On the day the Premier League kicks off in England, a former Premier League manager will be taking his first bow in the Premier Division in Ireland, as Micky Adams gets down to business at Sligo Rovers.

Jeff Hendrick should have been sent off for a “shocking challenge” before playing a central role in Derby’s last-gasp equaliser in their 1-1 draw against fellow playoff hopefuls Brentford on Saturday.

One of Oldham’s sponsors has severed ties with the club ahead due to the “imminent signing” of convicted rapist Ched Evans.

Oldham and the Professional Footballers’ Association will resume talks on Wednesday over the possibility of the club signing convicted rapist Ched Evans.

Talks on convicted rapist Ched Evans signing for Oldham have concluded for the day without a decision being taken on his future.

Oldham remain in talks over the potential signing of convicted rapist Ched Evans despite a furious backlash from fans, sponsors and politicians.

Oldham manager Lee Johnson says it will be a “board decision” if the club opts to sign convicted rapist Ched Evans, as a sponsor threatens to abandon the club if it goes through.

Former Oldham midfielder Rick Holden does not see how convicted rapist Ched Evans “can survive” if he returns to football with his old club.

Angry protests are expected to grow today in a backlash over rapist Ched Evans’ return to football.

A League One club will hold a press conference on Monday in relation to the signing of convicted rapist Ched Evans, the Professional Footballers’ Association chief executive Gordon Taylor has revealed.

Convicted rapist Ched Evans is unlikely to be able to resume his football career abroad due to the UK's tough regime in managing sex offenders.

Former Sheffield United and Wales striker Ched Evans has been offered a route back into football - by Maltese side Hibernians.

A Galway man has won €421,587.08 from Paddy Power bookmaker when all 20 selections on his €5 accumulator came in on Stephen’s Day.

Manager Mick McCarthy has warned potential suitors a "bonkers offer" will be required if Daryl Murphy is to leave Ipswich.

Hull will have an opportunity to exact a measure of revenge for their FA Cup final defeat by Arsenal after drawing the holders in January’s FA Cup third round.

Oldham have denied they have offered convicted rapist Ched Evans the chance to train with the club.

West Ham United 1 Newcastle 0

A former Premier League footballer has been charged with conspiracy to commit bribery.

All the latest team news ahead of the first weekend of Premier League action.

The Football Association has proposed that from next season anyone involved in the top eight tiers of the English league system will be subject to a worldwide betting ban.

Stoke boss Mark Hughes believes Stephen Ireland’s match-winning performance against Tranmere was just a tantalising glimpse of what he is capable of.

Stephen Ireland has been praised after scoring his first goal since December 2011 to help his new side Stoke into the fourth round of the Capital One Cup last night.

Luis Suarez will make his return from a 10-match ban in Liverpool’s Capital One Cup third round at rivals Manchester United.

Daniel Sturridge scored twice as Liverpool survived a major scare against Notts County at Anfield to book their place in the third round of the Capital One Cup, winning 4-2 after extra-time.

Alex Ferguson will summon Sean McGinty for crunch talks at Manchester United this week after Tranmere Rovers cut short the Irish U21 defender’s loan stay for disciplinary reasons.

Republic of Ireland Under-21s boss Noel King will test the depth of his squad in tonight’s friendly against Portugal.

Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert admits he has a big decision this weekend to decide whether to persevere with former Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given after his goal-costing error against Everton last weekend.

Stephen Ireland has set his sights on earning a new contract at Aston Villa after claiming to being rejuvenated since the arrival of Paul Lambert as manager.

Aston Villa 3 Tranmere 0

Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert made six changes for the home Capital One Cup second-round clash with Tranmere.

Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert may must make at least one change as he seeks a morale-boosting first win of the season against Tranmere in the Capital One Cup.

Scunthorpe’s reward for last night’s remarkable victory over Derby is a trip to Premier League side Norwich in the second round of the Capital One Cup (formerly the Carling Cup).

Birmingham are set to sign Chelsea left-back Ben Gordon on a six-month loan deal, Press Association Sport understands.

American goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann has joined Everton on a short-term deal, the club have confirmed.

Emile Sinclair scored twice as League Two minnows Macclesfield topped the bill on a night of Carling Cup upsets with a 2-0 win over npower Championship Hull at the KC Stadium tonight.

English Football League clubs paid out £12.7m (€15.4m) in agents’ fees last season – a rise of £3.9m (€4.7m) from the previous year.

Sheffield Wednesday started their npower League One campaign with a 2-0 victory over Dagenham & Redbridge.

Republic of Ireland defender Alex Bruce has today completed his move from Ipswich Town to Leeds United.

GEORGE O’CALLAGHAN was a familiar face at training yesterday as the Cork City squad held their first session of the season under the watchful eye of new manager Roddy Collins.

Wolves striker Kevin Doyle has shaken off a bout of illness which forced him to miss the FA Cup third round win over Tranmere at Prenton Park, and is included in the squad to face Wigan on Saturday.

The weekend's football schedule has been decimated in the UK as the freezing weather conditions tighten their grip.

WOLVES boss Mick McCarthy believes his team selections are being unfairly singled out for scrutiny despite other managers adopting similar tactics.

WOLVES midfielder Matt Jarvis atoned for missing an open goal by scoring the winner in a hard-fought 1-0 victory over League One Tranmere at Prenton Park last night.