Crystal Palace in Carlton Cole hold-up

CRYSTAL PALACE'S hopes of landing Carlton Cole are hanging in the balance.

Palace aren't keen on paying Cole too much more than their current earners

“Cole was on around £40,000 a week at West Ham and is reluctant to drop.”

Boss Ian Holloway wants ex-West Ham striker Cole to spearhead the Premier League new boys' attack.

But Cole's potential free transfer move to Selhurst Park is in danger due to his wage demands.

Cole was on around £40,000 a week at West Ham and is reluctant to drop.

But Palace aren't keen on paying Cole too much more than their current earners, who are paid in the region of £18,000 a week.

They are optimistic a deal can still be done if Cole can be persuaded to accept a compromise deal of lower wages that is topped up by bonuses.

David Moyes at a loss after new pre-season blow

MANCHESTER UNITED manager David Moyes was gutted after seeing his side lose a friendly against Yokohama F Marinos last night.

Moyes desperately wanted to have a successful pre-season

A 3-2 defeat on their Far East tour was their second loss in three tour games so far and Moyes said: "I am disappointed with the goals we conceded."

Moyes, who took over from Sir Alex Ferguson last month, desperately wanted to have a successful pre-season after moving to Old Trafford from Everton.

But, after going behind within a minute, United were always up against it and the defeat left Moyes down in the mouth.

Just 27 seconds had gone when Yokohama went ahead. United bounced back through Jesse Lingard's third goal of the tour and a Masakazu Tashiro own-goal.

But they were unable to build on their advantage, with Danny Welbeck and local hero Shinji Kagawa spurning good chances.

United were eventually picked off, with Yoshihito Fujita bagging the winner three minutes from time, leaving Moyes "disappointed."

Moyes confirmed Rio Ferdinand had been rested after featuring in both games so far, while Michael Carrick was still feeling the effects of a tight groin, which forced him out of training yesterday.

Moyes also played down concerns over Welbeck and Robin van Persie, who came off at halftime.

Lingard is congratulated by Van Perise

“Moyes was happy that Kagawa played 30 minutes despite only reporting for duty yesterday.”

He said: "Robin just felt his thigh in the first half and we didn't want to take any chances. Danny Welbeck felt his groin when he came on.

"We've just got to make sure they're all OK, especially with so many games coming up. We've still got a few games before the season starts."

Moyes was happy that Kagawa played 30 minutes despite only reporting for duty yesterday.

It was enough to earn him man of the match from the sponsors, although even Kagawa looked embarrassed as he collected his prize.

Meanwhile, United's Darren Fletcher hopes to be back in action in September as he recovers from two seasons of illness worries. He will miss the start of the campaign after a bowel operation.

Darren Fletcher hopes to be back in action in September as he recovers from two seasons of illness worries. He will miss the start of the campaign after a bowel operation.

Eyong Enoh's Fulham move in doubt

FULHAM fear their move for Eyong Enoh has been hijacked by Olympiakos.

Eyong Enoh could return to Fulham permanently after spending last season on loan at Craven Cottage

“Martin Jol has baulked at the £2m asking price for the Cameroon international”

They want to bring back the Ajax midfielder on a permanent basis following last season's loan spell.

But Martin Jol has baulked at the £2m asking price for the Cameroon international.

Now Eyong, 27, has opened talks with the Greek side.

Fulham could now step up their interest in Evian's Mohammed Rabiu.

Aston Villa outcast Darren Bent, Spurs midfielder Tom Huddlestone and Wolves winger Bakary Sako are also on Jol's wish list.

Fulham are signing Birmingham starlet Foday Nabay for £300,000.

Lionel Messi's first choice gets Barcelona job

LIONEL MESSI got his way yesterday when Barcelona announced Gerardo Martino as their new coach.

Messi had been rooting for Martino to get the job

“I like Martino. He is a great coach. He gets his teams playing well and we all respect him.”

Lionel Messi, speaking last year

Argentina star Messi is a big fan of Martino and was rooting for his countryman to replace Tito Vilanova, who has stepped down to battle cancer.

Messi and Martino both hail from Rosario and his appointment is intended to keep the four-time Ballon d'Or winner happy.

