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Tottenham will look to bounce back from their European thrashing by Real Madrid when they welcome Stoke to White Hart Lane on Saturday.Harry Redknapp’s men are without a win in the English Premier League since their 2-1 triumph over Sunderland on February 12, as the rigours of a season that has exceeded expectations begin to take their toll.

On Tuesday, Redknapp’s men were hampered by the early dismissal of striker Peter Crouch for two bookable offences en route to a 4-0 loss at the Bernabeu in their Champions League quarter-final first leg.

But the fact the Londoners even made it to the last eight of Europe’s premier club competition is testament to how far they have come as a squad this term.

The problem facing Redknapp now is that, having tasted the latter stages of the Champions League once, they will want to do so again, but are sitting five points short of fourth-placed Chelsea, who occupy the last qualifying place.

The objective for Tony Pulis’ Stoke side is less glamorous – with seven games remaining they are looking to put as much breathing space between themselves and the relegation zone as possible.

Stoke are in 11th place in the table, but only six points clear of the drop zone in a tightly packed bottom half of the table.

The Potters enter the game on the back of some solid form, with two wins from their past three matches and a 1-1 draw with Chelsea in their most recent start.

They have also made it to the last four of the FA Cup, meeting Bolton in a Wembley semi-final on April 17.

Both managers have worrying news from the treatment room ahead of the clash, with Redknapp being particularly hard hit at the back.

Alan Hutton joins Ledley King and Jonathan Woodgate on the sidelines, with Younes Kaboul and Wilson Palacios are also under injury clouds, while Steven Pienaar is nursing a groin strain.

Pulis will be without defender Danny Higginbotham, who ruptured his cruciate ligament in the draw with Chelsea and faces six months on the sidelines.

Also missing will be long-term casualty Mamady Sidibe, who is out for the season with an Achilles injury, and striker John Carew is in doubt with a back problem.

Goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen is also hampered by a back injury, but Pulis could welcome back defender Abdoulaye Faye who is nearing a return from a hamstring problem.

Stoke City are sweating on the fitness of striker Kenwyne Jones just days after he arrived for a club record fee.

The Potters paid Sunderland £8million for the Trinidad and Tobago international on Friday but he lasted just ten minutes of his debut against Wolves 24 hours later.

Jones limped out of the 2-1 defeat at Molineux with an ankle problem following an early collision with defender Jody Craddock.

“We will have to wait and see what the scan shows,” explained manager Tony Pulis.

“We don’t know the extent of the injury at this stage but the problem appears to be just above his ankle.

“The injury took the wind out of our sails because I thought we had started the game brightly. But then we dropped too deep and we really shouldn’t have allowed that to happen.

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“For a 20-minute period after Kenwyne went off, we allowed Wolves to play where they could cause us problems and we also allowed them at the tempo which they wanted to.”

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Under pressure Blackburn boss Steve Kean will face the boo boys once again as he attempts to lift his side off the bottom of the Premier League with a win over Swansea at Ewood Park.

Rovers slipped to the foot of the table following last week’s 3-1 defeat at the hands of Stoke at the Britannia Stadium last week as they made it eight top flight games without a win. Manager Kean was once again the subject of derision from his own supporters who vociferously informed him that he is unwelcome in their dugout. It’s been a tough year in charge for the Scot who has managed just six wins from 34 games in charge since taking over last December after owners Venky’s dispensed with the services of Sam Allardyce. The club has evidently gone downhill since the Indian company took over and appointed Kean and they angered fans even further by handing the boss a new two-year contract despite club looking strong candidates for relegation. It’s a mystery as to why Rovers are performing so badly with a dressing boasting the likes of of Christopher Samba, Scott Dann, Morten Gamst Pedersen and Yakubu. Talented youngsters like Junior Hoilett, Steven N’Zonzi, Mauro Formica and Ruben Rochina are also at the club and have shown flashes of their potential this season after being given their chance by Kean. Despite the talent in the dressing room Rovers have looked a shambles at times this season with teams able to cut through them like a hot knife through butter. Stoke cruised effortlessly to three points last week and there is no doubt Kean will demand improvement as they come up against Swansea who have picked up only two points on the road this season.

