Bruce blasts friendlies

Wigan manager Steve Bruce has called for an end to "ridiculous" mid-season international friendlies after suffering a double blow ahead of Saturday's vital relegation clash at Sunderland.

The Latics are locked on 23 points with their opponents only two points above the drop zone.

Bruce's anger at having so little time to prepare his squad for such a crucial game has been compounded by the news he may have to do without key men Mario Melchiot and Marlon King.

Right-back Melchiot limped out of Holland's 3-0 win in Croatia with a thigh problem, leaving Bruce to wait anxiously for the results of a scan.

King, meanwhile, will not even return from international duty with Jamaica until Friday, after the striker played 90 minutes in his country's draw with Costa Rica in Kingston.

With influential forward Emile Heskey rated only "50/50" by Bruce to travel to the Stadium of Light due a back injury, the potential loss of King to jetlag would be a particularly bitter pill for the Wigan boss to swallow.

And he is adamant it is not a position he should be faced with.

"I can't believe people can have international friendlies at a time like this when there are 'six-pointers' up for grabs," bemoaned Bruce.

"I can understand get-togethers, but quite what we get out of international friendlies is beyond me - you never gain anything from them and you are left to pick up the pieces when you should be preparing for a game properly.

Ridiculous

"Unfortunately, we've had players flying off all over the world for friendlies. It's ridiculous.

"Of course we want the international team to do well, everyone respects national teams, but do we really get anything out of friendly games?"

Bruce admits he will be tempted to pitch King straight into battle, particularly if Heskey is deemed unfit, but he is mindful his midweek exertions will have taken their toll.

"I've got to look at the situation. It's bad enough to get on a plane to go to Jamaica and come back, let alone having to play a game and train with jet lag," added Bruce.

"You can't be in tip-top condition. But I'll take a look at him tomorrow and see what he's like."

Gold excited by Prem plans

Birmingham co-owner David Gold has backed the Premier League's proposal to play matches overseas.

The 20 Premier League clubs agreed unanimously on Thursday to examine proposals to expand the regular season and play 10 games overseas starting in 2010-11.

The matches would be played at five venues around the world over a single weekend in January 2011. Each city would host one game on Saturday and one on Sunday.

Gold admitted it was an exciting proposal and the St Andrews surpremo is hopeful that the plan will go ahead.

"Well I think it is an exciting initiative brought about by the board of the Premier League and I have got to say Richard Scudamore and his team have come up with a fantastic proposal that gives all clubs in the Premier League the opportunity to expand their brand around the world," Gold told Sky Sports News.

Exciting

"I think it is very, very exciting.

"Obviously there is a lot of work to do, but initially the proposal was accepted by all 20 clubs which is very, very unusual I have to say.

"We wait and move forward and I think we will have the opportunity to discuss it further at the summer meeting and I look forward to that.

"I have never seen a mood at a board meeting quite like today and I think the reason for that is that large clubs can go abroad and expand their product and now all clubs have that opportunity to take their club brand and take it globally.

"In the past that was never the case as it has always been the big two or three clubs that had that opportunity and now it embraces all clubs throughout the league."

Alves - I will deliver

Middlesbrough's new Brazilian striker Afonso Alves is convinced he will be a success in the Premier League once he has settled in England.

Over 2,000 fans were in attendance at The Riverside as Boro presented their new record signing to the media.

Alves, who is contention to make his debut in the weekend's clash with Fulham, is convinced he can make an impact with Boro.

"Of course it will take some time to adapt to the speed of football over here but I think I will play my own game and I will settle in the end," he said.

"There's already a very good team here. I saw the last game at the stadium and the team made a lot of chances to score. But I still think we can improve and I hope I can help."

Happy

The 26-year-old international admitted he is already feeling good about his new life in the North East.

"I feel very much at home," he said.

"Of course only time will tell how well I will adapt but after this warm welcome I think I will give my answer with goals.

"The Premier League is a very exiting competition. I've always thought about playing here and I will do my very best to achieve everything I can."

