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Barry back in England ranks

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Gareth Barry returned to training on Friday and now has just over a week to improve his match fitness before England start their Group C campaign against USA on June 12 (4/9 England 3/1 draw 6/1 USA – match betting).

The Manchester City midfielder was in danger of missing the showpiece tournament in South Africa when he damaged his ankle ligaments in the defeat to Tottenham at Eastlands on May 5.

Fabio Capello had always considered the 29-year-old would be able to resume full training the day after the Rustenburg opener, but the sight of Barry in full flow on Friday has heightened speculation he could make his competitive return against the Americans.

The Italian has bent his own rules to accommodate Barry in his 23-man cut and his inclusion protecting the back four would allow Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard to push further forward.

The former Aston Villa favourite was wrapped in cotton wool in a light work-out with the rest of the first-team squad at the Royal Bafokeng north of Johannesburg but will be given every chance to improve his match sharpness.

Tottenham defender Ledley King, whose fragile knees are well documented, was also included in the training session.

However, veteran goalkeeper David James was not involved in the outdoor session and worked alone in the gym.

Capello is aware England will have to hit their straps if they are to make a statement in South Africa and accepts USA pose an immediate obstacle (1/20 England – To Qualify From Group C).

Bob Bradley’s men caused an international upset last year when they stunned reigning European champions Spain 2-0 in the semi-finals of the Confederations Cup in Bloemfontein, South Africa – a result which brought about Spain’s first defeat since November 2006 and snapped a world-record 15-game winning streak and 35 without loss.

Capello said: “The United States are always strong at the World Cup and the first game is always the tough game for all of the teams.”

The Three Lions will then play Algeria in Cape Town on June 18 and Slovenia in Port Elizabeth on June 23. The World Cup betting suggests England should progress with ease, but the manager is taking nothing for granted.

Capello has argued the two nations are more dangerous because they can enjoy a pressure-off situation and feels all of England’s Group C opponents should be treated with caution.

He added: “Algeria are more dangerous than most people think. I saw the statistics relating to qualifying and they were the fifth highest scorers in qualifying.

“I also remember when we played Slovenia at Wembley that they were very good technically.”

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Crouch is Capello’s number nine

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Peter Crouch and Rio FerdinandPeter Crouch has been handed the number nine shirt for the World Cup by England coach Fabio Capello – potentially boosting his chances of starting the first match against USA (Crouch 5/1 to be First Goalscorer v USA).

The Tottenham marksman has edged out club colleague Jermain Defoe and Aston Villa forward Emile Heskey for the famous shirt, worn by England legends Nat Lofthouse and Sir Bobby Charlton at previous World Cup finals.

Crouch, 13/2 to be Top England Goalscorer, has got a better than one-in-two goal ratio for England – finding the net 21 times in 38 appearances, not all of them starts, and will be tough to dislodge from the starting line-up if he dovetails well with Wayne Rooney in the opening match.

Aaron Lennon (11/1) and Joe Cole (9/1 to be First Goalscorer v USA) could be in line to fill the wide berths in the opening match, with Lennon inheriting David Beckham’s number seven shirt and Cole taking the number eleven jersey.

Further clues to Capello’s starting line-up can be drawn from David James taking the number one shirt over rival goalkeepers Joe Hart and Robert Green while fitness doubt Gareth Barry has to make do with the number fourteen shirt.

Frank Lampard, who boasts 20 international goals from 78 matches, keeps the number eight he wears for Chelsea and could be a big price in the Top Premiership Scorer in World Cup 2010 market after his sensational season with the Blues.

Lampard (16/1) hit 22 goals from midfield last term, the same number as Argentina’s Carlos Tevez (14/1) and more than both Nicolas Anelka (11/1) and Fernando Torres (4/1).

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Rafa walks alone as search begins

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Liverpool have begun the search for a manager they hope will help them challenge for the Premier League title (10/1 to win) next season after confirming Rafa Benitez has left Anfield.

The Spaniard has finally paid the price for last season’s dismal campaign and after the two parties agreed a severance package earlier today, he was sent on his merry way.