Boss Brendan Rodgers has seen his side struggle on their travels losing four of their six games away from the Liberty Stadium although he’ll be confident of breaking that run at Blackburn. Performances have been encouraging from the Welshmen who have surprised every single critic who predicted they would be propping up the table going into the festive period. In fact the Swans have performed well above expectations and now sit in 13th place following their goalless draw with Aston Villa last Sunday. Their staunch possessional play and slick passing game has won them a hoard admirers with their approach to games proving a refreshing change from the usual caution applied by promoted teams in the past. However one element of concern that remains for Rodgers is his side’s lack of creativity in the final third which was something that became evident in Sunday’s stalemate. Despite possessing the attacking talents of Scott Sinclair and Nathan Dyer along with the predatory Danny Graham the Swans failed to break down the Villa defence or test goalkeeper Shay Given throughout the 90 minutes. They’ve failed to score in their last two home games and have found goals hard to come by on their travels scoring only four times in their away games. A trip to Blackburn should change that with the Premier League’s bottom team losing five times at home although Swansea haven’t won in the North West since 1971.

Blackburn – 20th

Last Five: Lost 3-1 v Stoke (A), Drew 3-3 v Wigan (A), Lost 1-0 v Chelsea (H), Drew 3-3 v Norwich (A), Lost 2-1 v Tottenham (H)

Potential Starting X11: 1. P. Robinson 5. G. Givet 4. C. Samba [C] 15.  S. Dann 3. M. Olsson 23. J. Hoilett  15. S. N’Zonzi 35. J. Lowe 12. M. Gamst Pedersen 10. M. Formica 24. Yakubu

Injury News: Kean should have captain Samba and left back Martin Olsson back for the visit of Swansea whilst Ryan Nelsen could return the week after. Simon Vukcevic and Vince Grella are also out and don’t look like returning until the new year.

Key Player: Junior Hoilett

The Canadian winger has been one of the few bright spots in a relatively dark start to the sea season for Blackburn with his energetic performances giving supporters hope for a revival. Hoilett’s combination of pace and skill on the wing have lit up Ewood Park at times this season and he looks like a threat every time the ball is at his feet. Should he be given time and space on Saturday he could do real damage to Swansea who will likely field inexperienced right back Ashley Richards.

Match Fact: Blackburn haven’t met the Swans at Ewood Park since 1984 and will certainly be hoping for a repeat of the scoreline the last time the Welsh club came to the North West. Rovers won out 4-1 winners that day and have lost only once in their last seven clashes.

Swansea – 13th

Last Five

Drew 0-0 v Aston Villa (H), Lost 1-0 v Manchester United (H), Drew 0-0 v Liverpool (A), Won 3-1 v Bolton (H), Drew 2-2 v Wolves (A)

Potential Starting X11: 1. M. Vorm 27. A. Richards 2. A. Williams 16. G. Monk [C] 3. N. Taylor 27. M. Gower 24. J. Allen 7. L. Britton* 12. N. Dyer 11. S. Sinclair 10. D. Graham

Injury News: Rodgers has one injury worry with Angel Rangel forced off against Villa last week and looks likely to miss the trip to Blackburn.

Key Player: Leon Britton

It’s amazing to think the midfielder has played for Swansea in all four divisions in English football and is now finally getting an opportunity to display his talents in the Premier League. Britton has taken to the top flight like a duck to water and certainly hasn’t looked out of place on the big stage. Blessed with a natural elegance on the ball he has shown just how good his vision and range of passing is whilst his passion for the club see’s him put no less that 120% into every game he plays.

Match Fact: The Swans have never met Blackburn in the Premier League era and you have to go back even further to find their last win at Ewood Park. A 2-1 win in the old Division Three in 1971 was the last time they left the North West with maximum points and they’ll be hoping for much of the same on Saturday.

Last Time at Ewood Park

Premier League 7 March 1984

Blackburn 4-1 Swansea

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Attendance: Unknown

Referee: Unknown

PREDICTION

Blackburn’s season continues to lurch from one crisis to the next under Kean’s stewardship and the negativity coming from the stands isn’t helping the teams performance. They’ve won only once this season and don’t look like that doubling that any time soon having failed to taste victory in 12 of their 13 games this season. Swansea, on the other hand, were predicted to be propping up the table at this point of the season but sit gleefully in 13th having enjoyed a tremendous start to their debut Premier League campaign. Winning games away from home has been a problem although they will be confident of securing their first victory on the road at Ewood Park.

