Former West Ham and Wales midfielder Jack Collison is retiring from football at the age 27 due to injury.
After making 121 appearances during an injury-hit time with the Hammers, the midfielder moved to Peterborough in the summer hoping to kickstart his career.
Collison made 12 appearances for the League One outfit, but has now decided to call time on his career due to persistent knee problems.
The midfielder, capped 17 times by Wales, dislocated a kneecap playing for West Ham in 2009 and will now focus on a coaching and media career.
Vardy film edges closer to fruition
Jamie Vardy is hoping to add another chapter to the Leicester fairytale against Arsenal today as a film about his remarkable career edges closer to fruition.
British screenwriter Adrian Butchart wants to turn Vardy’s remarkable ascent into a film and went to see him in action against Liverpool earlier in the month, when the England international netted both goals in a 2-0 win.
“He wanted to see a game and the way we played that day he can come every week,” Vardy said.
“I went and had a chat with him and he said he was getting things in place to start it.”
Pep against changes to DFB-Pokal
Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola says the German football league would be making a mistake by altering the format of the DFB-Pokal.
A report last week revealed considerations to reform Germany’s only domestic club competition. Different variations are under examination, but all would see the top Bundesliga sides enter the competition later than is currently the case.
“For me, it’s perfect the way it is,” Guardiola said.
“The small clubs deserve the chance to play against big teams.
“It’s always complicated when you play in the first round – that has been my experience in these three years.”
Suarez not ruling out ’Pool return
Luis Suarez has revealed he would only be interested in a Premier League return if it was with Liverpool.
The Uruguay striker left Anfield for Barcelona in the summer of 2014.
Suarez was idolised by the red half of Merseyside during his three-and-a-half-year stint and, although he intends to stay in Catalonia for the foreseeable future, the former Ajax forward has not ruled out a return.
He said: “I’d prefer to stay here for more years. I know it doesn’t always turn out that way. But if I had to return to England, I would only go to Liverpool.
“I wouldn’t go to another team. It wouldn’t be a move for money. I’d also love to play again for Ajax as they allowed me to develop as a player in Europe.”
Cruyff winning ‘2-0’ over cancer
Johan Cruyff believes he is “2-0 up at half-time” and will eventually win his battle with lung cancer.
The former Ajax, Barcelona and Holland star said: “After several treatments I can say that the results have been very positive, thanks to the excellent work of the doctors, the affection of the people and my positive mentality.
“Right now, I have the feeling that I am 2-0 up in the first half of a match that has not finished yet.
“But I am sure that I will end up winning.”
Cruyff, who was a heavy smoker, made his illness public in October last year.
The 68-year-old is regarded as one of the game’s greatest ever players. He led Ajax to three consecutive European Cups from 1971 to 1973 and was the star figure as Holland reached the World Cup final in 1974.
Gudjohnsen joins Solskjaer’s Molde
Former Chelsea and Barcelona striker Eidur Gudjohnsen has signed a two-year deal with Norwegian side Molde as he bids to secure a place in Iceland’s 2016 European Championship squad.
Gudjohnsen, capped 84 times, made three appearances in qualifying and scored one goal as his country reached the finals of a major tournament for the first time.
“Obviously, I want to play for the national team, these are exciting times for Iceland,” the 37-year-old told reporters.
“But I didn’t sign only for that. I have had many good references about Molde and I still love playing football.”
Malaysia in talks over A-League entry
The FA of Malaysia have held discussions about sending a team to play in the Australian A-League next year, former Socceroos striker Dave Mitchell has said.
Mitchell said he had proposed the idea to the FAM after being given the authority to do so by an unnamed A-League consortium and was awaiting their verdict.
Mitchell said: “Without doubt the possibility of playing in the A-League will help uplift Malaysian football and also give it a new dimension to football in the country.”
Mitchell, who played and managed in Malaysia before retiring, said he was also under instruction from the consortium to discuss the idea with clubs in Thailand and Indonesia.