ASTON VILLA boss Martin O’Neill yesterday got his man when he clinched a £12million (€14m) swoop for England winger Stewart Downing.

ENGLAND captain Phil Vickery has called for “a sacrifice of body and soul” from his players when they target a second successive World Cup final appearance tonight.

LAWRENCE DALLAGLIO admits the painful prospect of watching the final stages of the World Cup back home is all the motivation England need as they prepare for their weekend battle against Australia.

Legendary boss Brian Clough has urged Alex Ferguson to use his authority to curb the excesses of shamed skipper Roy Keane.

BIRMINGHAM CITY'S new signing Aliou Cisse has rubbished claims that voodoo was responsible for Senegal's success in the World Cup finals.

BIRMINGHAM CITY’S new signing Aliou Cisse has rubbished claims that voodoo was responsible for Senegal’s success in the World Cup finals.

Birmingham City’s new signing Aliou Cisse has rubbished claims that voodoo was responsible for Senegal’s success in the World Cup finals.

Swedish referees chief Bo Karlsson has added to the growing criticism against refereeing decisions at the World Cup by suggesting FIFA should abandon their policy of having no country represented by more than one referee.

Irish fans have been described as the best in the business by World Cup organisers.

David Beckham insists England will not be overawed when they take on Brazil in Friday’s mouth-watering World Cup quarter-final clash in Shizuoka.

With a quarter-final clash against England on the horizon, Ronaldo believes Brazil are getting ever closer to perfection.

Aston Villa have opened talks with representatives of England starlet Darius Vassell over a new improved contract.

ARSENAL star Lauren has blasted Cameroon’s World Cup preparations. Lauren says the travel chaos that delayed the Indomitable Lions arrival in Japan by five days has hampered their chances of making progress.

CHRISTIAN VIERI played down Italy’s chances of lifting the World Cup despite a promising victory over Ecuador in their opening match. Vieri scored both goals in the first half as the Azzurri proved why they are regarded as one of the tournament favourites.

Steve McClaren is confident that England skipper David Beckham is ‘‘well on course’’ to play in Sunday’s World Cup opener with Sweden after he came through a second training session in 24 hours with no adverse reaction.

Shay Given is being tipped to prove he is the best young goalkeeper in Europe at the World Cup finals.

Trevor Sinclair arrived back in the Far East today as a confirmed member of the England squad and declared himself ready to seize his World Cup lifeline.

The list of top goalscorers in the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying campaign read like a ‘who’s who’ of Samba stars Rivaldo, Batistuta, Salas, even Paraguayan goalie Jose Luis Chilavert. But the name that finished alongside Argentina striker Hernan Crespo at the top of the pile has a less familiar ring to it : Ecuador's Agustin Delgado

Freddie Ljungberg will miss Sweden’s World Cup warm-up game against Paraguay on Friday through injury - but will be fit for the World Cup.

England captain David Beckham defiantly tackled his critics head on today and insisted: ‘‘I’ve got nothing to prove in the World Cup.’’

Kieron Dyer is in ‘‘intensive training’’ in a bid to prove his World Cup fitness to England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson by Friday, according to his agent Jonathan Barnett.

Rangers’ Argentinean striker Claudio Caniggia will have a better idea today if he has a chance of being fit in time for the World Cup.

Newcastle defender Sylvain Distin is urging world champions France not to turn their backs on team-mate Laurent Robert.

Roy Keane is to be made an honorary doctor at a ceremony in his home city of Cork next month.

Arsenal are set to intensify contract talks with Patrick Vieira after the midfielder’s call for the club to resolve his future before the World Cup.

Mick McCarthy has been boosted by the news that Coventry defender Gary Breen has reported fit for duty for the Republic of Ireland’s friendly international against Denmark on Wednesday.

Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale has expressed his disappointment at Jonathan Woodgate’s omission from the England squad for Wednesday’s friendly clash with Italy at Elland Road.

The World Club Championship is to be revived by FIFA for 2005, it was announced today.

Aberdeen defender Jamie McAllister was shocked that Celtic star John Hartson needlessly ‘‘lashed out’’ at him.

Sven-Goran Eriksson has indicated that Kieron Dyer will be given a chance to prove his World Cup credentials in next month’s friendly against Holland.

Irish soccer fans planning to follow their international squad to this summer’s World Cup finals in the Far East look like having to pay heavily for the privilege.

Gary Kelly has revealed he is willing to sacrifice his love for Leeds and a potential £500,000 testimonial windfall to pursue his dream of World Cup glory next summer.

Win, lose or draw today, Mick McCarthy is in a wonderful position to fulfil a personal dream - or even two.