Tottenham Manchester city preview

Mauricio Pochettino goes a long way back with Manuel Pellegrini. The Tottenham manager was a youth international for Argentina at the South America Under-20 Championship in 1991 when he remembers scoring the winning goal in a group phase tie against a Chile team managed by Pellegrini. What Pochettino would give for a repeat scoreline against Manchester City on Saturday. Tottenham are battling to ally fluency with results while City – and Sergio Agüero, in particular – have been their nemesis in recent times. David Hytner Kick-off Saturday 12.45pm Venue White Hart Lane Last season Tottenham Hotspur 0 Manchester City 1 Live BT Sport 1 Referee Mark Clattenburg This season G4, Y15, R1, 4.25 cards per game Odds H 3-1 A 10-11 D 11-4 Tottenham Hotspur Subs from Vorm, Trippier, Wimmer, Rose, Fazio, Carroll, Winks, Onomah, Chadli, Townsend, N’Jie, McGee Doubtful None Injured Dembélé (ankle, 3 Oct), Mason (knee, 3 Oct), Bentaleb (ankle, 17 Oct), Pritchard (ankle, unknown) Suspended None Form LDDDWW Discipline Y15 R0 Leading scorers Fernandinho, Kompany 2 Manchester City Subs from Caballero, Wright, Zabaleta, Fernando, Nasri, Demichelis, Zuculini, Roberts, Maffeo, Bossaerts Doubtful Zabaleta (knee) Injured Bony (knock, 3 Oct), Silva (calf, 3 Oct), Iheanacho (groin, 10 Oct), Clichy (ankle, 17 Oct), Mangala (groin, 17 Oct), Delph (hamstring, 31 Oct) Suspended None Form WWWWWL Discipline Y13 R0 Leading scorer Son 2

Mourinho lunches fresh attack on Wenger

José Mourinho’s deep-lying antipathy towards Arsène Wenger has surfaced yet again in the wake of the Frenchman’s post-match comments at Stamford Bridge last weekend, with the Chelsea manager suggesting his opposite number is subject to preferential treatment from the Football Association. The Portuguese was in a particularly spiky mood at his media briefing at Cobham on Friday before Saturday’s trip to Newcastle United. Mourinho claimed he could not answer questions on the three-match ban for violent conduct that has been imposed retrospectively on the striker Diego Costa in the wake of Saturday’s 2-0 win over Arsenal, for fear of incurring a touchline suspension. Indeed, he was reluctant to address the implications of that sanction. “I have no comment, and I’ll tell you why,” he said when asked if he was concerned Costa may attract more attention from referees after the punishment imposed this week. “In the rule book it says some managers can speak about the referees before and after games. Some others cannot. Then comes the list. I am in the list of those who are punished if they speak about the referees before the game. I have to stick to that rule book because I am in the list of those who cannot speak about the referees.” Asked to clarify, he added: “You know that some can [talk about referees]. It’s an imaginary list, but clearly [I am not on it].” Wenger had been highly critical of Mike Dean’s performance at Stamford Bridge in his immediate post-match press conference, and urged the official and the FA to scrutinise video footage of Costa’s conduct in the 43rd minute clash with Laurent Koscielny. The striker was subsequently charged over that incident. The conversation then moved on to Steve McClaren, a manager under pressure at Newcastle whom Chelsea confront on Saturday. “In this country, only one manager is not under pressure,” Mourinho said. “Every other manager is. I am under pressure, Steve is under pressure, [Manuel] Pellegrini is under pressure, Brendan [Rodgers] too. We cannot be below par. We have to meet the objectives. I have sympathy with all of them, because it’s a difficult job. There’s one outside that list, but good for him. I have sympathy for Steve.” Asked to be specific about which manager was outside the list, he said: “You know. The one who can speak about the referees before the game, after the game, can push people in the technical area [a reference to the pair’s clash in the technical area at Stamford Bridge in October 2014], can moan, can cry in the morning in the afternoon, and nothing happens. He can not achieve [success] and keep his job, still be the king. I say just one.” The tit-for-tit maintained a theme of animosity between the two, with Wenger having suggested earlier in the day in his own media briefing that Claudio Ranieri, whose Leicester team Arsenal play on Saturday, was responsible for laying many of the foundations for the success that Chelsea have enjoyed over the last decade. The implication was very much that Mourinho had inherited a side ready to dominate. “When Claudio left Chelsea he had built the team that was so successful at the start,” said Wenger. “I remember them finishing second in the league with Ranieri and the team was upcoming with young players like John Terry and Frank Lampard, who were the players that contributed to the success of Chelsea.” Mourinho declined to comment on that issue. Chelsea have yet to see the FA’s full written reasoning for the violent conduct charge imposed upon Costa, with Mourinho clearly frustrated that he was without the Spain forward at Walsall in midweek and on Tyneside tomorrow despite having yet to receive the precise details over why the charge was upheld. He reiterated his surprise that Gabriel, who had been sent off by Dean for flicking out his boot at Costa, had since seen the card rescinded despite Wenger having admitted his player’s conduct had warranted a dismissal. “One of the things that was clear in football was that, when a player reacts to something that happened before – like [Nemanja] Matic reacting last season after a criminal tackle … that retaliation was always punished in football,” added Mourinho. “Now we know it isn’t always. You can do that. You can do that.”

