Robbie Keane is delighted to see the morale boost that the Republic of Ireland’s likely qualification for Euro 2012 is giving to his country

Robbie Keane has turned down a request from his US club to miss the Republic of Ireland’s Euro 2012 play-off second leg against Estonia on Tuesday.

Los Angeles Galaxy play in the MLS Cup final on Sunday and had hoped Keane might miss the Republic’s game, given their 4-0 advantage from the first leg.

But Republic captain and record goalscorer Keane declined the request.

“The job is still not done yet. We have to be professional and do the job properly,” said the striker.

“They requested me to come back with the final [against Houston Dynamo] on Sunday, but this could be one of the greatest moments in Irish history for me playing for my country.

“To miss a special night – hopefully – like this, it wouldn’t feel right.”

Keane insisted the Galaxy had understood his decision.

Richard Dunne says the Republic will not let up in the second leg against Estonia

“They requested it and they were happy with what the manager and the association said, so believe me, it’s no problem,” he said.

It is 10 years since the Republic of Ireland made it to a finals tournament, the 2002 World Cup in the Far East, and on that occasion, they also took the play-off route.

Then skipper Roy Keane, who had headed off on international duty nursing an ankle injury, was not present as their trip to the Far East was confirmed in Tehran having, to the surprise of many, returned to Manchester United following a 2-0 home win over Iran in the first leg.

The current captain said: “I don’t want to get into what happened in the past,

“I can only speak for myself and what Ireland means to me, and you all know I turn up for every game.

“If I have got a slight injury, I still come in and try my best to play the game, that’s just the way I have been brought up, that’s the kind of player I am.

“I can only speak on behalf of me and for me, this is probably one of the proudest moments my footballing career, to lead this team to where we are now and to achieve what we have achieved.”

source: www.bbc.co.uk

Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck has been withdrawn from England’s squad to face Sweden at Wembley on Tuesday because of a muscle strain.
Welbeck, who came on as a second-half substitute in Saturday’s 1-0 win over Spain, has returned to his club.
Coach Fabio Capello was planning to make eight changes with John Terry and Gary Cahill returning.
Welbeck’s absence could hand Daniel Sturridge the chance to partner Bobby Zamora in attack.
When asked about Sturridge’s possible debut, before Welbeck’s injury, Capello said: “One hundred per cent, he will start on the bench. All of the young players who come from the Under-21s have been monitored for a long time.”
Everton defender Phil Jagielka will not have the chance to continue his impressive form in England’s 1-0 victory over the Spanish after being released from the squad due to an ongoing toe injury.
The Football Association (FA) stressed that Jagielka, 29, did not aggravate the problem while on international duty.
“Some midfielders and a keeper will remain. Spain and Sweden are two very different games,” said Capello.
“They are two different games but the experience gained for these players is really important, in order to improve for the next match against the Netherlands [the friendly originally called off because of riots in August] or for the Euros.”
Capello is also considering giving goalkeeper Scott Carson, 26, a first cap in three years.
It would be his first outing at Wembley since the 3-2 defeat by Croatia in November 2007, a result which meant England failed to reach Euro 2008 and cost manager Steve McClaren his job.
Carson joined Turkish side Bursaspor in a £2.1m deal from West Bromwich Albion during the summer.
Despite England’s excellent result against Spain, Capello is mindful Sweden will provide another stern test.
England have not beaten Sweden in 12 matches since 1968.
Sweden reached Euro 2012 as the best runners-up in qualification after finishing second behind the Netherlands in Group E, with 24 points from 10 games.
Capello added: “They are really good and play in a very organised way. Everybody knows what they need to do in every moment of the game.
“It is a little country with a small population but it’s always difficult to beat Sweden.”
Capello is looking forward to the challenge of stopping Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the striker the Italian signed for Juventus for £15m in 2004.
He said: “Ibrahimovic is a really good player who can decide a top-level game in a single moment.
With less to fear from Sweden than Spain, the real test for England may come from striking the right balance between continuing their solidity while offering more attacking threat
“I bought him as Juventus manager and for this reason I know how important he is for Sweden and what a real danger he is for every opponent.”
Meanwhile, England goalkeeping coach Ray Clemence has been admitted to hospital.
The former Liverpool and Tottenham keeper, 63, who won 61 England caps, began to feel unwell on Friday and missed Saturday’s win over Spain.
An FA statement confirmed: “Ray Clemence has been unwell while with England and is having tests in hospital.
“Ray would like to thank everyone for the kind messages he’s received and the FA would like to request privacy for his family.”
It is unlikely that Clemence will be at Tuesday’s game against Sweden.
For the latest updates and reaction to this story, read Sportsday Live. Have your say on Twitter via the hashtag #bbcsportsday.
Source: www.betting-zone.co.uk

