The Sports Matrix: Tuesday 7 June 2011

Turkey want £4m to release Hiddink

Guus Hiddink’s appointment as the new Chelsea manager moved closer yesterday as it emerged that the Turkish football federation were willing to let him go, provided they receive £4m compensation. Chelsea will open talks this week. MORE

Murray to begin Queen’s campaign

Andy Murray hopes to be fit to compete at Queen’s this week. He is due to play doubles today with his brother Jamie, against Ken Skupski and Xavier Malisse, and his first singles match is tomorrow, against Malisse or Belgian Matthias Bachinger. MORE

Can Nadal really surpass Federer?

Rafael Nadal won his 10th Grand Slam title on Sunday, leaving him joint sixth on the all-time list. Only Bjorn Borg has reached 10 in quicker time. But for Nadal to match Roger Federer’s record of 16, he must avoid injuries. MORE

Ferguson: It is United’s time now

Sir Alex Ferguson is delighted to have overtaken Liverpool’s record this year by winning Manchester United’s 19th. “It was Liverpool’s time in the Eighties; it’s our time now,” he said. He then added it was his “responsibility” to lead United to a 20th. MORE

Montgomerie set to miss 2011 Open

Colin Montgomerie is set to miss his first Open Championship for 22 years after failing to qualify at Sunningdale. The 47-year-old was bottom of the 72 players who completed the 36-holes yesterday, 12 strokes off what he needed for a chance of qualifying. MORE

Tevez team-mates want new captain

Three senior players at Manchester City have told manager Roberto Mancini that they do not want Carlos Tevez to be captain of the side if he returns next season. Tevez, whose future is uncertain, recently said he had rejected a new deal at City. MORE

English prepare for difficult draw

When the draw for next season’s Heineken Cup is made today, Leicester and Northampton may feel hard done by: the seeding means one of them may be in a very tough group indeed. Only two of the last nine winners of the cup have been English. MORE

Sturridge pleased with Bolton chance

Daniel Sturridge believes his loan spell at Bolton improved him as a player. “When I was at Chelsea I was low on confidence because I wasn’t getting the opportunities,” he said. “Being able to play regular first-team football was all I wanted.” MORE

Irish McIlorum in England squad

Wigan’s Irish international hooker, Michael McIlorum has been called up by England to fill the gap in their squad to face the Exiles on Friday. McIlorum played for Ireland in the 2008 World Cup, and replaces James Roby, who has fractured his eye socket. MORE

Opinion: James Lawton

Premier League skills adviser Alf Galustian believes that everything Lionel Messi does can be taught by coaches. But what is needed is an environment which is quick to recognise and encourage extraordinary ability. MORE

England aim to set up victory chance

England moved to 156 runs ahead of Sri Lanka yesterday, with one day remaining of the second Test at Lord’s. The hosts have eight second-innings wickets remaining going into this morning’s play, leaving a result today unlikely; although England did win from an unlikelier position on the final day of the first Test. Sri Lanka started yesterday’s play, after a rain delay, on 372 for 3. After a 59-run stand for the seventh wicket between Prasanna Jayawardene and Rangana Herath Sri Lanka were bowled out for 479, giving England a first-innings lead of seven. Andrew Strauss was dismissed with the second ball of England’s response, but Alastair Cook and Jonathan Trott put on 117 before the latter was bowled by Herath. England finished on 149 for 2, with Cook unbeaten on 61. They may declare this afternoon to set the visitors an unlikely target to chase. MORE

Swansea bid for Graham accepted

Swansea City are closing in on striker Danny Graham after having a £3.5m bid accepted by Watford. Premier League newcomers Swansea had an initial £3m bid rejected. Graham was the Championship’s top scorer last season with 24 goals.

McGoldrick strikes gold one year late

The Welsh boxer Sean McGoldrick has been awarded a Commonwealth Games gold after his Sri Lankan opponent in the bantamweight final in Delhi was stripped of the title for failing a drugs test. Manju Wanniarachchi lost the gold last month. MORE