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The World Cup’s opening day excitement was reserved for events in Johannesburg, where the hosts South Africa scored the first goal of the tournament only to be denied a win by a late Mexico equaliser, but there was something momentous about the evening game in Cape Town between Uruguay and France too.

At the age of 31, a dozen years after making his international debut, Nicolas Anelka finally appeared at a World Cup. Over the course of his career clubs have paid a combined fee of just under £90 million to acquire the striker’s services, but his selection for France in their opening game of the tournament was Anelka’s first ever at this level.

Chief amongst the factors behind the Versailles-born forward’s intermittent international record is the trail of acrimony that he took back and forth across European football for a whole decade. Anelka left Arsenal under a cloud in 1999 and then endured a miserable year with Real Madrid before rejoining Paris Saint-Germain, the club he had left at 17 to move to north London. Still only 22, he moved back to English football for a loan spell with Liverpool but did not do enough there to convince his fellow Frenchman Gerard Houllier to sign him permanently. He joined Manchester City instead, where he enjoyed the most prolific scoring period of his career to date, but in 2005 the striker’s nomadic ways took him east to Fenerbahce in Turkey.

Anelka scored twice in a friendly against England at Wembley in February 1999 and, although the World Cup the previous year had come too soon for him, a long and successful spell of international football with France looked to be stretching out ahead. Inclusion in France’s European Championship-winning squad of 2000 followed but then his club form floundered and he was dropped by the new national coach, Jacques Santini. Anelka rejected a recall in 2002, saying that Santini would have to get down and beg, and he would remain in the international wilderness until November 2005.

Sidney Govou, the player who missed France’s best chance against Uruguay on Friday night, was chosen ahead of Anelka to replace the injured Djibril Cisse at the 2006 World Cup, but that summer Bolton broke their transfer record to bring the Frenchman back to England for his fourth spell in the Premier League. Anelka was on the move yet again at the beginning of 2008, when Chelsea needed another striker, but in west London he finally seems settled. In his first full season with Chelsea he was the Premier League’s top scorer and this year he won the league and cup double, as he did with Arsenal as a teenager in 1998.

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Anelka was withdrawn late on against Uruguay for Thierry Henry. Entering the fray in the 71st minute, France’s former captain was earning his 122nd cap and taking to the field at his fourth World Cup. Anelka is at last regarded as his country’s finest forward but, with Henry being only 18 months older than him, the player they used to call Le Sulk must surely covet the international record of his fellow former Arsenal striker.

Chris Hughton is reported to have a very minimal transfer kitty accessible to him this summer. In order to make and add to his transfer funds, Hughton will have to sell his big name stars. However, if the Toon Boss doesn’t wish to do this, he can always scour the market for loan deals and of course free transfers.

With that being said, here are 5 potential loan deals that could bolster and improve the Newcastle squad as they prepare for their first season back in the Premier League since the 2008/09 season:

Jack Wilshere (Arsenal)

The18-year-old Arsenal wonderboy should be high on the Toon’s wish-list this summer. The young creative midfielder is unlikely to feature on a regular basis for Arsenal this season and didn’t last, which prompted a 6-month end of season loan move to Bolton. Whilst at the Reebok, Wilshere was able to gain valuable Premier League experience by appearing for the club 14 times and also managed to net a goal as well. The Arsenal youngster is wanted once again by Owen Coyle for the upcoming season and it looks as if Wenger will allow the midfielder to go out on-loan once again. Newcastle should definitely enquire about a loan move for him as Wenger is likely to accept any that is put on the table…If Bolton obtained him last season, then surely Newcastle could this year. Wilshere would offer youth, talent and creativity which would undoubtedly help the Magpies cause for the upcoming season.

Vladimir Weiss (Manchester City)

Vladimir Weiss is another potential loan target for Newcastle this summer, as it looks as if the Slovakian international will most definitely be overlooked at Manchester City once again this season. The 20-year-old, like Jack Wilshere, spent the last 5-6 months of last season on-loan at Bolton, where he managed to appear 13 times for the Trotters and became one of the team’s best performers. This summer, the attacking midfielder travelled to South Africa to represent his country in the World Cup finals, where he managed to appear in 3 out of the 4 matches in the tournament. The 20-year-old performed well and showed that he acquires quick movement off and on the ball, creativity as well as some form of attacking prowess, which Newcastle could do with. As Mancini looks to bring in more talent during the window, players, which will include Weiss, are more than likely to be overlooked and sent packing one way or another out of the club. Weiss does have premier league experience under his belt and looks to be a very promising footballer for the future. His pace and creativity would do wonders for the Magpies, and if they put a loan bid on the table for the midfielder this summer, Mancini would unquestionably accept it.

