SOCCER IN BRIEF: Bale and Nasri in running for double bubble

GARETH BALE and Samir Nasri have both been nominated for the PFA Player and Young Player of the Year awards.

The PFA announced yesterday Tottenham winger Bale and Arsenal playmaker Nasri were among seven nominees from the Barclays Premier League for each of their of their top prizes.

The pair are likely to face stiff competition in both categories, however, as the contest is generally perceived to be wide open.

Bale’s Spurs team-mate Rafael Van der Vaart is also in contention for the main prize along with Manchester City’s Carlos Tevez, Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic, West Ham midfielder Scott Parker and Blackpool talisman Charlie Adam.

England and Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart, Arsenal starlet Jack Wilshere, Everton’s Seamus Coleman and Manchester United pair Nani and Javier Hernandez are the other contenders for the young player gong.

Bale and Nasri are bidding to emulate Andy Gray (1977) and Cristiano Ronaldo (2007) as the only players to previously win both awards in the same year.

*****

Commons’ warning for Celtic

SPL

CELTIC winger Kris Commons has warned being title favourites will mean nothing if the players do not continue to perform for the rest of the season.

Shaun Maloney is set to return to a nearly-full squad following a four-month lay-off as Neil Lennon‘s men look to extend their two-point lead over Rangers in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League when they host St Mirren today. Celtic are odds-on favourites to regain the SPL.

Rangers are boosted by the news Lee McCulloch is back in training ahead of their game against Hamilton.

*****

Cole charged by FA over remarks on Ghana fans

Premier League

CARLTON COLE has been charged by the Football Association with improper conduct after comments he made on Twitter about Ghana fans during the recent friendly against England.

The West Ham striker referred to the large number of Ghana fans at Wembley Stadium on Tuesday March 29th in comments he later deleted.

He tweeted: “Immigration has surrounded the Wembley premises! I knew it was a trap! Hahahaha.

“The only way to get out safely is to wear an England jersey and paint your face w/ the St. George’s flag!”

The FA yesterday confirmed the charge, saying in a statement: “The FA has charged West Ham United’s Carlton Cole with improper conduct relating to media comments.

Cole, 27, who claimed his comments were a joke, has until 4pm on April 13 to respond to the charge.

*****

- IPSWICH striker Connor Wickham calmed speculation linking him with a move to Spurs by signing a new contract at Portman Road. Wickham, long time linked with a move to White Hart Lane, and has scored seven goals for the Tractor Boys.

*****

- EXETER striker Marcus Stewart has confirmed he will retire from professional football after today’s League One clash with Bristol Rovers. The 38-year-old brings the curtain down on a career which saw him score 254 goals in 782 games.