Sweden are the visitors to Wembley on Tuesday night as they bid to extend their 43-year unbeaten record against England.

That run covers 12 matches and we think they are a good price at 5/4 with Betfred in the double chance market to make it 13 on Tuesday night.

The Swedes qualified for Euro 2012 by finishing as the best runners-up in qualifying – second behind World Cup finalists Holland in Group E – and they look in decent shape for this summer’s tournament.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Johan Elmander form a strong partnership in attack and the likes of Martin Olsson, Sebastian Larsson and Ola Toivonen should provide more quality over the coming years.

Boss Erik Hamren has adopted a more attacking approach during his three-year tenure and they still look sturdy in defence with Jonas Olsson and Olof Mellberg among the backline.

England are, of course, on a high after the 1-0 win over Spain on Saturday but this represents a completely different test and Fabio Capello has already confirmed he will make eight changes.

John Terry, Gary Cahill, Bobby Zamora, Jack Rodwell and Kyle Walker are among the players to come in and that means some of the cohesion shown against the Spanish will be lost.

We also reckon the 1-1 draw against Ghana in March is worth mentioning as a pointer for this match.

The Three Lions failed to claim victory after they made wholesale changes following the qualifying win over Wales the previous weekend and Capello’s approach is very similar against the Swedes.

The Italian has already provided warning for England fans not to get carried away.

“Against Sweden, it will be really difficult,” he told the press.

“Their movement when they defend is very good and then they play on the counterattack.

“Also, now, after we have beaten Spain, they will come here thinking we are good, so they know they will have to play better – and so will we.”

Sweden did lose 2-0 to Denmark on Friday night but we reckon they will be eager to bounce back and they have the quality to trouble England’s much-changed line-up.

Hamren’s men have only lost three of their previous 13 away matches so take the 5/4 in the double chance market.

source: www.betting-zone.co.uk

Harry Redknapp would be interested in taking Carlos Tevez off Manchester City’s hands, but admits Tottenham are in no position to match the controversial star’s wages.

Tevez has become embroiled in a bitter row with his manager Roberto Mancini over his reported refusal to take to the pitch during City’s Champions League match at Bayern Munich on September 27.

Mancini has made it clear that Tevez has no future at City, and the club are actively looking for a buyer for their former captain.

Spurs boss Redknapp admits he would love to sign Tevez, but concedes a reported asking price of more than £30million, and the striker’s huge wages of around £200,000 a week, mean a move for the 27-year-old is all but impossible.

“Would I like him? Yes. Anyone would like him. He is a fantastic player,” Redknapp said.

“He is an amazing player. When he plays no one gives more than he does. He works his socks off, he runs, he chases, he plays, he tackles and he scores goals.

“He is the full package when he plays so I don’t think there are too many teams who wouldn’t like him.

“Affording him is a different matter. That’s the problem. We couldn’t afford him really.”

City were forced by the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) to halve a four-week fine given to Tevez after they found him guilty of several charges relating to his apparent refusal to come off the bench in Germany last month.

With claims Tevez is considering suing Mancini, the end of the saga appears a long way off and Redknapp admits he has already become bored of the conflict.

“It’s a difficult one. The PFA will always support their players,” the Spurs boss added.

“To be honest, I haven’t been following it. I got fed up reading about it.”

The 64-year-old also thinks the size of Tevez’s fine is irrelevant, given the vast sum of money the Argentina international has amassed during his career.

Redknapp said: “A two-week fine, four-week fine, it doesn’t make any difference to him does it? “How is that going to hurt him anyway? The extra two weeks won’t hurt him when you are earning unbelievable money like that.

