Joey O'Brien will link up with the former Bolton manager Gary Megson at Sheffield Wednesday. Photograph: Julien Behal/PA The Bolton Wanderers midfielder Joey O'Brien has joined Sheffield Wednesday on loan until the end of the season.
The League One club have signed the midfielder on loan deadline day after he saw his first-team chances at the Reebok Stadium limited this season due to injury.
O'Brien will now embark on his second spell at Hillsborough, following a successful loan move during the 2003-04 season. The Bolton manager Owen Coyle told the club's website the reasoning behind his decision to allow the Republic of Ireland international to link up with the former Wanderers manager Gary Megson.
"Joey had a real stop-start season with his injury," he said. "He's battled hard to get his fitness back and this loan move to Sheffield Wednesday is a good opportunity for him to play games and regain his match sharpness. It's a great chance for him to put himself back in contention for the first team."
Everton and West Brom target Andy King is poised to sign a three-year contract extension with Leicester City.
The Wales midfielder, 22, will meet with club boss Sven Goran Eriksson after returning from international duty.
Eriksson said: "He is young, good – and he will get better and better."
Aston Villa keeper Brad Friedel has rubbished suggestions of a player revolt against manager Gerard Houllier.
Friedel and other members of the squad were reported to be unhappy at new rules allegedly brought in by Houllier, including the banning of mobile phones in the dressing room.
But Friedel is adamant this is not the case and also claims the vast majority of rules set out for the players to adhere to have been in force for many years.
The American said: "There has been a set of rules here for as long as I have been at the club as there is at every club and probably most, if not all, work environments.
"The suggestion that I am in revolt - or any player is in revolt - over new rules is laughable.
"There are no new rules of any substance that I am aware of and the vast majority of what is in the rule book was agreed years ago."
Friedel added: "Supporters need to know there is nothing in this story.
"I'm committed to the club and our objectives and I've trained all week with my team-mates who are not involved in the internationals."
They're feted feted as the world's No.1 team, so England can only learn from their dazzling example.
And after Jack Wilshere played a major role in guiding England to victory in Wales, he revealed that coach Fabio Capello is trying to turn the national team into Barcelona.
Capello ordered his players to study videos of the Spanish champions before Saturday's Euro 2012 qualifying clash and model their game on Lionel Messi, Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Co.
Wilshere, 19, says Capello was anxious to copy the Spanish club's pressing style and the team watched a rerun of Barcelona's win over Arsenal in the Champions League.
The Gunners midfielder said: "We watched some videos of Barcelona and the way they pressed their opponents. We tried to do it like them against Wales.
"We pressed high and the idea was to get some early goals – and we got them.
"That made it comfortable for ourselves. Barcelona are the best in the world at pressing other teams and we have to learn from teams like that.
"At my age I am always learning and I can learn from players like that."
The revelation shows that Capello is trying to play a more attacking and entertaining game after introducing Barca's style into his tactics.
Wilshere's impressive outing at the Millennium Stadium won praise from team-mates – and a rare tribute from Capello.
Frank Lampard said: "Jack has shown what he can do with Arsenal and England now. It was nice to play with an extra body in there, to get a bit more possession with a bit of insurance behind you."
Capello is ready to build his team around Wilshere, who had played less than an hour in two friendlies for England before Saturday, but has impressed the Italian by establishing himself for Arsenal this season.
Capello said: "His performances this season have been incredible. He has improved an amazing amount in a short space of time.
"Arsene Wenger said the same thing. Here, he played like someone of 29 with 40 caps. I hope there is more to come. Good players are always improving."
Wilshere felt even more comfortable with Capello ditching the rigid 4-4-2 formation that was criticised during the dismal 2010 World Cup campaign in favour of 4-3-3.
"The midfield shape worked well," Wilshere said. "We play it at Arsenal and it works better with one holding and two going forward.
"Scotty (Parker) was great and so was Frank in there. It made it easy for me to play."
Wilshere was instrumental in England's victory in Cardiff and the teenager has already become a central figure in Capello's first XI.
But he is also at the centre of a potential club versus country row, also involving Liverpool striker Andy Carroll and Tottenham full-back Kyle Walker.
All three have been in the senior squad, are set to play in the Euro 2012 qualifier with Switzerland on June 4 – but are then likely to be called up for the under-21s tournament in Denmark.
