| McLeish backs Hart for England's World Cup squad • In-form goalkeeper chasing England No1 position• 'I know Fabio Capello and his staff like him'Birmingham City's manager Alex McLeish claims his goalkeeper Joe Hart is firmly in the England manager Fabio Capello's thoughts for next summer's World Cup.Hart, on a season-long loan at St Andrew's from Manchester City, produced another exemplary display in Monday's 1-0 win at Stoke City that extended the club's unbeaten Premier League run to 11 matches. This came after his man-of-the-match performance in the Boxing Day draw at home to Chelsea.At a time when there is no stand-out candidate for the England No1 position, McLeish feels the 22-year-old Hart is in with a shout of claiming the coveted position."His form has been brilliant, and let's face it, he is looking a big, powerful bloke between those sticks right now," said McLeish. "He has improved since he came to us. He probably had it there anyway, but we have probably brought out the potential."Joe has as good a chance as anybody else to certainly be in the England squad. I know that Fabio Capello and his staff like him, so he already has an edge, and his recent performances have certainly shown he can be a candidate."EnglandBirmingham CityWorld Cup 2010guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2009 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Everton suspend Jô after trip home to Brazil • Brazilian travels home without club permission• On-loan striker suspended by David MoyesJô seems set for a speedy return to Manchester City after he was suspended indefinitely by David Moyes yesterday. The Brazilian striker, on loan at Everton from Eastlands, had returned to South America without permission last month and found himself the subject of a severe club sanction on his return to Merseyside.Although Jô has been nursing a knee injury, he did not tell Everton officials about his unscheduled trip to Brazil to attend to a "personal matter" shortly before Christmas and Moyes – who will almost certainly seek to cut short his loan deal and return the £18m striker to City – was suitably unimpressed."Jô went to Brazil without permission from the club," said Moyes, who yesterday hinted that the striker might well have played his last game for Everton. "He is now back in Liverpool but is suspended at the present time."I'm disappointed. We like Jô, he's a really good lad and we enjoy having him here but there has to be discipline at football clubs. He left during a busy period when we were short of players. I find that very difficult so he is suspended and the disciplinary process is on-going."The breach of club rules should make it simple to cut short what was intended to be a season-long loan deal. A prolific striker for CSKA Moscow – where he scored 44 times in 77 games – Jô struggled to adapt to life at City under the club's former manager Mark Hughes last season.Despite scoring five goals in 12 games while on loan at Everton for a short spell last winter, he has made less of an impact at Goodison Park this term, managing just two goals.It is now possible that the Eastlands board may seek to cut their losses on what the club tacitly agrees to have been an £18m mistake. Indeed Jô could shortly return to Russia where CSKA are reported to be extremely keen on taking their former star striker back on loan until the end of the season with a view to completing a permanent, if cut-price, deal in the summer.Premier LeagueEvertonManchester CityLouise Taylorguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Tottenham Manager Redknapp Charged in Tax Offenses LONDON (AP) -- Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has been charged with offenses involving illegal tax avoidance while at Premier League club Portsmouth. feeds.nytimes.com |
Leverkusen back atop Bundesliga Bayer Leverkusen ended Bayern Munich's stay at the top of the Bundesliga after less than 24 hours by beating Mainz 4-2 Saturday. cbc.ca |
Gibbs's World Cup chances over Kieran Gibbs's hopes of playing for England at the World Cup have been dashed, as the Arsenal defender has been ruled out for the rest of the season due to a foot injury. cbc.ca |