Football news

Wayne Bridge will have no problem being in the same England squad as John Terry for next week's friendly against African champions Egypt, according to coach Fabio Capello.

Chelsea defender Terry was stripped of the England captaincy earlier this month following media allegations he had an extra-marital affair with Manchester City left-back Bridge's former girlfriend.

Asked by reporters whether Bridge would be quitting international football, Capello replied: "No, he will be with us (next Wednesday). No problems about the other things."

Deputy left-back Bridge could feature in the starting line-up in the absence of first-choice Ashley Cole, who is expected to be out for the rest of the season with a broken ankle.

Double injury blow for United

Alex Ferguson has been hit with a double injury blow ahead of Sunday's League Cup final against Aston Villa after Rio Ferdinand was ruled out of the Wembley clash and Anderson suffered a serious knee injury.

Ferguson said after Tuesday's 3-0 win over West Ham that Ferdinand had aggravated a back problem which is also likely to cause him to miss England's friendly with Egypt at Wembley next week.

Brazilian midfielder Anderson could also be sidelined for the final after limping out of United's sixth successive home league win with a suspected twisted knee.

I rejected England job - Mourinho

Inter coach Jose Mourinho has revealed that he was once offered the England manager job but had turned it down.

Fielding a question about John Terry being removed from the England captaincy, Mourinho said: "I'm not England manager so I don't want to comment (on Terry).

"I could have been England manager but I didn't want to. When England came looking for me I was the proudest coach in the world.

"I thought about it a lot. On the one hand I wanted to do it, on the other I knew that it wasn't the right job for me because I love training every day."

Argentina sign US friendlies deal

Argentina have signed with a US marketing company to play four friendlies in the United States by 2014, Argentine FA agent Guillermo Tofoni said.

Tofoni said the first match could be played in September when there were two FIFA international dates for Euro 2012 qualifiers which were free for South American teams.

"We want to open the market for the national team which is a very strong brand," he said.

"It's a brand that is as strong as or stronger than that of Real Madrid or Barcelona."

Tofoni said Argentina had a brilliant generation of young players and could bring together Lionel Messi from Barcelona and Gonzalo Higuain, of Real Madrid, in a single team.

Facebook campaign stuns Donovan

Landon Donovan has been left stunned that Everton supporters have started a campaign on social networking site Facebook in the hope he will remain at Goodison Park.

The US midfielder, 28, is due to return to LA Galaxy next month following a loan spell.

Donovan said: "I was not aware of that... it's pretty funny. Since the day I got here, the fans have been fantastic. I was really overwhelmed by how many people were aware that I was coming and knew who I was and said 'welcome to Everton'.

"I'm enjoying every day that I'm here. Every day that goes by makes me think that I want to stay here, but we'll see what happens.

"I would definitely imagine that I will be back here at some point in my life."

Striker Dzeko worth €40m says agent

Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko's transfer value is in the region of €40 million, an agent has suggested.

Milan are long-time admirers of Dzeko and even made an attempt to sign him last summer but Wolfsburg were not interested in selling the Bosnia international.

Speaking to Tutto Mercato Web, an agent who claims to represent Dzeko said: "Every day you read about 'bombshells' on the market, but for now it has stopped, also because the clubs have to see what they will do next year.

"Milan like Dzeko as do many other teams, but the player's value has increased. Edin is now worth €40m."

Bent still hopeful over England

Sunderland striker Darren Bent is refusing to give up on his World Cup finals dream. The 26-year-old frontman has plundered 16 goals to date for the Black Cats to fire himself to the fringes of the race to board the England plane for South Africa.

"It would be nice to be involved," Bent said.

"I don't think I have done my chances any harm this season. There are only Rooney and maybe Defoe who have scored more goals than I have as an out-and-out front man.

"All I can do is keep working hard, keeping doing well for Sunderland - there's no more that I can do.

"If it doesn't happen, I will move on."