Italy coach Cesare Prandelli is set to call some new faces to the national team, confirming his stance to continue experimenting following his appointment after the World Cup.
Prandelli has already effected huge changes to the team as the Azzurri won both Euro 2012 qualifiers so far. The next matches will be against Northern Ireland and Serbia.
“I could call some new faces for the next games, but I won’t name names,” Prandelli said.
“I will only say that I liked the way we worked in the first two qualifiers.”
Potential call-ups could be Fiorentina’s Alessandro Gamberini and Sebastian Giovinco, of Parma.
McLeish taking no chances on Bowyer
Birmingham boss Alex McLeish admitted he substituted midfielder Lee Bowyer to avoid the risk of him being sent off as his side crashed 3-1 at West Brom.
Bowyer retaliated after being on the receiving end of a challenge from Baggies defender Gonzalo Jara and reacted with a lunge at Gabriel Tamas which resulted in him picking up a yellow card.
McLeish instantly substituted Bowyer, who was then involved in a verbal exchange with a female fan situated behind the City dugout.
McLeish said: “I just didn’t want to take a chance. We were talking about taking Hleb off at that time. Then Bowyer got the booking and I took him off just in case. He is more mature now and he maybe would have seen it through but I didn’t want to take any chances.”
Maradona for China charity tour
Diego Maradona is due in China in November for a charity tour that will see him lunch with fans and sing in a concert. Maradona will travel to China with 11 players to raise money for a Chinese Red Cross Foundation project aimed at helping poor people who suffer from cancer.
“He will participate in a series of events including playing no less than 20 minutes in two games,” Wang Ling, head of the company which is planning the trip, said.
The football legend will also have lunch with the highest bidder of an auction due to take place before his arrival on November 3, Wang added.
Wenger fumes over bad timing
Arsene Wenger insisted there was no confrontation with fourth official Martin Atkinson as Arsenal were denied top spot in the Premier League thanks to Darren Bent’s dramatic injury-time goal in a 1-1 draw at Sunderland on Saturday.
Bent, who grew up as an Arsenal supporter, scored in the fifth minute of stoppage time after Atkinson had indicated a minimum of four would be added on, to spark a melee near the technical area.
“Take the pictures and look at it. I complained to nobody,” Wenger said.
The Football Association are likely to probe the incident.
On the timing of Bent’s goal, Wenger added: “If you have a watch you can control it. It’s as simple as that.”
Stankovic to end career at Inter
Dejan Stankovic announced he won’t extend his current contract at Inter.
The Serb midfielder was talking during the launching of his autobiography, Formatissimamente Io, last weekend and said he won’t pen another deal in his lifetime.
“I think I will hang up my boots in three or four years and want to end my career in 2014 with the Inter jersey,” the 32-year-old said.
“After that I don’t see myself on the bench or in a directorial role. I would prefer to work with the youth academies instead.
“The greatest night of my entire career was in Madrid on May 22, 2010. I had heard from those who felt the emotion of winning the Champions League and dreamed of experiencing it myself... lifting the trophy was a unique sensation.”
Owen not joining Aston Villa – Fergie
Gerard Houllier is wasting his time thinking he might sign Michael Owen for Aston Villa, according to Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson.
Houllier revealed last week that he would welcome the opportunity to work with Owen again following their successful time together at Liverpool, prompting suggestions that the 30-year-old could be on his way to Villa Park in the January transfer window.
However, Ferguson is not planning to let the forward leave.
“I’m not aware of Gerard wanting him but, anyway, he’s wasting his time there,” Ferguson said.
Owen has started only five Premier League games for United since moving to Old Trafford in 2009.
Tottenham great Smith dies
Famed Tottenham forward Bobby Smith has died at the age of 77 following a short illness.
Smith scored 208 goals in 317 senior games for Spurs and was a member of the side which won the double in the 1960-61 season. He also had spells at Chelsea and Brighton.
Smith began his career as a youth player at Chelsea and turned professional in 1950. He moved to Spurs in December 1955 and played a key role in the club’s transformation from relegation candidates to champions.
He scored 33 goals in the club’s double-winning season and picked up winner’s medals in the 1962 FA Cup final and the 1963 European Cup Winners’ Cup.
Smith was also prolific at international level, scoring 13 times in 15 appearances for England.