Birmingham City have signed Republic of Ireland striker Caleb Folan and Cian Hughton — son of Blues manager Chris — until the end of the season.

Birmingham boss Chris Hughton is backing under-fire FA Cup rival Andre Villa-Boas to stamp his own mark on Chelsea and revive their fortunes – if given time to do so.

ROBBIE KEANE promised there would be more goals to come after he marked his LA Galaxy debut with a well-taken strike during their 2-0 win over San Jose on Saturday night.

Robbie Keane marked his Los Angeles Galaxy debut with a goal as his new side defeated San Jose Earthquakes 2-0 at the Home Depot Centre.

THE players Giovanni Trapattoni dubbed ‘the disappeared’ have reappeared in his squad for next month’s friendly against Croatia — but the manager has made it crystal clear that he will stand for no more repeats of the confusion which surrounded his last squad call-up back in May.

THE president of the United States of America told the group of footballers behind him that he had dressed in their honour: a grey suit to go along with the matching grey suits worn by the Colorado Rapids.

IRELAND’S defensive crisis has deepened with the news that Sean St Ledger has lost his battle to be fit for the June 4 European Championship qualifier away to Macedonia.

JAMES McCARTHY’S future as an Ireland international is back on the agenda with a vengeance after the player failed to respond to his call-up to the latest squad.

Giovanni Trapattoni is infuriated by Celtic striker Anthony Stokes’ decision to withdraw from the Republic of Ireland squad because of tiredness.

Aston Villa defender Richard Dunne has pulled out of the Republic of Ireland squad for their four end-of-season fixtures.

ANTHONY STOKES has done his international prospects under Giovanni Trapattoni no favours by pulling out of the Republic of Ireland squad claiming tiredness.

DAMIEN DUFF is out of Ireland’s European Championship qualifier against Macedonia in June.

Wes Hoolahan has missed out on a recall to the Republic of Ireland squad despite helping Norwich earn promotion to the Premier League this week.

Marco Tardelli has said that he would like to take the reins of the Republic of Ireland team after Giovanni Trapattoni.

Former Hull forward Caleb Folan has signed for the Colorado Rapids, the Major League Soccer champions confirmed.

ROBBIE KEANE has sought to placate Wolves supporters who have accused him of turning his back on one of his old clubs by signing for their relegation rivals West Ham.

LIFE without Robbie. It could be the tagline for another Hollywood rom-com or the title of the latest entrant to the chick-lit genre.

Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni was tonight dealt a fresh blow when Sean St Ledger and Paul Green were both ruled out of Wednesday’s friendly against Norway.

Jon Walters is determined to make the most of his second chance as he contemplates a first senior cap for the Republic of Ireland.

Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni could turn to youth as he attempts to cope with an injury crisis ahead of Wednesday’s friendly clash with Norway.

Richard Dunne, Ciaran Clark and Kevin Kilbane have withdrawn from the Republic of Ireland squad for Wednesday’s friendly against Norway, the Football Association of Ireland have confirmed.

IRELAND face a major injury crisis in defence ahead of Wednesday’s friendly international against Norway at the Aviva Stadium.

JONATHAN WALTERS’ chances of making his senior debut for Ireland against Norway next week appear to have improved with the news that captain Robbie Keane has been forced to withdraw from the final 25-man squad for the friendly game at the Aviva Stadium.

Aston Villa defender Ciaran Clark has been called into the Republic of Ireland squad for Wednesday night’s friendly against Norway.

Stephen Hunt has been drafted into the Republic of Ireland squad for the first time this season for the friendly against Norway in Dublin on November 17.

MARCO TARDELLI says that, once Ireland’s opening two European Championship qualifiers are out of the way, he and Giovanni Trapattoni would be prepared to discuss a return to the international squad with Stephen Ireland.

IRELAND manager Giovanni Trapattoni left hospital last night and declared himself fit and ready to mastermind Ireland’s Euro 2012 double header against Armenia and Andorra next month.

FOR all the glamour of the occasion, firepower might be somewhat diluted at the Aviva Stadium tomorrow night, with Ireland sweating on the fitness of Kevin Doyle and Carlos Tevez set to sit out the game for Argentina.

Aiden McGeady has been given permission to miss the Republic of Ireland’s friendly against Argentina on Wednesday to finalise his future.

Shay Given has been named in the Irish squad to take on Argentina in the first international football match in the Aviva Stadium on August 11.

Republic of Ireland coach Giovanni Trapattoni will run the rule over his young hopefuls in a training game tomorrow.

DARRON GIBSON was the most high-profile casualty as a decimated version of Ireland’s developmental squad gathered for the first day of their training camp in Malahide yesterday.

Hull are likely to be without Jimmy Bullard and Caleb Folan for Sunday’s final Premier League game against Liverpool at the KC Stadium.

Giovanni Trapattoni today announced a list of 23 players who will take part in a summer training camp in Malahide next month, including eight players yet to be capped at senior level.

Hull 0 Sunderland 1

Hull boss Iain Dowie will be without Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink for tomorrow’s must-win match against Sunderland but Anthony Gardner returns in defence.

Hull boss Iain Dowie will not risk defender Anthony Gardner against Aston Villa tomorrow.

Ibrahima Sonko will be forced back onto the sidelines for Hull’s trip to his parent club Stoke tomorrow.

Hull 2 Fulham 0

THE shambolic cheerleading display at half-time at Fratton Park summed up Portsmouth perfectly.

Portsmouth 3 Hull 2

ARSENAL, Brazil and the Republic of Ireland might seem like a fanciful triumvirate, but the latter pair of countries will be appearing at the Gunners’ Emirates Stadium sooner than you’d imagine.

TOTTENHAM manager Harry Redknapp has ruled out selling Ireland captain Robbie Keane – unless he receives an offer in the region of £50 million (€55.5m) for the striker.

Republic of Ireland striker Caleb Folan is set to leave Hull City by the end of the month.