THREE IN A ROW FOR CITY


Emmanuel Adebayor hit the target for the third Premier League game in a row as Manchester Citydefeated struggling Portsmouth 1-0 at Fratton Park to make in nine points from nine.

Adebayor struck on the half-hour mark.

Gareth Barry's inswinging corner from the right found the former Arsenal striker, who escaped the attention of Mokoena and planted his header home from close range.

Pompey rarely threatened, managing only one shot on target from David Nugent in the closing stages which Shay Given did well to block.

City only won two away games last season and have matched that total already but it's three successive defeats and just one goal for Pompey.

Everton grabbed their first league points of the season, an injury-time penalty from Leighton Baines giving them a 2-1 win over Wigan.

Some of Wigan's tackling - they picked up six bookings - enraged the Goodison Park faithful but it looked as if Roberto Martinez's men were going to grab a point at least.

They led early in the second period through a Paul Scharner header before Louis Saha grabbed his fourth goal of the season to pull Everton level.

And the home side had to wait until the third minute of injury-time and Emmerson Boyce's foul on Jo for Baines to have the chance to smash home the penalty winner.

Gabriel Agbonlahor helped Aston Villa bounce back from their European exit as they easily defeated Fulham 2-0 to register their first home league win of the campaign.

The England striker's pressure forced Fulham defender John Pantsil to head into his own net for the opening goal after three minutes.

Then Agbonlahor struck the decisive second goal 14 minutes into the second period - his first of the season - to wrap up the points for Martin O'Neill's side.

It was the perfect pick-up for Villa after failing to qualify for the group stages of the Europa League after being beaten on away goals by Rapid Vienna.


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DOMINGUEZ LANDS ARGENTINA CALL

Sebastian Dominguez have been given his first call-up to the Argentina national squad as coach Diego Maradona added seven home-based players to his party ahead of the World Cup qualifiers against Brazil and Paraguay.

The defender of Argentinian champions Velez Sarsfield will join the Albicelestes along with team-mates Nicolas Otamendi and Emiliano Papa, Boca Juniors midfielder Sebastian Battaglia, Lanus star Eduardo Salvio, Estudiantes playmaker Juan Sebastian Veron and Huracan midfielder Mario Bolatti.

Bolatti made his international debut earlier this month, when Argentina defeated Russia 3-2 in a friendly match in Moscow.

Veron, meanwhile, will join the squad even though he was substituted in the second half of the Apertura derby that Estudiantes won 3-0 over old enemies Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata with a minor leg injury.

Maradona believes Argentina, currently in fourth place in the South American Qualifying Zone, will be virtually assured of a place in the World Cup finals in South Africa next year if they beat the Selecao in Rosario on Saturday.

He told Channel 7: "It will be as tough as all the matches we play against Brazil, but we beat them in illusion. We have the dream of playing the World Cup and we'll be almost in if we beat Brazil."

Newcastle midfielder Jonas Gutierrez has already left the squad due to injury.

Argentina travel to Paraguay to visit the Guaranies four days after the Brazil match.

Argentina squad: Juan Pablo Carrizo (Zaragoza), Mariano Andujar (Catania), Sergio Romero; Javier Zanetti (Inter Milan), Nicolas Pareja (Espanyol), Fabricio Coloccini (Newcastle), Gabriel Heinze (Olympique Marseille), Nicolas Burdisso (Inter Milan), Sebastian Dominguez, Emiliano Papa, Nicolas Otamendi (all Velez Sarsfield); Fernando Gago (Real Madrid), Javier Mascherano (Liverpool), Maximiliano Rodriguez (Atletico Madrid), Jesus Datolo (Napoli), Juan Sebastian Veron (Estudiantes), Mario Bolatti (Huracan), Sebastian Battaglia (Boca Juniors); Carlos Tevez (Manchester City), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid), Diego Milito (Inter Milan), Lisandro Lopez (Lyon), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Napoli), Eduardo Salvio (Lanus).



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MODRIC WON`T BLAME BOWER FOR BROKEN LEG


Luka Modric does not blame Lee Bowyer for the tackle that broke the Tottenham star's leg.

