WalesOnline Magazine Sport Blog

Sam Vokes loan move hangs in the balance

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 17:00:46 +0000

THE drawn-out loan move of Wolves striker Sam Vokes to Coventry City hangs in the balance.

According to the Coventry Evening Telegraph, despite constant claims from Molineux that the deal is waiting on the Sky Blues, insiders at the Ricoh Arena insist that the ball is firmly in Wolves' court.

The Premier League club are believed to have insisted that City take the Wales international for the whole season (via two half-season agreements) and allow them the option to recall him at 24 hours' notice.

They would also block him from playing in the FA Cup.

City, however, only want the 19-year-old on a 93-day 'emergency' loan.

They would then review the situation in January.

Vokes had been all set to join Derby on a season-long loan as a replacement for Rob Hulse before the transfer window closed.

But Hulse's move away from Pride Park failed to materialise and the deal was called off.

With the Sky Blues enjoying the fruits of a 12-goal partnership between Leon Best and Clinton Morrison, there is now less urgency to get Vokes in, given that he won't command a place in City's first-choice pairing.

Gareth Bale is on the comeback trail

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 12:00:59 +0000

Wales star Gareth Bale made his long-awaited return from injury in a friendly against QPR at Spurs' training ground on Wednesday.

Bale has been out since June after undergoing surgery to repair a medial meniscal tear on his left knee.

The Wales full-back, linked with a host of clubs during the summer transfer window, played the full 90 minutes.

Spurs' boss Harry Redknapp said: "Gareth was involved as he is coming back from injury and we wanted to get a game into him and one or two of the lads played including Heureliho Gomes and he was fine as well.

"He is fit to start but Carlo has done nothing wrong either and I have been pleased with him."

Tottenham came from 2-0 down to beat QPR 3-2 with goals from Harry Kane, Jesse Waller-Lassen and Giovani dos Santos.

Gareth Bale subject of 'loan bid' from Newcastle United

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 15:16:15 +0000

Chris Hughton has been told to restock his Newcastle squad - WITHOUT spending a penny.

According to mirrorfootball.co.uk, the Newcastle caretaker boss will only be allowed to bring in free transfers or loan signings over the weekend, with Spurs' Gareth Bale, currently out with a foot injury, and fellow wide-man Danny Rose on United's radar.

Peter Lovenkrands, who is also a free agent, wants to join Newcastle, who are looking to strike deals to sell at least three more players.

The club is trying to push through deals to get rid of centre back Fabricio Coloccini who earns £70,000 a week and Jonas Gutierrez, with Steven Taylor also a major asset.

Jack Collison thanks fans after his father's death

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 15:00:11 +0000

Wales midfielder Jack Collison has thanked West ham fans for their support after news of his father's death became public this week.

Ian Collison was killed in a motorcycle crash on the M25, near Epping, as he rode to Upton Park to see his son play for the Hammers against Tottenham Hotspur.

Collison said: "I just want to thank our fans for their tremendous support at what is such a difficult time for me and my family.

"It was incredible. It is something I will never ever forget and I will be trying my best to repay them on the pitch in all our matches."

West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola paid tribute to his young charge.

"He told me straight away that he wanted to play. He wanted to be here and I just decided that he had to play.

"He made himself available. He showed what kind of boy he is. Not many would have done that."

Sunderland agree fee with Stoke City for Danny Collins

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 14:31:56 +0000

When everyone though the Collins on his way to Stoke City was West ham's James, so it appears Collins' former Welsh colleague Danny will be making a permanent trip to the Potteries.

Stoke after Sunderland agreed a fee for the defender with the Potters after Steve Bruce told Danny Collins that he can leave Wearside.

The 29-year-old - who has been Sunderland's Player of the Year for the last two seasons and the decision to let the player go will come as a surprise to Sunderland fans, who have seen him take on the captain's armband under Bruce.

The former Wales international has played 163 games for Sunderland and scored three goals since moving to Wearside from Chester for £140,000 five years ago.

