Rodwell: Manchester City midfielder Jack Rodwell was called up to the England squad yesterday for their friendlies against Ireland and Brazil despite playing in only 11 league games all season. Rodwell, who scored twice in his club’s final day 3-2 defeat to Norwich City on Sunday, missed large chunks of the campaign through injury.
Scottish Cup: William Hill has extended its sponsorship of the Scottish Cup for a further two years. The betting firm and the Scottish FA announced the seven-figure deal, which sees the relationship continue until 2016, ahead of Sunday’s final between Hibernian and Celtic. The existing partnership had a year to run.
Sporting: Sporting Lisbon have appointed Leonardo Jardim as their sixth coach in just over two years of difficulties on and off the pitch. The 38-year-old Jardim, who unexpectedly parted company with Olym-piakos in January even though they were leading the league at the time, replaces Jesualdo Ferreira, who failed to secure the target of a Europa League spot for the Lisbon club.
Cahill goal: Tim Cahill’s stoppage-time winner against Los Angeles Galaxy lifted New York Red Bulls three points clear at the top of Major League Soccer’s Eastern Conference. The Australia midfielder headed a Juninho free-kick past Carlo Cudicini in the 91st minute at the Red Bull Arena to stretch New York’s advantage over second-placed Sporting Kansas, who were held to a 1-1 draw at DC United.
Meier stays: Dusseldorf coach Norbert Meier looks set to keep his job despite the club’s relegation after only one season in the Bundesliga. “Norbert Meier has a contract until 2014 and we have no intention of making any other decision, contrary to reports,” the club’s president Peter Freymuth said. “There is not going to be any knee-jerk reaction.”
Raheem: Liverpool winger Ra-heem Sterling had a charge of common assault dropped yesterday after a witness failed to turn up to court. Sterling, 18, did not have to appear at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court and the case was dismissed when prosecutor Rob Jones offered no evidence. Sterling had been accused of assaulting a woman last November.