Score: 0-2

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Tottenham Hotspur assistant Joe Jordan has received a one-match touchline ban for his part in a confrontation with AC Milan’s Gennaro Gattuso.Jordan and Gattuso squared up to each other during Spurs’ 1-0 Champions League victory against Milan in the San Siro on February 15.Gattuso, who appeared to be the aggressor in the situation, received a four-match ban. The Italian midfielder later claimed he was provoked by verbal abuse from Jordan, although the Scot denies the allegations. UEFA have now announced that the 59-year-old will also be punished. “The control and disciplinary body has imposed a one-match ban on the Tottenham Hotspur assistant manager Joe Jordan following incidents that took place at the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg against AC Milan in Italy on February 15,” the European governing body said in a statement.”The punishment applies to Tottenham’s next game in the competition – the English club’s quarter-final first leg on 5 or 6 April.””An appeal may be lodged against the ruling within three days of the dispatch of the reasoned decision.”Meanwhile, UEFA have also handed one-match bans to Arsene Wenger and Samir Nasri for using inappropriate language towards the referee after their Champions League loss to Barcelona.The Arsenal pair confronted match official Massimo Busacca after Robin van Persie was sent off during the match for a second yellow card.”Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger and midfield player Samir Nasri have both been suspended for one UEFA club competition match following charges of improper conduct,” a UEFA statement read.”The Arsenal manager has also been fined 10,000 euros.””An appeal may be lodged against the ruling within three days of the dispatch of the reasoned decision.”

Raul has confirmed that he is leaving Real Madrid after spending the last 16 years at the Bernabeu.

The 33-year-old, who is expected to sign a two-year deal with Schalke, is Real's leading all-time goalscorer and also represented Spain on more than 100 occasions.

He said:"Today is a very difficult day for me. I love almost everything about playing football and I want to hold on to the feeling of being a player. I've always done my utmost on the pitch. The word surrender doesn't exist for me or Real Madrid.

"I'd like to thank everybody for their support throughout the years, the fans, my team-mates, coaches, presidents and the press. I want to say a special word of thanks to my family

"I'd be nothing without them. I also want to wish Alfredo Di Stefano a speedy recovery. I will always be ready if Real Madrid need me. Hala Madrid."

President Florentino Perez added:"There are a lot of men who are part of the history of Real Madrid. Raul has earned his place in the club's history with his tireless work for the club and his infinite love and support for everything that's Real Madrid.

"I hope that all the players who will join Real Madrid in the future fit the legacy that Raul has left behind at this team.

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"Raul represents everything that this club's about. He has been one of the best players around this club and perfectly represents the spirit of Real Madrid.

"Raul is in charge of his own career and he has made the decision to leave Real Madrid. However, this is not a permanent farewell, as I'm sure he'll return to this club, just like honorary president Alfredo Di Stefano once did. Wherever you go, this will always be your home and you will not be forgotten."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

If you have ever predicted a goal from a set piece, the time of the next goal or where a penalty will be placed, then there is finally a game for you to prove your mental powers. The Heineken Star Player app allows you to do so in selected UEFA Champions League games.

Once downloaded you are able to follow live UEFA Champions League games on your mobile and compete with your friends or anyone around the world in a live learderboard that scores how clever you are at predicting what will happen during the game.

You score points by guessing what will happen at certain points of the Champions League game, for example when a corner is won, you will get options as to what will happen, a goal, a defensive header away or the goalkeeper to come and claim it etc. You will try and score as many points in the game as possible to climb up the leaderboard and boast to your friends and rivals that you know more about the beautiful game than they do. You also have to predict similar outcomes to free-kicks, penalties, timing of goals and whether the keeper will make the next save. The addictive style of the StarPlayer app will keep you hooked week after week, trying to improve on your final score from previous games and all while being able to watch the greatest club competition in the world.

Fantasy football is the only football competition on the market that has survived for years, but this new technology blows this away, with the interactive, live streaming of games and second by second decisions to be made by you at the touch of your screen. With constant updates and trivia questions, proving your guess work is no fluke, the fun-packed app can also be played on Facebook with your friends and you can even play it in the pub or on the move. The free app is growing in size and the more people that join Heineken and get involved the more impressive gaming can be had with your fingertips.

