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[h=1]Arsenal can survive without Cesc Fábregas, says Thierry Henry[/h] • Club is always bigger than one player, says returning striker
• Wenger refuses to be drawn over Jagielka and Mata interest

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• Jamie Jackson
• guardian.co.uk, Friday 29 July 2011 19.10 BST Article history
  
  
  Thierry Henry is back at Emirates Stadium with New York Red Bulls, who face Arsenal on Sunday. Photograph: Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP
  
  Thierry Henry has told Arsenal they should not be concerned if Cesc Fábregas leaves for Barcelona, as the club should always be about the team, rather than any individual player.
  Arsenal's record goalscorer makes a playing return to his former club this weekend with the New York Red Bulls for the Emirates Cup, in which they face Arsène Wenger's side on Sunday. Henry was asked if there can be a fixation with big-name players such as Fábregas, as there had been previously with himself and Patrick Vieira when they departed Arsenal.
  Henry said: "Whichever team you play in, it is a team effort. In our time, we had a great team. It was not down to one, two, three, four, five, six or seven players. It is a team effort – that's it."
  Arsenal have not won a major trophy since 2005 and when Henry was asked why he said: "They were so close so many times. Conceding goals when maybe you didn't expect them to concede goals but there is quality in this team to do it. I am an Arsenal fan, I just want to see them winning and I am one of those fans. You have got to stick with the guys even when they are not doing well."
  Henry also hinted that he would one day like to manage the club, though not as the direct successor to Wenger. "I would like to," he said."I would love to be part of the club one day but it's not up to me. Everybody knows that one day I would like to come back here but, as a player, I doubt it. We all know that one day, he [Wenger] is going to have to stop or go. Like Sir Alex Ferguson, you don't want to go after him. And you certainly don't want to go after Arsène Wenger. The boss changed the face of the club and I would keep Arsène for life."
  Wenger has been moved to question publicly for the first time whether Fábregas, who will not play this weekend, is totally committed to Arsenal. The Frenchman said: "I'm just worried that the player has to be completely focused and committed to our club. At the moment he's coming back from an injury and we have to sort out that situation. He is the captain of our club and we have to make sure he is really focused on being with us."
  While Barcelona are yet to return with an improved offer after a £27m bid was turned down earlier in the summer, Wenger was unclear regarding whether Arsenal could wait until the transfer window closes. "Frankly I don't know," he said. "Because as I told you I don't master completely the situation – it depends on Cesc. I think he's in a moment when he thinks about it and it is a big concern. I always say he is torn between two loves: the club where he has been educated as a very young boy, and the club where he has been educated from 16 onwards and he has been given a chance. I personally can understand it – but of course we want to be certain about his complete commitment."
  After Arsenal faded badly last season, Wenger warned that the new campaign would determine his squad's desire. "We were so close last year that is down to how much you want it," he said. "Unfortunately last year we finished with a bitter taste in our mouths but we know we were very close so we want to come back this year. The players have a good opportunity to show they have the needed character."
  Regarding the future of Samir Nasri, who is a target of Manchester United, Wenger confirmed he hopes the French playmaker will stay: "Yes, of course. Samir loves the club." Wenger said he admires Valencia's Juan Mata – "I like the player, but that does not mean we will buy him" – and Phil Jagielka, but would also not be drawn on the Everton defender. "The player is under contract at Everton. If we want to buy a player, we need first the agreement of the club," he said.
  Wenger also made his latest barbed remark about Manchester City, whose big spending has continued with the signing of Sergio Agüero. "There are two categories of club – those who travel with sweat and those who travel with petrol," he said. "We are those who travel with sweat."
  
  

 

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[h=1]Manchester United's hopes fade on Wesley Sneijder and Samir Nasri[/h] • Deals for Wesley Sneijder and Samir Nasri 'dead'
• No more signings this summer, says chief executive

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• Daniel Taylor in Washington
• guardian.co.uk, Friday 29 July 2011 23.43 BST Article history
  
  
  Manchester United have been linked with Internazionale's Dutch international Wesley Sneijder but no deal is on the cards. Photograph: Giampiero Sposito/Reuters
  
  Manchester United are close to tying Javier Hernández and Antonio Valencia to new contracts but increasingly losing hope when it comes to bringing a top central midfielder to Old Trafford, with a potential deal for Wesley Sneijder or Samir Nasri described as "dead".
  David Gill, the United chief executive, believes there will be no more signings this summer unless the two clubs involved – Internazionale and Arsenal – indicate otherwise when United return from their pre-season tour of the US. The same also applies to Tottenham Hotspur, with Luka Modric, another player Ferguson covets.
  Asked about Sneijder, Gill said: "We didn't progress that one. I'm not doing anything on anything at the moment, so they are all dead."
  Gill said, however, that the situation could change before the end of the transfer window." The important point is that you never know. I've been around in football long enough to know things change quickly. Somebody may become available and we can then say we are interested."
  But United are working on the basis that their transfer business is done for the summer, with £50m spent on Ashley Young, David de Gea and Phil Jones. United's suspicion is that, if Nasri were to leave, he would favour Manchester City because of the higher wages at Eastlands, while the brief and exploratory talks for Sneijder never developed beyond preliminary contact. Gill denied reports that he had been to Milan to meet Inter officials.
  Instead the club have turned their attention towards agreeing new deals with several key players now that Owen Hargreaves, Paul Scholes, Wes Brown, John O'Shea and Edwin van der Sar are no longer on their wage bill.
  Valencia has provisionally agreed a new contract, to be announced next week, and talks are also at an advanced stage with Hernández. Park Ji-sung is close, too, to finalising a two-year extension that will leave Dimitar Berbatov as the only player at Old Trafford in the final year of his contract.
  The Bulgarian may have to wait until next year before his future is discussed but Gill said there was nothing sinister behind the delay. "People keep telling me he's in the final year of his contract but there is an option on the club's side to extend Dimitar's contract by another year. We can do it whenever we want, there are no conditions around it and that means, in effect, he has two years to go.
  "Everyone has been talking about Berbatov from the outside, saying he wants to leave or that we want him to leave but we don't want him to go. We want him to stay. He scored over 20 goals last season, so there is no desire on our behalf to see him go. We have until the end of the season, so we can assess how it goes, talk to him, see how he performs and see what happens then."
  Valencia has two years of his current four-year deal to run but United want to reward the Ecuadorian for establishing himself as Sir Alex Ferguson's first-choice right-winger, despite breaking his leg at the start of last season.
  "He has [agreed a new deal] and we are in the process of finalising that," Gill said. "He's been away at the Copa América and we've been here [in the US], but it's broadly sorted out and should be announced next week when we're back."
  Hernández is also being moved into a higher bracket of earners on the back of Chris Smalling, also signed last summer, agreeing a new five-year contract earlier this month. "Chris had a renegotiation clause in his contract if he met a certain number of appearances," Gill said. "There's no such clause in Javier's contract but, having said that, we intend to address it in the autumn."
  
