2 teenagers were given the chance to prove they are good enough to replace the retired Mark Delaney in the Wales squad.
Manager John Toshack was hit Wednesday by confirmation that Delaney had reluctantly decided to give up the battle to recover from 3 serious knee injuries.
The Villa man was Toshack's most experienced defender, however now he has to quickly find alternatives with the last batch of Euro 2008 qualifiers later this season.
So he has promoted Cardiff's Chris Gunter and Oldham's Neil Eardley from the U21 team and added them to the senior party that travels to Bulgaria Monday for a friendly, due to be played in Bourgas Wednesday.
From Toshack's point of view, he has to find alternatives to Delaney quickly so there is little point in leaving the 2 18 year-olds in the U21 team that plays Sweden in Hallmstad Tuesday.
Toshack has also lost The Hammers defender James Collins, who has withdrawn from the senior team with a groin injury, whilst Wrexham's Steve Evans is also doubtful.
Gunter, 18, has already won his 1st cap in last season's friendly draw with New Zealand, a game that saw Eardley on the bench.
But the Oldham youngster has much more 1st team experience than his Cardiff rival and expects to be given the chance to impress against Bulgaria.
U21 coach Brian Flynn has now lost a clutch of youngsters from a team due to fly out from Heathrow Monday.
Crystal Palace's Rhoys Wiggins has also been forced to withdraw, reportedly with some problems with his recovery from a serious cruciate knee ligament injury that kept him out for a year.
Flynn has added Wrexham's Neil Taylor and Walsall's Mark Bradley to the U21s. Taylor is the under-19 skipper, and Bradley made his U21 debut in N. Ireland last season. Lincoln's Owain Warlow was called in to replace Wiggins.
16 August 2007
Shrewsbury manager Gary Peters has slammed Derek Asamoah after the forward secured a £50,000 transfer to Nice.
The 26 year old has joined the French top flight club on a 3 year deal, with Peters saying that Asamoah had a trial without his knowledge.
He informed the club's website, "It is a sorry end to a saga I have not enjoyed. I could have loved to see Derek leave with our blessing as a hero. However, he's probably gone in a manner that fits his selfishness."
Peters mentioned that the forward, who joined on a free transfer last summer from Lincoln, travelled to France without permission after telling the club he was injured and then ill.
The manager added, "Derek had taken it upon himself only to disappear, there is no permission asked for or permission given and no knowledge of his whereabouts. We discovered he has gone to Nice, was there on trial, played in a game for them even though he has no clearance from the FA, Football League or Shrewsbury Town. He needed international clearance to play and did not have that. He did not notify his agent, he only disappeared and Derek still has not made contact with the club. I had put 2 and 2 together as I'd had a phone call from a Ghanaian agent 2 weeks before saying there is a French club interested in Derek and would we allow him to go. I mentioned no to this request however Derek had taken it on himself and disappeared."
Peters mentioned the club had decided to sack Asamoah however intended to retain his registration.
He added, "If his trial had not gone well at Nice he would have been without a club and without a position as we were going to hold his registration as long as we could. I was very disappointed personally as I'd got a good relationship with Derek, when he got some deserved stick from the players or other staff I would protect him and tell them to leave him. He's returned that by doing what he's done and in the end we have had to sell him to Nice. We did not want to sell him to Nice and we did have a deal lined up with Swindon where we could have got more money. It is not what we expect however I think Shrewsbury Town will be a better club due to it, you will have seen that in the solid team performances that were given against Lincoln and Colchester. The team are a team and there are no individual that is stopping us being a team and hopefully we will be better for it."
14 August 2007
Wigan manager Chris Hutchings will step up his bid to sign Preston North End left back Matt Hill as he is looking to find a replacement for Leighton Baines who has moved to Everton.
Winger Kevin Kilbane had to play at left back against Everton at the weekend and is looking set to continue in the position against Boro Wednesday.
Hill recently signed a new contract at Deepdale and is presently injured, whilst 1st-choice target, West Brom's Paul Robinson, failed a JJB Stadium medical a fortnight ago.
Hutchings also watched Scunthorpe United left back Marcus Williams recently, with the player's agent, Nick Rubery, telling the Evening Post, "People have seen that Chris Hutchings was at the game against Lincoln and have maybe put 2 and 2 together that he was there to watch Marcus. Marcus is a quality player. There are some big clubs that have watched him and in the end he will make his way to the level he should be playing at. I am sure Chris Hutchings will be bringing in a left back over the next 2 or 3 weeks, so we will only must see what happens."
05 August 2007
Robin van Persie netted the goal which won Arsenal the Amsterdam Tournament, however was then carried off against Ajax.
A match which was a physical, and often bad-tempered affair, was settled by finish from the Dutchman with only 3 minutes left.
