D Tuesday, January 26, 2010 SPORT 23 Captains jog: Gerrard back in training yesterday Picture: Getty Images SOCCER PREMIER LEAGUE Gerrard will help to keep Wolves at bay for Rafa LIVERPOOL have been handed a major boost in their bid to finish in the top four with captain Steven Gerrard set to return early from an injury lay-off to face Wolves tonight. Gerrard has missed two games with a hamstring injury but was back in training ahead of schedule. Now he is set to lead Rafa Benitezs men at Molineux where victory, coupled with Spurs failing to defeat Fulham, would see Liverpool move into the Champions League qualifica- tion places. Despite missing Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Yossi Benayoun through injury, Liverpool have shown their battling qualities as they were denied victory at Stoke by a last-minute equaliser but bounced back to defeat fourth-placed Tottenham. And boss Benitez believes Gerrards return could bring a crucial extra lift to the team. Gerrard has had [injury] problems during the season but it is good for us the captain is coming back, he said. If he can see the team is working so hard he will be a key player not just because of his quality but his mentality on the pitch. Benitez, meanwhile, has played down claims by Sunderland counterpart Steve Bruce the club have been disrespect- ful in their attempts to sign striker Kenwyne Jones. I was not dealing with this, he said. [Managing director] Christian Pur- slow and [Sunderland chairman] Niall Quinn were in contact but I dont know what the situation is. He also revealed goalkeeper Jose Reina is to be offered a new contract. I think it will be easy to finalise and have an agreement, Benitez added. By David Kennedy Micks faith in Reds Wolves boss Mick McCarthy believes it would be barmy to write off liverpools top-four chances. The teams meet at Molineux tonight with the Reds sixth, just a point off Tottenham in fourth. And McCarthy said: To suggest that when steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres dont play means they are any less than a top-four team would be barmy. lets not underestimate them. Coyle has no complaints over Burnley abuse OWEN COYLE admits he expects to receive a barrage of abuse from the Burnley fans who once idolised him when his old club visit Bolton tonight. Coyle took over as Wanderers boss earlier this month after just five months in the Premier League with the Clarets, having led them to promotion. However, the 43-year-old insists he is prepared for whatever is thrown at him by Burnley supporters and revealed he still retains an affection for the club he spent just over two years with. People are disappointed that you have left and I understand that, said the Scot. I asked those same fans for that passion and desire over the course of two years so I cant then start complaining about it if it seems they have turned on me. Ill always have a special place for Burnley and if fans want to come and vent their anger and frustration at me, then so be it. The former Wanderers player also insists he is aware of the abuse he has taken already from Clarets followers, adding: Its happened and we have to get on with it. But what I do know is the job we did and I say we, because we did it collectively was remarkable over the course of two years. Coyle yesterday made Manchester City midfielder Vladimir Weiss, 20, his first signing after landing the Slovakia international on loan until the end of the season. africa cup of nations Egypt ....................3 Cameroon ............1 Ahmed Hassan 37, 94 Hassan (og) 25 Mohamed Nagui 91 (after extra-time, score after 90mins 1-1) Zambia .................0 Nigeria..................0 (after extra-time, Nigeria win 5-4 on penalties) coca-coLa League one Charlton ...............0 Leyton Orient.......1 scottish cup fourth round Raith Rovers ........1 Airdrie...................1 tennis AustRALiAN OpEN Mens singles 4th rd: (1) Roger Federer (Swi) bt (22) Lleyton Hewitt (Aus) 6-2, 6-3, 6-4, (6) Nikolay Davydenko (Rus) bt (9) Fernando Verdasco (Spa) 6- 2, 7-5, 4-6, 6-7 (5-7), 6-3, (3) Novak Djokovic (Ser) bt Lukasz Kubot (Pol) 6-1 6-2 7-5, (10) Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (Fra) bt (26) Nicolas Almagro (Spa) 6-3, 6-4, 4-6, 6-7 (6-8), 9-7. Womens singles 4th rd: (1) Serena Williams (USA) bt (13) Samantha Stosur (Aus) 6-4, 6-2, (7) Victoria Azarenka (Blr) bt (9) Vera Zvonareva (Rus) 4-6, 6-4, 6-0, (16) Na Li (Chn) bt (4) Caroline Wozniacki (Den) 6-4, 6-3, (6) Venus Williams (USA) bt (17) Francesca Schiavone (Ita) 3-6, 6-2, 6-1. (7.45pm unless stated) Barclays premier League Bolton v Burnley...............................................