It comes as a bit of a shock when Ronnie Quinn jokes by email that when he takes the phone call from the Irish Examiner, his English will have a “strong Julio Iglesias accent”.

Uruguay international Diego Arismendi will make his eagerly awaited Stoke debut when Tony Pulis fields his shadow squad for tomorrow’s Carling Cup tie at home to Blackpool.

Tottenham's interest in Portsmouth pair Niko Kranjcar and David James was at the centre of a hectic day of negotiations ahead of the transfer window closing this evening.