Football: Di Canio left with red face

Saturday 24 January 1998 20:02 EST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

THE Sheffield Wednesday manager, Ron Atkinson, is threatening to drop his side's top scorer, Paolo di Canio, for tomorrow's FA Cup fourth- round encounter with Blackburn.

The striker's head is on the block after his sending-off in the third round against Watford and his poor performance in the 2-1 victory at Leeds last Saturday. Atkinson has a ready-made replacement in Di Canio's compatriot Benito Carbone, who returns after serving a two-match suspension.

"I am happy that we have the added dimension of Beni being back in the frame," Atkinson said. "Circumstances dictate who will play because after Monday night Di Canio is not available due to what I can only describe as his misdemeanour in the match against Watford."

Philippe Albert has pleaded with the Newcastle manager, Kenny Dalglish, to play him against Stevenage this afternoon. However, the Belgian centre-back accepts it will be tough to get back into the side after Newcastle's defence put in a battling display in the 1-0 defeat by Liverpool last Tuesday.

Two players sure to return against the Conference side are the England midfielder David Batty,who has completed a four-match suspension, and Alan Shearer, who will start his first match of the season.

The Manchester City striker Uwe Rosler will lead the attack against West Ham in this afternoon's FA Cup tie at Maine Road. The German is back to full fitness after months of injury problems and has hit three goals in his last six matches.

The West Ham manager, Harry Redknapp, has admitted that he has had a problem this week working out how to stop City's playmaker, Georgi Kinkladze. His eventual decision was to hand the responsibility to the man who knows the little Georgian best, the Maine Road old boy Steve Lomas. He returns in place of John Moncur, who begins a two-match ban. West Ham will be without Paul Kitson and Andy Impey.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in