France vs England: Three Lions fit and ready

     All 23 members of the England squad were present for Monday morning's training session at a snowy London Colney ahead of the friendly international against France.
     Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard was among the first out on to the pitch, showing few ill-effects from the hip problem he sustained during Sunday's 2-1 Barclays Premier League win over Arsenal.
     Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney was also able to take part, despite fears he may have suffered an injury in Sunday's 3-0 win against Liverpool at Old Trafford.
     Former captain David Beckham, hoping to make his 100th appearance in France, was all smiles after jetting in from Los Angeles - chatting with team-mates as they braved the unseasonal conditions at Arsenal's Hertfordshire training ground.
     Manager Fabio Capello has yet to reveal who will captain his side on Wednesday, with Chelsea's John Terry and Liverpool's Steven Gerrard understood to be the leading contenders.

Potter Author Admits to "Suicidal Thoughts"

    J.K. Rowling is throwing open the doors to her own personal chamber of secrets.
     The Harry Potter author has revealed that she suffered from a severe depression following the breakdown of her first marriage, which at one point included thoughts of suicide.
     The 42-year-old was keen not to downplay her plight, which she disclosed in an interview with Edinburgh University's Student newspaper earlier this month, but which only recently caught the eye of the world's press.
     "We're talking suicidal thoughts here, we're not talking 'I'm a little bit miserable,' " Rowling said of the depths of her depression.
     While the blockbuster author has been open about her battle with the blues before now, she has not previously spoken about having thoughts of suicide.
     Rowling told the Student publication her lowest ebb came while she was living in a small Edinburgh apartment with her daughter, Jessica, just after her divorce from Portuguese journalist Jorge Arantes. It was in the same apartment, after receiving medical help, that she began to pen her boy wizard wonder.
     "I definitely had leanings toward depression from quite an early age, but it's an extremely hard condition to recognize in yourself," she said. "Mid-20s life circumstances were poor, and I really plummeted."
     "The thing that made me go for help...was probably my daughter. She was like a touchstone in a sense, she was something that earthed me, grounded me, and I thought, 'This isn't right, this can't be right, she cannot grow up with me in this state.' "
     Rowling said she rounded up the courage to see her physician, but her regular doctor was away and the on-call medico simply sent her away with instructions to call a nurse if she was feeling particularly low.
     Two weeks later, her regular doctor returned and phoned up Rowling to come in and receive proper care. It's a phone call the author said she will always be thankful for.
     "She absolutely saved me, because I don't think I would have had the guts to go and do it twice."
     Rowling said she spent roughly nine months in cognitive behavioral therapy—"I could have done longer, I probably came out of it a little bit early"—which involved a series of counseling sessions designed to rid the patient of negative thoughts.
     "I think it was absolutely invaluable," she said of her sessions. "It worked for me so obviously I'm very 'pro' it."
     It's a dark period of her life that holds no lasting negative connotations for Rowling and one that she is more than happy to talk about.
     "I have never been remotely ashamed of having been depressed. Never," Rowling said.      "What's to be ashamed of? I think I'm abnormally shameless on that account, because what's to be ashamed of? What is to be ashamed of?"
     "I went through a really rough time and I am quite proud that I got out of that."
     As for the present day, Rowling said that while "not for the reasons people would expect at all"—namely, her estimated $1 billion fortune—she "is much happier now."

Nani And Ronaldo Ruled Out Of Greece Encounter

     The Federação Portuguesa de Futebol (FPF) have announced that Manchester United duo Nani and Cristiano Ronaldo will miss their side's friendly with Greece at the LTU-Arena in Düsseldorf.
     With both sides preparing for Euro 2008, Portugal will feel aggrieved at losing two of their more dynamic players. Nani has a pulled muscle in his right leg, while Cristiano Ronaldo's problems are in his left.
     Portugal last met Greece in the summer of 2004 in the European Championship final in Lisbon, where Hellas prevailed by a single goal.
     Indeed, Portugal have not won against the Greeks in their last four attempts.
     As no replacements have been called up for the duo by coach Felipe Scolari, there are now the following eighteen players available:

