England defender Phil Jagielka has said he wants to play with Everton until the end of his career.
The Merseyside outfit announced last week that Jagielka had signed a two-year contract extension that will keep him at Goodison Park until 2017.
And the 30-year-old, who joined Everton from Sheffield United in 2007, made it clear he is aiming to stay with The Toffees for the remainder of his playing days.
Jagielka told evertontv: “I hope I do. I love being here and the club have obviously not minded extending my deal for another two years so I’m looking forward to the future.
“I really enjoy playing here. It wasn’t a long discussion to extend my contract – I was delighted to do so.”
Ghana blow as Ayew limps out
Ghana have dropped Marseille’s highly-prized winger Andre Ayew from their squad for the Africa Cup of Nations starting in South Africa next week, coach Kwesi Appiah announced yesterday.
“I have decided to exclude Andre from the Ghana squad for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations,” Appiah said.
The loss of Ayew is a blow as Ghana seek a first Cup of Nations title since defeating hosts Libya on penalties in Tripoli 31 years ago.
Ayew picked up a hamstring injury last week, forcing him to miss Marseille’s French Cup game against Guingamp on Sunday.
Saunders takes over at Wolves
Wolves have confirmed Dean Saunders as their new manager after agreeing compensation with Doncaster.
The Championship club have moved quickly to replace Stale Solbakken after the Norwegian’s ill-fated reign came to an end with a 1-0 defeat to non-league Luton in the FA Cup on Saturday.
Saunders began his management career with Wrexham in the Blue Square Bet Premier before taking over at Doncaster.
The Welshman leaves Rovers, joint-top of League One, to join a club 18th in the Championship, six points above the bottom four.
No Chelsea deal for Lampard – agent
Frank Lampard will not be offered a new contract with Chelsea under any circumstances, according to the midfielder’s agent.
The 34-year-old has widely been expected to leave the club he joined back in 2001 at the end of the season, and agent Steve Kutner claims the Blues hierarchy have confirmed that to the player.
He told the Daily Mirror: “Chelsea executives told Frank in Japan during the Club World Cup then again reconfirmed with me after the Everton victory that in no circumstances will he be offered a new contract to stay at the club after the end of this season.
“Nothing since has changed in any respect.”
Cancer fight not over – Vilanova
Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova admitted that his cancer battle is not over and that he may be forced to once again step away from guiding the team’s pursuit of La Liga title.
The 44-year-old underwent surgery for a second time on a tumour on a saliva gland on December 20.
He missed the away win over Valladolid but was back in the Camp Nou dugout on Sunday for the 4-0 derby victory over Espanyol which allowed Bar-celona to go 11 points clear of Atletico Madrid and stay 16 in front of bitter rivals Real Madrid.
“This is not over yet and there will be days that I can take training and others I can’t but I want the media to realise that this illness is mine and it is private even if I am a public figure,” said Vilanova.
Robinho refuted Brazil return
Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani revealed that Robinho had turned down offers from other Brazilian clubs after talks with Santos ended.
Galliani was in Brazil over Christmas to complete Alexandre Pato’s €15m sale to Corinthians, though Robinho did not get his move to Santos.
“Binho did not want to leave Milan, he just wanted to go home,” explained Galliani. “We failed to agree a deal with Santos and his agent couldn’t agree personal terms either.
“Other Brazilian clubs were ready to fulfil all the requirements, but Robinho wanted to stay with Milan. I heard from Gremio yesterday and they wanted him at all costs.”
Holtby could join Spurs in January
Tottenham could sign Lewis Holtby this month rather than waiting until the summer, the midfielder’s current club Schalke have said.
Germany international Holtby last week agreed a deal to join Spurs on a free in the summer when his contract with the Bundesliga club expires.
However, Schalke managing director Horst Heldt is open to the possibility of completing the deal this month, which would be likely to involve Spurs having to pay a fee for the 22-year-old.
“If Tottenham ask for Holtby in the January window, we will talk to them about it,” Heldt said.
“Nothing has happened yet, but, from our point of view, we are prepared to speak to them.”