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The shin pad was obviously developed to provide protection from tough tackles. The problem that the shin pad arguably solves is the fact that the tibia is largely exposed and doesn’t have the protection of surrounding muscles that many other bones do have.

Even during matches played in school you’re required to wear shin pads – but at the pro level it is essential. This is mainly because if a player gets injured who wasn’t wearing shin pads then it is likely that no insurance claim could be made. The truly amazing thing about the shin pad is that it hasn’t really been developed or changed. It seems that the manufacturers take the view that it works the way it is and there’s no need to alter it. There is of course slight variation in style from the ones that cover just the shin area to the longer ones that also offer ankle support.

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But it’s debatable to suggest they are perfect the way there are, because we know serious injuries still occur in this area and it would be interesting to know if an improved design could have prevented any of these injuries. However, I do understand that it’s a difficult balancing act between creating something that protects players but at the same time doesn’t restrict movement on the field too much!

However, within the last few days a new style shin pad has been tested – but the idea is not to reduce injuries, but to clamp down on diving. The concept is to determine when a player has legitimately been fouled. This works with an alarm and two sensors, one sensor detects how close an opposing player is while the other determines if contact has been made and when both these things happen an alarm will be sounded. Therefore, no alarm means no foul.

It will certainly be interesting to see what the future holds for shin pads and if the new high tech anti-diving pad will be taken seriously by the FA.

Here’s a look at the ‘revolutionary’ shin pads in action…

[youtube 8WAMEblyxXE]

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Wigan boss Roberto Martinez insists the trip to Blackpool on Saturday will not decide their future in the English Premier League.Bottom-placed Wigan are two points from safety and a win over the Seasiders could see them out of the relegation zone by weekend’s end.

With Blackpool in 17th spot, Martinez’s team has the perfect opportunity to move out of the bottom three.

But the Spanish manager said the trip to Bloomfield Road was just another step in the battle to avoid relegation to the Championship.

“I wouldn’t say it is win or bust, but it is quite clear we need 10 more points between now and the end of the season and we have 18 to play for,” Martinez said.

“It is quite an exciting moment for us. In the last eight games, we played five of the top six teams in the Premier League. That is a big ask for any football club but I think the level of performance has been good.”

“But we need to get the wins now and we are going to approach the next six games in that manner.”

After the Blackpool game, the Latics meet Sunderland, Everton, Aston Villa, West Ham United and Stoke City to finish the season.

Martinez played down the need to collect three points on Saturday, despite the position it could potentially put his team in.

“With a win there (at Blackpool) you are not going to guarantee you stay up and losing does not mean you are going to go down,” Martinez said.

“It is just a very important step towards controlling your fate.”

Martinez expects an open encounter between the two relegation-threatened sides and said it was important to focus on each game as it comes for the remainder of the season.

“Blackpool are a team that are in front of us – in a position we would love to be. In these sorts of games there is an opportunity,” Martinez said.

“But we know it is going to be difficult. Blackpool have been able to score in almost every game they have played for the last 18 months and that a little bit describes the way they play.”

“There are going to be two sides with a clear attack-minded style (so) just be ready for a game that is going to have everything.”

Inter Milan coach Leonardo said his players can be proud of their Serie A season, after rivals AC Milan clinched the title on Saturday.AC Milan’s 0-0 goalless draw at Roma gave them a nine-point lead over their cross-town adversaries, who have three games still to play, but because of Inter’s inferior head-to-head record their dreams of a sixth successive Scudetto have been thwarted.

But Leonardo, who has engineered a remarkable turnaround in the clubs league fortunes since taking over from Rafael Benitez in December, said his men have nothing to be ashamed of.

“We’re in second place in Serie A, we reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League,” the Brazilian said.

“The year before, we won everything, and we can still win this year’s Coppa Italia.”

“The team is producing consistent results, the players we’ve had at our disposal this season have performed well.”

“We can look at each game, but the general reading of this season can only be a positive one because that’s the reality, that’s where we are today.”

Inter’s season turned in a three-day period in early April, when they were routed 3-0 by Milan in Serie A and then suffered a 5-2 mauling at home against Schalke in the Champions League, a deficit that proved insurmountable in the second leg.

But Leonardo said he was unsure if it was he or his players who should shoulder the blame for those results.

“Games can be won or lost, mistakes can happen, it’s only natural,” he said.