StarPlayer is a groundbreaking ‘dual screen’ digital initiative from Heineken which transforms TV watching into a social interactive experience for football fans. The game, which was created and devised by digital agency AKQA, taps into competitive banter of the fans by creating a live TV game experience that can be played from home.

Do you ever find yourself playing on your phone while watching the football in your living room? Then why not get involved and download this unique app that will get you and your mates eager to get competitive over who truly knows their stuff.

This is the sixth consecutive year that Heineken, the world’s most international beer brand, has sponsored the prestigious UEFA Champions League and with innovative ideas such as this, long may that continue.

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Join the Football FanCast League now and compete in next week’s competition for a pair of tickets to Man City v Bayern Munich

Register here – http://www.heineken.com/gb/ucl/star-player/Create-Join-League.aspx

League Name – FootballFanCast.com

Entry Code – 3mtcpqkduu

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There are only 25 places in our League so sign-up right away.

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Schalke manager Felix Magath believes going a goal down was the spark his side needed to progress to the Champions League quarter-finals.After the first-leg between Schalke and Valencia ended at 1-1 at the Mestalla, the La Liga side took an early lead and scored a vital away goal through Ricardo Costa after just 17 minutes.But that goal opened the game up and with Peruvian playmaker Jefferson Farfan dominating in midfield and scoring a double as Schalke came from behind to record a 3-1 win that sent them into the last eight of Europe’s most prestigious club competition for the second time in four years.”I think at the beginning the result from the first leg was a burden for us,” Magath said.”We were not aggressive enough, that’s why Valencia could raise their game. After we conceded it got better as we had nothing to lose anymore.””Then we fought back, but the situation was quite dicey and I would have liked Jefferson (Farfan) to score the (third) goal earlier.””We had Manuel Neuer and a bit of luck, but that’s what you need in order to reach the next round.”Valencia had several golden opportunities to equalise at 2-1 down, and coach Unai Emery insisted his side had thrown away a terrific chance to progress.”It’s so disappointing. With everything in our favour we managed to throw it all away,” Emery said.”At 0-1 we had the game under control with chances to counterattack, and then they go and equalise.””In the second half, without hardly creating a chance, they go 2-1 up. We then have four chances and don’t take any of them. We’ve lost unjustly.”Emery admitted he could not speak to his players after the game such was his disappointment, while he reserve praised for Neuer who made a string of excellent saves.”I went back into the dressing room so down that I couldn’t say anything to the players, but in reality I can’t hold them responsible for anything,” he said.”I must also recognise the great performance their goalkeeper (Manuel Neuer) put in. We can’t talk of bad luck tonight; we needed to be assertive and we weren’t.”

Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill has admitted that James Milner could leave the club this summer amid reports that Manchester City are set to step up their interest in the England international.

City have already had one bid in the region of £20million for the former Leeds United and Newcastle United star rejected but are believed to readying an increased offer.

Asked if he was hopeful of keeping Milner, O'Neill told Sky Sports News:"Well, I don't know about that.

"Eventually if players want to leave the football club, or any football club for that matter, then it becomes more difficult than ever before.

"But what I will say is, we have a better chance of performing in the manner in which we did last season if we could keep the best players and James Milner comes into that equation."

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The 24-year-old has found the net 21 times in 125 appearances for O'Neill's side.Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Watching Anderson play for United, reminds me of watching Ryan Giggs in the late 90′s, early noughties, people may forget this, but contrary to revisionist history, the Welsh wonder, was not always a stellar performer.

Yes, there was THAT goal, against Arsenal, but there was also THAT miss, which seemed to sum up Giggs around this period, sublime one game, anonymous the next.

The same description could be added to United’s Brazilian midfielder, I remember standing in a pub two seasons ago arguing the case for him to be kept, while a few other Reds seemed to think he was never going to be the answer to our future midfield. All the drooling over Anderson’s first few games this season, has quickly gone to question marks, straight through to downright disbelief as his performance levels have plummeted.

The game against Norwich was a case in point, he may have scored but it was without a doubt the worst shift I’ve seen him put in for quite some time. His passing was simply dreadful, his movement, sluggish and his drive non-existent at times. The main statement being shouted by Reds, is that once Tom Cleverley returns, so will Anderson’s form. After the Chelsea game, that was my first thought: ‘give Anderson Cleverley alongside him, making those runs and giving him an easier option and his form will return,’ yet to be perfectly honest, this argument is deeply flawed. For starters, a player who’s now entering his fifth season at Old Trafford, should be able to perform alongside anyone in midfield.

