The Sports Matrix: Thursday 21 April 2011

Campbell injury forces Bruce to buy

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce will look for a striker in the summer as Fraizer Campbell will miss the next 12 months after surgery. Danny Welbeck will return to Manchester United after a season’s loan, and Bruce admitted the club “will look to get over it”.

Lancashire on top against Somerset

Lancashire recovered to bowl Somerset out for 268 at Liverpool, despite letting the visitors reach 129 for 2 at lunch. Gary Keedy and Sajid Mahmood took three wickets each before Lancashire reached 70 without loss in response before close. MORE

Hamburg date for Haye v Klitschko

The hotly anticipated contest between the WBA heavyweight champion David Haye and IBF/ WBOtitle holder Wladmir Klitschko has been confirmed for 2 July, at the 57,000-capacity Imtech Arena in Hamburg. MORE

Celtic closer to catching Rangers

Celtic moved within one point of Rangers at the top of the table with a 4-0 win at Kilmarnock. Kris Commons put the visitors ahead after four minutes, and the January signing scored again before Gary Hooper made it 3-0. Anthony Stokes scored the fourth.

Ennis plans return from injury in May

Jessica Ennis is planning a return to competitive athletics at the Powerade Great City Games in Manchester on 15 May, having been absent since February with an ankle injury. Her first heptathlon of the year will be in Austria in 28-29 May. MORE

Platini promises to combat bigotry

Uefa president Michel Platini has pledged to “fight” bigotry after Celtic manager Neil Lennon was sent a parcel bomb. “I am with him in my heart,” he said. “We must keep politics and religion out of football. We will fight against violence and sectarianism.” MORE

Two British golfers could climb to No 1

Britain has two chances to reclaim the world No 1 spot in the next four days. Lee Westwood, the No 2, is playing the Indonesian Masters while Luke Donald is playing The Heritage at Hilton Head. If either wins they will overtake No 1 Martin Kaymer. MORE

Ferguson upbeat after goalless draw

Sir Alex Ferguson remains positive about Manchester United’s title hopes after their performance in Tuesday’s 0-0 draw at Newcastle. “I am confident we will be fine now as Newcastle was a hard one to get over,” he said. “We didn’t show any signs of fatigue.” MORE

Mason still in Hull despite Toulon talk

Willie Mason is in Hull KR’s squad to play Hull tomorrow, despite reports that the Australian is ready to quit the club after only six games. There is speculation of a move to French rugby union side Toulon, but both Mason and Hull KR have denied this. MORE

Opinion: James Lawton

Three times last night Arsenal scored goals guaranteed to shrivel the resistance of most any opponents, the first of them coming straight from the manual of brilliance to which Cesc Fabregas has contributed so regularly. MORE

Arsenal held by Spurs in thriller

Arsenal could only move to six points behind Manchester United after a compelling north London derby ended 3-3 at White Hart Lane. Theo Walcott put Arsenal ahead after five minutes. The lead lasted for just 82 seconds before Rafael van der Vaart’s equaliser. Samir Nasri restored Arsenal’s lead, and Robin van Persie made it 3-1 four minutes before half-time, volleying home from close range. Shortly before the break Tom Huddlestone reduced the deficit and Spurs equalised with 20 minutes remaining when Van der Vaart converted a penalty, and neither side could find a winner. MORE

Chelsea maintain United pursuit

Chelsea kept the gap between themselves and Manchester United at six points with a 3-1 home win over Birmingham City. Florent Malouda scored two and Salomon Kalou one before Sebastian Larsson’s late penalty pulled one back for Birmingham. MORE

Ecclestone denies takeover claims

Bernie Ecclestone has rejected speculation of a potential takeover of Formula One by a consortium led by News Corporation. “It is all rubbish,” said the 80-year-old rights holder. “Formula One is not for sale. And, anyway, we would not sell to a media company.”