On February 18, 2006, Alan Smith of Manchester United broke a leg and dislocated an ankle. There was a similar reaction to the Eduardo injury. Videos up on YouTube within hours of the injury taking place, loads of media coverage, people discussing whether he would ever play again etc.
Obviously the injury did not happen as the result of a terrible challenge, but the effect was the same. However, there is a reason I can distinguish the two events so easily. Quite simply, I did not care that Smith was injured.
I did not send the player an email wishing him a speedy recovery. I did not chat to my friends endlessly about the topic. I did not stop watching the match within which the accident happened because I found it so upsetting. No. I continued to enjoy the game (well, as much as you can be entertained by Manchester United v Liverpool) and barely gave the incident an after-thought.
Indeed, I did not even think about it again until yesterday, when I realised I felt genuine emotion for Eduardo that I had not felt before for an injured player. The question is this: As fans of a football team, do we form an unnatural bond with people we have never met or will ever speak to?
The nature of supporting a team in itself is quite a bizarre one, as we form an imagined community with the club we have chosen. We feel an attachment, an intrinsic link, to a group of people who we see kick a ball around a field. Week after week, we will cheer their actions, boo them when they play badly and talk about them for hours on end day after day.
The players become our possession, who we want rid of if they are not doing well for the club. And in the same way we grow attached to objects, we form an unspoken bond with the people who run around on a field representing our club.
This essentially affects our judgement. We don't care when bad things happen to players from other teams. Sure, we might say something along the lines of 'Oh, that's a shite injury to have', but we don't really care and we do not consider the implications the injury might actually have on a player's life.
They don't belong to us, therefore we don't care. Indeed, in some situations, we might even be happy that someone has picked up a broken leg. If Ronaldo were to be the object of a two-footed lunge next weekend, could you honestly say that you would care? I'm not sure I could.
I am not completely comfortable with this fact. I don't like the fact that my moods can be dictated by people I have never met, and indeed that I can feel no sympathy for a footballer who gets a terrible injury because he plays for a team I do not support.
I'm not saying that this is the case for all football fans, and of course I have given a bad example in Alan Smith as he is not the most popular player in the world (who is after you've played for Leeds United?). But I do believe that I am not the only fan in the world who feels this lack of compassion for players not playing for 'my' team.
So is this psyche an acceptable element of my personality which I developed when I chose to 'support' a football team, or a bizarre and unnatural element of my personality which I need to deal with?! I'm not so sure.
Right, I've taken long enough on this, I'd better get back to arranging for someone to 'deal with' Ronaldo this weekend .
Arsenal striker Eduardo could have been coming to terms with his career being over had it not been for Gary Lewin.
• IN FOCUS: Read how the drama unfolded as Arsenal and England physio Lewin helped save striker Eduardo's career
We can reveal the problems the Gunners physiotherapist had to overcome after Martin Taylor's lunge smashed the Brazilian's leg.
- Quickly realised the next 45 minutes would determine the striker's future.
- Was immediately faced with a player in shock and rambling in his native Portuguese.
- Had to summon Brazilian Gilberto from the bench to act as a translator.
- Realised that if the striker was not operated on immediately there was a serious risk of infection because his bone had punctured his skin.
Arsenal are confident that Eduardo - who celebrated his 25th birthday in hospital on Monday - will play again.
The club have received 12,500 e-mails of support for the Croatia striker from across the world. Messages can be sent to Eduardo via e-mail on www.arsenal.com and the club will give them to the player to aid him on his long road to recovery.
Eduardo's wife spoke of her shock as she saw her husband's horrific injury on television while she was doing the housework.
His wife, Andrea, said: "My Eduardo won't surrender. The surgery went OK and it is important to focus on his rehabilitation now. When I visited him in Birmingham he was just waking up from the operation.
"He was, as we all were, stressed and wanted to know why this happened to him, but he was quite calm. "We still have not recovered from it and the entire family is in stress. He immediately asked for his daughter Lorena. "I was doing ordinary home chores when following the match on TV. I was soon losing all my strength after crying so much."
Paul Robinson pulled off two stunning saves on his return to action last night and propelled Tottenham into the last 16 of the UEFA Cup to stake his claim for a Carling Cup Final starting place.
Just as in last week's first leg, Spurs appeared to be cruising against Slavia after Jamie O'Hara grabbed his first goal for the club on seven minutes. But once again Spurs took their foot off the gas and they came perilously close to facing extra-time following Matej Krajcik's tap-in early in the second half.
Robinson, made captain for the night, was not needed until the 35th minute when he showed concentration to block Jaroslav Cerny's swerving drive after seeing it late. But it was a spectacular parry to keep out Milan Ivana's 25-yard free-kick which saved his teammates and may just have snatched the No 1 jersey back from Radek Cerny in the nick of time.
