Prior to his late equaliser against Wigan Athletic last month, the former Charlton Athletic, Leeds United and Newcastle United player had not managed to score in 35 matches for the Hammers. He backed the Wigan strike up with a goal in the 3-0 win over Middlesbrough on Saturday.
Striker Dean Ashton's first goal since the 2006 FA Cup final after recovering from a broken ankle may have grabbed the headlines but Bowyer, 30, is convinced he can now contribute more to the Upton Park cause.
He said: "I am getting a lot more chances now. Balls are getting laid in front of me as I am making runs and I wasn't really getting that kind of service last year.
"I was making runs but no one was really seeing them. I had one chance against Middlesbrough and I took it and it turned the game for us. It is a great feeling to be scoring again as it is a big part of my game. I am pleased for Deano as well, as that has been a long time coming for him
Harewood was ruled out of Sunday's 1-0 defeat at Manchester City after pulling up in training on Friday and initial examinations suggested he could be out for two months with a stress fracture.
However, O'Neill has revealed the prognosis for the 28-year-old summer signing from West Ham United is far less serious than feared.
"At the end of training on Friday he pulled up with a problem at the back of the knee. He'd had a bit of discomfort there some weeks ago - at the back end of last season with West Ham - but I think the rest during the summer had allowed it to settle down," O'Neill told the club's website.
"This is the first time he's complained about it here and as a precaution we sent him for scans. The first one showed a possibility of a stress fracture.
"But after further examinations and the benefits of other scans, we don't think at this minute that the situation is as bad as all that. Marlon feels half-decent and we are now treating it as a lot of bruising around that area.
"So, though we're still cautious it might not be the length of time out we first feared. That would be great news."
Meanwhile, Patrik Berger is set for his first appearance of the season in the reserves.
The Czech Republic midfielder sustained a hamstring injury on the final day of pre-season and is desperate to return to action.
He said: "It's been very frustrating for me. At first we thought the injury would only keep me out for a short while but it has gone on and on.
"The worst thing about this has been that I did all the pre-season training, worked hard on my fitness and then suffered a setback. It was really bad timing.
"I just want to get back to action. Last season ended so well for me and I want to get back into contention for the first team."
Rovers have started their Barclays Premier League campaign well, and are unbeaten in their first five matches. They are now regarded as a genuine force in the league, and Hughes wants his team to continue living up to its enhanced reputation.
"The aim at the beginning of every season is to win something," he said. "But we're acknowledged as one of the better teams in the Premier League, and people are actually talking about us in those terms. That's something new for us, something we have to get used to, which raises expectations.
"I've always subscribed to the view you should work to those expectations, not try to dampen things down and hope to over- achieve. Fans want to believe there's a chance of winning big games, winning silverware."
"Sometimes there can be false dawns, but I just sense with this group of players we have now that the next step is to try and win some silverware if we can."
Hughes believes the current squad is the best he has ever had at Ewood Park. He added: "I think that's acknowledged by most people.
"We've good depth, good quality of players who can come in, so I have the option of rotating the squad if I feel the need to. I've not had to do that up until this point, but it's the first time the option has been open to me since I've been in charge. That shows the strength we have this year."
The American has scored three goals this season, including the opener in Saturday's 1-1 draw at Wigan Athletic. Dempsey's impressive goalscoring form has come as a result of being moved into attack by manager Lawrie Sanchez, due to striker Brian McBride's knee injury.
Dempsey told Fulham's official website: "I like being in attack and any time I can attack it's more exciting for me. I enjoy scoring, it's one of my favourite aspects of the game, so getting the opportunity to do that is a dream come true.
"But what's important to me is being on the field and being able to play and, not only that, being able to contribute. I feel that I'm able to do that so I'm enjoying it right now."
Chelsea have work to do in Champions League Group B after drawing 1-1 with outsiders Rosenborg at Stamford Bridge. Miika Koppinen turned in Marek Sapara's free-kick at the near post in the 24th minute to give the Norwegians a shock lead. Andriy Shevchenko headed the Blues level eight minutes after half-time but Chelsea could not force a winner.