Modric picked up the injury, which will keep him out for at least six weeks, at the start of the second half in Saturday's 2-1 victory for Spurs over Birmingham.

The 23-year-old's absence is a blow to Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp, who is a big admirer of the diminutive playmaker, while he will also miss Croatia's crucial World Cup qualifier against England.

Bowyer has been no stranger to controversy throughout his career but Modric does not believe the Birmingham midfielder intended to hurt him.

He told The Sun: "It was not a ferocious tackle but it hurt awfully and I knew something was wrong the moment it happened.

"It's like my whole world has crumbled because I'll be out for at least six weeks. I'm terribly sad. The worst thing is knowing that I'll be watching both my club and country from the sidelines for a while."

Redknapp, who also saw captain Ledley King limp off as Spurs maintained their 100% start to the season, added: "You could see he was in a hell of a lot of pain and, even though Luka is not a big bloke, it takes a lot for him to have to come off.

"It's a big blow for us, we are already short of bodies in midfield but we will just have to get on with it."


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CHYGRYNSKIY SET FOR BARCA MEDICAL


Dmytro Chygrynskiy is set to be presented as Barcelona's latest addition on Monday afternoon after undergoing his medical with the treble winners in the morning.

Chygrynskiy arrived in Barca on Sunday to put the finishing touches on his switch from Shakhtar Donetsk, which Spanish media are reporting will cost the Catalan giants 25million euros.

The 22-year-old defender's final game for Shakhtar was Friday's European Super Cup clash against Barca, which his future employers won 1-0.

Chygrynskiy told Barca TV: "I feel lucky to sign for Barca. I'm hoping to improve and form a part of this great team.

"It wasn't easy (to leave Shahktar). Shakhtar thought they would be involved in the Champions League. What's more they have just opened a new stadium and the president wanted me to stay."

Shakhtar, last season's UEFA Cup winners, will compete in the Europa League this term after losing on away goals to Romanian minnows Politehnica Timisoara in their Champions League qualifier earlier this month.

The Ukraine international will undergo his medical and, if all goes well, will be presented as Barca's fourth summer signing - after Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Maxwell and the loaned-out Keirrison - at 1330 at the Nou Camp.

Barca, whose triumph in the European Super Cup was the fifth trophy they have won under coach Pep Guardiola after claiming the Primera Division, Copa del Rey and Champions League last season, and the Spanish Super Cup earlier this month, start the defence of their league title against Sporting Gijon on Monday night.


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Inter midfielder Vieira hints at future MLS switch

Inter midfielder Patrick Vieira has revealed this will be his last year playing football in Europe, but he could end his career with a spell in the USA in Major League Soccer.

Patrick Vieira

Patrick Vieira: No Arsenal return.

Vieira's contract at the San Siro expires in 2010 and he has not been guaranteed a renewal by the club, seeing the midfielder linked with a return to Arsenal and even a switch to the Gunners' bitter rivals Tottenham.

The Senegal-born star will be 34 by the time his contract with the Italian champions expires, and he is already making plans for the future.

"I still have a year left on my contract and I think it will be my last in Europe at the highest level," Vieira told Orange Sport. "I would like to try an experience in the United States, [former French international] Youri Djorkaeff has convinced me."

The Frenchman also spoke of his ambition to return to the national team after being dropped by Raymond Domenech for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Romania and Serbia.

"I want to return to the national team, but I don't want to rush it. I am fine physically and mentally as I am playing more often with Inter," he said.


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Dunne will be a 'big signing' for us

Aston Villa captain Stiliyan Petrov believes Richard Dunne will prove to be a 'big signing' for the club.

Dunne: Linked with many Premier League clubs.

Dunne is expected to finalise a move to Villa Park before the close of the transfer window after Martin O'Neill's side agreed a fee with Manchester City.

The centre-half has discussed personal terms with Villa, although reports in Sunday's newspapers suggested the deal was being held up due to contractual issues with City.

Petrov expects the deal to go through and the Bulgarian midfielder believes Dunne can help to fill the void created by Martin Laursen's retirement over the summer.