This was exactly the performance Robinson needed to restore his shattered confidence after missing the previous 10 games for Spurs, especially under the watchful eye of England manager Fabio Capello. Having paid the price for a series of high-profile mistakes for club and country - beginning with his howler against Croatia in 2006 and culminating in him carrying Stephen Hunt's shot across the line against Reading seven weeks ago - Robinson's Tottenham career looked all but over.
But discussing his return to action, Robinson said: "I've just got to answer to myself over the way I've been playing. I want to get back on track and get back into the team."
Asked whether he expected to retain his place for Wembley, he added: "I hope so."
Ramos, as ever, was giving little away. "There are lots of things to consider," said the Spurs boss of Robinson's chances, although he was full of praise for his keeper's performance. "He completed his task perfectly," said Ramos. "He has not played for some time and he gave a magnificent performance, helping his team get through."
Last week's 2-1 win gave Ramos a selection headache, compromising his plan to hand most of his stars the night off. Keeper questions aside, the Spaniard only felt confident enough to make a further three changes - Younes Kaboul, O'Hara and Darren Bent coming in for Jermaine Jenas, Robbie Keane and Steed Malbranque - while skipper Ledley King was rested.
In seven European meetings with English sides, Slavia had managed just one victory. They had also lost all three of their previous games on English soil, failing to score.
The visitors went a goal down on seven minutes, steadying any lingering Spurs nerves. Frantisek Drizdal could not clear under pressure from Dimitar Berbatov and, as the ball fell to O'Hara, the promising midfielder unleashed a shot which deflected off Martin Latka and low into the net.
Tom Huddlestone and O'Hara were unlucky not to put the tie beyond doubt before the break, but Tottenham have a habit of making life difficult for themselves.
A bright start to the second period, when Robbie Keane went close after replacing Berbatov, was undone as Slavia struck. Daniel Pudil's low cross found Krajcik as Tottenham switched off, leaving Robinson with no chance to prevent the Slavia midfielder tapping home.
Once again, edginess crept into Tottenham's play and, sensing another goal and extra-time, the Czechs pushed forward with considerably more adventure. Drizdal tested Robinson's handling with a close-range header while Strihavka forced a decent stop at the keeper's near post. The same player then volleyed against the post.
It then fell to Robinson to produce the save of the night, tipping Ivana's strike round the post with 15 minutes remaining.
Ramos said: "We controlled the first half and perhaps that made some players relax a little too much. We ended up suffering to get the draw."
Desperate to know whether he has done enough for Wembley, Robinson is destined to spend the next 48 hours suffering, too.
Just as in last week's first leg, Spurs appeared to be cruising against Slavia after Jamie O'Hara grabbed his first goal for the club on seven minutes. But once again Spurs took their foot off the gas and they came perilously close to facing extra-time following Matej Krajcik's tap-in early in the second half.
Robinson, made captain for the night, was not needed until the 35th minute when he showed concentration to block Jaroslav Cerny's swerving drive after seeing it late. But it was a spectacular parry to keep out Milan Ivana's 25-yard free-kick which saved his teammates and may just have snatched the No 1 jersey back from Radek Cerny in the nick of time.
This was exactly the performance Robinson needed to restore his shattered confidence after missing the previous 10 games for Spurs, especially under the watchful eye of England manager Fabio Capello. Having paid the price for a series of high-profile mistakes for club and country - beginning with his howler against Croatia in 2006 and culminating in him carrying Stephen Hunt's shot across the line against Reading seven weeks ago - Robinson's Tottenham career looked all but over.
But discussing his return to action, Robinson said: "I've just got to answer to myself over the way I've been playing. I want to get back on track and get back into the team."
Asked whether he expected to retain his place for Wembley, he added: "I hope so."
Ramos, as ever, was giving little away. "There are lots of things to consider," said the Spurs boss of Robinson's chances, although he was full of praise for his keeper's performance. "He completed his task perfectly," said Ramos. "He has not played for some time and he gave a magnificent performance, helping his team get through."
Last week's 2-1 win gave Ramos a selection headache, compromising his plan to hand most of his stars the night off. Keeper questions aside, the Spaniard only felt confident enough to make a further three changes - Younes Kaboul, O'Hara and Darren Bent coming in for Jermaine Jenas, Robbie Keane and Steed Malbranque - while skipper Ledley King was rested.
In seven European meetings with English sides, Slavia had managed just one victory. They had also lost all three of their previous games on English soil, failing to score.
