It was an unfortunate event but it was not De Jong's intention.
The midfielder has been axed by coach Bert van Marwijk for the forthcoming Euro 2012 Group E qualifiers against Moldova and Sweden. Van Marwijk's decision comes after De Jong's tackle on Ben Arfa in City's 2-1 win at Eastlands on Sunday left the Newcastle player with a broken tibia and fibula in his left leg. In a statement of the Dutch FA's official website, van Marwijk said on Monday: "I just informed the squad and told them I saw no other possibility.In the near future I will discuss this matter with Nigel (de Jong) but right now we have to focus on the upcoming two matches." The player was not even booked for that foul.
Fabio Capello will no doubt have a few sleepless nights between now and June as he decides who his number one should be for England's first game at the World Cup against the USA. What do you think? Vote now.
Alex Ferguson has announced that he will be trimming the fat of the United team in order to stay competitive. In recent weeks he has renewed several players contracts and a new addition to this list is Northern Ireland defender Johnny Evans. Who is on the way out? We all have ideas but can you predict what Fergie is thinking?
Birmingham City have announced the signing of goalkeeper Ben Foster after he was allowed to leave Manchester United having failed to secure a regular place at Old Trafford.
