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More Wigan woe as Figueroa could miss FA Cup final

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez expects defender Maynor Figueroa to be out for the rest of the season with a groin problem he sustained in today's 2-2 Barclays Premier League draw with Tottenham at the DW Stadium. Figueroa suffered the injury while stretching in the box to make a good tackle that took the ball away from Spurs striker Jermain Defoe in the first half. Cruel blow: Emmerson Boyce (2nd L) deflects the ball into his own net Soon after, he had to be carried from the field on a stretcher, and Martinez suggested in his post-match press conference that the Honduras international is now likely to miss the remainder of the campaign - which includes next month's FA Cup final against Manchester City. Martinez said: 'The initial reaction is that Figueroa should be out for the season. 'It is a groin strain. It was (a great tackle), but the groin got stretched and the rest of the body pulled apart. 'We need to see the extent of the problem, but he is on crutches

We can all live normal lives again, says Stoke assistant Kemp

Stoke assistant boss Dave Kemp believes people within the club can start leading normal lives again in the wake of today's latest win that has further eased their relegation worries. Midfielder Charlie Adam's first goal since November 24, 50 seconds into the second half, was enough to seal a 1-0 win over Norwich at the Britannia Stadium, providing the club with back-to-back wins for the first time in four months. Stoke have now hit the 40-point mark long heralded by boss Tony Pulis as enough to clinch safety, although they are not yet mathematically secure of a sixth successive season in the Barclays Premier League. Goal to keep them safe: Charlie Adam is mobbed by all his teammates after scoring for Stoke 'You are always pleased when you do hit 40, but we can't relax,' said Kemp, standing in for Pulis for the second successive post-game press conference. 'I don't like setting targets. There is a danger in thinking ''well, we've got to 40 we

Spurs eye Valencia striker Soldado to kick-start Premier League title challenge

Tottenham are stepping up their interest in Spanish striker Roberto Soldado as chairman Daniel Levy seeks to build a team around Gareth Bale that can challenge for the Premier League title next season. While Bale is finding out tonight if he has won the PFA Player of the Year award, a delegation from Spurs will be in the Basque city of San Sebastian watching Soldado, 27, play for Valencia against Real Sociedad. Lane-bound? Tottenham could be lining up a move for Valencia striker Roberto Soldado Applause: Spurs want Soldado to be part of a rebuild around Gareth Bale to challenge for the title Soldado, who started his career at Real Madrid, has been one of the most consistent scorers in Spain with 70 goals in 105 starts in three seasons for Valencia after signing from Getafe as a replacement for David Villa. His 22 goals this season have kept Valencia in contention for a Champions League place in fifth, two points behind Sociedad. Although quoted £30million for Soldado a year

Lambert insists Villa still have a great chance in the battle

Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert insists the battle to avoid relegation from the Barclays Premier League is far more open than a two-horse race. Reading and QPR are all but down, leaving one space in the npower Championship to be decided over the final four weeks of the season. Wins for Sunderland, Norwich and Stoke last weekend gave them a little bit of breathing space and left Wigan and Villa as the two teams most in danger. The Latics currently occupy 18th place but have a game in hand on their rivals, while Villa's poor goal difference could also count against them, especially if the situation is the same when the two sides meet each other on the final day of the season. Still a chance: Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert has insisted the relegation battle is still open Villa have the chance to get themselves out of it before then, starting on Monday with another key clash against Sunderland at Villa Park, when victory would draw them level with the Black Cats. Lambert said: '

Motherwell 3 Celtic 1: Steelmen's hunger proves too much for sorry Bhoys

Inevitably, victory fell to the team who wanted it more — the players with the greatest will to win — and Motherwell’s motivation came from a variety of sources. From their desire to secure European football for a fifth time in six years. From the urge to finish second in the SPL. And from the quest to prove to Neil Lennon that they have players worthy of gracing any PFA Scotland shortlist. Now assured of their place in the Europa League, Stuart McCall’s team also created a small slice of history here. After recovering from the loss of the opening goal, their determined second-half comeback secured back-to-back home victories over Celtic in the SPL for the first time ever. Guard of honour: Motherwell marked Celtic's achievement of winning the Scottish Premier League Match facts Motherwell: Randolph, Hammell, Hutchinson, Ramsden, Law (Higginbotham, 90), Hateley, Humphrey, Lasley, Ojamaa (Francis-Angol, 89), Higdon, McFadden (Carswell, 85) Subs not used: Hollis, Kerr, Cummins