Obafemi martins highest earning African player in MLS

Nigeria striker, Obafemi Martins, has been ranked 11th among the highest-earning players in the MLS. The former Inter Milan and Newcastle player, has a basic take-home of three million dollars ($3,000,00) a year. Martins is the highest paid African player in the MLS, with Montreal Impact’s Didier Drogba in second place, with over two million dollar ($2,166,668). The top earner is Kaka of Orlando City FC, who rakes in $7,167,500 annually. Here is the list of top earners in the MLS: ORLANDO CITY SC: Kaká ($7,167,500) TORONTO FC: Sebastian Giovinco ($7,115,555.67) TORONTO FC: Michael Bradley ($6,500,000) LA GALAXY: Steven Gerrard ($6,332,504) NEW YORK CITY FC: Frank Lampard ($6,000,000) LA GALAXY: Giovani Dos Santos ($5,750,008) NEW YORK CITY FC: David Villa ($5,610,000) TORONTO FC Jozy Altidore ($4,750,000) SEATTLE SOUNDERS: Clint Dempsey ($4,605,941.50) LA GALAXY: Robbie Keane ($4,500,000) NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION: Jermaine Jones ($3,052,500) SEATTLE SOUNDERS: Obafemi Martins ($3,000,000) NEW YORK CITY FC: Andrea Pirlo ($2,315,694) MONTREAL IMPACT: Didier Drogba ($2,166,668) LA GALAXY: Omar Gonzalez ($1,450,000) VANCOUVER WHITECAPS: Pedro Morales ($1,410,900) SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES: Innocent Emeghara ($1,300,000) SEATTLE SOUNDERS: Nelson Valdez ($1,215,000) COLUMBUS CREW: Federico Higuain ($1,175,000) COLORADO RAPIDS: Kevin Doyle ($1,170,000) PORTLAND TIMBERS: Liam Ridgewell ($1,150,000) CHICAGO FIRE: Gilberto ($1,144,992) REAL SALT LAKE: Juan Manuel Martinez ($1,108,666.67)

Matuidi may replace mikel at Chelsea

You are here : Home » Sports » Matuidi may replace Mikel Obi September 23, 2015 at 10:11 pm in Sports FacebookTwitterSMSWhatsApp Chelsea are ready to splash as much as 30 million pounds to sign Blaise Matuidi from PSG as replacement for Nigeria star Mikel Obi. Blaise Matuidi Mikel’s future at Stamford Bridge has remained a source of speculations even after he chose to stay put at ‘The Blues’ this season. Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is reportedly ready to axe the Nigeria international, and it is claimed that the French midfielder is ear marked to fill the void Nigerian fans will remember Matuidi from last year’s World Cup when he kicked out Ogenyi Onazi out of the second round match against France in Brazil. Matuidi, 28, is contracted to PSG until 2018, and would command a fee upwards of £30m. Manchester United and Chelsea were both linked with the player over the summer, but neither ramped up initial interest in his services. Matuidi has been with the French champions since a 2011 move from St-Etienne.

Blatter must come clean - pele

Sepp Blatter Pele has urged Sepp Blatter to give an honest account of his time in charge of FIFA following a string of corruption claims, Goal reports. Blatter was re-elected as FIFA president in May against the backdrop of nine past and present officials being indicted for racketeering conspiracy and corruption under an investigation by US and Swiss authorities. The 79-year-old subsequently announced his resignation and he will leave his post later this year. Three-time World Cup winner Pele is a special advisor for FIFA’s Football Committee and the slew of negative stories surrounding the global game has upset the three-time World Cup winner. “I was invited to help FIFA, with Franz Beckenbauer, and we worked together for two or three years, so it is very sad when you see what has happened,” Pele told Sky Sports. “I don’t know exactly what happened, you hear but you do not know, but after what has happened in the last two years, Blatter deserves to be honest and say the truth of what he has seen.” Small manhood and premature ejaculation made me stay away from love making for 4 yrs... But these simple solutions WORKED! Click Here to see my breakthrough. 4 years ago my wife told me she was leaving me because I was too weak in bed, but today she calls me bed champion. Click here to know a natural solution that forces women to ask for more. Are you a ONE MINUTE Man? Forget Viagra: Use these to increase your manhood size and last more than 30 minutes. 100 percent natural with no side effects. Click here if you are interested. Small manhood and premature ejaculation made me stay away from love making for 4 yrs... But these simple solutions WORKED! Click Here to see my breakthrough. 4 years ago my wife told me she was leaving me because I was too weak in bed, but today she calls me bed champion. Click here to know a natural solution that forces women to ask for more. Are you a ONE MINUTE Man? Forget Viagra: Use these to increase your manhood size and last more than 30 minutes. 100 percent natural with no side effects. Click here if you are interested.

