http://www.birminghampost.net/midlands-birmingham-sport/national-sport/ Visit our national sport section for the latest on England team news. Reports on progress in European and international competitions and more. en-gb Birmingham Post http://www.birminghampost.net/midlands-birmingham-sport/national-sport/2008/08/29/lampard-backs-robinho-to-shine-65233-21632313/ Fri, 29 Aug 2008 07:15:14 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/midlands-birmingham-sport/national-sport/2008/08/29/lampard-backs-robinho-to-shine-65233-21632313/ Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard believes Robinho's talent will "light up the league" when the Brazil forward signs from Real Madrid. http://www.birminghampost.net/midlands-birmingham-sport/national-sport/2008/08/29/pompey-in-for-motta-65233-21632265/ Fri, 29 Aug 2008 07:15:13 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/midlands-birmingham-sport/national-sport/2008/08/29/pompey-in-for-motta-65233-21632265/ Portsmouth have made a bid to sign Brazil's former Barcelona midfielder Thiago Motta. http://www.birminghampost.net/midlands-birmingham-sport/national-sport/2008/08/29/mourinho-reveals-chelsea-regret-65233-21632172/ Fri, 29 Aug 2008 06:45:13 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/midlands-birmingham-sport/national-sport/2008/08/29/mourinho-reveals-chelsea-regret-65233-21632172/ Jose Mourinho has revealed he turned down an opportunity to leave Chelsea after their FA Cup final victory over Manchester United last year and admits he regrets deciding not to accept the offer after his relationship with the London club broke down just a few months later. http://www.birminghampost.net/midlands-birmingham-sport/national-sport/2008/08/29/ivanovic-crashes-out-of-us-open-65233-21632078/ Fri, 29 Aug 2008 06:15:14 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/midlands-birmingham-sport/national-sport/2008/08/29/ivanovic-crashes-out-of-us-open-65233-21632078/ Top seed Ana Ivanovic was stunned at the US Open on Thursday as she was defeated 6-3 4-6 6-3 by Julie Coin in the second round. http://www.birminghampost.net/midlands-birmingham-sport/national-sport/2008/08/29/nadal-advances-at-us-open-65233-21631951/ Fri, 29 Aug 2008 05:15:14 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/midlands-birmingham-sport/national-sport/2008/08/29/nadal-advances-at-us-open-65233-21631951/ World number one Rafael Nadal ousted American Ryler De Heart 6-1 6-2 6-4 in the second round at the US Open . http://www.birminghampost.net/midlands-birmingham-sport/national-sport/2008/08/29/ivanovic-out-of-us-open-65233-21630347/ Thu, 28 Aug 2008 23:15:14 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/midlands-birmingham-sport/national-sport/2008/08/29/ivanovic-out-of-us-open-65233-21630347/ Ana Ivanovic was stunned at the US Open on Thursday when the top seed was defeated 6-3 4-6 6-3 in the second round. http://www.birminghampost.net/midlands-birmingham-sport/national-sport/2008/08/28/blake-moves-into-third-round-65233-21630162/ Thu, 28 Aug 2008 21:45:15 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/midlands-birmingham-sport/national-sport/2008/08/28/blake-moves-into-third-round-65233-21630162/ James Blake advanced to the third round of the US Open on Thursday when Belgian Steve Darcis retired in the third set with the American leading 4-6 6-3 1-0. http://www.birminghampost.net/midlands-birmingham-sport/national-sport/2008/08/28/villa-ease-through-65233-21630053/ Thu, 28 Aug 2008 21:15:16 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/midlands-birmingham-sport/national-sport/2008/08/28/villa-ease-through-65233-21630053/ Aston Villa are through to the first round proper of the UEFA Cup for the first time in seven years despite being held 1-1 by the Icelandic part-timers FH Hafnarfjordur in a low-key second leg at Villa Park. http://www.birminghampost.net/midlands-birmingham-sport/national-sport/2008/08/28/murray-edges-through-65233-21629959/ Thu, 28 Aug 2008 20:45:18 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/midlands-birmingham-sport/national-sport/2008/08/28/murray-edges-through-65233-21629959/ British number one Andy Murray booked a place in the US Open third round in New York tonight when he overcame Michael Llodra of France in four sets. http://www.birminghampost.net/midlands-birmingham-sport/national-sport/2008/08/28/castillo-signs-for-everton-65233-21629757/ Thu, 28 Aug 2008 19:45:15 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/midlands-birmingham-sport/national-sport/2008/08/28/castillo-signs-for-everton-65233-21629757/ Everton have completed the signing of Ecuadorian midfielder