  

 

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[h=1]Michael Owen gives Manchester United friendly win over Barcelona[/h] • Manchester United 2-1 Barcelona
• Nani 20, Owen 76; Thiago 70

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• Daniel Taylor at FedEx Field
• guardian.co.uk, Sunday 31 July 2011 02.30 BST Article history
  
  
  Nani celebrates giving Manchester United the lead against Barcelona. Photograph: Rob Carr/Getty Images
  
  Manchester United have demonstrated that Barcelona are not invincible, after all. Okay, this was only a pre-season friendly, a time for experimentation and Sir Alex Ferguson's team were spared the brilliance of Lionel Messi, but this was still an encouraging way for the Premier League champions to end their three-week tour of the United States.
  The decisive moment was provided 14 minutes from the end by Michael Owen, who has now scored in three out of United's five tour matches. Nani, for long spells the outstanding player, had opened the scoring in the 20th minute before a brilliant strike from Thiago Alcântara levelled the match during Barcelona's one period of concerted pressure. Owen's goal came six minutes later on a night when the Champions League finalists attracted a crowd of 81,807 to the home of the Washington Redskins.
  The downside for United was that Rafael da Silva was injured in a 17th-minute collision with Seydou Keita and must undergo tests on his right knee to ascertain whether he will be fit for the start of the season. There were also some anxious moments for David de Gea, particularly in the second half.
  De Gea looked hesitant at times and Anders Lindegaard's impressive form on this tour leaves Ferguson with a dilemma about who should start the season in goal.
  That apart, however, Ferguson can reflect on another satisfying performance from a side that have scored 20 times in their five successive wins on this tour and coped ably with the difficult conditions presented by a day when the temperatures had gone beyond 38C (100F).
  Barcelona, to give them their due, were not just missing Messi, recuperating from the Copa América, but this was also their fourth game in a week and they were operating with two midfielders, Jonathan dos Santos and Sergio Busquets, playing in defence. Xavi Hernandez and Gerard Piqué were among those given the night off and their approach to the evening could probably be summed up by the attire of Pep Guardiola on the touchline, wearing bleached jeans and white trainers rather than the customary tailored suit.
  Yet Ferguson, too, was not fielding his full-strength side, with Daniel Welbeck partnering Wayne Rooney for the opening half and Tom Cleverley operating in central midfield. Rio Ferdinand was given the night off, with Jonny Evans coming into defence, while Rooney, Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra were all withdrawn at half time. By the end, Ferguson had made seven substitutions, with only De Gea, Evans, Cleverley and Nani lasting the full match.
  Cleverley can reflect on a decent evening, particularly in the build-up to Owen's goal when he anticipated a sloppy pass from Busquets, intercepted the ball and then released Owen to scamper away and dink his shot over the oncoming Victor Valdés. Nani, however, was United's best player by some distance, especially in the first half when his eagerness to impress on the right made him a constant menace for the Barcelona left-back, Eric Abidal.
  Nani's goal stemmed from a nicely weighted through ball from Welbeck on a typical United counterattack, timing his run to stay onside before slipping his shot past Valdés.
  Barcelona scarcely emerged as an attacking force in that period, barely recognisable from the team that had outclassed United at Wembley in May. In fact, it was possibly too quiet for De Gea. The Spaniard was a virtual spectator throughout the first half and looked anything but commanding after the restart. One miscued kick went straight to Isaac Cuenca 30 yards from goal and could conceivably have been punished more heavily. A few minutes later, De Gea was hesitant in the extreme when Andrés Iniesta dinked a little up-and-under into Thiago's path. These moments were probably inevitable for a 20-year-old at a new club but Ferguson must hope they do not linger.
  De Gea was also rooted to the spot as Thiago's shot went in for the equaliser although in this instance the credit should go to the Barcelona player. Thiago struck his effort superbly with the outside of his right boot from 25 yards, the ball twisting away from De Gea and spearing into the top right-hand corner of his net.
  Owen then raced away to restore United's lead and on the balance of play it was probably deserved. The striker tarnished the moment with a horrible miss in the final few minutes, blazing over an open goal, but it mattered little.
  Manchester United (4-4-2): De Gea; Rafael (Fabio, 17), Vidic, (Jones, 76) Evans, Evra (Smalling, ht); Nani, Cleverley, Anderson (Giggs, ht), Young (Obertan, 62); Rooney (Owen, ht), Welbeck (Diouf, 77). Subs not used: Lindegaard, Amos, Jones, Ferdinand, Carrick, Park, Berbatov, Macheda.
  Barcelona (4-1-4-1): Valdés; Dos Santos (Muniesa, 62), Busquets, Fontàs (Lozano, 73), Abidal (Balliu, 73); Keita; Afellay (Cuenca, 42), Thiago, Iniesta, Pedro (Espinosa, 86); Villa (Carmona, 62). Subs not used: Piqué, Puyol, Xavi, Jeffrén, Pinto, Riverola, Maxwell, Masip.
  Yellow card: Dos Santos
  Attendance: 81,807
  
