AUSTRALIA coach Pim Verbeek continues to test out his options ahead of next year’s World Cup after naming three newcomers and recalling Ante Covic and Patrick Kisnorbo to the squad for the friendly against the Republic of Ireland on August 12 at Thomond Park in Limerick.

EVER SINCE a flood engulfed Hillsborough in the summer, Sheffield Wednesday have suffered a torrent of troubles. It is a significant consolation, however, that the club’s heads are still above water as the season hurtles towards its finale.

IF ever Ian Holloway required a show of support from his players this was the occasion. The Leicester City manager could not have been presented with a more emphatic demonstration that he has their complete backing at the Walkers Stadium.

Leicester 1 Crystal Palace 0

IAN HOLLOWAY has moved to kick off his revolution at Leicester City by asking seven players to leave ahead of a major spending spree in the January sales.

CHAMPIONSHIP strugglers Leicester dumped former manager Martin O’Neill’s Aston Villa out of the Carling Cup thanks to a second-half goal from Matt Fryatt.

Sunderland’s miserable start in the Coca-Cola Championship continued as they crashed to a 3-2 defeat against Plymouth at the Stadium of Light today.

Leicester 3 Spurs 2

Neil Shipperley scored the only goal against Wolves to extend Sheffield United’s lead at the top of the Coca-Cola Championship.

Hearts: Gordon, Neilson, Pressley, Webster, Maybury, Stewart, Kisnorbo, Hartley, McAllister, de Vries, Weir. Subs: Moilanen, McKenna, Pereira, Hamill, Berra, Wyness, MacFarlane.

Rangers 3 Hearts 2

Feyenoord: Babos, Saidi, Bosschaart, Kuijt, Ono, Goor, Paauwe, Kalou, Basto, Castelen, Zuiverloon. Subs: Lodewijks, Ghali, Lazovic, Buffel, Mtiglia, Loovens, Gyan.

Braga 2 Hearts 2 (Aggregate: 3-5)

Hearts 0 Rangers 0

Hearts 1 Celtic 1

Hearts v Celtic teams

Hearts captain Steven Pressley could be back in action for the Bank of Scotland Premier League game against Dundee United.

Hearts 0 Celtic 1

Groclin 0 Man City 0 (agg 1-1, Groclin advance on away goals)

Hearts 0, Rangers 4

South Melbourne coach Eddie Krncevic reckons Leeds are poised to sign promising defender Patrick Kisnorbo, who is on trial with the West Yorkshire club.