Segundo Castillo on a season-long loan from Red Star Belgrade. http://www.birminghampost.net/midlands-birmingham-sport/national-sport/2008/08/28/chelsea-and-united-stars-get-top-gongs-65233-21629413/ Thu, 28 Aug 2008 18:45:34 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/midlands-birmingham-sport/national-sport/2008/08/28/chelsea-and-united-stars-get-top-gongs-65233-21629413/ Last year's Champions League finalists Chelsea and Manchester United swept the board at the European Club Footballer awards on Thursday. http://www.birminghampost.net/midlands-birmingham-sport/national-sport/2008/08/28/ferguson-less-optimistic-over-deals-65233-21629365/ Thu, 28 Aug 2008 18:45:33 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/midlands-birmingham-sport/national-sport/2008/08/28/ferguson-less-optimistic-over-deals-65233-21629365/ Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has described himself as "less optimistic" about new signings at Old Trafford as the clock continues to tick on Dimitar Berbatov's move from Tottenham. http://www.birminghampost.net/midlands-birmingham-sport/national-sport/2008/08/28/city-do-it-the-hard-way-65233-21629242/ Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:45:14 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/midlands-birmingham-sport/national-sport/2008/08/28/city-do-it-the-hard-way-65233-21629242/ Manchester City had goalkeeper Joe Hart to thank as they progressed to the UEFA Cup proper with a penalty shoot-out victory over FC Midtjylland. http://www.birminghampost.net/midlands-birmingham-sport/national-sport/2008/08/28/blackburn-sign-andrews-65233-21628962/ Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:15:14 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/midlands-birmingham-sport/national-sport/2008/08/28/blackburn-sign-andrews-65233-21628962/ Blackburn have completed the signing of MK Dons midfielder Keith Andrews on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee. http://www.birminghampost.net/midlands-birmingham-sport/national-sport/2008/08/28/battle-of-britain-looms-after-draw-65233-21628914/ Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:15:13 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/midlands-birmingham-sport/national-sport/2008/08/28/battle-of-britain-looms-after-draw-65233-21628914/ Holders Manchester United will face Celtic in the Champions League group stages along with Spanish side Villarreal and Danish club Aalborg in Group E. http://www.birminghampost.net/midlands-birmingham-sport/national-sport/2008/08/28/de-guzman-move-unlikely-agent-65233-21628512/ Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:15:15 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/midlands-birmingham-sport/national-sport/2008/08/28/de-guzman-move-unlikely-agent-65233-21628512/ Arsenal target Jonathan de Guzman is unlikely to leave Feyenoord this summer, according to his agent. http://www.birminghampost.net/midlands-birmingham-sport/national-sport/2008/08/28/everton-close-in-on-ecuadorian-65233-21628414/ Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:15:14 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/midlands-birmingham-sport/national-sport/2008/08/28/everton-close-in-on-ecuadorian-65233-21628414/ Ecuador midfielder Segundo Castillo is on Merseyside undergoing a medical ahead of his move to Everton. http://www.birminghampost.net/midlands-birmingham-sport/national-sport/2008/08/28/andrews-poised-for-rovers-move-65233-21628464/ Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:15:14 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/midlands-birmingham-sport/national-sport/2008/08/28/andrews-poised-for-rovers-move-65233-21628464/ MK Dons manager Roberto Di Matteo has confirmed the League One club have agreed a fee with Blackburn for midfielder Keith Andrews. http://www.birminghampost.net/midlands-birmingham-sport/national-sport/2008/08/28/davies-staying-put-65233-21627939/ Thu, 28 Aug 2008 15:15:14 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/midlands-birmingham-sport/national-sport/2008/08/28/davies-staying-put-65233-21627939/ Bolton have confirmed striker Kevin Davies has signed a new three-year contract, which will keep him at the club until the summer of 2011. http://www.birminghampost.net/midlands-birmingham-sport/national-sport/2008/08/28/wright-phillips-back-at-city-65233-21627086/ Thu, 28 Aug 2008 13:45:13 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/midlands-birmingham-sport/national-sport/2008/08/28/wright-phillips-back-at-city-65233-21627086/ Manchester City have completed the signing of Chelsea winger Shaun Wright-Phillips, for an undisclosed fee.