  

 

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[h=1]Manchester United have post-Sir Alex Ferguson plan, says David Gill[/h] • Chief executive calls critics the "anti-people"
• He defend the achievements of the Glazer family

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• Daniel Taylor in Washington DC
• The Observer, Sunday 31 July 2011 Article history
  
  
  Manchester United chief executive David Gill (right) with Seattle Sounders owner Joe Roth pose before the pre-season friendly between their clubs. Photograph: John Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images
  
  David Gill, the Manchester United chief executive, has acknowledged he will always be unpopular with some supporters – the "anti-people", as he describes them – but he has spoken of his belief that the Glazer family have now won over the majority of the club's fans.
  Gill, describing the Glazers as "genuinely long-term owners", reiterated the point by revealing that he and the American owners already have a strategy in place for when Sir Alex Ferguson retires. He said: "What we're trying to do is make sure we get the quality of team and the correct age profile so the new manager coming in, whoever that might be, has the nucleus of a world-class team."
  Gill expects the Glazers to still be in control when Ferguson ends his long association with the club, but he was candid enough to accept that his comments would go down badly among the fans who were involved in the green-and-gold protest movement.
  "We are never going to win [over] those people," he said. "If we won four European Cups in a row, there will be certain people who won't like the owners and what they stand for. The anti-people were here before the Glazers. But we are running the club for the vast majority of millions of fans around the world who believe the club is moving in the right direction.
  "The minority – Must [Manchester United Supporters' Trust] etc – will always be against it, but the vast majority can't be dissatisfied with the seasons we've had [under the Glazers]."
  The campaign against the Glazers has become less visible, in Gill's words, "once the Red Knights went away," referring to the consortium of businessmen who embarked on a failed bid to buy the club. "The green-and-gold campaign has not disappeared completely, but it has died down dramatically during the past season and we move on," he said.
  Gill, speaking on the club's pre-season tour of the United States, dismissed the allegation that the Glazers, with an average net spend of £2.5m in their first six seasons, had not backed Ferguson sufficiently in the transfer market, citing the arrival of Ashley Young, David de Gea and Phil Jones for a combined £50m this summer. "One thing the owners have never shied away from is supporting Alex in terms of investment."
  Similarly, he rejected the argument that the Florida-based businessmen had unfairly hiked ticket prices. "They are sensible prices to watch top-class entertainment and players worth millions on view. Other clubs have clearly raised their prices more than us," he said.
  Gill has been singled out for particular criticism because of the way he fought against the Glazer takeover in 2005, once infamously saying that "debt was the road to ruin", before siding with the new owners and turning against the supporters' groups he had previously backed. "You say I did a volte-face, but we are going back many years now," he said. "Directors and chief executives aren't often liked, but I am trying to look after the employers and the fans, and there will always be an element among the fans who don't like you."
  At times the anger has manifested itself in something more sinister, with graffiti appearing on his house and several incidents that have led to increased security. "It has calmed down now. It would be naive to say you don't want it to happen, not necessarily for yourself but because of your young children, but you just move on. I have never sought a profile; I just try to do my best for the club."
  His son, Oliver, was booed when he was named as a substitute for one match, and has recently turned down the offer of a contract with the club to go to university. Gill, however, says it is unrelated. "He did take some stick, but he is quite a strong character. I don't think he ever thought like that."
  Going into a season during which Ferguson will turn 70 and mark his 25th anniversary at the club, Gill talked about himself and the Glazers planning ahead to when the most successful manager in the business retires. "There won't be meltdown. It will clearly be a sea change for the club and we have to be ready."
  He will be in charge of appointing the successor, although Ferguson will also be heavily involved. "I will co-ordinate the process, but, clearly, I will take great store in what he [Ferguson] says and what other key people at the club say. The owners will clearly have a view. All these things will come together. It would be a collective body, not a big body, but we would get all the input to make sure we make the appropriate choice."
  There was no one in mind yet, he added, and he was unclear when Ferguson would stand down. "We never discuss it, put it that way. He delegates well and football keeps him young."
  
  

 

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[h=1]Arsène Wenger still has work to do as Boca Juniors claim a 2-2 draw[/h] • Questions over Arsenal defence as two-goal lead is lost
• Cesc Fábregas missing again, Gervinho leads the attack

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• Jamie Jackson Emirates Stadium
• guardian.co.uk, Saturday 30 July 2011 21.50 BST Article history
  
  
  Robin van Persie scored Arsenal's first in the 2-2 draw with Boca Juniors in the Emirates Cup. Photograph: Peter Cziborra/Action Images
  
