English Premier League News
Manchester United
Manchester United new boy, Bebe, has admitted that he was surprised by his inclusion into Manchester United’s Champions League squad. The 20-year-old signed for the club this summer for a reported fee of 7.4 million pounds, with Red Devils manager Sir Alex Ferguson defending the player’s arrival. The manager claimed that Bebe has a bright future in England, who had ferocious pace and pin point finishing abilities. Bebe was thus included in the squad despite earlier reports of his omission. Owen Hargreaves, however, couldn’t make it. UEFA organising authorities have now confirmed that Bebe’s name has been included in the list of players. The player claimed that it came as a surprise for him to be included and is a dream come true for him to be thinking of playing in the UEFA Champions league.
Newcastle United
Magpies full-back Danny Simpson has vowed to come back stronger than ever after a lengthy injury lay-off. The 22-year-old is hoping to return to action by the middle of next month to end a frustrating spell on the sidelines with a ruptured tendon. Having initially played through the pain, he had to admit defeat and undergo surgery in May, and has seen summer signing James Perch take over the right-back spot that he had made his own during the club's promotion drive last season. However, that has simply fuelled Simpson's desire to complete his rehabilitation and force his way back into the team. The player claimed that he’s the sort of player who just wants to keep on going even after the set back he has gone through. Simpson added that he is desperate to get back into the squad as soon as possible. The player hailed Newcastle United’s resilience and determination, claiming that he was proud of what the youngsters have been able to do so far. Simpson insisted that now it was his time to join them and since it was his first injury, he really missed playing football. The full back argued that when a player is fit and playing, no one realizes what featuring in matches as a regular means for them and going through the injury has helped him become much more stronger and would come back better and fitter.
Stoke City
Liam Lawrence's proposed move to Portsmouth from Stoke has been plunged into turmoil. The Republic of Ireland international appeared to be on his way to Fratton Park as part of the deal which took Marc Wilson in the opposite direction. However, the agreement has not yet been approved by the Football League and Lawrence is uncertain as to where his future lies. League chiefs are yet to be convinced that the necessary documentation was completed before their 6pm deadline. Pompey strenuously refuted these claims and hoped the move will still be pushed through, but has been left sweating for almost a week now. Club administrator Andrew Andronikou is confident the matter will be resolved, but admits the club will move to land Lawrence on loan should a permanent deal fall through.
Sunderland
Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has announced that he wouldn’t be bringing the entire squad changes to the side. Bruce joined Sunderland from Wigan Athletic last season to take over a side made by former Manchester United team mate Roy Keane and Ricky Sbragia. However, Bruce has made many changes in the form of selling old players and bringing new ones for the club, in an attempt to mark his own era. Bruce’s current squad is very different to the one who lost to Chelsea on the final day of the 08/09 season, which also marked the end of manager Sbargia’s tenure. Only three players, namely Kieran Richardson, Steed Malbranque and Phil Bardsley, have remained in the starting XI, which defeated the 160 million pound Manchester City. That was their first victory of the new premier league season. However, Craig Gordon and Anton Ferdinand are still available for selection, which were part of Sbragia’s squad.
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