Carl Froch becomes the God of War for Mikkel Kessler rematch

Froch reinvents himself in preparation for Kessler – world champion bids for immortality as boxing's God of War

By
Mike Dawes

PUBLISHED:

17:08 GMT, 11 March 2013

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UPDATED:

19:49 GMT, 11 March 2013

There are those who understandably already believe Mikkel Kessler is in for the fight of his life when he meets Carl Froch in a rematch at The O2 Arena on May 25.

That as a tough, established and fearless world champion, Froch already represented the hardest opponent he could have dreamed of and that he was already in some ways taking the form of Kessler's worst nightmare.

Not so. Froch, it seems, has reinvented himself, and no longer is he the toughest of people – he is now an immortal warrior.

Intimidating: Carl Froch, dressed as God of War, already represents a considerable challenge to Mikkel Kessler

Intimidating: Carl Froch, dressed as God of War, already represents a considerable challenge to Mikkel Kessler

The super middleweight has been transformed into Kratos, the leading character from PlayStation game God of War, a transformation Kessler best hope is only temporary.

'They described our first fight as “brutal” and if I was to forecast one word that will probably describe our rematch, then it will likely be “savage”, said Froch when the rematch for their April 2010 fight – which Kessler narrowly edged on points – was announced at the start of February.

Kessler at the time appeared unconcerned, promising 'two warriors going at it from the first bell until the very end, it will be pure action and adrenaline', but this latest appearance from Froch may yet make him feel otherwise.

Weapons at the ready: But Froch will prepare to use little more than his fists in May

Weapons at the ready: But Froch will prepare to use little more than his fists in May

God of War Surely even the 'Viking Warrior' will be no match for Froch

God of War Surely even the 'Viking Warrior' will be no match for Froch

Froch, meanwhile, has insisted he will cement his
reputation as a throwback fighter by claiming revenge Kessler when they clash.

The Nottingham fighter believes the era of unbeaten
champions who reign with padded records must be rendered a thing of the
past if boxing is to re-assert its importance in today's sporting
climate.

He said: 'A lot of people over the
years have built up protected records and taken 35 fights before
fighting good opponents, but that way of promoting fighters is finished.

Carl Froch

Carl Froch

Soft side A smiling Froch greets his two-year-old son, Rocco, with a kiss

'I have fought top opponents fight after
fight. I have not won them all but my name is massive and everyone
respects what I do. People see me as the one who is putting boxing back
on the map.

'You can't con the public by fighting
bums any more. You've got to be involved in 50-50 fights that you could
win or lose. These are fights I want because they give me respect and
honour.'

Froch was speaking at an event to promote the God Of
War: Ascension video game.

Eye of the tiger: Froch is almost unrecognisable once the make up has been applied

Eye of the tiger: Froch is almost unrecognisable once the make up has been applied

Kratos from God of War

Carl Froch

Kratos: The God of War character (left) that Froch's look is based upon

He also did not rule out a third
meeting between the pair.

Froch added: 'I think my defence has improved since I first fought him and I don't stand and trade so much.

'People know they will be witnessing a
brutal act between two genuine warriors who refuse to lie down. I'm sure
once I beat him there will be a good chance of doing it a third time
because it is what people want to see.'

Rafa Benitez not expecting Roman Abramovich to tell him about Pep Guardiola

Benitez not expecting Pep talk from Roman following Chelsea appointment

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UPDATED:

00:03 GMT, 25 November 2012

Rafael Benitez is confident Pep
Guardiola will tell him if he decides to take the Chelsea job from him,
but has admitted Roman Abramovich is unlikely to do the same.

Benitez insisted he had no problem
keeping the manager's hotseat warm for his fellow Spaniard following his
own appointment on an interim basis until the end of the season.

Former Barcelona boss Guardiola is on
a one-year sabbatical from football and is said to be Chelsea owner
Abramovich's number one managerial target.

Big task: Rafa Benitez is unveiled as the new Chelsea boss

Big task: Rafa Benitez is unveiled as the new Chelsea boss

Guardiola's agent claims his client, who has also been linked with Manchester United and Manchester City, will make no decision about his future until next year.

And if he elects to join Chelsea, Benitez expects to be among the first to know.

'I think so!' he joked.

Key man: Fernando Torres

Key man: Fernando Torres

He added: ' have good relations with Pep so any time I call him, I say, “How are you doing”

'I know he is enjoying life in New York, now, with his family.'

