KEANE WALKS OUT ON ITV
Roy Keane has once again walked out on a team on the eve of a World Cup, this time announcing that he will not travel to Brazil with ITV "in order to concentrate on his coaching career", says The Guardian. The former Ireland man, who famously stormed out of Mick McCarthy's squad in 2002, is being linked with a role as assistant to Paul Lambert at Aston Villa. Keane is also assistant to current Ireland boss Martin O'Neill, who is part of the ITV commentary team.
LINEKER HAS WARNING FOR ROONEYGary Lineker has added his voice to those who believe Wayne Rooney's place in England’s starting XI is under threat. The former England striker turned pundit believes "the one thing that should be permanent, given form and fitness, is that Sturridge [not Rooney] plays up front, in the middle". Speaking in his Blahzil 2014 video blog, Lineker added that Sturridge offers England "a threat in behind the opposition that Rooney doesn't". The problem, concedes Lineker, is "where do you play Wayne Rooney?"
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ENGLAND PICK THEIR FAVOURITE TRACKS Thankfully, the days of the England squad recording a World Cup song are long gone (perhaps because they can't compete with Kevin Keegan). This time, England's footballers have put together a compilation album for this summer's tournament, featuring 18 blindingly obvious musical choices by the likes of Robin Thicke and Bastille, which have been "personally selected" by the players to raise money for charity. Notable inclusions include Money On My Mind by Sam Smith (Jack Wilshere) and Wake Me Up by Avicii (Steven Gerrard).
URUGUAY WILL STOP AT NOTHING, SAYS POYET Luis Suarez and his Uruguayan team mates will stop at nothing to beat England when the two teams meet in their Group D clash on 19 June. Suarez, famous for biting his opponents, was sent off for a brazen handball on the line against Ghana in 2010 as his country made it to the semi finals. Now fellow Gus Poyet has warned England to expect more of the same. Some may see it as cynical, but Poyet said pushing the rules was "very, very normal" in Uruguay. "We won't accept that you are better than us," he said.
'BORING' MILNER TURNS DETECTIVE England's James Milner, destined to be remembered as a utility player and the victim of a spoof Twitter account detailing how boring he is, has revealed that he is close to finding out who is responsible for the mocking tweets. When asked about the Boring James Milner account the Man City midfielder admitted he had read it but said that the prime suspect "didn't have enough banter" to run such an entertaining account.
ENGLAND FACE MIAMI STORMS England suffered the first set-back of their World Cup campaign yesterday, but fortunately it wasn't overly serious, as torrential downpours forced Roy Hodgson to abandon outdoor training in Miami. The national side had hoped to acclimatise to Brazil's sweaty conditions in Miami, but instead they had to contend with a storm "so powerful it turned roads to waterways, and sent passers-by scurrying for cover", reports Henry Winter in the Daily Telegraph. Similar conditions are forecast for the remainder of the week, but players and staff remain optimistic Miami can replicate the conditions they'll face in Manaus on 14 June.