Chinese players gave us a hard time. Aruna Quadri

Nigeria table tennis star, Aruna Quadri, has described the just-concluded Brazzaville 2015 All Africa Games as a difficult one for him and the Nigerian team. The 27-year-old won gold in the men’s team event and silver in the men’s singles. Quadri said winning medals in the competition was made difficult by the presence of Chinese players recruited by Congo. “The 2015 All Africa Games were the most difficult for me and the team so far,” the France-based ping ponger told our correspondent online on Wednesday. “The Chinese players, who represented Congo, gave us a tough time in the singles and doubles events. “Although, we were able to win the team events, the quality of the Chinese players is not the same as our African opponents. “The competition was also difficult because the level of table tennis is getting higher on the continent. The countries that were regarded as easy opponents are now coming up to challenge the established ones in the sport. “But we tried our best to get the medals we got and I am grateful to God for the success we achieved.” The former GD Toledos of Portugal player said he has started preparations for the 2016 Olympics, adding that his target remains getting an Olympic gold medal. He said, “Preparations for the Olympics have started and I will work hard towards realising my dream of getting an Olympic gold medal. “It will not be easy but with adequate preparations, we will get there.”

CAPITAL ONE CUP FORTH ROUND DRAW

Fourth-round draw Everton v Norwich City Hull City v Leicester City Liverpool v Bournemouth Manchester City v Crystal Palace Manchester United v Middlesbrough Sheffield Wednesday v Arsenal Southampton v Aston Villa Stoke City v Chelsea

BRENDAN RODGERS MISSES PRESS CONFERENCE AFTER LIVERPOOL NARROWLY ESCAPED DEFECT

The Reds boss, who saw his side scrape through to the fourth round of the League Cup off the back of a winless run, sent Gary McAllister to face the media on Wednesday night By Eliot Rothwell at Anfield Under-pressure Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers decided against facing the press after his side narrowly avoided a League Cup upset against Carlisle United on Wednesday night. Liverpool took the lead through Danny Ings in the first half but were forced to a penalty shoot-out after extra time following Derek Asamoah's equaliser. Adam Bogdan was the hero, saving three penalties as the hosts won the shoot-out 3-2. Rodgers, who has seen his side fail to win any of the last six games in normal time in all competitions, has come under scrutiny for recent results, with Carlo Ancelotti linked with the manager's job at Anfield. And the Northern Irishman sent assistant manager Gary McAllister to the post-match press conference at Anfield. When asked about Rodgers, McAllister said: "Like everybody, he's delighted to be through to the next round." Liverpool had 47 shots on goal against Carlisle and, despite only beating goalkeeper Mark Gillespie once, McAllister was pleased to see the Reds try their luck. "That is the positive [having nearly 50 shots]," he said. "The positives are that we're through to the next round and that we've had over 50 shots at goal and we've been asking the players to step forward and take a wee bit of the responsibility to take on the shot, and we had that tonight. We just didn't work the keeper enough."

Iago aspas condemns barca to four one defect

Barcelona suffered their biggest La Liga defeat under Luis Enrique as Celta Vigo ended the champions' 100% record in the league this season. Former Liverpool forward Iago Aspas scored twice after Nolito opened the scoring against his former club. Neymar pulled one back for Barca with 10 minutes remaining, before ex-Manchester City and Stoke striker John Guidetti netted a fourth for the hosts. Barcelona had lost only one of their previous 25 matches in La Liga. Victory took Celta briefly top of the table, but Real Madrid replace them after beating Athletic Bilbao later on Wednesday. Barca boss Luis Enrique, said: "What decided this game is how well Celta played. It was highly effective football from them. It was very good. "We tried to create problems, but we suffered a lot in one-on-one situations. When a team has played better than you, then there is nothing much that you can say. "I'd rather lose to a team that plays like Celta did today, without any tricks, purely winning through their football. I congratulate them and hope they can carry on playing like that." It was the third time Barca have conceded four goals in just nine games this season having been thrashed 4-0 by Athletic Bilbao in the Spanish Super Cup and beaten Sevilla 5-4 in the UEFA Super Cup.

