Ahead of TheGame: Cech undergoes surgery

The news in 60 seconds

CECH UNDERGOES SURGERY
The Chelsea goalkeeper has been ruled out of the Champions League quarter-final, second leg against Fenerbahce having had treatment on his lip and chin following a collision during a practise session. "Petr will begin his rehabilitation immediately and we hope to have him back playing as soon as possible," a club statement read.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/chelsea/article3699359.ece

ERIKSSON KEEN ON RONALDINHO
The Manchester City manager says he would love to sign the Brazilian if he leaves Barcelona this summer. Reports suggest City are weighing up an audacious bid to sign him. "It was the first time I had heard such a thing, so I really hope it is true," Eriksson said. "We would be able to find a place in our team for him, I can guarantee that." That should clinch it, Sven.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/manchester_city/article3698518.ece

CARDIFF GET EURO HOPE
It had been thought that the Welsh club would be unable to represent England in Europe under current FA guidelines. However, Uefa is considering giving the FA Cup finalists a wild card and the FA have also hinted they could be prepared to bend their own rules. Does anyone really represent England in European competition these days?
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/football_league/article3698718.ece

KAKA GIVES BACKING TO CAPELLO
The AC Milan and Brazil striker believes the Italian will be a success with England: "I don't think there is any doubt that Fabio Capello is a very fine manager," Kaka said. "I believe he can win a lot with the England team." Only if you get English citizenship we might.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/european_football/article3698854.ece

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PREVIEWS: VAN PERSIE IN
The Arsenal forward is in contention for tomorrow's quarter-final, second leg against Liverpool. Van Persie had been struggling with a thigh injury which kept him out of Saturday's Premier League draw at the Emirates Stadium. Jermaine Pennant played on Saturday but will miss tomorrow's match after damaging his hamstring against the Gunners.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/article3697351.ece

MCLEISH REFUSES TO RUSH MCFADDEN
The Birmingham manager will not put a timescale on the striker's return after the player underwent keyhole surgery on his knee a fortnight ago. "I am not going to start saying [when] he will be ready. It would be great to get him back because he will definitely make us stronger. But I can't force the issue and cause problems for the long term," he said.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/birmingham/article3698112.ece

CELTIC DOMINATE AWARDS LIST
Three Parkhead players have been named on a four-man shortlist for the PFA Scotland Player of the Year award. Carlos Cuellar is the only Rangers player nominated alongside Scott McDonald, Aiden McGeady and Barry Robson despite Walter Smith's team being in line to claim a domestic treble. This could cause a serious rift between the two sets of fans.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/scotland/article3699099.ece

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If you've got another couple of minutes

Out with the old, in with the new
"The message that is becoming increasingly clear from those who have met Fabio Capello as he travels around the country and acclimatises to English football is that any number of positions in the national team are up for grabs," says Martin Samuel in his latest debate. He asks which new faces, or neglected old ones, would you like to see in the England team?
http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/2008/04/debate-which-ne.html

Do you care who wins this year's FA Cup Final?
Cardiff City will meet Portsmouth at Wembley on May 17, but after two relatively tame semi-finals between less fashionable teams have you lost interest in who will claim the trophy? Or does the prospect of a Championship side upsetting a Premier League outfit make you want to watch next month? Cast your vote.
http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/2008/04/poll-do-you-car.html

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>>>>THE TABLOID TALE<<<<<
Juvenile, Cort - The Sun
What you need to know: 1) Leon Cort has accused Neil Warnock of "childish" behaviour. 2) The Stoke defender spent 18 months at Crystal Palace before being told by Warnock that he wasn't what he expected in a defender and to find a new club. 3) "He was saying things like I didn't have enough scars on my face," Cort said.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A quickie before you go, sir?

