News in brief - Tues 14th Oct A review of the news from around the grounds of each Barclays Premier League club.
Arsenal
Wales coach John Toshack says he will be careful not to put too much pressure on Aaron Ramsey as he seeks to accommodate the youngster in his side. The 17-year-old midfielder caught the eye in Wales Under-21s' 3-2 European Championship play-off defeat to England last week, and he is knocking hard on the door of the senior team. "We know all about Aaron. We are working on where we fit him in and how we compliment his talent. Arsene Wenger said something very similar a few weeks ago," said Toshack.
Aston Villa
Martin O'Neill thinks the second match of an international double-header should be played on a Tuesday night rather than Wednesday to allow players extra time to rest. O'Neill used Bulgaria midfielder Stiliyan Petrov as an example. He faces a long trip from Georgia to Birmingham before then beginning preparations for Saturday's Barclays Premier League match with Portsmouth. O'Neill said: "The players on international duty don't have the break that the non-internationals do and they have to come back at very late hours. For instance, Stiliyan Petrov plays the second game of his international week on Wednesday night in Georgia. He then has to travel back because we play Portsmouth on Saturday. Those are the obvious concerns of a club manager but I wouldn't be alone in that."
Blackburn Rovers
Rovers have announced the club will be having a fun day on Monday 27th October, to mark the one year anniversary of the launch of the club's junior membership scheme, Team Rovers. Members and their friends and families have the opportunity to watch the first-team train on the Ewood pitch, before collecting autographs at a players signing session after training. Team Rovers membership is available for fans aged 15 and under, is completely free, and members receive a Team Rovers gymbag, goody pack and many other exclusive benefits. See the club's official website for further details.
Bolton Wanderers
Bolton manager Gary Megson believes it is vital that he has a fully-fit squad at his disposal for his team to succeed this season. Megson has been boosted by the returns of Matt Taylor, Johan Elmander and the banned Gary Cahill in recent weeks and was rewarded as Wanderers earned an impressive 3-1 win at West Ham United last weekend. And with a number of his stars away on international duty this week, Megson is hoping they return unscathed ahead of the derby match with Blackburn Rovers next weekend. He said: "We need players to stay fit. We played very well against Stoke and won 3-1, but that's the last time we had that team available. For the last five games before West Ham, we didn't have Cahill, Elmander and Matty Taylor all available - and that makes a difference."
Bolton manager Gary Megson believes it is vital that he has a fully-fit squad at his disposal for his team to succeed this season. Megson has been boosted by the returns of Matt Taylor, Johan Elmander and the banned Gary Cahill in recent weeks and was rewarded as Wanderers earned an impressive 3-1 win at West Ham United last weekend. And with a number of his stars away on international duty this week, Megson is hoping they return unscathed ahead of the derby match with Blackburn Rovers next weekend. He said: "We need players to stay fit. We played very well against Stoke and won 3-1, but that's the last time we had that team available. For the last five games before West Ham, we didn't have Cahill, Elmander and Matty Taylor all available - and that makes a difference."
Chelsea
Chelsea's second string fell to a 1-0 defeat at home on Monday evening, as a goal from former Blue Steve Sidwell, ensured victory for Aston Villa's reserves. Sidwell hit home in the second half, with the disappointment compounded for the home side late on in the match as Carl Magnay was shown a red card.
Everton
Captain Phil Neville believes Everton still have the nucleus of a competitive side, regardless of the big money being spent by rivals Manchester City and Aston Villa. Both those clubs could contest European places with Everton, and Neville said: "Success does not happen overnight. These two teams have bought great players, but it takes time for a team to settle and be moulded. We have had a strong nucleus here for three or four years now, and hopefully that longevity of the squad will see us through. I still feel we have a better squad than last season with better players."
Fulham
Fulham will unveil the Johnny Haynes statue before Saturday's match with Sunderland . The Haynes statue has been commissioned as a lasting tribute to the Club's greatest ever player and will take pride of place in front of the Craven Cottage gates. Chairman Mohamed Al Fayed will be joined by Avril Haynes, Tosh Chamberlain and former Fulham greats in front of the Cottage gates. The Chairman, alongside Avril Haynes will unveil the statue at approximately 12.45pm and all fans are welcome to attend this historic occasion, by gathering in front of the Cottage from noon.
Hull City
The Tigers have confirmed they will screen a beamback of the team's Barclays Premier League encounter against Manchester United at Old Trafford, after fans filled their 3000 ticket allocation for the trip. The match, due to take place on Saturday 1st November at 3pm, will be screened back live to the KC Stadium on a 44sqm LED screen situated in the North Stand. Admission will cost £10 for adults and £5 for concessions, payable at the turnstiles on the day. Tickets will not be available in advance. See the club's official website for more details.
Liverpool
Former Liverpool defender Phil Thompson has paid tribute to injured star Martin Skrtel. Slovakian Skrtel faces up to three months on the sidelines after suffering knee ligament damage in his side's 3-2 victory against Manchester City. Thompson said: "I just love Skrtel. He has made a real impression at the club. People talk about Fernando Torres, but this lad could be a real gem. It's how he plays the game which impresses me. No matter if we're playing Stoke City or Manchester United, he gives everything he has in terms of commitment and passion. He's good in the air, quick, strong and he doesn't hold any of his opponents in high esteem. He is there to win for the club and whoever comes in will know they are replacing someone special."