“I don’t know if I can pinpoint one particular mistake, because we are talking with the benefit of hindsight. Of course, we made some errors but we also benefitted from other team’s mistakes, so it’s all subjective.”

“I don’t think the players who played in the derby or against Schalke could have done anything to radically change the results in those games. I don’t think so.”

“But those players were going through a particular moment and they didn’t manage to close the game, or maybe it was me, I don’t know, there are different reasons.”

Inter are now playing for second place with Napoli, who are just one point behind, and they received further bad news ahead of their home clash with Fiorentina on Sunday with influential Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder ruled out with injury.

Levski Sofia closed the gap on first-placed Litex Lovech to five points after recording a 2-0 win in their clash in the Bulgarian A-League.A 74th-minute goal from striker Garra Dembele and a late sealer from 33-year-old midfielder Hristo Yovov inflicted Litex’s first league defeat of the season with four games remaining this campaign.

Lyuboslav Penev’s team had gone 25 matches without defeat before Sunday’s loss.

Rakovski kept their hopes of avoiding relegation alive after a 1-1 draw with Lokomotiv Sofia.

Forward Preslav Yordanov had given Lokomotiv the lead after a quarter of an hour, but they were forced to share the spoils when centre-back Aleksandar Branekov struck back on 60 minutes.

Rakovski are still in the bottom two but only on goal difference after collecting the point, while Lokomotiv Sofia are fourth with hopes of gaining a European spot all but over.

Bottom-placed Sliven almost snared an unlikely three points before eventually playing out a 1-1 draw with Slavia Sofia.

Midfielder Yacob Idrizov had given them the lead 17 minutes before full-time, only for Slavia striker Nikolay Bozhov to hit straight back three minutes later.

Sliven are two points from safety with Slavia sitting in ninth spot.

Beroe remain seventh after a strong 3-1 win over Akademik Sofia.

Although Petar Dimitrov opened the scoring in the 24th minute, his goal was cancelled out two minutes before half-time when Enco Malindi equalised.

Second-half goals from Vladislav Zlatinov and Brazilian winger Romario sealed the result, leaving Akademik sitting precariously in the relegation playoff spot.

In the day’s other game, Cherno More and Montana played out a 0-0 draw and both are sitting relatively comfortably in mid-table.

Real Madrid’s Aitor Karanka claims the team are determined to sign off in style as La Liga’s top scorers when they face Almeria on Saturday.With arch-rivals Barcelona already confirmed as league champions, Real have one objective left to play for – goal-scoring pride.

Their Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo tops the individual charts with 38 goals, seven ahead of Barca man Lionel Messi.

Ronaldo is aiming to break the all-time record for goals scored in a single La Liga season at home to relegated Almeria on Saturday.

“Cristiano will get there if he keeps it up,” assistant coach Karanka said.

“Tomorrow we will look to make him top scorer and the team the top scorers in the league.”

“We will try to get as many points as possible, and you will see that the team are motivated, despite not being able to win the league.”

Despite failing to prevent Barca from collecting their third consecutive league title, Real did win their first Copa del Rey since 1993.

And Karanka insists the team have improved in their first season under new manager Jose Mourinho.

“We’ve had a good campaign,” Karanka said.

“The club has returned to the European elite thanks to reaching the Champions League semi-finals, and we won a title we lacked for many years.”

“We are trying to take as many points as we possibly can in the league and we are the top-scoring side in the championship.”

“The top scorer is also on our squad. I would give us a good grade.”

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce is planning a raid on his former club, according to the Daily Mail. Bruce is hoping to tie up a double deal for defender Wes Brown and midfielder Darron Gibson.

Brown made his Manchester United debut in 1998 but has since fallen down the pecking order at Old Trafford. After a reported bust-up with Sir Alex Ferguson last season, the 31-year old is rumoured to be on his way out of the club.

Republic of Ireland international Gibson has endured a difficult season at United. With many fans seemingly turning on the 23-year old United would listen to offers to the player they value at £6 million.

The pair may even be used as a makeweight in any deal for long-term target Jordan Henderson. United have been linked with the midfielder before but Liverpool are also thought to be readying an offer.

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Interest in Brown is high with Everton also linked with the England international. In addition, Bolton also see the player as an ideal replacement for Gary Cahill who has been linked with Arsenal.

Chelsea have confirmed the appointment of Andre Villas-Boas as their new manager on a three-year deal.The former Porto boss, 33, will start work at Stamford Bridge immediately, the English Premier League club said on Wednesday.

