David Beckham was been called up to the England squad for the upcoming friendly with France.
It seems certain that Beckham will earn his 100th internation cap in the game in Paris on the 26th March.
The 32-year old was left out of Fabio Capello's first squad, but has proved his fitness after playing several friendlies for LA Galaxy.
Also included in the provisional 30-man squad are Arsenal teenager Theo Walcott and the uncapped Middlesbrough defender David Wheater.
It's the first time Walcott's been called up since he was selected - but not used - in the 2006 World Cup.
To see the full squad click here.
Thursday 20 March 2008
Monday 17 March 2008
RELEGATION LATEST
It's still impossible to call which two clubs will join doomed Derby in being relegated from the Premier League this season after some surprising results.
A Michael Owen goal grabbed a point for Kevin Keegan's Newcastle after James McFadden had opened the scoring for Birmingham in Monday's night's bottom of the table clash.
Newcastle - still searching for a first win under Keegan - are still in a dogfight but the point leaves them four points clear of the drop zone.
At the weekend ten-man Wigan produced a battling performance to beat Bolton with Emile Heskey scoring only his second goal of the season. Gary Megson's men now look in real trouble.
And Fulham, who looked dead and buried a few days ago, beat Champions League chasing Everton 1-0 thanks to goal from former-Toffee Brian McBride. The result keeps them within reach of safety.
Roy Keane's Sunderland are in free fall after another home defeat - this time at the hands of Chelsea. But there performance suggests they might still have enough if refereeing decisions start to go their way.
Whichever way it goes it's sure to be an exciting run in at the top and bottom of the table - who could argue that this is not the best league in the world?
A Michael Owen goal grabbed a point for Kevin Keegan's Newcastle after James McFadden had opened the scoring for Birmingham in Monday's night's bottom of the table clash.
Newcastle - still searching for a first win under Keegan - are still in a dogfight but the point leaves them four points clear of the drop zone.
At the weekend ten-man Wigan produced a battling performance to beat Bolton with Emile Heskey scoring only his second goal of the season. Gary Megson's men now look in real trouble.
And Fulham, who looked dead and buried a few days ago, beat Champions League chasing Everton 1-0 thanks to goal from former-Toffee Brian McBride. The result keeps them within reach of safety.
Roy Keane's Sunderland are in free fall after another home defeat - this time at the hands of Chelsea. But there performance suggests they might still have enough if refereeing decisions start to go their way.
Whichever way it goes it's sure to be an exciting run in at the top and bottom of the table - who could argue that this is not the best league in the world?
Sunday 16 March 2008
TITLE RACE HOTS UP
It has been a weekend full of more twists and turns in the race for the Premier League trophy, with Manchester United now in pole position.
It looked like United were going to slip up at bottom club Derby until Cristiano Ronaldo struck a vital winner from a Wayne Rooney cross just 15 minutes from time.
Instead it was Arsenal who continued to stutter in their league campaign, needing a late goal from Emmanuel Eboue to draw 1-1 at home to Middlesbrough after their former striker Jeremie Aliadiere had opened the scoring.
And Chelsea now look back in the title race as they secured a 1-0 win over strugglers Sunderland thanks to a John Terry header to sit just three points behind the Gunners.
In the race for fourth advantage is with the red side of Merseyside after Liverpool came from behing to beat Reading on Saturday, as Neighbours Everton slumped to a 1-0 defeat at Fulham on Sunday.
The top four face each other next Sunday when Chelsea host Arsenal and Liverpool make the trip to Old Trafford. The title race is perfectly poised with United and Arsenal both on 67 points and Chelsea just three points behind.
The results next week could give the clearest indication yet as to were the title will be heading in May.
It looked like United were going to slip up at bottom club Derby until Cristiano Ronaldo struck a vital winner from a Wayne Rooney cross just 15 minutes from time.
Instead it was Arsenal who continued to stutter in their league campaign, needing a late goal from Emmanuel Eboue to draw 1-1 at home to Middlesbrough after their former striker Jeremie Aliadiere had opened the scoring.
And Chelsea now look back in the title race as they secured a 1-0 win over strugglers Sunderland thanks to a John Terry header to sit just three points behind the Gunners.
In the race for fourth advantage is with the red side of Merseyside after Liverpool came from behing to beat Reading on Saturday, as Neighbours Everton slumped to a 1-0 defeat at Fulham on Sunday.
The top four face each other next Sunday when Chelsea host Arsenal and Liverpool make the trip to Old Trafford. The title race is perfectly poised with United and Arsenal both on 67 points and Chelsea just three points behind.
The results next week could give the clearest indication yet as to were the title will be heading in May.
SHOULD CAPELLO CALL UP BECKHAM?
David Beckham was watched by Fabio Capello's assistant coach playing for LA Galaxy, as he aims to win his 100th international cap.
The former England captain played the full 90 minutes of a goalless friendly against FC Dallas in front of Franco Baldini.
The ex-Manchester United and Real Madrid star is hoping to complete his century of appearances for England against France on the 26th March.
And Capello has hinted that Beckham will be included if he can prove his form and fitness.
But is calling up a 'semi-retired' 32-year old really of any benefit to England in the long run?
England have a whole host of young right-sided midfielders to choose from, including David Bentley, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Aaron Lennon.
And Capello's job is to build a side for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa - when Beckham will be 35.
Add to that the toll of continuing to play in Major League Soccer, a league probably at the level of League One in England, and you have to conclude that Beckham has no chance of playing in South Africa if England qualify.
The golden generation that was supposed to lead us to World Cup glory in 2006 has failed - the sooner we move start building up the next generation the better.
The former England captain played the full 90 minutes of a goalless friendly against FC Dallas in front of Franco Baldini.
The ex-Manchester United and Real Madrid star is hoping to complete his century of appearances for England against France on the 26th March.
And Capello has hinted that Beckham will be included if he can prove his form and fitness.
But is calling up a 'semi-retired' 32-year old really of any benefit to England in the long run?
England have a whole host of young right-sided midfielders to choose from, including David Bentley, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Aaron Lennon.
And Capello's job is to build a side for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa - when Beckham will be 35.
Add to that the toll of continuing to play in Major League Soccer, a league probably at the level of League One in England, and you have to conclude that Beckham has no chance of playing in South Africa if England qualify.
The golden generation that was supposed to lead us to World Cup glory in 2006 has failed - the sooner we move start building up the next generation the better.
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