LFC Tea Time: Finnan still not fit, Torres unhappy with Aragones, Hobbs gets extension, & more

- Steven Finnan will not be available for Steve Staunton and the Irish for their crucial clash with the Czech Republic on Wednesday. Ireland pretty much have to win the match to have any chance of qualifying for next year's European Championship. A loss or draw would be devastating. No word on whether Finney will be available Saturday for Portsmouth, but it would be tremendous if he was.

- Apparently Fernando Torres was visibly upset over being taken out in Spain's Euro-qualifying match with Iceland on Saturday. Spain was down to ten men thanks to Xabi Alonso who received a straight red card for a stamping incident. Torres, who's been a staple on Aragones' side since the 69-year-old took over the squad, did not speak to reporters following the match. Being a Liverpool fan, I could care less whether or not he plays against Latvia on Wednesday, though if it means he'll be fresh for Saturday's match than I'm for leaving him out.

- 19-year-old defender/defensive midfielder Jack Hobbs was awarded a one-year contract extension that will keep him at the club through next season. I haven't really seen much of Hobbs, but what I have has not impressed me. Obviously though, Rafa thinks something of him.

- Jermaine Pennant feels he's playing the best football of his career and will try to continue to improve to better his chances of getting an England call-up. He has shown some flashes of improvement over his play from last year, but I think he was more consistent last season. I think he still needs to put together a solid string of five or six starts before I believe he's having a better season than last.

- Steven Gerrard has declared himself fit for England's match with Russia and has warned against his Three Lions teammates of being complacent. Just don't get injured, Stevie, any think else is a plus.

Today's Banter: Gerrard okay, Today's flavor: Pasquale Foggia, Abbey Clancy wants to be Crouch's baby's momma & more

- Despite limping off the field yesterday in the 70th minute of England's 3-0 win over Israel, Stevie-G did not re-aggravate his toe injury. He apparently just had cramps. I guess he boozed a little the night before with the boys. Unfortunately, that means there's a chance he'll play versus Russia on Wednesday much to mine and Gus Hiddink's dismay. Not only was Gerrard okay, but it looks like we escaped yesterday with a still fit side. One day down, one day to go.

- The transfer window may be closed, but that doesn't mean the rumors have to stop. Yesterday we saw the beginning of what looks to be a neverending saga about whether Steven Taylor will be a Liverpool player come January or not. Today the seeds of the Pasquale Foggia beanstalk were planted. I know very little about the 24-year-old other than he's Italian, he plays for Cagliari, and he can play left wing but is pretty versatile. And just to set the record straight, Giovani dos Santo will never be a Liverpool player. Seriously, if you sell papers writing crap like that...

- Abigail Clancy may be pissing off her co-stars on Hell's Kitchen for getting paid almost twice as much as them, but at least the girl has got good intentions when it comes to her boy Crouchy. She has come out and said she wants to have the striker's baby, the problem is though, her boobs have appeared to have shrunk from the heat of her latest Telly reality cooking adventure. Not sure what that has to do with having a baby, but anyhow, she also claims to have turned down a job with a top modeling agency in LA to stay with Peter. Hmmm, maybe his people should call the Galaxy people, a Beckham to Crouch connection would probably give the Los Angeles club a better chance of making the playoffs next season. Finally, Abbey says she attends "all the important games." Glad to see she's there when the cameras are.

- Finally, you'd figure a Spanish newspaper would know the difference between Xavi and Xabi. Apparently not. Cheers.