Juninho impact

Boro boss Gareth Southgate feels Alves could could emulate the impact made on the club by Juninho - who became a legend on Teesside during his three spells on the banks of the Tees.

"Certainly, Juninho is still a figure who is loved by everybody associated with Middlesbrough, so it would be great if in 10 years' time, people were looking back on Afonso in the same way," said Southgate.

"There is no reason why that could not happen. He is a player who was the top scorer in Europe last year and he is somebody we are very excited to have at the club.

"The players are excited, the supporters are excited and it's good that he is joining us at a time when the team is just starting to improve on the field, because it gives us an added impetus.

"You see a hunger in his game to get into the box. A lot of the strikers we have had in recent seasons have done a lot of their good work outside the box.

"He has a good physical presence, he is an athletic player, but in the end, a player of his style, you judge on the goals he scores.

"That is clearly an aspect that has been missing from our performances."

Quinn calm on overseas games

Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn is remaining calm on the Premier League's proposal of staging some matches overseas.

The 20 Premier League clubs agreed unanimously on Thursday to examine proposals to expand the regular season and play 10 games overseas starting in 2010-11.

The news has met a mixed reception from fans and Quinn has urged people not to get carried away by the idea saying there is a long way to go before it becomes a reality.

Opportunity

"We have agreed to explore the opportunity, not to ratify it," Quinn told Sky Sports News."I think the time is right to explore the opportunity of bringing the brand around the world, but some people have jumped to conclusions.

"There's so much that needs to happen and maybe it's time people take a little bit of a breather on this.

"The governance of it has to be done very well. There are a lot of stakeholders to consult, the biggest one being our fans.

"But it's tantalising," he added. "And off the top of my head I would say it's the correct decision."

Quinn insisted Sunderland would only give their approval to the plan if all clubs in the top flight are treated equally.

"It will all boil down to the fact it's a Premier League thing and we're all equally treated," continued Quinn. "Certainly we would not be comfortable if we felt one club would be getting more than others.

"It has to be right for our football club."

Backing

Quinn also gave his backing to the news Premier League clubs will be allowed to name seven substitutes from next season.

"We voted for it," noted Quinn. "Tottenham Hotspur brought it to the table.

"Other clubs have started to do it around the world so it's the right time.

"It also helps allow us to have younger players on the bench without having to rely on them as much as we do now with only four outfield substitutes."

Seven subs idea agreed

The Premier League have announced that all 20 clubs will be allowed to name seven substitutes in matches from next season.

A number of clubs and managers have suggested the idea to expand the number of substitutes from five to seven and the Premier League have now approved the rule change.

After a meeting of the 20 member clubs the change has been approved to replicate the regulations in European and international games.

Despite the increase in the amount of substitutes managers will still only be allowed to make three substitutions in a game.

The news will be a boost to managers who have complained that the current regulations does not allow them to keep all members of their squad happy.

Scudamore explains fixture idea

Premier League Chief Executive Richard Scudamore believes the idea of introducing a 39th fixture abroad is a step forward in promoting a league which has now become a worldwide 'phenomenon'.

Scudamore admits the plan is still being drawn up, and the details of the initiative are a long way from being finalised.

"In 2011- three years away we might play a 39th round, we currently play 38 matches home and away," he said.

"We might play a 39th round of ten games where all 20 Premier League teams go and play, but they play outside the UK.

"It's all to be decided. Clearly there are host cities that would like these games - we know that.

"We get approaches all the time. We get approaches to play a single game here and a single game there.

"We will look over these twelve months where those host cities might be. They will have to meet some strict criteria - obviously they will have to be able to cope with those matches.

Torres faces ten days out

Torres underwent scans on a hamstring injury he picked up in Spain's 1-0 win over France on Wednesday.

Reds boss Rafa Benitez lamented the injury to Torres ruling him out of this weekend's clash at Chelsea.

Scans have confirmed the full extent of the injury with the former Atletico Madrid ace suffering a tear to his hamstring.