"The deal for Dunne will be great news for Villa," said Petrov. "Richard's an international player, he's been in the Premier League for so many years and is one of the game's big players.

"It's going to be a big signing for Villa. It will give us a strong defender at the back and, of course, he's definitely a true leader. He's the captain of Ireland, he's been the captain of Manchester City, so you love to see players like that coming to this club.

"Laursen was a big player for us, with his presence and his influence. But he, like Gareth Barry, is now gone and we need to get on without him. The arrival of Dunne can help us to do that."


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Barcelona chief: Fabregas is a ''special case''

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has identified his club's pursuit of Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas as a ''special case'' and claims that it is ''no secret'' that the Spanish champions want to sign him.

Cesc Fabregas

The captain is a wanted man.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has been unimpressed by the Catalan side's attempts to sign his captain this summer, with reports of a £30m bid surrounding the Spaniard for months.

And Laporta said: ''I apologise if I bothered Mr Wenger, because I respect him very highly and the job he is doing. But he knows perfectly that the case of Cesc Fabregas is special.

''He is a Catalan player from our youth team and it is not a secret that we love this player.''

Fabregas, who missed Saturday's 2-1 defeat by Manchester United because of a hamstring injury, was picked up from the Nou Camp academy for around £500,000 by Wenger in September 2003.

He has made it clear in the past that he would relish a return to his former club, but has also remained faithful to Arsenal and, most importantly, Wenger.



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England recalls for Crouch, Brown and Lennon

Michael Owen has once again been overlooked by Fabio Capello for next month's World Cup qualifier with Croatia. There were some who suggested Owen's summer move to Manchester United would offer an instant way back into the Three Lions fold.

Aaron Lennon

The winger has been in fine form for Spurs.

However, even though the 29-year-old scored his first competitive goal for the Red Devils in last week's hammering of Wigan, Fabio Capello has overlooked England's fourth-highest goalscorer for the Croatia game - where victory will confirm their presence in South Africa - and the friendly with Slovenia which precedes it on September 5.

In fairness, Owen probably did not expect to get picked anyway, given he is in direct competition with Jermain Defoe, a player who has scored goals for club and country already this term and has been a pivotal figure in Tottenham's superb start to the season. Indeed, Capello's squads are now starting to take on a familiar look.

Even the inclusion of Ben Foster, who showed his best and worst sides against Manchester United yesterday, only confirms a position he held in the squad for last month's friendly draw in Holland until the 26-year-old pulled out with a knee injury.

As David James misses out for the third squad running after being forced to sit out Portsmouth's home defeat to Manchester City earlier today with what manager Paul Hart described as bone bruising'', Foster could well play some part against Slovenia at Wembley as he looks to establish himself above Robert Green in the pecking order.

The absence of Rio Ferdinand with a thigh strain has provided Wes Brown with a surprise return to international duty. Brown was sidelined for much of last term with an ankle injury and then suffered a thigh problem during United's recent pre-season campaign.

However, the experienced defender performed creditably in central defence as United overcame Arsenal at Old Trafford yesterday and Capello knows he also provides cover forGlen Johnson at right-back.

Steven Gerrard was an automatic choice to return, while Aaron Lennon was always the number one choice to take over from Theo Walcott, who has not played this season due to a back injury Arsene Wenger believes is a direct result of his young star playing for both England's senior side and the under-21s last summer.

The other addition is Peter Crouch, who appeared to have been leapfrogged in the England pecking order by Carlton Cole, but is now back among Capello's chosen few having begun to establish himself at Tottenham after a summer move from Portsmouth.

Squad: Foster (Manchester United), Green (West Ham), Robinson (Blackburn), Johnson (Liverpool), Brown (Manchester United), Upson (West Ham), Terry (Chelsea, capt), Lescott (Manchester City), A Cole (Chelsea), Bridge (Manchester City), Wright-Phillips (Manchester City), Lennon (Tottenham), Beckham (Los Angeles Galaxy), Barry (Manchester City), Lampard (Chelsea), Carrick (Manchester United), Gerrard (Liverpool), A Young (Aston Villa), Milner (Aston Villa), Rooney (Manchester United), Heskey (Aston Villa), Defoe (Tottenham), C Cole (West Ham), Crouch (Tottenham).