REAL MADRID WINS AS BENZEMA SHINES

The France international was the star for the visitors, who were without several key men, in a narrow win while Cristiano Ronaldo was made to wait for his 500th career goal Real Madrid moved top of La Liga as Karim Benzema struck in each half to earn the visitors a 2-1 win over Athletic Bilbao at San Mames on Wednesday. Cristiano Ronaldo went into the game one off 500 career goals and three away from becoming Madrid's all-time leading goalscorer ahead of Raul, but it was Benzema who made the difference - scoring either side of Sabin Merino's equaliser in a predictably difficult encounter for Rafael Benitez's men. Benitez was without Sergio Ramos, Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez but a sloppy backpass from Mikel San Jose to goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz allowed Benzema to open the scoring 19 minutes in against the run of play. Benzema's fifth goal in as many appearances this season was cancelled out by Merino as Ernesto Valverde's hosts claimed a well-deserved equaliser seven minutes after the hour. It was the first competitive goal conceded by Real under Benitez but Benzema was on hand again within three minutes to restore his side's lead as the visitors made the most of Barcelona's surprise defeat to Celta Vigo earlier in the night. They go top of the table - level on points with Celta - having negotiated arguably the toughest test of the Spaniard's reign so far without a host of key players.

FLAMINI SHINES FOR ARSENAL AGAINST SPURS

The 31-year-old Frenchman was told he could leave in the summer but scored both goals in Wednesday's north London derby win against bitter rivals Tottenham COMMENT By Greg Stobart at White Hart Lane The only reason Mathieu Flamini is still an Arsenal player is because Arsenal could not agree a deal for him to cancel his contract and allow him to leave in the summer transfer window. Tonight he is the toast of the red half of north London and the most unlikely hero of a 2-1 win in a victory against Tottenham which has booked the Gunners’ place in the fourth round of the League Cup. Flamini was told he could leave by Arsene Wenger at the start of the summer and the manager admitted that the 31-year-old’s match-winning performance largely stemmed from his frustration at watching the start of the season from the sidelines. “Mathieu is a fighter and he’s a winner as well,” Wenger told reporters in his post-match press conference. “He decided to stay and he’s fought. He’s been frustrated for a long time.” That certainly showed in the ferocious manner with which Flamini struck the winner 12 minutes from time. When Federico Fazio’s attempted clearance looped high into the air, no-one expected what followed. Flamini looked 10 years younger as he charged on to the ball and launched an unstoppable volley low into the bottom corner from 20 yards. The Frenchman celebrated in front of 3,000 wild Arsenal fans, clenching his fist and kissing his badge as he was mobbed by his team-mates. It was a goal that drew a stark contrast with his opener in the 26th minute. It was a poacher’s finish, the kind of goal that strikers love to score as he pounced on Michel Vorm’s uncertain save to turn the ball into the net from close range. After back-to-back defeats to Dinamo Zagreb and Leicester, this was a must-win game for Arsenal despite this competition hardly being a priority for the north London club. Wenger made 10 changes to the starting XI that faced Chelsea, with only Aaron Ramsey keeping his place in the team for the short trip to Spurs. The meaning of this derby was clear in the electric atmosphere created by both sets of supporters, with emotions running high on and on the pitch. After the match, delirious Arsenal supporters pulled down hoardings in the ground as they chanted about their hatred of Tottenham and their love for Flamini. Flamini’s winner was needed after Calum Chambers has turned an equaliser into his own net and Arsenal had withstood a 10-minute spell of considerable pressure. The turning point was the introduction of Alexis Sanchez in the 67th minute. The £35 million forward added a real energy to Arsenal’s play on the counter-attack and forced the Spurs defenders to start back-peddling. But the night belonged to Flamini, the forgotten man. He will now hope to retain his place for the tricky trip to high flying Leicester, with first choice Francis Coquelin facing a race against time to recover from a knee injury. Whether he features or not, Flamini has certainly played his way into contention and potentially turned around his season in the most remarkable fashion.

