Paul Connolly and Jordan Stewart return from suspension as Derby take a 1-0 lead into the second leg of their Carling Cup semi-final against Manchester United tomorrow.

LIFE cannot get much sweeter for Kevin Doyle. The Wexford-born striker has just enjoyed the kind of week he must have wished would never end: a lucrative new contract, tying him to the Royals until 2011, two goals here which brought him his half-century for the Berkshire club three years after joining and the chance to enhance his international credentials in next week’s clash with Poland.

STEVE COPPELL confirmed he is considering his future after Reading’s relegation to the Championship was confirmed last night, with the manager’s resignation expected to be confirmed early this week.

Derby manager Paul Jewell is boosted by the return of six players for Sunday’s final Barclays Premier League game of the season against Reading.

TONY Mowbray’s dour expression and studied under-statement may belie it, but nobody could accuse West Bromwich Albion of being dull.

HOW appropriate that a member of the consortium set to buy Derby County is reported to be a member of the Walt Disney clan. With Mickey Mouse displays such as this, the new board will surely feel right at home.

Derby 1 Preston 4

Derby boss Paul Jewell looks set to field his strongest possible line-up for tomorrow’s FA Cup fourth-round tie with Preston at Pride Park.

Sheffield Wednesday 1 Derby County 1 AET (Derby win 4-2 on penalties)

Derby will be without Danny Mills for their FA Cup third-round replay against Sheffield Wednesday but fellow defenders Claude Davis and Dean Leacock return for the trip to Hillsborough.

BEJANI vindicated Harry Redknapp’s decision to reject the overtures of Newcastle as his hat-trick emphatically ended Portsmouth’s six-match goal drought at Fratton Park.

Danny Mills goes straight into the Derby squad for Sunday’s FA Cup third-round tie against Sheffield Wednesday at Pride Park.

WALES boss John Toshack admitted he was praying for the final whistle as his team hung onto a 2-1 victory over San Marino.

As expected, Craig Bellamy is passed fit to lead Wales in their Euro 2008 qualifier just a week after a groin operation.

Derby 1 Luton 0

WALES strolled to a convincing victory in Euro 2008 qualifying group D to re-establish confidence after the defeat in Dublin at the weekend.

Wales boss John Toshack has some tough decisions to make ahead of the Euro 2008 qualifier against Ireland in Dublin.

NORTHERN IRELAND showed their stubborn side last night as Wales, who face the Republic of Ireland next month, lacked inspiration and failed to fire at a freezing Windsor Park.

MICK McCARTHY and Roy Keane had to settle for a point each as Sunderland came from behind to claim a draw against Wolves at Molineux last night.

Nigel Worthington has indicated he would be interested in becoming manager of his former club Sheffield Wednesday.

Derby manager Billy Davies has confirmed defender Lewin Nyatanga’s loan move to Sunderland could become permanent.

WALES manager John Toshack and his captain Craig Bellamy were delighted to be back to winning ways with a 3-1 victory at home to Cyprus.

JOHN Toshack took it on the chin after Wales slumped to their worst home defeat in 98 years.

Ryan Giggs has been named Wales’ player of the year for only the second time in his career.

Wales will be without defender James Collins for their Euro 2008 qualifiers against Slovakia and Cyprus because of a groin injury.

Czech Republic 2 Wales 1

Wales 0 Paraguay 0