Liverpool winger Jordon Ibe will commit his international future to England rather than Nigeria, according to a tweet from Super Eagles coach and former national skipper Sunday Oliseh.
The 19-year-old has represented England at the U-18, U-19, U-20 and U-21 levels but also qualifies to play for Nigeria through his father and has been the subject of an international tug-of-war over his future.
The winger has yet to play a senior game for either country, but now looks to have his heart set on representing England.
“Jordon Ibe’s family informed me by a telephone call that he was giving priority to an England call-up. We wish them well,” Oliseh said on Twitter.
Dressing-room stick will help Berahino
West Bromwich Albion’s Saido Berahino has faced some dressing-room banter about his threat to go on strike after a failed transfer but it will help the unsettled striker reintegrate into the squad, captain Darren Fletcher has said.
The 22-year-old Berahino was heavily linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur throughout the summer transfer window, with the Baggies reportedly rejecting four bids from the North London club.
“The lads have given him some stick. Sometimes it’s the best way because it takes away the tension,” Fletcher said.
“When somebody comes in and there is a little bit of banter, I’m sure he feels like one of the lads again.”
Injured Rooney to miss PSV game
Wayne Rooney has been ruled out of Manchester United’s Champions League game at PSV Eindhoven tonight with a hamstring injury.
Rooney missed Saturday’s 3-1 win over Liverpool at Old Trafford after picking up the injury in training.
United manager Louis van Gaal had said that Rooney was likely to miss the Champions League tie, but that he expected his captain to be fit in time for Sunday’s visit to Southampton.
Striker James Wilson has been included in the squad for the trip to the Netherlands.
Benitez didn’t like me, says Gerrard
Rafael Benitez was the best tactical manager Steven Gerrard ever played under but the former Liverpool captain said he felt the Spaniard did not like him as a person, according to an extract from his autobiography.
“I don’t think Rafa Benitez liked me as a person. I’m not sure why, but that’s the feeling I got from him,” the 35-year-old said.
“I can pick up the phone and speak to all of my previous Liverpool managers. Except for Rafa.
“It’s a shame because we shared the biggest night of both our careers – the 2005 Champions League victory in Istanbul.”
Ade welcome at Villa, says Sherwood
Aston Villa manager Tim Sherwood would jump at the chance to sign Emmanuel Adebayor if he showed the right attitude and desire but fears the Togo forward may now be frozen out of football until January after leaving Tottenham Hotspur.
The 31-year-old has not played for Spurs this season and was left out of both their Premier League and Europa League squads.
“I would not hesitate if he had the desire to want to come and play football,” Sherwood told reporters when asked if he would try to sign Adebayor in the January transfer window.
“He’s too good a talent – I’ve seen that first hand – to not play any football but unfortunately I don’t think there’s any window open for him now.”
Magath wants video replays in Bundesliga
Felix Magath has called for the introduction of video reviews in the Bundesliga after Augsburg were potentially deprived of a point against his former club Bayern Munich due to an incorrect penalty decision at the weekend.
Referee Knut Kircher apologised to Augsburg after reviewing the incident that led to him awarding a 90th-minute spot-kick to Bayern which handed them a 2-1 win in the derby.
“The Bundesliga needs a referee with a television – immediately,” he said.
“Football continues to ignore this opportunity which will not change the game, it will just make it fairer.
“It takes just 10 seconds. Ten seconds and you have seen enough to make the right decision.”
Mihajlovic pleased despite derby loss
Milan players have been spared another dressing down by coach Sinisa Mihajlovic despite losing their derby 1-0 to Inter.
Mihajlovic has made some surprisingly outspoken criticism of his team since replacing Filippo Inzaghi in the close season, however, the fiery Serb said he was satisfied with their performance in Sunday night’s match at the San Siro.
“I am not angry this time, the result is disappointing but the lads played well,” Mihajlovic told reporters.
“I can be happy when we lose and unhappy when we win, because if we keep playing like this then it’ll be a success.”