on Monday evening that Senderos had agreed to move to Goodison Park.

Sunderland's assistant manager Eric Black has confirmed that Tottenham Hotspur striker Darren Bent should complete his transfer to the Stadium of Light on Tuesday.

The England international is poised to seal his £12million switch after having a medical in the north-east on Monday.

online betting