Warren Feeney was convinced Northern Ireland would beat England – but wished he had placed a bet before the match.

Northern Ireland manager Lawrie Sanchez has kept faith with four players who decided to sit out the match against Germany two months ago for Wednesday night’s friendly against Malta.

Keith Gillespie, Phil Mulryne and Jeff Whitley will go in the shop window on Saturday in Belfast.

Sunderland striker Michael Bridges has been handed a free transfer as manager Mick McCarthy prepares for life back in the Barclays Premiership.

Darren Bent left it late to save Ipswich at Portman Road as he netted in the final minute to keep the Coca-Cola Championship promotion race alive.

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Northern Ireland have called up rookie goalkeeper Allan Mannus for Sunday’s game against Trinidad and Tobago because of an injury to Michael Ingham.

Northern Ireland have suffered a blow just one day ahead of their international friendly against St Kitts & Nevis at Warner Park in Bassetterre.

Sunderland goalkeeper Michael Ingham has been included in Northern Ireland’s 20-man squad for their tour to the Caribbean at the end of the month.

Sunderland manager Mick McCarthy is expected to give a vote of confidence to the side thrashed 4-0 by Cardiff last weekend in tomorrow’s fifth-round FA Cup replay at Birmingham.

Sunderland’s record signing Tore Andre Flo scored his first goal in almost seven months – and there was no-one there to see it.

Here is the full club-by-club list of transfer deals completed during the calendar month of January.

GORDON STRACHAN believes Southampton can “go toe-to-toe with anybody” as they go into today’s match against Sunderland at St Mary’s Stadium on the back of a fine recent run.

Sunderland boss Howard Wilkinson will send out his lads’ army for the Worthington Cup third round trip to Arsenal.

Northern Ireland Under-21 manager Roy Millar has handed a first call-up to Portsmouth goalkeeper Chris Tardif, for their final European Championship qualifier against Malta.