Do you think if Jonny Evans could only play alongside Rio Ferdinand, he’d still be at United? Or if Michael Carrick had to have Darren Fletcher next to him, he’d have been given a new contract last season?

No. Of course not, a player for United, has to be able to adapt to having different midfield partners, Roy Keane was just as awesome alongside Paul Ince as he was Paul Scholes or Nicky Butt- admittedly Scholes was his best partner, but Keano still performed well, whoever he was alongside.

It’s very harsh to compare anyone to the great Roy Keane, but the point I’m making is Anderson cannot just be an asset as long as Cleverley’s there, otherwise he’s almost useless. Imagine the scenario -’Cleverley’s out for a month- that means we lose Ando as well’ it’s ridiculous.

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My view of Anderson is he needs to be kept in the team, regardless of his form for at least a few months, ever since he arrived at Old Trafford, he’s been in and out of the side more often than Ji Sung Park, playing a great game one week, then going missing, then getting dropped. Playing a great game on his return, then another great game, then having three poor ones, then getting droppped. Playing a great game for the reserves, then being brought back into the first team….you get the point. Anderson suffers from inconsistency, of that there is no doubt, but this constant cycle he’s been in of having a run of say four games, then missing four has done him nor the club any real good. Anderson still has a big question mark over him, there’s still no certainty that he’ll be the answer to United’s midfield problems, after well over 100 games for the Reds.

What he needs, is a run, a proper run, regardless of how his form dips. That’s insane! I hear you cry, after all we’ve got Liverpool, City and tough Champions League games coming up, we can’t afford to carry passengers. Well, I’m sorry but if we really want long term answers then we may have to risk the short term gains.

Anderson should be kept in the side, regardless of whether Tom Cleverley’s fit, until at least the end of November, let’s give him a real run, where there’s no excuses. If at the end of that run, he’s been the player we saw against Arsenal more often than the one who turned up for Norwich then, happy days. If not, it’s time to realise that January’s transfer window may be tailor made for that midfield signing we didn’t make in the Summer.

Article courtesy of Justin Mottershead of Red Flag Flying High

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Win VIP tickets to the titanic clash at Anfield

Marseille manager Didier Deschamps is unfazed by Manchester United’s home record, saying the English giants will not win on reputation alone.Marseille travel to Old Trafford on Tuesday to wrap up the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie with United.Sir Alex Ferguson’s men held the French champions to a 1-1 draw in their initial outing at the Stade Velodrome, leaving them in a strong position to advance to the quarter-finals.United have not lost at Old Trafford since April last year, an unbeaten stretch of 24 games, and will be boosted by the shock return of Portuguese ace Nani, who is expected to play despite earlier being ruled out with a deep gash in his leg.Deschamps is aware that the form guide heavily favours Marseille’s opponents, but warned United that his side will not be intimidated by their imperious home record.”If you look at the statistics then it is a difficult task,” Deschamps said.”Manchester United have not been beaten at home for 24 games and have only conceded one goal in seven Champions League matches this season.””Though it’s three or four years since Manchester United last won this trophy, thanks to their status they’re always among four or five teams that are favourites to win at the start of every season.””On paper you’d expect them to qualify but we’ve got every chance as well. Football’s not played on paper.””Nani did well in the first leg, he created one or two problems for us. What I like about him is that he speeds the game up and every attack involving Nani is fast, but equally the likes of (Wayne) Rooney, Chicharito (Javier Hernandez) and (Ryan) Giggs can all create problems for us.””We’re only likely to get around three or four chances during the whole game so we’ll have to be very precise in our finishing.”Ferguson raised eyebrows by naming seven recognised defenders in his 11 to take on Arsenal in Saturday’s FA Cup quarter-final.The selection gamble worked as United triumphed 2-0 over the Gunners, but Deschamps said Marseille will counter with a simple and effective plan should Ferguson make any left-field calls on Tuesday. “Having watched the game against Arsenal first hand, I’m not sure what tactics Sir Alex will play, but we’ll do our best to attack them while keeping things tight at the back and trying not to give anything away,” Deschamps said.