  Arsenal's endless summer saga of where Samir Nasri and Cesc Fábregas may ply their trade next paused briefly for a home bow against Diego Maradona's old club before Arsène Wenger, yet again, addressed the issue.
  Regarding Nasri, who has a year left on his contract and is interesting Manchester City, Wenger informed him for the first time publicly that he should make a decision. "In the next 10 days it has to be clear on that front. If you ask me, do I want to keep him, I say yes. But he needs to be committed to that as well."
  Wenger had included Fábregas in his ultimatum of 10 days, but, pressed on this, he softened the stance. "I don't give them 10 days, the transfer period is until 31 August. Ideally, we go into big games in the next two weeks, so in the next two weeks we need to sort our problems out, but there is no specific deadline of one day or 24 hours."
  On Friday, Wenger had stated that, despite Fábregas wanting to leave for Barcelona, he would not be allowed to do so for less than Arsenal's valuation, with the Catalan club so far not returning with an improvement on their £27m bid earlier this summer.
  Yet Wenger conceded that Nasri, if he does remain beyond September, could walk away next summer for free. Asked how much of a concern this would be, the manager conceded the point. "It's not ideal for us, of course, on the financial side, but, on the sporting side, he is an important player," Wenger said.
  Gervinho's performance in a first-half cameo against Boca had suggested he may prove a vital performer this season. Yet, while the 24-year-old has a directness so chronically missing from these parts recently, Arsenal's concession of a two-goal advantage indicated their old problem of defensive brittleness may yet haunt Wenger's men again.
  Once more, Fábregas was not included because of a hamstring problem – he is yet to feature this pre-season and may never again do so – while Nasri lined up in his familiar wide-left berth. This was a starting XI that missed Wojciech Szczesny, Alex Song, Bacary Sagna, Theo Walcott and Kieran Gibbs from the strongest Wenger might field.
  At its head was Gervinho, the £11m signing from Lille whose first telling contribution was to create Robin van Persie's opener. Peeling away from his central attacking position to the left, Gervinho took possession from a clever Jack Wilshere pass before pinging in a cross that Van Persie smashed home.
  After the break, the substitute Aaron Ramsey smacked home Arsenal's second with his first touch, but the Gunners' flakiness then showed. A mistake by Sébastien Squillaci too near goal allowed Juan Riquelme to find Lucas Viatri, who pulled the first one back for the visitors.
  Next, Johan Djourou let Pablo Mouche mug him, then slide home beyond Vito Mannone. Wenger claimed he was not concerned by the lapse, but he has some hard thinking to do on a few fronts.
  
  

 

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[h=1]Arsène Wenger still has work to do as Boca Juniors claim a 2-2 draw[/h] • Questions over Arsenal defence as two-goal lead is lost
• Cesc Fábregas missing again, Gervinho leads the attack

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• Jamie Jackson Emirates Stadium
• guardian.co.uk, Saturday 30 July 2011 21.50 BST Article history
  
  
  Robin van Persie scored Arsenal's first in the 2-2 draw with Boca Juniors in the Emirates Cup. Photograph: Peter Cziborra/Action Images
  
  Arsenal's endless summer saga of where Samir Nasri and Cesc Fábregas may ply their trade next paused briefly for a home bow against Diego Maradona's old club before Arsène Wenger, yet again, addressed the issue.
  Regarding Nasri, who has a year left on his contract and is interesting Manchester City, Wenger informed him for the first time publicly that he should make a decision. "In the next 10 days it has to be clear on that front. If you ask me, do I want to keep him, I say yes. But he needs to be committed to that as well."
  Wenger had included Fábregas in his ultimatum of 10 days, but, pressed on this, he softened the stance. "I don't give them 10 days, the transfer period is until 31 August. Ideally, we go into big games in the next two weeks, so in the next two weeks we need to sort our problems out, but there is no specific deadline of one day or 24 hours."
  On Friday, Wenger had stated that, despite Fábregas wanting to leave for Barcelona, he would not be allowed to do so for less than Arsenal's valuation, with the Catalan club so far not returning with an improvement on their £27m bid earlier this summer.
  Yet Wenger conceded that Nasri, if he does remain beyond September, could walk away next summer for free. Asked how much of a concern this would be, the manager conceded the point. "It's not ideal for us, of course, on the financial side, but, on the sporting side, he is an important player," Wenger said.
  Gervinho's performance in a first-half cameo against Boca had suggested he may prove a vital performer this season. Yet, while the 24-year-old has a directness so chronically missing from these parts recently, Arsenal's concession of a two-goal advantage indicated their old problem of defensive brittleness may yet haunt Wenger's men again.
  Once more, Fábregas was not included because of a hamstring problem – he is yet to feature this pre-season and may never again do so – while Nasri lined up in his familiar wide-left berth. This was a starting XI that missed Wojciech Szczesny, Alex Song, Bacary Sagna, Theo Walcott and Kieran Gibbs from the strongest Wenger might field.
  At its head was Gervinho, the £11m signing from Lille whose first telling contribution was to create Robin van Persie's opener. Peeling away from his central attacking position to the left, Gervinho took possession from a clever Jack Wilshere pass before pinging in a cross that Van Persie smashed home.
  After the break, the substitute Aaron Ramsey smacked home Arsenal's second with his first touch, but the Gunners' flakiness then showed. A mistake by Sébastien Squillaci too near goal allowed Juan Riquelme to find Lucas Viatri, who pulled the first one back for the visitors.
  Next, Johan Djourou let Pablo Mouche mug him, then slide home beyond Vito Mannone. Wenger claimed he was not concerned by the lapse, but he has some hard thinking to do on a few fronts.
  
  

 

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[h=1]Sneijder refuses to rule out Man United switch[/h] Published 23:03 31/07/11 By MirrorFootball

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Tweet http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/tra...out-move-from-Inter-Milan-article779848.html#

Manchester United target Wesley Sneijder last night left the door open for a move to Old Trafford.
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is keen to bring Sneijder to the Premier League to complete the champions' summer spending spree.
The Inter Milan midfielder, 27, said: "I have been at the highest level for 10 years and there are always *speculations.
"I am still here. I am happy to train every day with my colleagues and play my games for the fans and every one at the club.

"Whatever happens after that, we will see. There is always a chance something will happen. I have played in many big competitions, in Holland, Spain and Italy and I still am. What is going to happen we will see but I am a happy guy."
Sneijder was speaking after playing in Inter's 3-0 defeat to Manchester City in the Dublin Super Cup at Ireland's Aviva Stadium.
The Holland international – who was this week given an ultimatum by Ferguson to accept United's contract offer – also praised City after seeing Roberto *Mancini's side lift what they hope will be the first of many trophies this season.
Sneijder added: "City have great individuals and are very compact. They are hard to play against."

