Republic of Ireland striker Leon Best came off the bench to rescue a late point for Blackburn and denied Derby a winning start to the new Sky Bet Championship campaign.

Cardiff 3 Blackburn 0

Blackburn and Ireland striker Leon Best is ready to mark his return from an injury nightmare by booking a place at Wembley.

Henning Berg concedes his return to Blackburn feels like a homecoming.

Robin van Persie tops the Premier League transfers so far this summer. Here are this summer's confirmed deals so far:

He could potentially be sacked by the time the transfer window closes if comments from the club’s global adviser are to be believed but Blackburn manager Steve Kean is on the lookout for a new striker and is looking for players close to these shores.

Blackburn striker Leon Best is set for an extended spell on the sidelines after suffering anterior cruciate ligament damage yesterday.

Ireland striker Leon Best will undergo a scan today to establish the seriousness of the injury he suffered in Blackburn’s friendly against AEK Athens yesterday.

Newcastle striker Demba Ba has issued his strongest statement yet on his desire to remain on Tyneside.

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew was today maintaining a watching brief after his club re-ignited the debate over Andy Carroll’s future.

Andy Carroll moved closer to a Liverpool exit last night despite the Reds rejecting a loan offer from the striker’s former club Newcastle.

Liverpool last night rejected an audacious Newcastle bid to re-sign striker Andy Carroll on loan, with a view to a permanent move.

Arsene Wenger maintains Arsenal must keep hold of captain Robin van Persie “at all costs” as they look to resolve the Dutchman’s long-term future ahead of the new Premier League season.

Blackburn have made their third signing of the summer, bringing in former Portugal striker Nuno Gomes on a free transfer.

Blackburn Rovers last night turned to Republic of Ireland striker Leon Best to fire them back to the Premier League as they signed the striker from Newcastle for more than £3 million.

Striker Leon Best’s stay at Newcastle could be drawing to a close with Blackburn having stepped up their interest.

Norwich manager Chris Hughton is likely to step up his bid to resolve the future of captain Grant Holt after securing goalkeeper John Ruddy on a new four-year-deal at Carrow Road.

Marco Tardelli expects a fit Richard Dunne to link up with the Republic of Ireland in Dublin on May 17 but insisted the Aston Villa defender will not travel to Poland unless he has fully recovered from his fractured collarbone.

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew is unlikely to make many changes for tomorrow’s Premier League game against Swansea following his side’s 2-0 win over Liverpool last Sunday.

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew will be boosted by the returns of Cheick Tiote and Ryan Taylor for Sunday’s Premier League clash with Liverpool.

Newcastle midfielder Cheick Tiote is rated at 50-50 to return from injury at West Brom on Sunday.

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew is concerned about the fitness of key duo Cheick Tiote and Danny Simpson ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash with Norwich.

Newcastle striker Peter Lovenkrands could miss the rest of the season after he suffered a suspected ruptured thigh muscle.

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew will welcome back key midfield duo Cheick Tiote and Yohan Cabaye for tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League clash with Wolves.

Leon Best has vowed to fight for a place in the Republic of Ireland squad for the Euro 2012 finals despite his Newcastle United manager writing the striker’s season off.

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew will be without striker Leon Best and utility man Ryan Taylor for tomorrow’s Premier League visit to Tottenham.

James McClean has been officially cleared to play for the Republic of Ireland.

Aston Villa have been unsuccessful in their attempt to extend Robbie Keane’s loan period and he will return to the Los Angeles Galaxy after the clash at Wigan on February 25.

Lee Carsley believes Giovanni Trapattoni has to consider Stephen Ireland in his European Championships plans.

Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni looks set to be spared a potential selection headache when he names his squad for the upcoming friendly against the Czech Republic on Friday.

Newcastle have received mixed injury news following yesterday’s win over Aston Villa.

Not since Sam Fox teamed up with Sabrina has there been a more striking double D partnership.

Newcastle 2 Aston Villa 1

Newcastle climbed to fifth place in the Premier League after a victory over Blackburn last night that left Steve Kean’s strugglers to rue a host of missed chances.

Blackburn 0 Newcastle 2

Wolves are waiting to see whether Everton firm up their interest in striker Kevin Doyle by making a concrete bid, it is understood.

Brighton 1 Newcastle 0

NEWCASTLE manager Alan Pardew yesterday blasted Giovanni Trapattoni’s criticism of Leon Best and accused the Republic of Ireland manager of never watching the striker play.

FOR a player whose chief short-term ambition rests with his involvement in this summer’s European Championship finals, another major tournament, the Africa Cup of Nations, might just have come along at just the right time, as far as Leon Best is concerned.

Newcastle 1 QPR 0

Newcastle 2 Blackburn 1

Bolton 0 Newcastle 2

PAUL SCHARNER extended Newcastle’s winless Premier League run to six games as West Brom won on the road for the second time in five days.

Newcastle 2 West Brom 3