22 sport Thursday, January 14, 2010 D Terry urges Blues to give their title rivals the slip JOHN TERRY says Chelsea must take advantage of recent slip-ups by their Premier League title rivals. Manchester United and Arsenal both failed to win last weekend, but still closed to within one and three points respectively of the Blues. Chelsea held an 11-point lead over Arsenal after beating them 3-0 at the end of November and skipper Terry (pictured) warned: We cannot afford any more slip-ups. Thankfully, the teams around us have also been slipping up but Arsenal are right back in the frame. When we beat them I thought they were out of it. Terry, 29, revealed manager Carlo Ancelotti has improved team spirit by taking his squad out for dinner. Its the first time since I have been playing that a manager has taken everyone out and paid for it. It was a bit of team bonding, he added. MIDDLESBROUGH boss Gordon Strachan has raided former club Celtic for midfielders Barry Robson and Willo Flood as well as striker Chris Killen. Robson has signed a two-and-a-half- year contract, with the option of a further year, for an undisclosed fee, while both Flood and Killen have joined on frees. Floods deal extends to June 2011 while Killens runs out this summer. Sol must accept stand-in position SOL CAMPBELL has been warned not to expect too many first-team chances on his return to Arsenal. The 35-year-old defender (pictured) is set to sign for his former club until the end of the season. But ex-Gunners full-back Nigel Winterburn said: If [William] Gallas and [Thomas] Vermaelen stay fit they will still play the majority of games. Sol would be very naive to think hell be a major player at the club now. Gordon brings in trio from Hoops footballdigest SOCCER PREMIER LEAGUE WIGAN have won the race to sign Celtic defender Gary Caldwell. The Scotland international, 27, was also wanted by Middlesbrough but has signed a four-and-a-half- year deal at the DW Stadium, moving for an undisclosed fee. The Latics have conceded 41 goals in 19 league games this season and boss Roberto Martinez said: Gary is a leader and exactly the right character we need at the club. He is a commanding defender who will lead by example on and off the pitch. He is a winner and will be a huge asset. Caldwell is Martinezs third signing of the transfer window, following the arrivals of goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic and defender Steven Gohouri. Wigan land Caldwell EvErton are considering a 750,000 bid from turkish club Galatasaray for defender Lucas neill. the Australia international has made 12 Premier League and two cup appearances since signing a one-year deal with the toffees in September after becoming a free agent at the end of his West Ham deal. Meanwhile, Evertons on- loan American star Landon Donovan admits he was thrilled by the reception he received from fans when he made his debut in last weekends 2-2 draw with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. It was awesome, he said. I hope to get my home debut this weekend [against Manchester City]. Gala hope for Lucas aid Commanding: Caldwell Brian tells Burnley fans to back the rule of Laws Showing his true colours: New boss Brian Laws is back at his first club Picture: Action Images By Mark Curtis BRIAN LAWS is confident he will win over the fans after being unveiled as the surprise choice to replace Owen Coyle as Burnley manager. Laws, who used to play for the Clarets, was given the sack by Championship strugglers Sheffield Wednesday last month but now has the task of lifting a club reeling from Coyles defection to Bolton and converting a promising sea- son into Premier League survival. The 48-year-old, who has signed a two- and-a-half-year deal, said: Im sure with the supporters, time will tell but all Im asking of them is support your team as you have been and we will do everything in our power to get it right on the pitch. Owen has done a terrific job and rightly should be looked at through the eyes of the supporters as a legend. Credit where credit is due and I know the fans will support that and say he has done a brilliant job. Im sure there will be one or two with reservations that will be looking and watching what happens. All I can say to them is theyll get my full commitment. Laws will joined at Turf Moor by long- time assistant Russ Wilcox while Clarets midfielder Graham Alexander, 38, will assist the coaching staff. The former Scunthorpe boss has pledged no major change to the teams style of play but recognises improving their dismal away form is vital. I like to play good football, he said. Sometimes fresh ideas will help players and give them license to express them- selves but maybe be a bit tighter away. Cup proposal: Djokovic THe Davis Cup is under threat after plans to replace one of sports oldest and most prestigious events with a World Cup were revealed. The idea has come from the ATP Player Council and would see a biennial event over ten days for the worlds top 32 nations, who would be split into eight groups. Matches would be shorter, with a maximum of 25 seconds between points. Teams would consist of three players and a captain, and the decisive five-set singles would feature a compulsory mid-match substitution with a replacement player having to contest a minimum of six games. World No.3 Novak Djokovic, who is on the player council along with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, said: Its all fresh and its all ideas. The main point is we are trying to improve the sport. The players are the ones who are making the show and their opinions have to be greatly considered. Players call for change with plan for World Cup IrELAnD have awarded six full-time contracts to home-based players, while giving assistance for county stars. trent Johnston, Alex Cusack, Andre Botha, Kevin oBrien, John Mooney and Paul Stirling will each be given the backing to allow them to focus on training and preparations for next years World Cup. the funding for what is the boldest initiative by any of the non-test- playing countries will be supplied by sponsors rSA Insurance, the Irish and British governments in the form of Sports Council funding and increased revenue from the International Cricket Council following World Cup qualification. In addition to the six A contracts, three players employed by English county sides William Porterfield, niall oBrien and Boyd rankin and teacher Andrew White will receive support through B contracts. 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