Euro 2008: "We can cope with our injuries," insists Lehmann
0 comments Posted by Zohair Gamer at 1:20 AMGermany's goalkeeper Jens Lehmann said on Thursday they will use last month's confidence-boosting win in England to make sure of success in Saturday's Euro 2008 qualifier against Wales.
With Germany leading their Euro 2008 qualifying group by five points, Lehmann says the loss of injured midfielders Michael Ballack and Torsten Frings, with Bernd Schneider suspended, will not pose a problem in Cardiff.
And Lehmann believess that after a virtual second-string Germany beat England 2-1 at the new Wembley last month, Germany have nothing to fear going to Wales.
"We know now we can sustain injuries and still win, that has given us a lot of self-confidence," said Lehmann.
"We have very good people who want to do well, that speaks volumes for the side.
"Hardly anyone was backing us to win in Wembley, but we got a good result despite the injuries and I am convinced we can do it again."
Germany were missing several key players for the Wembley game, but have a host of stars back for the trip to Cardiff including Klose, midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger, defender Marcell Jansen, Lukas Podolski and Mario Gomez.
Only half of the 74,500 tickets have been pre-sold for the Millennium Stadium clash, but Wales, fifth in Group D with seven points, will be looking to claim the Germans scalp after their 1-0 win in Bulgaria last month.
When the two sides last met in 2002, Wales pulled off an unlikely 1-0 win in the Principality and Germany's assistant coach Hans-Dieter Flick says the Germans are aware of the threat.
"This is a Welsh team who work ran, can run all day and play with a lot of passion, we will have to match that," said Flick.Derby County: Fagan banned for four matches for stamping
0 comments Posted by Zohair Gamer at 1:20 AMDerby County striker Craig Fagan was Thursday banned for four matches after being found guilty of violent conduct over an incident in which he appeared to stamp on Liverpool's Alvaro Arbeloa.
Referee Alan Wiley failed to spot the incident during Liverpool's 6-0 win on Saturday but has since confirmed to the Football Association that, had he done so, he would have sent Fagan off.
Fagan disputed the official's interpretation of events but a disciplinary panel ruled Thursday that the stamp on Arbeloa's calf had been deliberate.
The loss of Fagan could scarcely have come at a worse time for his club with newly-promoted Derby, who have secured just one point so far this season, already looking doomed to an immediate return to the Championship.
Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann lost his cool on Thursday during a press conference for the Germany team when he was persistently asked about his future at English giants Arsenal.
The 37-year-old has been under increasing pressure at the Premiership club since making costly blunders against Fulham and Blackburn.
But Germany's first-choice shot-stopper ran out of patience when asked to comment on statements made by Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger which had been interpreted in a negative light by a German journalist.
"Your whole interpretation of what has been said gets on my nerves," said Lehmann during a press conference in Cologne ahead of Germany's Euro 2008 qualifier in Cardiff.
"Do not ask me to interpret your interpretations."
Lehmann will play for Germany in Saturday's Euro 2008 qualifier in Cardiff after recovering from a damaged Achilles tendon, picked up during Germany's 2-1 win over England last month, and a sore elbow.
Germany are five points clear at the top of Group D with Wales in fifth place on seven points.
But Wales striker Freddy Eastwood, who scored the winning goal on his debut against Bulgaria last month, said Lehmann is Germany's "weak point".
"When you look at the form I'm in and the form he's in, I definitely fancy my chances against him," Eastwood said.
"We'll be looking at the German side for any weak points and I'm sure the gaffer will pick out Lehmann's form.
"Every player goes through a bad time and Lehmann seems to be having one at the start of this season. That's unlucky for him - but it's a good thing for us."
Lehmann has always been German head coach Joachim Loew's first-choice keeper since he took over as head coach from Jurgen Klinsmann after last year's World Cup.
