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Spain star suffers injury scare

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Spain have been left sweating over the fitness of Andres Iniesta after he was forced off with a muscle injury during the European champions’ (4/1 to win the World Cup) 6-0 warm-up win over Poland.

The Barcelona playmaker has struggled with injuries for the majority of 2010, missing a large part of the Catalan giants run-in with a thigh injury

Spain (21/10 top European team) coach Vincent del Bosque claims Iniesta came off as a precautionary measure after feeling a slight twinge in his thigh.

The 26-year-old will have a scan on Wednesday to determine the extent of the problem with Del Bosque likely to be crossing his fingers it isn’t serious after Iniesta set up two of Spain’s six goals before he was forced off.

Iniesta is just the latest injury concern the Euro 2008 champions have had coming into the World Cup, with the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Fernando Torres and Xavi all carrying problems heading into their series of warm-up games.

However, La Furia fans will have been delighted to see Torres and Fabregas get on the score sheet during a vintage performance by the World Cup favourites.

David Villa (8/1f top goalscorer) got the opening goal in the rout after being played through by Iniesta before the Barcelona man set up David Silva for a second shortly afterwards.

Real Madrid’s Xabi Alonso got Spain’s third with Fabregas and Torres getting the fourth and fifth respectively, Barcelona winger Pedro getting the sixth as the nation recorded their 11th straight victory.

Iniesta’s injury aside it was the perfect way for Spain to round off their build-up to the World Cup, especially given Torres’ comments after the game where he claimed he was now over his spat of injuries.

“The injury has passed and now I’m able to help my team-mates, so it’s time to enjoy it,” said Torres.

“Tomorrow (Wednesday) I’m sure there will be a lot of optimism and euphoria but we know it will be difficult.”

The Liverpool forward was making his first appearance since undergoing knee surgery in April and it will be vital he stays fit if Del Bosque’s men are to challenge for the World Cup.

Fabregas’ return could also prove timely should Iniesta’s injury be serious, the Arsenal man having not played since he cracked a bone in his leg during the Gunners’ 2-2 with Barcelona in March.

Spain depart for South Africa on Thursday hoping for an easy ride through the group stages having been drawn alongside Switzerland, Honduras and Chile in Group H.

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Crouch talks up Rooney influence

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Peter Crouch believes “world class” striker Wayne Rooney can be the difference between England winning the World Cup and going home from South Africa empty handed this summer (Rooney 5/2F to be Premier League top scorer at the World Cup).

Rooney is being held up as the potential saviour for the Three Lions over the next month following his sensational form for Manchester United in the season which has just finished.

His 33 goals were not enough to help Sir Alex Ferguson’s side to the Premier League title but his form has left many observers predicting England can enjoy real success this summer – providing he hits his top level and stays injury free.

Crouch, who is being tipped to start up front alongside Rooney against America in the Group C game on Saturday, believes the former Everton youngster could prove to be a revelation.

“It is massive for us to have someone in such great form going into the World Cup,” Crouch added.

“He has always been fantastic. A top-class player. People are saying he needs to play with another striker.

“But this season at United he has proved he can play up front on his own and still score goals.

“Wayne is world-class. He is in the top five players right now – everyone would agree with that.”

Crouch, on offer at 14/1 to be the top PL striker at World Cup, is also talking up his strike-partner as a potential World Player of the Year if he can inspire Fabio Capello’s side to glory and help England win their first major tournament since 1966.

“I think he could end up being the World Player of the Year. It would be great for England if someone could do that,” he added.

“For someone to win it would be phenomenal. You also forget how young Wayne is.

“He has achieved so much in a short time. He has a long, long way to go in his career.”

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Barry’s American dream is over

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Gareth Barry has confirmed he has been told by coach Fabio Capello he will not be involved when England begin their quest to end a 44-year wait for World Cup glory against USA on Saturday (4/9 England, 16/5 draw, 13/2 USA – totesport match betting).