Rumours over the future of Benitez have been rumbling on for the last few months but it only broke late on Wednesday night that he could be heading for the exit door.

The 50-year-old says it is with regret that he leaves Anfield after six years at the helm but he will have no problem getting fixed up elsewhere, with Inter Milan keen to land him.

“It is very sad for me to announce that I will no longer be manager of Liverpool FC,” Benitez revealed. “I would like to thank all of the staff and players for their efforts. I’ll always keep in my heart the good times I’ve had here, the strong and loyal support of the fans in the tough times and the love from Liverpool.

“I have no words to thank you enough for all these years and I am very proud to say that I was your manager. Thank you so much once more and always remember: You’ll never walk alone.”

Benitez will always be remembered for winning a fifth European Cup but it is ultimately his failure to bring the Premier League title to Anfield that has cost him.

Last season’s seventh place finish, coupled with an early exit from the Champions League, did not help matters and with clubs abroad showing an interest, the two parties have come to a mutual agreement to end Benitez’s tenure.

The race is now on to find his successor with Kenny Dalglish (5/2f to be next Liverpool manager) and Martin O’Neill (5/2f) the early frontrunners, while Roy Hodgson (7/2) and Guus Hiddink (10/1) have also been mentioned.

It would have been interesting to see if Jose Mourinho would have fancied it but he has just taken over at Real Madrid and is out of the running.

Despite Liverpool’s struggles on and off the pitch over the last couple of seasons it is still arguably one of the biggest jobs in world football and there will be no shortage of top names declaring an interest.

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Grant wants good times back at West Ham

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New West Ham boss Avram GrantNewly appointed West Ham boss Avram Grant is hoping to bring the good times back to Upton Park and is looking forward to the challenge of next season.

The Hammers struggled last season under the leadership of Gianfranco Zola and only managed to secure their place in the Premier League with a couple of games to spare.

Zola was axed by co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan as soon as the season was over and it soon became clear that Grant was the man they wanted.

Slaven Bilic, Sam Allardyce and Ian Holloway had all been linked with the job but Grant was always hot favourite to take the job as soon as his duties with Portsmouth came to an end.

The Israeli worked wonders under very difficult circumstances at Fratton Park and even though they were relegated after being deducted nine points for going into administration, he still managed to guide them to the FA Cup final before losing to Chelsea.

Grant admitted that leaving Pompey was always going to be tough after building up a great relationship with the fans and he will be looking to do that again at Upton Park with the Hammers faithful.

“I’m proud and honoured to be the manager of West Ham. It’s an exciting challenge and I’m ready to do my best,” Grant told the club’s official website.

“West Ham is a fantastic club with great fans and a history that is respected around the world. I’m already looking forward to getting to work with my players in July and preparing for the new season.”

Grant now has the job of making sure the Hammers are nowhere near the drop zone next season and if he gets the backing of the board, he should be able to get the club moving in the right direction.

The former Chelsea boss inherits a squad of talented players that boasts the likes of Matthew Upson, Carlton Cole and Scott Parker and he will be hoping to keep hold of his star trio before adding to his ranks.

The board have said everyone apart from Scott Parker is up for grabs but Grant will want to keep his key men if he is to get the Hammers pushing for the top 10.

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Lippi settles on surprise 23

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Italy winger Mauro Camoranesi was a surprise inclusion in coach Marcello Lippi’s final 23-man squad for the World Cup in South Africa (Italy 3/ 4 to score eight or more goals in Group F).

Camoranesi, who helped Italy win the trophy in Germany four years ago, pulled out of altitude training in the Alps on Tuesday with a knee injury.

But Lippi has gambled on the damage not being serious, though he did not answer reporters’ questions concerning the make-up of the squad.

AC Milan striker Marco Borriello and Villarreal forward Giuseppe Rossi were left out the squad, while Fabio Quagliarella made the list.

Goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu, defender Mattia Cassani and midfielder Andrea Cossu were the other players from a provisional 28-man squad to miss out on the trip to South Africa (Italy 9/4 to be eliminated in the quarter-finals).