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Modric professes Spurs loyalty following United link

Tottenham Hotspur playmaker Luka Modric claims he has not entertained the prospect of joining Manchester United despite reports linking him with a move to the Premier League champions.

Luka Modric

Modric is happy with life at White Hart Lane.

Modric, 23, enjoyed a promising debut season in the English top flight following a £16.6m move from Dynamo Zagreb last summer and it has been reported that Sir Alex Ferguson is considering an offer of £10m plus former Spurs midfielder Michael Carrick as he looks to land the Croatia star.

However, with Spurs winning their opening three games of the season underHarry Redknapp, Modric has moved to end the speculation regarding a potential move to Old Trafford and insists he is very much settled in North London.

"I don't know anything about the Manchester United link," Modric told Croatian publicationSportske Novosti. "I read about it in the newspapers, and one paper even published quotes from me saying I was happy to be on Sir Alex Ferguson's radar.

"But the truth is that I didn't say anything to anybody about this. They were not my words. I feel great at Tottenham and I have given no thought to moving to a different club. My contract runs until 2013 and I am just thinking about staying.

"I wouldn't be surprised if Tottenham offer me a new contract as that is something which happens in England. But, even if that doesn't happen, my feelings will not change. I am happy at White Hart Lane and I will continue to give my all for Tottenham, as I always have."

Meanwhile, Roman Pavlyuchenko is set to feature in Tottenham's Carling Cup clash at Doncaster but has suggested he may need to move to keep his place in Russia's World Cup squad.

The 27-year-old, who arrived at White Hart Lane a year ago for £13.8m, scored 14 goals in his rookie season in the Premier League but is behind Jermain Defoe and Robbie Keane in Harry Redknapp's pecking order, with Peter Crouch's arrival intensifying competition.

So far this season Pavlyuchenko's only involvement has come in a minute-long appearance off the bench against Liverpool.

''No footballer likes being on the bench game after game,'' Pavlyuchenko told Sport Express in Russia. ''I could lose my place in the Russia squad ahead of the 2010 World Cup. I'm ready now to listen to offers from other clubs.''

Italian side Roma have monitored Pavlyuchenko and there is thought to be interest in Germany and from his former club Spartak Moscow.



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Striker Pavlyuchenko won't rule out Spurs stay

Tottenham Hotspur striker Roman Pavlyuchenko has stated he will consider staying at White Hart Lane if a buyer cannot be found before the close of the transfer window.

Roman Pavlyuchenko

Pavlyuchenko was one of the stars of Euro 2008.

The Russian striker's future at Spurs appeared to be in some doubt on Tuesday when he expressed a fear that a lack of playing time could hinder his attempts to secure a regular place in his national side in what is a World Cup year.

Pavlyuchenko, who joined Spurs from Spartak Moscow 12 months ago, has only played for one minute so far this season with Harry Redknapp preferring Robbie Keane, Peter Crouch and particularly the prolific Jermain Defoe.

But following a meeting with his manager, and with a potential loan move to Roma firmly off the table, Pavlyuchenko is willing to remain in North London if no side matches what the player feels is a sizeable asking price.

"The meeting with Redknapp was very good," said Pavlyuchenko in the Daily Mail. "He said I was in his plans but understood that my desire is to leave if I can't get match practice.

"However, the chairman confirmed again that that the option of a loan won't even be considered. The amount they want for me is large, which could stop potential buyers.

"If that is the case, I'll stay at Tottenham and wait for a chance. Everything will be resolved one way or the other this week."

It is reported that Zenit St Petersburg are interested in signing the striker as they seek to replace his Russia team-mate Pavel Pogrebnyak, who has joined Stuttgart.



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Blackburn locked in talks to sign Spurs defender

Blackburn Rovers have confirmed they are in negotiations to sign French defender Pascal Chimbonda from Tottenham Hotspur.