 

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[h=1]Chelsea to launch third bid for Modric this week[/h] Published 23:02 31/07/11 By John Cross in Hong Kong

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Roman Abramovich will launch a third bid for Tottenham midfielder Luka Modric this week.
Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay confirmed owner Abramovich and boss Andre Villas-Boas will discuss transfer targets after flying home from the Far East.
Modric is still top of Chelsea's list despite having had two bids already knocked back by Spurs with their chairman Daniel Levy insisting he will not be sold.
But Modric has made it clear he wants to join Chelsea and was missing from Spurs' line-up in their friendly at Brighton on Saturday.

Gourlay said: "I don't like talking about players from other clubs, but that's something we'll look at during the week and we'll take it from there.
"We really need to sit down with Andre and talk this through.
"Even though we've been travelling away you can still be active in the marketplace nowadays.
"The communication is always there with our guys back in London or wherever they are at the present time around the world."
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp, who must sell before he can buy to rebuild his squad this summer, insisted Modric was unwell.
Redknapp said: "Luka wasn't feeling well. He came in yesterday and wasn't great, he came in this morning to see the doctor and he had ulcers on the back of his throat.
"He was pretty rough. The doctor rung and said no way he can play.
"Again, I can't fault his attitude, he's been first class. Obviously it's been a difficult period for everybody with him. He's trained well and worked hard. He's a great lad and you couldn't meet a better pro in my opinion."
Villas-Boas will have our full respect insists Lampard

 

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[h=1]Chicharito could miss another four weeks for United[/h] Published 23:01 31/07/11 By David McDonnell

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http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/new...ks-says-Sir-Alex-Ferguson-article779819.html#

Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted it could be another four weeks before Javier Hernandez features for Manchester United.
The Mexican, hospitalised in New Jersey after suffering concussion during training, is still some way behind his team-mates in terms of his fitness.
But the striker, who scored 20 goals in his debut campaign last season, may not now play until late August or early September.
After such a gruelling season and a starring role for Mexico in their victorious Gold Cup campaign, Ferguson is wary of the 23-year-old suffering burn-out.

"Javier was always going to get a break until he did his proper pre-season," said Ferguson. "In a two-week period now he'll do some training but he won't play. We'll have him back in three to four weeks."
Ferguson hailed United's three-week tour of the US a success but played down the significance of the win over Barcelona, who have twice got the better of them in Champions League finals.
"We're happy winning the match against Barcelona," said Fergie. "Both teams made a lot of changes so it's difficult to gauge exactly the importance of the result.
"But the expectation is for us to win all games and we're delighted to go into the season with a winning frame of mind.
"We've integrated the new players well – they've done well settling in with players they don't really know.
"I'm sure we're fit, I'm sure we've got a good squad and I've got some good young players coming through.
"These are all plusses. We have a squad able to deal with the demands of the English and European game."
Nani inspired United's 2-1 Barca victory, scoring the opener in the 20th minute after a superbly-timed run.
Barcelona drew level after 70 minutes through a stunning 25-yard strike from Thiago, but Michael Owen sealed the win six minutes later with an assured finish.
Sneijder refuses to rule out Man United switch

 

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[h=1]Villas-Boas will have our full respect insists Lampard[/h] Published 23:00 31/07/11 By John Cross in Hong Kong

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http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/new...layers-says-Frank-Lampard-article779574.html#

Frank Lampard has insisted Andre Villas-Boas will have the full respect and support of the Chelsea dressing room.
Chelsea legend Marcel Desailly told Mirror Sport last week that 33-year-old Villas-Boas would have to win over the players quickly and his age could be an issue.
But Lampard, also 33, says the older players are already behind the new manager and the England midfielder believes that Chelsea are destined for a good season under Villas-Boas.
Lampard, voted player of the tournament after Chelsea beat Aston Villa to win the Barclays Asia Trophy, said: "I read that he has to gain our respect instantly, and it's never like that at football clubs.

"It certainly isn't for me personally, and it wouldn't be for John Terry.
"You want to impress. I want to impress him now at the age of 33 just the same as I did when I was 22. Simple as that.
"We are here to impress as individuals, and we want to make the group successful. We will always respect the manager, and that applies with any manager we get."
Chelsea have yet to concede a goal in pre-season, Villas-Boas has won all his games in Asia and has given players a fresh chance under his management.
It has been a good trip for Chelsea and, while they are likely to spend again before the start of the season with Luka Modric in their sights, Lampard believes they are in good shape.
Chelsea fell short last year after finishing as runners-up to Manchester United but Lampard says the existing players in the squad are already showing signs of improvement.
Lampard said: "We've improved, I think every game has been a general improvement, we have got together with the new staff and manager, and the assistants and I just think that we have improved.
"There is more work to do between now and the start of the season, but I think it has been a very positive trip.
"It's been a two way thing, he has been assessing players, that's why everyone has got a lot of minutes, from young players all the way through, and I just think we have been getting used to the manager and his style.
"A lot of that is done through the training and the ideas that he wants to get across in training, and I think you can see the benefits of that tonight.
"I wouldn't say there is a new trend in the way of giving us more freedom. I think the manager is trying to liberate, but players have been given the freedom to liberate themselves for quite a long time at Chelsea.
"I think there is a nice freshness about the team and the squad and the players who maybe were not sure they were going to stay, or players that were on loan, or young players that have come through and are getting a sniff now.
"I think we have got a strong squad, and if the manager adds to it and it makes us stronger then we will all be happy, I certainly will be. It remains to be seen in the time to the end of the window."
Lampard has also hailed the emergence of young midfielder Josh McEachran who has clearly established himself in Villas-Boas' plans during the trip.
McEachran, 18, who along with Fernando Torres scored in the Asia Trophy final, is now likely to get regular first team chances this season and Lampard says he is ready for the challenge.
Lampard added: "He is really mature for his age. He doesn't really come across as the same age as me, I am probably more immature than him in a way, but he certainly has a great maturity about him. He sort of hides his years really.
"I'm 33 and I'm the same. I feel good, I feel experienced, I feel as hungry, I feel like I missed most of last season really with the injuries I never had before, so there is a desire to get going again.
"I think Josh does give us something different. He gives us something in the middle of the park, a great elegance in the way he plays.
"He receives the ball really well, he can play a killer pass, he's stronger than he looks with his frame. He's going to be a top player.
"There will be a position for him, he's not going to play 50 games this season, but you can see from pre-season already that he is going to be involved a lot more, and that's great for him.
"No, people are not afraid to give him the ball, because we have trained with him for a couple of years now, and from the moment he stepped into training with us we could see he had that ability."
Chelsea to launch third bid for Modric this week