And would Benitez's bosses at Chelsea also tell him if they were in talks with Guardiola

'I don't think that they will let me know,” he shrugged.

He added: 'But I don't have any problem. I know the situation.

'I have come to create a competitive team and to win trophies.

'It might be that you can win three trophies, which would be difficult for anyone.

'The worst case scenario – if you win three trophies and then they would say, “No, we give the job to another one” – I will be so pleased with three trophies.'

Winning silverware barely scratches the surface of what is expected of a Chelsea manager by the most demanding owner in football, who reputedly wants to watch 'Barcelona in blue shirts'.

Benitez, who met Abramovich over dinner for the first time on Thursday night, said: 'He's not desperate in terms of, “We have to play Barcelona-style”.

'He wants to enjoy watching games.

'The way to enjoy is to see your team winning, and attacking and creating chances.

Target: Roman Abramovich (inset) is reportedly interested in Pep Guardiola

Target: Roman Abramovich (inset) is reportedly interested in Pep Guardiola

'The way that we create chances could be passing the ball or with a long ball.'

He added: 'If you score 10 goals and concede seven… I think he will be happy.

'I wouldn't be happy because I don't want to concede goals but I want to score a lot of goals. My job is to find this balance.'

Benitez also questioned how realistic it was to replicate the Barca model overnight, adding: 'You will not have this if you don't spend some time doing the same thing for years.'

Calling the shots: Roman Abramovich

Calling the shots: Roman Abramovich

Something else Benitez will have to get used to is a lack of control over transfers.

Again, not a problem. 'I can tell you 200 players I wanted to sign in my career and we couldn't,' he said, suggesting he would happy to be given a list of targets from which to choose.

'I'm not someone that has no experience and will say, “Oh, I want to do this and do that”, and it's not sensible. You have to be sensible.'

He added: 'Eden Hazard, we wanted for Liverpool. We couldn't sign him. In our list, maybe he was here [top] but we have to go for this one [lower down].'

Benitez now has Hazard to play alongside Fernando Torres, whose awful form Benitez admitted had been one of the topics of conversation with Abramovich.

Benitez said he would try to 'push' as well as 'put an arm around' the 50million man he previously made one of the best strikers around.

He added: 'We are not stupid. We know he is a very important player.'

As is captain John Terry.

Important figure: John Terry in action

Important figure: John Terry in action

'He is the kind of player you want pushing with you, because that is the key to be successful,' Benitez said.

Terry's absence through suspension and injury arguably played a key part in Roberto Di Matteo's downfall as manager and Benitez will also spend his first fortnight in charge without his captain.

That includes the's clash with Barclays Premier League champions Manchester City.

'It's a challenge, but you will be sure the motivation will be there,' Benitez said of his first game, declaring his squad the equal of any.

Asset: Eden Hazard has started well for Chelsea

Asset: Eden Hazard has started well for Chelsea

'I think Chelsea is as strong as Manchester City or United.'

He also insisted they were as hungry, despite finally ending their agonising wait for Champions League glory last season.

He added: 'I had massive offers from Asia, the Middle East – massive money and it would have been easy to go there.

'But they were teams that are not as big as this club. '

It doesn't matter that it's for seven months, even three months.'

I"m a celebrity: Scott Sinclair slated as Helen Flanagan does latest bushtucker trial

Pray for Scotty! Man City benchwarmer Sinclair slated on Twitter
while girlfriend Helen Flanagan takes on latest bushtucker trial

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UPDATED:

10:13 GMT, 14 November 2012

I'm a Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here

Read Mark Webster's latest update on life in the jungle for David Haye and Eric Bristow

'This has to be the worst time EVER to be Helen Flanagan’s boyfriend', wrote Sportsmail's Mark Webster on Tuesday. He may just have a point.

Step forward Scott Sinclair.

Great Scott: Helen Flanagan slips into a bikini on ITV's I'm a celebrity

Great Scott: Helen Flanagan slips into a bikini on ITV's I'm a celebrity

Great Scott: Helen Flanagan slips into a bikini on ITV's I'm a celebrity

Now I'm sure some of you will struggle to feel sorry for a man earning a reported 60,000-a-week at Manchester City, but while his bikini-clad girlfriend Helen Flanagan is catching the eye of almost every man in the UK on a nightly basis, poor Scott must be hoping she's the next one booted out of the jungle.

