D Monday, January 25, 2010 SPORT 23 SOCCER PREMIER LEAGUE Wayne in no mood to put his feet up On a roll: Rooney rejoices after scoring his third against Hull Picture: AP Four-goal hero Wayne rooney insists he does not want to be rested this season even if it leaves him jaded for the World Cup. The 24-year-olds exploits in the 4-0 win against Hull onSaturdaytookManchester united top of the Premier league and served notice of just what a threat he will be for England in South africa. However, with united challenging on three fronts, England manager Fabio Capello will be hoping his united coun- terpart Sir alex Fergu- son uses rooney sensibly. I am sure the two of them have different ideas for me for the rest of the season, said rooney, who has scored 19 league goals this season. But I want to play and whenever I am asked to play I will. Even when the man- ager [Ferguson] tells me when he is giving me a rest, Ill want to play. But Ill have to be sensible. united face a crunch week that starts with the second leg of the Carling Cup semi- final against Manchester City on Wednesday before a trip to title rivals arsenal at the weekend. So there is no chance of Ferguson taking him out of the firing line given his importance to united, espe- cially since C r i s t i a n o ronaldos 80million move to real Madrid last summer. I have had responsibility on me since I signed so it was not extra pressure, add- ed rooney. When Cristiano left I knew I would have to score more goals. as a team we are doing that. Everybody is chipping in and, so far, we have scored more than last season. By Kevin Aitken AsAmoAh Gyans early goal saw Ghana eliminate hosts Angola 1-0 in the African Nations quarter-finals yesterday. Gyan latched on to a through-ball and slotted home in the 16th minute. Angola striker manucho was guilty of missing two easy chances either side of the interval. Ghana, the last Cup of Nations hosts to lose at this stage ten years ago, will next play in Thursdays semi-final against the winner of todays quarter-final between Nigeria and Zambia. West Ham co-owner David Gold is confident the club will sign a top striker before the transfer window shuts. Gold, whose hopes of landing Ruud van Nistelrooy ended when the former manchester United star joined Hamburg, said: Were listening to any proposals and working hard to bring someone in. I would be hugely disappointed if we did not bring in a striker before the window closes. It would have to be someone of quality or there is no point. Wolves boss mick mcCarthy insists he had no concerns about making seven changes for saturdays 2-2 FA Cup draw with Crystal Palace. last month, mcCarthy was criticised for making ten switches before his defeat by manchester United. Wolves now go to visit selhurst Park for a replay but their boss admits he had one eye on Tuesdays league visit from liverpool. of course I did, said mcCarthy. But I still think that team was [strong enough]. I had no hesitation in making the changes. LIveRpOOL co- owner tom Hicks has finally agreed a deal to sell his major League baseball team, the texas Rangers, to a group headed by pittsburgh attorney Chuck Greenberg and Rangers pitching legend Nolan Ryan for a price that could exceed $500million (350m). the deal must still be approved by major League Baseball and the banks that hold the debt on the Hicks sports Group, and may not be finalised until april. footballdigest No regrets: mcCarthy I want to play but I have to be sensible SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE Undermanned Bhoys battle back for victory st johnstone 1 celtic 4 Tony Mowbray watched his threadbare squad go within seven points of SPL leaders rangers with a 4-1 win at St Johnstone, then revealed he has players ready to come back to increase the pressure on the Ibrox men. The Hoops, who have a game in hand, travelled to Perth without nine men and Mowbray was dealt a further blow when Glenn Loovens, who had conceded a penalty which allowed Liam Craig to give the home side the lead, was carried off with a head injury. but the game turned in the visitors favour after former Drogheda defender Graham Gartland was sent off seconds after the restart for a professional foul on Marc-antoine Fortune. The ex-nancy striker levelled with a wonderful angled-drive in the 64th minute and notched a second from close range, either side of goals from Georgios Samaras and Paddy McCourt. ahead of the game against Hibs at Parkhead on wednesday, Mowbray said: The strength of the squad is going to be significant. Scott brown and Shaun Maloney will probably train tomorrow. Scott McDonald is probably Tuesday or wednesday and Stephen McManus and Mark wilson are also ready to join in full training. So we will be stronger as we move on. index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html