The Rustenburg opener comes too soon for the fit-again Manchester City midfielder, who is short of match sharpness given that he has only just returned to light training following a serious ankle injury towards the end of the domestic season.

England coach Capello had always had in mind the deadline of June 13 for former Aston Villa favourite Barry to step up his recovery, so confirmation that the 29-year-old will not feature against Bob Bradley’s men comes as a surprise.

Barry will intensify his training as of Tuesday in his attempts to get match fit for the second Group C game against Algeria, which takes place in Cape Town on June 18 (1/4 England, 4/1 draw, 8/1 Algeria – match betting).

“I’ve been told I’m not playing against USA to give me more time,” Barry told www.newsoftheworld.co.uk. “I’ll be back in full training with the team from tomorrow.”

The news means that Capello is likely to stick with Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard in central midfield, while Joe Cole is almost certain to be given the nod on the problematic left-hand side of the England engine room.

A clear indication was given when the trio started Monday afternoon’s 3-0 practice match win against the Platinum Stars.

Capello will be keen to get Barry involved having bent his own rules to accommodate the Eastlands star.

The Italian had long held the view that he would only take match-fit and in-form players to South Africa, but Barry has not played a competitive fixture since he damaged ankle ligaments at the beginning of May.

Tottenham hopeful Jermain Defoe gave the Three Lions an interval lead against the local South African side at Moruleng Stadium on Monday, before Cole and Wayne Rooney made sure of the friendly win.

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Terry expresses England concerns

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John Terry has admitted that England (2/7 f with totesport to win Group C) have had problems coming to terms with playing at high altitude but insists the players will be ready for the World Cup.

Fabio Capello’s men beat Platinum Stars 3-0 in their final warm-up game on Monday in an uninspiring performance, on the back of unconvincing wins against Mexico and Japan.

Jermain Defoe, Joe Cole and Wayne Rooney scored the goals against the Stars and Terry believes that the run-out served its purpose as it helped the players get more used to conditions they will experience in the upcoming showpiece.

“We had one to two weeks off and you lose a bit of sharpness, but that’s improving,” Terry said. “The altitude has been more of surprise to me. Your mouth is really dry.

“We train at quite a high level anyway, coming here was another 150m higher again and we certainly felt that.

“We’re looking good. We needed this game to get used to the flight of the ball and the altitude.”

Fabio Capello’s men get their campaign underway on Saturday against the USA and are 4/9 favourites in the match betting to open up with a win, with the Americans available at 13/2 and the draw at 16/5.

The players will of course hope that their training has had the desired effect as the opening match is taking place at altitude in Rustenburg, at a venue 1403m above sea level, and if they make it to the quarter-finals, they will have to play again in thin, dry air.

Terry has also spoken out about the ‘Jabulani’ ball that is to be used in the World Cup and seems to have joined the ranks of dissenters, which already includes Spain’s Iker Casillas and Italy’s Gianluigi Buffon, while David James said the new ball was ‘dreadful’.

“It’s important we put in a lot of crosses in the box and get a lot of shots in from outside the box,” said Terry. “It’s difficult for the keepers.”

Rio Ferdinand has of course been ruled out of the tournament with a knee injury so the other centre-back position alongside Terry has not been confirmed, although Ledley King was given the nod by Capello to start in Monday’s friendly.

It was the first time the pair had started in an international game, although they played together as youngsters for Sunday league side Senrab, and the Chelsea captain believes the partnership can work at the highest level.

“It was important we got 45 minutes together in a real competitive game with Ledley,” Terry said.

“We had a good understanding. We used to play together at Senrab many years ago. The understanding has always been there and we’ve worked a few times in training.”

England also face Algeria and Slovenia in Group C and a nine-point accumulation in the group stages in the England specials markets is favourite at 7/4, with a seven-point total next best at 15/8.

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Malouda calls for French leaders

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France star Florent Malouda admits Les Bleus’ senior players need to step up and guide their younger team-mates at the World Cup finals in South Africa if they are to challenge for the trophy (France 9/1 – Top European Team).