Manchester City
City have confirmed the appointment of four new Board members, Khaldoon Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Board, Simon Pearce, Martin Edelman and Victor Restis. The Executive Chairman Garry Cook retains his Board membership. Taweesuk Jack Srisumrid also remains as a Director. Mr Bernard Halford continues in his role as Club Secretary. Garry Cook said: "We welcome the new Chairman and Board members to the Club, following the change in ownership. The new Board marks the start of an incredibly exciting era for Manchester City and its fans. The Board and the executive team that we are building will be worthy of the heritage and potential of Manchester City Football Club."
Manchester United
Cristiano Ronaldo has been pleased with the reception he has received from the fans following his return from injury. The Portuguese star was the subject of much speculation linking him with a move to Real Madrid in the summer, but eventually stayed put. "In the game when I came back against Villarreal I wasn't nervous, but just a bit excited to see how the fans would react to me," said Ronaldo. "Thank God things went well. This shows people have not forgotten all the good things we've done together and I'm very happy with that."
Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough defender Robert Huth is waiting to learn just how serious his ankle injury is. The 24-year-old is visiting a specialist for an assessment of the ligament damage which kept him out of the club's last match at Wigan Athletic. Germany international Huth has been plagued by injuries since his £6m arrival at the Riverside Stadium from Chelsea in August 2006.
Newcastle United
Mark Viduka has vowed to return to international action with Australia once he regains full fitness. The 33-year-old striker has not played this season after being plagued by an Achilles injury which will see him miss Wednesday's World Cup qualifying fixture with Qatar. But Viduka, who has scored 11 goals in 43 internationals, joined up with the squad at the team hotel and stated his wish to return to boost Australia's bid for a second successive World Cup appearance, dismissing suggestions he might quit the Socceroos. He said: "Of course I want to play for Australia again - it's something that's never out of my mind. But it's a step-by-step process and the first stage is to get back playing for my club again. I've got to be 100 per cent fit and 100 per cent sure in my mind that my heel is strong enough. When that happens I'll be back for Australia."
Portsmouth
Tickets for Pompey's UEFA Cup group stage match against Braga at the Municipal Stadium on 23rd October will go on sale to all supporters on the club's database from 9:30am on Thursday 16th October. The club have been given an allocation of 2,500 seats and supporters can only purchase tickets in person at the ticket office in Rodney Road.
Stoke City
Stoke City have announced the renewal of the Chairman's Suite sponsorship for a second year by Applewood Independent. Applewood are a Nantwich based company and one of the leading Independent Financial Advisers in investments and inheritance tax planning in North Staffordshire and South Cheshire. The agreement sees their logo displayed on all Chairman's Suite promotional literature around the Britannia Stadium as well as hospitality for the company to entertain clients on a matchday.
Sunderland
Martyn Waghorn scored on his return from injury as a Sunderland XI comfortably beat the Jersey national team at the Springfield Stadium in St. Helier. The 18-year-old striker, who has missed more than two months with a knee injury, played the second half in the 5-0 victory for Neil Bailey's men. Waghorn was among a youthful 17-man squad taken to the Channel Islands for the invitational match. Midfielder Jack Colback opened the scoring with a penalty after just seven minutes and Swedish striker Rade Prica grabbed the second after 14 minutes following excellent work by Jordan Cook. Jamie Chandler then scored two goals to wrap it up for Sunderland. The first came from the penalty spot again, after 20 minutes, when Chandler himself had been brought down, and the 19-year-old's second came after 43 minutes, from a Prica pass. Waghorn scored within 10 minutes of the re-start, Cook the supplier again, after Bailey, the coach, made four changes at the break.
Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham's UEFA Cup group stage match with Udinese in Italy on Thursday 23rd October will now kick off at 6.10pm UK time (7.10pm CET). The Italian club have confirmed this change with UEFA having previously agreed a kick-off time of 8pm UK time (9pm CET).
West Bromwich Albion
Tony Mowbray has all-but ruled out Abdoulaye Meite of Saturday's trip to Manchester United (ko 5.30pm). The Baggies defender has already been sidelined for six weeks after suffering a recurrence of the calf injury he sustained just before half-time in the goalless draw at Bolton Wanderers. And, while Chris Brunt (hamstring) is set to return to full training this week and Filipe Teixeira (knee) is set for a behind-closed-doors reserves friendly with Leicester City, Meite has been restricted to working with the physio. Mowbray said: "Meite is a bit behind the other two. He hasn't actually been around our training sessions whereas Brunty was joining in the warm-ups and Teixeira is doing pretty much everything."
West Ham United
West Ham United goalkeeper Robert Green has pulled out of the England squad ahead of Wednesday's World Cup qualifier against Belarus. He withdrew from the trip to Minsk because of soreness in his knee and will not travel with the rest of the squad on Tuesday. The Hammers number one was not involved in Saturday's win over Kazakhstan, with David James starting the match and Scott Carson the substitute goalkeeper.
Wigan Athletic
Wigan Athletic midfielder Luis Antonio Valencia was sent off but Ecuador claimed a 1-0 win against nine-man Chile in the South American World Cup Qualifying zone on Sunday. It was Ecuador`s third win as they moved level in the standings with fifth-placed Uruguay, one point behind Chile, who suffered their fourth loss.
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