Still, the notoriously unsympathetic British public are having none of it. One particular tweet – which earned over 900 re-tweets – read: 'Helen Flanagan has now been picked twice in a row. Which is better than Scott Sinclair has done since joining Man City #PrayForScotty.' Ouch.

Double trouble: Flanagan was picked out for another trial on Tuesday night

Double trouble: Flanagan was picked out for another trial on Tuesday night

Double trouble: Flanagan takes on another trial

Double trouble: Flanagan take on another trial

And if that wasn't enough, what was the
ex-Coronation Street beauty's latest bushtucker trial
No less than a meal of camel's toe and an ostrich's anus. Yes, you read
that right.

Two of his former team-mates at Swansea rubbed salt in the wound as Helen struggled with the delicacies. '#PrayForScotty', posted Wayne Routledge. Leroy Lita added: 'Will you kiss her again @Scotty_Sinclair '

I'm sure he will, Leroy.

Pray for Scotty: Sinclair (left) shares a joke with Gael Clichy in training with Manchester City

Pray for Scotty: Sinclair (left) shares a joke with Gael Clichy in training with Manchester City

Roberto Mancini backs Manchester City to win Champions League

Mancini: We can win Champions League… if we can get out of tricky group first

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UPDATED:

14:41 GMT, 2 October 2012

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini feels his team must improve quickly if they are to qualify for the Champions League knockout rounds – but believes they do have it in them to go on and win the competition.

City, beaten 3-2 by Real Madrid at the Bernabeu in their Group D opener on September 18, are looking to get their European season kick-started on Wednesday when they take on German champions Borussia Dortmund at the Etihad Stadium.

With Dortmund having begun with a 1-0 win over Ajax, the pressure is on the Blues to secure all three points if they are to avoid a repeat of their maiden Champions League campaign last term, which ended in failure to qualify from another difficult group.

Training day: Edin Dzeko, Samir Nasri, Aleksander Kolarov and Mario Balotelli prepare for the visit of German champions Dortmund

Training day: Edin Dzeko, Samir Nasri, Aleksander Kolarov and Mario Balotelli prepare for the visit of German champions Dortmund

On the ball: David Silva get to work at Carrington ahead of City's next Champions League clash

On the ball: David Silva get to work at Carrington ahead of City's next Champions League clash

While acknowledging the club are
relatively inexperienced at this level, Mancini accepts there is a
considerable weight of expectation on big-spending City to make major
strides on the European stage, and he has stressed the importance of his
players swiftly cutting out the kind of mistakes he felt allowed Real
to come from behind to snatch victory against them.

The Italian is optimistic, though,
that if City do manage to up their game and make it beyond the group
stage, there is no reason why they cannot then go all the way.

'This is the second year for us in the Champions League and the second year that we got the worst group,' Mancini said.

'Like we have improved (over the
years) in the Premier League, we need time to improve in the Champions
League, but we don't have a lot of time – only five more games, and we
need to improve quickly.

'We need to not concede easy goals to
drop points like we did against Real Madrid. If we want to go through,
we need to improve very quickly.'

Asked if he felt he was still
learning about Champions League football on a personal level, Mancini –
who guided City to the Barclays Premier League title last season and won
Serie A three times as Inter Milan boss but is yet to claim a trophy in
Europe as a manager – said: 'I don't need to learn.

'The Champions League is a difficult
competition, but football is the same. It doesn't change – it is still
11 players against 11.

Welcome to Manchester: City manager Roberto Mancini braves the elements at training

Welcome to Manchester: City manager Roberto Mancini braves the elements at training

Feeling the cold: Mancni wraps up as he watches his side go through their paces

Feeling the cold: Mancni wraps up as he watches his side go through their paces

'The problem is that you are always playing against the best team from another country and every game is difficult.

'I hope I can improve my record in
the Champions League, and I think we have arrived at the time where we
can win the Champions League.'

City midfielder Jack Rodwell is fit
for tomorrow's contest after missing two games with a groin problem, but
full-backs Maicon (heel) and Micah Richards (ankle) are not yet ready
to return to action, while centre-back Kolo Toure has not been
registered for the competition.

It remains to be seen whether Joleon
Lescott will be selected after he was dropped for the Real clash and
once again did not feature in Saturday's 2-1 league win at Fulham.