Jamie O’Hara (Tottenham)

Jamie O’Hara is out-of-favour at Spurs hence why the midfielder was loaned out to now Championship side Portsmouth for the entirety of last season. O’Hara is an industrious midfielder who possesses a good reading of the game, even at a young age. The 23-year-old Spurs man, has good ability and deserves to be playing football week in week out, sadly O’Hara hasn’t been able to do this under his current employers. Newcastle should look towards the Englishman this summer to add more bulk and steel to their midfield. O’Hara would suit the club well as he is tenacious, hardworking and is also a technically gifted for such a young midfielder. Jamie O’Hara is likely to be shown the door as Harry Redknapp looks to revamp his squad suitable for Champion’s League quality this season. O’Hara has done enough last year in Portsmouth colours to warrant a move away from White Hart Lane, whether it be a permanent one or a loan deal is up to him. Chris Hughton should try his luck this summer and table a loan bid for the disregarded midfielder for sure.

Continue to page 2 to see the rest of the list

Seamus Coleman (Everton)

Chris Hughton’s defence doesn’t look like it has many reinforcements…this is where Seamus Coleman comes into play. The Republic of Ireland U-21 and U23 international is a highly rated youngster who became known to the Premier League last season playing for Everton. The 21-year-old full-back was sent out on-loan to Blackpool in March 2010 where he impressed and helped the club win the Championship play-off to the Premier League a few months back. Coleman is strong, quick and a tenacious right-back who never stops running up and down the field. The defender loves to attack as well as defend and is certainly a star for the future. Seamus Coleman is second choice behind Tony Hibbert at Everton, and will probably be sent out on-loan again as David Moyes can not guarantee him first team football week in week out. The defender will definitely make more appearances going out on-loan this season, rather than staying put at Everton. The right-back would add depth, youth and determination to the Newcastle back-line; this of course depends on whether Hughton makes a bid for him this summer or not.

Victor Anichebe (Everton)

Having looked at the Newcastle squad, it’s evident that the Magpies lack the adequate firepower and experience upfront needed for the Premier League this season. Andy Carroll and Shola Ameobi are Newcastle’s most known forwards who have some Premier League experience in their bag. However, the rest of their strike-force are either very young or have not played at the top-flight of the English game. Everton’s Victor Anichebe looks as if he will either be sold or put on the loan market this summer following the arrival of Jermaine Beckord to Goodison Park a month ago. Chris Hughton will need to strengthen his attacking options, and a possible loan move for Anichebe would add the right depth and power the Newcastle boss requires. The Nigerian international is powerful, quick and the striker also has a good hold up play in his arsenal. At only the age of 22, Anichebe attains Premier League experience which will prove vital should Hughton make a swoop for him this summer. David Moyes may send the young striker out on-loan, as he has not been able to cement a regular place with the Toffees. A definite loan opportunity available here for Newcastle to exploit.

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Click on image below to see the GERMAN babes at the World Cup

Former West Ham United defender Calum Davenport has been cleared of assaulting his pregnant sister at a hearing held at Luton Crown Court on Thursday.

The Court heard that the 27-year-old centre-back head-butted Cara Davenport and bit her cheek after she announced she was pregnant at her home in Bedford, in the early hours of August 22 last year.

Davenport had earlier said he was defending his father, Curtis, after his sister started attacking him at the property.

Following the incident, Cara's boyfriend tracked down the former Coventry City, Tottenham Hotspur and England Under-21 international and stabbed him in his legs, leaving his life and career in the balance.

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In January of this year, his employers, West Ham United, suspended the payment of Davenport's wages for his role in the unsavoury incidents before his contract was terminated by mutual consent, allowing him the opportunity to resume his career elsewhere.Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

UEFA president Michel Platini has been released from hospital after fainting in a Johannesburg restaurant on Friday evening.

Platini has been suffering with flu during a hectic World Cup schedule and a series of medical tests revealed no serious problems with the health of the 55-year-old former France international.

Initial reports had speculated that Platini had suffered a heart attack.

However, UEFA and FIFA have released a statement in which they claim he will definitely be in attendance at Sunday's World Cup final between Netherlands and Spain at Soccer City.

"All the medical tests conducted were normal and Mr Platini is looking forward to attending the final," it read.

Earlier in the evening, UEFA spokesman William Gaillard had allayed fears of a serious problem with Platini, who became president of the association in 2007.

