ITALY goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has offered exiled star Antonio Cassano some hope in making it into Marcelo Lippi’s squad for next summer’s World Cup in South Africa.

Italy 3 Northern Ireland 0

Northern Ireland boss Nigel Worthington handed out four new caps in his starting XI with Chris Casement, Colin Coates, Corry Evans and Stephen Carter all lining up for the first time in a largely inexperienced team to face Italy.

ITALY coach Marcelo Lippi will give young Inter Milan defender Davide Santon his senior international debut against Northern Ireland tonight after admitting to being impressed with him in training.

Northern Ireland manager Nigel Worthington has admitted he will be keeping an ear out for events in Slovakia tonight while his young side face the ultimate of tests against World Champions Italy in Pisa.

Giovanni Trapattoni will send his Republic of Ireland team into World Cup battle in Bulgaria tomorrow night intent only on victory.

Italy coach Marcelo Lippi will give young Inter Milan defender Davide Santon his senior international debut against Northern Ireland tomorrow night after admitting to being impressed with him in training.

Northern Ireland coach Nigel Worthington has called on his youthful squad to prove they deserve a place in his future plans by impressing against world champions Italy tomorrow.

Montenegro 0 Italy 2

Keith Andrews has hailed the impact of managers Giovanni Trapattoni and Sam Allardyce as he attempts to achieve a double goal.

Richard Dunne is keeping his fingers crossed Shay Given is fit to lay the foundation for the Republic of Ireland's big World Cup push.

Giovanni Trapattoni is relieved Bulgaria striker Dimitar Berbatov will not have the chance to dent the Republic of Ireland’s World Cup dreams.

Giovanni Trapattoni will celebrate his 70th birthday tomorrow with his sights set firmly on next summer’s World Cup finals.

WORLD champions Italy shared the honours with Greece after a low-key encounter in Athens ended in a draw between the two European rivals.

Diego Maradona's reign as Argentina manager began with a 1-0 victory over Scotland in a friendly in Glasgow tonight.

PAVEL Nedved has announced he will retire from international football following the Czech Republic’s friendly clash with Serbia tonight.

David Beckham believes England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson is the “obvious choice” to take over at Real Madrid after this summer’s World Cup.