Sturridge, Lallana pull out of England duty
England manager Roy Hodgson suffered a double injury blow on Monday as the Football Association confirmed Liverpool duo Daniel Sturridge (below) and Adam Lallana had withdrawn from his squad for the forthcoming matches against Lithuania and Italy. Sturridge was reported to have sustained a hip problem during Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat against Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday. Liverpool midfielder Lallana also withdrew from the squad after suffering a groin injury in the same match.AFP
Mason gets first England call-up
Tottenham midfielder Ryan Mason (above) has been called up to the England squad for the first time as a replacement for injured Liverpool playmaker Adam Lallana, the Football Association announced on Monday. Mason was added to Roy Hodgson’s squad for Friday’s Euro 2016 qualifier against Lithuania at Wembley and next week’s friendly in Italy. The 23-year-old, who has enjoyed a breakthrough season in central midfield for Tottenham, will also provide cover for Aston Villa midfielder Delph, who is suffering from a stomach bug.AFP
Skrtel charged for stamp on De Gea
Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel has been charged with violent conduct by the FA following an incident with Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea.
Skrtel appeared to step on de Gea near the end of his side’s 2-1 defeat at Anfield on Sunday.
The player has until Tuesday evening to respond to the Football Association’s charge.
If found guilty, Skrtel could face a three-match ban.AP
Mata urges Man Utd to remain grounded
Anfield match-winner Juan Mata warned his Manchester United team-mates on Monday that they still have a long way to go in the Premier League race for Champions League qualification.
Mata (right) scored a superb brace on Sunday as United won 2-1 at Liverpool to move five points clear of their rivals in the battle for a top-four finish.
“Beating Liverpool at Anfield, being lucky to score two nice goals and feeling (the fans’) gratitude is something I will never forget,” the Spaniard wrote on his weekly blog.
“But we must be cautious: these are just three points in the race to our goal.”AFP
Socceroos eye upset win over Germany
Australia’s Germany-based striker Mathew Leckie says the Socceroos aim to make life as difficult as possible for the world champions when they chase another upset win in Wednesday’s friendly. Germany host Australia in Kaiserslautern with Ange Postecoglou’s Socceroos out to emulate their 2011 shock when they poached a 2-1 victory in Moenchengladbach.
Heavy 6-0 drubbings at the hands of both Brazil and France in 2013 dented Australian confidence and they finished last in their World Cup group.
But Leckie, says spirits are high in the Socceroos squad after winning January’s Asian Cup while Germany are rebuilding following their Brazil 2014 triumph. “We are playing the world champions, there are no real expectations on us, but we have some confidence from the Asian Cup,” said the 24-year-old.
“…I am sure the Germans will look at us again, see that we have some quality and they won’t take us lightly.”AFP
