The Sports Matrix: Wednesday 24 August 2011

Liverpool follow in Jacko’s footsteps

Liverpool travel this evening to Exeter City, a club associated with Michael Jackson and Uri Geller rather than football success. “We got lucky with the draw and it is a big day for the club,” said Exeter manager Paul Tisdale. “I just hope the players play their best.” MORE

Haskell adds to England injury woe

James Haskell has emerged as a doubt for England’s latest World Cup warm-up match, against Ireland this weekend – leaving his chances of making next month’s tournament in jeopardy. The flanker, 26, will have a scan on a foot injury. MORE

Premier League’s new boys all go out

All three sides promoted to the Premier League were knocked out last night after making wholesale changes to their line-ups. Norwich City were thrashed 4-0 at home by MK Dons, QPR lost 2-0 to Rochdale and Swansea City fell 3-1 to Shrewsbury. MORE

All Black pair top list of Cup absentees

New Zealand duo Hosea Gear and Sitiveni Sivivatu have joined the list of high-profile players who will miss next month’s World Cup after being left out of Graham Henry’s squad. “The team has been selected on current form,” the New Zealand coach said. MORE

Wenger protégé Garde’s stock rises

The chances of Rémi Garde, Arsène Wenger’s first signing at Highbury, taking over from the Frenchman are increasing as he continues his good work in charge at Lyons. “I think most of us saw him as a virtual player-coach,” said a former team-mate. MORE

Coe: GB athletes have new belief

Sebastian Coe thinks the British athletes who will compete in the Olympics are no longer burdened by the fears that afflicted them at previous World Championships. “You now look at the body language out there and it’s so different,” he said yesterday. MORE

Opinion: James Lawton

On Monday Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed his ability to constantly re-seed a winning team, not for the future but for today. United’s victory held up a mirror to Arsène Wenger’s plight, as Arsenal side regresses by the day. MORE

Arsenal face battle for Europe without Nasri and Wilshere

Arsenal go into tonight’s decisive Champions League play-off at Udinese without two key midfielders. Jack Wilshere has suffered a setback in his recovery from an ankle injury and will miss the next few weeks with an ankle injury, while the saga of Samir Nasri has finally ended with him heading to Manchester City. Wilshere broke down in training on Monday with an injury the club fear could develop into a stress fracture. He also misses Sunday’s match at Manchester United and then both England games in September. After weeks of talks, Arsenal agreed a deal with Manchester City for Samir Nasri, and the French midfielder went to Manchester for a medical. Arsenal, who lead 1-0 from the first leg, will also be without Laurent Koscielny, Abou Diaby and Kieran Gibbs. “It’s not critical,” said Wenger. “It’s for us an opportunity to qualify for the group stage of the Champions League, so it’s a good opportunity.” MORE

Lukaku joy at living the Chelsea dream

New Chelsea signing Romelu Lukaku grew up sleeping in a Didier Drogba shirt, with posters of the Ivorian striker and Nicolas Anelka on his wall. He describes his move to the club he supported as “the best thing that can happen for a youngster”. MORE

Broad: Notts spell key to Test success

Stuart Broad has put his good Test form down to a match for his county. “To go away and play for Notts and get a five-for pitching the ball up a week before the Test gave me a lot of confidence,” he said. “That was how I wanted to bowl in this series.” MORE

Durham face tough Trent Bridge chase

Durham require another 301 runs to win their County Championship match at Nottinghamshire, with nine wickets remaining. The second-placed side are 20 for 1 chasing 321 with two days left at Trent Bridge. MORE