D Tuesday, August 4, 2009 METROSPORT 23 Take on our team of ex premiership stars on 5th September 2009 Get to play against... Jason McAteer Phill Babb Lee Sharpe Ray Parlour Nigel Winterburn Bob Boulder Get to play against... Jason McAteer Phill Babb Lee Sharpe Ray Parlour Nigel Winterburn Bob Boulder ex premiership stars on 5th September 2009 ROSEMARY FOR REM E M BERENCE To find out more visit www.oxfamireland.org/football-legends or call 01 6350 406 All proceeds from the event will go to Oxfam Ireland and Sue Ryder Foundation Ireland Transfer Talk MANCHESTER City will turn to former defender Sylvain Distin if they miss out on Evertons Joleon Lescott. The Toffees have rejected an improved 19m bid for the England star and City boss Mark Hughes may try to lure Frenchman Distin from Portsmouth. The 31-year-old joined Pompey from Eastlands in May 2007. City to target Distin if they fail in Lescott bid SUNDERLAND and West Ham will fight it out for Lyon defender John Mensah. The Ghanaian has struggled to claim a first-team spot since moving from Rennes last year and is keen to resurrect his career in the Premier League. blackburn have signed croat forward nikola kalinic from Hajduk Split in a 12m deal. It makes sense: Mensah arSenalS armand Traore has snubbed a move to birmingham. United set to give young Swede his big chance MANCHESTER United have handed a trial to teenage Swedish star Linus Sjoberg. The 15-year- old was spotted by Uniteds Scandinavian scouting network and is expected to link up with the club on trial later this month. q q Russia fans told to show bottle ruSSIan supporters have been urged to drink whisky on their trip to Wales for next months World cup qualifier to ward off the threat of swine flu. The head of the countrys supporter association alexander Shprygin said: We urge our fans to drink a lot of Welsh whisky as a form of disinfection. That should cure all symptoms of the disease. russias Health Ministry has issued a public warning against travelling to britain because of the spread of the H1n1 virus. Real finally closing in on Alonso deal XABI ALONSO appeared to move a step closer to leaving Liverpool yesterday even though Real Madrid have yet to table an acceptable offer for the Spain midfielder. Representatives from both clubs met at a Barcelona hotel before the Reds friendly against Espanyol on Sunday to hold discussions about the 27-year-old. Real have tracked the player for several weeks but have been unwilling to meet Liverpools 30million asking price. However, it seems a move to the Bernabeu is increasingly likely, especially as reports in Spain suggest the Reds are close to signing Roma midfielder Alberto Aquilani. Liverpool managing director Christian Purslow admitted he has spoken with Reals director Jose Angel Sanchez about Alonso but said no agreement had been reached. This [meeting] has only served to put our positions on the table. We need to continue talking, Purslow said. Alonso is hoping for a swift end to the long-running saga and said: Its reassuring to know Madrid and Liverpool are talking seriously now. My stance has been clear. Im a professional and must wait for an agreement to be reached. But I hope it is resolved soon, for better or for worse.Talks: Xabi alonso Arsenal still have plenty of leaders, says Tomas TOMAS ROSICKY insists Arsenal have the leaders in their ranks to launch a serious Premier League title assault. The Gunners beat Rangers 3-0 on Sunday to extend their unbeaten run in pre-season to six matches as they lifted the Emirates Cup. Former defender Kolo Toure, who joined Manchester City following seven years at Arsenal, claims his old club have lost all of their leaders, which was one of the reasons he de- cided to leave. But Czech winger Rosicky, back in action after 18 months out with a series of niggling injuries, is adamant Arsenal still have plenty of strength in depth even though they have also lost Emmanuel Adebayor to City. I dont think the best players have left, the former Borussia Dortmund midfielder said. We have still got [Andrey] Arshavin, [Cesc] Fabregas and they are still great players. I dont see it this way. I dont see why we should be afraid of anyone. I see the potential and think we need to focus on what we have got. I feel we will be stronger than last season because the boss will have more options. And Rosicky promised fans: We will fight for trophies this year. Meanwhile, Moroccan striker Mar- ouane Chamakh has blasted Lyon for standing in his way of a 10million move to Arsenal. I am angry, even disgusted. I dont understand why people are doing this to me, he said. I deserve more consideration. To go to Arsenal, its my dream. What the club is asking for isnt fair. ASTON Villa were close to signing Leeds midfielder Fabian Delph last night after the clubs agreed a fee. Villa confirmed they had been given permission to talk to Delph, 19, while Leeds revealed other top-flight clubs have had bids rejected. Leeds United wishes to place on record our appreciation for the honourable manner in which Aston Villa have conducted their interest in the player, said a statement. Having given Villa our commitment to transfer the player [subject to a medical], we had no intention of going back. cHelSea maintain they are not willing to sell Joe cole after the england midfielder was linked with a move to Tottenham. Spurs boss Harry redknapp has been reported to be interested in signing his former West Ham player but chelsea said in a statement: contrary to media reports chelsea are not, and will not be, considering any offers for Joe cole. Redknapp warned off Cole bid Staying put: chelsea will not sell Joe cole Picture: Action Images Hammers and Black Cats in smart move for Mensah Bohs pull off a great escape to reach final SOCCER preMIer league by Mark curTIS Ea SpORtS Cup PAuL KEEGAN saved Bohemians with a last-gasp equaliser before extra-time goals at Dalymount from Ken Oman and Joseph Ndo booked their place in the EA Sports Cup final. Keegan deprived ten-man Sligo of a memorable win by levelling two minutes into added time. Oman then put Bohs in front on 99 minutes, heading home Keegans corner. Ndo galloped through from midfield to slot home a fourth two minutes later. Sligo had deservedly led 1-0 at the break following Matt Blinkhorns 38th-minute lob over Matt Gregg. New Rovers signing Martin Camano was sent off on 48 minutes before Bohs levelled through Neale Fenn. But Sligo restored their lead from Alan Keanes penalty before Keegan earned Bohs a late reprieve. bOhEmianS 4 SligO ROvERS 2 (after extra time) index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html