Arsenal bose arsene Wenger splits from his wife

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has split from his wife after months of speculation about the state of his marriage, the UK Mirror reports. The Gunners chief and long term lover Annie, 59, are said to have agreed a financial package and divided up their assets. The couple, who have an 18-year-old daughter have not been pictured together since 2013. He has previously admitted that his high pressured job with the London club had put pressure on his relationship. It is understood court papers filed in Wenger’s hometown of Strasbourg, France, show they have not been together since June of this year. The document - known as a “séparé du corps” in French - is not a full divorce but is a legal separation which means that the couple are not legally obliged to live together. A source said Wenger, 65, and Annie, who married in December 2010 after a long term relationship, had “not been happy for a while”. “They have divided up their assets and agreed a financial package to separate. “They decided this was the best course of action to take.” Wenger received an OBE with his wife by his side at the Foreign and Commonwealth office from Jack Straw in 2003 but they have not been seen with each other publicly since October 2013. In an interview in 2008 he revealed how he promised to quit football for his wife. He said: "Ten years ago I said to my wife [Annie], ‘Five more years and that’s all’, and I am still here. “It is difficult to find time to see them but there are jobs [which are worse]. You have guys who leave for work on Monday and come back on Friday. “In my job I travel, but the problem is not so much the quantity of time you spend with your family, it is the quality. “That is where this job is more damaging. You do not always give them the quality they deserve when you are at home because you are thinking of the next game.”

Chelsea doctor Eva quits after mourinho fall - out

Chelsea doctor Eva Carneiro has left the club, six weeks on from her highly-publicised dispute with manager Jose Mourinho. Mourinho had called the club’s medical staff “impulsive and naive” for entering the pitch late on in the opening day 2-2 draw with Swansea. Eva Carneiro Carneiro and physio Jon Fearn treated Eden Hazard with minutes remaining of the game, leaving the Blues temporarily down to 10 men. Carneiro was subsequently removed from her position on the Chelsea bench during matches and told to instead work with the players at the Cobham training ground. But the doctor is believed to have stayed away from the club since the incident on August 8 and posted a message of thanks to well wishers on Facebook two days after the game. The Football Association are also reviewing complaints that Mourinho used abusive or sexist language towards Carneiro.

Arsenal must trust Wenger says Seaman

ARSENAL MUST TRUST IN WENGER, SAYS SEAMAN By Alex Fisher 12:01 Getty Images The former Gunners goalkeeper has called on the club's fans to keep faith in the Frenchman despite ongoing frustrations with his transfer policy Arsenal fans frustrated at the lack of progression under Arsene Wenger must keep faith with the Frenchman, according to David Seaman. Some sections of the Gunners support have criticised Wenger for a lack of transfer activity ahead of the 2015-16 season, with Petr Cech the only new arrival at the Emirates in the summer.. However, Seaman has backed his former manager to keep Arsenal in the hunt for silverware and called for patience from the Gunners' support. "The fans are split at the moment," Seaman told Omnisport. "A lot of them want Arsene out, I know that because they tell me. "But what I say is be careful what you wish for because look what happened to Manchester United. "It's not always greener on the other side, and I will always be an Arsene Wenger fan because I have worked with him and I know how good he is, and he totally knows what he's doing. "So for me it's trust in Wenger." While Karim Benzema, Edinson Cavani and Adrien Rabiot were all linked with the club, only Cech arrived and, while Seaman acknowledges that was not enough, he still believes Arsenal's current squad can challenge for silverware. He added: "It's a great signing, Petr Cech, because it brings quality to the squad, and it brings respect form the other players. "With that being the only signing, it was a little disappointing, but when you look at the quality of the squad it's still a quality squad. "He [Wenger] would've wanted to have added to the squad, you've got to try and take care of injuries. "It is hard to deal with, and that's why you have back up in your squad. For me, I would have been more comfortable had he signed a couple of players."

LIVERPOOL LEAGUE CUP GAME PREVIEW

LIVERPOOL - CARLISLE UNITED BETTING: PROLIFIC CUMBRIANS TO CAUSE PROBLEMS FOR RODGERS' MEN By Al Hain-Cole 11:00 Getty While the Reds may have demonstrated more attacking endeavour in their draw with Norwich, Al Hain-Cole expects their long-running defensive frailty to be exposed once again After overseeing five matches without a win, Brendan Rodgers will be hoping for a morale-boosting victory when Carlisle United visit Anfield in Wednesday’s League Cup clash. Sunday’s draw at home to Norwich City means Rodgers’ men have now drawn three and lost two of their last five matches, but they are clear 1/5 (1.20) favourites with William Hill to return to winning ways here. The visitors overcame QPR at Loftus Road in the last round, and are available at 12/1 (13.00) to pull off an even greater giant killing against their Premier League opponents. Having been held by Bordeaux and Norwich in their last two matches, there are odds of 11/2 (6.50) available on the home side requiring extra-time after yet another stalemate in this one. Despite the disappointing result, there were definite positive signs in the game against Norwich that have been sorely lacking from the Reds’ recent displays. Having tinkered with the formation to include a back three and two up front, the boss was rewarded with his side’s most fluid attacking performance of the season, with only poor finishing to blame for more than one of the numerous chances created being put away. Unfortunately for the Northern Irishman, the same old defensive frailty that has plagued his tenure came to the fore as the visitors grabbed an equaliser from one of their few attempts on goal. Considering their impressively attacking performance away to QPR in the last round, Keith Curle’s outfit are unlikely to merely sit back and defend at Anfield. With the Football League’s current top scorer Jabo Ibehre leading the line, the Cumbrians will fancy their chances of becoming the 12th consecutive visiting team to hit the back of the net in this competition. As the most prolific side in their division, odds of 21/20 (2.05) are not to be missed on Carlisle getting on the scoresheet in a match featuring goals at both ends.

