West Brom’s search for a new manager took a fresh twist yesterday when the club pulled the plug on negotiations with former front runner Pepe Mel.

Sarah Lavin picked up Ireland’s sole medal of the European Junior Championships in Rieti, crossing the line second in a dramatic 100m hurdles final on Saturday.

THIS is it. The day every Irish soccer fan has dreaded. The nightmare scenario.

West Brom skipper and goalkeeper Scott Carson must wait to find out if he will be axed for Saturday’s home Barclays Premier League clash with Blackpool.

LEE CARSLEY has conceded that his international career is effectively over.

OF all Ireland’s play-off defeats, this one was the hardest to take.

DEAN KIELY insists he has not quit international football with Ireland and has claimed Giovanni Trapattoni broke an understanding that he would not be called up just to sit on the bench.

Arsenal 2 West Brom 0

STEPHEN IRELAND will not be part of the Irish squad for next month’s World Cup qualifier against Cyprus but should the Manchester City player indicate he is ready to return to international football then Giovanni Trapattoni will not hesitate to call him up for the October home game against world champions Italy.

TICKET prices for Ireland’s upcoming friendly with South Africa at Thomond Park next month have been slashed in a bid to sell out the famous Limerick stadium.

NO Stephen Ireland in the latest squad, surprise, surprise, but hopes are rising that Steven Reid will be able to play a role in Ireland’s World Cup run-in.

IT WAS a beautiful sunny day at Arsenal’s training ground in St Albans yesterday but the sight of Shay Given sitting out training sent a shiver down the spine.

Goalkeepers Wayne Henderson and Colin Doyle have been called up to the Republic of Ireland squad ahead of this Saturday's World Cup qualifier against Bulgaria.

GIOVANNI TRAPATTONI has dished out his harshest criticism yet of goalkeeper Dean Kiely, describing the player’s reaction to being left out in favour of Kieren Westwood in Craven Cottage on Friday as “like being in a kindergarten”.

Newcastle winger Damien Duff is prepared to stay to get the club back into the Premier League, wants Alan Shearer to be appointed manager.

Giovanni Trapattoni wants to forge a club mentality among his squad to help Ireland qualify for the World Cup next year.

Republic of Ireland coach Giovanni Trapattoni could be forced to call up another goalkeeper after Dean Kiely withdrew from the squad ahead of tonight’s friendly against Nigeria.

DEAN KIELY appears certain to have played his last game for the Republic of Ireland after walking out of the team’s training camp yesterday.

TWELVE months ago, Giovanni Trapattoni touched down in London for just his second game in charge of the Republic of Ireland, a largely low-key friendly against Colombia, and duly likened himself to a concert pianist.

Dean Kiely’s Republic of Ireland future looks in serious jeopardy after he left the squad when informed he would not feature in the friendly against Nigeria.

Blackburn 0 West Brom 0

Liam Lawrence’s contribution to Stoke’s Premier League survival campaign has earned him a call-up for the Republic of Ireland.

RAFAEL BENITEZ has earned many admirers this season for the manner in which his team has regenerated interest in the quest for the Premier League title.

West Brom 0 Liverpool 2

West Brom goalkeeper Scott Carson is hoping to win a recall against his former club Liverpool on Sunday.

West Brom 3 Wigan 1

CELTIC have completed the signing of Willo Flood on a two-and-a-half-year contract.

Giovanni Trapattoni has named a 25-man squad for Ireland's World Cup qualifier against Georgia at Croke Park next month.

Coventry goalkeeper Kieren Westwood is set to join up with the Republic of Ireland squad for training this morning ahead of tomorrow night's friendly clash with Poland.

Coventry keeper Kieren Westwood has been drafted into the Ireland squad following the withdrawal of Dean Kiely.

TRENDY blue bottles of fizzy water are reserved for the manager’s table at post-match press conferences at West Bromwich Albion and Luiz Felipe Scolari could not resist a joke, pointing an enquiring index finger and asking: “Aladdin?”

Giovanni Trapattoni has omitted Andy Reid and Joey O'Brien from his 23-man squad for next week's clash with Poland at Croke Park.

Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni has called up five players to the senior squad to face Cyprus on Wednesday, October 15.

Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni must do without three key squad members for next week’s World Cup qualifier against Cyprus, but the Italian has welcomed back the fit-again Damien Duff.

Hartlepool 3 West Brom 1 (after extra-time)

Norway 1 Republic of Ireland 1

Dean Kiely has vowed to push Shay Given all the way as he attempts to add to his haul of international caps.

Giovanni Trapattoni will not chase retired trio Stephen Ireland, Andy O’Brien and Steve Finnan as he attempts to persuade them to return to the international stage.

Republic of Ireland 1 Colombia 0

JOE MURPHY is the first to admit that, after a meteoric rise, his career has been stuck in neutral for far too long.

Giovanni Trapattoni will ask Robbie Keane to reprise Francesco Totti’s role in his Republic of Ireland masterplan.

WHEN IN DOUBT, always turn to Dylan, I say.

Republic of Ireland 1 Serbia 1

THE circle keeps on turning for Dean Kiely.