Newcastle today learned the identity of the first of three clubs they could face in their opening Intertoto Cup clash in July.

SOCCER revolutions in the People's Republic of China have seen many false dawns, but newly appointed national coach Zhu Guanghu is determined to start the re-building process at Lansdowne Road tonight.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND U-21 manager Don Givens has been forced to make two changes to his squad for Tuesday’s clash with Bulgaria at United Park, Drogheda (kick-off 7:30).

There were few surprises when Czech Republic coach Karel Bruckner named his provisional squad for Euro 2004 today.

THE Czech Republic are determined to leave Dublin tonight with a 21st notch to their unbeaten belt as they prepare for the European Championship finals in June.

BARCELONA continued their slide into mid-table obscurity after slumping to a 3-0 defeat away to a lively Racing Santander in the Primera Liga last night.

Neil Lennon insists Liam Miller is still an unknown quantity to his Celtic team-mates – and believes Bayern Munich are in for a big shock tomorrow night.

Celtic manager Martin O’Neill believes goalkeeper Magnus Hedman will win recover from a back spasm in time to take on Bayern Munich in tomorrow’s Champions League showdown at Parkhead.

Bayern Munich midfielder Ze Roberto could miss the Champions League tie at Celtic on Tuesday night with a back problem.

Republic of Ireland U20 2 Italy U20 0

KEVIN DOYLE, the Cork City striker, yesterday joined the Irish U-20 squad for tonight’s friendly against Italy at Belfield (7.30 pm) as Ireland continue their preparations for the World Cup Finals for Youths in the United Arab Emirates next month.

Republic of Ireland Under-20 manager Gerry Smith has included 10 players who were in Switzerland last week for the European Under-21 Championship qualifier in a squad of 18 for an Under-20 friendly against Italy in Tolka Park on Wednesday, October 29.

SWISS manager Köbi Kuhn has voiced concern that several players are lacking match practice ahead of Saturday’s crucial Group 10 showdown against the Republic of Ireland in Basel.

MANCHESTER City’s rising star Stephen Elliot, who scored a hat-trick for the U21s in their recent 5-1 victory over Poland in Gdansk, retains his place in Don Given’s squad for their European Championship qualifier against Switzerland in Neuchatel this day week.

ALEX FERGUSON is banking on Paul Scholes to inspire another lucrative Champions League campaign for Manchester United in Stuttgart tonight.

Stephen Elliott, the hat-trick hero of the Republic of Ireland’s 5 - 1 victory over Poland in Gdansk in August, retains his place in Don Givens’ squad of eighteen players he has named for the European 2004 Under-21 Championship qualifier against Switzerland in Neuchatel on Friday, October 10, 2003 (kick-off 6pm, 5pm Irish time).

SWITZERLAND coach Koebi Kuhn has left injured captain Joerg Stiel out of his 19-man squad to face Russia in next week’s critical Group 10 qualifier.

ALL eyes were on Bayern Munich’s €18.75m signing Roy Makaay at the Olympic Stadium, but the Dutch striker failed to find the net on his Bundesliga debut, as the champions eased to a 2-0 win over VfL Bochum.

FC BASEL midfielder Mario Cantaluppi has been ruled out of Switzerland’s crucial Euro 2004 qualifier against Russia on Saturday with a foot infection.

German star Markus Babbel has been told he no longer figures in Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier’s plans and can look for another club.

Bayern Munich claimed their 18th German title by winning 2-0 at Wolfsburg while their nearest rivals all failed to win.

Borussia Dortmund may have virtually surrendered their Bundesliga title to Bayern Munich, but they made sure Ottmar Hitzfeld’s men suffered their second successive defeat with a 1-0 win with Marcio Amoroso’s penalty in the 61st minute.

Chelsea striker Mikael Forssell, currently on loan at Borussia Monchengladbach, scored his first goal for the German club to secure a shock 1-0 win over second-placed Borussia Dortmund.

BAYERN MUNICH kept the wheels firmly on their push for an 18th title with a 5-0 crushing of city rivals 1860 Munich.

Bayer Leverkusen coach Klaus Toppmöller insists his side‘s Bundesliga clash with Nürnberg on Saturday is more important than tomorrow‘s Champions League visit to Inter Milan.

Thierry Henry sent out a warning to Premiership defences on the eve of the new season with a hat-trick as Arsenal overcame a spirited 1860 Munich side in Innsbruck tonight.

Arsenal will continue their pre-season tour of Austria after receiving assurances over security.

Carsten Jancker has become the latest World Cup worry for Germany.

Tottenham's Christian Ziege and Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann were both selected by Rudi Voller in an experienced German World Cup squad which, as promised, contained few surprises.

Borussia Dortmund kept alive their hopes of catching Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen, by beating 1860 Munich 2-1.

Newcastle's Uefa Cup hopes are in the balance after a goalless draw in France against Troyes in the first leg of the Intertoto Cup final.s

Aston Villa will take a 2-1 deficit into the second leg of their InterToto Cup semi-final against Stade Rennais following their first-leg defeat at the hands of the French side last night.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has virtually confirmed the imminent departure of Brazilian star Silvinho by giving his number 16 squad shirt at Highbury to new £8.5m signing Giovanni van Bronckhorst.

Arsenal have completed the signing of Japanese international Junichi Inamoto from J-League club Gamba Osaka.

Newcastle boss Bobby Robson returned from Belgium to have the smile wiped from his face by fresh speculation over the future of Kieron Dyer.

Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale believes reaching the Champions League final is ‘‘a dream too far’’ despite the latest Euro heroics from David O’Leary’s side.

Leeds striker Alan Smith pledged his long-term future to the club by signing a new contract and then vowed: "I would never want to leave."

A Leeds United footballer appears before Leeds magistrates today charged with assault and affray following an incident outside a pub.