The visitors went a goal down on seven minutes, steadying any lingering Spurs nerves. Frantisek Drizdal could not clear under pressure from Dimitar Berbatov and, as the ball fell to O'Hara, the promising midfielder unleashed a shot which deflected off Martin Latka and low into the net.
Tom Huddlestone and O'Hara were unlucky not to put the tie beyond doubt before the break, but Tottenham have a habit of making life difficult for themselves.
A bright start to the second period, when Robbie Keane went close after replacing Berbatov, was undone as Slavia struck. Daniel Pudil's low cross found Krajcik as Tottenham switched off, leaving Robinson with no chance to prevent the Slavia midfielder tapping home.
Once again, edginess crept into Tottenham's play and, sensing another goal and extra-time, the Czechs pushed forward with considerably more adventure. Drizdal tested Robinson's handling with a close-range header while Strihavka forced a decent stop at the keeper's near post. The same player then volleyed against the post.
It then fell to Robinson to produce the save of the night, tipping Ivana's strike round the post with 15 minutes remaining.
Ramos said: "We controlled the first half and perhaps that made some players relax a little too much. We ended up suffering to get the draw."
Desperate to know whether he has done enough for Wembley, Robinson is destined to spend the next 48 hours suffering, too.
England joined France in the scrumhalf rejuvenation business yesterday, completing Richard Wigglesworth's steep climb from a distant fifth in their national rankings this time last year.
After agonising over the predicament for days, Brian Ashton decided to call time on Andy Gomarsall's reign and promote the farmer's boy from Sale for Saturday night's tete-a-tete in Paris with the relatively unknown French teenager Morgan Parra. At 24, the Lancastrian may have taken a lot longer to get there than his opposite number but his rise is no less stirring for having to wait.
When England finished last year's Six Nations by losing in Cardiff, the man they call 'Wiggy' was so far down the pecking order that he could barely be seen behind Harry Ellis, Shaun Perry, Peter Richards — all hit by long-term injury — and Gomarsall.
Wigglesworth has found it tough enough fighting his corner at Sale in competition with imported players like Bryan Redpath, Sililo Martens, Valentin Courrent and, from next season, Dwayne Peel.
'It's not come easy to me in terms of having everything handed on a plate,' said England's new No.9.
'But having to fight for what I've got has made me mentally stronger. Playing for England has always been my goal. You've got to back yourself in this game, play as well as you can and then leave it in the lap of the gods.'
Now that he has put Blackpool back on the Red Rose map for the first time since Wade Dooley retired in the early Nineties, Wigglesworth knows that he faces the biggest fight of all — holding on to his newly acquired status. Gomarsall, who clearly did not see the writing on the wall, gave Ashton immediate notice that he will not be taking it lying down and that England have not seen the last of him. 'He certainly made that clear in the conversation I had with him this morning,' said Ashton.
'He was not happy about being left out and told me in no uncertain terms that he will be fighting his way back. He said: “If this is a kick up the backside for me, I'll give you a kick up the backside from a selection standpoint”.'
Gomarsall, among the most heroic of those who did more than most to transform England's World Cup mission, suffered a double whammy — dumped not only from the team but the bench to boot as Ashton promoted two scrum-halves with 20 minutes' Test experience between them. Paul Hodgson's debut on the bench acknowledges his impressive form for London Irish.
With their changes beyond the return of both props limited to the No.9s, Ashton, an old scrum-half himself, would appear to have heaped a fair amount of the blame for their poor start on Gomarsall.
'Andy hasn't hit the form which he showed during the World Cup,' he said. 'We felt we needed more energy in that position, someone to raise the tempo of our game. Richard's a bright guy with the allround skills to bring the right players into the game at the right time.'
It capped quite a week for Wigglesworth — what with Sale beating Leeds last Friday, his favourite football team, Manchester United, knocking Arsenal out of the FA Cup, matching par round his parents' nine-hole golf course on the family farm and now becoming England's starting scrum-half in his own right. 'Not a bad week,' he said. 'If they were all as good as that, I'd be a very happy man.'
Andrew Sheridan, whose formidable presence prompted the French to prop up their front row resources, declared himself 'fit and well, at the moment' after a series of tests to check his immune system following his withdrawal from the Italy match with a blood infection.
'All the early indications are that I am all right and that I am not likely to keel over at any minute — well, hopefully not,' he said in that slow, deadpan delivery of his.
'I've had three incidents, two insect bites and a cut on my heel which kept opening up. I've never had any of these problems before, just these three episodes in the past seven months.'
After watching his predecessor Bernard Laporte turn France into a grim version of England and suffer the consequences, Marc Lievremont is planning a more subtle approach.
