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Rio Ferdinand is set
for another international snub today when Roy Hodgson announces his England
squad for the games against San Marino and Poland.
It is widely known that the Manchester United defender had
not given up on a return to the side, for whom he’s been capped 81 times.
This was given further impetus by the retirement of fellow
centre-half John Terry, who has been embroiled in a race court case with Rio’s
brother Anton.
But it is believed that Hodgson favours a longer-term view –
with Spurs youngster Steven Caulker and Stoke man Ryan Shawcross set to be
named as defensive cover alongside Joleon Lescott, Gary Cahill and Phil
Jagielka.
Meanwhile, Roberto
Mancini believes that his keeper Joe Hart single-handedly saved Manchester City
from defeat against Borussia Dortmund last night.
England’s number one pulled off a string of world class saves
to keep the Germans at bay, and earn his side a 1-1 draw. And afterwards, Mancini
was full of praise for his shot stopper.
"Joe saved us. He did well," Mancini said.
"We deserved to concede three or four goals. We didn't play well."
An Italian defender
has admitted scoring a deliberate own goal in a Serie A game in 2011.
Andrea Masiello was playing for Bari when he knowingly
turned a cross into his own net. Opponents Lecce went on to win 2-0, and evaded
relegation from the top flight.
He was handed a 22-month suspended prison sentence after
admitting the crime, with the proceedings forming part of a wider investigation
into corruption in Italian football.
Harry Redknapp has
been ruled out of the running for the newly-vacant AFC Bournemouth manager’s
position.
Cherries chairman Eddie Mitchell has moved to distance
himself from the former Spurs and West ham gaffer, following the dismissal of
Paul Groves yesterday.
"There is no truth that I have offered him [Redknapp] the
job," Mitchell told the BBC. "His future is a lot higher - we are a
Division One club."
Redknapp – who had a successful spell in charge at the South
Coast club during the 1980s – has been working as an advisor there recently.
Ian Holloway is no stranger
to creating laughter, and he’s been at it again – although this time it’s not
intentional.
The Blackpool manager has gone on record to describe how he
believes his player Tom Ince is better than Arsenal wingers Theo Walcott and
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
"He has been absolutely unplayable for us, Holloway
said. “I don't think the other two flying wingers are any better than him.
"It is because they play for Arsenal. In other words,
if Arsene Wenger bought him, he'd be good enough to start for England.”