Capello has already backed under-21 boss Stuart Pearce's determination to call up the three players even if it means upsetting their clubs.
Arsenal boss Wenger claimed that the same scenario contributed to his winger Theo Walcott having a catalogue of injuries last season.
Wilshere has already said he is ready to play for the under-21s, but warned that the decision will be left to the respective managers.
Wilshere added: "This is international football and I want to play in any game.
"It's up to Stuart Pearce and Fabio Capello.
"They will talk and see what's best for me. I always speak to the manager at Arsenal and I will do so again.
"I am sure Stuart Pearce and Fabio Capello will talk to him as well.
"At my age – I am 19 and still trying to improve every day. I have still got a lot to learn and I want to work hard for my club and bring it to international level." England and Arsenal on collision course over Wilshere Wales 0-2 England: Daily Mirror match report Wales 0-2 England: Daily Mirror player ratings Martin Lipton's Big Match Verdict: Capello's flexible changes offer respite from his rigid mistakes
Frank Lampard admits he has been left fearing for his England place after the most frustrating season of his career.
Lampard missed large chunks of the season for Chelsea because of injury and is now coming back into his best form.
But Chelsea midfielder Lampard, normally a fixture in the England line-up, admits it is a major battle to win a place in Fabio Capello's starting XI.
Lampard partnered Scott Parker and Jack Wilshere in central midfield and says he even avoided the papers in the week to ensure he did not get unsettled about his position.
"With England, that happens. I've been around a long time and been lucky enough to be very regular, and I tried not to let it concern me," said Lampard.
"We don't get the papers in there but I was aware of the talk. It's a good squad, a strong squad, and never for any minute should any player be resting on their laurels about getting picked. That's it.
"I'm 32 now and have been around a long time. So it wasn't a sleepless night. I obviously want to play and contribute, so I tried to work hard in training and try and give my best all the time."
It has been a strangely frustrating season for a player renowned for his goals and consistency.
Chelsea have struggled without him but Lampard believes he is coming back into form and put in a hard shift against Wales.
"It's been a very difficult season. I missed half of it, and I've never really had that kind of a break from the game before," said Lampard.
"You miss a ‘pre-season' feel because you come straight back into football, then I broke down a little bit again with a calf.
"So it's been a bit stop-start in January and February, but in the last few games for Chelsea I've started to feel as fit as I had beforehand.
"That's a lovely feeling to have back because I was out a long time and it was frustrating being out. But now I'm feeling really good.
"It's not easy, no. But, when you get back, you have to get used to the fact that you might have certain niggles after having such a bad injury.
"I'm getting to the other side of them now and feeling I don't go into games worrying about the groin or anything else. I just worry about trying to play."
Lampard also said that he enjoyed playing in a new look midfield three with Wilshere and Parker.
Victory in Cardiff puts them in pole position in the Group and Lampard insists the future is brighter after a morale boosting win.
"Scott carried on doing what he does for West Ham," said Lampard. "He's been fantastic at that all season and the benefit of having an extra man in midfield showed itself.
"The three of us in there, particularly in the first half, allowed us to really get a grip of the game. I think it's nice. It allows you to get a bit more forward. It allows you to get tighter in midfield and, you know, sometimes it's not that easy.
"We played Denmark in a friendly and, sometimes, when there are people behind you, you can't always commit to getting tight to their deep-lying midfield players. There was the bonus today of having the extra man in there to allow us to push in tight.
"We won that game early with our performance. We had a plan to press up high, win the ball back quickly and not let them play, and that worked completely.
"They couldn't get out of their own half much, especially in the first half an hour, and that's where the game was won: being 2-0 up from there.
"The atmosphere was brilliant. They wanted to use that atmosphere to inspire their players and, when you've got that behind you, it does inspire. But, as the team coming here, you have to let it inspire you too.
