Tired and emotional: Toon star Cabaye admits Euro 2012 left him knackered...

France midfielder has looked below his best so far this season and admits he's not at full pelt just yet – but expects to cope with 60-game campaign!

Yohan Cabaye has admitted that post-Euro 2012 fatigue has affected his form – but insists Newcastle can cope with a gruelling 60-game season.

The France midfielder says he has not matched last season’s top ­performances after 11 consecutive months of football have left him exhausted.

Cabaye will lead the Toon midfield tonight against Everton before they jet to Madeira to face Maritimo on Thursday night for the first of six Europa League group games.

He said: “This is going to be a long season with more games, but we will be ready for the demands.
“It is true that it was hard straight after the Euros.

“I had four weeks holiday and it is the first time in my career I have had to come back to my club after a big ­international ­competition.

Read more - http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/everton-v-newcastle-toon-star-1327436

Euro 2012 stars on way back for Manchester United as Sir Alex Ferguson praises Shinji Kagawa's show in Shanghai

Sir Alex Ferguson is to fast-track Manchester United’s Euro 2012 performers into pre-season duty after hailing Shinji Kagawa’s credentials following the Japanese midfielder’s match-winning display against Shanghai Shenhua.

Kagawa, a £17 million summer signing from Borussia Dortmund, capped a standout display against Manchester United’s Chinese opponents on Wednesday by scoring the only goal during the club’s third game of a far-reaching pre-season tour.

United fly back to Manchester on Thursday before facing games against Valerenga, Barcelona and Hannover next month as they continue their build-up to the new season.

Ferguson, who insisted that the club remained in the hunt for additional signings with Robin van Persie and Lucas Moura the leading targets, has seen Kagawa make an instant impact in a United shirt during his appearances on tour.

Read More - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/9427686/Euro-2012-stars-on-way-back-for-Manchester-United-as-Sir-Alex-Ferguson-praises-Shinji-Kagawas-show-in-Shanghai.html