It comes a day after the London club paid 15 million euros to release him from his contract with the Portuguese champions and his appointment comes a month after Carlo Ancelotti was sacked.

“Andre was the outstanding candidate for the job. He is one of the most talented young managers in football today and has already achieved much in a relatively short space of time,” a statement on the club’s website read.

“His ambition, drive and determination matches that of Chelsea and we are confident Andre’s leadership of the team will result in greater successes in major domestic and European competitions.”

“Andre will bring his coaching experience back to a club he is already very familiar with, having previously worked here for three years.”

“He has always been highly regarded at Chelsea and everyone here looks forward to welcoming him back and working with him.”

Villas-Boas led Porto through an undefeated league campaign and Europa League glory last season.

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The Portuguese manager spent time working under Jose Mourinho at Chelsea and Inter Milan as head of opposition scouting – as well as a stint as assistant coach at Porto prior to that.

He moved to lead Portugal’s Academica from a relegation battle to mid-table respectability before re-joining Porto a year ago.

The Daily Mail is reporting that Belgian forward Romelu Lukaku is closing on a move to Chelsea.

The Blues lodged an £18 million bid for the Anderlecht youngster and are hoping to have a deal tied up before the transfer window closes.

Since making is debut as a 16-year-old in 2009 Lukaku has been destined for a big move to one of Europe’s biggest clubs.

A move to Stamford Bridge would fulfil a lifelong ambition for the 18-year-old who has been labelled the next Didier Drogba.

He has made no secret of his desire to join the Blues and it appears his dream may be about to come true.

General manager at the Belgian side Herman van Holsbeeck met with Chelsea officials on Saturday to negotiate a deal for the striker.

Its reported that a fee has been agreed and that Lukaku’s agent Christophe Henroty will discuss personal terms with Chelsea.

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If the deal does go through he will be new boss Andre Villas-Boas’ second signing of the transfer window after Genk keeper Thibaut Courtois.

The impending arrival of the powerfully built striker will also raise question marks over the future of aging duo Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka with the latter in the final year of his contract.

Uruguay partied through the night as their football team arrived home after winning the Copa America.Tens of thousands of supporters were at the Centenario Stadium in Montevideo, most of them cheering for Diego Forlan, who scored twice in the 3-0 win over Paraguay.

“This is such a great moment and you can see it in all the people: proud to be Uruguayan. Look at all the Uruguay flags, I’ve never seen such a thing and I’m 50 years old,” one proud fan said.

“I’m so happy. Happy, happy, happy. Everyone is happy.”

Uruguay were crowned South American champions for a record 15th time, but this is their first Copa America triumph since 1995.

Uruguay captain Diego Lugano said winning the Copa America was the icing on the cake after finishing fourth at last year’s World Cup in South Africa.

“This Cup was won with a lot of effort, a lot of sacrifice with this dream in mind. And this group have dedicated their hearts to all of you. Thank you so much for your support. Let’s go Uruguay!”

Argentine striker Sergio Aguero has signed with English Premier League big-spenders Manchester City.Aguero, 23, touched down in Manchester on Wednesday to thrash out the terms on a five-year contract with Roberto Mancini’s side, with City reported to have agreed a 38 million pound fee with the forward’s current club, Atletico Madrid.

“Aguero signs!” City posted via their official Twitter account on Wednesday.

The club also posted pictures of the forward being greeted by the club’s fans outside the club’s newly named Etihad Stadium.

La Liga outfit Malaga have also splashed the cash, signing Spanish international Santi Cazorla from Villarreal for a reported fee of 20 million pounds.

Malaga announced the transfer on Tuesday after the midfielder completed a medical and he has signed a five-year contract.

Cazorla is the 10th new signing at Malaga, joining the likes of new signings Ruud van Nistelrooy, Joaquin and Jeremy Toulalan.

Returning to the English Premier League, Bolton have signed 27-year-old midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker on a free transfer.

Reo-Coker captained Aston Villa last season and he is expected to make his Wanderers debut in a friendly against Bury on Wednesday.

Newly promoted Swansea City have moved to bolster their strikeforce, with Brendan Rodgers’ side said to have agreed a 1.75 million pound fee with Middlesbrough for forward Leroy Lita.

Meanwhile a move for Ben Foster appears only a matter of time from being sorted, with the Birmingham shot-stopper set to link up with Roy Hodgson at West Bromwich Albion.