However, x-rays revealed that the joint had been dislocated rather than fractured and although in most cases this would have been cold comfort for the Denmark goalkeeper, the diagnosis means he once again has a chance of making the World Cup 2010 in South Africa.

The doctor treating Thomas Sorenson was able to manipulate the joint back into place without recourse to surgery and while this might have been painful, it means his recovery time will be much shorter than if he’d had to go under the knife

Denmark fans, and of course the man himself, will no doubt be breathing a sigh of relief. He is regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League and it’s hard to envisage Denmark being able to find an adequate replacement. Betting site odds for the side would have no doubt lengthened had he been ruled out. Of course, no football team is built around one man, but having a top player between the sticks makes a massive difference.

In the group stages especially, one or two great saves can spell the difference between a draw and a win, something that could ultimately influence whether a side qualifies for the knockout stages.

Although Denmark are relative outsiders in the fixed betting odds, with their best players available they could still cause an upset or two.

Of course, Sorensen isn’t out of the woods yet. He has very little time to prove his fitness and with such a tight schedule facing him even a fairly minor setback would ruin his chances of making the tournament.

As good as he is, it would be crazy for Denmark to risk taking a half fit goalkeeper. It would fill up a valuable squad place and at a World Cup no team can afford to carry dead weight.

john terry

John Terry’s latest headline-hogging activity has once again raised questions of the character of the man. His gesture of pointing to the captain’s armband following the relentless abuse from the Stoke City supporters was clearly provoked but far from advisable.

This whole soap opera following the personal problems between the Chelsea skipper and ex-teammate Wayne Bridge has been publicised enough, though what he didn’t seem to realise amidst the obvious joy of his goal celebration, was that it’s only going to make him a bigger target than before.

It’s true that Terry wasn’t exactly in his best form in the weeks either side of his break and the resultant crisis talks with his wife. In reality with the spotlight so firmly on him everything was magnified and vastly exaggerated, particularly when most of the media wanted him to fail, thus perpetuating the paper talk about and against him all the more.

He’s a professional athlete who is clearly one of the most focused and determined Premiership protagonists. Of course his mentality may have been affected a little, but it should never have resulted in the sensationalist and over-accelerated glorification or damnation by the press.

The armband-gesturing goal celebration by Terry was his first real reaction in anger or frustration to this whole scandal. When responding to Craig Bellamy’s comments: “I know what JT is like, everybody in football knows what he is like,” following the Man City defeat, Terry simply responded: “People in glass houses should not throw stones;” a reserved and coy reaction to what could’ve turned into another Gary Neville-Carlos Tevez style war of words (another media mountain out of a mole-hill).

Ray Wilkins, Chelsea’s assistant manager called for an end to the Terry abuse following the Stoke game, saying: “I would like to think the abuse would stop.”

In fact it’s actually a response like Terry’s that will fuel the opposition supporters’ desire to antagonize, because they know they’ll get a reaction out of him. This time it happened to inspire a goal, but it might not go so well for Terry and his Chelsea side in the next crucial few weeks as we enter the business end of things as crucial league, FA Cup and Champions league games approach.

As much as the Chelsea fans will love him all the more for his reaction against Stoke, he needs to try to hold on to the fact he, despite his dismissal as England captain, still has a huge leadership role to play in the England team in the World Cup.

Consequently the exhibitionist, arrogant and provocative reaction to Stoke’s supporters could yet have a negative effect on his career ambitions. If he can curb his future behaviour and keep his dignity in the face of impending adversity, he might just find his future will be much brighter and surely much less turbulent.

It is a powerful start for Tottenham, in direct contrast to this time last year when everything conspired against Juande Ramos who eventually lost his job at Spurs before taking control of Real Madrid for half a season.

One thing the experts all consider when talking about league winning teams is ‘depth of squad’ and Spurs must have the biggest in the league. For three seasons/managers at Spurs have bought about three players for every one they sell so there must be some squad still there.

That doesn’t stop Harry Redknapp from being linked to every player that enters the market, the latest football news says he is after buying Arjen Robben from Madrid. While there is little substance to the story it may be different if Spurs have maintained their form into the January transfer window.

If they are still top come January, Redknapp will be determined to show his skill in the attracting the best players to the club. It will be like me playing fantasy football for Harry, spend every penny available and to hell with the defence.

I wonder what the football betting odds are on Spurs to win the league, I wouldn’t bet against it, but it really is early days and lets face it anything can happen. I do expect a closer group of teams in the top six or eight this season, from the limited action I have seen most teams have shown improvement on last season.

However and not withstanding Arsenal’s fine result on Saturday, I am predicting that we will see the top four become six, and Liverpool will lead the pack. I do expect both Spurs and Manchester City to make a big impact this season and look forward to the fight with Arsenal to secure the fourth place.

