Blackpool winger Matt Phillips has said he turned down overtures from England caretaker manager Stuart Pearce before opting to play his international football for Scotland.
The 20-year-old was born in England but he also qualifies to play for Scotland due to the fact that he has a Scots-born grandfather.
“I spoke to Stuart Pearce personally, because it had to come from me,” he said.
“A lot of people might have sat around and waited. But I told him I wanted to come away and play for Scotland. I haven’t made this decision in the past month. It’s been something that’s always been at the back of my mind that one day I’d play for Scotland.”
Skrtel wins Slovakia award
Martin Skrtel picked up his second piece of silverware in a few days’ time as the Liverpool central defender was named Slovakian player of the year.
The 27-year-old – who was claiming the award for the third time after winning in 2007 and 2008 – beat Napoli attacking midfielder Marek Hamsik and another Italy-based midfielder Juraj Kucka, of Genoa, in the vote.
Skrtel, who scored in Liverpool’s League Cup victory over Cardiff on Sunday, has been at Anfield since 2008 after four seasons with Zenit SP, with whom he won the 2008 UEFA Cup.
City’s Guidetti set for Sweden bow
Sweden coach Erik Hamren has hinted that teenage hot-shot John Guidetti could be handed a start in today’s friendly with Croatia as he bids to earn a place in the squad for Euro 2012.
The 19-year-old Manchester City striker has been in scintillating form during his loan spell at Dutch side Feyenoord, racking up 18 goals in 17 matches, and Hamren says his recent performances have made him impossible to ignore.
“I think he clearly deserves it given the results he’s had with his club,” said the Sweden coach.
“I see John as the top forward, either alone in a 4-2-3-1 or as one of two.”
Trio charge over Twitter comments
Federico Macheda, Nile Ranger and Manny Smith have been charged by the English Football Association over alleged homo-phobic comments on Twitter.
Manchester United striker Macheda, currently on loan at Queens Park Rangers, New-castle United forward Ranger and Walsall’s Smith are accused of acting in a way which was “improper and/or brought the game into disrepute”, including “a reference to a person’s or persons’ sexual orientation”.
The three players have until today to respond, the English FA said.
Parker honoured
Spurs midfielder Scott Parker collected his second award in a year yesterday when he was voted England player of the year by the national side’s fans.
The 31-year-old – who was named Football Writers Player of the Year for 2010/11 even in a season that saw his then club West Ham relegated from the Premier League – succeeds Chelsea full-back Ashley Cole.
Parker took 17 per cent of the 15,000 votes cast, with Joe Hart second and Ashley Young third.
“It’s a great honour. Just looking at the names that are on the trophy it’s quite an achievement.
“It’s a proud moment for me, I’m delighted,” Parker said.
No Juventus return for Melo
Galatasaray midfielder Felipe Melo has ruled out the possibility of returning to his parent club Juventus next summer.
The Brazilian international joined the Turkish side on loan during pre-season in a €1.5m deal. Galatasaray have an option to buy him outright for a further €13m.
“I wouldn’t go back to Juventus. Never. I spent two heavy years there and so did my family,” Melo said.
“I’ll always remain grateful to Juventus for the opportunity that they had given me, but my cycle in Italy is over.”
Carragher eyes CLeague return
Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher is hoping the League Cup triumph will galvanise the club in their fight for a top-four finish and Champions League football.
The Reds have not played in Europe’s premier club competition since 2009-10, when they were eliminated at the group stage after finishing third behind Fiorentina and Lyon.
“I think we are bigger than that. We should be looking to get into Europe every year through our league position rather than through winning the League Cup,” Carragher said.
“Yes, it is nice to have it in the bag but we are bigger and better than that.
“The next step is trying to get back into the Champions League. We know it is going to be a difficult task but we have to give it all.”