Hamstring tear

A statement from club spokesman Ian Cotton on the club's official website, said: "Fernando was examined by medical staff when he returned to Melwood.

"A scan later confirmed their diagnosis that he suffered a hamstring tear in his right leg. Fernando is expected to be out for approximately 10 days."

It means Torres will miss the clash at Stamford Bridge as well as the FA Cup tie with Barnsley on 16th February, but Liverpool are hopeful he will be back in time for the UEFA Champions League game with Internazionale on 19th February.

Fergie targets Munich tribute

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson admits that he is feeling the pressure of winning a trophy to mark the 50th anniversary of the Munich air disaster.

Ferguson is hopeful that his side can pay tribute to the Busby Babes by adding another piece of silverware this season.

The Scot has admitted that the pressure is building to win a trophy but insists his players will relish the challenge.

"It makes me nervous, but it may be a good thing that the fear of failure is upon us," he told the Daily Mail.

Jose flattered at United link

Porto's highly-rated right-back Jose Bosingwa is flattered at being linked with Manchester United, but has played down talk of an imminent move.

The 25-year-old has been strongly linked with Aston Villa in the past, although The Red Devils are now believed to be interested with question marks hanging over the long-term fitness of Gary Neville.

Bosingwa would love to play alongside the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Anderson and Nani at Old Trafford, but is simply concentrating on Porto for the remainder of the season.

"Being linked with United is a positive thing as it means I am performing well," Bosingwa is quoted in the News of the World.

"United are a sensational club. To play next to Cristiano Ronaldo, Anderson and Nani is such a big advantage.

"But until the end of the season I think only of Porto. I want to fight for the Champions League."

Giggs respects United tradition

Manchester United's most decorated player Ryan Giggs believes those that don the club's red shirt have a duty to history to try and entertain.

The Old Trafford club's past is shaped by sides that played attractive football, with legendary manager Sir Matt Busby the man who first honed a desire to entertain the paying public.

And it is a mantra embraced by current boss Sir Alex Ferguson, whose own sides have always echoed those of United's past.

Speaking of the 23 people who perished in the Munich air disaster on 6th February, 1958, Giggs expressed a desire to keep their legacy alive.

"If you are representing Manchester United, you have to play in the right manner, excite supporters and wherever you go, get people off their seats," said Giggs.

"That has got to go on because that is one of the things that sets this club apart. You never stand still. It always goes forward.

"There's Juventus and Barcelona but Manchester United always seemed to have that much more support and seem that much more special.

"Of course, that is down to history and what Sir Matt did."

Capello delays naming captain

Fabio Capello has revealed that he will not install a full-time England captain until the World Cup qualifiers start in September.

With speculation continuing to suggest that John Terry's reign as skipper may be over it remains to be seen who the new coach will choose to give the armband to.

With Terry currently injured and as a result set to be unavailable for Capello's first game in charge against Switzerland on Wednesday, Steven Gerrard, Michael Owen and Rio Ferdinand appear to be the leading candidates to take over the role.

Capello though has made it clear that whoever he chooses for the friendly against the Swiss a definitive decision on the situation will not be made until competitive action gets underway later in the year.

Italy name friendly squad

Italy coach Roberto Donadoni has named a 20-man squad ahead of their friendly with Portugal on Wednesday.

The World Champions will be without Juventus keeper Ginaluigi Buffon and Milan's combative midfielder Gennaro Gattuso for the game which is to be held in Zurich, Switzerland.

Buffon currently has a back problem, while Gattuso is suffering with a thigh injury. Juventus captain Alessandro Del Piero and Sampdoria striker Antonio Cassano have both been left out despite their current good form, but Genoa's Marco Borriello is included for the first time after notching 12 goals in Serie A this season.

