Defoe: Jermain Defoe returns to Tottenham’s squad for today’s north London derby clash with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. The England striker has been sidelined for just over two months following surgery on damaged ankle ligaments. Defoe returned to training almost a month ahead of schedule and is available to face the Gunners.
Man. City: England duo Joleon Lescott and Micah Richards are Roberto Mancini’s main doubts ahead of Manchester City’s trip to Fulham tomorrow. Lescott is struggling with a foot injury, while Micah Richards has a rib problem following the midweek encounter with France.
Hoffenheim: Hoffenheim’s Nigeria international Chinedu Obasi is set for surgery on an injured shinbone which will keep him sidelined until next year. “Tests have confirmed that an operation is necessary to enable him to return to train and play without feeling any pain,” the Bundesliga club reported yesterday. The 24-year-old striker joined Hoffenheim in 2007 and has gone on to score 13 goals from 51 appearances but has only managed four games this season.
Amauri: Juventus have suffered a huge blow with news that striker Amauri will be out of action until the new year. Tests done yesterday confirmed the Brazil-born player has damaged a ligament on his left knee. Amauri, who had recently recovered from a left thigh injury that had kept him out of action for a month, got hurt during Thursday’s training session.
Spearing: Liverpool midfielder Jay Spearing faces up to six weeks on the sidelines after suffering an ankle injury in training. The 21-year-old had hoped to use the absence of Steven Gerrard and Lucas Leiva to make his first Premier League start against West Ham today.
Bannan: Aston Villa midfielder Barry Bannan has completed a memorable week by signing a new three-and-a-half year contract with the midlands club. The 20-year-old has committed himself to Villa until the summer of 2014 after showing impressive form under new manager Gerard Houllier. Bannan made his debut for Scotland in midweek against the Faroe Islands.
MFA Div. Three: Gudja vs Sta Venera 3-1; Mtarfa vs Qrendi 2-0.
In Gozo: Division One – Sannat vs St Lawrence 5-1. Division Two – Xagħra vs Munxar 3-2.
League Two: Burton Albion vs Bury 1-3.
Cricket: Australian bowling great Glenn McGrath has married his girlfriend Sara Leonardi, two years after his first wife’s death from breast cancer. The private wedding, attended by a handful of family members, took place at 40-year-old McGrath’s Sydney home on Thursday. McGrath retired in 2007 but continues as chairman of the McGrath Foundation, a breast cancer charity he established with his late wife.
Rowing: Haeider Hamarasheid won war-torn Iraq’s first medal of the 2010 Asian Games yesterday, picking up a rowing bronze, and said he hoped it would set an example for young people in his homeland. Hamarasheid finished the single sculls in 7:10.10, some five seconds behind gold medalist Bajran Takhar of India with Taiwan’s Wang Ming-hui second. “I’m so happy and excited because this is the first medal for Iraq at these Asian Games,” he said. “This achievement will encourage young people in Iraq.”
Basketball: With star point guard Steve Nash on the sidelines, Phoenix Suns were no match for Orlando Magic on Thursday. Jameer Nelson had 15 points and a season-high 12 assists for Orlando, who cruised to a 105-89 NBA win. Dwight Howard added 20 points and 12 rebounds, and every starter scored in double digits for Orlando, who led by as many as 32 en route to their third straight triumph. Nash sat out the contest with a sore groin.
Golf: With his prodigious talents, the youngest ever winner on the European Tour ought to have the world at his feet. But 17-year-old Matteo Manassero revealed yesterday he doesn’t get everything his own way, and found he was banned from betting at a race night in Hong Kong’s Happy Valley stadium this week as he is still underage. “I watched, in my mind – gambling in my mind,” the Italian laughed. Manassero is in Hong Kong to compete in the $2.5m Open.