Daniel Storey selects 10 young players who can propel their careers to the next level during the World Cup.

Fernando Hierro will manage Spain during the World Cup, the Spanish Football Federation has announced.

Spain’s World Cup preparations are in turmoil after the sacking of head coach Julen Lopetegui on the eve of the tournament.

The latest Fifa rankings have seen Ireland move up eight places to 26 but, despite that significant improvement, of the eight countries to qualify for the World Cup play-offs, only Greece, at 47, are ranked below Martin O’Neill’s team.

Last Monday afternoon, Sergio Ramos was spotted getting into his gleaming white Mercedes AMG GT coupe on a Madrid street by reporters from local sports paper Marca.

It seems an age ago that Xavi walked into a press conference in Salvador before Spain began their defence of this trophy, full of hope and with earned dreams of further history.

Spanish soccer continues to reach new heights.

There are two enduring images of Sergio Ramos from recent seasons: one is him standing at the top of the open-top bus parade after Real Madrid won last season’s Copa del Rey, only to drop the trophy and see it run over by the bus.

Fernando Torres has targeted more goals at Euro 2012 after his effort in Spain’s 4-1 friendly win over South Korea.

Former Bolton favourite Jay-Jay Okocha has condemned the lack of investment in the club that has left him feeling his four years at the Reebok Stadium were “a waste of time”.

Malaga striker Ruud van Nistelrooy has announced his retirement from football at the age of 35.

IT will be like a South African airlift today in Madrid as more than 2,200 Spanish fans fly out to join the 17,000 that are already in Johannesburg.

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres returns to the club's Melwood training ground tomorrow where his injured right knee will continue to be assessed.

Bolton boss Owen Coyle admits he is still a big admirer of Arsenal youngster Jack Wilshere.

Spain secured their spot in the semi-finals of the Confederations Cup and continued their remarkable unbeaten run after easing past Iraq 1-0 in Bloemfontein today.

Sam Allardyce said today that his shock decision to quit Bolton was one of the hardest of his life.

Real Madrid have confirmed Ruud van Nistelrooy has signed a contract with the club.

ITALY’S World Cup-winning captain Fabio Cannavaro completed his move to Real Madrid yesterday when he signed a three-year contract.

REAL MADRID’S new president, Fernando Martin, issued a stern warning to his players yesterday that those not committed to the cause would be unwelcome at the club.

Bolton’s chief scout Jack Chapman is to retire at the end of this month.

Bolton 3 Everton 2

Fernando Hierro will bring the curtain down on a glittering career on Sunday when he plays his final game for Bolton against Everton at the Reebok Stadium.

German midfielder Dietmar Hamann insists he will not sort out his future until after Liverpool’s Champions League final.

Fernando Hierro is being urged to carry on playing and aid Bolton’s first European campaign.

Chelsea are on the brink of the Barclays Premiership title after today’s win against Fulham at Stamford Bridge.

Bolton 1 Southampton 1

Bolton 1 Southampton 1

Sam Allardyce has thanked Chelsea for paying Bolton the greatest compliment possible by copying their style of play for Wednesday’s Champions League win over Bayern Munich.

Newcastle 2 Bolton 1

Oldham 0 Bolton 1

El-Hadji Diouf has spoken for the first time about the spitting incident which shamed football and admitted he had let Bolton down.

Bolton 0 Blackburn 1

Alex Ferguson is looking on the festive period as the end of the beginning as his Manchester United side gear themselves up for their long run at Premiership glory.

Bolton 0 Man City 1

Nicolas Anelka returned to the Manchester City side at the Reebok Stadium today.

Norwich 3 Bolton 2

Harry Redknapp was cruelly denied victory in his first match in charge of Southampton as Middlesbrough scored twice in the last two minutes to come back from 2-0 down in the Barclays Premiership.

Everton overtook Arsenal to claim second place in the Barclays Premiership with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Merseyside rivals Liverpool.

Everton 3 Bolton 2

Bolton manager Sam Allardyce looks set to name the side which picked up a point at Chelsea for the home game against Portsmouth tomorrow.

Former Inter Milan midfielder Khalilou Fadiga is expected to be released from hospital today after collapsing on the pitch before Bolton’s Carling Cup loss to Tottenham.

Bolton striker Les Ferdinand looks set to face his former club Tottenham in the Carling Cup at the Reebok Stadium tomorrow.

Nigeria playmaker Jay-Jay Okocha is set to return to the Bolton squad tomorrow against Tottenham following a groin injury.

Former Spain and Real Madrid star Fernando Hierro is pushing for his first league start for Bolton tomorrow against Birmingham.