MANCHESTER UNITED star Dimitar Berbatov was among 17 overseas-based players named by Bulgaria coach Stanimir Stoilov yesterday in his squad for next month’s World Cup Group Eight qualifier against Ireland.

REPUBLIC of Ireland internationals Shay Given and Aiden McGeady are nursing injuries ahead of Saturday’s World Cup qualifier against Bulgaria but assistant manager Marco Tardelli has expressed confidence that both will be fit for the game.

BULGARIAN manager Stanimir Stoilov has recalled several experienced internationals for the crucial World Cup qualifiers against Ireland and Cyprus.

BULGARIAN Football Union vice-president Yordan Lechkov has criticised the performances of the team’s Premier League players during their goalless draw with Italy.

ITALY have been given some welcome news ahead of today’s World Cup qualifier against Montenegro with Gennaro Gattuso, Daniele De Rossi and Giuseppe Rossi all passed fit to play.

EVERTON defender Alan Stubbs believes Andrew Johnson has been scared off appealing for penalties because of the season-long diving uproar which has surrounded the England striker.

Aston Villa boss Martin O’Neill handed debuts to new-look strike force John Carew and Ashley Young in tonight’s Barclays Premiership clash with Newcastle.

IT’S a disease that won’t go away of its own volition. The ‘authorities’ that speak loudly of their intentions have, so far, failed utterly to address the problem.

Aston Villa 2 Charlton 0

Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie will consider leaving the club on loan after admitting his first-team opportunities are becoming increasingly limited.

Stilian Petrov is poised to make his Aston Villa debut against West Ham in Sunday’s Premiership clash at Upton Park.

NEW Aston Villa boss Martin O’Neill is stepping up his efforts to sign Celtic midfielder Stilian Petrov before the Premiership gets underway on August 19.

Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill has revealed his disappointment at the collapse of James Milner's £4m (€5.9m) move from Newcastle.

Portsmouth completed their third signing of deadline day by snapping up forward Roudolphe Mbela Douala on a season-long loan from Sporting Lisbon.

Celtic skipper Neil Lennon is adamant he will be staying at Parkhead until the end of the season.

Portsmouth have signed veteran striker Andy Cole from Manchester City on a two-year contract.

Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill has hinted he may still make a last-ditch foray into the transfer market after signing Celtic midfielder Stilian Petrov in an £8m (€11.88m) deal.

ASHLEY COLE’S hopes of joining Chelsea hung in the balance as the clock ran down towards the end of the transfer window.

Celtic have completed the signing of Thomas Gravesen from Real Madrid on a three-year contract.

Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill has finally won the battle to sign Celtic midfielder Stilian Petrov who has joined the midlands club in an £8m (€11.86m) deal.

New Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner is hoping to tie up a multi-million pound sponsorship deal for the midlands club which could come to fruition in time for the January transfer window.

Aston Villa are edging closer to signing Celtic midfielder Stilian Petrov with the clubs close to agreeing an initial £6m fee.

CELTIC legend Tommy Burns believes Thomas Gravesen has all the credentials to be a success at Parkhead.

Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp has admitted defeat in his pursuit of Stilian Petrov after revealing the Celtic midfielder is heading for Aston Villa.

CELTIC manager Gordon Strachan has dismissed talk of a Champions League grudge match with Alex Ferguson.

New Celtic signings Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Lee Naylor could make their debuts in the Bank of Scotland Premier League visit of Hibernian.

Celtic are closing in on Wolves defender Lee Naylor but their bid to land PSV Eindhoven striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink remains in the balance.

CELTIC manager Gordon Strachan played down transfer speculation suggesting movement in and out of the Parkhead club.

MARTIN O’NEILL has changed.

Celtic lost their chance to go top of the Bank of Scotland Premier League with a 1-1 draw against Inverness Caledonian Thistle at the Tulloch Stadium.

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan has concerns over the fitness of Stilian Petrov, Maciej Zurawski and Neil Lennon ahead of Sunday’s trip to Inverness.

Gordon Strachan has confirmed his interest in signing Thomas Gravesen and Serbian hitman Daniel Ljuboja.

Arsene Wenger looks set to plan for life without defender Ashley Cole when he names his side for tomorrow’s Barclays Premiership opener against Aston Villa.

Celtic PLC have posted encouraging results for the financial year despite a decrease in turnover.

Wales 0 Bulgaria 0

Portsmouth are still trying to push through a deal to sign Kanu and avoid starting the season with just one fit striker.

Celtic defender Mark Wilson claims the Hoops would be left with just one world-class player should Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill lure midfielder Stilian Petrov away.

Celtic 2 St Mirren 0

Neil Lennon has backed Celtic’s hardline stance against want-away Stilian Petrov.

CELTIC manager Gordon Strachan has slapped a “not for sale” sign on Stephen Pearson as he revealed Mo Camara could be moving to Derby County.

Stephen Pearson’s agent has urged Celtic to make a quick decision on the future of the Scotland midfielder after accepting a bid from Derby County.

Martin Laursen is confident he will be in contention for Aston Villa’s opening Premiership clash with Arsenal.

The battle to take control of Aston Villa is expected to intensify in the next few days despite the club showing a £8.2m (€12.2m) pre-tax loss for the year ending May 31, 2006.

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp is confident of following up the high-profile capture of Sol Campbell with more fresh faces before the start of the new season.