| Injured Bellamy to miss Wales games • Bellamy out of matches against Bulgaria and Switzerland• John Hartson says he has applied for Wales manager's jobThe Wales captain, Craig Bellamy, has been ruled out of their Euro 2012 qualifiers against Bulgaria and Switzerland next month. Bellamy, currently on-loan at Cardiff City from Manchester City, has been sidelined for three weeks with a knee problem that has hampered him throughout his career.Bryan Flynn, in caretaker charge of the national side, confirmed that Bellamy would miss the forthcoming qualifiers. "Craig will be unavailable for the two matches next week" Flynn told BBC Sport Wales. "I had a really long, conversation with the Cardiff manager Dave Jones just over 10 days ago… and we made the decision that Craig will not be available due to his fitness."He has an ongoing knee problem and hasn't played for the last five games. It's a big disappointment for me as caretaker manager. I wanted Craig in the team but these things happen."Wales lost their opening Group G game against Montenegro and face Bulgaria at the Cardiff City Stadium on 8 October, followed by Switzerland in Basle four days later. After the defeat to Montenegro John Toshack departed as manager and Flynn, the Wales Under-21 coach, was appointed on a caretaker basis in his place.The former Wales striker John Hartson today confirmed he had applied to succeed Toshack. "I applied for the Wales job," he said. "I'm 35 now and have got all my [coaching] badges."They gave Mark Hughes his first job at 35 with no experience behind him. I know the players, I know the system I would play, although that could change from game to game."I feel as if my time has come. I've been retired for three years. Brian Flynn is a great guy, I worked with him for the Under-21s. He is a brilliant coach and if I was to miss out to anyone, Brian is a brilliant guy. I wish him well for the next two games. If I get it, I will be the happiest man in Wales and if I don't, I move on."Craig BellamyWalesguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Tottenham Hotspur v FC Twente: match preview Follow match preview of the Champions League Group A match between Tottenham Hotspur and FC Twente at White Hart Lane on Wednesday Sept 29 2010, kick-off 19.45 BST. telegraph.co.uk |
Nicky Carle returns to boost Sydney Sydney FC get a double boost with Nicky Carle and Sung-Hwan Byun both returning for the match against Melbourne Victory. foxsports.com.au |
Europe certain to host 2018 World Cup as US withdraws from running • US withdraws as Fifa makes it clear Europe favoured• Decision strengthen's England's 2018 bid positionThe United States has formally announced its withdrawal from the race to host the 2018 World Cup after Fifa made it clear the tournament in eight years' time would be hosted in Europe.England, a leading contender for the 2018 bid, conversely formalised its withdrawal from the 2022 event.As wrangling went on behind the scenes to secure the lucrative tournament, the US and England had nominally remained in the running to stage either the 2018 or 2022 competition.The decision means there will definitely be a European host in 2018, with England and Russia remaining in the running along with joint bids by Belgium/Holland and Spain/Portugal.With Fifa statutes preventing two successive World Cups being held in the same continent, the race for the 2022 tournament will now be between Australia, Japan, Korea Republic, Qatar and the US.The Fifa secretary general, JĂ©rĂ´me Valcke, said: "We have had an open and constructive dialogue with the US bid for some time now, after it became apparent that there was a growing movement to stage the 2018 Fifa World Cup in Europe."The announcement of today by the USA bid to focus solely on the 2022 Fifa World Cup is therefore a welcome gesture which is much appreciated by Fifa."A statement from the England bid team said: "England 2018/22 today confirmed to Fifa that it was withdrawing its candidature from the Fifa World Cup 2022 and will now focus on its bid to host the tournament in 2018."This followed consultation with the Uefa president, Michel Platini, on the most appropriate moment to withdraw."England 2018 is delighted it is now clear the Fifa World Cup will be coming to Europe in 2018 following the withdrawal of the United States bid."The chairman of the US bid committee and the US Soccer president, Sunil Gulati, today said: "For some time we have been in conversations with Fifa and Uefa about the possibility of focusing only on the 2022 bidding process, an option we have made reference to many times."We are confident this is in the best interests of the US bid."We wanted to make the announcement now – still 48 days before the final decision – in order to make our intentions clear during the last part of our campaign. This also enables Fifa to finalise the selection procedures during its upcoming scheduled executive committee meeting."That meeting will take place in Zurich on 28 and 29 October.World Cup 2018USAFifaDave Middletonguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
FA acted against best interests of England team, says Sven-Goran Eriksson Former England manager accuses FA of acting against the best interests of England team in build-up to 2006 World Cup. telegraph.co.uk |