Bray Wanderers will be hoping for a victory that would close the gap on fellow strugglers Drogheda United when the two sides meet at Hunky Dorys Park tonight, kick-off 7.45pm.

THE plight of Shane Duffy dominated all thoughts at the Irish camp in Malahide yesterday as news of the player’s recovery allowed a shocked squad to regain focus on tomorrow evening’s game against Paraguay at the RDS.

THERE’S no sign of a thaw in the big freeze in relations between the FAI and FIFA after John Delaney branded Sepp Blatter an “embarrassment” and revealed that an offer of a Fair Play gong – due to be presented at last night’s World Player of the Year bash in Zurich – had been turned down.

THE FAI has said that it is fully supportive of Ireland Assistant Manager Liam Brady’s withering criticism of FIFA President Sepp Blatter, even as a spokesperson for the world football governing body has confirmed what everyone already knew to be the case – Ireland will not be taking part in the World Cup finals in South Africa next summer.

GIOVANNI TRAPATTONI continues to sweat on the fitness of Sean St Ledger for tomorrow night’s World Cup qualifier against Cyprus, after the Preston centre-half suffered a reaction to the knee injury he incurred playing for his club last Saturday.

CORK CITY are still in search of their first win of the season as they take on Portadown in Group 2 of the Setanta Cup at Turner’s Cross tonight (7.45).

Gordon Taylor has emphasised that the Professional Footballers’ Association are ready to help Paul Gascoigne if called upon.

Athlone Town Football Club are in talks with current Longford Town Assistant Manager Aaron O’Callaghan on taking up the position of first team manager at the club.

The 79-year-old former Dublin City and County Assistant Manager George Redmond has been jailed for one year by Judge Michael White at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for corruption.

The hearing of evidence in the corruption trial of former Dublin City and County Assistant Manager, Mr George Redmond, has ended and the jury is scheduled to begin its deliberations on Tuesday next after being addressed by counsel and by Judge Michael White.