Spotlight on the FIFA World Cup

Barclays Premier League stars are set to grace the FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

Only six of the 32 participating nations have not named a Barclays Premier League player among their parties of 23 stars.
Italy, Slovenia, Japan, North Korea, Germany and Uruguay are the only countries not to have a current player from England's top division. Indeed, the Barclays Premier League is the best represented league at the FIFA World Cup, with 108 players, while Italy's Serie A provides 75 names and Spain's La Liga 57.

McLeish committed to Blues

Alex McLeish says he is committed to remaining at Birmingham City after holding talks over a new contract.

The Blues manager is adamant he will not walk away from the club after persuading the likes of Serbian striker Nikola Zigic and former Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster to join his ranks.
McLeish has one year remaining on his current deal and, almost inevitably given Birmingham's top-flight showing last term, has been one of the names linked to replace Rafa Benitez at Liverpool.

Drogba suffers broken arm

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has sustained a broken arm during the Ivory Coast's warm-up match with Japan.

The 32-year old picked up the injury after a clash with Japanese defender Marcos Tulio Tanaka in the first half of Les Elephants' 2-0 win.
He had flicked the ball over the defender's head before being caught by a high boot to the arm. The striker refused a stretcher but left the field immediately.

Essien signs Chelsea deal

Michael Essien has signed a two-year contract extension at Chelsea.

The new deal will keep the 27-year-old Ghana international at Stamford Bridge until 2015.
"I am delighted because the club has shown a very big confidence and interest in me," said Essien.
"I am looking forward to coming back and enjoying my football and winning more trophies with the club. That is why I am here. I think it is one of the most important contracts in my career."

Dawson's surprise at call-up

Michael Dawson was just starting to arrange his holidays when he got the call to join England's World Cup squad.

Ditched from Fabio Capello's 30-man provisional World Cup squad by phone on Tuesday, if Dawson had been as quick at filling time as Darren Bent - who was spotted at an NBA play-off game in Los Angeles on Wednesday - the 26-year-old might not be going to South Africa.

Liverpool in no hurry

Liverpool have set no deadline on their search for a new manager following the departure of Rafael Benitez.

The Champions League-winning Spaniard parted company with the Reds by mutual consent on Thursday after six years at the Anfield helm.
The 50-year-old had four years remaining on his contract but has paid the price for the club's disappointing 2009-10 season, in which they finished a disappointing seventh in the Barclays Premier League.

Mikel ruled out of World Cup

Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has been ruled out of the World Cup due to injury.

The Nigeria star has been struggling to shake off a knee problem after undergoing surgery in recent weeks and has now told his country's football bosses he did not want to put the injury into further risk.
"We have dropped Mikel from the World Cup after he told the team he did not want to put his career at risk as his knee injury has yet to fully heal after a recent surgery," team co-ordinator, Emmanuel Attah said.

McCarthy delighted

Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Mick McCarthy is thrilled with his summer signings so far.

McCarthy this week snapped up defender Jelle van Damme from Anderlecht and striker Steven Fletcher from relegated Burnley.
But he is still keen to further strengthen the side in readiness for the 2010/11 Barclays Premier League campaign.

The Molineux manager has been quick off the mark during the close season - a tactic which paid dividends last summer when he brought in striker Kevin Doyle from Reading.

Hammers sign Hitzlsperger

Hitzlsperger has spent the past six months with Lazio, but the former Aston Villa midfielder has agreed to return to the Barclays Premier League signing a three-year contract with the Hammers who beat off competition from more than a dozen clubs interested in his service.

City snap up Boateng

Manchester City have sealed a deal for Germany defender Jerome Boateng.
The 21-year-old right-back will officially become a City player on 1st July, having agreed a five-year deal to sign from SV Hamburg for an undisclosed fee.
Boateng was in Manchester to confirm the details of the move before jetting off to South Africa to join up with the Germany team.
high quality
Boateng had long been a target of City manager Roberto Mancini who told the club's official website: "This is a very good signing for Manchester City and I am pleased to bring Jerome to the club.
"He is a young player who is already of a very high quality, but I think he can continue to improve at City.
"He can play a number of positions in defence, which is important. He has proved his ability in Germany and I think he can be a very important player for Manchester City in the Premier League.