Coventry City Ladies FC open their return to the FA Premier League with a tough away start at Manchester City Ladies FC on Sunday 22nd August, followed by their first home fixture against Aston Villa in the League Cup on the 29th at their new base at Warwick University.
With the top two teams of last season (Liverpool and Lincoln) gaining entry to the inaugural Women's Super League, the Sky Blues will have their work cut out against two teams that finished 4th and 5th in the Premier League Northern Division in the preceding campaign.
Manager Paul Cudby commented: "It's a great chance to test ourselves immediately against high quality opposition and in many respects takes the pressure completely off of us, I'm hoping that we'll rise to the challenge and that the work and preparation through pre-season pays off. We fought long and hard last year to earn the right to play in this league, I'm confident that we'll give a good account of ourselves."
Manchester City target Edin Dzeko pleads with Wolfsburg to lower huge £50m price tag
Edin Dzeko is confident that Wolfsburg will drop their £50million asking price and allow him to join Manchester City.
City have been put off by the German club's demands which rocketed as soon as a £35m release clause in Dzeko's contract expired.
But the Bosnia striker is still hopeful he can persuade them to lower the figure. He said: 'I want to clarify that it is not a matter of money, but of ambition. I feel I have to take a leap in quality and play for a big club.
'It is an important moment of my career and I also explained that to the leaders of Wolfsburg.
'With them I have a wonderful relationship and I'm sure they will fulfil my desire.'
Dzeko remains high on City's list of transfer targets if they can sign him at the right price, and manager Roberto Mancini admitted last week that he is interested in the possibility of partnering him with Inter Milan striker Mario Balotelli.
Balotelli's agent Mino Raiola wants to hold talks with City and rivals Manchester United this week. He said: 'There have been good offers by Man Utd and City. The interest in Manchester is real, and both clubs confirmed this.
'Balotelli is pleased that [Sir Alex] Ferguson is chasing him, but we cannot exclude that he will stay at Inter or join a different club.'
TRANSFER BOLLOX
Liverpool striker Fernando Torres could be out for another two months after suffering a groin injury in Spain's World Cup final win over the Netherlands, which could scupper a possible move to Chelsea. the Guardian
Mexican winger Pablo Barrera is set to complete a £4m switch from Pumas to West Ham on a two-year contract, with the option of a third, subject to gaining a work permit. Daily Mirror
Upton Park could also be the destination for Nice striker Loic Remy. The 23-year-old is keen to make the move and manager Avram Grant is closing in on a £12m deal. Daily Mirror
Premier League new boys Blackpool are weighing up a move for United States international midfielder Michael Bradley, who plays for Borussia Moenchengladbach. Daily Mail
Liverpool have blocked a proposed deal for French striker David Ngog to go to West Brom on a season-long loan deal in case they cannot bring in two new strikers before the transfer window shuts. Daily Mail
Portsmouth manager Steve Cotterill says there is "definitely a move on the cards" for Nigerian striker John Utaka, three years after he arrived for £7m. Sunderland have been linked with the 28-year-old.
Full story: the Independent
David James could also be leaving Portsmouth after the club ran out of patience with the veteran goalkeeper when he failed to make a decision over an offer of a new one-year contract. (Daily Express)
Newcastle are desperate to keep veteran goalkeeper Steve Harper at the club, despite interest from Celtic, whose first-choice stopper Artur Boruc is set to join Italian side Fiorentina. Daily Mirror
Real Madrid have ended their interest in Liverpool's Steven Gerrard as they think the £30m price tag on the 30-year-old is excessive. Daily Star
Rangers midfielder Kevin Thomson could be the latest former Old Firm player to join ex-Celtic manager Gordon Strachan at Middlesbrough after agreeing a £2m move. Kris Boyd, Chris Killen and Barry Robson are already at the Riverside Stadium. Daily Record
OTHER BOLLOX
James Beattie and Dave Kitson have both been left out of Stoke's pre-season tour of Austria by manager Tony Pulis. Full story: Daily Mirror
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has warned England to stop relying on stars like Wayne Rooney if they want to win big tournaments and to work as a team. Daily Mirror
Fulham are interested in recruiting United States coach Bob Bradley as manager following the departure of Roy Hodgson to Liverpool.
the Sun
World Cup final referee Howard Webb says Sunday's stormy game between Spain and the Netherlands was "the most difficult two hours of my career".the Sun
World Cup star Paul the 'psychic' octopus has been accused of having a slippery past after his trainer said he is Italian, not British, and is younger than his German aquarium have claimed. Daily Mirror
Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas had a Barcelona shirt put over his head and was referred to as "the future of Barcelona" by Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina as Spain's players celebrated their World Cup win in front of 200,000 fans in Madrid. Daily Mail
Defender Louis Carey's pre-season training with Bristol City has been disrupted after he injured his heel cooking at a barbeque. (Daily Star)
MICAH'S DIARY BOLLOX
Hi everyone. It is always exciting coming back for pre-season and this year is especially so because the club has signalled its intentions with some great buys.
I spent the early part of the summer in Los Angeles so one way or another I will have seen a lot of America before the season starts. I had a glimpse of a bit of Newfoundland too on the way here because we had to refuel there.
From what I have seen so far Portland is a pretty cool place although we have not had time to have a really good look around yet. Those people we have met have given us a really friendly welcome and made us feel at home.
Sleep has been the key after such a long flight but it didn’t stop me from watching the World Cup final on Sunday afternoon.
Some of the lads watched it in the hotel and others went to the Fanzone to sample the atmosphere with the locals on a jumbotron (big screen) as they call it over here.
It wasn’t the best of games but that is to be expected in such a big event. I felt really sorry for Nigel (de Jong). I thought he was going to bring back a winner’s medal but it wasn’t to be.
In true football tradition he will be welcomed back with no sympathy whatsoever and will no doubt get loads of stick. We are looking forward to meeting David Silva too who of course will have that winner’s medal with him.
The England lads are back with us later in the week along with Kolo and Yaya Toure by which time we should be aching because I feel there is plenty of running to be done in the coming days.
I will let you know how it is going in tomorrow’s diary!