Speaking a year ago, Messi said: "I like Martino. He is a great coach. He gets his teams playing well and we all respect him."

Martino, 50, led Newell's Old Boys to the Argentinian title last season but recently severed ties with the club. He has agreed a two-year contract at Barca.

Raheem Sterling is raring to get going again

LIVERPOOL winger Raheem Sterling is ready to fly once again when the new Premier League season starts.

Rodgers believes a summer of recuperation has been beneficial to Sterling, above

Manager Brendan Rodgers is confident Sterling will begin the new campaign with the impact he did last season and then maintain a higher standard throughout.

Sterling, who is becoming a Kop hero with his speedy, attacking play, was handed a surprise start against Manchester City last August aged just 17. He then became a crowd favourite by starting the next 15 matches, during which time he also made his full England debut.

After signing his first major contract he remained a key part of Rodgers' first-team plans until injury saw his season ended in late March.

But Rodgers believes a summer of recuperation has been beneficial and expects even more from the player this time around.

Rodgers is willing to give Sterling another chance

“I thought he was outstanding the other night against an Indonesia XI when he played really well.”

Brendan Rodgers

He has already showed that Rodgers is right to have faith in him with goals in both of Liverpool's friendlies so far.

Rodgers said: "I thought he was outstanding the other night against an Indonesia XI when he played really well.

"He's come back refreshed. He did work over the course of pre-season and was back and forward from his holidays into Melwood preparing himself well.

"He looks so fit, he looks sharp, he looks better than last summer when I came in and I think he'll play a big part for us again this season."

Real Madrid's 'dirty tricks' to get Gareth Bale leave Spurs raging

TOTTENHAM last night warned Real Madrid to back off over Gareth Bale as the dirty tricks campaign to unsettle him rumbles on.

Bale is going nowhere insists Spurs boss Villas-Boas

Sources close to Bale insist he has NOT asked for a transfer OR agreed terms with Real - contrary to several reports this week from the Spanish giants.

But Starsport has also learned that Spurs are so determined to keep him they have even issued a written hands-off warning to Madrid refusing to negotiate under any circumstances.

A club insider said last night: "We've made our position clear. It won't change. We have no interest in entertaining bids."

Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas is furious with Real's behaviour and grew increasingly irritated as he fielded more questions about Bale's future in Hong Kong yesterday.

Villas-Boas said: "On Gareth, I want to repeat what I was telling you last season and what I was telling you from the beginning of pre-season so I cannot extend myself. He's a Tottenham player, we are counting on him for the future."

Spurs look unlikely to match Roberto Soldado's £26m buy-out clause

“He's a Tottenham player, we are counting on him for the future.”

Andre Villas-Boas

Claims in Madrid newspaper Marca yesterday that Bale has agreed an eye-watering six-year contract with Real worth £8.5m a season are wide of the mark.

Bale will miss the club's Asia Trophy opener against Sunderland today, but Villas-Boas insists there is nothing sinister in that as he has a training-ground knock.

Meanwhile, Spurs opened the door for Liverpool to nab Roberto Soldado from under their noses last night after failing to meet his £26m buy-out clause.

Director of football Franco Baldini returned home emptyhanded after presenting Valencia with a new bid of around £22m plus performance-related add-ons for the Spain striker.

But Spurs risk missing out because representatives from Liverpool are now expected in Valencia for talks tomorrow.

Villas-Boas said: "Roberto is one of the players we have been following. But there isn't a deal being struck at the moment, it's just interest and conversations."

Manchester City's Jesus Navas aims to leave Premier League rivals reeling

MANCHESTER CITY new boy Jesus Navas has revealed he turned down the chance to join Arsenal three years ago.

Jesus Navas training with City yesterday

And now he is ready to show Arsene Wenger what he missed by lighting up the Premier League and helping City recapture the title.

Manuel Pellegrini has paid Seville £16m to add Navas' speedy wing play to a team that badly needed pace and width.

But the Spain international says he could already have been playing in England if he had accepted an offer from Wenger following the World Cup in 2010.

He turned down the move then because Seville were riding high in La Liga, had qualified for the Champions League three years on the bounce, and just won the Spanish Cup.