And the 37-year-old plans to continue in the German team through to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa when he will be 40.
"I would like to do it, because I firmly believe we will be in great shape for the 2010 World Cup," said the Arsenal shot-stopper in an interview to appear in the Sueddeutsche Zeitung on Friday.
"We are looking good for the 2008 European Championships, but with the way the side is developing, we will be that much better. We have the talent."
Lehmann had been expected to retire after Euro 2008, but he plans to go on for another two years, even if that means going not as Germany's number one goalkeeper.
"If I keep playing well and stay injury free, I can play up until South Africa," he said.
"The team is playing really well and I would like to go to the 2010 World Cup, even if it means only going along as number three choice."Euro 2008: England face test of faith in own powers of resurrection
0 comments Posted by Zohair Gamer at 1:19 AMAn injury crisis has not helped their cause but it is primarily a crisis of self-belief that England must overcome as they seek to put their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign back on track against Israel at Wembley on Saturday.
Although they have slipped to fourth place in group E, Steve McClaren's men retain control of their own destiny and, with four of their remaining five qualifiers at home, continue to be regarded as the side most likely to accompany Croatia to next year's finals.
Anything less than a victory on Saturday however would tip the balance of probability towards England missing out on a major tournament for the first time since the 1994 World Cup.
A defeat in Croatia, a home draw with Macedonia and the failure to break down Israel when the two sides last met, in Tel Aviv in March, have combined to leave McClaren's men with no further room for error.
It is, as Rio Ferdinand recognised, an unenviable position for which England's collection of stars have only themselves to blame.
"We've put ourselves in a position where it is win or die really," the Manchester United centreback said, while acknowledging that securing the required three points would be anything but a formality.
"They are a resolute team, they showed that in Israel," Ferdinand admitted. "They put their bodies on the line and they know what it is like to grind out a result. But it is up to us to break them down."
England's cause has not been helped by the injury jinx that has left more than 100 million pounds worth of playing talent either sidelined or battling for fitness.
Wayne Rooney, David Beckham, Gary Neville and Kieron Dyer all had to be left out of the squad altogether while Frank Lampard has been ruled out of the Israel match and is highly doubtful for the visit of Russia on Wednesday.
Peter Crouch is suspended -- which should ensure that Emile Heskey, surprisingly recalled to the squad after three years in the international wilderness, sees some action alongside Michael Owen, who also has a ready excuse for any rustiness he displays having only just resumed playing for Newcastle.
Owen Hargreaves meanwhile was fighting to overcome both tendinitis and a thigh strain, and if Steven Gerrard starts in midfield, as seems likely, it will be with the help of a pain-killing injection in his broken right toe.
The effects of that injection will begin to wear off after about an hour, by which time England will hope to have put the outcome of the match beyond doubt and ensured there is no repeat of the chorus of boos that echoed around Wembley at the end of last month's friendly defeat by Germany.
That setback ensured England are still looking for their first win at their rebuilt base and the evidence of their last meeting with Israel, which finished goalless, suggests a significant improvement is required if victory is to be secured on Saturday.
Israel adopted a prudent approach to the match in Tel Aviv but their caution was not so great as to prevent them carving out sufficient chances to have won the match.
Their captain, the Liverpool midfielder Yossi Benayoun, suggested his side's approach at Wembley would not be radically different.
"I don't care whether people say we are negative or not negative - we drew with England in Israel 0-0, which was a great result for us, and I will be happy to defend again and finish with the same result.
"You don't expect us to come to England and Wembley to play an open game and end up being 3-0 down after 20 minutes.
"We need to work hard in defence and work on quick attacks, hopefully steal a goal and draw or win the game.
"If we stay in the game in the first 20 to 25 minutes by defending solidly and keeping the score at 0-0 the supporters will lose their patience."Euro 2008: Visions of Fergie's smirk drive Ferdinand on
0 comments Posted by Zohair Gamer at 1:18 AMRio Ferdinand is desperate to help England reach Euro 2008 to avoid the unappetising prospect of Sir Alex Ferguson laughing at his misfortune.