Raymond Domenech’s team did not enjoy the best qualifying campaign and were forced to rely on Thierry Henry’s handball in order to edge past the Republic of Ireland in their two-legged play-off clash last autumn.

France will face South Africa, Mexico and Uruguay at the World Cup and Malouda knows they have improvements to make after winning the World Cup in 1998 and contesting the final last time around in Germany against Italy (France 15/2 – To Reach Final).

The Chelsea flyer told the Guardian: “The problem is, after what we did in 2006 – and of course there was a great generation in 1998 and 2000 – expectations are very high.

“And the Euro in 2008 was a disaster. So when you are in a bad situation everything is coming out, and people are pointing the finger.

“The World Cup is really close and honestly we have a lot of problems to fix. When there is tension, when there is high pressure games, you need characters.

“You need people to come out and say ‘I will take responsibility’.”

Malouda, at 29 years of age and with 54 appearances for his country, is possibly playing in his last World Cup and along with William Gallas (81), Eric Abidal (55) and Thierry Henry (121) he is one of four players in Domenech’s 23-man squad to have won over a half-century of caps.

Veterans like Patrick Vieira, Claude Makelele and Lilian Thuram are no longer around and Malouda knows there is a vacuum to fill in terms of leadership, both on and off the pitch.

He added: “Honestly we have a lot of problems. We have to talk about a lot of things.

“But for that you need someone to take the first step. Guys like (Patrick) Vieira and (Claude) Makelele who can take the lead. If they are not there, somebody has to do it.”

France kick off their World Cup Group A campaign against Uruguay on Friday before games against South Africa and Mexico (France 11/10 – Group A Winner).

Domenech will bow out after the World Cup with his successor, France legend Laurent Blanc, already confirmed in the post for the start of the Euro 2012 qualifiers (12/1 – Euro 2012 Outright).

France will face games against Romania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Belarus, Albania and Luxembourg in Group D (Les Bleus 4/9 – Group Winner).

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Parreira ready for the fight

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South Africa coach Carlos Alberto Parreira says he is on a high as he enters the week when his team kicks off the World Cup (South Africa 4/11 to exit at the group stage).

A 1-0 win for Bafana Bafana over Denmark was the perfect tonic for the side as they approach the first Group A fixture against Mexico at Soccer City.

Parreira said:  “Everybody has to respect us. We are ready to fight. We respect everybody, but they must also respect us. We will take every game as a final. We will fight in every game.”

He added: “I think the team showed that we are ready for the competition – we are ready for the World Cup. The team is ready and they proved it against Denmark.

“With our preparations, it shows that the path we took was the right one. What will happen at the World Cup we don’t know but the team is ready for the World Cup.”

Parreira was also buoyed by the overwhelming support Bafana received from the packed Lucas Moripe stadium in Atteridgeville.

He said: “I read in one newspaper and they said ’spectators fall in love again with Bafana’, this is good. We have the support… they have been supporting us in the games we have been playing, the one against Thailand and Colombia they were there in big numbers blowing the vuvuzelas. They give the team confidence,” he said.

The win against Denmark was the perfect way to end the warm-up sequence for the World Cup, said Parreira.

“A win is a win, but this one was a special one for us, because it was a win against a very, very good team.

“Denmark is a very strong team and five of their players have around 80 caps for their national team and that’s why I was very happy to see the boys win.

“They won against very tough opponents and I’m happy about that,” said the 67-year-old.

The coach also said the visit to former president Nelson Mandela on Thursday worked and brought with it the ‘Madiba Magic’ to the team.

“He didn’t make any speech, but his presence is so inspiring for the team and the country. It was so emotional to see him there and everyone was so happy. I’m sure it helps the team a lot when we play,” said Parreira.

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Rafa closes in on Inter post

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Former Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez appears to have wasted little time in moving on following his departure from Liverpool (10/1 2010/11 Premier League champions) last week by reportedly agreeing a deal to take over as the new manager of European champions Inter Milan.