Lahm bayern captain not surprised by lewandowski display.

The Pole was the hero for Bayern with a five-goal haul but his veteran team-mate claims he should have scored even more Bayern Munich defender Philipp Lahm thinks five-goal super-sub Robert Lewandowski should have scored seven times on Tuesday. Lewandowski was a half-time substitute in Bayern's 5-1 win over Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga on Tuesday, scoring all five of the club's goals in a nine-minute spell. Lahm labelled Lewandowski's performance as "madness" but claimed he should have scored even more. "At half-time a player came in who did a little something," Lahm told reporters, jokingly downplaying the achievement. "It was incredible. Just madness. "And he had two more chances, so he should have gone home with seven goals today." Fellow Bayern defender Jerome Boateng echoed Lahm's words, calling the Polish forward one of the best strikes around. "He's one of the best attackers in the world and I'm glad that he plays in my team," he added. "It's difficult to defend against him. It's good that I can compete with him in training!" With victory Bayern opened up a seven-point gap between themselves and third-placed Wolfsburg, but Borussia Dortmund are just three points behind and with a game in hand.

RAMOS TO MISS REAL MADRID NEXT GAME AGAINST ATHLETIC CLUB

The defender has not trained this week due to a shoulder injury and joins James Rodriguez, Gareth Bale and Danilo on the list of absentees Real Madrid have confirmed that Sergio Ramos will miss Wednesday's league game against Athletic. The defender has not trained with the rest of the team this week, instead working on his own in the gym. And Madrid have revealed that the Spain international will miss Wednesday's trip to San Mames. Rafael Benitez's men will also be without Gareth Bale, James Rodriguez and Danilo. Full squad: Goalkeepers: Keylor Navas, Kiko Casilla, Ruben Yanez, Defenders: Raphael Varane, Pepe, Nacho, Marcelo, Dani Carvajal, Alvaro Arbeloa, Midfielders: Toni Kroos, Casemiro, Mateo Kovacic, Luka Modric, Denis Cheryshev, Isco, Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Lucas Vazquez, Jese.

Rafinha rejects brazil call-up

The Bayern Munich defender sees no long-term future with the Selecao and has withdrawn from the squad to meet Chile and Venezuela next month Bayern Munich right-back Rafinha has rejected a call-up to the Brazil squad for October’s World Cup qualifiers. The 30-year-old was set to make his first appearance for his country since March 2014, when former coach Luiz Felipe Scolari included him in the squad that faced South Africa in Johanessburg in what was the Selecao’s last Brasil Global Tour date prior to World Cup 2014. Alongside Real Madrid’s Danilo and Barcelona’s Dani Alves, Rafinha earned his first call-up under current coach Dunga last week and immediately took to social media to celebrate his return to the international game. “It’s a wonder to able to return to serve the Brazilian team! I am so happy with the call,” he Tweeted. But the former Schalke and Genoa man then shocked the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) by informing them that he will not be accepting the invitation to the squad for the clashes with Chile and Venezuela next month. “I am not regularly called up. I am not one of the main options for my position, considering that there are other professionals in front of me,” Rafinha explained via a brief statement on the CBF website. Rafinha was expected to be second choice to Monaco’s Fabinho, who started in Brazil’s 4-1 Chevrolet brasil Global Tour victory over USA earlier this month, but the governing body have accepted his choice. “We respect the player's decision, commend his transparency and we are cancelling the call-up of Rafinha,” confirmed the CBF. “The CBF believes that only players who are fully committed to the national team and our philosophy of work can be part of the group that represents Brazil around the world.” Rafinha has registered Germany as his official home since 2005 and is currently seeking German citizenship and has expressed an interest in representing the national team. He has been capped twice by Brazil at senior level, but only in friendly matches. He also appeared for Brazil at the 2005 Fifa U-20 World Cup and the 2008 Olympic Games. Rafinha is expected to seek clearance from Fifa to switch his international allegiance to the current World champions, who have found the full-back position a problem after the international retirement of Philipp Lahm.

