A round-up of today's other stories in brief
McCarthy in talks with Ipswich Town over manager's job
Former Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy was last night in talks with Ipswich Town about taking over from Paul Jewell as manager.
However, while Ipswich have said they have started to interview candidates for the manager’s job reports suggesting McCarthy is all but appointed are premature.
An appointment is expected soon but chief executive Simon Clegg has suggested no decision has been made.
“Having sifted through the applicants, we have now drawn up our shortlist and interviews are under way,” Clegg told the club website.
McCarthy has been out of work since being sacked by Wolves in February. It is understood that McCarthy would want to bring his former assistant Terry Connor to Portman Road.Alan Curbishley and Alan Shearer have also been linked with the role. Jewell left Ipswich last week with the club bottom of the Championship.
His assistant Chris Hutchings took charge of Saturdays 3-0 defeat by Sheffield Wednesday – Towns fourth straight loss and 12th game without a win.
FA vows to stand by players charged
The English FA has vowed to stand by two unnamed England under-21 players and a member of the coaching staff who were yesterday charged by Serbian police over the violent scenes that marred the end of this month’s Euro 2013 qualifier in Krusevac at which Danny Rose was racially abused.
The governing body is in contact with the British government for advice regarding how best to proceed. A total of 12 people have been charged – the remainder are Serbian – and, if Serbia’s public prosecutors decide the cases are a court matter, there is a possibility of custodial sentences if those accused are convicted. The Serbian Interior Ministry said: “Charges have been pressed against five Serbia players and an assistant coach, two England players and an assistant coach as well as three fans. According to the instructions of the public prosecutor’s office in Krusevac, they have been charged with violent conduct at a public sports event on October 16th at the Mladost Stadium.” Yet the FA stated it had not been made aware of the charges and pledged full support to players and staff.
Commons leads Celtic to facile win
Kris Commons grabbed a hat-trick as Celtic trounced St Johnstone in their Scottish Communities League Cup quarter-final clash at Parkhead.
The Hoops midfielder began the demolition when his shot was deflected into his own net by Perth midfielder Liam Craig in the 28th minute and four minutes later Commons grabbed number two with another drive before setting up Gary Hooper for number three before the break.
The Scotland international scored from the spot 10 minutes into the second half to complete his hat trick before substitute Charlie Mulgrew, on at the interval for Hooper, completed a night of misery for the hapless McDiarmid Park men when he made it 5-0.
St Johnstone’s shock 2-1 win against Celtic in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League in September was the second of an eight-game unbeaten run which they brought with them to the east end of Glasgow.
However, Celtic recovered from defeats to Barcelona and Kilmarnock in fine style by sweeping away an outclassed Saints side.
Blow for City as Richards ruled out for up to four months
Manchester City have suffered a major injury blow with news that Micah Richards will miss up to four months – twice as long as had been hoped – following knee surgery.
The 24-year-old had an operation on Monday night after sustaining the problem in City’s 1-0 league win over Swansea.
It had been thought that Richards could be back in action within six to eight weeks, but the academy graduate told the club website it could take much longer.
“The positive thing is that the injury has been repaired so the knee will be as good as new,” he said. “I have a brace on it and I am using crutches. I can’t do anything at all for the next four to six weeks and I am probably looking at 12 to 16 weeks before I am back in action.” The injury has also left Roberto Mancini sweating over his selection problems at right-back.
Both Pablo Zabaleta and Maicon missed the Swansea game with hamstring and foot problems respectively. City are hopeful that both players are close to a return, with Zabaleta optimistic of being available for the weekend trip to West Ham.
Southampton launch Boruc investigation
Southampton yesterday launched a formal investigation into allegations goalkeeper Artur Boruc threw a water bottle at fans during their home defeat to Tottenham at the weekend.
The club were also looking into claims the 32-year-old swore at supporters after conceding a second goal on what was his home debut in Sunday’s 2-1 Premier League loss at St Mary’s.
Several reports suggested the club had studied video evidence and decided Boruc had no case to answer but they said in a statement: “Southampton Football Club can confirm that it is investigating allegations of an incident involving Artur Boruc that occurred towards the end of the first half during Sunday’s match against Tottenham Hotspur.”