Pascal Chimbonda

Chimbonda has spent two spells at White Hart Lane.

The 30-year-old, who has one cap for his country, rejoined Spurs in January but has made only one league start in seven months under Harry Redknapp.

His failure to win a regular place in the North Londoners' side has alerted Sam Allardyce and Rovers are now in talks regarding a deal that is reportedly worth in the region of £2m.

Chimbonda first moved to the Premier League in the summer of 2005 when joining Wigan and was subsequently named in the PFA Team of the Year following an impressive debut season in England.

He then joined Tottenham for a fee of £4.5m and spent two years at White Hart Lane before a brief sojourn at Sunderland ended with his return to Spurs.

If the deal does go through, the former Bastia defender will provide Rovers with real strength in depth at right-back as Allardyce already boasts Brett Emerton and summer signing Lars Jacobsen in his squad.

However, the Frenchman has also operated at left-back in the past and will add an element of versatility to the Blackburn defence.



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Al Fahim claims Pompey takeover is complete

Sulaiman Al Fahim claims to have completed his protracted takeover of Portsmouth by becoming the sole owner of the Premier League side.

Sulaiman Al Fahim

Al Fahim attends a game with Peter Storrie.

Portsmouth announced on July 21 that an agreement had been reached to sell the club to Al Fahim and the Arabian businessman was installed as chairman after passing the Premier League's fit-and-proper-person test.

But doubts arose over his ability to complete the takeover when financial considerations meant the situation became painfully prolonged, with chief executive Peter Storrie fronting a consortium that launched a separate bid.

Storrie's group were widely expected to take control at Fratton Park but Al Fahim announced on Wednesday, via a statement from his representatives, that he had assumed full control of the club from previous owner Alexandre Gaydamak.

"Devondale Investments, the current owner of Portsmouth FC, and Al Fahim Asia Associates Ltd. (AAA), a company fully owned by Sulaiman Al Fahim, chairman of the board of Portsmouth FC, have reached an agreement whereby AAA has become the new sole owner of the club,'' said a statement released by Al Fahim's representatives.

"Sulaiman Al Fahim welcomed this agreement and looks forward to helping the club build on its impressive history and achieve new successes in the Premier League.

"The chairman of the club would like to extend his gratitude to the players, staff and the supporters of Portsmouth FC who have shown an extraordinary level of commitment and loyalty to this great club.''

Previous owner Gaydamak took full control of the club in July 2006 when buying out Milan Mandaric. He helped bankroll the club's FA Cup victory in 2008 but announced in December that he was seeking buyers for the club.



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Anderson denies that he wants to quit United

Anderson has denied he wants to quit Manchester United but admitted he is frustrated at his lack of first-team opportunities so far this season.

Anderson 2009

Anderson: Only granted one start so far this season

The Brazilian midfielder's only start came in last week's defeat by Burnley - in an unfamiliar left-wing position - and he is reported to have clashed with boss Sir Alex Ferguson after being left out of the team for the Community Shield meeting with Chelsea earlier this month.

Anderson told the Daily Mail: "I believed that I would play in the Community Shield but that is forgotten now.

"I thought that, without Cristiano Ronaldo around, I could to play more and that has been my challenge from pre-season onwards.

"But the coach decides the teams and to discuss this with him is foolish because he is the chief. I do not want to leave United. No.

"Sir Alex Ferguson has demanded a bigger effort from me and I accept that. Because to get into this United team is very complicated and difficult for any player."



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City new-boy Lescott unhappy with Moyes criticism

After being unveiled as the second most expensive British defender of all time on Wednesday, new Manchester City signing Joleon Lescott said he was "disappointed" with some of David Moyes' comments prior to his departure from Everton.

Joleon Lescott

Lescott will play alongside Barry at Manchester City.

The defender joined City late on Tuesday night for a fee in the region of £22m, bringing to an end a transfer saga that grew increasingly embittered as Moyes criticised City for their conduct in pursuing Lescott.

