News in brief of Barclays Premier League club - Thurs 20th

[zoris]

Manchester City

Mark Hughes has revealed Kelvin Etuhu has suffered a setback in his recovery from a hamstring injury. The City manager said: "The hamstring has been the issue with him but there's been an underlying problem that we weren't aware of that keeps holding him back. It's at the top of the hamstring and might have been there all the time due to his make-up and we've treated the side of the hamstring, whereas he's been compromised by an injury higher up. We've had to be strict and retrace steps and go back and start again with him which is frustrating really because he's been out for too long."

[zoris]

Liverpool

Former Reds captain Jamie Redknapp has being looking back at current captain, Steven Gerrard's career to date. He said: "It feels like only yesterday that I saw this teenage kid from Huyton for the very first time. He came to join first-team training along with Stephen Wright because Gerard Houllier wanted to have a look at the two of them. They don't come along like him too often. When you're asked to give a tribute to someone it's normal to heap praise on them but with him it's easy because it's so true. He's a special lad - and I don't just mean on the field, I mean off it too. Even now if I ask him to sign a shirt for someone he goes out of his way to help and there it is the next day. I honestly can't speak more highly of him."

[zoris]

Hull City

Phil Brown has been fined £1,000 and warned over his future conduct by the Football Association after admitting a charge of improper conduct. The charge relates to Brown's touchline behaviour during the Tigers' 5-0 Barclays Premier League defeat against Wigan at the KC Stadium on 30th August. The FA's regulatory commission revealed the punishment took into account Brown's admission of the charge, his immediate apology to the match officials and the steps the club have taken to avoid a repeat incident in the future.

[zoris]

Fulham

Roy Hodgson has praised goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer now that the former Middlesbrough man has become a key part of Fulham's defence. "He's fantastic, he's strong, reliable and he gives us something that we've not had before in that he is very good on crosses and deep balls played into the penalty area," said Hodgson. "He made a very good save against Newcastle to keep us in the game when we were leading 2-1. Despite the fact that he wasn't exactly peppered (against Tottenham), he made a great save from an offside situation. It wouldn't have counted but it was a great save. The authority that he brings with his experience is very important for the back four."

[zoris]

Everton

Andy Holden has praised Everton reserves for their performance during the 1-0 win over Newcastle. Holden named a strong side to face the Magpies at the Stobart Stadium and they didn't disappoint, with a goal from Lukas Jutkiewicz sealing the win. He said: "I thought it was an excellent performance from first whistle to the last. We're back to winning ways and got a clean sheet."

[zoris]

Chelsea

England captain John Terry revealed his relief after making amends for his goal-costing blunder by heading the winner in a 2-1 victory over Germany in Berlin. Terry took full responsibility and exonerated goalkeeper Scott Carson of any blame after gifting Germany's Patrick Helmes an equaliser early in the second half. But the Chelsea defender put that setback behind him by heading home a free-kick from Stewart Downing with six minutes remaining. Terry, one of only three first-choice players in Fabio Capello's line-up, said: "It was a good performance and it would have been an injustice had we ended up drawing the game. The conditions with the swirling wind made it difficult to get the ball down in play in the first half but in the second period we played a lot better and deserved the win. For me personally it's a great feeling to lead the side to victory in Germany, particularly after losing the game with them at Wembley 15 months ago."

[zoris]

Bolton Wanderers

Gary Megson has encouraged Gary Cahill to keep up his current form in order for the young defender to receive his first senior international call-up. Megson is surprised Cahill wasn't selected in Fabio Capello's England squad for the friendly against Germany considering the amount of withdrawals ahead of the match. But the manager believes it won't be long before Cahill adds to his England U21 honours if he can continue to play his part in a solid Bolton Wanderers rearguard. "We have our own opinions and we all see Gary week in week out and think that he is a top class player, but all he can do is keep plugging away," said Megson. "Wheater has had the call in front of him, Mancienne has had the call in front of him and Upson has had the call in front of him. We have the fourth best defensive record in the Premier League of which Gary Cahill is a huge part of that."

[zoris]

Blackburn Rovers

Blackburn can announce ticketing arrangements for the Carling Cup tie against Manchester United. The quarter-final match takes place at Old Trafford on Wednesday 3rd December, with an 8.00pm kick-off, and the Blackburn allocation for this fixture is 2520 tickets. Tickets are on sale to Season Ticket Holders only from Thursday 20th November. It is one ticket per season ticket card with a maximum purchase of four tickets per transaction. Any remaining tickets will go on open sale from Wednesday 26th November. Those supporters who have registered on the Away Season Ticket Scheme will be sold their tickets automatically. The tickets will be posted out from Thursday 20th November.

[zoris]

Aston Villa

James Milner has revealed sampling Champions League football is the ultimate aim at Villa. The midfielder says cracking that summit stranglehold of Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal is going to be incredibly difficult. But he insists it is in the long-term plans. He said: "The top four is a tough nut to crack. They have been the top four for a long time. They are quality teams with quality players. It will take a lot of hard work and quality performances to break into that. There are a few teams trying to do that. The top four have set the standards. We want to close the gap and break into that top bracket. That's the ultimate aim. Champions League football is obviously part of the aim. That's what every footballer wants to do - to play at the highest level. We all want that at Villa."

[zoris]

Arsenal

Arsenal have put Samir Nasri's special edition home shirt, worn during the Barclays Premier League match against Manchester United on 8th November, on auction site eBay in aid of The Royal British Legion and Help for Heroes. The Frenchman, who found the back of the net twice in the Gunners' stunning 2-1 victory over Manchester United, has donated his special edition shirt worn to mark Remembrance Sunday. Players wore a shirt with a poppy embroidered onto the chest of their distinctive red and white jerseys. Following the match, players signed the shirts and they have been auctioned and raffled in a variety of ways in order to help these two organisations that support servicemen and women and their families. Nasri's shirt will be the only Gunners jersey to be put on eBay by Arsenal Football Club.