Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni will continue to exclude James McClean from his starting XI despite an impressive performance from the Sunderland winger in last night's 4-1 win over Oman.

Republic of Ireland 4 Oman 1

Well, at least there is one prominent football man who thinks that Ireland set a fine example in Kazakhstan last Friday.

Under-pressure manager Giovanni Trapattoni has received a big message of support from opposite number Paul Le Guen on the eve of the Republic of Ireland’s friendly against Oman.

Nottingham Forest 1 Wigan 4

Southampton 0 Wigan 2

Eden Hazard showed why Chelsea persisted with his constant flirting with clubs across the continent as the Belgian started life in England in superb fashion.

September, then, is set to be a month of firsts for Ireland: a first 2014 World Cup qualifier, a first trip to Kazakhstan and first ever meeting with Oman.

Fulham 2 Wigan 1

Here we go again.

Chelsea 2 Wigan 1

AKOS BUZSAKY was considering his future at Loftus Road before Mark Hughes’ arrival but is now leading the way among fringe players looking to impress the new Queens Park Rangers manager.

MANCHESTER UNITED’S astonishing response to their historic 6-1 derby day defeat to Manchester City continued at Old Trafford yesterday where a hat-trick from Dimitar Berbatov dragged them level with their rivals at the top of the Premier League.

JOHN O’SHEA has admitted Sunderland need to return to winning ways sooner rather than later to save Steve Bruce’s job.

John O’Shea has admitted Sunderland need to return to winning ways sooner rather than later if they are to save Steve Bruce’s job.

Sunderland 1 Wigan 2

Crystal Palace 2 Wigan 1

Stoke 0 Wigan 1

RONNIE STAM scored an 80th-minute equaliser to salvage a precious point for Wigan and leave neighbours Bolton bitterly frustrated.

Bolton 1 Wigan 1

Chris Kirkland was brought back into Wigan starting line-up for tonight’s derby at Bolton.

IN Alan Pardew’s world, this is the kind of victory that dreams are made of.

Bolton manager Owen Coyle has hinted he is open to offers for on-loan goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi.

WEARING only a pair of black boxer shorts, black socks and black shoes, it was impossible to imagine quite what motivated the male streaker who invaded the Riverside stadium pitch on the rawest of Teesside afternoons.

Lord Stevens’ long-awaited report into alleged illegal payments clears all Premier League clubs of paying or receiving bungs - but the report raises separate concerns about two managers and a number of agents.

Five Premier League clubs have been named by Lord Stevens in his final report into top-flight transfers.

Bolton boss Sam Allardyce is ready to come to Jose Mourinho’s aid and offer the Chelsea manager the use of one of his goalkeepers.

RONEN KATZAV, the former agent of Idan Tal, the Bolton Wanderers midfielder, has accused Craig Allardyce of muscling in on a deal to sign the Israeli international earlier this year.

Bolton manager Sam Allardyce tonight insisted he will “fight” allegations by the BBC’s Panorama programme that he has received illegal payments.

Bolton manager Sam Allardyce was at the centre of allegations about illegal payments in football made by the BBC’s Panorama programme tonight.

Ian Walker has been rewarded for his patience at Bolton by securing a new two-year deal.

BOLTON have signed Matt Jansen after the striker was released by Premiership neighbours Blackburn.

Bolton have signed Matt Jansen after the striker was released by Premiership neighbours Blackburn.

Bolton have eased their goalkeeping worries with the capture of Oman international Ali Al-Habsi from top Norwegian club SFK Lyn.