McPhail dealt cancer blow
Sunday November 22 2009
Cardiff have confirmed that midfielder Stephen McPhail is suffering from cancer.
The 29-year-old Republic of Ireland international has been diagnosed with stage one malt lymphoma.
McPhail, who joined Cardiff three years ago, is aiming to return to football by January 2010.
"Stephen McPhail has been diagnosed with a stage one malt lymphoma, previously known as a pseudo lymphoma," the announcement on the Welsh club's web page said yesterday.
"Treatment is expected to last for three weeks with a return to football by January 2010.
"The club requests that the privacy of Stephen, his wife, and young family be respected during his recovery."
Malt lymphoma is a relatively rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, according to cancer charity Macmillan.
It is most common in the stomach but may also occur in the lung, the thyroid, salivary gland and other organs such as the intestine.
Allardyce to go under knife
Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce will miss today's trip to his former club Bolton after it was revealed he would undergo an operation.
The 55-year-old has complained of brief episodes of chest pains in recent weeks and tests have revealed he requires an angioplasty -- a procedure that involves inserting a stent to widen a narrowed coronary artery.
Allardyce will therefore miss Rovers' next three matches as he recovers from the operation with assistant manager Neil McDonald to take charge for the following games against Fulham in midweek and Stoke at Ewood Park next weekend.
"Sam is very disappointed, particularly at missing the Bolton fixture, but his well being is of prime consideration," Blackburn chairman John Williams said.
Mowbray looks for Scots tonic
Tony Mowbray believes Celtic's beleaguered Scotland internationals must pick themselves up for the Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash with Dundee United at Tannadice today.
Defenders Stephen McManus, Gary Caldwell and Danny Fox were handed their fair share of the blame for the 3-0 friendly defeat by Wales in Cardiff last Saturday which preceded the sacking of George Burley.
The Celtic boss, however, insists his men have to get their focus back on maintaining their place at the top of the SPL.
"Footballers have to lift themselves after any disappointment," said Mowbray. "We now have a couple of Europa League games and the league games are coming thick and fast, so let's get stuck into it."
Boyd shines in stroll for Gers
Kris Boyd claimed his eighth goal of the season as Rangers returned to the summit of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League with a 3-0 win over Kilmarnock, and further strengthened his case for a Scotland recall.
The striker, who could see his international career resurrected by the new manager after walking out on George Burley over a year ago, set the ball rolling with his 14th goal in as many games against his former club, before Kenny Miller doubled the advantage for the Scottish champions. Steven Whittaker then put the seal on the win with Rangers' third of the day to pile the pressure on Celtic ahead of their visit to Dundee United today.
Baggies storm back to summit
West Brom surged back to the top of the Championship table with an emphatic victory over a Bristol City side who were seven games unbeaten going into the clash.
Goals from Jerome Thomas and Chris Brunt put Albion firmly in the driving seat with just 12 minutes on the clock, although City remained in contention at the interval having enjoyed their own share of openings and possession.
But the game was over as a contest within three minutes of the restart as Albion swept into a 4-0 lead courtesy of Louis Carey's own goal and Simon Cox's second league strike of the season.
City deservedly pulled one back late on through Paul Hartley's superb free-kick but it was nothing more than a consolation.
West Brom now top the table, at least until tomorrow night, when Newcastle travel to Preston North End.
Sunday Independent