"We had to win this and it was a game that, on paper, we should have won even if it was not going to be easy. We did it. With Switzerland coming up, if we can win that game as well, we'll put ourselves in a strong position." Wales 0-2 England: Daily Mirror match report
King won't abscond to Everton or West Brom Transfer stories from other newspapers and websites Tottenham have made enquiries about Lyon's Brazilian left-sided player Michel Bastos, as they prepare for life without Gareth Bale next season. Real Madrid, Manchester United, Manchester City, Barcelona and Inter Milan will all battle it out for Bale in the summer. (Gazzetta dello Sport) Tottenham are also lining up a bid for Sevilla's 25-year-old Spain striker Alvaro Negredo . (Sport.es) Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has asked the club owners to bankroll big money moves for AC Milan hitman Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Napoli striker Edinson Cavani . (Daily Star) Juventus are lining up a €15 million move for left-back Gael Clichy with director Fabio Paratici ready to fly to London for talks with Arsenal. (Tuttosport) Manchester United are closing in on the signing of Atletico Madrid goalkeeper David de Gea with Spanish daily Sport claiming United have agreed a fee of around €20m. (Sport)
Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho claims he almost becmae England manager in 2007 after Steve McClaren was sacked, but changed his mind at the last minute when he realised how little day-to-day involvement he would have. (L'Equipe)
Skipper John Terry believes England defensive partner Michael Dawson has "made the position his own".
The Tottenham man is facing competition at the back from the likes of Phil Jagielka and Joleon Lescott and, when he is fit again, deposed skipper Rio Ferdinand.
But Terry feels the centre-half has reaped the benefits of playing Champions League football after recovering from his injury setbacks.
Terry said: "There is a lot of competition at centre-back but Michael has made the position his own really.
"In the Champions League he has been really good for Tottenham this season and maybe that is the key for him as well.
"Playing in the big competitions against the big players can only help anyone as a player.
"Michael has certainly done well in the last couple of games for England."
Terry was keen to play down his return as captain and concentrate on England's performance.
He said: "Once again I am very proud to lead the side. It is a great feeling to play for England, let alone captain the side so I am delighted.
"But the game was not about myself and the armband.
"There were some real positives to come out of it again. Ashley Young, I thought again was superb, Scott Parker and young Jack Wilshere also did well."
Frank Lampard admits he has been left fearing for his England place after the most frustrating season of his career.
Lampard missed large chunks of the season for Chelsea because of injury and is now coming back into his best form.
But Chelsea midfielder Lampard, normally a fixture in the England line-up, admits it is a major battle to win a place in Fabio Capello's starting XI.
Lampard partnered Scott Parker and Jack Wilshere in central midfield and says he even avoided the papers in the week to ensure he did not get unsettled about his position.
"With England, that happens. I've been around a long time and been lucky enough to be very regular, and I tried not to let it concern me," said Lampard.
"We don't get the papers in there but I was aware of the talk. It's a good squad, a strong squad, and never for any minute should any player be resting on their laurels about getting picked. That's it.
"I'm 32 now and have been around a long time. So it wasn't a sleepless night. I obviously want to play and contribute, so I tried to work hard in training and try and give my best all the time."
It has been a strangely frustrating season for a player renowned for his goals and consistency.
Chelsea have struggled without him but Lampard believes he is coming back into form and put in a hard shift against Wales.
"It's been a very difficult season. I missed half of it, and I've never really had that kind of a break from the game before," said Lampard.
"You miss a ‘pre-season' feel because you come straight back into football, then I broke down a little bit again with a calf.
"So it's been a bit stop-start in January and February, but in the last few games for Chelsea I've started to feel as fit as I had beforehand.
"That's a lovely feeling to have back because I was out a long time and it was frustrating being out. But now I'm feeling really good.
"It's not easy, no. But, when you get back, you have to get used to the fact that you might have certain niggles after having such a bad injury.
"I'm getting to the other side of them now and feeling I don't go into games worrying about the groin or anything else. I just worry about trying to play."
Lampard also said that he enjoyed playing in a new look midfield three with Wilshere and Parker.
Victory in Cardiff puts them in pole position in the Group and Lampard insists the future is brighter after a morale boosting win.
"Scott carried on doing what he does for West Ham," said Lampard. "He's been fantastic at that all season and the benefit of having an extra man in midfield showed itself.
"The three of us in there, particularly in the first half, allowed us to really get a grip of the game. I think it's nice. It allows you to get a bit more forward. It allows you to get tighter in midfield and, you know, sometimes it's not that easy.
"We played Denmark in a friendly and, sometimes, when there are people behind you, you can't always commit to getting tight to their deep-lying midfield players. There was the bonus today of having the extra man in there to allow us to push in tight.