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[h=1]Barcelona want Fabregas to help pay his transfer fee[/h] Published 23:02 31/07/11 By John Cross

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http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/tra...his-transfer-from-Arsenal-article779820.html#

Barcelona president Sandro Rosell has claimed Cesc Fabregas is their "unique and final objective" - but wants the Arsenal captain to help pay his transfer fee.
The Spanish club want Fabregas to waive around £4m to help get the deal done and have also gone to an Asian sponsor to raise money for the transfer fee.
Barcelona have fallen well short of Arsenal's £40m asking price and the sticking point of including youngsters Jon Toral and Hector Bellerin - who both defected from Barca to the Emirates - has proved a major obstacle.
But Barcelona are now finally putting together a package which they believe can resolve the transfer saga this week and put Fabregas out of his misery.

Fabregas was left out of Arsenal's squad for this weekend's Emirates Cup and Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has admitted he has been left unsettled by the transfer tug-of-war.
Spain midfielder Fabregas wants to quit Arsenal for Barcelona but Wenger wants to rush through the deal so he can make his own rebuilding plans.
That appears to be coming to fruition now even though Barca have struggled to come up with enough cash.
But if Fabregas is willing to effectively pay money from his own pocket to get his dream move then Barca are hopeful of getting the deal done.
Meanwhile, Arsenal target Juan Mata has rejected a late move from Tottenham to move to the Emirates.
Spain winger Mata, who played in Valencia's friendly with Sporting Lisbon this weekend, wants Valencia to let him go and his father and agent has asked the club president Manuel Llorente to rubber stamp the £17m deal by tomorrow (Tuesday).

​

 

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[h=1]Keegan predicts more twists than ever in new Premier League season[/h] Published 23:00 31/07/11 By Mike Walters

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http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/new...Liverpool-Chelsea-Arsenal-article779676.html#

Kevin Keegan would have travelled to Anfield from Scunthorpe by Shanks's pony to sign for Liverpool.
As it happens, Bill Shankly sent him a car. And 12 minutes into his debut against Nottingham Forest, £35,000 striker Keegan arrived at the Kop end to meet Peter *Thompson's pass, scuffed his shot into the corner and the legend of Mighty Mouse was born.
Now, as Keegan takes the pulse of English football, the stethoscope shudders to a resurgent Mersey beat, matters of age concern in west London and noise pollution in Manchester.
The former England manager will be senior pundit when ESPN park their hot dog stall and check-in desk on touchlines in the Premier League, FA Cup and *Scotland this season.

And as the man whose Newcastle United side of Alan Shearer, Les Ferdinand and David Ginola vintage was the best never to win the title, his views will always be worth a squint.
"This time last year, after the way England performed at the World Cup, there was a degree of football fatigue creeping in around the country," he said. "But now I can sense a renewed enthusiasm for the game because last season was so enjoyable.
"Blackpool were a breath of fresh air – at the end, you knew they were going down but you stayed glued to the end in the hope they would somehow escape.
"It was like watching a rerun of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid – you loved them for the way they went out all guns blazing.
"Potentially, this season could have more twists to the plot than ever and I can't wait to watch it unfold.
"Manchester United won the title in a season where they did not play fantastic, *especially away from home, and it will be *interesting to see if the competition have sussed out Chicharito, how much they miss Paul Scholes and how much Ryan Giggs has left in the tank.
"Sir Alex Ferguson has made some good signings, but with respect to Ashley Young and Phil Jones, none of *United's buys so far have had that ‘wow' factor.
"The noisy *neighbours at Manchester City are only going to get noisier because the finance is not going to stop – the only questions are whether Roberto Mancini can handle all those egos and whether City have a real leader in their dressing room, because you can't win the title without one.
"And how will Chelsea get on under a 33-year-old manager who speaks excellent English but is younger than several of his key players? Andre Villas-Boas came here with a good reputation in Portugal but no previous *experience in England, so how's that going to work?
"Mastering the lingo will be a major plus for him, but whether it will be enough remains to be seen because he doesn't know the Premier League.
"They could even slip out of the top four this year, and so could Arsenal, especially if they sell Cesc Fabregas.
"Don't be surprised if Liverpool get on a roll if Charlie Adam and Stewart Downing settle quickly and provide consistent service for Andy Carroll, or if Luis Suarez picks up where he left off at the end of last season.
"If their rivals get bogged down in the Champions League, and Liverpool quietly collect Premier League points, you never know."

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[h=1]Newcastle midfielder to finally sign for Swansea[/h] Published 23:00 31/07/11 By MirrorFootball

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Wayne Routledge is finally joining Swansea in a £2million deal.
Routledge will quit Newcastle and move to the Premier League new boys on a £25,000-a-week wage.
Swans chief Brendan Rodgers has been chasing the midfielder, 26, all summer.
And dogged Rodgers is still attempting to sign Nottingham Forest keeper Lee Camp, despite having a third bid of £1.8m snubbed on Friday.

 

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[h=1]Xabi Alonso: Liverpool will be top four this season[/h] Published 23:01 31/07/11 By MirrorFootball

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http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/new...abi-Alonso-of-Real-Madrid-article779842.html#

Xabi Alonso is convinced that Kenny Dalglish's second coming can finally transform Liverpool into Champions League contenders.
Former Anfield hero Alonso insists Liverpool will be back in the top four this season after a stunning summer spending spree by King Kenny.
Alonso was part of the team that triumphed in Istanbul in 2005 to lift the Champions League under Rafa Benitez.
And the Real Madrid star believes Dalglish can deliver the good times once again after the departure of much maligned former owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks.