Steve McClaren's side go into Saturday's qualifier against Israel at Wembley knowing they must win to keep alive their hopes of making it to next year's finals.
England last failed to qualify for a major tournament 13 years ago when they missed out on the 1994 World Cup and Ferdinand can't bring himself to consider the possibility of a repeat.
The Manchester United defender admits his season would be ruined if England miss out. Almost as bad, it would leave him at the mercy of his club boss.
Ferguson is a proud Scot, who wouldn't miss the opportunity to remind Ferdinand about England's downfall.
"God forbid we don't qualify for this tournament," Ferdinand said. "It would be a catastrophe really. It would be a massive disappointment for the players, the country and the fans.
"It would be devastating. Even walking into the training ground and seeing the manager would kill me. It's his smirk.
"And I'd have to see the other players who would be going to the tournament. It wouldn't be a good place to be."
England have claimed just two wins in their last nine matches, and those came against Andorra and Estonia, hardly the most daunting of opposition.
They are no closer to living up to the hype of a so-called golden generation. Successive exits at the quarter-final stage of Euro 2004 and last year's World Cup suggest England are a decent rather than great team.
While Ferdinand is adamant the squad is talented enough to go the distance at a major event, he conceded England's underachievement is a real source of concern.
"I've been frustrated because I don't think we've ever fulfilled our potential," Ferdinand said. "We've never brought our club football together as a package with the England team.
"When each individual plays for their club they play fantastic football and we just need to get that into the England team. We need the confidence we have from our club football but we can't do it overnight.
"I don't know what it is. Every England manager has been trying to find the answer. We haven't been able to pin it down.
"After the World Cup a lot of us sat down for a good few hours and talked about it. We said at the time we actually thought we were going to win the tournament.
"We were sitting there in the hotel and you reflect on the tournament. The boys had a few drinks, just relaxing after the game. It's a numbness, like how the hell are we out of this tournament.
"You are asking yourself questions. A lot of the lads in the squad are very honest players and you are asking yourself whose fault is it."
With Group E leaders Russia coming to Wembley on Wednesday, the next week will go a long way to deciding England's fate, as well as McClaren's.
The beleaguered coach increasingly looks out of his depth as he tries to steer England into calmer waters and he cannot afford another lacklustre display.
Ferdinand knows the players have their manager's future in their hands, but he insists they have to cope with that kind of pressure if they want to succeed at international level.
"Playing for England is a different entity in terms of pressure and tension," he said. "There is so much history and nostaglia that goes with playing for your country.
"But I don't dread playing for England. The attention and pressure that is on England is a different level from club football, but that is something you have got to deal with if you want to be successful."Steve Bruce is hoping Carson Yeung's proposed takeover of Birmingham will provide him with the major funding that other foreign investors have pumped into Barclays Premier League clubs.
Bruce has only spent a net £7million this summer, bringing in a dozen new players in a revamp of his squad.
Bruce told PA Sport: "It's been difficult so you have to wheel and deal and do a bit. I've been delighted with what we've done."
He added: "Johan Djourou, for instance, where could we buy him? To get him on loan from Arsenal is a real bonus for us.
"To be fair to the club owners, when they have to go into their pockets, they do so. They give everything the club generates towards my budget.
"When the new guy (Yeung) comes in, I look at all the other investors that have come into the Premier League, at Portsmouth, Manchester City, West Ham, everywhere you look, and what they have spent.
"We obviously hope that is going to be the case here as well. It will be a fantastic scenario if that happens."
Bruce has high hopes of his final transfer window capture in Celta Vigo midfielder Borja Oubina, who has joined on a season-long loan.
The City chief said: "He has got a couple of caps for Spain. It was one of those where it looked earlier last week he was going to Benfica.
"It didn't quite happen so we jumped on the back of it. We were disappointed with what happened with Peter Luccin in missing out when it looked as if it was a done deal."
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