Rossi was born in New Jersey to Italian parents and has dual citizenship. He played well for Italy at last year’s Confederations Cup, scoring twice in the opener against the United States, but struggled during the second half of this season with his Spanish club Villarreal.

Borriello scored 14 goals for AC Milan this season but plays centre forward, a position where Lippi prefers Alberto Gilardino, Vincenzo Iaquinta and Giampaolo Pazzini.

Nine players remain from the team that won the World Cup four years ago in Germany: Gianluigi Buffon, Fabio Cannavaro, Gianluca Zambrotta, Camoranesi, Daniele De Rossi, Gennaro Gattuso, Andrea Pirlo, Gilardino and Iaquinta.

Fabio Grosso, the left-back who converted the decisive penalty kick in the final against France four years ago, had already been cut two weeks ago after being named to the preliminary 30-man squad.

Italy have been training in Sestriere at 6,670 feet since May 23 and will depart for South Africa on June 8. The World Cup betting suggests they are in with a chance of repeating their appearance in the final four years ago.

The Azzurri have friendlies set up against Mexico in Brussels on Thursday and Switzerland in Geneva on Saturday.

At the World Cup, Italy opens against Paraguay on June 14 and will also face New Zealand and Slovakia in Group F.

Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Morgan De Sanctis (Napoli), Federico Marchetti (Cagliari).

Defenders: Salvatore Bocchetti (Genoa), Leonardo Bonucci (Bari), Fabio Cannavaro (Juventus), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Domenico Criscito (Genoa), Christian Maggio (Napoli), Gianluca Zambrotta (AC Milan).

Midfielders: Mauro Camoranesi (Juventus), Daniele De Rossi (AS Roma), Gennaro Gattuso (AC Milan), Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Riccardo Montolivo (Fiorentina), Angelo Palombo (Sampdoria), Simone Pepe (Udinese), Andrea Pirlo (AC Milan).

Forwards: Antonio Di Natale (Udinese), Alberto Gilardino (Fiorentina), Vincenzo Iaquinta (Juventus), Giampaolo Pazzini (Sampdoria), Fabio Quagliarella (Napoli).

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Socceroos confident on Kewell

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Australia star Harry Kewell has been backed to return to full fitness before the World Cup starts (Australia 150/1 to win the World Cup).

Coach Pim Verbeek said he was happy with the way the Galatasaray forward is recovering, even though he did not train with the Socceroos squad in Monday morning’s session.

The tournament starts on June 11 in South Africa and Australia plays its first Group D game against former champion Germany two days later.

“Harry’s OK, he will go through another tough training session tomorrow… the expectation is that he will start training on Thursday with us,” Verbeek told reporters at the Socceroos’ Johannesburg training camp.

“It is good that we have 10 days and he is perfectly on track, that is exactly what we had planned.”

Kewell, one of the 20th-ranked Socceroos’ most high profile players, could play in the final friendly against the United States on Saturday.

Former national captain Paul Wade said Verbeek should start Kewell against Germany and not use him as a super sub amid speculation that he may only get a substitutes’ role against the three-time champions in Durban (Australia 11/2 to beat Germany).

“He won’t be 100 percent, we know that, so let’s use him early in a short burst,” Wade told the Daily Telegraph.

“Let him do something special and then bring on players who might be fitter and can work hard to hold a lead or even the chance of a draw.

“I can understand why they’re not risking him in the warm-up games, but at some point you’ve got to test it, and if he’s anywhere close he has to start.”

Captain Lucas Neill, meanwhile, joined the growing list of players criticising the official World Cup ball.

“On the ground, in the air it makes control difficult and it means you have to watch the ball right onto your foot,” he said.

“Any slight pass that is 10, 20 centimetres off target usually stays 10 or 20 centimetres off target and it’s hard to reach.”

The Adidas ball, known as ‘Jabulani’ which means to celebrate in Zulu, is particularly tricky for goalkeepers.

The game will be played at 1,600 metres altitude and Neill said that would make the ball even more difficult to control compared with playing at sea level.

