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United welcome back Ferdinand

Author: Sir David Smith
Date: 23/01/2010
Football betting

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand will make his long-awaited return from a back injury against Hull City at Old Trafford on Saturday.

The England international has not made an appearance for the Premier League champions since October 25 after struggling with a long-running back problem.

"It's a big boost because we've had a rough time at the back with Rio, Edwin van der Sar, Wes Brown, Jonny Evans, Nemanja Vidic and John O'Shea all being injured at one stage or another," explained Sir Alex Ferguson.

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Meanwhile, Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez has stoked up his war of words with United after calling former team-mate Gary Neville a 'boot-licker' and an 'idiot' during an explosive interview on Argentinian radio.

Tevez swapped United for City in a controversial summer transfer and has found himself in the spotlight this week following his actions in the Carling Cup semi-final first leg at Eastlands.

The Argentina striker scored both of goals in City's 2-1 success and his celebrations have made headlines.

Elsewhere, Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has hit out at the 'disrespectful' way he believes Liverpool are attempting to unsettle star striker Kenwyne Jones.

Jones, 25, is reported to be wanted by Reds boss Rafael Benitez this month as he looks to bolster his goal-shy strikeforce.

Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien will be sidelined for between four to six weeks with the knee injury he picked up while playing for Ghana at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Essien was hospitalised during the tournament in Angola with a knee problem picked up during training.

But despite initial fears that he could miss the rest of the season with cruciate ligament damage, Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti has revealed that the injury is a less severe cartilage problem.

Andy Murray's trouble-free start to the Australian Open continued after the British number one defeated Florent Serra in straight sets to ease into the last 16.

Murray began his third round encounter having not dropped a set and made light work of the Frenchman after winning 7-5 6-1 6-4 despite failing to hit any great heights.

Serra fought gallantly in the first set and tested Murray with some aggressive ground strokes, but the second and third sets were more straightforward for the online betting third favourite.

Murray is now likely to face another Frenchman in the shape of Gael Monfils in the fourth round.

In rugby union, Stade Francais prop David Attoub has confirmed that he will appeal against his 70-week ban for eye gouging.

The 28-year-old was found guilty earlier this week of making contact with the eye area of Ulster and Ireland flanker Stephen Ferris during last month's Heineken Cup clash at Ravenhill and is currently suspended until April 22, 2011.

An independent appeal committee will be appointed as soon as possible to consider the appeal.

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