Full Italy squad for the friendly with Portugal on 6th February:

Goalkeepers: Marco Amelia (Livorno), Morgan De Sanctis (Sevilla)

Defenders: Andrea Barzagli (Palermo), Fabio Cannavaro (Real Madrid), Marco Cassetti (Roma), Fabio Grosso (Lyon), Marco Materazzi (Internazionale), Massimo Oddo (AC Milan), Gianluca Zambrotta (Barcleona)

Midfielders: Massimo Ambrosini (AC Milan), Albero Aquilani (Roma), Daniele De Rossi (Roma), Simone Perrotta (Roma), Andrea Pirlo (AC Milan), Franco Semioli (Fiorentina)

Forwards: Marco Borriello (Genoa), Antonio Di Natale (Udinese), Raffaele Palladino (Juventus), Fabio Quagliarella (Udinese), Luca Toni (Bayern Munich)

Republic close to manager choice

The Football Association of Ireland have confirmed that a new manager could be named within the next 10 days.

Steve Staunton vacated the post back in October 2007 and numerous high-profile coaches have been linked with the position ever since.

The latest candidate to emerge as favourite for the job is Giovanni Trapattoni, who is currently in charge at Austrian side Salzburg.

Trapattoni would certainly bring plenty of experience having enjoyed considerable success with Italy, Milan, Internazionale, Fiorentina, Juventus, Bayern Munich and Benfica.

The latest meeting to discuss the situation was held on Sunday and a statement released afterwards by the FAI confirmed that the selection process was nearing completion.

Ivory Coast 5-0 Guinea: Stroll for The Elephants

SEKONDI, Feb 3 (Reuters) - Salomon Kalou scored a double as Ivory Coast cruised into the semi-finals of the African Nations Cup with a 5-0 demolition of Guinea in Sekondi on Sunday. Ivory Coast next play either Tunisia or Cameroon, who meet in their quarter-final in Tamale on Monday. Abdelkader Keita opened the scoring in the 25th minute of the quarter-final at the Essipon stadium after outpacing the Guinea defence for a 1-0 halftime lead. Captain Didier Drogba made it two in the 70th having been put through by Kalou, who netted his double in the space of nine minutes between the 73rd and 81st. Substitute Bakary Kone rubbed salt in Guinea's wounds by adding a fifth four minutes from time.

Pompey admit Defoe permanent deal 'not yet done'

Portsmouth have admitted that Jermain Defoe's reported £7.5million move from Tottenham to Fratton Park is only a loan deal - but that a full transfer will be completed later this week.

Defoe grabbed Pompey's equaliser to earn a point on his debut against Chelsea yesterday and has become an instant hero with the home fans. But the revelation that he is, initially, only on loan is yet another twist in the saga that leaves Benjani Mwaruwari still in limbo, holed up in a Manchester hotel, after his move to Manchester City ran out of time on Thursday night. But Pompey insist the two situations have no effect on each other - even though manager Harry Redknapp admitted the plan was always to sell Benjani to raise the cash to buy Defoe. Pompey are confident both transfers will go through this week when the Premier League complete their investigation over why forms from City to register Benjani did not arrive in time to beat the January transfer deadline. A Pompey spokesman explained: 'The Defoe transfer was done as an initial loan because of time restraint. 'The full documents will be signed and registered this week and this is a standard method when you have little time.' Defoe and Redknapp seemed blissfully unaware of all this after the former Tottenham and West ham striker kept up his record of scoring on debuts for different clubs with a 64th minute leveller which prevented Chelsea setting a club record of 10 straight wins - and a 10th consecutive win over Pompey. Redknapp said: 'I honestly could not tell you the exact details but (at five minutes to midnight on Thursday) the two deals were dependent on each other with us getting £9million for Benjani and spending it on Defoe. 'I feel for Benjani because at the moment he seems to be the big loser in all this, but hopefully it will all be sorted out on Monday and I think he will end up as a Manchester City player. 'If not, from a greedy football manager's point of view, I'd be delighted to get Benjani back. I didn't want to lose him in the first place but, of course, I had to because it is good business to sell a 29-year-old and get in a lad of 25 who is always going to get you goals. 'The owner has spent a lot of money here already. He's been fantastic for me and it wouldn't be fair on him if he has to spend more now (with nothing coming back).'