Anthony Stokes believes he can fire himself back into the reckoning for Euro 2016 after returning to Hibernian on loan.

Anthony Stokes believes he can fire himself back into the reckoning for Euro 2016 after returning to Hibernian on loan.

The very first manager to have “lost the dressing room”, according to Google, was John Barnes in 1999.

Wayne Rooney will tell younger members of the England squad they must not be intimidated by the hostile atmosphere at Celtic Park against Scotland tomorrow.

“Must be a sympathy vote, is it?” chuckles Gary O’Neill on receipt of his first ever SWAI/SSE Airtricity Player of the Month award after a 14-year career in Irish football which has seen him turn out for eight clubs.

There may be an arctic chill on the banks of the River Mersey this morning but, make no mistake, beneath its waters a cauldron is bubbling.

A stiffer test, a less stellar game, but at least a reassuring steadiness.

As Ireland make the final preparations for their first game of the Euro 2016 campaign, keen to set the right tone, the team are likely to hear something like this.

The wasp may not be the most welcome summer visitor but its buzzing presence has been strangely absent in Ireland this year.

Everton chairman Bill Kenwright intends to speak to Wigan boss Roberto Martinez in the “next 48 hours” over the managerial vacancy at Goodison Park.

Everton midfielders Leon Osman and Jack Rodwell are in contention for a return from injury in Saturday’s Barclays Premier League clash with QPR.

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney insists there is “no reason” for him to want to move away from Old Trafford.

TIM CAHILL believes that Ireland’s Seamus Coleman has the quality and potential to take advantage of the ongoing injury crisis at Everton after the former Sligo Rovers defender finally announced himself to the Premier League during his team’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham.

Everton manager David Moyes secured the signature of Sylvain Distin from Portsmouth today then revealed he was closing in on a second defender.

WAYNE ROONEY returns to Everton on Saturday knowing there could be no more fitting arena than Goodison Park to notch his 100th career goal.

West Ham 2 Derby 1

Derby are waiting on the fitness of defender Jay McEveley ahead of tomorrow’s home Barclays Premier League game against Fulham.

Derby goalkeeper Roy Carroll is fit to face Middlesbrough in tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League clash at the Riverside.

Derby defender Alan Stubbs is certain to miss tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League clash against Manchester United at Pride Park.

Derby 0 Sunderland 0

IF Robbie Keane’s ambitions are realised, and Tottenham do end the season with two new cups in White Hart Lane’s dusty trophy cabinet, it is clear the club’s physios will be as crucial as their coaches.

Derby manager Paul Jewell today hit out at what he believes are inconsistencies in the transfer system.

New signing Alan Stubbs and Roy Carroll are expected to make their Derby debuts in the Barclays Premier League clash with Birmingham at St Andrews.

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp could barely contain his excitement tonight as he edged closer to bringing Jermain Defoe to Fratton Park.

Derby have signed Everton defender Alan Stubbs on an 18-month contract, the Rams have announced on their website.

WHAT price does a football club place on the FA Cup in the modern age of squad rotation and expanded cup competitions?

Everton 0 Oldham 1

Mikel Arteta starts his three-match ban tomorrow as Everton play at Middlesbrough for being sent off on Saturday against Arsenal.

Everton manager David Moyes will make a late decision on Phil Neville’s fitness for the Premier League visit of Arsenal tomorrow.

Everton are hopeful that midfielder Mikel Arteta will have recovered from a bout of sickness in time to face Bolton at Goodison Park on St Stephen's Day.

Everton manager David Moyes looks certain to reshuffle his side for the Barclays Premier League match against Manchester United on Sunday at Old Trafford.

EVERTON manager David Moyes is calling on his fringe players to step up to the plate tonight so they can bow out of the group stages of the UEFA Cup with a 100% record.

Everton manager David Moyes left five senior players at home as his side prepared to face AZ Alkmaar in the UEFA Cup in Holland.

Everton defender Leighton Baines will be out for longer than expected after a scan revealed a tear on his hamstring.

Everton are fighting to get defender Joseph Yobo fit for the home game with Fulham.

Veteran Everton defender Alan Stubbs is expected to be out of action for a month after a scan on a training-ground injury revealed a calf problem.

Everton manager David Moyes has a long list of injury problems ahead of Sunday’s trip to Chelsea following the Toffees’ excellent UEFA Cup success in Nurnberg yesterday.

Nurnberg 0 Everton 2

DAVID MOYES has told his Everton players to give Nurnberg the respect “any German team deserves” — even though tonight’s UEFA Cup opponents have endured a catastrophic start to the season.

Everton 3 Birmingham 1

Substitute Tim Cahill fired Everton into the Carling Cup quarter-finals for the first time in 19 years at the expense of Luton.

Mark Clattenburg will not be refereeing a Premier League match this weekend, it has been announced.

Penalty hero Dirk Kuyt admitted he was “a bit lucky” to still be on the pitch to fire Liverpool’s season back on course with a dramatic winner in the 206th Merseyside derby.

Everton 1 Liverpool 2