LUCKLESS Steven Reid suffered another injury setback last night.

GEORGIA landed in Dublin earlier this week minus four players through injury and with half their squad coming out of cold storage due to the winter football hiatus in parts of eastern Europe.

NEW Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce hopes to bring back the fun factor for his beleaguered players after 11 Barclays Premier League matches without victory.

Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni has called up five players to the senior squad to face Cyprus on Wednesday, October 15.

Blackburn Rovers’ United States goalkeeper Brad Friedel has announced his retirement from international football.

Three more people have been charged in connection with alleged racial abuse hurled at Dwight Yorke during a football match, police said today.

Fulham defender Zat Knight has been charged with violent behaviour by the Football Association following a clash with Blackburn striker Jon Stead during the Barclaycard Premiership clash at Loftus Road on April 12.

Glenn Hoddle’s satisfaction at receiving at least some semblance of justice, after referee Mike Riley admitted wrongly sending off Simon Davies against Arsenal, soon evaporated when the Tottenham boss realised his midfielder is still facing suspension.

ARSENAL must face either a Spanish giant like Barcelona, Valencia or European Cup holders Real Madrid at the next stage of the Champions League, or else one of the Italian aces such as AC Milan, Inter and Juventus.

The USA, and Blackburn’s favourite adopted World Cup hero, know they are riding the glory wave and that sooner or later there’s a giant reality check about to hit them.

Sunderland boss Peter Reid paid tribute to another of his bargain buys after seeing his side dismantle Leeds’ bid to return to the top of the FA Barclaycard Premiership table.

Blackburn Rovers’ and Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Alan Kelly admitted he was in the dark after being linked with a loan move to Manchester United.