(8pm) Portsmouth v West Ham ........................................... Tottenham v Fulham............................................. TV Sky Sports 2 Wolverhampton v Liverpool....................................... Coca-Cola Championship Barnsley v Leicester .................................................. Bristol City v Cardiff................................................... Doncaster v Middlesbrough ...................................... Ipswich v West Brom................................................. Nottm Forest v QPR .................................................. Peterborough v Preston ............................................ Plymouth v Derby...................................................... Sheff Utd v Reading .................................................. Swansea v Coventry.................................................. Coca-Cola Football League One Swindon v Leeds....................................................... Hartlepool v Gillingham ............................................. Colchester v Milton Keynes Dons ............................. Exeter v Carlisle......................................................... Brentford v Southampton.......................................... Millwall v Southend ................................................... Stockport v Brighton ................................................. Tranmere v Yeovil....................................................... Walsall v Norwich ...................................................... Coca-Cola Football League two Dag & Red v Notts County ........................................ Accrington Stanley v Aldershot................................. Darlington v Northampton......................................... Barnet v Torquay ....................................................... Chesterfield v Rotherham.......................................... Macclesfield v Morecambe ....................................... Rochdale v Port Vale ................................................. Clydesdale Bank premier League Hamilton v Kilmarnock .............................................. RESULTS FIXTURES Robinho deal still in works sANTos remain committed to their bid for Manchester City striker Robinho on an 18-month loan, rather than a short-term deal. The Brazil forward is convinced he has played his last game for City and is 90 per cent sure he will return to his former Brazilian club, although boss Roberto Mancini says he wants the player to stay at eastlands. santos spokesman Arnaldo Hase said last night: We are optimistic without being too optimistic. our marketing directors ... are in london now and are conducting negotiations. of course santos would like [the loan deal] to be more one year, one year and a half if possible. ToTTeNHAM striker Roman Pavlyuchenko is still determined to quit the club but his hopes have been complicated by a groin strain. lokomotiv Moscow claim the 28- year-old wants to join them, with Pavlyuchenko still looking to move despite scoring against leeds before picking up his injury. Ive heard lots of times from [boss Harry] Redknapp that Im going to play, but I still remain on the bench, he said. I dont think that goal will change anything. I hope it doesnt stop me leaving Tottenham. Injury hinders Pavs exit bid GIANFRANCo ZolA insists West Ham now have the stability they crave under new owners David sullivan and David Gold. The pair, who took control of the club last week, have already pledged cash for new players, particularly a striker, before the end of the January transfer window next week. And, ahead of tonights crucial relegation meeting with bottom club Portsmouth at Fratton Park, Zola admitted: I think its positive for the club. Well see what happens but its looking good. The main thing theyve already done is to bring stability and keep all the players we have in the team. We are not selling anybody. Now theyre trying to strengthen the team and theyre working very hard on that. West Ham have been linked with numerous strikers and last night made an undisclosed offer for Blackburns Benni McCarthy. Zola sold on owners amid bid for Benny target: Benni McCarthy KEITH FAHEY says just keeping Birmingham Citys good run going is the key, whatever the competition. Ex-St Pats midfielder Fahey played the full 90 minutes as Blues beat Everton 2-1 at Goodison Park on Saturday to ease into the FA Cup fifth round. The win means Alex McLeishs side are now unbeaten in 15 games ahead of a tough Premier League clash at Chelsea tomorrow. You cant not want to do well in the FA Cup, said Fahey. You want to do your best in every game you play. Weve got the league which is the priority but the cup is something were taking seriously and when youre on the run were on, you dont mind the extra games, you just want to keep playing. I dont think we would have been favourites going to Everton but we showed a few people again. Everton were on a bit of an unbeaten run as well [six games] so it was another good win for us. Fahey keen to keep Blues running hot index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html