“It’s going to be a good test for everybody and with altitude obviously that makes it that little bit harder,” he said.

“I feel sorry for the ‘keepers most of all because the ball is going to move a hell of a lot in the air.”

Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas on Sunday described it as a “beachball” due to its light weight and unpredictable movement. Italy’s Gianluigi Buffon slammed the ball as “shameful”.

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Robben ready to rock for Holland

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Arjen RobbenBert van Marwijk has played down fears Arjen Robben is an injury concern ahead of Holland’s World Cup opener against Denmark in Johannesburg on June 14.

The Bayern Munich flyer missed the 4-1 international friendly rout over Ghana in Rotterdam on Tuesday because of a slight hip problem and van Marwijk said there was little point in risking him.

He said: “Arjen has a little bit of a problem with his hip. It is not serious, but in the run-up to the World Cup we want as little risk as possible.”

Robben’s replacement, Dirk Kuyt of Liverpool, opened the scoring in a one-sided international friendly win which extended Holland’s unbeaten run to 18 matches.

Second-half efforts from Rafael van der Vaart, Wesley Sneijder and Robin van Persie saw the hosts ease to a comfortable win and the Dutch are now overwhelming 1/7 ante-post favourites with totesport.com to qualify from Group E.

Holland, on paper at least, boast a formidable-looking attack including the likes of van der Vaart, Sneijder, van Persie and Robben.

Arsenal talisman van Persie has come in for praise from his team-mates off the back of his goals against Mexico last week and is excited at the prospect of being his country’s figurehead.

“I heard their opinions and it pleases me that we appreciate each other’s qualities,” said van Persie.

The Emirates Stadium favourite could attract some interest at 16/1 with totesport.com to finish the international extravaganza as World Cup 2010 Top Goalscorer given that van Marwijk’s men appear to have been handed a favourable group including Denmark, Cameroon and Japan.

However, the 26-year-old says the team is more important than personal plaudits and is convinced Holland can go far in South Africa.

He added: “It is a party to play with them. They all are good players who are creative and think offensive.”

The former Feyenoord star was a doubt for the World Cup because of a serious ankle injury he sustained playing for Holland in a friendly against Italy last November.

However, he bounced back towards the end of the domestic season and will arrive in fresh to spearhead the Dutch.

Holland can be backed at 13/2 to end the tournament as the Top European Team and their price to win the World Cup outright has firmed up at 10/1.

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Messi wants Rooney showdown

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Barcelona and Argentina star Lionel Messi (Argentina 13/2 to win the World Cup) has revealed that he wants to go toe to toe with England’s Wayne Rooney in the final of the World Cup.

The World Player of the Year would relish the chance to play the Three Lions key player on the biggest stage.

Messi has had an excellent season with Barca, scoring 47 goals in 53 appearances, and wants to transfer his good form to the international scene.

England are high up on the list of teams the 22-year-old would like to face at this summer’s tournament in South Africa and Rooney is the type of player he wants compete against.

He said: “It would be great to play against Rooney, although I don’t think I would see much of him because we mostly play at opposite ends of the pitch.

“For me, England have a good balance. They look very dangerous when Peter Crouch  plays with Rooney up front. I like Steven Gerrard  and Frank Lampard,  too, but Rooney will be the key.

“It would be good to play against him in South Africa  – preferably in the final, if that is possible,” he added.

Messi is currently preparing for the World Cup with the Argentina squad before their first match of the competition against Nigeria on June 12, the same day England face the USA (England 4/9, draw 3/1, USA 6/1).

The last time Argentina lifted the World Cup trophy was in Mexico in 1986 when they beat England in the quarter-finals thanks to the infamous ‘hand of God’ goal by Diego Maradona.

Messi has been referred to as the next Maradona and will be hoping to beat the English, like his predecessor, if the teams play.

The playmaker has revealed his admiration for the England players and the Premier League.

He said:  “I know there is a lot of history between England and Argentina, but I also know our players admire the English game.

“Mentally they are strong, and they have good quality players. Capello has made them strong, I have seen them play many times on TV and I have been impressed with England.