Ricardo – Real Bétis
Rui Patrício – Sporting CP
Bruno Alves – FC Porto
Fernando Meira – VFB Estugarda
Jorge Ribeiro – Boavista FC
Pepe – Real Madrid CF
Miguel – Valencia CF
Caneira – Valencia CF
Paulo Ferreira – Chelsea FC
Ricardo Carvalho – Chelsea FC
Carlos Martins – Recreativo Huelva
João Moutinho – Sporting CP
Miguel Veloso – Sporting CP
Raul Meireles – FC Porto
Hugo Almeida – Werder Bremen
Nuno Gomes – SL Benfica
Ricardo Quaresma – FC Porto
Simão – Atlético Madrid

Anderson: I Can Make Up For Kaka Absence

     Brazil coach Carlos Dunga elected to remove Kaka from the Seleçao after it became apparent that he was unlikely to have recovered from a muscle injury in time for Wednesday, leaving the door open to Anderson, who was pivotal to United's victory against Liverpool at the weekend.
     "I had more freedom and played as a "No 10" against Liverpool," said Anderson assuredly. "I feel very at ease playing this way and I hope that I can repeat the performances I have had at my club when I play for Brazil.
     'I am doubly happy, since I will play for my country and I have been part of an important victory over a rival in the English championship.'
     The game with Sweden will mark the 50th anniversary of the 1958 World Cup final between the countries, which Brazil won 5-2 with Pele famously scoring twice.

I Can Continue After 100 Caps - Beckham

     England ace David Beckham appears to be nowhere near international retirement. The LA Galaxy midfielder looks set to win his 100th England cap against France on Wednesday, but insists that he wants the appearance to be more than a token gesture.
     "It is not about 'have your 100th game and then retire'," Becks insisted. "It is about carrying on trying to play well for my country.
     "I never thought a year ago or two years ago that I would make 95 caps, never mind 100.
     "I'm honoured that I'm making, hopefully, my 100th appearance in an England shirt. I'm also honoured to be doing it against one of the best teams in the world.
     "But as much as I'm honoured to be here I want it to carry on."

2010

     Indeed, Beckham hasn’t ruled himself out of still being involved come the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Blackburn’s David Bentley is one emerging talent challenging for the right-sided berth, but the former Manchester United ace isn’t ruling out long-term involvement under Fabio Capello.
     "It is something I want to reach. I would love to play and be part of the squad in 2010. But I'm taking it as it comes - who knows what is round the corner?
     "The combination of the players and the combination of manager and staff is setting us up right for the qualification games for the World Cup."
     However, the 32-year-old was quick to push aside the idea that he could be handed the captain’s armband for his landmark appearance.
     "I don't know (about being given the armband)," said Beckham. "John Terry is the captain and he deserves to be.
     "He's a great captain and he will carry on being a great captain for Chelsea and England."

Scarlett Johansson Auctions Herself Off on eBay!!!!

     Actress Scarlett Johansson will auction off a chance to mingle with her at the premiere for He's Just Not That Into You. Scarlett, 23, is offering fans the chance to bid on two VIP tickets to the event at eBay until March 12. In a short video at the auction site, Scarlett talks about the charity that will receive the money.
     "This auction benefits Oxfam, which is an international relief organization that fights poverty around the world. One hundred percent of the proceeds go directly to supporting Oxfam's work.
So please bid high," she said.
     I wonder why her A-list costars in the film, Jennifer Aniston and Drew Barrymore, didn't offer themselves up on the auction block. I'm sure that there is no shortage of fans out there just waiting for the chance to spend time with those ladies.

Terry: Let Beckham Captain England!!!!

     Manager Fabio Capello has already said he will try a range of captains in friendly matches before deciding on a permanent choice in time for the World Cup qualifiers.
     Steven Gerrard did the honours last time with many tipping a now fit Terry - who missed the Switzerland game - to resume the captaincy he enjoyed under Steve McClaren.
     But the Chelsea skipper says this Wednesday should be about honouring David Beckham, who is hoping to earn his 100th international cap in Paris. "If he plays I think he should be captain," said Terry of the LA Galaxy midfielder. "I think he will and I hope so."
     Beckham was notably left out of Capello's first squad to play Switzerland, with England winning the match 2-1.