CAPTAIN Darren Fletcher admitted Scotland should have had a World Cup play-off spot wrapped up long before last night’s defeat to Holland ended any hope of reaching next summer’s finals.

HOLLAND were every bit as professional as coach Marco van Basten promised they would be as they outclassed Romania to send Victor Piturca’s side home and hand Italy a Euro 2008 lifeline.

TONY MOWBRAY is so determined to erase the memories of last season’s play-off final that he views the FA Cup as an unwelcome distraction.

THE margin of Coventry’s victory was as convincing as it was alarming for Mark Hughes, the Blackburn Rovers manager.

Everton manager David Moyes rang the changes for tonight’s UEFA Cup match, with his side assured of qualification and a fixture against Manchester United to come on Sunday.

CARLTON COLE hailed West Ham’s resilience after his last-gasp goal secured a 2-1 Carling Cup win over Coventry at the Ricoh Arena.

RYAN BABEL’S international future has been plunged into doubt after he was axed from Holland’s team for Saturday’s Euro 2008 qualifier with Romania for oversleeping.

Coventry have signed Dutch duo Arjan De Zeeuw and Ellery Cairo.

Wigan have announced captain Arjan de Zeeuw and fellow defender David Unsworth will be released this summer.

Wigan have announced captain Arjan de Zeeuw and fellow defender David Unsworth will be released this summer.

All the starting teams for the final round of matches in the 2006/7 Barclays Premiership have been confirmed.

Wigan captain Arjan de Zeeuw is a serious doubt for the Latics’ final two matches of the season.

Wigan winger Lee McCulloch is a serious doubt ahead of tomorrow's Premiership match with Liverpool at Anfield.

WIGAN boss Paul Jewell conceded his side were “severely punished” for making mistakes during the draw with Tottenham that again cost them points in their battle to beat the drop.

Wigan manager Paul Jewell is forced into three changes as his side looks for a vital Premiership win to ease their relegation worries today.

Wigan manager Paul Jewell's relegation fears could increase if a centre-half crisis fails to ease ahead of the weekend.

Wigan manager Paul Jewell’s relegation fears could increase if a centre-half crisis fails to ease ahead of the weekend.

Wigan captain Arjan de Zeeuw is a serious doubt for the Latics’ Barclays Premiership clash against Aston Villa.

Leighton Baines, Lee McCulloch and Fitz Hall all return from suspension to bolster Wigan’s squad for their Barclays Premiership match with Charlton at The Valley.

Wigan striker Henri Camara could come into contention for the Barclays Premiership match against Fulham tomorrow.

Newcastle 4 AZ Alkmaar 2

Glenn Roeder has selected Republic of Ireland winger Damien Duff on the left wing after recovering from a virus as he looked to take a step towards the UEFA Cup semi-finals today.

Wigan 0 Blackburn 3

Wigan will be without forwards Lee McCulloch and Svetoslav Todorov for tomorrow's home match against Blackburn.

Arjan de Zeeuw is confident Wigan will avoid being dragged into a relegation battle this season.

Wigan manager Paul Jewell has no fresh injury worries to contend with for the Boxing Day visit to Premiership leaders Manchester United.

Wigan are without Henri Camara and Lee McCulloch for tomorrow’s Premiership clash with Chelsea at the JJB Stadium.

Wigan captain Arjan de Zeeuw is back in contention for tomorrow’s Barclays Premiership clash against Sheffield United at the JJB Stadium.

Wigan striker Emile Heskey is poised to start against former club Liverpool in tomorrow’s Barclays Premiership clash at the JJB Stadium.

Wigan striker Emile Heskey is again a doubt for Sunday’s Barclays Premiership clash with Tottenham at White Hart Lane.

WIGAN manager Paul Jewell could not fault his side despite the Latics producing their first goalless draw in the Premiership at the 50th time of asking.

Wigan captain Arjan de Zeeuw was passed fit for the JJB Stadium visit of Aston Villa despite sitting out training for most of the week with a toe injury.

Wigan skipper Arjan de Zeeuw and striker Emile Heskey are serious doubts for Sunday’s visit of Aston Villa to the JJB Stadium.

Emile Heskey is expected to recover from a thigh injury in time to lead Wigan’s attack in their north-west derby clash with Bolton at the Reebok Stadium.

Wigan boss Paul Jewell made three enforced changes for the Barclays Premiership clash with Wigan at Craven Cottage.

Wigan midfielder Denny Landzaat could be given a chance in the clash at Fulham following the injury to Josip Skoko.

Wigan boss Paul Jewell is set to name an unchanged squad as his side look to claim a first victory in seven matches at home to Manchester City tomorrow.

BLACKBURN boss Mark Hughes praised substitute goalkeeper Jason Brown’s debut heroics after Rovers edged past Wigan at Ewood Park.

New signing Kevin Kilbane is included in the Wigan squad for the first time and looks set to make his debut against former club Everton on Saturday.

All the teams for this afternoon's Premiership action.

Wigan manager Paul Jewell named an unchanged side for the visit of Reading today, guaranteeing milestones for captain Arjan de Zeeuw and Emile Heskey.

Unsettled defender Pascal Chimbonda could reclaim his place in the Wigan squad after a calf injury.

Ryan Taylor joins fellow defenders Arjan de Zeeuw and Matt Jackson on the sidelines for Wigan’s Barclays Premiership clash at Fulham on Monday.

Wigan boss Paul Jewell is facing a selection headache for Tuesday night’s Barclays Premiership clash with Aston Villa after losing central defenders Arjan de Zeeuw and Matt Jackson at Newcastle.