“It probably won’t make the slightest bit of difference to his life in the long term.”

Source:www.sporting-life.com

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini again would not answer questions on the ongoing situation involving striker Carlos Tevez on Friday morning.

Mancini, who has not spoken significantly on the matter since accusing Tevez of refusing to play at Bayern Munich on September 27, addressed the media this morning to preview Saturday’s game against Wolves.

But, as has become customary at City in recent weeks, Mancini’s press conference was preceded by a warning to reporters from a club official that the subject was off the agenda.

City consider the matter closed in that they have found Tevez guilty of misconduct and issued a fine, but they anticipate an appeal from the player.

City concluded after a lengthy investigation that Tevez had committed five breaches of contract in relation to his conduct on the bench for the Champions League game at the Allianz Arena.

One of those included a refusal to play following claims from Mancini immediately after the match that the Argentinian did not want to come on as a second-half substitute.

Tevez, however, has contended throughout that he only refused to warm up and blamed a misunderstanding for the fiasco.

The Professional Footballers’ Association have backed the 27-year-old’s stance and refused to sanction a fine above the maximum two weeks’ wages the club are permitted to impose without their ratification.

City had intended to fine Tevez four weeks’ wages – thought to be around £800,000 – but have now halved that following the PFA’s intervention.

The PFA have also said the reasons given for Tevez’s guilty verdict – published on the club’s website on Tuesday – do not relate to a charge read at the player’s disciplinary hearing of failing to resume warming up.

A statement read: “The PFA’s opinion, based on all the evidence presented, is that Carlos Tevez never refused to play for the club.

“This is accepted by the club in that the charge against Carlos made at the hearing was not one of refusing to play.”

City, however, are understood to remain unmoved in their assertion that Tevez refused to play.

Source:www.sporting-life.com

David Silva insists he would ignore any approaches from Barcelona or Real Madrid in order to repay the faith of Manchester City.

Roberto Mancini paid £26million to Valencia for the Spaniard in the summer of 2010 and after taking a season to settle into life in England the playmaker is more than justifying his price tag.

Silva has been the star of City’s charge to the top of the Premier League table and was instrumental in dismantling Manchester United in last weekend’s famous derby victory at Old Trafford.

The 25-year-old’s form has led to suggestions Real and Barcelona will want to sign him and his head could be turned by the possibility of returning to Spain, where his international prospects could be boosted.

But Silva is quoted as saying in The Sun: “City believed in me and I’m very well here.

“Real Madrid and Barcelona are definitely two great clubs, but I hope to stay in Manchester for many years.”

Source:www.sporting-life.com

Anton Ferdinand has spoken publicly for the first time since he found himself positioned at the centre of a race row, and has referred to the events of the last week as “crazy”.

The QPR defender was the subject of an alleged racial slur by the Chelsea and England captain John Terry during a stormy game between the two sides last weekend.

Terry has denied any wrongdoing, but the Football Association are investigating the claims, while the Metropolitan Police are also involved after receiving an anonymous complaint.

Ferdinand is preferring to concentrate on football, with QPR heading to Tottenham this weekend, although he does concede recent days have been somewhat different.

“The last few days have been crazy,” Ferdinand said in an interview with the Daily Telegraph.

“But I’m looking forward to Sunday’s game and fully focused on football.

“Anyone who knows me will know that whatever’s going on, football’s always going to be my number one priority.”

Ferdinand has refused to talk about the alleged incident, but has thanked his peers, at other clubs as well as at QPR, for the support they have shown him.

“I’d like to thank players like (Blackburn’s) Jason Roberts for the support they have given me,” he added.

“Not just professionals at other clubs but my team-mates at QPR.

“They’ve been fantastic for me. Having team-mates around you like I have is nice to feel, and nice to see.”

As part of their investigations, the FA will speak to both Ferdinand and Terry, while other QPR and Chelsea players could be called upon.

“Has it been the craziest week of my life?” Ferdinand added.

“There’s been other situations, but it’s certainly up there. But these types of situations are what make you.”

Source:www.sporting-life.com