Hat's off: Yaya Toure pinches team-mate Carlos Tevez's hat

Leave your hat on: Tevez recovers his hat as he laughs alongside compatriot Sergio Aguero

Hat's off: Yaya Toure pinches Carlos Tevez's hat but the Argentine, next to Sergio Aguero (R), later recovered it

Tough test: Mancini expects a difficult game against Dortmund at the Etihad Stadium

Tough test: Mancini expects a difficult game against Dortmund at the Etihad Stadium

The England centre-half played a key role in City's title success last season, but is now in a more uncertain situation.

He has vowed not to 'rock the boat'
over the matter, though, and Mancini today emphasised that Lescott is
still very much a part of his plans.

Asked if he had lost faith in Lescott, Mancini said: 'He is one of the best defenders.

'But I have six or seven defenders and I made a different choice last week and in Madrid.

'Tomorrow I will decide again, but Joleon is an important player for us.'

Gary Speed mum believes footballer"s career contributed to tragic death

Speed's mum believes footballer's career contributed to his tragic death

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UPDATED:

09:11 GMT, 10 September 2012

Gary Speed's mum is convinced her son would not have killed himself if he hadn't been a footballer.

The Wales manager's death shocked the sporting world when he was tragically found dead last November.

And his parents have spoken out for the first time about struggling to come to terms with his death.

Pain: Gary Speed's mum (right) thinks football contributed to her son's death

Pain: Gary Speed's mum (right) thinks football contributed to her son's death

'It’s been absolutely horrendous,' Speed's mum Carol told the Wales on Sunday.

'We’ve got no answers and we don’t know why.

'He was such a private man. If we had some answers we could perhaps come to terms with it a little bit, but we haven’t got any.'

Speed was only 42 when he died and Carol believes his career played its part.

'I wish he’d been a postman,' she added. 'He had a good life, but a short life. If he’d been a postman none of this would have happened.'

Tragic: Gary Speed was found hanged in his garage last November

Tragic: Gary Speed was found hanged in his garage last November

Speed's dad Roger said he had found comfort in helping Gary's sons Ed, 15, and Tommy, 14, in their fledgling careers.

'I’m taking the lads to football and that’s helping me a hell of a lot. Ed’s at Wrexham and he’s playing for Wales under-16s so I’m pretty well occupied,' he said.

'It’s bringing back memories of when I used to do it with Gary and that’s helping me, but Carol’s got nothing to help her come along. She’s really struggling.'

On Sunday, Cardiff City striker Craig Bellamy revealed he has been going through the 'worst time in his life' since Speed died.

Struggling: Craig Bellamy (centre) with Speed's sons Ed (left) and Tommy

Struggling: Craig Bellamy (centre) with Speed's sons Ed (left) and Tommy

The former Liverpool and Manchester City striker, 33, told the Sunday Mirror he has moved out of the marital home he shared with wife Claire and their three children.

He said: 'Losing my best mate has affected everything. I can't believe how hard it is.

'He was the best mate I've ever had. It's sad but unfortunately it got to my marriage. I'm here and she's there.

'I don't know if that's it for us. All I know is that my best mate has gone. I'm struggling. I can't lie.'

Craig Bellamy having worst time of life after Gary Speed"s death

Bellamy reveals life has been torn apart after best friend Speed's suicide

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UPDATED:

11:05 GMT, 9 September 2012

Craig Bellamy has revealed he is going through the 'worst time in his life' following the death of his close friend and former Wales manager Gary Speed last year.

Speed was found hanged at his home last November at the age of 42 and Bellamy, who played alongside the midfielder for Newcastle and Wales, admits it has 'affected everything', including his marriage.

The former Liverpool and Manchester City striker, 33, told the Sunday Mirror he has moved out of the marital home he shared with wife Claire and their three children.

Crisis: Craig Bellamy (right) has been rocked by Gary Speed's death

Crisis: Craig Bellamy (right) has been rocked by Gary Speed's death

He said: 'Losing my best mate has affected everything. I can't believe how hard it is.

'He was the best mate I've ever had. It's sad but unfortunately it got to my marriage. I'm here and she's there.

'I don't know if that's it for us. All I know is that my best mate has gone. I'm struggling. I can't lie.'

Heartbreak: Wales captain Bellamy with Gary Speed's sons

Heartbreak: Wales captain Bellamy with Gary Speed's sons

Bellamy said of his family situation: 'I can't tell you how hard it is. It's the worst time in my life ever.'