"We won that game early with our performance. We had a plan to press up high, win the ball back quickly and not let them play, and that worked completely.
"They couldn't get out of their own half much, especially in the first half an hour, and that's where the game was won: being 2-0 up from there.
"The atmosphere was brilliant. They wanted to use that atmosphere to inspire their players and, when you've got that behind you, it does inspire. But, as the team coming here, you have to let it inspire you too.
"We had to win this and it was a game that, on paper, we should have won even if it was not going to be easy. We did it. With Switzerland coming up, if we can win that game as well, we'll put ourselves in a strong position." Wales 0-2 England: Daily Mirror match report
Skipper John Terry believes England defensive partner Michael Dawson has "made the position his own".
The Tottenham man is facing competition at the back from the likes of Phil Jagielka and Joleon Lescott and, when he is fit again, deposed skipper Rio Ferdinand.
But Terry feels the centre-half has reaped the benefits of playing Champions League football after recovering from his injury setbacks.
Terry said: "There is a lot of competition at centre-back but Michael has made the position his own really.
"In the Champions League he has been really good for Tottenham this season and maybe that is the key for him as well.
"Playing in the big competitions against the big players can only help anyone as a player.
"Michael has certainly done well in the last couple of games for England."
Terry was keen to play down his return as captain and concentrate on England's performance.
He said: "Once again I am very proud to lead the side. It is a great feeling to play for England, let alone captain the side so I am delighted.
"But the game was not about myself and the armband.
"There were some real positives to come out of it again. Ashley Young, I thought again was superb, Scott Parker and young Jack Wilshere also did well." Wales 0-2 England: Daily Mirror match report Wales 0-2 England: Daily Mirror player ratings Martin Lipton's Big Match Verdict: Capello's flexible changes offer respite from his rigid mistakes
Cricket
Crush for cricket tickets at Nagpur
Police hit out at crowds jammed outside World Cup stadium in repeat of scenes in Bangalore 12 days earlier.
Last Modified: 08 Mar 2011 10:59 GMT
A crowd had formed overnight as fans tried to buy tickets for India against South Africa [Reuters] Police clashed with hundreds of fans seeking tickets for India's World Cup match against South Africa as the host country again failed to cope with huge demand.
Twelve days after similar scenes were witnessed in Bangalore, stick-wielding police battered fans in front of the ticket counter at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium on Tuesday.
Spectators had been queuing up behind wooden barricades since Monday evening after learning that a limited number of tickets for Sunday's Group B match would be made available.
A witness said that sections of the crowd became restless on Tuesday morning and started climbing over the barriers, breaking them down.
The ticket counter remained closed as police were seen trying to control the crowds swarming outside the area. 'Huge rush'
"I have been here since last night. Many villagers who had also come here for tickets slept outside the stadium as they waited for the ticket counter to open. When the counter opened, there was a huge rush to buy the tickets," Ram Dixit told Reuters Television in Hindi.
"Police baton-charged the people as they tried to control the crowd. I could not get a ticket so I will have to watch the match on television."
Police struggle to hold back fans outside the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium [Reuters] The International Cricket Council (ICC) declined to discuss the matter while India's own cricket board (BCCI) could not be reached for comment.
Last month's violence in Bangalore erupted after tens of thousands of fans who had camped overnight outside the 38,400-seat M Chinnaswamy Stadium were told all 7,000 tickets allocated for public sale for the February 27 India v England game had been sold.
Police also used batons to control the angry fans on that occasion.
Ticket sales for the tournament, which runs until April 2, have proved to be a major headache for Indian organisers, who are unable to meet demand for the high-profile matches, especially those featuring the home team as well as the April 2 final in Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium.
Tuesday's episode is likely to raise further questions about the way tickets are being distributed in the cricket-crazy nation, which is co-hosting with Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
Only a small quota for the major matches are being sold directly to the public, while the rest are distributed among the ICC and clubs affiliated to the local cricket associations.
Last month, the ICC accused its own president, Sharad Pawar, of mismanaging the way tickets were being distributed and warned that tickets for the final should not be sold at the box office because the high demand created the "potential for chaos and physical injury when the box office sales open".