At the other end newcomers Wolves, Birmingham and Burnley all have a win under their belt’s and what an incredible result it was for Burnley to beat the champions Manchester United.

Right now they are all pretty much unknown quantities and maybe capable of the odd surprise, but how regular will that become? I expect all three to be involved in the traditional end of season relegation battle  along with Stoke, Bolton and Hull, with the latter trio going down.

The 27 year old has been in talks with Stoke for some time and has finally agreed to the move by signing a four year deal with the club. He will be surrounded by some of his ex Sunderland team mates Lliam Lawerence, Rory Delap and Danny Higginbotham as well as keeper Thomas Sorenson.

Stoke boss Tony Pulis said of his latest acquisition;

“Dean is a fantastic player and a great acquisition for this football club, He is someone I and my backroom staff have admired for a long time and to have managed to have brought him here signals our intent for the upcoming season. Dean is a box-to-box midfielder who has a great engine and he is a player I am looking forward to working with.”

He also spoke of Whitehead’s leadership qualities having captained Sunderland for the last few years.

Manchester United have signed Gabriel Obertan from Bordeaux, the 20 year old French winger has been on United’s radar for a few years now according to boss Sir Alex Ferguson, adding,  “But because of his educational programme our efforts to get him have been delayed. We are delighted to get him now as he is an exciting prospect.”

Linvoy Primus has signed a one year extension to his contract with Portsmouth. The veteran defender was out with a knee injury for two years before coming back at the end of last season. He has agreed to take on an ambassadorial and advisory role with Pompey as well as playing.

Stoke City have tied up a 12 month contract for Salif Diao who was previously out of contract with the club, the 32 year old played in 21 games last season and struggled with injury. Stoke have also extended the contract of their longest serving player, Andy Wilkinson. The 24 year old is now contracted until 2012.

Manchester United face a tough proposition way at Fulham, in a rematch of the FA Cup game a few weeks back. It will certainly take a lot of character for the Red Devils and Sir Alex Ferguson to bounce back from their 4-1 trouncing at home last weekend if they are to be victorious at Craven Cottage.

The other fixture which stands out his week is that of Stoke Vs Middlesbrough. With both teams struggling in the relegation zone this is very much a six-pointer for both clubs, which could well prove vital come May. Stoke will be relying on their strong home form to see them take all three points.

However, the pick of the bunch must surely be Liverpool Vs. Aston Villa on Sunday. This fixture presents us with two clubs striving for a huge end-of-season push. Liverpool will be buzzing on the back of two fantastic results against Man U and Real Madrid in the past 10 days, whereas Martin O’Neill will be looking to turn around the Villans fortunes and snatch the fourth champions’ league spot back from Arsenal with a good result at Anfield.

Here is a full list of the weekend’s clashes:

Saturday 21 March

Blackburn v West Ham, 15:00
Fulham v Man Utd, 15:00
Newcastle v Arsenal, 17:30
Portsmouth v Everton, 12:45
Stoke v Middlesbrough, 15:00
Tottenham v Chelsea, 15:00
West Brom v Bolton, 15:00

Sunday 22 March

Liverpool v Aston Villa, 16:00
Man City v Sunderland, 15:00
Wigan v Hull, 13:30

Hyppia was the subject of an enquiry from premier newcomers Stoke during the summer, a move that was turned down by Liverpool. Hyppia says the club didn’t want him to move and so was all the more surprised to be left out of the CL squad.

“They didn’t want me to move elsewhere, so that’s why I was told the news of having been left out, just after the transfer window had closed.” said Hyppia, with more than a tinge of regret.

New rules from UEFA are to blame says Rafael Benitez, as managers must include four players who must be produced  from the clubs own academy, plus four more from another English academy.

The 34 year old defender is hopeful that he is still part of Liverpool’s plans and says he is not sure whether or not he would have moved from Anfield if he was aware of the CL situation.

Robbie Keane has become the latest Liverpool player to have his home broken into while away playing football. Keane had items of jewellery stolen from his penthouse flat in Liverpool centre while he was on international duty for the Republic of Ireland this week.

For me, the three teams that came up from the Coca-Cola Championship, Hull City, Stoke City and West Brom, are favourites to go straight back down and be relegated come next May, with Bolton being ‘in the mix’ for the whole season.

I feel confident that Chelsea will win the Premier League due to the pain of being runners up in three competitions last season. Manchester United swill be second, with Liverpool being third.

I think Arsenal and Tottenham will battle it out for fourth place; and that will depend on whether Berbatov stays at White Hart Lane or, if he goes to Manchester United as everyone now believes will definitely happen, who they buy to replace him.

If David Villa doesn’t want to come to the White Hart Lane then maybe they can coax Steve Archibald out of retirement!