BALLACK TO SEE OUT CAREER IN LONDON... MAYBE
He may not yet be established in the Chelsea first team, but Michael Ballack suggested yesterday that he could see out his career in London. Ballack, 30, has so far made only three Premiership appearances for Jose Mourinho's side, but the Germany captain insists he relishes the challenge ahead and has adapted well to life in the capital following his switch from Bayern Munich: "My family and I really want to feel at home here. I like the atmosphere, the speed of the game and the fact it seems like there is real competition to win the Premier League every year."
Ballack admitted that the passion of English football fans had been a motivating factor in his move: "English football fans live for football - they identify themselves most with football. For a player, that's great to see - and I think that's why they give absolutely everything in a game in this country. In Germany we follow the English game very closely and now I am here, I am just like the fans. I live for football."
Ballack, accustomed to being the star attraction for both club and country, added that he was not worried by his slow start in England: "In this environment I know I can show my qualities," he said. "As a team we are getting better but we need time too. Excellent individuals have to learn how to play well as a team like any other players."
BELLAMY COURT CASE ADJOURNED
Craig Bellamy's next public appearance will come as he leads out Wales against Cyprus in tomorrow's Euro 2008 qualifier, rather than in Cardiff magistrates court today, after the case against him alleging common assault was unexpectedly adjourned yesterday.
KUYT INJURY BLOW FOR LIVERPOOL
Dirk Kuyt will miss Liverpool’s next two games with an ankle injury sustained playing for Holland at the weekend. Although a scan has revealed the injury is not as serious as first thought, strained ankle ligaments will keep him out of the home game with Blackburn Rovers on Saturday and the Champions League trip to Bordeaux the following Wednesday. Liverpool hope Kuyt will recover in time to face Manchester United at Old Trafford on October 22.
KING OUT OF ENGLAND PLANS
Ledley King has been withdrawn from the England squad to face Croatia in tomorrow's European Championship qualifier in Zagreb. The Tottenham defender has a knee injury was pulled out as a precaution.
IRISH BOSS GIVEN VOTE OF CONFIDENCE
Steve Staunton has been told his job is safe as the head coach of the Republic of Ireland even if they lose to the Czech Republic in a European Championship qualifying match tomorrow. Staunton has faced heavy criticism following Saturday’s 5-2 defeat to Cyprus but David Blood, the president of the Football Association of Ireland, said: “There has been a lot of speculation in relation to our manager and our chief executive [John Delaney], and I want to allay fears their positions are under threat. On the contrary, they are consolidating their positions.” Meanwhile, Lee Carsley, the Everton midfield player, has been called up to the squad...
O'CONNOR HAPPY IN RUSSIA
Lokomotiv Moscow insist Garry O’Connor is happy and settled in Russia, despite claims that he failed to turn up for training with the Scotland squad to sort out his personal life. Alexander Udaltsov, a Lokomotiv spokesman, said: “Several times before we have seen interviews in the Scottish press where he says something about leaving Russia. Each time we ask him whether things are all right with him and his family or if there are some issues to resolve, and each time his answer is that everything is fine. The club have been working hard to organise a comfortable life for Garry and his girlfriend. We found an apartment close to the kindergarten for their child. In fact, Garry and his partner have said how much they are enjoying Moscow and how interesting it is for them.”
SORENSEN BLOW FOR VILLA
Aston Villa are anxiously awaiting the results of further tests to determine the extent of Thomas Sorensen’s shoulder problem. The goalkeeper returned early from international duty with Denmark after suffering the setback during Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Northern Ireland in a European Championship qualifier. Scans in Copenhagen appeared to indicate Sorensen had not broken his collarbone, as was first feared, but the full nature of the injury is still not known. The former Sunderland player has flown back to Birmingham after being ruled out of Wednesday’s European Championship game with Liechtenstein.
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