The Toffees manger also claimed that Lescott had displayed a "poor attitude" when dropping him for the club's Europa League victory over Sigma Olomouc and that the defender had "disappointed his team-mates" by focusing on a move to City.

But Lescott disagrees with his former manager's assessment, even if he concedes that he was below par in Everton's opening day 6-1 defeat at the hands of Arsenal.

"I was disappointed in the comments, I feel they're inaccurate," Lescott said. "I'd like to address them at a later date and talk more positively about my move here.

"I don't think I disrespected any of the players. If I did I apologise. I'd like to think they thought I gave my all when I played. I know it wasn't my finest game for Everton (against Arsenal). It was a collective effort and obviously Arsenal were better than us on the day.''

Meanwhile, former Everton team-mate Tony Hibbert says Lescott's departure is a blow to a club that are hoping to secure a European finish this season.

"He's a big loss. He was a great player for us, Joleon, and a great lad as well,'' Hibbert told the club's official website. "The character he brought to the place - he was a great lad to be around.

"It's just one of those things - players come and players go, that's football really. You have friends but the next minute they can go. We've just got to get over it.''



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ATLETICO REJECT AGUERO REPORTS


Sergio Aguero has travelled to Greece with Atletico Madrid for their Champions League clash with Panathinaikos after the club rejected rumours he could be sold to Chelsea.

Aguero has been linked with a move away from Atletico this summer, with a number of top European sides said to be interested.

Chelsea are the latest to be mooted as suitors as manager Carlo Ancelotti reportedly looks to bolster his frontline with a star name.

However, Argentina international Aguero's likely involvement in Atletico's clash with Panathinaikos looks set to quell rumours of a possible deal.

Should Aguero play on Wednesday then he would become ineligible to feature for another side, including Chelsea, in the Champions League group stage this season.

Atletico head coach Abel Resino said: "Aguero travelled with us (to Athens) to play and there is no chance of a sale.

"This rubbishes all the rumours that have been in the newspapers."

Club president Enrique Cerezo added: "We have not received an offer from Chelsea.

"This story happens each summer but our answer is always the same - Sergio will stay with us."



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NO REDS MOVE FOR AMOREBIETA


Athletic Bilbao insist reported Liverpool target Fernando Amorebieta is not for sale.

The Venezuelan-born defender has been strongly linked with a move to Anfield of late, with Rafael Benitez keen to strengthen his squad before the transfer window slams shut.

The 24-year-old does have a clause in his contract which would allow him to leave for 30million euros (£26m), but Bilbao president Fernando Macua claims the Primera Liga outfit have no intention of discussing a deal.

"This player is not for sale and we have received no contact from Liverpool," he said.

"At this moment he is a key member of our squad and we have no interest in letting him go."

Reports had suggested Liverpool sounded out Amorebieta during talks regarding Mikel San Jose's recent loan move to Bilbao from Merseyside.

However, those suggestions have also been strenuously denied.

The player's agent claims there has been no contact from Liverpool in regards to a possible deal and has braded the recent rumours as paper talk.

"Nobody from Liverpool has been in touch with me," he said.

"Because of that I believe this story is just a rumour made up in the papers."


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SKRTEL OUT WITH CRACKED JAW


Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel should return to action within two weeks, according to his agent.

Skrtel sustained a jaw injury in the 2-1 loss at Tottenham on Sunday after colliding with Reds team-mate Jamie Carragher.

The Slovakia international did not complete the 90 minutes against Spurs and is now set for a period on the sidelines.

Skrtel's agent, Karol Csonto, told SITA: "It [the jaw] is not broken, just heavily cracked.

"According to the doctors, Martin should be back in action within two weeks and he should be wearing a special mask.

"I hope that they will find or create a new one for him."

Skrtel is keen to be available for Slovakia's World Cup qualifier against the Czech Republic on September 5.

Csonto added: "He is not admitting the possibility of not playing in that game."


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Martinez hopeful of securing Diame signing

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez is hopeful of adding Rayo Vallecano midfielder Mohamed Diame to his squad in the coming days.

The 22-year-old's move has been held up by a medical issue but Martinez is confident the player will complete his transfer to the DW Stadium in the near future.