Bellamy, who was part of the Great Britain squad at this summer's Olympics, last month joined Cardiff on a two-year deal from Liverpool and played in their opening two npower Championship matches before being sidelined with a calf injury.

Cardiff recently rejected reports he was considering retirement.

London Olympics 2012: Rebecca Adlington: I don"t want to come out of the pool crying

Adlington: I don't want to come out of the pool crying because I haven't prepared properly

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UPDATED:

21:41 GMT, 14 July 2012

Rebecca Adlington will move into
London's Olympic Village for a two-day exploratory stay in a bid to make
sure her worst nightmare does not become reality.

Adlington will share a room, as she
did in Beijing, with close friend Keri-Anne Payne, who brought home a
silver medal from the 10km open water event in China.

But while this may be just a 'find
your feet' visit before the team fly to their final eight-day pre-Games
holding camp in Edinburgh on Wednesday, Adlington admits that it is an
important part of her preparations for defending the 400m and 800m
freestyle titles she won in Beijing.

Golden days: Rebecca Adlington poses after her 800 metres Olympic win in Beijing

Golden days: Rebecca Adlington poses after her 800 metres Olympic win in Beijing

'It's a case of being organised beforehand,' said Adlington. 'I want to know how long it will take to get to the pool, where to eat and just generally be comfortable with everything.

'I don't want to come out of the Olympic pool crying,' said Adlington.

'We train for 50 weeks a year for this moment. That's what is terrifying and scary, but at the same time exciting.

Room-mate: Keri-Anne Payne will share with Rebecca Adlington

Room-mate: Keri-Anne Payne will share with Rebecca Adlington

'I don't want to let the opportunity go by. If other girls are faster, better than me, I am glad I can look back and say, “I have no regrets”. I have done absolutely everything possible.'

Adlington will be reminded of the significant place she holds in the history of British swimming.

/07/14/article-0-0D24347F00000578-919_634x310.jpg” width=”634″ height=”310″ alt=”Dedicated: Rebecca Adlington is not interested in nights out all the time” class=”blkBorder” />

Dedicated: Rebecca Adlington is not interested in nights out all the time

Their life has been governed by her early-morning and early-evening training sessions with her coach Bill Furniss in Nottingham.

Furniss has mentored Adlington's career for more than a dozen years.

Golden girl: Adlington knows she's the one they want to beat

Golden girl: Adlington knows she's the one they want to beat

Her clear ambition, shared with her coach, is to be at her best for two nights when the British public will have eyes for her alone.

Adlington is unspoilt by her success. 'I still never see myself as famous,' she said. 'I am a Z-list celebrity! But I do think the profile of swimming has grown so much over the past four years and I do feel the excitement for the Olympics is growing.'

She is appreciative of these Games – possibly her last – being held at home as she is extremely close to her parents and her two older sisters, Laura and Chloe.

'I am a home person and it has been nice not to have had to worry about flying or jetlag or different kinds of food,' said Adlington. 'It has been good to get in a routine and spend time with the family.'

She is also convinced that these Olympics will be memorable.

'I thought the Jubilee celebrations were amazing,' said Adlington. 'People get so patriotic when it comes to stuff like the Queen and the Olympics. We will know how and when to celebrate the Olympics, it's something we do so well as a nation.'

Adlington is swift to assure other British athletes that – unlike in times past – this Team GB swimming group will not be a disruptive influence in the Olympic Village after their competition ends after the first week.

'No one has to tell us to be respectful,' she said. 'We all recognise this is the biggest meet of our lives and the biggest competition of other athletes' lives. We are very professional and respect that other people have to swim or compete.'

Proud day: Adlington receives an OBE from the Queen

Proud day: Adlington receives an OBE from the Queen

She is a woman now, but retains the same fundamental qualities she showed as a girl who wanted to celebrate her second gold medal in Beijing with a Big Mac and fries; oh, all right, and a pair of 500 Christian Louboutin shoes!

'I've got the two golds from Beijing and no one can take those away from me,' said Adlington. 'But I'm still learning. There is still so much for me to learn, no one can ever be the perfect athlete.'

However, for six days in Beijing, Becky Adlington offered a fair impersonation of one. And that is the standard she is aware she has to meet as she takes her first look around the Olympic Village in east London.

