Cahill ready for England battle

Chelsea defender boosted by Champions League success

England defender Gary Cahill believes he has answered any lingering doubts about his ability to play at the highest level.

The centre-back, 26, has seen his push for a regular place in the national side increased by his move to Champions League winnersChelsea in January.

He produced a series of assured displays during the Blues' shock triumph in Europe's elite competition and put himself in pole position to start Euro 2012 alongside John Terry in the heart of England's defence.

But the ex-Bolton player was ruled out of the tournament after breaking his jaw in the Three Lions' final warm-up against Belgium.

Hungry

Now he is hoping to start England's first competitive match since Euro 2012 when Roy Hodgson's men open their World Cup qualifying campaign in Moldova on Friday.

"I think the Champions League success with Chelsea, the wins overBarcelona and Bayern Munich, have helped me, have progressed me and given me the experience of playing in those games," he said.

"Before that, there was always that question mark above my head because of where I'd come from and I'd not played in those sort of games.

"People were saying 'can he play in those situations, in those sort of games?'

"It has made me more hungry to be part of those games, but experience wise, coming to England, which is top of the tree, it will help me going forward."

During Cahill's Euro 2012 absence, Manchester City's Joleon Lescott impressed alongside Terry in England's defence, while Everton's Phil Jagielka, another centre-back contender, scored in last month's friendly win against Italy.

Fight

But Cahill also started against the Italians and is aiming to retain the shirt for the Moldova clash.

"Now I'm back fit but there is real competition and I think myself not making the Euros has made it harder," he said.

"I thought the lads did well in the Euros so for me not being able to stamp authority in that tournament has made it another fight for me to get back involved and get the starting place.

"There is great competition and the lads who are picked want to keep hold of the shirt.

"It is going to be tough but it is a fight I've had since I've joined because we're blessed with some good players in England."

Lukaku - I'm not Drogba

Belgium striker ready to make his own name at West Brom

West Brom's on-loan striker Romelu Lukaku has vowed to make a name for himself at The Hawthorns - after growing tired of comparisons with former Chelsea team-mate Didier Drogba.

The Belgian, 19, was dubbed the "new Drogba" when he joined theBlues last summer, because of his similar playing style and physical presence to the Ivorian.

But he found his path to Chelsea's starting XI blocked by Drogba and managed just one Premier League start following his £18million move from Anderlecht.

Despite the Blues legend leaving Stamford Bridge for a new career in China, Lukaku also opted to move away from west London this summer in his quest for regular first team football.

Now, he is desperate to step out of Drogba's shadow during his season-long loan spell at West Brom.

Personality

"Didier and I have a similar playing style, but I don't think he would have wanted to be compared to someone when he was young," said Lukaku, who is hoping to recover from an ankle injury ahead of Belgium's World Cup qualifier against Wales on Friday.

"Every player wants to be their own person, their own personality. I don't want to be the new anyone.

"At first it was OK - but now I'm bored of it. It isn't necessary and I don't like it now.

"I have my father's surname, I am Romelu Lukaku - I'm not anybody else. This is my own name and the name I want people to remember."

Russell to step in for Rhodes

Dundee United man aims to replace Blackburn star

Johnny Russell is well aware he has big boots to fill as he aims to fire Scotland Under-21s to qualification for the UEFA European Championships.

The Dundee United forward is aiming to cope with the pressure placed on himself in the absence of Jordan Rhodes and rise to the challenge.

Rhodes - who sealed a move from Huddersfield to Blackburn last month - has been promoted to the senior squad for their World Cup qualifiers against Serbia and Macedonia after scoring eight goals for the young Scots last season.

Rhodes was also on target 40 times for Huddersfield and netted on his full international debut against Australia last month but Russell is ready to take over from the star striker as the under-21s' campaign reaches its climax.

He said: "There is a lot of expectation, especially dealing with the loss of somebody like Jordan.

"There are a lot of goals that need to be made up for. Hopefully myself and the rest of the boys can live up to that and hopefully show that we don't miss him too much."

Billy Stark's side host Luxembourg tomorrow night, before travelling to Austria for their final qualifier on Monday. The last meeting with Luxembourg resulted in a comprehensive 5-1 victory for the Scots last October.

Russell said: "We went into that game expecting to win and being expected to win but you need to guard against complacency in games like this.

"If we just do the things that we do right, then we will definitely get a result."

Richardson vows to come good

New Fulham signings eyes improvement

Kieran Richardson insists better things are to come for him at Fulham, after admitting he disappointed on his debut.

Richardson had a game to forget after being thrown in at the deep end in

Saturday's defeat at West Ham and was hauled off after an hour.

That was 24 hours after the midfielder's reported £2million deadline-day switch from Sunderland and he told his new club's official website that he was not happy with his debut.

"I was upset with the way the game went. I didn't feel sharp at all, I felt sluggish," he said.

