Salgado back in training
Valencia: Spain defender Michel Salgado has resumed training after recovering from a right thigh strain, news reports said Wednesday. Salgado joined up with the team but didn’t participate in shooting practice. The Real Madrid right-back could be in contention for a place in next Saturday’s friendly against African champion Egypt in Elche. If he plays, it will be his 50th international.
Breaks for ‘soccer widows’
London: A British hotel is offering football-free breaks for ‘soccer widows’ desperate to escape wall-to-wall coverage of the World Cup. Any guest who overhears a member of staff mentioning the F-word ? football ? will be given a free glass of champagne. “The bookings are starting to stream in,” said Mike Bevans, manager of the Linthwaite House Hotel in the picturesque Lake District.
Spain request replacement
Madrid: Spain have asked Fifa for permission to replace injured full-back Asier del Horno in their World Cup squad, the world body confirmed on Wednesday.
The Chelsea defender injured his calf muscle a week ago and will not be available for another 20 days, meaning he would not be able to play for his country until halfway through tournament.
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Park doubtful
Singapore: Park Ji-sung is a doubt for South Korea’s warm-up match against Norway in Oslo on Friday after spraining an ankle in training. The Manchester United midfielder sustained the injury in a collision with Lee Young-pyo at Glasgow Rangers’ training ground.
“At the moment, it looks like he has sprained his left ankle,” team doctor Kim Hyun-chul said on Wednesday.
Moniwa in
Tokyo: Japan have drafted in Teruyuki Moniwa to replace the injured Makoto Tanaka in their World Cup squad, the JFA said on Wednesday. Tanaka suffered a hamstring pull before the team arrived in Germany.
Germany ready
Berlin: Germany officially declared itself ready for the World Cup on Wednesday when a final government progress report said everything was in place for a successful tournament. “Germany is ready,” interior minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said on Wednesday.