Flynn full of praise as Wales U21s put four past Hungary

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 22:57:34 +0000

Wales Under-21 manager Brian Flynn praised his side's performance following tonight's 4-1 win against Hungary at Wrexham's Racecourse Ground.

The result brought to an end Hungary's 100% record in the Group Three qualifying programme for the 2011 Uefa Championships and saw them replaced by unbeaten Wales, whose next opponents will be Italy at Swansea next month.

But Flynn insisted his players would have nothing to fear following what he said was an emphatic victory last night.

"There were a lot of good individual performances out there tonight and I'd be hard pushed to pick a man of the match," he said.

"Individually they each have their strengths and collectively they are a very good, very tight group and we are fortunate that we have three or four who have a lot of experience of under-21 football."

Sheffield United striker Ched Evans scored two goals, taking his tally for the Wales youngsters to 11 in 10 games, and the others came from captain Shaun MacDonald and Andy King as Hungary struggled to make an impact.

"They have some talented players but in tournaments like this it is important to win your home games," added Flynn. "That's what we aim to do and then we'll hope to nick a result or two on our travels.

"But it was difficult tonight because the game has come so early in the season and one or two of the lads looked a bit tired towards the end."

Flynn had a special mention for two-goal hero Evans, who recently left Manchester City in search of regular first team football with the Blades.

"He's had a disrupted pre-season, not only with the hassle surrounding his move but also because of a niggling back injury which has restricted his training.

"So we have got to be pleased with his goals and it proves that this team is set up to score goals. If defenders go past the halfway line, we tell them to go all the way and that's what they do."

Zsolt Korcsmar scored the consolation goal for the visitors.

Toshack honest in assesement of Wales' Montenegro defeat

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 22:57:34 +0000

Wales boss John Toshack conceded that his team deserved to lose 2-1 tonight against Montenegro, but refused to be critical of Danny Gabbidon who conceded a first-half penalty and was to blame for the second goal.

Those two strikes - Stevan Jovetic's spot-kick and Radomir Dalovic's turn and shot past Wayne Hennessey seconds from half-time - put the hosts in full control.

Sam Vokes pulled one back with a clever header after the break to make the final score 2-1, but Toshack said: "The lads did well to get back into the game, but after we scored they just did not take it on and produce more.

"It was very, very hot out there and a lot of the boys have not played much football yet. So it was tough.

"But those two goals near the end of the first-half changed the game, it was very hard to come back after that."

Toshack conceded: "I have no complaints about the result, we were beaten by the better side on the night.

"But I have no problem with Gabbidon. He has been out for almost two years with a succession of injuries, it was just good to see him back on the pitch for us.

"I felt the penalty was a really soft one. I suppose that when you play away to Montenegro and they have a Serbian referee, you wonder what is going to happen.

"But there may well have been an earlier penalty that was not given, so I have no real complaints.

"Danny was always going to stay on for the full 90 minutes, unless he said otherwise during the game.

"He desperately needs game time after this long out, and we needed to let him have that if he is going to be in any position to play against Russia next month."

Toshack added: "There were other things that didn't function about our side. We depend on getting the full-backs forward, but it did not happen.

"And maybe we did not get a grip of their clever midfielders, Jack Collison was left having to do a lot of running around with Joe Ledley and Aaron Ramsey getting pulled out of position to go wide, where we should have had full-backs doing that.

"It was a difficult game, very hot, and we lost it in a crucial ten minute spell before the break.

"We had created a few good chances of our own up until that point, but two goals like that and one just seconds from the interval made life very hard for us.

"Even after we scored, we did not really trouble their defence too much, and that was a disappointment."

Plymouth boss Sturrock backs Carl Fletcher's retirement decision

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 18:00:17 +0000

Plymouth Argyle manager Paul Sturrock believes the Pilgrims will benefit enormously from captain Carl Fletcher's decision to retire from the Welsh international football.

Fletcher, only 29, says he wants to concentrate on his career with the Devon club, instead of adding to his 36 caps for John Toshack's team.

