The latest news from your league

Thursday 2nd September 2010

Headline news...

Tottenham defender Jonathan Woodgate was the highest profile casualty as the 20 Premier League squads confirmed their 25-man squads for the new season. New regulations mean clubs can only use players in their 25-man squad, with only players under the age of 21 allowed to supplement that line-up until January. Elsewhere, Owen Hargreaves was included by Manchester United while out-of-favour striker Roque Santa Cruz was included by Manchester City. Arsenal did not include any Englishmen in their list, with Theo Walcott and Jack Wilshere among their under-21 contingent.
Tottenham striker Peter Crouch has pulled out of England's Euro 2012 qualifiers against Bulgaria and Switzerland with a back injury. However, he won't be replaced in the squad, with boss Fabio Capello putting faith in the other strikers in his squad, namely Wayne Rooney, Jermain Defoe, Darren Bent and Carlton Cole.
England captain Rio Ferdinand made his comeback from the knee ligament injury that ruled him out of the World Cup in a reserve match for Manchester United against Oldham on Wednesday night. The centre-back suffered the injury in training the day after England arrived in South Africa. Reserves boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said: "Rio is always the same player. It is a while since he has played but he was still calm. He has got through an important 45 minutes, straight after two very hard training sessions yesterday and the day before so we are delighted with him."
Mikel Arteta's hopes of playing for England have been dashed by a FIFA rule, relating to the fact he represented home country Spain at junior level. The Everton midfielder had hoped to qualify after completing five years residency in the UK, but the rule states he would have had to have held a British passport at the same time in order to be eligible. The FA said: "Our understanding is he is ineligible to play."
Bolton have cancelled the contract of Nigerian defender Danny Shittu, leaving him free to find a new club outside of the transfer window. He signed for the Trotters two years ago for £2m, but did not play a first team match last season. He played in all three of Nigeria's games at the World Cup.
Tottenham have completed the signing of Dutch international midfielder Rafael van der Vaart from Real Madrid for £8m. The Premier League had been investigating the circumstances surrounding the deal, but they have now ratified the move, and he was confirmed in Spurs' 25-man squad on Wednesday.
Blackpool have signed Australian international midfielder David Carney from FC Twente, for an undisclosed fee. Carney has previously played in England for Everton, Sheffield United and Norwich. He said: "It has been a busy 24 hours but I am delighted it is done now and I am looking forward to getting out there and playing."
West Brom have signed James Hurst on a two-year deal from Portsmouth. The 19-year-old full-back left The Hawthorns in 2008 to move to the south coast, but never made an appearance for Portsmouth's first team.
Leyton Orient progressed to the second round of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy, as Russell Slade led them a 2-0 win against his former club Brighton. Elsewhere, Sheffield Wednesday defeated Notts County 2-1 at Hillsborough.

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In the Know

Michael Oliver became the youngest referee in Premier League history last week at 25 years and 182 days. He was in charge of Birmingham v Blackburn, breaking Stuart Attwell's record.