'Trying to beat England with their own weapons — conquest, occupation, defence — would mean going to the wall,' he said. 'The Irish match is a perfect example of what not to do. We refused to take responsibility for our game, we were content to react and hold back. We really wanted to push the players so that they make the running and impose their rugby on the opposition.'
I Balshaw (Gloucester); P Sackey (Wasps), J Noon (Newcastle), T Flood (Newcastle), L Vainikolo (Gloucester); J Wilkinson (Newcastle), R Wigglesworth (Sale Sharks); A Sheridan (Sale Sharks), M Regan (Bristol), P Vickery (Wasps, capt), S Shaw (Wasps), S Borthwick (Bath), J Haskell (Wasps), M Lipman (Bath), N Easter (Harlequins).
Replacements: L Mears (Bath), M Stevens (Bath), B Kay (Leicester), T Croft (Leicester), P Hodgson (London Irish), D Cipriani (Wasps), M Tait (Newcastle).
After agonising over the predicament for days, Brian Ashton decided to call time on Andy Gomarsall's reign and promote the farmer's boy from Sale for Saturday night's tete-a-tete in Paris with the relatively unknown French teenager Morgan Parra. At 24, the Lancastrian may have taken a lot longer to get there than his opposite number but his rise is no less stirring for having to wait.
When England finished last year's Six Nations by losing in Cardiff, the man they call 'Wiggy' was so far down the pecking order that he could barely be seen behind Harry Ellis, Shaun Perry, Peter Richards — all hit by long-term injury — and Gomarsall.
Wigglesworth has found it tough enough fighting his corner at Sale in competition with imported players like Bryan Redpath, Sililo Martens, Valentin Courrent and, from next season, Dwayne Peel.
'It's not come easy to me in terms of having everything handed on a plate,' said England's new No.9.
'But having to fight for what I've got has made me mentally stronger. Playing for England has always been my goal. You've got to back yourself in this game, play as well as you can and then leave it in the lap of the gods.'
Now that he has put Blackpool back on the Red Rose map for the first time since Wade Dooley retired in the early Nineties, Wigglesworth knows that he faces the biggest fight of all — holding on to his newly acquired status. Gomarsall, who clearly did not see the writing on the wall, gave Ashton immediate notice that he will not be taking it lying down and that England have not seen the last of him. 'He certainly made that clear in the conversation I had with him this morning,' said Ashton.
'He was not happy about being left out and told me in no uncertain terms that he will be fighting his way back. He said: “If this is a kick up the backside for me, I'll give you a kick up the backside from a selection standpoint”.'
Gomarsall, among the most heroic of those who did more than most to transform England's World Cup mission, suffered a double whammy — dumped not only from the team but the bench to boot as Ashton promoted two scrum-halves with 20 minutes' Test experience between them. Paul Hodgson's debut on the bench acknowledges his impressive form for London Irish.
With their changes beyond the return of both props limited to the No.9s, Ashton, an old scrum-half himself, would appear to have heaped a fair amount of the blame for their poor start on Gomarsall.
'Andy hasn't hit the form which he showed during the World Cup,' he said. 'We felt we needed more energy in that position, someone to raise the tempo of our game. Richard's a bright guy with the allround skills to bring the right players into the game at the right time.'
It capped quite a week for Wigglesworth — what with Sale beating Leeds last Friday, his favourite football team, Manchester United, knocking Arsenal out of the FA Cup, matching par round his parents' nine-hole golf course on the family farm and now becoming England's starting scrum-half in his own right. 'Not a bad week,' he said. 'If they were all as good as that, I'd be a very happy man.'
Andrew Sheridan, whose formidable presence prompted the French to prop up their front row resources, declared himself 'fit and well, at the moment' after a series of tests to check his immune system following his withdrawal from the Italy match with a blood infection.
'All the early indications are that I am all right and that I am not likely to keel over at any minute — well, hopefully not,' he said in that slow, deadpan delivery of his.
'I've had three incidents, two insect bites and a cut on my heel which kept opening up. I've never had any of these problems before, just these three episodes in the past seven months.'
After watching his predecessor Bernard Laporte turn France into a grim version of England and suffer the consequences, Marc Lievremont is planning a more subtle approach.
'Trying to beat England with their own weapons — conquest, occupation, defence — would mean going to the wall,' he said. 'The Irish match is a perfect example of what not to do. We refused to take responsibility for our game, we were content to react and hold back. We really wanted to push the players so that they make the running and impose their rugby on the opposition.'
I Balshaw (Gloucester); P Sackey (Wasps), J Noon (Newcastle), T Flood (Newcastle), L Vainikolo (Gloucester); J Wilkinson (Newcastle), R Wigglesworth (Sale Sharks); A Sheridan (Sale Sharks), M Regan (Bristol), P Vickery (Wasps, capt), S Shaw (Wasps), S Borthwick (Bath), J Haskell (Wasps), M Lipman (Bath), N Easter (Harlequins).
