The Sport Matrix: Thursday 23 May 2013

Pellegrini edges closer to City role

The Malaga coach, Manuel Pellegrini, confirmed yesterday he will leave the Spanish club this summer, paving the way for a move to Manchester City after Roberto Mancini’s departure last week. The Chilean said: “Everyone has the right to follow their own path.” MORE

Injury puts Carroll decision on hold

Andy Carroll has postponed making a decision on which club he will join because of the heel injury that will rule him out until the end of July. Carroll’s disappointment at the lay-off has led to a postponement of any immediate transfer. MORE

Barry’s England career nears end

The Manchester City midfielder Gareth Barry is facing the end of his international career, with Roy Hodgson preferring to go with younger players for the remaining World Cup qualifiers before the finals in Brazil.

Froch promises a ‘brutal’ rematch

Carl Froch promises “an unbelievable, fantastic, phenomenal, vicious, brutal, barbaric fight” when he takes on Mikkel Kessler on Saturday. The pair meet in a world super-middleweight title rematch, three years after their epic fight in Kessler’s native Denmark. MORE

Wagner wants to win verbal battle

The New Zealand bowler Neil Wagner insists his side must get under the skin of England as the second Test begins at Headingley tomorrow. “It’s more about getting into a guy’s face,” he said. “It’s about irritating them, make ’em really angry.” MORE

Hartley wants to show the doubters

Northampton hooker Dylan Hartley is relishing the chance to silence the doubters when his side take on Leicester in Saturday’s Premiership final. “We’ve spent the whole campaign trying to prove people wrong. And guess what? We’ve reached the grand final,” he said. MORE

Hamilton seeks a scientific solution

Lewis Hamilton is remaining patient while Mercedes battle against Pirelli’s made-to-degrade rubber tyres ahead of Sunday’s Monaco Grand Prix. “It’s real science, and all these scientists are trying to understand our situation,” he said. MORE

James Lawton

Sergio Garcia has been picking a fight with Tiger Woods for 14 years but he doesn’t seem to learn. Some guys don’t only have your number, they can claim outright ownership. MORE

Cavendish hopes hit as Visconti wins

Mark Cavendish’s hopes of winning the points jersey in the Giro d’Italia were dealt a blow yesterday when Giovanni Visconti was victorious in stage 17, while another Italian, Vincenzo Nibali, kept the overall lead. Visconti rode away from the pack with 17 kilometres remaining. MORE

Murray niggle may allow for rest time

Andy Murray’s French Open withdrawal has caused concern that his niggling back injury may prove detrimental to future success. However, the world No 2 could benefit from rest time before Wimbledon begins next month. MORE