He said: "The club has clearly been working in the transfer market and they have brought in a few quality players.
"I still keep in contact with Pepe and Steve Gerrard. They are looking forward to this season with the new additions.
"With those players - and, more importantly - the stability at the club, they will be in the top four at the end of the season.
"It's where the club belongs. People still talk about that Champions League victory and that's the sort of night Liverpool should be experiencing more regularly."
Alonso made a second half cameo for Jose Mourinho's Galacticos in a friendly against Sven Goran Eriksson's own expensively assembled squad.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Mezut Ozil, Karim Benzema and Sami Khedira also appeared as the Foxes got their £2m worth in a 2-1 defeat.
Jose Callejon and Benzema scored for Madrid before Lloyd Dyer's late consolation for the Championship promotion favourites.
Mourinho's admiration for the Premier League is still patently obvious and he claimed the title will be a straight fight between former club Chelsea and Manchester United.
"It will be between the red and the blue," he said. "I left in 2007 and it was the same old story. Manchester City have started by winning a cup which is a step.
"Tottenham have done well, have a great manager but financially they will miss the last push. Liverpool have a fantastic coach and they will improve and Arsenal will be there but won't arrive."

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[h=1]Villas-Boas rules out Chelsea exit for young striker[/h] Published 23:00 31/07/11 By Alan Nixon

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http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/tra...-exit-to-Bolton-Wanderers-article779763.html#

Daniel Sturridge will be at Chelsea this season – after Andre Villas-Boas slammed the door on a sale or loan.
Sturridge has done enough in pre-season games, where he has started on a regular basis, to convince the new Portuguese boss he has the class to make an impact this season.
The England under-21 starlet developed well during a spell with Bolton, who lead the pack of clubs chasing the former Manchester City prospect.
Newcastle and Tottenham also looked at the 21-year-old, who benefitted from his time under Owen Coyle's wing.

But Villas-Boas will keep Sturridge – despite a three-game ban picked up in the final match at Wanderers – while the striker is happy to make a go of it at Chelsea.

 

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[h=1]How Ronaldo did England a huge favour[/h]

By Michael Calvin
Published 23:20 30/07/11

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Buy that man a pie.
Ronaldo waddled on to the stage in a glorified tent on the edge of Copacabana Beach and did England a huge favour.
In the posh seats, Fabio *Capello managed a rictus grin at the prospect of a *comfortable passage to the 2014 World Cup.
Harry Redknapp, odds-on *favourite to be in charge during England's qualification *programme, would have been forgiven a celebratory stroll across the Solent.

Capello's Farewell Tour will not extend to Group H, which begins in September next year.
England have been drawn against familiar foes, in *Montenegro, Ukraine, and *Poland. Minnows do not come smaller than Moldova and San Marino.
It could have been worse, much worse. England narrowly avoided the obligatory group of death, which pits holders Spain against a rejuvenated France.
It was almost worth putting up with the third rate karaoke which preceded a draw which pairs Scotland and Wales in Group A.
Northern Ireland must hope that either Portugal or Russia falter in Group F. The Republic of Ireland have Germany in their sights, in Group C.
The futility of Capello's presence in Rio was a fitting symbol of his failure as England manager.
Just 38 of the 175 national team bosses involved in the qualifying tournament deigned to attend. Gary Speed was the only other Home Nation *manager to make the 6,000 mile journey from the UK.
A tough group, which also features a politically-charged series of fixtures between Croatia, Serbia and Macedonia, devalued his devotion.
The FA, on the back foot *following a comprehensive kicking by MPs, relied on an unconvincing damage limitation strategy.
Their cover story that the force of Capello's personality and the respect generated by his reputation would help in fixture negotiations, was transparent. The Scots, bless them, exposed that excuse when they insisted manager Craig Levein was not needed for what the SFA termed ‘a PR exercise'.
Levein, lucky lad, instead *endured Kilmarnock's goalless draw against Motherwell.
Capello was in Brazil to maintain the pretence he's worth his ludicrous salary. The Godfather has become a glove puppet.
He will be a bad memory in three years time, when the *nation that gave us the beautiful game welcomes *football to its spiritual home.
England should be there. They have lost only twice in 26 games against their group *rivals.
Ukraine won 1-0 in an *academic World Cup qualifying tie in *October 2009 when *Robert Green was sent off after coming under fire from a *fusillade of flares.
Poland's win in the mining town of Katowice in June 1973, which signalled the beginning of the end for Sir Alf Ramsey, was their solitary success in 17 matches.
It is difficult to see how *Capello's usefulness can extend beyond Euro 2012 qualifying ties in Bulgaria and *Montenegro this autumn.
Far better to blood his *successor in a major *tournament next summer, than allow the Italian to go through the *motions of fulfilling his *contract.
His legacy will be minimal. His lieutenants, Franco Baldini, Italo Galbiati Franco Tancredi and Massimo Neri, are already on the job market.
Those attempting to build a more cohesive, inclusive, *future, like Gareth Southgate, are operating on the margins.
Southgate monitored the draw from Colombia, where, on *Friday night, he saw a revealingly weak England Under 20 team eke out a dispiriting goalless draw against North Korea.
It was the 45th anniversary of England solitary World Cup win yesterday. The chances of the Boys of '66 being usurped any time soon are remote.
Club football is pushing the international game down a cul de sac. By 2014, the world may have changed – and not for the better.