Sturrock revealed the midfielder had mentioned to him on Saturday that he was thinking about calling time on his Wales career.

"I think he had been mulling it over since he knew he was in the squad (against Montenegro)," said the Pilgrims boss.

"He has played in the Premier League and he has played in a FA Cup final. He has seen it, done it, got the t-shirt. Now he has made this decision.

"It will definitely be a great benefit for Plymouth Argyle. It's fantastic news.

"But I have been an international player myself and I can appreciate the decision he has made.

"It hasn't been an easy one, and it's one that has taken a bit of time to think about."

Young gun Joe Allen eyes quick return from injury

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 17:45:34 +0000

Swansea City manager Paulo Sousa has received a boost with the news that Joe Allen will return to action within three weeks, after the Swans feared he may be out for longer.

The teenage Welsh star limped out of the opening- day game at Leicester with a hamstring injury.

"He is not so bad for now," said Sousa.

"We thought it was worse, but he has had a good reaction after the first day.

"He doesn't have any pain walking, which is a good sign, and I think we will lose him for two or three weeks."

It's Ched of heaven for Evans to escape Manchester City

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 17:39:37 +0000

Ched Evans starts a new lease of life with Wales Under-21s tomorrow having admitted he could not handle the inactivity of his life at Manchester City.

The Rhyl-born forward, who had progressed through the Eastlands club's youth academy, found his way to regular first-team football constantly blocked by big-spending City's accumulation of expensive new strikers.

That lack of game time cost Evans his place in the senior Wales side - currently in Montenegro for a friendly - and meant that the 21 year-old was instead named in the Under-21 side for the clash with Hungary at Wrexham on Wednesday.

Evans was sold to Sheffield United in the summer and made his debut as a late substitute in Friday's 0-0 draw at Middlesbrough.

Now he will be looking for the chance to rebuild his international career with Brian Flynn's youngsters, starting at the Racecourse ground.

Evans said: "There are still things to be proved, it was frustrating at Manchester City.

"You were so hyped up to play and couldn't get on. I couldn't handle it any more and had to get out."

Evans could have stuck around at City and basked in the glory of being a bit-part player in a vast squad, but he said: "Not in any way (would I do that). That would go against everything you work towards as a footballer.

"I was just desperate to play and that's not changed. Sheffield United are giving me that chance and I want to them get back to where they should be, which is the Premier League."

Evans said: "City are a great club and there is no doubt they are going places, but you also have to say it has completely changed there.

"A few years ago it was about bringing through their youngsters and taking pride in watching them develop. There are not going to be many teenagers coming through any more."

Evans, who has scored nine goals in nine under-21 games, will be looking to add to that tally against the Hungarians.

Wales' youngster are so far unbeaten in their group having drawn away to Luxembourg in March, and won the return at Llanelli 5-1.

Flynn has lost two players from his squad. Swansea midfielder Allen is out with a hamstring injury, and Chelsea have withdrawn goalkeeper Rhys Taylor.

Flynn has called-up Swansea's David Cornell, the under-17s keeper, as well as Cardiff defender Adam Matthews, who has won under-19 caps.

Robbie Savage takes a pay cut to prolong his football career

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 17:01:45 +0000

Evergreen Welsh midfielder Robbie Savage has experienced something of a rennaisance under new Derby manager Nigel Clough.

The midfielder, as famous for his blonde locks and his larger-than-life notoriety, as he is for his football, has signed a new two-year contract with the Rams, but, in these time sof credit and crunch - has agreed to a pay cut to see out his career at Pride Park.

Savage, 34, will stay at Pride Park until the end of the 2010/11 season after he agree a cut on his reported £20,000 a week earnings, in exchange for another year on his contract.

Sav said: "It's a well-known fact what I earn here -- you read it in papers and it's not a million miles away.

"The chairman came to me with a package which is very complicated but basically it means I've deferred a hell of a lot of money from this year to next year.

"Over the two years I will earn a bit more.

"It's very complicated but it works for both parties.

"I don't think many players would have done it. I could've easily said no and believed with the way I was playing this year I could've gone on a free in January and would be a good asset for a Championship club.