However, the former Feyenoord player then had to be helped from the field following a heavy challenge from Johnny Heitinga, however was able to soon rejoin his team mates as they celebrated a 2nd pre season tournament win.
Villa warmed up for the new Premier League season with a commanding 3-0 triumph over Italian champions Inter Milan at Villa Park.
Inter, who beat Man Utd 3-2 at Old Trafford earlier in the week, were a goal down in the 14th minute when Gareth Barry slotted home from Stiliyan Petrov's cross.
Sweden forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic dragged a shot wide 2 minutes before the break and 3 minutes into the 2nd half Villa doubled their lead.
Barry's free kick into the box was headed home by former AC Milan defender Martin Laursen. The 3rd came midway through the 2nd half when Gabriel Agbonlahor advanced into the box and was tripped by Walter Samuel, Barry converting the penalty.
Tottenham manager Martin Jol opted for Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov up front and was rewarded with a goal from each in a 2-0 triumph over Torino.
Keane volleyed the home side in front in the 16th minute at White Hart Lane after the visitors failed to clear a free-kick.
Berbatov was then gifted a simple tap in on 65 minutes when Steed Malbranque collected Pascal Chimbonda's cross, rounded the goalie and rolled the ball across the box.
Spurs have now won 7 out of 7 in their pre season programme ahead of next week's league opener at Sunderland.
Valencia spoiled Sven-Goran Eriksson's Manchester City welcoming party by triumphing 1-0 at Eastlands to leave the new manager with a lot of work to do before the Premier League opener at The Hammers next week.
With 5 new transfers in his starting line-up, some of whom the former England manager had never even seen play, there is always going to be an element of the unknown about the clash with one of Spain's 4 Champions League entrants.
Eriksson would certainly were able to pick several positives out of the narrow defeat, not least the display of young midfielder Michael Johnson.
But David Silva's early winner, combined with a series of missed chances that included 2 by player forward Rolando Bianchi, suggested it could take some time for Eriksson's new-look side to gel.
Owen Hargreaves in the end made his Man Utd debut as the Premier League champions enjoyed a comfortable 3-1 triumph over Peterborough.
Hargreaves played 45 minutes after coming on as a subsitute and looked back to his best in his traditional holding position in midfield.
He was the only 1st team player of note in a youthful United side that proved too strong for Peterborough, managed by Alex Ferguson's son Darren.
Adam Eckersley gave Ferguson senior's side the lead in the 23rd minute when the left back fired a powerful shot beyond Posh goalie Shwan Jalal.
Ferguson junior looked to have pulled off a masterstroke when Rene Howe, a half time subsitute, levelled matters with a fine shot 4 minutes after the restart.
But United were always the stronger and they made their fitness tell later in the 2nd half with goals from Richie Jones in the 72nd minute and a 3rd from Fangzhuo Dong 10 minutes later.
Portsmouth's new recruit David Nugent was on target as they came from behind to beat Leicester 3-1 in a pre season friendly at the Walkers Stadium.
Iain Hume put the Foxes ahead in the 14th minute when a clever ball from Mark de Vries put him through on goal.
Pompey levelled 6 minutes later though as £6 million signing Nugent, who had come close to scoring twice before in the early stages, sidefooted in Arnold Mvuemba's cross.
Nugent turned provider for the 2nd as Lomana LuaLua latched onto his cross to score.
LuaLua was then heavily involved in Portsmouth's 3rd as his good work presented substitute Franck Songo'o with a chance to drill home from the edge of the box with 8 minutes to go.
Ricardo Vaz Te and Gary Speed were both on target as Bolton recorded a 2-1 triumph at Championship club Colchester.
The visitors found themselves a goal down in the 5th minute when former Charlton forward Kevin Lisbie was given too much space in the area and fired past Ali Al-Habsi.
That lead was shortlived though as Wanderers hit back with 2 goals in as many minutes.
Speed swept home the leveller from the penalty spot after Vaz Te was tumbled over by Mark Yeates, comfortably triumphing over Dean Gerken in the home goal.
First half goals from Stewart Downing and Yakubu gave Boro a 2-0 triumph over AZ Alkmaar.
Andrew Taylor, Julio Arca and Jeremie Aliadiere all combined to set up Downing and the England winger comprehensively beat visiting goalie Sergio Romero with a fierce left footed drive.
Boro's second, and clincher, came only 14 minutes later when Taylor's cross from the left found the head of Yakubu who powered his effort beyond Romero from 6 yards.
Long term injury absentee Dean Ashton was back on the scoresheet for The Hammers as they came from behind to beat Roma 2-1 at Upton Park.
The visitors had taken a 13th minute lead through Ludovic Giuly, before The Hammers equalised as George McCartney headed in Freddie Ljungberg's corner in the 63rd minute.
