Northern Ireland have called up Port Vale forward Andrew Little for Friday’s Euro 2012 qualifier against Estonia and the clash with Italy four days later.

Fulham manager Mark Hughes is closing in on PSV Eindhoven’s Mexico international left-back Carlos Salcido.

HAVING just returned from Limerick to see the Munster XI v Sunderland benefit football match for the Shane Geogegan Trust Benefit Fund which was set up to improve the lives of the disadvantaged, I wish to say what a worthwhile and enjoyable trip it was.

KENTZ, the Clonmel- headquartered engineering and construction services company, has begun the new year positively, by winning a $69m (€48m) contract to build the main processing plant for a significant new coal project in Mozambique.

Sheffield Wednesday have handed Francis Jeffers a maximum club fine and placed the striker on the transfer list following his dismissal in the Carling Cup second round defeat to Port Vale.

ROY KEANE’S Ipswich survived a major scare in the Carling Cup first round last night.

Tottenham gave a run-out to new signing Kyle Naughton in their 3-1 defeat at Aldershot last night.

The London market came through a less volatile session today as good news for blue-chip firms Vodafone and Sainsbury’s steadied investor nerves.

Mobile phone giant Vodafone and better-than-expected sales figures from supermarket chain Sainsbury’s helped steady the London market today.

London's leading share index surged ahead today after investors took cheer from news of lower-than-expected inflation data.

Port Vale chairman Bill Bratt has confirmed the League One club have made an approach to sign former Liverpool and England striker Robbie Fowler.

TOM HUDDLESTONE proved the difference as Tottenham came from behind to grab an extra-time win to reach the Carling Cup quarter-finals at Port Vale’s expense.

Southend confirmed their League One title with a 1-0 win at home to Bristol City – and they will be joined in the Coca-Cola Championship next season by Colchester, whose goalless draw at Yeovil was just enough.

Aston Villa 3 Port Vale 1

Aston Villa striker Kevin Phillips has spelt out his determination to make up for lost time as he looks to put himself in contention for Saturday’s FA Cup clash with Port Vale.

The Republic of Ireland U21 side opened their account at the Madeira Island tournament this afternoon with a 0-0 stalemate against host nation Portugal.

Andy Johnson is in talks with Crystal Palace about a new contract after hitting 24 goals this season.

Port Vale boss Brian Horton has parted company with the club by mutual consent after five years in charge at Vale Park.

MORE than 1,000 pairs of knickers were strung around London’s Parliament Square yesterday in protest against moves to ban hunting with hounds.

Newport 61 Ebbw Vale 9

Edinburgh's 30-20 victory over Ebbw Vale guaranteed their place in the Celtic League quarter-finals.

Celtic League Pool A

IT could easily have been a miserable return to his roots for George O’Callaghan.

Ebbw Vale 0 Ulster 19

Ebbw Vale 0 Ulster 19

English clubs continued their all-out assault on this season’s Parker Pen European Shield as Saracens and Gloucester joined Sale in the last eight following victories on French soil.

Glasgow set themselves up for their final pool showdown with Llanelli on

Welsh international outside half Arwel Thomas steered Swansea to their second victory in a week by grabbing one of their two tries as he collected a personal points tally of 21.