Former Rayo team-mate Antonio Amaya last week signed a three-year contract with the Latics and Diame's transfer was expected to be part of a double deal.

Having sold England Under-21 midfielder Lee Cattermole to Sunderland, Martinez is keen to find suitable replacements before the end of the transfer window.

"We are still waiting to finalise [the deal],'' said the Latics boss. "We are hoping we are in the final stage of negotiations.''

Diame's arrival is not likely to be the last, however, as Martinez has another couple of targets he would like to bring in before the end of August.

"My concentration is on the players we have here but to help these players to be strong throughout the campaign I think we need another two (including Diame) or maybe three - depending on certain situations,'' he added.

"We have one mid-term injury with Olivier Kapo (knee) but apart from that we have a fully-fit squad which is young and can give us a little bit of cover for the first team.

"In that respect I would say until August 31 we should bring in another two or three players in to help the ones we have here.''


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Werder Bremen hopeful of agreeing Pizarro dea

Werder Bremen sporting director Klaus Allofs claims he is closing in on the signing of Claudio Pizarro from Chelsea.

Pizarro, 30, spent last season on loan at the Bundesliga club and scored 28 goals in all competitions.

He has since returned to the Blues, where he has vowed to take his chance to break into Carlo Ancelotti's team, but Bremen remain confident they can lure him back to the Bundesliga - this time on a permanent deal.

"We are deep in talks with them [Chelsea] and we hope to be successful before August 13,'' said Allofs on DSF television.

"And just to bring an end to all the rumours, if we do sign him then we would be buying him and I think that is also what Chelsea want.''

Bremen striker Boubacar Sanogo will be hoping the deal goes through soon as he prepares to move to St Etienne.

The Ivory Coast striker has attracted the interest of the French club, but Allofs has told him he is going nowhere while the personnel situation remains tight.

"We only have three strikers so we cannot let him go,'' he said.



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MFK Kosice confirm Matic has signed for Chelsea

Chelsea have signed midfielder Nemanja Matic from MFK Kosice, according to the Slovakian club.

The 20-year-old, who has played youth football for Serbia, completed a switch to Stamford Bridge for £1.5m on Monday, a statement said on the club's official website.

MSK president Blazej Podolak said: "At around five o'clock in the evening we signed the contract on the transfer. Matic goes for 1.75 million euros.

"The success was down to the the fact that the money does not come in instalments, but immediately.''



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Terry buoyed by comeback victory over Hull

Chelsea skipper John Terry believes Chelsea have what it takes for success this season after securing a comeback victory against Hull City in their Premier League opener.

John Terry: Eyeing glory this campaign

John Terry: Eyeing glory this campaign

It may not have been vintage Chelsea, but the England international thinks it shows the west London outfit has the mettle required to challenge for honours.

He told Chelsea TV: "From a club point of view to see us come back from a goal down and fight and the spirit we showed together with the performance and the drive, well it's really good to see.

"And the belief as well among the squad that this year is going to be a really good year for us. And judging on the result and the performance and the chances we created it could be a good year.

"We went a little bit long too early. Seven or eight of their players are over six foot two and that's how they wanted us to play.

"We played into their hands a little bit. We should have kept it down kept the ball on the floor, have confidence in our own ability.

"It was disappointing (to go a goal down) but good to come back and fight again. There's a good fight and good spirit among the lads and that's how it's been pre-season.''

Terry also had words of praise for two-goal striking hero Didier Drogba ahead of Tuesday night's trip to Sunderland.

"When he plays at the top of his game he's the best in the whole world, in Europe, everywhere,'' Terry added. "He creates chances, that was a great finish from the free-kick, he holds it up really well, links up really well, puts himself about and fights for cause.

"In the dressing room he speaks his opinion.

"He's really good to have around and he's a major signing for us this year.''



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Boro boss Southgate determined to keep Huth

Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate has warned potential buyers it will take an "exceptional'' bid to persuade him to part with central defender Robert Huth.