3 minutes later Alan Curbishley's side were in front as Ashton, who missed the whole of last season with an ankle injury, cut in from the right wing and fired in a shot from an acute angle.
Sunderland warmed up for their season opener against Spurs next week with an entertaining 1-1 draw with Juve.
Daryl Murphy gave Roy Keane's side the lead when he stabbed home after Ross Wallace's 7th minute corner was headed into the danger area by Dickson Etuhu.
Cristian Molinaro grabbed a deserved equaliser for the Italian side with 2 minutes left, the substitute smashing a powerful drive into the roof of the net.
Jason Koumas scored both goals as Wigan beat crisis club Leeds 2-1 in a pre season friendly at Elland Road.
Koumas put the Premier League side in front only a minute before the interval, slotting home after good work from Emile Heskey.
Jermaine Beckford equalised 10 minutes into the 2nd half however Koumas sealed win with a deflected free kick on 69 minutes.
Reading warmed up for the start of the season with a 3-2 win against Wolves at Molineux.
Seyi Olofinjana opened the scoring with a header from Gary Breen's 14th minute cross however Reading were level within 3 minutes through Stephen Hunt.
Bryn Gunnarsson then put Steve Coppell's side in front and Dave Kitson diverted home a shot from Hunt only seconds before the interval.
Jay Bothroyd pulled one back for Mick McCarthy's side 6 minutes from time.
Blackburn showed their Premier League class to comfortably see off Lancashire rivals Preston 3-0 at Deepdale.
Centre back Christopher Samba scored twice with fellow defender Andre Ooijer putting Rovers ahead in the 1st minute.
Steve Howard produced a late equaliser as Derby finished their pre season preparations with a lively 2-2 draw against UEFA Cup finalists Espanyol.
Marc Torrejon's own goal gave the Rams a 1-0 half time lead however Sergio Sanchez pulled the La Liga side level before Luis Garcia converted a controversial penalty.
Everton were held to a goalless draw by Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in their final pre season friendly.
Sheffield United forward Billy Sharp scored on his return to Bramall Lane to hand the Blades a 1-0 friendly triumph over Nottingham Forest.
The 21 year old learnt his trade in the United academy however was unable to break into the 1st team under Neil Warnock, who allowed him to leave for Scunthorpe in 2005.
Sharp's former team mates at Scunthorpe had to settle for a 1-1 draw in their Lincolnshire derby with Grimsby at Blundell Park as Andy Crosby opened the scoring for the Iron before having to leave the pitch.
And it was his replacement Andy Butler who scored an own goal to level for the League 2 side.
Southampton recorded a 1-0 triumph at Brentford thanks to Marek Saganowski's finish from Nathan Dyer's cross only after the interval.
Championship new boys Bristol City had to settle for a 2-2 draw with Bournemouth at Ashton Gate after twice falling behind. Brian Wilson and Louis Carey were the men to find the net for Gary Johnson's side.
Barnsley completed their pre season programme with a shock 2-0 defeat to Bury at Gigg Lane courtesy of goals from Richie Baker and Dave Challinor.
Blackpool, also looking forward to their Championship debut next weekend, crashed 2-1 at Carlisle.
David Fox gave the Seasiders the lead with a fabulous volley, however United hit back after the interval and goals from Chris Lumsdon and Danny Graham were enough to claim the win.
Hull rounded off pre season with a goalless draw against Belgian club Antwerp at KC Stadium.
Dagenham warmed up for their Football League bow next weekend with a 2-1 triumph over Fisher Athletic, Paul Benson and Jon Nurse finding the net.
Robbie Fowler made his 1st appearance for Cardiff in their 1-0 triumph over Dutch opponents Twente at Ninian Park.
The former Liverpool forward's debut lasted only 24 minutes, however, as he struggled to shake off the effects of a thigh injury suffered in training earlier this week.
Warren Feeney scored the only goal, smashing home from Trevor Sinclair's free-kick.
31 July 2007
Lincoln City will sign Leicester City forward Louis Dodds on a season long loan.
The 20 year old, former England U18 international, has a fine record at youth and reserve team level and has scored 65 goals in 3 seasons.
Lincoln manager John Schofield informed the club website, "We have been looking at Louis for quite some time. He will add a bit of pace up front, and he's hungry and knows where the back of the net is."
04 July 2007
Crystal Palace have N. Ireland international Jeff Hughes from Lincoln City for an undisclosed fee.
The 22 year old signed a 3 year contract at Selhurst Park and has joined the Palace team for the start of pre season training this week.
He joined Lincoln in the summer of 2005 from his hometown club Larne and went on to make 68 appearances for the Imps.
