A round-up of other soccer news in brief
James ponders Celtic switch
DAVID JAMES is likely to make a decision on his future at the end of the week as the England international considers interest from Fulham, Celtic and Sunderland.
James (39), is available on a free transfer after choosing not to stay at relegated Portsmouth.
James’s agent, Colin Gordon, contacted Celtic after Artur Boruc moved to Fiorentina and talks are scheduled to take place when the Scottish Premier League club return from their pre-season tour of the US later this week.
Sunderland have also emerged as potential suitors, after their goalkeeper Craig Gordon broke his arm, while Fulham’s pursuit is dependent on Mark Schwarzer, who has been a transfer target for Arsenal this summer, leaving Craven Cottage.
Linfield hopes are dashed in Norway
NORTHERN IRELAND champions Linfield were last night knocked out of the Champions League in the second qualifying round after a 2-0 defeat to Rosenborg at the Lerkendal stadium in Trondheim.
The Belfast side had held the Norwegians to a scoreless draw at Windsor Park last week and held out until the 32nd minute when former Sunderland striker Rade Prica grabbed the first for the hosts, with Markus Henriksen making sure in the 87th minute with his side’s second.
The Norwegian champions were quickly out of the blocks with former Tottenham striker Steffen Iversen drawing a save from Linfield goalkeeper Alan Blayney in the first minute.
Philip Lowry had the first effort on target for the Blues which Daniel Orlund was equal to in the 19th minute and the hosts grabbed the lead with 13 minutes of the first half remaining through Sweden international Prica.
Blayney had to be alert to prevent Morten Moldskred adding a quickfire second for Rosenborg, but Linfield were down and out when Henriksen got his team’s second goal with three minutes to go.
Rosenborg now face Swedish side AIK in the third qualifying round after they beat Jeunesse Esch of Luxembourg 1-0 on aggregate.
Eduardo moves in €7m Donetsk deal
EDUARDO’S ILL-FATED spell at Arsenal was brought to a close last night when he completed his move to Shakhtar Donetsk.
The Brazilian-born Croatia striker has agreed a four-year deal with the big-spending Ukrainian club with Arsenal receiving a reported €7 million from the transfer.
The 27-year-old forward, who scored 20 goals in 67 appearances, suffered a career-threatening leg break early in 2008 that sidelined him for nearly a year and he signed for Shakhtar only after passing medical tests on his left ankle.
Chelsea run for cover as calf injury rules Cech out
CHELSEA ARE confident they have enough goalkeeping cover after first choice Petr Cech was ruled out for a month with a tear in his right calf.
The 28-year-old sustained the injury in training on Monday and scans revealed the damage would eliminate him from the rest of the club’s pre-season build-up.
Cech is also likely to miss the Community Shield against Manchester United at Wembley on August 8th as well as the start of Chelsea’s defence of the title against West Brom at Stamford Bridge the following weekend.
Cech was out of action for two months earlier this year with a similar injury he sustained during Chelsea’s Champions League clash against Inter Milan.
He was replaced by Hilario for the remainder of the opening leg in Italy but Ross Turnbull played in the return leg, which Chelsea lost 1-0, after the Portuguese goalkeeper also collected an injury. Chelsea’s other reserve ’keeper, Rhys Taylor is currently on loan with Crewe.