The German international, who celebrates his 25 birthday on Tuesday, has been linked with a move to Stoke in recent days with the transfer window due to close at the end of the month.

Southgate freely admits he could struggle to hang on to his £6m signing if he decides he wants to go, but is desperate to do just that.

He said: "I would expect there will be interest in him [Huth], but unless that interest meets an exceptional valuation, then he is a player we would like to hang on to.

"A lot of the time, it depends on the players as well and whether he has a desire to stay here.

"Now Robert obviously would like to play at the highest possible level - he has got a World Cup with Germany this summer, so I don't take it for granted that we can hang on to him.

"But by the same token, it's got to be a move that attracts him and that's right for all parties and at the moment, we are not in that situation.''

Berlin-born Huth joined Boro from Chelsea in August 2006 and after a run of dreadful luck with injuries, has finally established himself as a robust member of Southgate's rearguard.

Indeed, he has worn the captain's armband this season with Emanuel Pogatetz still on the injured list.

Meanwhile, Southgate confirmed that the club is yet to receive a bid for Turkey international Tuncay Sanli, who has been linked repeatedly with Aston Villa, while talks are continuing with several clubs over the future of record signing Afonso Alves.

The manager had previously revealed that the Teessiders accepted a bid from one club, understood to be a Qatari outfit, for the Brazilian, who is now being linked with a return to Holland with Ajax.

Southgate said: "There are no firm bids on the table for Tuncay. As I said last week, we have had one bid for Afonso, which we accepted, but it doesn't look as if he wants to go to the club that made that bid.

"We are in talks with a couple of other clubs on him, but in terms of firm offers on the table, that's it.''

Southgate, whose side travels to Scunthorpe tomorrow night, also played down reports linking him with a £700,000 move for Aberdeen striker Lee Miller.



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Wenger: Cash will force European Super League

Arsene Wenger has revealed he believes a European Super League could become a reality within the next 10 years.

Wenger: Champions League to be usurped?

Wenger: Champions League to be usurped?

The Arsenal boss, preparing for Tuesday night's Champions League Play-off showdown with Celtic at Parkhead, believes some clubs will soon become frustrated with the level of financial rewards on offer in Europe's leading club competition and will look for a way to start a breakaway league.

With clubs such as Manchester City and Real Madrid setting new standards for transfer spending, Wenger believes it is highly possible there will be moves to create a new league of top clubs.

At present, UEFA ring fence the cash which comes in from the Champions League and then redistribute it. But with a new European Super League the clubs could take control of those riches.

Wenger did not go as far as to say it was a certainty, but he believes moves are afoot to make an idea which has been mooted for a long time become a reality.

"The national leagues will survive, but maybe in 10 years you will have a European League," Wenger said. "The way we are going now financially, even the money coming in from the Champions League, for some clubs who spend so much money, will not be enough anymore because the income is basically owned by UEFA and they distribute the money to the clubs.

"I'm not sure 100% that I am right, but I feel that there are some voices behind the scenes in our game aiming to do something about a European league, especially if the rules become too restrictive for the big clubs as things currently stand.

"If a European league (does happen) the question is whether clubs will transfer from a national league or whether it is a franchised European league.

"That's the question people will have to answer.

"I personally believe only in sporting merit, so if one league is created there has to be promotion up and down. But that would be, practically, very difficult to resolve.

"I do not want to kill the national leagues so each team should have to play in the national league and in Europe.

"That means the Euro league taking place in midweek and the national league over the weekend. All this would mean having two teams, basically.''

Wenger went on to warn Celtic that his side, who kicked off their season with a stunning 6-1 win over Everton, have the potential to do even better.

"We go into the game maybe a little bit lifted and with belief and confidence because we had a good result away from home at a difficult place,'' he said.

"But you can't come to any conclusions after one game. ''There is room for improvement in every aspect of the game on Saturday, offensively and defensively.

"With every opportunity we created we scored in that game and that shows that the team is highly focussed. But our targets have not been reached yet.

"I want to do what is right for the team and the club and to help this team achieve success. I believe we have the potential to do it, but I am long enough in the job to know that one game is only one game.''



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