Inter president Massimo Moratti has dropped a big hint that the Spanish coach will be installed as Jose Mourinho’s replacement at the San Siro and he is expected to be officially confirmed as their new boss in the next 48 hours.

Moratti told reporters in Italy: “The next few hours could be decisive. But we must ask (technical director Marco) Branca.”

Benitez will also reportedly take his Anfield assistant Mauricio Pellegrino, goalkeeping coach Xavi Valero and fitness coach Paco de Miguel with him to Italy, leaving Liverpool with plenty of holes to fill in their coaching staff when they do move to make an appointment.

It is believed Benitez has agreed a three-year deal with Inter, worth five million euros per season, as he looks to keep the Italian treble winners at the pinnacle of club and European football next season.

Benitez, who won the Champions League with Liverpool in 2005 and the FA Cup in 2006 during his six-year tenure on Merseyside, was linked with a move to Serie A towards the end of last season but it was Juventus who were courting the former Valencia chief, but a deal failed to materialise and he has instead opted for Milan.

Meanwhile, Liverpool continue their search for a new boss with plenty of candidates said to be keen on taking the hot-seat despite the ongoing uncertainty over the club’s ownership.

American pair Tom Hicks and George Gillett continue to look for new investment but the lack of financial clout in the transfer market could affect who is eventually named new manager as there may not be much money to spend on new players.

Fulham boss Roy Hodgson seems to be the top choice for the Reds and is totesport’s 6/4 favourite, but Kenny Dalglish (5/1), Martin O’Neill (3/1), Harry Redknapp (11/1) and Sven Goran Eriksson (10/1) are the other names in the frame at the minute.

Bet on totesport.com’s special ‘next permanent Liverpool manager’ market here.

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Algeria record much needed win

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Algeria secured a 1-0 win over the UAE in Germany in their final pre-World Cup match (Algeria 500/1 outright winners).

Karim Ziani scored the only goal of the match from the penalty spot in the second half as coach Rabah Saadane answered some of the critics who rounded on him in the defeat in Ireland last week.

The squad Saadane used included defensive pillars Madjid Bougherra and Antar Yahia as well as Medhi Lacen in midfield, while under-fire Yazid Mansouri kept his place in the starting line-up despite his poor showing against Ireland.

Srecko Katanec’s UAE team were well organised early on and put pressure on Faouzi Chaouchi on two occasions.

Algeria should have taken the lead in the 17th minute after an inspired run by Ziani who found Rafik Djebbour in the box but the AEK Athens forward failed to get on the end of the pass.

The game was a sloppy yet energetic affair, with the UAE more than holding their own against their World Cup-bound opponents.

Forwards Matar and Ahmed Khalil were doing their best to trouble the resolute Algerian backline while the Fennecs attempted to inject as much pace into the game as possible, desperately in search of their first goal in three matches.

The start of the second half saw Khalil once again pestering the Algerians with his constant pressure but Chaouchi was alert and brave to come out of his goal and make a vital clearance.

Four minutes into the second half, Algeria won a penalty when Sabil handled the ball in his area. Ziani stepped up and blasted the ball past Humaid with a powerful shot to give the Desert Foxes a 1-0 lead.

Faisal Khalil was subbed into the match for Al Shihi in the 54th minute as Katanec looked for more offensive solutions. Saadane countered by putting in Ghezzal for Rafik Saifi, Djebbour for Boudebouz, and Foued Kadir for Mansouri.

Algeria dominated possession for the rest of the encounter but still couldn’t add a second and remain without a goal from open play in their last three four outings.

Saadane said after the game: “This game was a good test for us. It was very tough and a high level.

“It demonstrated the capabilities of the team, especially with the players returning from injury and took us a step closer to where we want to be. There was a lot of willingness on the part of players, who have given a great deal in these last few weeks.”

He added: “Among the positives are the physicality of the players. We played an attacking game today to try and win, given our status as a World Cup team.