Replacements: L Mears (Bath), M Stevens (Bath), B Kay (Leicester), T Croft (Leicester), P Hodgson (London Irish), D Cipriani (Wasps), M Tait (Newcastle).
Fernando Torres is relishing the chance to ride to Rafa Benitez's rescue tonight in their massive Champions League clash with Inter Milan and admits: "This is why I signed for Liverpool."
With pressure mounting on compatriot and manager Benitez following Saturday's embarassing FA Cup exit to Barnsley, Torres is ready to shoulder the goalscoring responsibility.
Despite his reputation as one of the world's top strikers, the Spaniard has never played in the last 16 of the Champions League and is up for the task.
Torres said: "This is a very big game for the fans and for us. I came here to play in this type of game, in the Champions League and in other competitions.
"Inter Milan are a very good team but I think we can beat them. Why not?
"That is another reason why I came to Liverpool, to work with the manager, and I have learned a lot from him since I joined.
"Reaching two Champions League Finals in three years is an incredible achievement.
"It takes something special to do that and you don't do that unless you have a very good manager.
He added: "We have an opportunity to get an important win. The supporters, the players, the staff at Liverpool are like a big family.
"It is a different mentality to most other clubs and we need to play like a team tonight.
"Big teams win the important games and we are a big team. After losing to Marseille at home we knew we had to beat Porto at home and then win in Marseille and in both games we played really, really well.
"We scored four goals against Porto and four against Marseille. This is what Liverpool can do and we need to do it again in a big game against Inter Milan.
"We were third in our group, we needed to win our games and we did. I also saw Liverpool beat Barcelona in the Champions League last season. That was also a big game, Liverpool played very, very well and got a great result. To win 2-1 away at Barcelona is a big result.
"They were the best team in the world when it comes to ability because they have so many great players but Liverpool played like a team and if you play like a team you can win every game against every team. If we play like a team tonight then we can win, for sure.
"I think this tie is a bit different though because the first game is at Anfield in front of our own fans.
"But it is important to get a similar result because of our position in the league and because we are out of both cups."
With pressure mounting on compatriot and manager Benitez following Saturday's embarassing FA Cup exit to Barnsley, Torres is ready to shoulder the goalscoring responsibility.
Despite his reputation as one of the world's top strikers, the Spaniard has never played in the last 16 of the Champions League and is up for the task.
Torres said: "This is a very big game for the fans and for us. I came here to play in this type of game, in the Champions League and in other competitions.
"Inter Milan are a very good team but I think we can beat them. Why not?
"That is another reason why I came to Liverpool, to work with the manager, and I have learned a lot from him since I joined.
"Reaching two Champions League Finals in three years is an incredible achievement.
"It takes something special to do that and you don't do that unless you have a very good manager.
He added: "We have an opportunity to get an important win. The supporters, the players, the staff at Liverpool are like a big family.
"It is a different mentality to most other clubs and we need to play like a team tonight.
"Big teams win the important games and we are a big team. After losing to Marseille at home we knew we had to beat Porto at home and then win in Marseille and in both games we played really, really well.
"We scored four goals against Porto and four against Marseille. This is what Liverpool can do and we need to do it again in a big game against Inter Milan.
"We were third in our group, we needed to win our games and we did. I also saw Liverpool beat Barcelona in the Champions League last season. That was also a big game, Liverpool played very, very well and got a great result. To win 2-1 away at Barcelona is a big result.
"They were the best team in the world when it comes to ability because they have so many great players but Liverpool played like a team and if you play like a team you can win every game against every team. If we play like a team tonight then we can win, for sure.
"I think this tie is a bit different though because the first game is at Anfield in front of our own fans.
"But it is important to get a similar result because of our position in the league and because we are out of both cups."
England coach Fabio Capello has hinted Manchester City keeper Joe Hart could be his future No 1.
The Italian recalled Portsmouth keeper David James for his first game in charge against Switzerland earlier in the month, but at 37 he cannot be considered a long-term option.
And with former number one Paul Robinson not playing for Tottenham, Scott Carson being kept out the firing line following his performance in the defeat to Croatia and Manchester United's Ben Foster injured, the cupboard is looking bare for Capello.
He said: "Only 38 percent of the players in the Premier League are English. The pool is reduced. I have had to reinstate a 37-year-old goalkeeper but I have spotted one in the Under-21's who is very interesting."
Despite the restricted choice of players and an overbearing media, Capello insisted he has enjoyed his first few weeks in charge of the national team.