And he was still fighting to overcome the anxiety problems that dogged his early career and made him homesick whenever he was away from his family.

As he launched City's new black away kit here in Hong Kong, a relaxed Navas said: "At that time, I was still winning and achieving things at Seville and therefore it wasn't the right time to move.

"My time at Seville was great but we haven't won anything for two or three years and I feel now is the right time to move on. I am ambitious to win things. I always demand 100 per cent from myself so for that reason it was the right time to go."

Navas, 26, has overcome the anxiety attacks that also played a part in his decision to turn down the Gunners.

"It was a few years ago now," he added.

"It's all in the past and I've moved on.

Otherwise I wouldn't be here now. I have a wife and young baby now and having them in England will help me settle."

Navas will certainly feel quite at home at the Etihad Stadium thanks to City's ever-growing Spanish-speaking contingent.

Alvaro Negredo has followed him from Seville this summer while fellow Spaniards David Silva and Javi Garcia are already they along with Argentine pair Sergio Aguero and Pablo Zabaleta, who both have had spells in La Liga.

The new boys Negredo, Jovetic and Navas pose together

“We want to try to recreate the partnership we had at Seville, with me making the goals and Negredo scoring them”

Jesus Navas

Then there is Chilean boss Pellegrini while the club's chief executive, Ferran Soriano, and sporting director Txiki Begiristain, are both former Barcelona directors.

"It's going to make the transition easier," he said. "Obviously I'm very pleased to see Negredo follow me to City.

"We have played together for years at Seville so we know each other's game very well. But not only do we have a good relationship on the pitch, we have a good one off it.

"We want to try to recreate the partnership we had at Seville, with me making the goals and Negredo scoring them, but really it's a team effort. It will be down to all of us if we are going to be successful.

"My team-mates will help a lot with settling in England but this is something I really want. I'm here to play football and achieve really big things. So that is driving me to adapt here to the football and the culture. I plan to learn the language quickly.

"I'm ready for this. It's an exciting time to be joining City and I'm confident we will enjoy the season.

"The Spanish influence in the team can be very important but it's not all about that. Everyone in the squad worked together - there are many great players here and if it all comes together we can do great things."

Navas' spell at Seville afforded him a close-up view of Pellegrini as he forged a glowing managerial reputation by guiding unfashionable Villarreal and then Malaga into the latter stages of the Champions League.

"I've got a lot of respect for Pellegrini," he said. "He has a lot of experience as a manager. He managed to win a lot of games at Villarreal and Malaga with quite limited resources. His coaching style fits with me very well so I'm delighted to get the chance to play for him."

The Premier League's defensive hardmen might relish the prospect of leaving their calling card on the slightly-built Navas but he is ready for the more robust challenge of the English game - and even claims it will suit him.

"From day one that was one of the main things that attracted me to the Premier League - the speed and the high tempo nature of the game here. I will be naturally suited to it," he said.

"I believe my main quality is my speed and that can help to open games up. That's what I'm good at. And hopefully I can help set up goals like I did at Seville.

"It is a big challenge but I have a lot of experience. I've played a lot of big games for Seville and Spain. Hopefully that is going to help me embrace the challenge here."

Cesc Fabregas holds key for David Moyes

MANCHESTER UNITED landing Cesc Fabregas is set to trigger the sale of Wayne Rooney to Chelsea.

United boss David Moyes and the Old Trafford hierarchy want to bring in Fabregas

Starsport understands the champions want to make a marquee signing before letting Rooney go - and have told the Blues to hold off making a second bid until then.

Yesterday Starsport revealed how Rooney - despite reportedly having a hamstring injury - played golf on Sunday at a club near Chelsea's Cobham training ground.

Chelsea have already had a £20m bid for Rooney rejected, but boss Jose Mourinho remains confident he will get the 27-year-old.

United boss David Moyes and the Old Trafford hierarchy want to bring in Fabregas first - they have lodged a second offer with Barcelona, thought to be around £30m, for the Spanish midfielder.

David Moyes is keeping a tight grip on Wayne Rooney

“They have lodged a second offer with Barcelona, thought to be around £30m,”

That has been rebuffed but United will continue fighting to get their man.

Moyes towed the party line yesterday, again insisting Rooney was not for sale.