"But I thought I'd help the football club out and I'll end my career here.

"I have (taken a pay cut) this year but next year they make it up to me.

"I honestly don't believe a lot of players would have done it. As a player you get used to earning that money.

"I've had to alter all kinds of things (investments) to make it work.

"The main thing is to be sitting here now saying I've signed a new deal is incredible really.

Forgotten man Crofts aims for Wales return

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 14:11:35 +0000

Former Wales midfielder Andrew Crofts wants to play a starring role for new club Brighton & Hove Albion to revive his chances of a return to John Toshack's squad.

He said: "It is an honour to represent your country. I started off for the under-19s and played a few times for them, then made the step up to the under-21s.

"I captained them as well under Brian Flynn and I have been capped 12 times so far in the full squad.

"After Gillingham I went to Peterborough and I was still in and around the international scene then.

"Peterborough tried to do something with me but that broke down and I couldn't go back there on loan, so I ended up going to Wrexham on loan and since then I haven't been involved.

"Hopefully I can get back now by playing well for Brighton and build on those 12 caps. The main thing is for me to give everything I have got for Brighton, then things could hopefully work out for me again on the international front."

Cardiff City's Ross McCormack has 'gentleman's agreement' over move

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 15:41:33 +0000

Ross McCormack's agent has said the Cardiff City player has a gentleman's agreement with the Bluebirds where he could leave for a Premier League club if a bid is made for his services.

According to McCormack's agent, Willie McKay, a gentleman's agreement was put in place to let the striker leave for the right price when he signed his new contract only three weeks ago.

"Ross was given a new contract by Cardiff as reward for his superb campaign last season where he scored 23 goals," McKay told skysports.

"When Ross signed the deal there was a gentleman's agreement with Peter Ridsdale that Cardiff would sell him if a bid came in from a Premier League club that was agreeable with them.

"Ross didn't actually submit a transfer request, he was just reminding Peter Ridsdale that he would like to be given the opportunity to talk to any interested clubs if they make a bid for him.

"I know there are some interested clubs in the Premier League in Ross and Ross is an ambitious person who wants to play at the highest level he can."

Swans chasing Ipswich Town striker Pablo Counago

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 13:29:45 +0000

SWANSEA CITY are in talks with Ipswich Town's Spanish striker Pablo Counago.

Swans boss Paulo Sousa is expected to meet with the 29-year-old to discuss a move to the Liberty Stadium after the clubs agreed a fee yesterday.

Counago, who grabbed ten goals for the Tractor Boys last season, has been one of Sousa's top targets since losing star striker Jason Scotland in a £2m deal with Wigan last week.

And Counago fits the bill after impressing against the Swans last year, the ex-Spain Under 21 international scoring twice in a 2-2 draw at Portman Road.

Swansea have also been keeping tabs on Southampton striker Marek Saganowski but Swansea have made their move for Counago after an initial bid was turned down.

The ex-Celta Vigo frontman is also attracting interest from West Brom and Portsmouth.

Cardiff City agree fee for Paul Parry

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 13:29:45 +0000

Cardiff City are ready to sell winger Paul Parry - and Preston North End are leading the chase.

City chairman Peter Ridsdale has agreed a fee, believed to be in the region of £300,000, to sell former Wales international Parry to an unnamed Championship rival, thought to be Preston. He has also been linked with Doncaster Rovers.

"We have agreed a fee for Paul Parry with another club," said Ridsdale. "The club involved have been given permission for talks with the player."

Attacking midfielder Parry, who turns 29 next month, was a bargain £75,000 buy for Cardiff from non-league Hereford in January 2004 and is able to play on both flanks or in attack.

He made a sparkling start at Coca-Cola Championship level for Cardiff City and quickly earned a Wales call-up, earning 12 senior caps.

Parry stepped back from international football to focus on playing for Cardiff.

Cardiff manager Dave Jones is keen to add three more players to his squad - and has been told he must trim numbers before being able to recruit more.