Messi also believes that Spain, Brazil and Italy all have good chances of winning the final which takes place in Johannesburg on July 11.

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Barca confirm Cesc offer

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Cesc Fabregas moved a step closer to realising his dream of re-joining Barcelona on Wednesday when it was revealed the Spanish champions have entered into formal talks with Arsenal (6/1 with totesport to win the 2010/11 Premier League).

The Spain midfielder has openly expressed a desire to return to the club he left as a 16-year-old in 2003 and is understood to have told manager Arsene Wenger he wants to move back to his homeland.

“An informal conversation with Arsenal became formal on 1 June and now an official approach has been made to the club,” said a Barca spokesman.

The Catalan giants have long held an interest in Fabregas, who is currently with Spain’s World Cup squad, and have now registered a formal offer for the 23-year-old.

The Barca spokesman added on BBC Sport: “Before 1 June, under English rules, we could not make an official approach to Arsenal for Fabregas, but that changed on Tuesday.

“I don’t think there is a special advance on, say, the price or anything, but it has moved on now.”

Earlier on Wednesday, Xavi insisted he was now “certain” his Spain (21/10 to be Europe’s top team at the World Cup) team-mate would leave north London for the Nou Camp.

“It had to be like this,” said Xavi. “Two years ago, I said Cesc would end up playing for Barcelona, and now it is clearer than ever.

“He has also expressed publicly that he wants to come to Barcelona and when a player wants to move to some place he ends up going. It is clear that Cesc will come to Barcelona.”

Fabregas signed an eight-year contract with the Gunners in 2006 but has made no secret of his desire to play for Barcelona.

Barca director general Joan Oliver revealed on the club’s official website: “Everyone knows that Cesc wants to play with Barca and everyone knows we want him to sign but here there is a third actor that is Arsenal.

“Yesterday [Tuesday] we presented a concrete offer and have written to Arsenal.”

The vice-president of the Catalan club, Rafael Yuste, added: “We are hoping we can sign Cesc as soon as possible.

“I am optimistic. It is clear that he is family and we would greet his return with a warm embrace. For this reason we don’t want to do anything that would harm his signing. We don’t want to rush but neither will we stop.”

Fabregas would become Barca’s second major signing of the summer following the capture of Spain team-mate David Villa for £34m from Valencia.

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Hodgson cool on Inter rumours

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Fulham’s chances Roy Hodgsonof doing well in the Premier League next season have been boosted by the news boss Roy Hodgson has committed his future to the club.

Hodgson has worked wonders since taking over at Craven Cottage and it came as no surprise when his former club Inter Milan where linked with a swoop following the departure of Jose Mourinho.

‘The Special One’ will take some replacing but it is easy to see why Hodgson’s name has been thrown into the frame after the miracles he has worked in west London.

Hodgson has changed Fulham from a side struggling in the Premier League to one pushing for Europe and last season’s run in the Europa League showed what a remarkable job the former Blackburn boss has done.

The Cottagers may have lost in the final but the fact they got there in the first place was an amazing feat and something Hodgson will be looking to build on.

“Me to Inter? I am surprised,” he revealed. “I don’t know. I have not spoken to anyone. I have not heard from Inter. My name is in the same speculation as Benitez and Capello (as they both have contracts elsewhere, like Hodgson).

“I am under contract with Fulham, and I am happy there. When I hear something then we will see, but I cannot say anything at the moment.”

Speculation has been rife linking the likes of Bobby Zamora with a move away from the club, but the crucial factor for Fulham will be keeping hold of Hodgson.

Players can come and go but as long as Hodgson is at the helm then Fulham are in safe hands and can look to the future. Without him there is a danger they could return to battling for their lives near the foot of the division.

The main worry for Fulham fans is will Hodgson think he has taken the club as far as he can or will he believe they are capable of winning some silverware?

The top seven never mind the top four will take some breaking into next season as Liverpool finished there in the last campaign, while the big guns have started to take the FA Cup seriously again.

That just leaves the Carling Cup and Hodgson, despite his denials may find it impossible to turn down the chance to coach the European Champions again.

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