D Thursday, October 8, 2009 METROSPORT 23 Stomach for the fight: Hunt Hunt recalls gutsy display Noel HuNt has spoken of how his World Cup ambition caused him to literally bust a gut. Ahead of Saturdays crunch qualifier with Italy at Croke Park, twice-capped Hunt was recalled to the squad this week for the injured Caleb Folan having missed out on recent matches because of his breaking a bone in a foot towards the end of last season. He then ignored stomach pains which turned out to be appendicitis. I came home for the weekend of the play-offs because I broke a bone in my foot, explained the 26-year-old brother of international team-mate Stephen. I thought Id a bit of food poisoning and I was blaming everyone for this, that and the other. I wouldnt go to the doctor because I just thought I had food poisoning, but my appendix had actually ruptured. I stayed at home for a couple of days and thought Id just get over it. then when I couldnt move, the mother dragged me to hospital and of course mammies are always right. When she came into the hospital to see me, she was the proudest woman in the world because she knew what it was. I was lying there in bits. the only good thing that happened is that I didnt die. everything else bar that went wrong, well leave it at that. Claudio MarCHiSio could be forced to pull out of italys upcoming World Cup qualifiers against the republic of ireland and Cyprus with a knee injury. The Juventus midfielder reported to the azzurri training camp complaining of problems with his left knee and is now a major doubt for Saturdays game. He will stay with us for two or three days, said italy team doctor Enrico Castellacci. on Friday we will evaluate if he has recovered and can come with us to dublin. The 23-year- old has had a stunning start to the season with Juve following his debut for italy on august 12. Kilbane hails Given as pair head for 100 By pETEr MagEE Beyond his wildest dreams: Kilbane is closing in on 100 ireland caps SOCCER rEp oF irEland v iTaly pREmiER lEaguE Portsmouth chief executive Peter storrie insists Avram Grant is not a threat to manager Paul hart. Ex-Chelsea boss Grant returned to the club yesterday as director of football, signing a two-year deal following the takeover of the club by saudi businessman Ali Al-Faraj. the 54-year-old Israeli was technical director at Fratton Park between June 2006 and July 2007, before leaving for an ill-fated reign at stamford Bridge. But last night storrie stressed harts role is not in jeopardy and insisted he will continue to pick the team. Avram has been brought in as director of football and that has been made abundantly clear, storrie said. he will work with Paul and will be involved in the coaching. Effectively, we will have two senior people at the helm, which is only good for the club. Hart told job is safe as Grant rejoins Pompey rivals: rooney totteNHAm could gatecrash the Premier leagues big four if they can keep up the free- scoring form which saw them top the table early on this season, according to england striker Wayne Rooney. And, despite manchester uniteds 4-3 win over cash-rich manchester City last month, Rooney insists mark Hughess side will be involved in the final shake-up at the top of the table. this season you have to look at us, Chelsea, liverpool, Arsenal, City and maybe tottenham, said Rooney. theyve made a good start to the season and Jermain [Defoe] has scored quite a few goals. the derby was a great game to watch but obviously to beat them as local rivals was a great feeling, especially after the players they have signed. Its a massive derby now. I think they [City] will definitely be challenging us with the players theyve got. Rooney tips City and Spurs as challengers Maradona may quit Argentina Diego MaraDona has warned he could resign as argentina coach unless certain terms are met. argentina are fifth in their World Cup group with two qualifiers against Peru and Uruguay remaining and may face a play-off to reach the 2010 finals. it is thought Maradonas chief gripe is with technical director Carlos Bilardo and he wants talks with argentinian Fa president Julio grondona. if i continue it will be under my conditions. after the qualifiers ill talk to grondona, Maradona said. footballdigest unhappy: Maradona United chasing Inters Maicon THe agent of Brazil star Maicon says Manchester United have upped their interest in the inter Milan defender. The 28-year-old joined inter from Monaco in 2006 and has been a key player since Jose Mourinho took over two years ago. antonio Caliendo said: Uniteds interest in my client is not something new. They have been following him for a while. it seems they are pressing for him but there have been no concrete offers yet. FiXTuRES golF (until Sunday) European Tour: Madrid Masters (Centro nacional de golf, Madrid, Spain) The presidents Cup (Harding Park golf Course, San Francisco, California) HorSE raCing newbury, Wincanton, Worcester, Kempton, Tramore. Coleman sets victory target FUll-back Seamus Coleman is desperate to make up for lost time as the republic of ireland attempt to revive their european Under-21s Championship qualifying campaign. The irish face georgia at Tallaght Stadium tomorrow and Switzerland in Waterford next Tuesday having taken just one point from their two games to date. last months 1-1 draw in estonia followed a 3-0 home defeat by Turkey, so a good haul from the next week is crucial. everton full-back Coleman said: We really need to get some points out of these two games. i know all the lads will be going out to win the two games. if we can do that, we will be sitting nicely again. KevIN KIlbANe has lauded the contri- bution of Republic of Ireland team-mate Shay Given as the pair close in on their 100th international caps. Hull City utility man Kilbane and man- chester City keeper Given both hit the 99 cap mark against Italy in Saturday nights vital World Cup qualifier at Croke Park on Saturday night with the duo in line to become the first Irish players to reach the century mark against montenegro next Wednesday. It will be a special night for myself and Shay, admitted 32-year-old Kilbane, who made his international debut against Iceland in 1997. We share many memories and we have been through a lot together. Hes such a good guy to be around. Weve socialised quite a lot together so I have a lot of re- spect for Shay. I think hes the best in the world, I re- ally do and I have thought that for a long time. When manchester City went out with all the money they have to buy one goalkeeper, they chose Shay Given. that says it all. Some people in the game say he isnt tall enough but hes taller than me. He got that perforated bowel and that was a really serious injury. to come back from that showed his character. Reflecting on his own longevity in the green shirt, Kilbane added: When you are growing up, you never dream that you will play once for your country. I cannot say that it was a dream to play 100 times for Ireland as never in a million years did I think I would ever get any- thing like that. For now Kilbanes mind is focused on the clash with Italy as Ireland bid to con- tinue on the long journey to the World Cup finals in South Africa next summer. When Giovanni trapattoni took over as Irish boss, we were in a bit of turmoil and things werent going well at the end of that last campaign, Kilbane said. First and foremost, he came in to steady the ship, to try and get results and hes proved what a great manager he is with us. Hes certainly brought the confi- dence back to everyone in the team. Picture:Sportsfile index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html24.html25.html26.html27.html