"Their culture is extraordinarily beautiful. The stadiums are always full, they give their utmost but it is always in the correct way. The referees let the game run in contrast to Italy where the play is constantly broken up," he said.
"But certainly the media pressure is heavy, particularly on the national coach," he joked.
The Italian recalled Portsmouth keeper David James for his first game in charge against Switzerland earlier in the month, but at 37 he cannot be considered a long-term option.
And with former number one Paul Robinson not playing for Tottenham, Scott Carson being kept out the firing line following his performance in the defeat to Croatia and Manchester United's Ben Foster injured, the cupboard is looking bare for Capello.
He said: "Only 38 percent of the players in the Premier League are English. The pool is reduced. I have had to reinstate a 37-year-old goalkeeper but I have spotted one in the Under-21's who is very interesting."
Despite the restricted choice of players and an overbearing media, Capello insisted he has enjoyed his first few weeks in charge of the national team.
"Their culture is extraordinarily beautiful. The stadiums are always full, they give their utmost but it is always in the correct way. The referees let the game run in contrast to Italy where the play is constantly broken up," he said.
"But certainly the media pressure is heavy, particularly on the national coach," he joked.
Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing has agreed a new five-year contract at the Teesside club.
Downing, 23, who had two-and-a-half years remaining on his existing contract, had been linked with a move to Tottenham.
But after no move came about during the January transfer window the club opened new talks with the England winger.
Manager Gareth Southgate expressed his delight at the news, saying: "We have spoken about needing a couple of new signings and for me this is as important as any.
"Stewart has been involved in so many of the good things we have achieved and it is great that he can now focus on football, which is what he loves to do best.
"He is very happy playing here. He is the first here on a morning, having a cup of tea in the kit-room, and is usually the last on the training ground, so he is the type of person and professional you want at the club. He thoroughly deserves his new contract and it is good news for him and the club.
"I wanted him as part of the club, wanted him to stay and I believed all along that he was happy here and I think this shows that.
"Hopefully he is hoping I'll be manager for a little spell but it is testimony that he believes this club is heading in right direction and he enjoys his football here. "He has the talent to be in the England squad and we can work with him on the training ground now he is settled."
Southgate suggested he would now turn his attention to securing England Under-21 defender avid Wheater on a long-term deal.
"I've had very positive discussions with David and his family this week, they want to be part of the club in the longer term and we have one or two things to negotiate," he said.
Downing, 23, who had two-and-a-half years remaining on his existing contract, had been linked with a move to Tottenham.
But after no move came about during the January transfer window the club opened new talks with the England winger.
Manager Gareth Southgate expressed his delight at the news, saying: "We have spoken about needing a couple of new signings and for me this is as important as any.
"Stewart has been involved in so many of the good things we have achieved and it is great that he can now focus on football, which is what he loves to do best.
"He is very happy playing here. He is the first here on a morning, having a cup of tea in the kit-room, and is usually the last on the training ground, so he is the type of person and professional you want at the club. He thoroughly deserves his new contract and it is good news for him and the club.
"I wanted him as part of the club, wanted him to stay and I believed all along that he was happy here and I think this shows that.
"Hopefully he is hoping I'll be manager for a little spell but it is testimony that he believes this club is heading in right direction and he enjoys his football here. "He has the talent to be in the England squad and we can work with him on the training ground now he is settled."
Southgate suggested he would now turn his attention to securing England Under-21 defender avid Wheater on a long-term deal.
"I've had very positive discussions with David and his family this week, they want to be part of the club in the longer term and we have one or two things to negotiate," he said.
Arsenal are lining up a move for Egypt's goalscoring goalkeeper Essam El Hadary.Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has been impressed with the 36-year-old, who last weekend inspired his country to retain the Africa Cup of Nations, defeating Cameroon 1-0 in the final in Ghana.With the future of Germany keeper Jens Lehmann uncertain, Wenger is ready to bid this summer for El Hadary - who has been named the Ghana tournament's best goalkeeper for the second successive tournament.And he's not just a a top shot-stopper, he's got the ability to score from 70 yards. See below.El Hadary has won a string of national and continental honours with his club, Cairo giants Al Ahly. But he is now eager to move to the Premier League, and sounded out Chelsea striker Didier Drogba during Egypt's Nations Cup semi-final with the Ivory Coast."Drogba asked me if I would accept an offer to play in Europe, and I said that I am ready to go if my club accepted," El Hadary said.
