Few pundits expect England to be overly troubled by any of their opponents in Group C.

Instead, meetings with the United States, Slovenia and Algeria will be scrutinised for pointers as to the ability of Fabio Capello s squad to progress deep into the tournament after a domestic club season that has provided the Italian with encouragement and cause for concern in roughly equal measure.

But Capello suffered a severe setback when Rio Ferdinand, the captain and a key presence in central defence, was ruled out of the tournament after damaging knee ligaments in the team s first serious training session in South Africa.

Also a worry for Capello is the fitness of midfield anchor Gareth Barry, whose lingering ankle ligament injury looks set to rule him out of England s …

The experienced French defender Patrice Evra is looking towards the exit door at Juventus and has already been linked with a sensational swoop back to Manchester United.

Spanish side Valencia were also keen on the 35-year-old left-back, but the latest reports coming from the Italian news outlet claims that Crystal Palace have emerged as the frontrunners for the signature of the veteran defender.

Sam Allardyce is preparing for a major rebuilding at Selhurst Park and is already eyeing moves for Arsenal defender Carl Jenkinson and Sunderland’s Patrick van Aanholt, but is also pondering a Patrice Evra possibility.

The Champions League winner with Manchester United has expressed his desire to get back to Premier League and it appears that Big Sam is ready to make h…

Marc Wilmots says his top priority after taking charge of Ivory Coast is coaxing Yaya Toure out of international retirement.

Wilmots was confirmed as the Elephants new coach on Tuesday, with the side still smarting from their group-stage exit at this year s Africa Cup of Nations.

Ivory Coast had travelled to Gabon as reigning champions, with Toure captaining the side to a penalty-shootout final win over Ghana in 2015.

I know how important it is to have experienced players. It s not yet over for Toure, we ve got to get him back, Wilmots said.

The Yaya Toure case will be one of my first missions.

I ve seen the last two games that he played for Manchester City in a defensive midfield position. He s always great, he s so good physically.

I…

Harry Kane says winning personal honours is bittersweet given lifting trophies is his priority as speculation over the Tottenham striker s future rumbles on.

The England captain was named Premier League player of the year at the London Football Awards on Tuesday evening.

Kane continues to set the highest of standards for club and country, but the striker endured more agony when Manchester City beat Spurs 1-0 in the EFL Cup final on Sunday.

The prolific 27-year-old continues to be linked with a move away from his boyhood club and has stated that he will consider his future after Euro 2020.

Kane made his ambition crystal clear after landing another gong.

Individual awards are great, they are fantastic achievements, he said in an interview with the …

Cristiano Ronaldo scored for the fourth Serie A home game in succession as Juventus claimed a 2-1 victory over Bologna on Saturday despite some late drama.

The Portugal forward has netted in all of Juve s home league fixtures this season and opened the scoring with a typically clinical finish.

Bologna levelled with a sumptuous half-volley from full-back Danilo before Miralem Pjanic restored Juve s advantage after some poor defending by the visitors.

Late in the game, the visitors had a penalty appeal for handball against Matthijs de Ligt turned down and hit the crossbar, while Gianluigi Buffon made a fine late save as Juve moved four points clear at the top of the table.

Ronaldo was presented with a special award by Juventus before kick-off having s…

Harry Redknapp on Tuesday signed a new contract with Tottenham tying him to the London club until 2013.

Redknapp took over at Tottenham in October 2008, steering the side clear of relegation before guiding them to their best Premier League finish of fourth last season.

That performance not only earned the 63-year-old the Premier League s manager of the year award, but also secured his club a place in the Champions League for the first time.

Redknapp s deal was due to expire next year, but Spurs have now exercised the option of lengthening his stay at White Hart Lane by a further two seasons.

The club is delighted to announce we have extended the contract of manager Harry Redknapp until 2013, read a statement on the club s website.

Harry guided …

Milan coach Clarence Seedorf claimed his decision to play a midfield diamond set up his team s 1-0 derby win over Inter on Sunday.

Up against Inter s midfield trio of Esteban Cambiasso, Hernanes and Mateo Kovacic in Walter Mazzarri s preferred 3-5-2 formation, Seedorf sacrificed the flanks and sent Milan out in a 4-4-2 with a diamond in midfield.

Nigel de Jong anchored Milan s midfield with Riccardo Montolivo and Andrea Poli ahead of him, while Adel Taarabt sat in behind forward duo Mario Balotelli and Kaka.

De Jong scored the only goal for the game as Milan won their first derby since 2011 and Seedorf was thrilled with how his formation change hindered Inter.

I have to congratulate my players who played a very good game tonight and it wasn t easy for many differ…

Chelsea s excellent recent form will be tested by Hull City when the two sides meet at the KC Stadium on Saturday.

Jose Mourinho s side have won their last four matches in all competitions, form that has seen them rise to third in the Premier League table.

Premier League wins over Swansea City, Liverpool and Southampton were followed by a 2-0 FA Cup success at Derby County on Sunday.

Chelsea look to be clicking at the right time of the season and have a series of players on top form, with the likes of Eden Hazard, Oscar and Willian all excelling.

The Stamford Bridge outfit have also been terrific at the back, conceding just once in their last five matches, with John Terry back to his best form.

Mourinho s men will be wary of Hull, though, with Steve Bruce s…

Ruud Gullit feels Everton boss Ronald Koeman would be the perfect coach to help Netherlands get back on track after a number of difficult years.

Oranje finished third at the 2014 World Cup, but then failed to qualify for Euro 2016 under Guus Hiddink and Danny Blind, while they face a tough task to qualify for next year s World Cup in Russia from a group containing France, Sweden and Bulgaria.

Gullit believes Netherlands are in need of a coach with experience abroad in order to understand how their rivals see them and he believes Koeman would be the ideal candidate.

Netherlands have done quite well throughout the years for such a small country. I am really proud of us as a footballing nation, Gullit told Helden Magazine.

We let others look at the way we …

Immobile triggers buy-out clause

German media outlet that Italian striker Ciro Immobile is set to make a permanent switch to Sevilla.

Los Rojiblancos paid a total of €3 million for a season-long loan in the summer, while an €11 million buy-out clause was also included.

And having made his fifth league appearance of the season at the weekend, Immobile has automatically triggered said clause.

Despite struggling in the early days of his career in Spain, the 25-year-old was surprisingly handed a starting role in the league clash against Real Madrid.

That proved a very good decision as Immobile went on to score the equalizer after Sergio Ramos had opened the scoring.

And with his future now clearly at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, the It…