Steven Gerrard Likely To Stay At Liverpool

The arrival of Joe Cole to Anfield has reportedly convinced Steven Gerrard to remain with Liverpool.

“He [Cole] has proved his ability over many years, sometimes against us – so it’ll be fantastic to play alongside him in a red shirt for Liverpool,” said Gerrard, who returned to training on Monday following a post-World Cup vacation. “I have seen first hand just how good Joe is.”

According to The Sun, Gerrard was a major influence on Cole’s decision to come to Liverpool, forgoing other suitors Arsenal and Tottenham.

The decision has understandably pleased Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson. “He’s a player who I was really looking forward to working with when I came to Liverpool,” said Hodgson.

Ferguson Frustrated At FA Over No Winter Break

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has reiterated his desire for the FA to introduce a winter break.

The Scottish manager attributed the non-stop schedule as a major factor in England’s poor showing in South Africa. “The FA has to give the country the best possible chance of doing well in the World Cup,” said Ferguson. “Because of the nature of our game and because of the demands from TV to have a programme every week, the idea of a winter break, which I was first talking about 30 years ago in Scotland and have done since I came down to England, nothing has happened about it. They must realise that, going into the World Cup, they have handicapped their team.”

Ferguson’s star player, Wayne Rooney, was hobbled coming into the World Cup and Ferguson believes a winter break could help players remain healthy into the summer. “When they get to the end of the season and have a major tournament like a World Cup or European Championship they are not 100% fit, they can’t be. They need that rest factor which brings the energy back into the system,” said Ferguson.

Portsmouth Win Case To Speed Up Court Decision

As the opening of the Championship nears Portsmouth are still in a heap of trouble with the tax man. Because Pompey is still in administration they can not sign any new players during the summer transfer window. A recent attempt to exit administration was blocked by HM Revenue and Customs, a decision Portsmouth promptly appealed.

But a decision handed down by the High Court yesterday said a decision on Portsmouth’s administration would be reached within two weeks. If Pompey wins the decision it will give them to sign players before the beginning of the season.

Latest Tranfer Rumors

Wolfsburg has failed in their bid to sign Manchester City’s Craig Bellamy on loan

Blackpool are now the frontrunners to sign Slovenian captain Robert Koren on a free transfer

Everton striker Lukas Jutkiewicz is being loaned to Coventry City (confirmed)

Sunderland is looking to sign Titus Bramble from Wigan

Roman Pavlyuchenko has denied that he’ll be leaving Tottenham for Sporting Lisbon

England goalkeeper David James is being pursued by Celtic

West Ham have raised their bid for Nice striker Loic Remy to £13 million

Wolverhampton Wanderers are talking with St. Etienne over midfielder Guirane N’Daw

Preseason Friendly Results

Wolverhampton Wanderers 4, Walsall 0. Goals: Wolves-Hemmings 11, Vokes 37, 43, Ebanks-Blake 66.

Preston Northend 3, Blackburn Rovers 0. Goals: Preston- Hayes, Brown (PK)