The official online website selling just a 1,000 tickets for the final crashed after 10 million hits were recorded in just 20 minutes by fans desperate to see the final.
A ballot system was later announced to cope with the huge demands.
Cricket
Protests hit Mohali ahead of semifinal
Arrests and injuries reported as demonstrators clash with police outside stadium that will host India v Pakistan match.
Last Modified: 28 Mar 2011 09:22
A man lies injured after the protests were reportedly sparked by anger over government jobs [Reuters] Protestors threw stones and clashed with police outside the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali in the buildup to Wednesday's India-Pakistan Cricket World Cup semifinal.
Baton-wielding police and security forces on horseback tried to push back an estimated 1,000-strong crowd as a protest outside the stadium turned ugly on Monday.
A witness told the Reuters news agency that seven people were arrested and taken away in a police van.
Injured men were lying on the grounds after they tried to escape the police action while women dressed in traditional salwar kameez suits were seen running for cover.
Television reports suggested the protests related to government jobs in Punjab.
A heavy security presence has surrounded the 30,000 seat stadium ever since the two neighbouring countries set up the hotly anticipated showdown last week.
Local police told Reuters the protest was unconnected to the shortage of tickets that has angered fans in several Indian cities over the past five weeks.
Last month's violence in Bangalore erupted after tens of thousands of fans who had camped overnight outside the 38,400-seat M Chinnaswamy Stadium were told all 7,000 tickets allocated for public sale for the February 27 India v England game had been sold.
Police also used batons to control the angry fans on that occasion and similar scenes were witnessed in Nagpur on March 8 in the lead up to India's group match with South Africa.
Ticket sales for the February 19-April 2 tournament have proven to be a major headache for Indian organisers, who are unable to meet demand for the high-profile matches, especially those featuring the home team, as well as the April 2 final in Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium.
Football
Algeria beat Morocco in qualifier
Yebda scores early penalty to give Algeria boost in Africa Cup of Nations quest as Drogba hits two in Cote d'Ivoire win.
Last Modified: 28 Mar 2011 06:29
The May 19 Stadium in Annaba was a sea of green, white and red for the match against Morocco [Reuters] Algeria won the North African derby against Morocco with a Hassan Yebda penalty after just five minutes of their Africa Cup of Nations 2012 qualifier in Annaba.
It was a major boost for the World Cup 2010 finalists, who had been struggling in Group D before Sunday's home match but now go level on four points with the Central African Republic, Tanzania and Morocco.
Didier Drogba scored twice to maintain Cote d'Ivoire's perfect start to the Africa Cup of Nations 2012 qualifiers while other top contenders Ghana, Nigeria and Zambia also won.
The Ivorians are now effectively one win away from booking a place at next January's tournament, to be co-hosted by Equatorial Guinea and Gabon, after having to come from behind to beat Benin 2-1 in Accra.
They have won all three matches to open up a five point lead in Group H.
Forced to play the match in neighbouring Ghana because of the security situation in their own country, the Ivorians were behind when a slip by goalkeeper Daniel Yeboah allowed a long range shot from Seidath Tchomogo to trickle in.
But Drogba, who has spoken before the match of the importance of a win to lift the mood of the country, equalised on the stroke of half-time and headed home the winner 15 minutes from the end. Dash to London
Ghana, who face a dash from central Africa to London for their Tuesday friendly against England at Wembley, kept ahead in Group I with a comfortable 3-0 away win in Brazzaville against Congo.
Prince Tagoe opened the scoring after 20 minutes and Dominic Adiyiah, who also plays at Partizan Belgrade, nodded in a John Paintsil cross before the break.
Sulley Muntari, who had been doubtful before the match, scored within three minutes of coming on as second half substitute.
Sudan, who beat Swaziland 3-0 at home on Sunday, are just behind Ghana on goal difference.
Peter Utaka and Ike Uche got two goals each for Nigeria in their 4-0 romp over Ethiopia in Abuja but they are still one point behind Guinea in Group B.
Guinea equalised only five minutes from time through Mamadou Bah to draw 1-1 in Madagascar in Group B.
Goals from James Chamanga and Emmanuel Mayuka ensured a 2-0 win for Zambia away in Mozambique in Group C.
They take over top place from Libya, who play on Monday against the Comoros Islands in neutral Mali.
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