Samson Siasia on iheanacho and awoniyi.

The Dream Team VI gaffer hopes the duo are available for the Olympics qualifiers in Senegal while expecting his side to face Brazil U23 in a friendly encounter EXCLUSIVE By Shemmy Sholabomi Nigeria U23 handler Samson Siasia has revealed he would love to have Manchester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho and Liverpool’s signing Taiwo Awoniyi in his team for the 2015 African U23 Championship billed for Senegal. Both players missed out of the All African Games where the country picked the bronze medal after their clubsides held on to them because the competition was not on Fifa calendar. According to the former Super Eagles forward, having them in his squad would strengthen the squad as they aim to pick one of the tickets to represent Africa at the 2016 Olympic Games, while planning a warm up game against the Brazil U23 team before heading for the competition. “We hope to play strong football playing nations like Brazil and any other country before we jet out for the African tournament in Senegal. This will prepare us well for the task ahead in Senegal,” Siasia told Goal. “If we can get the likes of (Kelechi) Iheanacho, (Taiwo) Awoniyi it would be great for the team. I have been talking to the two players to see if they can be a part of this team. “Hopefully their clubs would release them. To get the clubs to release them is the only problem we have, otherwise we will stick with the ones we have and start working on improving our goal scoring abilities. If we start changing too many players now it’s going to destroy the whole team,” he continued. “We will go on a week recess and let’s say by the end of this month or first week in October we will come back to camp to start preparations for the African Championship in Senegal. I think that will give us 14 days trainings before the game. “We will try to see anybody we can see but we don’t want to make too many changes because that would kill the team. We need to just learn from our mistakes and make sure that it won’t repeat itself in Senegal. “We didn’t play that bad in Congo Brazzaville in the just concluded All Africa Games. Our problem is scoring goals and we will keep working on that, he concluded. Nigeria will face Mali, Algeria and Egypt in the African U23 competition billed to hold in Senegal later this year.

TRANSFER RUMORS FOR TODAY

Terry confident of Chelsea extension Despite being dropped by Jose Mourinho, it is said that John Terry is confident Chelsea will offer him a year's extension on his current contract. Source: Express Wednesday, September 23, 2015 00:40 Liverpool contact Ancelotti Reports claim the ailing Reds have opened comminications with former Real Madrid and Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti with a view to having him take over from under-fire Brendan Rodgers. Source: Express Wednesday, September 23, 2015 00:32 Chelsea want Matuidi Reports suggest Chelsea are hopeful of signing Blaise Matuidi as a long-term replacement for John Obi Mikel. The player has a contract till 2018, but a €30m+ offer could tempt Paris Saint-Germain to part with the midfielder. Source: Daily Star Tuesday, September 22, 2015 23:57 Arsenal in Rugani move Arsenal are lining up a £13 million bid for Juventus defender Daniele Rugani but the Serie A champions are likely to reject the offer. Source: Calciomercato.com Tuesday, September 22, 2015 11:46 Man Utd scout St. Juste Manchester United are keeping tabs on Heerenveen’s 18-year-old defender Jerry St. Juste. Source: Daily Mail Tuesday, September 22, 2015 11:43 Morata could return to Real Madrid on 2016 Alvaro Morata will return to Real Madrid, that will pay 35 millions of euros to Juventus to recover him after two years playing for Serie A champions. Source: El Chiringuito Tuesday, September 22, 2015 09:46 Napoli keen on Marcos Rojo Napoli will reportedly open talks with Manchester United over a January move for defender Marcos Rojo. Source: Rai Tuesday, September 22, 2015 01:26 Coutinho on Barcelona radar Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho is among the players Barcelona are interested in signing when their transfer embargo is lifted in January. Source: Fichajes.net Tuesday, September 22, 2015 01:22 Giroud set for recall Arsene Wenger will field an experienced Arsenal side against Tottenham in the League Cup, and is set to hand Olivier Giroud a start. Source: Daily Mirror Monday, September 21, 2015 23:14 Man Utd on Ronaldo alert Manchester United are desperate to re-sign Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid and have been alrted to suggestions the Portugal star could leave the Bernabeu for a record £90 million next summer. Source: Daily Mirror Monday, September 21, 2015 23:10