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"He is fine," he said. "He had been suffering from a cold and a bit of flu and he fainted before eating in a restaurant."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Birmingham City have boosted their strikeforce with the signing of former Blackburn Rovers frontman Matt Derbyshire on a season-long loan from Olympiacos.

The 24-year-old former England Under-21 international moved to Greece in January 2009 and helped his club win the Greek Cup final at the end of the season.

However, last term he struggled to make an impact and has been allowed to return to England, with an option for a permanent deal also in place.

Derbyshire scored 20 goals in 86 appearances before leaving Rovers and has also been loaned out to Plymouth Argyle and Wrexham.

Meanwhile, Blues boss Alex McLeish is confident that another new signing, Nikola Zigic, will improve as time goes on, following a debut as a substitute in the 2-2 draw at Sunderland.

McLeish commented:"He was a presence and he will cause problems, but I'll be expecting a lot more from not only Zigic, but everybody.

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"He's got an international pedigree but it's a new league for him. Playing in England is completely different to La Liga.

"The longer ball from the back in English football is something a little bit new for him and I'm going to have to do a wee bit of work on the training ground to help him improve in that respect."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Nigeria international midfielder Dickson Etuhu has signed a contract extension to keep him at Fulham until the summer of 2014.

The 28-year-old, who featured for the Super Eagles at the World Cup finals in South Africa earlier this year, has been with the Cottagers for just over two years, scoring four goals in 66 appearances since his arrival from Sunderland.

Etuhu, whose previous deal was set to run out at the end of the season, had previously enjoyed spells with Manchester City, Preston North End, Norwich City and the Black Cats.

He had recently told the Ealing Gazette:"I'm fairly laid back about it to be honest.

"It's a question of wait and see and I'm not the only one with only a year left on my contract.

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"There are at least another five of us and, of course, knowing what the future holds is a way of getting security for your family."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Taking your opportunities is a piece of football advice usually reserved for young whippersnappers rather than 30-year strikers. Nonetheless this is the task facing Tottenham Hotspur’s Robbie Keane whose playing chances have been enhanced by Jermaine Defoe’s ankle injury. The Republic of Ireland striker, now in his second spell at White Hart Lane, was the subject of intense transfer speculation this summer having been loaned to Celtic for the second half of last season. Keane has been restricted to three substitute league appearances this season but knows that grasping his opportunities in the wake of Defoe’s injury may be his last chance to secure his position at the club.

Signed by Glenn Hoddle in 2002, Keane had previously been on the books of Wolves, Coventry, Internazionale and Leeds. But it was in north London where the forward found his “spiritual home.” Ninth in Tottenham’s all-time top goalscoring list, he was at his most prolific when partnered with the delightfully skilful Dimitar Berbatov. The popular Irishman was the epitome of a consistent performer, regularly registering over 20 goals a season and winning the club’s Player of the Year award on three separate occasions. Despite his blistering form there were still a few eyebrows raised by his £20.3 million move to Anfield in 2008. A goal tally of 7 in 28 matches seems far from disastrous but that was how his brief sojourn at his “boyhood club” was depicted. He failed to gel with his new manager who had spent lavishly only to continually field Fernando Torres as a lone striker.

Harry Redknapp decided to bring the striker back to Spurs the following January in a deal reportedly worth an initial £12 million. He was made vice-captain and the reunion was completed by the return of Jermaine Defoe and Pascal Chimbonda. Virgin trains quipped that there service could take you from, “Liverpool to London quicker than Robbie Keane.” It would have been understandable if his confidence had been completely shattered. However important league goals were forthcoming and the following season he put four past Burnley in their 5-0 home victory. With the arrival of Peter Crouch and the subsequent revival of his partnership with Defoe, Keane’s chances subsided. When appearing off the bench his passing and link up play was not as inventive and his finishing was far from clinical.

That assured finishing was rediscovered during a short loan spell at Celtic, another one of his “boyhood clubs.” Mobbed on arrival, Keane evidently enjoyed being the centre of attention once more, scoring goals and unleashing his trademark celebration. He netted 16 times in 19 appearances at Celtic Park whilst wearing the No7 shirt previously adorned by Henrik Larrson. Media reports this summer suggested that Redknapp was keen to offload the forward but he was unequivocal. “His situation is that he is still one of our better players.” That view was supported by his performances in pre-season, scoring against Fiorentina and Sporting Lisbon. Keane said, “I’m looking forward to the new season as it’s probably the best I’ve felt in a while.”