Rebecca Adlington is a British Gas ambassador. British Gas is getting the nation to show its support for the British Swimming Teams and is giving away free swims. Simply visit www.britishgas.co.uk/freeswimming

London 2012 Olympics: Swimmer Dan Sliwinski out of Games with injury

Team GB breaststroke hope Dan's Olympic dream is ruined by injury

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UPDATED:

19:20 GMT, 15 June 2012

Dan Sliwinski, the 100metres breaststroke swimmer, has been forced to withdraw from Team GB’s Olympic squad after suffering a shoulder tendon injury.

His replacement will be named after the ASA National Championships in Sheffield which start on Wednesday.

Sliwinski, 22, said: ‘It is an athlete’s worst nightmare. I am still young enough to think about Rio 2016, but I need to address this injury before it gets worse.’

Huge blow: Dan Sliwinski will miss the London Olympic Games

Huge blow: Dan Sliwinski will miss the London Olympic Games

Euro 2012: Gareth Barry ruled out for England

Barry blow for England as Manchester City midfielder is ruled out of Euros

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UPDATED:

14:52 GMT, 28 May 2012

England manager Roy Hodgson's worst fears were confirmed as Gareth Barry was ruled out of Euro 2012.

The Manchester City midfielder was taken off during the 1-0 win over Norway on Saturday with a suspected groin injury and a scan on Monday revealed a tear to his lower abdomen.

Everton's Phil Jagielka will take his place in the squad.

In trouble: Barry limped off after just 26 minutes in England's friendly

In trouble: Barry limped off after just 26 minutes in England's friendly

Hodgson said: 'I am very disappointed to lose Gareth, not only was he a member of my original 23-man squad but he has featured prominently in the England team over the last few years.

'I know how much he wanted to be part of the tournament but I'm sure he will still have a part to play with England after the Euros.

'I wish him a speedy recovery.'

Stepping up: Phil Jagielka (centre) is now in England's full squad for the Euros

Stepping up: Phil Jagielka (centre) is now in England's full squad for the Euros

Barry's place was in doubt after he lasted less than half an hour of a second-half appearance in Oslo.

After the game Hodgson said he may have to trust Barry to let him know exactly how bad the injury was.

It is not thought that was necessary, though, with scans indicating there was no way the Manchester City man was going to be fit to play any meaningful role in Poland and Ukraine this summer.

Jagielka had been tipped to come in and strengthen Hodgson's defensive options.

Bad start: England boss Roy Hodgson has lost midfielder Barry to injury

Bad start: England boss Roy Hodgson has lost midfielder Barry to injury

The Everton man was produced an excellent performance in Norway alongside Joleon Lescott – a pairing that kept Spain out in November and are now pressurising Chelsea duo John Terry and Gary Cahill.

They will report for duty at England's Watford base on Tuesday, along with the remainder of Hodgson's 23-man squad.

That number will include Danny Welbeck and Glen Johnson, who had been doubts with ankle and toe injuries respectively.

However, it seems those problems have cleared up, along with Scott Parker's achilles injury, and the FA are anticipating having to make no further changes when they submit their official squad to UEFA at 11am.

Luke Wright dengue fever

England international Wright fears dengue fever after return from India

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UPDATED:

16:59 GMT, 7 May 2012

England and Sussex all-rounder Luke Wright has undergone blood tests amid fears he has contracted Dengue Fever during his spell in the Indian Premier League.

The 27-year-old signed with Pune Warriors for the Twenty20 competition, but returned home late last month for his uncle's funeral.

He had planned to rejoin the franchise team in time for Tuesday's clash with Rajasthan Royals but delayed his return after suffering with illness.

Fever: Luke Wright fears he has contracted the illness in India

Fever: Luke Wright fears he has contracted the illness in India

He wrote on his Twitter page: 'Can't remember feeling as bad as I have the last few days. Had to have a doc come to the house as I have a serious fever.

'Got to go to A&E this morning for blood test! They think I may have picked up Dengue Fever in India. What ever it is I hope it goes very soon.'

He later added: 'Still waiting on the blood results but on top of everything I also have a really bad case of Tonsillitis too!'

Wright has played just one match in this season's IPL, in which he bowled two overs for 24 runs.

Most people make a full recovery from dengue fever, which is spread by mosquitos, although treatment can last for several weeks. In the worst case the virus can cause blood vessels to leak or abnormal blood clotting.