Hughes said, "I had enjoyable time at Lincoln however I am looking forward to the step up and the challenge."
04 July 2007
Wolves have agreed personal terms with Southend forward Freddy Eastwood after the 2 clubs agreed a deal thought to be worth in the region of £2 million.
Eastwood has also passed a medical with the Championship club and signed a 4 year deal to transfer to Molineux.
"We were in pursuit of Freddy Eastwood since the end of last season," mentioned Wolves chief exec Jez Moxey.
But Wolves have had a bid for Leicester forward Matty Fryatt discarded by Foxes manager Martin Allen.
"We have turned down an offer from Wolverhampton Wanderers for our striker, Matty Fryatt," mentioned Allen. "The offer was nowhere near high enough."
Eastwood started as a trainee at The Hammers and later joined Grays, however it is at Southend that he forged his reputation.
He signed for them permanently after a month on loan in November 2004, scoring 49 league goals for the Shrimpers.
Eastwood scored in the 2-0 win over Lincoln in the 2005 League 2 play off final and scored twice in the 2-2 draw at Swansea that sealed another promotion the following season.
The forward was set to make his international debut for Wales in June, however was ruled out of the Euro 2008 qualifying clash with the Czech Republic through injury.
Eastwood, who qualifies for Wales through his grandfather, now expects to win his 1st cap in August's friendly away to Bulgaria.
Moxey added, "The formalities of this transfer should be completed with the next few days."
And forward Michael Kightly, a former team mate of Eastwood's at Southend, informed the Wolves website, "Freddy is a natural goalscorer. Whether it be a 30-yard volley or a tap in from a few yards, he knows where the net is."
25 June 2007
Galatasaray SK unveiled 5 new transfers today, with €5 million FC Schalke 04 forward Lincoln set to follow tomorrow and the promise of more recruits to come as the Istanbul club look to build a team capable of challenging Fenerbahce SK after finishing 14 points adrift of the champions last season.
The 1. FC Kaiserslautern and Algeria defender Ismaël Bouzid, SC Rot-Weiss Essen duo Barış Özbek and Serkan Calık, Kayseri Erciyesspor goalie Orkun Usak and defender Servet Cetin from Sivasspor were the players to pen their contracts in front of the press this afternoon.
Bouzid said, "Competition for places is not a bad thing in a squad. There are a lot of good defensive players here and this is something which can push the team towards success."
Turkish international Servet, a former Fenerbahce player, added, "I came to Galatasaray to play. If I can play to my potential, I maybe here for lots of years."
Meanwhile, director of football Adnan Sezgin confirm the club had agreed terms with forward Gökhan Ünal and are confident of pushing through the deal inspite of Kayserispor's unwillingness to sell.
Antalyaspor left back Volkan Yaman is a certain arrival, though. "We'll have given them our 3rd-choice goalie Fevzi Elmas in exchange for his transfer which should be completed in the coming days," mentioned Sezgin.
Galatasaray, who have also signed Sweden captain Tobias Linderoth, will enter the UEFA Cup in the 2nd qualifying round.
25 June 2007
Lincoln City have agreed terms with out of contract Scunthorpe United forward Steve Torpey.
Torpey, who has made more than 500 league appearances, has agreed terms with the Imps and will transfer to Sincil Bank on a one year deal.
Director of football John Deehan was elated to be getting Torpey, 36.
He said, "I am looking forward to seeing him get games under his belt whilst at the same time I'll be keen for him to work closely with the young strikers."
22 June 2007
Brazilian midfielder Lincoln's drawn out move from Schalke to Galatasaray has in the end gone through.
The 28 year old put pen to paper on a 4 year contract in Istanbul Friday, leaving the Bundesliga after a 4 year spell.
In 3 seasons with Schalke after joining from Kaiserslautern, Lincoln played 83 games and scored 20 goals, playing an important position in the club finishing 2nd in 2005 and last season.
However, he struggled with indiscipline last season, missing the 1st 5 games after spitting at Stuttgart's Thomas Hitzlsperger in the pre season League Cup tournament.
He was later suspended for 5 weeks for punching Bayer Leverkusen's Bernd Schneider.
Those incidents have convinced Royal Blues coach Mirko Slomka that, inspite of Lincoln's abilities, he should move on.
"These suspensions hit us hard," mentioned Slomka, who indirectly blamed the fleet-footed Brazilian for the fact they narrowly missed out on the Bundesliga title last season.
In his absence, the Gelsenkirchen side picked up only 7 of a probable 15 points, allowing Stuttgart to overtake them on the penultimate weekend of the season.
Now it will be Galatasaray who will aim to bring the best out of Lincoln.
And Schalke have wasted no time in replacing him either, confirming a deal for Swiss U21 international Ivan Rakitic from FC Basle Friday