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[h=1]Newcastle midfielder to finally sign for Swansea[/h] Published 23:00 31/07/11 By MirrorFootball

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http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/tra...ove-to-Swansea-in-2m-deal-article779806.html#

Wayne Routledge is finally joining Swansea in a £2million deal.
Routledge will quit Newcastle and move to the Premier League new boys on a £25,000-a-week wage.
Swans chief Brendan Rodgers has been chasing the midfielder, 26, all summer.
And dogged Rodgers is still attempting to sign Nottingham Forest keeper Lee Camp, despite having a third bid of £1.8m snubbed on Friday.

 

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[h=1]Burnley target Republic of Ireland international[/h] Published 23:00 31/07/11 By Alan Nixon

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http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/tra...eston-winger-Keith-Treacy-article779751.html#

Burnley boss Eddie Howe is making a shock move for Preston's Republic of Ireland international Keith Treacy.
Howe has inquired about the winger who will be sold by relegated North End as they look to cut costs and raise funds.
Preston want an *optimistic £1million for Treacy, with Burnley looking to land him for around half of that fee – and Howe cautious about over-bidding.

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[h=1]'Ten months of no sleep'[/h] Published 23:02 31/07/11 By Simon Bird

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http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/new...Wenger-and-Harry-Redknapp-article779688.html#

Steve Bruce has just received a complaint from a player that his bed at the pre-season training camp is too soft, and he's not sleeping well.
The tiniest detail duly noted, and taken on his shoulders, Bruce's response illuminated the emotional roller-coaster Premier League bosses will embark on this week.
What did Bruce say to his insomniac? "I told him: ‘Try being a manager and sleeping, son'. That's 10 months of no sleep. Ten months of not switching off, thinking about every little thing.
"It feels OK now, because we haven't started yet, but pretty soon that fear kicks in. The adrenaline that pushes you.

"You can't help yourself. You look down that list of fixtures; we've got Liverpool first, then Newcastle at home, and we all know what that means. It takes over your life."
"Then pretty soon it's May again. When it's finished, you get away for a couple of weeks and just collapse. That's what I did for a month this summer."
For all the financial rewards and accolades when it is going well, Bruce, 51, says his mam and dad still worry about him "getting battered" during losing spells. He worries about the amount of time he devotes to his wife Jan, and the all-consuming nature of being the man where the buck stops.
But it is also addictive, rejuvenation coming with nine new signings added to his squad at a cost of £25million.
And despite being a boss for 12 years, he takes inspiration for the undimmed enthusiasm shown by friends Sir Alex Ferguson and the late Sir Bobby Robson in working into their 70s.
"The only problem is you become selfish," says Bruce. "Sometimes people can be having a coffee with you and you're not even there – you're planning the next day's training session. You get a bit weary sometimes of being the boss. Every day it's your decision. Decisions all around."
Bruce admits he paused for thought when Sunderland offered him a three-year deal at the start of the year. "The only thing that made me hesitate briefly was that I'd been doing it 10/11 years and hadn't had any kind of break as such. Do I have that same enthusiasm that you need.
"That's why I admired Sir Bobby, Sir Alex, Harry Redknapp, Arsene Wenger – they've got that real hunger and desire about them when they've been doing it so long. It's incredible what they do.
"That was the big thing I asked myself, whether I'd got the enthusiasm. To be fair, it only took me about 24 hours, because I've enjoyed this job at Sunderland more than I've ever enjoyed anything else." Last season Bruce says was his "most frustrating ever," despite Sunderland finishing top 10 for only the third time in half a century.
Bruce added: "We had a wonderful start. People sum it up: great until Christmas, absolutely hopeless after that. We lost eight on the spin, only took one point from 10 games or something."
He has learned lessons. Most of all he never wants to experience a 5-1 defeat to Newcastle ever again.
"The worst day, the worst night I've had in football. I just remember going to bed at 10 o'clock thinking ‘I just need this day to end'.
"But there's another game three or four days later – we went to Stoke and I remember we got away with Cattermole handling the ball off the line. We got off and running again. Then we had probably the best result of my career, when we went and won 3-0 at Chelsea. From the depths to the heights. It's the extremes.
"It's in those horrible moments when the walls close on it on you that you find out about yourself and being a manager. It's vitally important in those times that you don't beat yourself up too much.
New season, full of promise and expectation? "With what we've brought in I'm certainly excited," he adds. "After two years this is my Sunderland. The squad is a million miles better than then."
Back to that bed problem. The player has shifted the mattress onto the floor and a restful night awaits. For Bruce and others the insomnia is just about to kick in.

 

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[h=1]Bolton to move for Man City winger to replace injured Lee[/h] Published 23:00 31/07/11 By Alan Nixon

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http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/tra...rget-for-Bolton-Wanderers-article779699.html#

Bolton boss Owen Coyle is ready to move for Shaun Wright-Phillips after reeling from the news that Chung-Yong Lee faces a season on the sidelines.
Coyle will open talks with Manchester City for little SWP - either on loan or to buy - and hopes to persuade the England international to come in for stricken South Korean Lee.
Wright-Phillips played and scored for a City shadow side in Dublin but Roberto Mancini will not be using him in the big games this season and has cleared the way for his exit.
The popular City star is on big wages and that may be a problem to Wanderers, but he could take a sensible contract as he lives in the area and knows he will play every week.

Coyle has cash for two more attackers. However that was thrown into the air by Lee's horror injury against Newport County which is a double fracture that will take around ten months out of his career.
Lee is in hospital in South Wales after an operation and he will be out of football for the campaign, a cruel blow following a crunching challenge by Tom Miller who was subbed after the incident.
Coyle visited Lee yesterday and is ‘gutted' about the break for his highly-rated wide man who had been in prime form in pre-season games.
Now Bolton will move fast to fill the gap. New boy Chris Eagles can also play on the right wing, but Coyle does not want to run with a small squad again after a dip at the end of last season through lack of numbers.
Bolton are also chasing Liverpool striker David Ngog and could go for Birmingham City's Cameron Jerome is his value dropped. Leicester City have raised the bar in that chase.

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