Egyptian sports analyst Khaled Bayoumi added: "I had information about Arsenal's interest in El Hadary from internal club sources, and the offer for him should arrive soon."And Al Ahly coach Ahmed Nagui said: "We had a verbal approach for El Hadary. But we are waiting for an official offer for him, and then we will discuss it."Egyptian media have claimed Arsenal are ready to offer up to £15million for the keeper, who is rated the best in Africa.And Ahly director Adil Al-Qaeyi said: "If such a bid is tabled, we will surely consider it."
Florida Panthers forward Richard Zednik had blood gushing from a deep cut on the right side of his neck after being struck by a team-mate's skate against the Buffalo Sabres - and here is the amazing footage of the incident.Be warned, however, readers of a nervous disposition should look away now.NHL star Zednik was behind play and skating into the right corner of the Sabres' zone, when his team-mate Olli Jokinen was upended by Sabres defender Brian Campbell.Jokinen fell head-first to the ice, and his right leg flew up and struck Zednik directly on the side of the neck.
Clutching his neck, Zednik immediately raced to the Florida bench, leaving a long trail of blood. A Sabres trainer jumped on the ice to apply a towel across the player's neck, and Zednik was immediately escorted to the Panthers' dressing room.Players and coaches on both benches looked on in shock, and a silent hush fell over the crowd at HSBC Arena. The game was delayed for more than 15 minutes as crews scraped the blood from the ice.
A capacity crowd at Old Trafford today impeccably respected the minute's silence in memory of the Munich disaster.
United and City fans raised their commemorative scarves around the ground and stood in tribute to the 23 people, including eight of the famed 'Busby Babes', who died in the air crash 50 years ago last Wednesday।
But during the minute's silence, what appeared to be loud bangs were heard coming from outside the stadium.
Injured United captain Gary Neville, watching from the stands, appeared visibly shocked at the intrusion.
City supporters' groups had called for there to be a minutes' applause instead because they were worried some fans would not respect the wishes of their greatest rivals.
However, United insisted only silence was appropriate and both clubs urged all fans to cooperate, describing the disaster as a tragedy for Manchester.
Fears were heightened after a minute's silence at Wembley on Wednesday ahead of England's meeting with Switzerland was cut short after some spectators disrupted the tribute.
City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson said on Friday: "Football is one thing but when people die too early in an extremely bad accident, you have to respect that.
"It doesn't matter if you are wearing a blue shirt or a red shirt or whatever. It has nothing to do with football.
"We have to respect those who were doing the same job as we are doing today. It's sad and it should be respected. Don't be a fan for that minute."
Legendary City goalkeeper Frank Swift was among eight journalists who also perished when the plane carrying United home from a European Cup match in Belgrade crashed on take-off after refuelling in Munich.
Survivors of the tragedy were among the crowd for the Old Trafford derby, which is the culmination of a week of events marking the 50th anniversary.
Both clubs wore special plain kits for the match and United boss Sir Alex Ferguson and Eriksson placed wreaths in the centre spot ahead of the period of silence.
United and City fans raised their commemorative scarves around the ground and stood in tribute to the 23 people, including eight of the famed 'Busby Babes', who died in the air crash 50 years ago last Wednesday।
But during the minute's silence, what appeared to be loud bangs were heard coming from outside the stadium.
Injured United captain Gary Neville, watching from the stands, appeared visibly shocked at the intrusion.
City supporters' groups had called for there to be a minutes' applause instead because they were worried some fans would not respect the wishes of their greatest rivals.
However, United insisted only silence was appropriate and both clubs urged all fans to cooperate, describing the disaster as a tragedy for Manchester.
Fears were heightened after a minute's silence at Wembley on Wednesday ahead of England's meeting with Switzerland was cut short after some spectators disrupted the tribute.
City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson said on Friday: "Football is one thing but when people die too early in an extremely bad accident, you have to respect that.
"It doesn't matter if you are wearing a blue shirt or a red shirt or whatever. It has nothing to do with football.
"We have to respect those who were doing the same job as we are doing today. It's sad and it should be respected. Don't be a fan for that minute."
Legendary City goalkeeper Frank Swift was among eight journalists who also perished when the plane carrying United home from a European Cup match in Belgrade crashed on take-off after refuelling in Munich.
Survivors of the tragedy were among the crowd for the Old Trafford derby, which is the culmination of a week of events marking the 50th anniversary.
Both clubs wore special plain kits for the match and United boss Sir Alex Ferguson and Eriksson placed wreaths in the centre spot ahead of the period of silence.
Barcelona boss Frank Rijkaard would be interested in bringing Chelsea striker Didier Drogba to the Nou Camp - but not as part of a deal taking Samuel Eto'o the other way.Earlier this season Drogba expressed a desire to leave Chelsea, comments he later admitted he regretted making.With Eto'o and Thierry Henry leading the Barca attack and youngster Bojan Krkic rapidly rising to fame, Barca was looking an unlikely destination.But Rijkaard confirmed he could be interested in a move come the end of the season.
