| Kevin Davies feels certain he can make impact on his England debut • Bolton forward called-up for first time at age of 33• 'I'm confident I can do a job at this level'Kevin Davies has spoken of his "nerves" at being selected for the England squad for the first time but believes he can make an impact for his country and has defended his physical style of play.Davies has been called up for England's Euro 2012 qualifying match against Montenegro on Tuesday and could fill the support striker role occupied by Emile Heskey prior to his retirement from international football. The 33-year-old was Heskey's room-mate at Under-21 level and is now ready to take his place in the senior side."There's always been a link between my playing style and Emile Heskey and we've always been compared, right back to the Under-21s," said Davies. "I'm confident in my own ability and have always felt that I could do a job at this level. I feel over the moon to have been given this chance and am looking forward to the challenge."If the Bolton captain starts on Tuesday he will become England's oldest debutant since Leslie Compton in 1950. That, however, is not a concern for the man himself."I feel as good as ever," he said. "I'm enjoying my football and hope to play a part on Tuesday. I never gave up [on playing for England] and was always hopeful, in the back of my mind, that it would happen one day."Davies has been labelled in some quarters as an overly physical player, a charge which was highlighted by some sections of the press this morning following Danny Murphy's comments yesterday in which the Fulham midfielder picked out some clubs for sending out their players with orders to make "brainless" tackles.Murphy did not mention Bolton but did name Blackburn Rovers, who are managed by the former Bolton manager Sam Allardyce."I have not seen the comments [by Danny Murphy] but there have been a few tasty challenges and some nasty injuries recently," said Davies. "I've always been labelled as being aggressive but I haven't picked up a red card in years and never go out intentionally to hurt a player."At Bolton we try and win games but we've never had a manager who has said to us 'go rough them up'. If anything we're too honest. I also take a lot of hits myself, but never complain about it."EnglandBolton WanderersSachin Nakraniguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Jets lock in Culina for four more Fresh from securing their financial future in the A-League, Newcastle Jets have taken another positive step by extending Branko Culina's contract. foxsports.com.au |
Motherwell consolidate third place courtesy of Dundee United own-goals • Hamilton 1-2 St Johnstone• Hearts 3-0 St Mirren• Kilmarnock 1-2 Inverness CT• Motherwell 2-1 Dundee UnitedMotherwell consolidated third place in the Scottish Premier League, as two own goals handed them a 2-1 victory over Dundee United. Scott Severin and Sean Dillon both put the ball into their own nets either side of David Goodwillie's penalty equaliser.But the home side were well worth their victory, as United struggled to cope with their attacking play. Severin's own goal came after only 50 seconds. Alan Gow, making his first SPL start for Motherwell, slipped the ball through for Nick Blackman, who set up the unmarked Jamie Murphy, cutting in from the left. Dusan Pernis palmed out Murphy's low drive but the ball hit Severin and went over the line.The Steelmen continued to threaten, and Pernis had to dive at full stretch to push away a curling Murphy effort.The home side were rewarded for their ambition in the 75th minute, with the game's second own goal. Tom Hateley found Chris Humphrey in space on the right wing, and his driven cross was turned home by Sean Dillon, as Gow and Blackman tried to convert.A late Danny Grainger free-kick gave St Johnstone a 2-1 victory against Hamilton in a tetchy encounter at New Douglas Park.Saints striker Sam Parkin had given the visitors the lead before the break, with a header after 19 minutes of what had been a dire first half.The former Saints midfielder Simon Mensing levelled from the spot in the 68th minute after St Johnstone defender Michael Duberry had handled a Dougie Imrie corner inside his own box, and it looked like a share of the spoils was on the cards.However, in the 86th minute, after the Saints substitute Liam Caddis, on for Collin Samuel, was fouled by David Buchanan, Grainger drove the 25-yard free-kick past a ruck of players and into the far corner of the net.Kilmarnock were left with a sense of injustice as they slumped to a third straight league defeat at the hands of Inverness at Rugby Park.The visitors took a 42nd-minute lead through an Adam Rooney penalty, the award disputed by Killie amid claims that Momo Sissoko's contact on Russell Duncan was minimal.The home side dominated the start of the second half but Johnny Hayes caught Frazer Wright in possession and finished well to make it 2-0 in the 66th minute.That strike against the run of play followed Kilmarnock being denied a spot-kick of their own when Graeme Shinnie appeared to handle inside the area. Rui Miguel pulled a 74th-minute goal back to keep Kilmarnock in contention until the end with his first for the club, but Caley held firm in the closing stages.The 2-1 win means Inverness remain undefeated away from home in the SPL this term.Rudi Skacel scored a hat-trick to give Hearts a convincing 3-0 home win.Skacel netted his first after 74 seconds against the bottom club, St Mirren, and curled in a second with a 24th-minute free-kick.The Czech Republic international was at first denied a hat-trick when his deflected effort struck the crossbar after 40 minutes. But after the Saints substitute Garry Brady had fired narrowly over, Skacel claimed the match ball with the final kick of the contest.The midfielder cut in from the right without being closed down and made space for himself to hit a right-footed shot low into the bottom right corner. The hat-trick takes his tally to four goals in four appearances since returning to Tynecastle. MotherwellDundee UnitedScottish Premier LeagueNial Briggsguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Everton's Tony Hibbert will have his work cut out keeping Gareth Bale in check How do you solve a problem like Gareth Bale when he is in form? telegraph.co.uk |
De Rosario Scores Twice, Toronto Beats DC 3-2 Dwayne De Rosario scored twice after halftime to spoil Jaime Moreno's MLS farewell and propel Toronto F.C. to a 3-2 victory over D.C. United on Saturday in both teams' season finale. feeds.nytimes.com |