“There were many problems with ball retention. No one could keep the ball and I asked the players at half-time to improve on this and they did in the second half. There are still some problems in attack, where our finishing was lacking. Hopefully we’ll have this during the World Cup.”

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Italy sweating on Pirlo fitness

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Italy will wait a week before deciding whether to call up an emergency replacement for midfielder Andrea Pirlo.

Pirlo suffered a calf injury in the world champions’ 2-1 defeat to Mexico on Thursday, and medical staff expect him to be out for up to 20 days (Italy 9/4 to be eliminated in the quarter-finals).

That would rule Pirlo out of the opening Group F fixture against Paraguay in Cape Town on June 14. (Italy 5/6 to win, Paraguay 16/5, draw 23/10)

“He will probably travel to South Africa but will, for sure, miss the first game,” said Enrico Castellacci, Italy’s head doctor.

The 2006 World Cup winner now faces a race to be fit for the second Group F game against New Zealand.

“It’s an injury which worries me but there’s time,” Castellacci said, saying the recovery period was at least 15 days.

“The intention is to take him to South Africa to see if he can be fit. Before June 13 we can change players in the squad.”

Pirlo, who would have been a definite starter, has left the Azzurri’s training camp in the Italian Alps to rest at home.

He was due to miss Saturday’s final friendly with Switzerland in Geneva in any case after coach Marcello Lippi said he would use players who did not feature against Mexico.

Lippi already has concerns over winger Mauro Camoranesi, who has a knee injury, and the loss of Pirlo for any games at the World Cup would be a big blow to the holders.

Castellacci said Camoranesi was progressing well. Lippi had already put midfielder Andrea Cossu, left out of the 23-man squad, on alert to go to South Africa if Camoranesi was not fit and the Cagliari man would also be the most like-for-like replacement for Pirlo.

If both Pirlo and Camoranesi are not fit for the tournament, midfielder Antonio Candreva could come in having been in the provisional 30-man squad.

Pirlo’s dead-ball ability and neat passing were key to Italy’s 2006 triumph but he has struggled for AC Milan in the last two years.

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Inter target Benitez

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Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti has revealed that the Italian giants are looking at Rafa Benitez (Liverpool 10/1 to win the Premier League) to be their next manager.

Moratti is currently scouting for a replacement for Jose Mourinho and the former Liverpool boss is being heavily linked with the job at the San Siro.

Benitez left the manager’s position at Anfield on Thursday and was reportedly given a £6m compensation package after his side were unable to qualify for the Champions League.

According to Moratti, talks with the former Valencia manager could happen as soon as next week.

He said:  “I can only speak highly of him, because he is very talented.

“It’s true, we are leaning towards Benitez and in the next few days we’ll decide.”

Inter did the treble last season after winning the domestic cup, Serie A and the Champions League, beating Bayern Munich in the final.

Moratti will be looking for a manager who can continue the success that the club experienced under Mourinho, who has taken the job at Spanish giants Real Madrid.

He said: “I know Benitez has a good record against Jose Mourinho, I think he’s beaten him five times.

“That’s a sign he does his research, works well and above all does not get the big games wrong.

“It is also important that he has already made his mark in Europe. We want to achieve more in this area,” he added.

Meanwhile Liverpool are looking to fill the role left by Benitez, with a number of big names being linked with the job at Anfield.

Former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson has declared his interest in the job after revealing he has been a lifelong fan of the club. Eriksson is 11/1 to be the next Permanent Liverpool manager.

Tottenham gaffer Harry Redknapp (9/1) has also been linked with the Merseyside club but is unlikely to leave the London club after helping the side reach Champions League qualification ahead of Liverpool.

Roy Hodgson (9/4f) is a likely candidate for the job, having helped Fulham reach the Europa League final. He has been linked with a move to a bigger club since the end of the domestic season.

Whoever takes over at Anfield will need to try and keep hold of the club’s top players as captain Steven Gerrard and prolific goalscorer Fernando Torres (14/1 to be top goalscorer at the World Cup) have been linked with moves to other clubs.

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