Middlesbrough have advised AZ Alkmaar to direct their claim for compensation over their failed bid to land Afonso Alves to Heerenveen.

Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate will take a late decision over whether to hand record signing Afonso Alves a debut against Fulham tomorrow.

Middlesbrough have finally completed the signing of Brazilian striker Afonso Alves for an undisclosed club-record fee from Dutch side Heerenveen.

England 1 Brazil 1

DAVID BECKHAM returned to the international stage with a dynamic display that justified his recall and raised further questions about Steve McClaren’s original decision to drop him.

A FINE rearguard action earned the Republic of Ireland Under 21s an impressive 0-0 draw against Portugal in the opening game of the Madeira International Tournament in Machico yesterday.

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.