Watch old elastic legs himself, Peter Crouch, torment the Arsenal defence and Afonso 'First touch' Alves deliver a workshop on making Manchester United defenders look ordinary in our Premier League and Football League highlights package.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/article2236741.ece

Who says British football lags behind the rest of the World? AOTG does, after watching this film of half-time entertainment at Welling United. Have you taken part in the "Play It Square" juggling competition or any other inane half-time circus acts?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03iEJ7oTdTg

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13
Years since an English manager won the FA Cup. Either Harry Redknapp or Dave Jones will consign Joe Royle's name to the land of distant memory on May 17.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In TheGame

Tony Mowbray tells TheGame Podcast about the culture of passing football he is instilling at West Brom and how it will benefit them if they win promotion to the Premier League. Plus, Mark Chapman, Five's Football Italiano presenter, joins Gabriele Marcotti and Guillem Balague to review the weekend's action and to look at events in the Serie A title race. Listen from 6pm.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/
In Tony's Fiver, Mr Cascarino is feeling extra positive as he applauds Kevin Kilbane, Steve Bruce, Kevin Keegan and Harry Redknapp for their weekend exploits. Find out why.
http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/2008/04/tonys-fiver.html
Phil Brown, the Hull City manager, is the QA interviewee. He is angered at suggestions that the Championship is the worst it has been in years: "It's become fashionable to have a go at the Championship, but there are plenty of quality teams in this division." He would say that, with the Tigers third in the table.
http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/2008/04/qa-phil-brown.html
Bill Edgar dazzles us with his football knowledge in his daily quiz: what was remarkable about Chris Balderstone's appearance for Doncaster Rovers at home to Brentford in September 1975?
http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/2008/04/bill-edgars-mon.html

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>>>>THE RIVALS<<<<<
You're next, Harry - The Sun
Princes of Wales - Daily Mirror
"This is not China's Olympic torch. It is an Olympic festival" - The Daily Telegraph
Ledley sends Bluebirds flying into Cup final - The Independent
City target Ronaldinho - The Guardian
Ferdinand injury woe for Fergie - Daily Express
Mind the gap. United only three points ahead - Daily Mail
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Joe Bloggs' Soapbox

"Dennis Hopper for Roy Keane, Patrick Stewart for Steve Coppell, Sly Stone for Steve Bruce, Ray Winstone for Paul Jewell and Pee Wee Herman for Jose Mourinho."
Marcel Villeneuve replies to AOTG's request for actors who could play managers.

"Roy Keane with or without the beard is played by George Clooney."
Dave Royse in Florida joins the casting team, although his choice suggests that he has crossed the Sunderland manager in the past and is looking to make up for it. In case you are wondering, AOTG looks like a blend between Robert Redford and Paul Newman (in their prime).

Nobody has come up with an actor to play Arsene Wenger. Instead, Arsenal fans have been critical of the manager after another draw with Liverpool:

"Wenger has done a great job at Arsenal, but he must acknowledge that a squad with two or three more purchases would have benefited the team during the run in. He could certainly have used Lassana Diarra, but then who wants to keep hold of a player that is unhappy. The likes of Diaby, Bendtner, Walcott and Hoyte are not yet ready to mix it with the big boys." - D Dobbs

"Arsenal ran out of steam. You don't play at that enthralling pace through the whole season without a big squad. Arsene Wenger is truly a great manager but blind allegiance to half-baked players like Bendtner is killing Arsenal's pursuit of the Premiership title." - Babatunde George

"I consider Wenger to have failed the fans this year. He did not adequately replace Henry. What's more is that although Baptista, Reyes and Aliadiere left, replacements were not sought to bolster the squad - it is simply not large enough and lacks the quality of our major rivals." - Jayden

Cheer up Arsene. AOTG thinks Gordon Kaye would play you brilliantly. As Rene Artois in 'Allo 'Allo!, Kaye was once the best loved Frenchman in England, and was forever trying to remain impartial to nearby fighting. That said, while Wenger thinks he has the prettiest wife at home, Rene liked to cuddle a comely waitress behind his missus Edith's back.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tomorrow's news today

- European clubs renew interest in Dimitar Berbatov
- Cardiff City hero Joe Ledley on growing up close to Ninian Park

And expect...

Barcelona propose to offload Ronaldinho for Darius Vassell plus cash.