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Relief would have been his overriding emotion at the club’s decision not to purchase another striker. Yet the partnership of Defoe and Crouch appeared watertight until the former was ruled out for three months after sustaining ankle ligament damage on England duty. Defoe’s misfortune represents a prime opportunity for Keane to get the run of games he craves. There is strong competition from Roman Pavlyuchenko and Crouch may be preferred as a lone forward given the abundance of creative talent in Spurs’ ranks. This was the tactic used in their recent draw against Werder Bremen with Keane featuring from the bench. A two pronged attack suits Keane and many of the club’s more nostalgic fans would like to see him recapture his free-scoring form.

Jack Howlett’s twitter / rss feed

West Ham United have endured a torrid opening to their Premier League campaign as Avram Grant’s team find themselves at the bottom of the table. Saturday’s 3-1 defeat to Chelsea meant that West Ham have failed to collect any points from their first four games. However, West Ham United legend Sir Trevor Brooking has seen some room for optimism at Upton Park following their weekend loss to Chelsea.

The fixture computer had not been kind to West Ham as they have played title contenders Chelsea and Manchester United, along with Aston Villa and Bolton Wanderers in their games so far. The pressure has been mounting on former Chelsea and Portsmouth boss Avram Grant as the Hammers have endured their worst start to a league campaign for 30 years but Brooking has called for some perspective as it is still early in the season and Grant can still turn it around.

Confidence seems to be the key for West Ham to get a result. They played well against Chelsea on Saturday and will be looking to build on their performance on the weekend as West Ham travel to Stoke City in a winnable game at the Britannia Stadium.

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LISTEN to the Sir Trevor Brooking interview below…

Tottenham winger Aaron Lennon has been forced to drop out of Fabio Capello's squad for England's Euro 2012 qualifier against Montenegro on Tuesday because of a sore back.

The former Leeds United player has returned to White Hart Lane for treatment and has been replaced in the England squad by Aston Villa's Stewart Downing.

Lennon is the second player to drop out of the squad in the last 24 hours after Everton defender Phil Jagielka picked up a hamstring injury on Friday and was replaced by Bolton Wanderers' Gary Cahill.

Jagielka missed a training game at Arsenal's London Colney complex on Friday morning after experiencing some tightness in his hamstring during the session beforehand. He then underwent a scan before being ruled out of the match.

Jagielka impressed in last month's victories over Bulgaria and Switzerland but his absence now means that Capello will almost certainly start with Rio Ferdinand and John Terry in central defence.

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Meanwhile, Gareth Barry has joined up with the squad after being given additional time at home due to personal reasons.Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Saturday saw one of the most controversial goals scored in Premier League history, and discussion is well and truly underway and showing no signs of relenting. The furore that has surrounded this incident highlights the magnitude of the decision whether wrong or right!

Before we head into every detail I’d like to make it known that I feel for Tottenham Hotspur and all those with an affinity to the football club. Nani’s goal on Saturday was harsh and the Portuguese winger showed no sportsmanship whatsoever.

However in the rules of the game, the goal was perfectly legal. Play had not stopped and therefore Nani was entitled to slot the ball past a bewildered Gomes. Should Gomes take a slice of the blame cake or should Clattenburg have stopped the game when there was so much uncertainty that led to the incident?

The fact the whistle had not been blown would suggest that Gomes was incredibly naïve to roll the ball out to the feet of the United winger, Nani. Everybody knows you play to the referee’s whistle and I can’t help but feel Gomes has let himself and his side down by carelessly handing the ball to the opposition.

This said, there are a large number of people that are of the belief that “Clattenburg should have disallowed the goal on the basis that Tottenham had not received an advantage after Nani’s handball that preceded the incident.” This belief can be undermined completely as Gomes had the ball in his hands, showing Tottenham to have possession and therefore gained an advantage. This would once again show that Gomes has had an absolute mare in so much that he has basically passed the ball to Nani.

Some might say that the incident should never have come to be. In the lead up to the goal it was clear that Nani had handled the ball. This is both acknowledged by Spurs keeper Gomes and the linesman. Why the whistle was not been blown here for a Tottenham freekick I do not know. It must be said that football is not and should not be a game of what ifs, we all have to live with the decisions whether they are right or wrong.

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When pushed for an answer I would have to say that the goal correctly stood. I say this for the one reason that the whistle was never blown indicating that play had stopped. It is fundamental for a professional footballer to play to the referees whistle, Gomes’ naivety is shocking. However I do not believe that referee Mark Clattenburg is completely innocent, nor are his fellow officials. There was a case of clear handball moments prior to the goal that was seen, yet went unpunished, thus creating an air of pure uncertainty amongst the players leading to the controversial goal.

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