VENUES ANNOUNCED FOR NIGERIA'S OCTOBER FRIENDLIES

VENUES ANNOUNCED FOR NIGERIA’S OCTOBER FRIENDLY GAMES By Shina Oludare 17:08 Photo by Shengol Pix Super Eagles fans in Belgium will have two matches to look forward to during October international break as Sunday Oliseh’s men will face Cameroon and DR Congo Mons will host one of Nigeria’s friendly games in October, while fans in Denderleeuw will also get the chance to see the Super Eagles in action. 13,000 capacity multi-purpose Stadium, Stade Charles Tondreau – home of former Belgian league side R.A.E.C Mons will be the battle ground when the Super Eagles slug it out with DR Congo on October 8. Three days later, Sunday Oliseh’s men will head for Denderleeuw where they face arch rivals Cameroon at the 12,000 capacity Stade Van Roy. This was confirmed by the Nigeria Football Federation via their Twitter handle. The Super Eagles last faced the Indomitable Lions in February 2004, when Austine Okocha’s free kick sent them out of the quarter final of the Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia. These games were lined up to prepare Nigeria for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations and World Cup qualifiers.

Musa shines for csk moscow

The Nigerian winger helped his side claw back from a 3-0 half time deficit to win 4-6 as he scored twice while also adding an assist Ahmed Musa scored twice for CSKA Moscow, who came from a 3-0 first half deficit, to beat Mordovia Saransk 6-4 in the Russian Premier League on Sunday. The league leaders were reduced to 10 men early on, following a 12th minute sending off of Brazilian defender Mario Fernandes. The hosts had taken a first minute lead via Evgeniy Lutsenko and immediately added to their tally after Fernandes’ sending off via Vladimir Vykov and Ruslan Mukhametsin to finish the first period in the ascendancy. However, the Army team soon clawed their way back at the restart with goals from Kirill Panchenko, Zoran Tosic and Seydou Doumbia with a Musa assist in the space of ten minutes after Mordovia’s midfielder Yannick Djalo received a second booking. The hosts recovered from the shock soon after as Lutshenko scored his second to make it 4-3 but Musa equalized in the 80th minute, assisted by Doumbia and doubled his tally to make the scores 4-5 five minutes later. The visitors then cemented their win with a Doumbia goal two minutes before full time. Musa has now scored five goals in the league and a total of eight in all competitions this season, as CSKA maintain their lead with 25 points on top of the table.

Son strike sinks palace

Mauricio Pochettino's men lifted themselves out of the Premier League's bottom five thanks to the Korean summer signing's second-half strike Heung-Min Son scored his first Premier League goal to earn Tottenham a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace at White Hart Lane. The South Korea international followed on from his Europa League double against Qarabag in midweek with the winning strike on Sunday, handing Tottenham the bragging rights in a closely fought London derby. Mauricio Pochettino's side have now won back-to-back top-flight games and three in a row in all competitions, alleviating some of the early-season pressure that was beginning to build after a below-par start. It was just reward for the hosts, who had the better of things but were pushed hard by Alan Pardew's side, who have lost consecutive matches since stunning champions Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last month. Tottenham started the game positively and called Alex McCarthy into action frequently, but the goalkeeper was equal to everything thrown at him. Palace threatened on the break and hit the post on the brink of half-time through Yohan Cabaye, while Bakary Sako was also denied by the woodwork following an impressive save from Hugo Lloris. That set the stage for Son, a big-money buy from Bayer Leverkusen, to net the winner 22 minutes from time and help Tottenham climb to ninth. Erik Lamela came into the Tottenham side for the injured Ryan Mason, who scored the winner in last weekend's victory over Sunderland, while Damien Delaney replaced the sidelined Scott Dann for Crystal Palace. With Tottenham pressing intensely, Lamela was quickly involved in the action for the hosts as he set up Harry Kane for a header that was sent over. In the 17th minute the Argentine proved dangerous again as he drifted inside from the right and hit a low drive that McCarthy pushed aside, where Delaney removed the threat by putting the ball out for a corner. Alan Pardew's men still offered a threat on the break, with Sako seeing his free kick from 20 yards kept out of the top corner by a leaping Lloris. Cabaye went even closer before the interval as his strike from the right-hand side of the area was deflected onto the upright by Ben Davies. Tottenham thought they had taken the lead close to the hour mark, but Kane was adjudged to have interfered with play from an offside position before Davies nodded home on the rebound following a shot from Son. Palace were denied the opener by the woodwork once again in the 65th minute, but it took an astonishing save from Lloris to divert Sako's cross-goal effort onto the post. The visitors were made to rue that missed chance as substitute Christian Eriksen released Son, who beat Brede Hangeland for pace and fired a low effort underneath McCarthy and into the back of the net. Palace pushed for a late leveller but, even with four minutes of time added on, the hosts held firm to wrap up the points.

EPL MATCH RESULT

Son's first premier league goal for spurs was enough for tottenham to seal there win over palace. The game ended in a 1-0 win in favour of spurs even though harry kane poor form continued.