44 SPORT WEDNESDAY JUNE 4 2014 Lampard calls time on Blues

Struggling Rogic still CHELSEA legend Frank Lam- pard has announced he will leave the west London club when his contract expires at the end of June. Lampard had reportedly been offered a new deal on re- in frame for Cup nod duced terms by Chelsea, but has opted to bring an end to his 13 years at Stamford Bridge. Several reports yesterday claimed Lampard’s representa- tive has held talks with New York City over a prospective move to Major League Soc- cer’s new franchise in 2015. At least 10 other clubs, in- cluding newly-promoted QPR, are believed to have registered their interest in signing the star. Lampard scored 211 goals in 649 games for the Blues. He admitted it was a wrench to leave Chelsea after so many happy memories and he paid tribute to former chair- man Ken Bates and current owner Roman Abramovich. The 35-year-old’s long and successful stay in west London has left him well established as a Chelsea legend after winning three titles, the Champions League, the Europa League, four FA Cups and two League Cups. Rickie returns to Reds at last

LIVERPOOL has completed the signing of England forward Rickie Lambert from South- ampton, bolstering a strike force that almost fired the Reds to the EPL title. The former Liverpool train- ee had a medical last Saturday after a fee of $A7.25 million was agreed with the Saints. He is understood to have signed a two-year contract. “I can’t believe it. I’ve loved this club all my life. I left here 17 years ago – and I haven’t stopped loving it since,” the 32- Dario Vidosic (left) tangles with a player from Brazilian State League side Parana Clube during the Socceroos’ practice match in Vitoria yesterday Picture: WILLIAM WEST year-old said. “I have always dreamt of TOM Rogic is not out of the Midfielders Bozanic, Massi- body can withstand the rigours “He just needs to find a little the goalkeepers with Newcas- playing for Liverpool, but I did picture, Socceroos assistant mo Luongo and of a full 90 minutes appeared bit of rhythm. No one’s out of tle Jets stopper kind of think the chance of coach insists, put in strong showings to to be justified. the picture, that’s a discussion likely to miss out in favour of playing for them had gone.” as he played down concerns strengthen their claims. Rogic has not played a we’ll have tonight with the Mat Ryan, Mitch Langerak The striker, who has two over the star playmaker’s lack- But the same can’t be said match since April 5 as a groin coaching staff and Ange. and . goals from four England caps, lustre showing yesterday. for the highly rated Rogic. injury limited his game time at “He’s certainly a very spe- With the dearth of options has emerged as an important Two first-half goals from Rogic, 21, played the first Victory. cial player. He’s young, he’s got in defence it’s highly unlikely squad player since scoring and Adam Tag- half but was replaced by James But with his undeniable tal- a lot to learn but he’s one of Postecoglou will cut any of the against Scotland with his first gart got Australia’s Brazil Troisi after a sluggish perform- ent and creative prowess, Vid- those that, in a second, can nine defenders in the squad. touch in a friendly last year. campaign off to a winning start ance that lacked intensity. mar backed the youngster as a turn a game for you.” Young gun striker Taggart He did not feature in En- as the Socceroos beat lowly He emerged from a tackle potential game-changer. Vidmar said right-back Ivan appeared set to be cut. gland’s 3-0 warm-up win over Brazilian division two side Par- in the 10th minute walking “He hasn’t played in quite a Franjic was progressing well Switzerland-based Bozanic Peru at Wembley last Friday ana Clube 2-0 in a warm-up slightly gingerly for a moment, while so you’ve got to remem- from his knee injury while appears assured of a spot after and faces competition from clash yesterday. which may have affected him. ber most of these guys haven’t Kennedy, whose back injury looking strong in the midfield new teammate Daniel Stur- Coach But his head could be on the played for quite a while and flared up at the end of training while displaying his versatility ridge, plus Manchester Unit- was set to trim four players chopping block as fears about they’ve had a pretty heavy load on Sunday, wasn’t in doubt. when switching with Matt ed’s Wayne Rooney and from the group and name his his lack of game time and over the last three weeks,” Perhaps the most clear-cut McKay and playing capably at Danny Welbeck, for a starting final 23-man squad overnight. whether his all-too-fragile Vidmar said. decision for Postecoglou is on left-back in the second half. place in Brazil. Origin back-up is not fair: Bellamy NRL criticised for drug revelations IF the NRL is serious about The former NSW coach diction. They want the players SANDOR Earl’s lawyer has player is facing charges of traf- rations yesterday, Unsworth player welfare, it will introduce accused the league of failing its to back-up for club games.” accused the NRL of reacting to ficking a number of prohibited said it was the first time any a stand-alone State of Origin duty of care. Smith added his voice to the publicity and breaching substances of varying quanti- mention had been made of the series, according to Melbourne “I've been saying for a few growing push for stand-alone ASADA’s national anti-doping ties in 2012 and 2013 during his tribunal sitting to hear the coach Craig Bellamy. years that Origin should be Origin games, but the issue is policies by announcing that spell playing for . Earl’s case since he was issued The Storm mentor’s NRL alone,” Bellamy said yesterday. not even up for debate at the former Penrith and Can- The substances include the with an infraction notice 10 club was thrust into an injury “Watching that on Wednes- league headquarters. NRL berra winger faces multiple growth hormones, testoster- months ago. “There is a pro- crisis following Billy Slater and day night, I don’t think I’ve chief executive Dave Smith drug-trafficking charges. one and an anabolic agent. cess for dealing with these alle- Cooper Cronk’s setbacks in ever seen a game of rugby said changes to the Origin Chief operating officer Jim Lawyer Tim Unsworth told gations that is established by Origin I. Bellamy was more league that physical. I can’t im- schedule would not happen Doyle said yesterday he was the ABC’s 7.30 on Monday that law. It seems the NRL is not in- worried about the many NRL agine it getting any easier. under his watch. hopeful the NRL’s anti-doping ASADA had placed his client teresting in observing the law,’’ players who did back-up after They (NRL) keep talking about Bellamy said he had yet to tribunal would convene to on its register of findings but Unsworth said. last Wednesday’s classic how much concern they’ve got settle on a halves combination hear Earl’s case “as soon as omitted a previous allegation Doyle said he was satisfied Origin encounter, including for players’ welfare and safety. for Sunday’s home clash with possible”. of trafficking peptides in 2011. the NRL had followed all the Storm skipper Cameron Smith. That to me is a bit of a contra- the Roosters. Doyle revealed the former But following Doyle’s decla- right protocols.

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