The English Premier League is considering playing some matches overseas.At a meeting in London today, all 20 clubs agreed to explore a proposal to extend the season to 39 games in 2010/11. The extra games would be played at venues around the world, with cities bidding for the right to stage them.It is understood the additional fixtures will be determined by a draw but that the top-five teams could be seeded to avoid playing each other. This is a chance for the Premier League to showcase its product around the worldIt is unlikely any decision will be taken before the Premier League's annual summer meeting in June, but any changes could come into effect for the 2010/11 season.Points from those extra games would count towards the league table. A number of top-flight clubs already play matches around the world as they seek to capitalise on the huge global interest in the English game.Manchester United are regular visitors to Asia, Middle East and America while other clubs are beginning to follow their lead.There is likely to be a big scramble for the right to host the extra games, with Shanghai, Bangkok, Beijing, Hong Kong, Melbourne and Miami the early favourites to host the first batch of extra games.It is believed each venue would host two matches over a weekend.Birmingham co-owner David Gold believes the League should be praised for its proposal to take matches overseas."We are making history," he said. "The Premier League, which is the greatest league the world has ever known, is being adventurous."It is looking forward and is looking to take an English brand global. The idea is very worthy of consideration. I find this amazingly exciting."Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore said: "The 'international round' is an exciting and innovative proposal that needs careful consideration before being introduced."However, this concept recognises the truly global appeal of the Barclays Premier League whilst understanding that the traditions of the English game have always underpinned our success."We believe that an 'international round' of matches will enhance the strength of the Barclays Premier League as a competition; create extra interest in all 20 Premier League Clubs at home and abroad; and allow increased investment in talent development and acquisition, facilities as well as our football development and community programmes."A meeting of the 20 clubs this morning agreed in principle to the plan. The final decision whether to proceed with the plan will be made in January next year.The idea would be to cash in on existing interest in the Premier League around the world, and the extra money generated from TV would be split equally among the 20 clubs.The details of how the system would work have yet to be finalised but it would mean each club playing 39 games, with a draw to pick out each side's overseas match.There would be a sporting criteria, such as league position, to decide who plays who, and under the proposal, points earned in the overseas game would count towards the final league position.Scudamore added: "The globalisation of sport is both an opportunity and a challenge; one that needs addressing in a responsible way."We are a better competition for being a cosmopolitan league and have benefited from our increased international reach."Nonetheless, it is critical we retain our English character by improving our efforts to produce home-grown talent, deepening our commitment to community engagement and continuing our investment in the grass-roots."The Premier League's proposal mirrors moves in other sports, notably American Football and is expected to prove unpopular with fans.Malcolm Clarke, co-chairman of the Football Supporters' Federation, said: "I'm fairly confident in predicting that the overwhelming majority of football supporters will be totally opposed to this proposal."This is yet another case of the Premier League threatening the tradition of our game simply to follow money."
But the midfielder was omitted from the 30-man party for Wednesday's friendly against Switzerland and on Thursday night he pulled out of a charity function in London and flew back to California. While representatives said he did so on the order of Galaxy coach Ruud Gullit, word was that he was keen to escape the media attention.
Capello said: 'The reason that David is not in the squad is because he has not had any real match practice since playing in November. When I spoke with David on the phone yesterday I advised him that he is still part of my plans and once he is playing regularly in America we will look closely at him again.'
Aston Villa's Curtis Davies and Gabriel Agbonlahor are the two new faces in the squad, while David Bentley is the leading contender to take Beckham's place on the right.
Fabio Capello proved himself the perfect man to guide England out of the wilderness when he ignored the clamour to reward David Beckham with his 100th cap and instead dropped him from the squad on Thursday.
Capello has not dismissed the possibility of recalling the former England captain when the new MLS season has started and he is once again playing for Los Angeles Galaxy. And Beckham, 32, has ruled out international retirement.
Davies said: 'When I got the news I thought it was a wind-up!' Agbonlahor said: 'It's brilliant to make the step up. It's a tremendous honour.'
Capello, who will reduce the squad to 23 on Saturday night, said: 'I have selected a squad of 30 as there are a lot of games before we join up and it is better that we are prepared for any injuries. This way we are not expecting to call up late replacements.
'We will use the time between now and our first World Cup qualifying match in September to look at the players and find the best formula. I will also look at players who have not been included in the squad this time.
'I have worked very closely with Stuart Pearce on squad selection and there are some players like Joe Hart, Aaron Lennon, Theo Walcott and David Wheater who are with the Under 21s this time because they have a very important qualification game against Ireland on Tuesday.'
