The Sport Matrix: Wednesday 1 October 2014

Corbisiero adds to England woes

England’s preparations for next month’s autumn internationals have suffered a further blow after Alex Corbisiero was ruled out for the rest of the year. The Northampton prop tore shoulder ligaments during last weekend’s win over Bath and could now struggle to make the Six Nations. Mako Vunipola has already been ruled out, while Andrew Sheridan has confirmed his retirement from the game.

Rodgers: Gerrard can inspire Reds

Brendan Rodgers believes Steven Gerrard can inspire Liverpool out of their current poor run of form. “He is right in the thick of it, right in the centre,” the manager said as the Reds visit Basel. “That is the position I have him in so he can orchestrate the team. He does it magnificently.”

Wenger at a loss to explain injuries

Arsène Wenger admits he is powerless to prevent injuries affecting his Arsenal squad. “We know a lot more than 18 years ago when I arrived,” the manager said before tonight’s visit of Galatasaray, “but not enough to predict 100 per cent what happens to everybody.”

Sturridge set to miss England qualifiers

By Tim Rich in Basel

Daniel Sturridge is likely to miss the next two England internationals after failing to make Liverpool’s squad to face Basel this evening.

The striker has not played since August after injuring his groin in an England training session he had specifically asked to sit out. The fact that England made him to do sprinting and shooting work two days after the friendly with Norway – something he would not do at club level – was met with anger at Liverpool.

Sturridge’s manager, Brendan Rodgers, had hoped to have him fit to face Everton last Saturday.

However, he is unlikely to make the West Bromwich game on Saturday and, in that case, will not be made available for England’s home Euro 2016 qualifiers against San Marino and Estonia a week tomorrow and the following Sunday.

Rodgers said: “We are hoping he can train on Thursday and be available for some involvement on Saturday. But if you are talking about players’ availability [for England] they need to be fit to play and Daniel will not be fit to play.”

Murray slogs way to China victory

Fresh from winning the Shenzhen Open, Andy Murray laboured to victory in his opening match at the China Open yesterday. The Scot overcame Pole Jerzy Janowicz in three sets over two and a half hours as he continued his bid to qualify for the World Tour finals.