BECKHAM PROMISES GALAXY A SPURS RETURN

David Beckham has promised LA Galaxy fans they will see the full benefit of his recent training stint with Tottenham Hotspur.

Beckham has just returned to the MLS side after six weeks training with Spurs as he recovers from a long term ankle injury.

Now entering his final season with the Los Angeles side, Beckham is confident his time with Spurs will benefit his Galaxy return.

“My only objective was to get fit for the Galaxy and the MLS season,” the 35-year-old told reporters at the Galaxy’s training ground.

“My objective was not to play for a Premier League team, and I am grateful to Spurs and Harry Redknapp for how they looked after me.

“If there was an option to play then I would have taken it, but without doubt I wanted to go somewhere and train and not take the three months off and sit around doing nothing.

“At this stage of my career and with the injury I had I felt it was more important for me to train.
“This was the time I was always going to come back, that was agreed and nothing would have changed that.”

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp has thanked Beckham for his professionalism during his time with the club and admitted he would be interested in signing the player at the end of the MLS season.
 
UNITED WON’T BLOW LEAD SAYS FERGUSON

Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson has dismissed claims by Chelsea captain John Terry that his team will throw their EPL lead away.

United can move back to four points clear of second placed Arsenal with a win at Wigan on Saturday before Tuesday night’s big clash against defending champions Chelsea.

Terry’s side are currently 12 points out of the title race but that didn’t stop the England defender claiming the runaway Reds can still blow it.

The wily Ferguson, whose side also face Liverpool next week, is refusing to countenance Terry’s claims.

“You try things. We all try things,” said Ferguson ahead of the match at Wigan that could move United 15 points clear of Chelsea, not in action again until Tuesday.

“But it won’t be easy for them to come back from that kind of points deficit.

“I said some time ago, the team that is most consistent would win the league. That is why I stress that we have to keep our momentum going and get that consistency.”

Ryan Giggs and Michael Owen return to the United squad for the Wigan game after missing the drab, scoreless draw at Marseilles in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

Defenders Rio Ferdinand and Jonny Evans should return against Liverpool next weekend but Antonio Valencia and Anderson are still injured.
 
FABREGAS OUT OF CARLING CUP FINAL

Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas is definitely out of Sunday’s Carling Cup final date with Birmingham at Wembley – despite all his pleas.

The young Spaniard practically begged manager Arsene Wenger to let him play despite a hamstring injury picked up in Wednesday’s win over Stoke.

Fabregas believes he could play in the final but Wenger, with one mind on the forthcoming Champions League return in Barcelona, refused to even consider it.

“It is a very small injury but certainly Cesc will be out for Sunday,” Wenger told Arsenal TV Online.
“For how long beyond that I don’t know, but definitely for Sunday.

“He is disappointed. We all feel sorry and sad for him. The only way we help him now is to win the Carling Cup as he contributed a lot in this competition.”

There was also no commitment from Wenger regarding the fitness of Fabregas for the trip to Barcelona on March 8th.

“It is very difficult to give a deadline,” Wenger added. “It is impossible.”

Arsenal are also without winger Theo Walcott for Sunday’s decider but Robin van Persie, Laurent Koscielny and Abou Diaby are all fit.

“I saw Theo this morning, he has a classic ankle sprain. We don’t think there is any more damage to it, but it is still a sprain,” added Wenger.

“We are sad for him too. He is out for Sunday and maybe one or two weeks more.”
 
BRIEFS

Manchester City are to monitor a hip injury picked up by Vincent Kompany in their Europa League win over Aris Salonika on Thursday night.
 
City goalkeeper Shay Given has undergone a successful operation on his latest shoulder injury and faces three months on the sidelines.
 
Spurs have been linked with Fenerbache defender Gokhan Gonul.
 
Everton could move for Leicester midfielder Andy King.
 
Fulham are interested in signing Latvian striker Artjoms Rudnevs from Lech Poznan.
 
Liverpool and QPR could offer Russian star Yury Zhirkov an escape from his Chelsea hell.
 
American midfielder Alejandro Bedoya could earn a contract at Birmingham City after impressing during a week long trial.
 
The Glazer family have again pledged their full commitment to Manchester United and dismissed reports of a bid for the club from the Qatari Royal family.
 
Carlos Tevez will stay in Europe for at least another three years says his agent Kia Joorabchian, just days after he predicted the Manchester City striker could move back to Corinthians in Brazil.
 
Blackpool skipper Charlie Adam is to see a specialist about a mystery abdominal injury which flares up after games.
 
Bolton boss Owen Coyle hopes to agree a new deal with star striker Johan Elmander in the next two weeks.
 
Newcastle United have tied exciting midfielder Cheick Tiote to a new six-and-a-half-year contract.
 
Birmingham midfielder Sebastian Larsson says he still has no idea where he will be playing next season when his contract with the Blues has expired.