He said the expectation was that Rooney will be in Stockholm for the friendly against AIK Solna on August 6.

"We have said he is not for sale," said Moyes.

"That has not changed. I do expect Wayne to be in Stockholm."

Prince Charles and Camilla pay visit to Royal baby as Britain celebrates

PRINCE CHARLES and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, have met the Royal baby for the first time.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are celebrating their new arrival

The proud Grandad and step-Grandmother arrived at St Mary's Hospital in west London to visit the tot and mum Kate.

The Duchess of Cambridge has sparked worldwide celebrations after giving birth to an 8lb 6oz baby boy yesterday afternoon.

Gun salutes across London today marked the birth of the new Prince.

And the bells of Westminster Abbey will sound for three hours this afternoon in celebration.

Three of the ten bell ringers are the same as those who performed the same task for new dad Prince William's birth more than 30 years ago.

The Duchess of Cambridge's parents Carole and Michael Middleton were the baby's first visitors, as they arrived at the Lindo Wing of St Mary's.

The new grandparents arrived in a black cab and were greeted lead clinician Jonathan Ramsay, before they walked up to the doorway.

Carole said the baby was "absolutely beautiful".

She added: "They're both doing really well, we're so thrilled."

Yesterday afternoon, proud Prince William immediately called the Queen, his father Prince Charles, and his brother Harry and made sure Kate’s family was told the happy news.

After more than a week of waiting, Kate was admitted to the Lindo Wing of St Mary’s, Paddington, west London, at 5.30am, already in labour.

Just under 11 hours later the baby, who is third in line to the throne after Charles and William, arrived at 4.24pm.

Palace sources said the couple chose to delay the public announcement of the birth until 8.30pm to allow them to spend “quality time” together.

Prince Charles and Camilla have met the Royal baby for the first time

Kate's parents Carole and Michael Middleton were the tot's first visitors

The bells of Westminster Abbey will ring for three hours this afternoon

Pope feels the heat in Brazil

MASKED protesters fought bloody street battles with police as Pope Francis, right, arrived in Brazil yesterday.

The Brazilian government has spent £34m on the Pope's week-long visit

Dozens were hurt as demonstrators lobbed firebombs and officers fired tear gas and rubber bullets to control the crowds in Rio de Janeiro.

Brazilians are furious at their government for blowing £34m on the Pope’s seven-day visit while failing to tackle corruption, unemployment and reckless spending.

Labours of love: The babies who share a birthday with the new prince

THESE little charmers have had a right royal start in life by sharing their birth date with the Prince of Cambridge.

New mum Natia Kavelavli, 26, named her baby Kate after she gave birth at Basildon Hospital in Essex at 4.24pm, the exact same time as the Duchess.
She said: “It’s unbelievable.”

Alex Morpeth, 18, and Nicola Gray, 30, both of Gateshead, and Rebecca Gale, of Norwich, were also thrilled to give birth on the big day.

And another Kate Middleton, 25, also gave birth, naming her daughter Emily after she was born in Southend, Essex.

AT the exact moment the royal baby arrived - 4.24pm on Monday - so did little Kate Kilcoin, named in honour of the Duchess

ANOTHER Kate Middleton has given birth.
The royal namesake, of QUEENS ROAD, Southend, Essex, named her little princess Emily Francis.

John James Gray with his mother Nicola Gray at the Gateshead Queen Elizabeth Hospital Maternity Ward

'One's grandson is marvellous': The royal baby has the world's proudest grandparents

THE Prince of Cambridge had the world's proudest grandparents yesterday as both sets visited the new arrival for the first time.

Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall arrive at the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital

Prince Charles declared the newborn tot was "perfect" and "marvellous" after slipping into the Lindo Wing with his wife Camilla to congratulate William and Kate.

Asked about his first grandchild, the elated royal sent the crowd into rapture as he confirmed the couple would pose on the steps - just as he and Princess Diana did 31 years earlier. Talking of the 8lb 6oz prince, Charles said: "He's marvellous, thank you very much, absolutely wonderful - you wait and see, you'll see in a minute."

In a break from royal protocol, the first visitors to the top-notch maternity unit were Kate's parents, Michael and Carole Middleton.

