Manchester United Gabriel Heinze says that he is enjoying his battle with Patrice Evra for the left-back spot this season. “I am happy for Patrice,” the Argentina defender said. “Manchester United is not about individuals.”
Played 15 Won 12 Drawn 2 Lost 1 For 33 Against 7 Points 38
Chelsea The reserve team beat Valencia’s reserves 2-1 yesterday in the first of a series of European friendlies to be staged this season. Goals in each half from Phil Younghusband and Ben Sahar gave the visiting team victory.
Played 15 Won 11 Drawn 2 Lost 2 For 25 Against 8 Points 35
Portsmouth Lee Chun Soo, 25, the South Korea forward who caught Harry Redknapp’s eye at the World Cup, has been told that he can leave Ulsan Hyundai. Plans for a trial with a view to a year’s loan, which fell through in August, could be revived.
Played 15 Won 7 Drawn 3 Lost 5 For 19 Against 12 Points 24
Bolton Wanderers Ricardo Gardner, the left back, will not be rushed back after a knee injury. “Ricardo has played one reserve-team game,” Sammy Lee, the assistant manager, said. “We won’t do anything to jeopardise the player’s fitness.”
Played 15 Won 7 Drawn 3 Lost 5 For 15 Against 14 Points 24
Aston Villa Chris Sutton has been ruled out of Saturday’s visit to Portsmouth but should have recovered for the home match against Sheffield United a week on Monday. The striker has missed the past two home games with a calf injury.
Played 15 Won 5 Drawn 8 Lost 2 For 17 Against 13 Points 23
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Arsenal Jens Lehmann believes that his team-mates have to get more physical in order to get back into the title race. “We know we are playing attractive football, but it’s about more than just that,” the goalkeeper said. “Sometimes it’s a tough fight.”
Played 14 Won 6 Drawn 4 Lost 4 For 22 Against 12 Points 22
Liverpool Danny Mannix, the 21-year-old midfield player, has had to cut short a one-month loan spell with Accrington Stanley after one appearance. A knee injury has forced Mannix to return to Anfield.
Played 15 Won 6 Drawn 4 Lost 5 For 15 Against 16 Points 22
Reading Bobby Convey, the winger, is waiting to hear if he will need surgery to resolve a persistent knee problem. “It has got better but it’s still not quite right yet,” he said. “It’s frustrating and it gets to a point where you just want it fixed.”
Played 14 Won 7 Drawn 1 Lost 6 For 16 Against 18 Points 22
Everton Andrew Johnson, the striker who has missed the past two games, is struggling to shake off a hamstring injury in time to play against West Ham United at Goodison Park on Sunday. “I’m not convinced about whether he’ll be ready,” David Moyes said.
Played 15 Won 5 Drawn 6 Lost 4 For 18 Against 15 Points 21
Fulham Chris Coleman has agreed a deal to sign Clint Dempsey, but the New England Revolution forward’s transfer could be delayed by work-permit problems. The 23-year-old is in the final year of his contract and has said that he wants to play in England.
Played 15 Won 5 Drawn 5 Lost 5 For 16 Against 21 Points 20
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Tottenham Hotspur Reports linking Jermain Defoe, the striker, with a move have been dismissed by Martin Jol, the head coach. “He is going nowhere,” Jol said. “I’m not going to sell someone who is playing such a crucial part in our campaign.”
Played 14 Won 5 Drawn 4 Lost 5 For 13 Against 16 Points 19
Manchester City Chievo Verona may be interested in taking Bernardo Corradi back to Serie A. Corradi has had difficulties adapting to English football since signing from Valencia in the summer, but it appears unlikely that he would be sold in January.
Played 15 Won 5 Drawn 4 Lost 6 For 13 Against 17 Points 19
Wigan Athletic Kevin Kilbane, the Ireland winger, has warned his team-mates to ignore Liverpool’s poor away form when they visit the JJB Stadium on Saturday. “We have to focus on ourselves,” Kilbane said.
Played 13 Won 5 Drawn 3 Lost 5 For 17 Against 16 Points 18
Middlesbrough Mark Schwarzer is counting on the team’s defensive excellence — they have not conceded a goal in 300 minutes of open play — to thwart Manchester United on Saturday. “We have worked very hard,” the goalkeeper said.
Played 14 Won 4 Drawn 4 Lost 6 For 11 Against 17 Points 16
West Ham United George McCartney, the full back, is enjoying his role as a stand-in central defender. “If you ask any player, they’re happy just to play,” he said. “I’m more than happy to play in the centre of defence or anywhere else the manager needs me.”
Played 14 Won 4 Drawn 2 Lost 8 For 10 Against 16 Points 14
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Blackburn Rovers Yianniakis Okkas, the Olympiacos forward, has been given consent to join Blackburn on trial next month. “Our permission to Okkas is for four days, between December 20 and 24,” a statement issued by the Greek club read.
Played 13 Won 3 Drawn 4 Lost 6 For 11 Against 17 Points 13
Newcastle United Arsenal have been linked with a move for Charles N’Zogbia, but Glenn Roeder has insisted that the French midfield player is not leaving the club. “Charles is an exciting talent for us,” the manager said. “His future is here.”
Played 14 Won 3 Drawn 4 Lost 7 For 9 Against 15 Points 13
Sheffield United Claude Davis, the defender, could be out until Christmas after suffering a knee injury during Tuesday’s 1-0 win away to Watford. Michael Tonge could return after an ankle injury for Saturday’s home match against Charlton Athletic.
Played 15 Won 3 Drawn 4 Lost 8 For 9 Against 19 Points 13
Watford Gavin Mahon, the midfield player, says that the squad will watch a DVD of Tuesday’s 1-0 home defeat by Sheffield United. “You have to watch the DVDs of the matches if you want to learn,” Mahon said. “We have to improve.”
Played 14 Won 1 Drawn 6 Lost 7 For 10 Against 20 Points 9
Charlton Athletic The club have confirmed that Stephan Andersen, the Denmark goalkeeper, is to leave the club in January to rejoin Brondby. Andersen, 25, was signed from AB Copenhagen in 2004, but has failed to establish himself as first choice.
Played 14 Won 2 Drawn 3 Lost 9 For 10 Against 21 Points 9