Happy Birthday Wembley! Iconic 'Home of Football' celebrates 90 years

The Twin Towers may have gone, and FA Cup semi-finals arrived, but Wembley Stadium still holds an irresistible aura. On Sunday, it is 90 years since the front doors first opened and in recognition of this particular birthday, Sportsmail has been granted access to the vault of photographs which tell the history of the grand old ground. We have unearthed previously unseen pictures from the very beginning to the modern day, from the minutiae to the magnificent. They offer a hidden insight of life witnessed during nine decades of existence. There is a shot of workmen surveying a freshly built Wembley from atop wooden scaffolding surrounding one of the towers in 1923. Ladders are propped up against the construction, which at that point is relatively indistinguishable from the iconic 126-foot tall structure it would become; perhaps resembling more the makings of a helter skelter. Health and safety has come a long way. Taking shape: Labourers hard at work on one of the famous Twin Towers

Manchester United to take Brazilian teen Wellington Bueno on pre-season campaign

Manchester United are expected to start pre-season with Desportivo Brasil midfielder Wellington Bueno among their ranks. The 17-year-old midfielder, who has been compared with former world player of the year Kaka, has been training with FC Twente. United front: Wellington Bueno (right) is set to start pre-season wat Old Trafford Wellington, who also goes by the name Juninho, is part of a program in which United help develop young stars in South America. Other players involved include Bruno Gomes, a striker, and Lucas Evangelista, who is on loan at Sao Paolo’s Under 20 side. Anothr, Agnaldo, is with former United striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in Norway.

Emotional Barnsley boss Flitcroft hails late father

It was either tears or beaming smiles at many Football League venues on Saturday. For David Flitcroft, it was both. A win for Hull at Oakwell would have sent them up and relegated Barnsley, but Flitcroft’s rejuvenated side live to fight another day after spectacular goals from Jacob Mellis and Chris O’Grady deservedly gave them the points. Pride was mixed with poignancy for the Barnsley manager, though, as he reflected on a stunning revival since he took charge and described spending time at his father John’s graveside in Bolton en route to the game. ‘Anything I have done here is down to my upbringing,’ said the 39-year old, who has won nine and drawn six of 20 League games so far. ‘I had an incredible leader in my dad. My mum is an incredible woman. I’ve got a brilliant family, the best in the world. ‘My dad taught me work ethic, courage, never give up and if someone wants to fight you, fight them. If you don’t beat them, find another way to fight them. He always maintained that. ‘He

With all the massive wages in the Premier League

Wayne Rooney is the richest player in the Barclays Premier League with a personal fortune of £51million, according to the Sunday Times Sport Rich List. The striker, whose wealth has increased from £45m last year, is £9m better off than Manchester United team-mate Rio Ferdinand. Rooney and his wife Coleen are jointly worth £64m. Chart-topper: Wayne Rooney is the Premier League's richest player in a list headed by David Beckham (below) Three Lions: England players Michael Carrick (left), Frank Lampard (centre) and Steven Gerrard are on the list SPORT RICH LIST 2013 POSITION NAMEWORTH 1 David Beckham £165m 2 Dave Whelan £160m 3 Paul Caddick £150m 4 Sir Tony O'Reilly £142m 5 Johnny Dumfries £110m 6 Lennox Lewis £95m 7 Eddie Irvine £83m 8 Lewis Hamilton £60m 9 Jenson Button £58m 10 Jody Scheckter £57m 11 Dave Richards £55m 12= David Coulthard £53m 12= Tim Gredley £53 12= Steve Nash £53m 15 Wayne Rooney £51m 16= Dario Franchitti £50m 16= Nigel Mansell £50m 18= Rio Fe