Their trip to the Lindo Wing is the strongest hint yet that the baby will enjoy a far more normal upbringing than Wills and his brother Harry, 28.

Carole admitted she was overcome with emotion at being the first family member to meet the little lad.

Looking summery in a blue polkadot dress similar to the one her daughter wore later in the day, she gushed: "He's absolutely beautiful!" The pair spent just over an hour admiring their grandson inside the central London maternity ward.

Wait for the Royal Baby finally over as Duchess of Cambridge gives birth to a son

THE Duchess of Cambridge has given birth to a son weighing 8 lbs and 6 oz as the nation's wait for a Royal Baby reached its climax today.

The Duchess of Cambridge has gone into labour

Her husband Prince William was present as his wife gave birth to our future king, who is third in line to the throne.

Buckingham Palace said the Royal family are delighted with the news.

A statement said: "Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge was safely delivered of a son at 4.24pm. The baby weighs 8lbs 6oz.

"The Duke of Cambridge was present for the birth.

"The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Harry and members of both families have been informed and are delighted with the news.

"Her Royal Highness and her child are both doing well and will remain in hospital overnight."

An easel with details of the Royal Baby is set up outside Buckingham Palace

A town crier announced the arrival of the baby outside the hospital and a notice giving details about the baby was transported by car to Buckingham Palace.

The notice was placed in an easel in the palace's forecourt, much like when Prince William was born on June 21 1982.

Prince Charles said he was "enormously proud and happy to be a grandfather for the first time", adding that it was "an incredibly special moment for William and Catherine".

He added: "Grandparenthood is a unique moment in anyone's life, as countless kind people have told me in recent months, so I am enormously proud and happy to be a grandfather for the first time and we are eagerly looking forward to seeing the baby in the near future."

While Prime Minister David Cameron spoke outside 10 Downing Street to say the birth of the royal baby was 'an important moment in the life of our nation.'

The Duke of Cambridge issued a short statement, saying: "We could not be happier."

A town crier announces the arrival of the Royal Baby outside St Mary's

People gather outside Buckingham Palace after news of the Royal Baby's arrival emerges

New baby delivers a tot tips frenzy

BOOKIES cashed in yesterday as punters put down £100,000 an hour in bets.

Fans are ecstatic about the new birth that many are willing to try and win some money on it

“The whole world has been waiting for Kate to give birth”

Nicola McGeady, Ladbrokes spokeswoman

 Ladbrokes reported a betting bonanza as Kate laboured on, with 900 wagers every 60 minutes.

And Coral said the royal baby was the biggest non-sporting betting event in the firm’s history.

Company spokeswoman Nicola McGeady said: “The whole world has been waiting for Kate to give birth.

“Now we have witnessed another betting frenzy."

Duchess Kate in expert hands

A MEDICAL team with extensive experience and knowledge of the Royal Family looked after the Duchess of Cambridge.

Kate is in good hands with Marcus Setchell at the Lindo Wing

Marcus Setchell, 69, who was the Queen’s gynaecologist for two decades, was in charge.

He helped save the lives of the Countess of Wessex and her eldest child Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor in 2003.

Sophie was rushed to hospital suffering severe internal pains when she was eight months pregnant.

She was dangerously ill from blood loss and doctors performed an emergency Caesarean.

Lady Louise – the first grandchild of the Queen to be born on the NHS –weighed just 4lb 9oz.

Two years earlier the Countess, 48, was airlifted to hospital after suffering a life-threatening ectopic pregnancy.

Fans await the news outside St Mary's hospital

“She was dangerously ill from blood loss and doctors performed an emergency Caesarean.”

Mr Setchell assisted with the 66-year-old Duchess of Cornwall’s hysterectomy at King Edward VII’s Hospital in 2007 and delivered Sophie’s son James – Viscount Severn – the same year.

He looked after Kate when she was taken to hospital with severe morning sickness in the early stages of her pregnancy.

Mr Setchell was assisted by the Queen’s current gynaecologist, Alan Farthing, 50, the former fiance of murdered TV presenter Jill Dando.

He was appointed to the royal post in September 2008.

Kate’s baby is his first high-profile royal birth.

