Gabby is flabby no more
Cats face lean time
GABBY AGBONLAHOR has shed a stone in weight to prove he is fit enough to play for Aston Villa.
The former England international has been on a gut-busting exercise plan to reduce the flab in the hope of saving boss Steve Bruce a swoop in the January transfer market.
Agbonlahor, 30, has been given a new lease of life since Bruce replaced Roberto di Matteo last month.
And he is clearly following the Geordie’s example – Villa’s boss lost over two stone during the summer after going on a health kick.
Agbonlahor started Friday’s 1-1 draw at Brighton. He was subbed after 55 minutes, but Bruce has suggested that a fit and firing Agbonlahor will be a key asset to Villa.
The striker had gone from fans’ favourite to outcast after the fall-out from the club’s relegation last term.
But after being recalled to Villa’s line-up ahead of the derby against Birmingham last month, Agbonlahor is back fighting for fresh opportunities to stake a claim. DAVID MOYES is being told he’ll have to wheel-and-deal to drag Sunderland clear of danger.
The Black Cats chief can use whatever money he generates in the market – but otherwise is not being heavily bankrolled.
It had been thought that owner Ellis Short would be prepared to cut the Scot some slack in January.
But with Sunderland up for sale, and redundancies already having been made at the Stadium of Light, the American businessman is not prepared to throw cash at the problem to make it go away. MICHAEL KEANE mixed a lump of Rio Ferdinand, a pinch of Nemanja Vidic and a dash of Sean Dyche into his game to turn himself into an England defender.
The young Burnley star is yet to make his Three Lions debut, but, after being part of Gareth Southgate’s l ast two squads, he reckons he is already feeling right at home in the group.
Keane, who grew up at Manchester United, said: “When I was younger, I always looked up to Rio and Vidic.
“Rio was al ways obviously more of a ballplayer, which is what I wanted to be like. I’m still in contact with him now,
I speak to him quite often, but the last time he gave me a bit of advice was when I first got into the England squad.
“I was speaking to him every day, he was just telling me what to expect and how to act.
“It’s great to have someone of his experience just a phone call away, so I will use him all I can.
“Sean has been brilliant as well – always talkingalking to me and telling me little things I can do to improve.
“I’ve always been able to play on t he ball. Growing up att United, I was always ys a good defender.
“But over the last year or two, he has helped my defending come on, my body position in the air, my heading, just being m more aggressive as well. Every now and again h he has me in the of office on my own and he’s showing me little clips of things to improve on. He’s been great for me.” Keane’s form under Dyche (above) led to a bid from Leicester in the SALOMON RONDON says it’s snow joke playing in Russia – but claims it is warmer there than at West Brom.
The 27-year-old Venezuela striker has sampled life in the Russian Premier League with Rubin Kazan and Zenit St Petersburg.
But ask him for his opinions on life in the Premier League and the Black Country and he is adamant that it is milder in Russia than in the Midlands. summer and Chelsea are now interested in signing him. So, it was no great surprise to see Southgate, with whom he worked in the Under-21s, select him for the senior squad.
Despair
Keane, whose Burnley side travel to West Brom tomorrow, added: “It feels like a natural progression. Rondon said: “It’s my opinion – but it’s colder in West Bromwich than Russia. When it snows over there, it’s cold. But it’s not so wet –and I like the snow.
“Here, I like the quality of life and the calmness. People respect you – if you are in a restaurant, people will wait until you have finished before taking a picture.
“In other countries, you can be eating and they ask you to smile Coming up to the Premier League, I knew if I kept playing well I’d have a chance to get in the fold for the England squad and that has been the case.
“I just need to keep playing well for Burnley.
“The whole team has been doing well and, if we keep on the right path, hopefully, I will be in the while they take one.” Rondon (right) arrived in the Midlands in the summer as a record £12million signing, having worked under Andre Villas-Boas at Zenit – where records show that it is up to 10C colder than The Hawthorns.
Rondon also counts former Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini as one of his ex-managers, playing for him at Malaga.
But it is another former Premier League old boy – Ruud van Nistelrooy next squad as well well.” ” While there has been delight for Keane and his family after another England call-up, there has also been despair for twin brother, Will, the Hull striker who suffered a season-ending knee ligament injury a fortnight ago.
Michael said: “It has been a bit of a strange time time. My family is really disappointed and giving him the support he needs.
“But, at the same time, I was with England and they were willing me to be on the pitch.
“Will was the first person to text me and wish me well when I was in the squad – and I know he will bounce back.” – who has had as big an effect upon him as any. Rondon said: “I saw a lot of Ruud at Malaga. He taught me a lot about movement and finishing. Pellegrini was also important to my career.”
Baggies boss Tony Pulis has no doubt the South American will soon be making his mark.
Pulis said: “He’s more relaxed now, he feels much more part of the set-up – and he’s a really good player.”