"I hadn't really trained with the team so I didn't know the way they played that well but I've got a break now before the next game and I'll get my fitness up and understand more on how the team play."

Back home

Richardson, who was born in Greenwich and was on West Ham's books before joining Manchester United, was delighted to be back in London.

He said: "I'm so pleased. Me and my family are so chuffed to be here," he said.

"I first heard that Fulham were interested in me towards the end of last season, so I've always had it in the back of my mind that I could be coming here.

"Finally, it did happen for me and I want to thank the manager and the chairman. I want to do well for the club and for the fans.

"I've spoken to the manager and we've had a good chat. I'm hoping he'll get the best out of me.

"Saturday was a bad performance but I've put that behind me and I'll be working hard on the training field to prepare for West Bromwich Albion."

Richardson spent five years at Sunderland and does not regret his time in the North East.

"I enjoyed it at Sunderland," he said. "I had a really good relationship with the fans.

"But I'd been there for five years and I felt like I needed a change. My family wanted to come back south as well."

The 27-year-old was relishing linking up with another deadline-day signing, and another ex-United player in Dimitar Berbatov.

"He's got a great touch and he just seems to float around the pitch," Richardson said.

"He holds the ball up well and, as midfielders, it's our job to support him.

"Hopefully, he'll score a lot of goals for Fulham."

Malaga deny sale claims

Qataris insist they are not selling up

The Qatari owners of Primera Division side Malaga have denied the club is for sale after making several new appointments to the non-playing management team.

Having sold Santi Cazorla and Jose Rondon there were reports that owner Sheikh Abdullah Bin Nasser Al-Thani was ready to sell a club he bought for 120million euros in 2011.

But with the team third in the table and set to open their Champions League campaign against Zenit St Petersburg on September 18, Sheikh Al-Thani and vice-president Abdullah Ghubn are keen to hang on to their investment.

Executive vice-president Moayat Shatat told a press conference: "We've invested a lot into this project and have no intention of leaving.

"We love this club, and both Sheikh Al-Thani and Abdullah Ghubn are in full support, and very excited about this season. The club is not for sale.

"The important thing is to find a balance with regards to investment, and do what's best for the club.

"We've never said that we'd stop investing. We will continue to invest, but in the best way for the club.

"We're looking into a new strategy, and have now created a new organisational structure so we can have more control over the club."

The new appointments include Vicente Casado as general manager and Mario Armando Husillos as first team sports manager.

Ince - Dad's my mentor

Blackpool youngster planning to follow father Paul's footsteps

Blackpool winger Thomas Ince admits father Paul is his biggest mentor - and harshest critic - as he looks to make his England Under-21 debut on Thursday night.

Ince, 20, hopes to feature for Stuart Pearce's men in their crunch European Championship qualifier in Azerbaijan.

Group Eight leaders England need victory to edge closer to qualification ahead of Monday's potential decider against Norway.

And Ince has already been given plenty of advice from his dad, who won 53 England caps during an illustrious career, about international football.

"Of course, I couldn't have had a better mentor than my dad," he told FATV.

Guidance

"I have my critics - he'll be the main one. I've had double guidance in everything I've done. He can help me off the pitch.

"I've got [Blackpool manager] Ian Holloway on the pitch and I've also got Stuart Pearce, the gaffer here, who's currently with me now.

"So I've got help from all angles and that can only benefit me in the long run."

Ince, previously capped at Under-17 and Under-19 level, said he was "elated" at his latest international call-up from Pearce.

"I've been through a couple of the youth set-ups with England, but the Under-21s is something special," said the ex-Liverpool youngster.

"It's one step away from the first team, so to get that call was fantastic."

Internacional won't budge on their valuation of reported Manchester United target Leandro Damiao

Internacional president Giovanni Luigi insists the club will not let Leandro Damiao leave unless his buyout clause is met amid rumours linking him with a move to Manchester United.

The Brazil international striker was heavily tipped for a switch to Tottenham during the summer transfer window but Internacional have claimed they turned down an offer from the White Hart Lane club because it did not match their valuation.

Luigi has previously revealed the youngster has a €60million (£47million) buyout clause in his deal at Inter, where he is contracted until 2016.

It is also believed Damiao was offered to Liverpool on loan but the deal was considered too expensive by the Merseysiders.

Speculation has now surfaced that United are targeting a January swoop for the 23-year-old, who starred for his country at the Olympics, finishing the tournament as top scorer with six goals.

Luigi says Internacional will stand firm on their valuation if United do come knocking and is adamant the Premier League giants must speak directly to the Brazilian club.

He told Zero Hora: "We aren't talking about a small team. We are talking about Internacional. They (Manchester United) have to talk with Internacional, not with the player.

"If Manchester United came here today, I would ask them to pay his buyout fee. They have to know that Internacional are a big club.

"Now, Leandro Damiao only leaves if the buyout fee is paid."