New boy to be caring like Princess Diana

THE future of Princess Kate’s little boy is already written in the stars, with the tot born a sensitive Cancer.

Princess Diana with Prince Charles and newborn WIlliam

The baby was born under the sign of the crab, meaning he will be in touch with his emotions and love a cuddle from mum and dad.

He is the same star sign as dad William, 31, and his late gran Princess Diana, whose down-to-earth, caring characters have seen them champion a string of good causes.

Carrying on such traits will make him a perfect candidate for the demanding role of Prince, understanding the challenges of ordinary people across Britain and the globe.

The boy has also picked an unusual time to come into the world, on the cusp of two star signs and during a Full Moon.

If he had been born after 4.57pm yesterday, when the signs changed, he would have been a trailblazing Leo.

But rather than a fiery, decisive and limelight-loving Leo, experts reckon he will be a sensible lad who can show great sympathy and compassion for others.

Crowds gather outside Buckingham Palace to feel part of the atmosphere

“The boy has also picked an unusual time to come into the world, on the cusp of two star signs and during a Full Moon.”

Daily Star astrologer Lori Reid said: “Cancer is all about home and nurturing. They are great little collectors and very close to their mums. They are squidgy on the inside, sensitive and emotional but they have a hard, strong shell.” And she said a Full Moon baby almost certainly meant change.

She added: “A Full Moon baby brings a circle to a close. They like seeing through change.”

If the boy had been born just 33 minutes later, he would have been a Leo, added Lori.

But being so close to the sign of Leo he will almost certainly carry some traits of that sign too.

Lori added: “Being born so close to Leo, this child will transform British life and follow through with a lot of changes.”

Famous people with the Cancer sign include singer Cheryl Cole, 30, Pussycat Dolls babe Nicole Scherzinger, 35, and US rapper 50 Cent 38.

It's a boy! Wills and Kate's joy at royal baby

PRINCESS KATE sparked worldwide celebrations last night after giving birth to an 8lb 6oz baby boy.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are celebrating their new arrival

Proud Prince William immediately called the Queen, his father Prince Charles, and his brother Harry and made sure Kate’s family was told the happy news.

After more than a week of waiting, Kate was admitted to the Lindo Wing of St Mary’s, Paddington, west London, at 5.30am, already in labour.

Just under 11 hours later the baby, who is third in line to the throne after Charles and William, arrived at 4.24pm.

Palace sources said the couple chose to delay the public announcement of the birth until 8.30pm to allow them to spend “quality time” together.

Tony Appleton, a town crier, announces the birth of the royal baby

Everyone got the message loud and clear

Tony Blair school claims rise

THE number of alleged sex abuse victims at Tony Blair’s former school has risen to 15 as police extend their probe.

Former PM Tony Blair attended the school from 1961 to 1966

Durham police confirmed that five more men, aged in their 60s, have claimed they were attacked at The Chorister School at Durham Cathedral.

As in all previous cases, the men accuse Canon John Grove, headmaster from 1957 to 1978, of sexual abuse. He died in 2001.

The surge in new cases comes as police revealed they are now looking for witnesses and new victims.

A spokesman said: “The investigation is still in the process of identifying victims and other people who may be able to assist police. At this stage no other staff member has been identified as being involved in any aspect of abuse other than John Grove.”

Current school headmistress Yvette Day is also helping police by providing historical records.

Liz Dux, of law firm Slater Gordon, who is representing five abuse claimants, welcomed the police action.

Comedian Rowan Atkinson also attended the school

“The investigation is still in the process of identifying victims and other people who may be able to assist police”

A spokesman

She is working for the original abuse claimant, also in his 60s, who told his story in the Daily Star Sunday.

She said: “Once again we have seen how it takes the courage of one person to give others confidence they will be believed.

“That so many have now reported their own sufferings is testament to my client’s courage and the campaign of this newspaper. This has ensured the full story of what happened at this school will be disclosed.”

Durham police added: “We would encourage victims to come forward and would also like to hear from anyone who may have relevant information about the behaviour of John Grove.”

Former PM Tony Blair attended the school from 1961 to 1966. Actor Rowan Atkinson was there at the same time.

There is no suggestion either man was abused during their time there.