Canadian John Part has booked his place in the final of the Ladbrokes.com PDC World Championship after a resounding 6-2 victory over Kevin Painter.

Rookie Kirk Shepherd will take on Canada’s John Part in the final of the Ladbrokes.com PDC World Championship at Alexandra Palace on New Year’s Day.

Canadian John Part has booked his place in the final of the Ladbrokes.com PDC World Championship after a resounding 6-2 victory over Kevin Painter.

Defending champion Raymond van Barneveld crashed out of the Ladbrokes.com PDC World Championship tonight thanks to a stunning display from Kevin Painter.

Phil Taylor returned to competitive action in sensational form to win Saturday's Players Championship in Lisse.

Phil Taylor made it a hat-trick of Blue Square UK Open televised nine-dart finishes as he set up a quarter-final re-match with arch rival Raymond van Barneveld at the Reebok Stadium, Bolton.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND U21 manager Don Givens paid tribute to his young guns after their victory over Greece in a UEFA Championships qualifier in Athens last night.

REPUBLIC of Ireland Under-21 manager Don Givens hailed the display of two-goal hero Andy Keogh as his under-strength side staged a come-from-behind performance to secure a crucial lead in their European Championships preliminary round clash with the Azeris.

Birmingham defender Marcos Painter has agreed terms for a new three-year contract with the club.

Premiership results

Premiership half-time scores

Premiership team sheets

Relegated Birmingham are set to recall midfielder Nicky Butt for Sunday’s Barclays Premiership clash against Bolton.

Birmingham are without midfielder Nicky Butt for tomorrow’s Barclays Premiership clash with Newcastle at St Andrews.

Birmingham will give late fitness tests to striker Emile Heskey and winger Jermaine Pennant ahead of tomorrow’s Barclays Premiership clash with Everton at Goodison Park.

Birmingham manager Steve Bruce has major injury problems ahead of tomorrow’s clash with Chelsea at St Andrews.

Birmingham City 0 Liverpool 7

Birmingham 0 Liverpool 7

Mohamed Sissoko was back in the Liverpool starting line-up to face Birmingham just a month after the eye injury against Benfica which had left him blind for 36 hours.

Birmingham striker Emile Heskey and midfielder Nicky Butt are major fitness doubts for Tuesday’s FA Cup tie with Liverpool at Anfield.

Birmingham look set to be short of midfield creativity for the visit of Martin Jol’s Tottenham side.

Birmingham midfielder Muzzy Izzet is poised to return to action after injury in tomorrow’s vital Barclays Premiership meeting with West Brom at St Andrews.

Birmingham midfielder Damien Johnson has recovered from the knock on the knee suffered against Sunderland for tomorrow’s trip to Middlesbrough.

Birmingham are facing a central defensive injury crisis ahead of Saturday’s vital Premiership meeting with Mick McCarthy’s Sunderland at St Andrews.

Birmingham will have striker Emile Heskey and midfielder Damien Johnson back available after suspension for the trip to face Stoke on Sunday.

Birmingham striker Emile Heskey was ruled out through suspension so Blues boss Steve Bruce opted for an attack led by Mikael Forssell and Chris Sutton against West Ham at Upton Park.

Birmingham are set to be without striker Emile Heskey for Monday’s Barclays Premiership clash at West Ham – he is in danger of being suspended for the clash as he faces a Football Association disciplinary hearing today after being charged with misconduct following his sending-off against Arsenal last weekend.

JULIAN GRAY headed Birmingham into the fifth round of the FA Cup after Steve Bruce’s side took advantage of the fact that promotion-chasing Reading was resting most of its first-team players.

Birmingham are without central defenders Matthew Upson, Martin Taylor and Kenny Cunningham for tomorrow’s FA Cup fourth round tie at Reading.

Birmingham skipper and central defender Kenny Cunningham is poised to return for the the vital Premiership basement battle at St Andrews.

Birmingham will give a debut to striker Chris Sutton in the Premiership match at Charlton, as Steve Bruce has virtually a full squad at his disposal for the first time this season.

All the teams for today's early kick-offs in the Premiership.

Birmingham will have to make at least two changes from the side which earned a creditable 2-2 draw with Manchester United for the trip to Stamford Bridge.

Tonight's Premiership teams

Birmingham striker Mikael Forssell has suffered another injury setback and is rated doubtful for the Boxing Day encounter at White Hart Lane.

Birmingham 1 Manchester United 3

Striker Mikael Forssell returns to the Birmingham squad for the Barclays Premiership clash with Manchester City after a month out with a thigh injury.

Jamie Clapham insisted he was not upset about losing his place at left-back to Marcos Painter – and he wants to be regarded as a midfielder by Birmingham boss Steve Bruce.

Birmingham manager Steve Bruce made five changes – three of them enforced - for the crucial Premiership clash with Fulham at St Andrews.

Newcastle skipper Alan Shearer returned to the starting line-up for this afternoon’s clash with Birmingham after being rested last weekend.

Birmingham boss Steve Bruce faces a midfield injury crisis for tomorrow’s clash with Newcastle at St James’ Park.

Birmingham manager Steve Bruce made two changes for the vital relegation clash with Everton at St Andrews.

Birmingham have a doubt over striker Emile Heskey for tomorrow’s Barclays Premiership clash at St Andrew’s against fellow strugglers Everton.

Birmingham have doubts over midfielders David Dunn and Jiri Jarosik for the trip to Bolton.