Gareth Southgate’s passion for the game remains undimmed despite the interim England manager’s clear unease about aspects of the football industry.

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho says he prefers Marcus Rashford being with England’s U21s at the moment rather than warming the bench for the seniors.

Fourteen years on from the World Cup finals in Japan and Korea, when he scored for Ireland against Saudi Arabia, Gary Breen is still being followed around the place by one of the daftest and most memorable of the Green Army’s all-time greatest hits.

England U21s 1 Italy U21s 3: England have once again fallen short at a major tournament after Gareth Southgate’s side capitulated against Italy, resulting in a third successive group-stage exit at the U21 European Championship.

England U21s head coach Gareth Southgate has told his players they need to improve if they are to progress to the European Championship semi-finals and beyond.

Preview: Burnley v Tottenham

Tottenham 4 Newcastle 0

It was a tale of two wingers at White Hart Lane on Saturday – one the exotic record signing who looks increasingly like another expensive mistake, and the other a local boy made good after a circuitous apprenticeship in non-league and the lower divisions.

Stuart Pearce has revealed it is “very likely” he will be manager of Nottingham Forest next season.

ALAN PARDEW has saluted the men behind Newcastle’s blistering Taylor-made start to the season.

ARSENE WENGER believes Jack Wilshere is fully focused on the job in hand as the Arsenal youngster prepares to let his football grab the headlines again ahead of today’s visit of Bolton.

ARSENAL striker Eduardo has signed a new “long-term” contract at the Emirates Stadium.

ALEX FERGUSON admits the toughest part of his job these days is dealing with today’s “fragile” footballers.

CHELSEA yesterday confirmed Ray Wilkins as the club’s new assistant first-team coach following the departure of Steve Clarke to West Ham.

PROFESSIONAL Footballers’ Association chief executive Gordon Taylor has vowed to support Joey Barton and insists the Newcastle midfielder can still have a future in football.

Bolton chairman Phil Gartside believes Sammy Lee is better equipped to take the club forward than Sam Allardyce.

Aston Villa winger Gabriel Agbonlahor has been included in Nigeria’s provisional squad for their African Nations Cup qualifier with Uganda later this month.

Hull chairman Adam Pearson admits he would consider an approach from Charlton to speak to Peter Taylor about their managerial vacancy.

Newcastle defender Steven Taylor is determined to play again this season after starting out on the long road to recovery from his dislocated shoulder.

Newcastle boss Graeme Souness has been rocked by the news that teenager defender Steven Taylor could be sidelined for another eight weeks with a shoulder injury.

Tottenham boss Martin Jol will consider signing Mido on a permanent basis if the Egypt striker continues to impress during his loan spell.

LOUIS SAHA has called on his Red Devils team-mates to put on a united front and face down the critics ready to dismiss them as Premiership failures.

England U21 2

U21 Internationals