Hull forward Stuart Elliott has been ruled out of Northern Ireland’s Euro 2008 qualifier against Latvia on Wednesday.

Reading moved further clear at the top of the Coca-Cola Championship with a 2-0 win at Burnley.

Watford cruised to a 4-0 win over Coventry for a victory which turns up the pressure on second-placed Sheffield United, who could only manage a point at Plymouth.

Reading came through a thrilling encounter with bottom side Crewe to extend their lead at the top of the Coca-Cola Championship.

Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy saw his side win at the 15th attempt – and after seeing off Northwich in the FA Cup insisted the Black Cats could shock Chelsea at the weekend.

Gareth Barry’s deflected 61st-minute strike saw off unlucky Hull and sent Aston Villa into the FA Cup fourth round at the KC Stadium.

Northern Ireland 1 Portugal 1

Northern Ireland 2 Wales 3

STUART ELLIOTT is convinced he will soon regain the form which saw him recognised as one of the top marksmen outside the Premiership.

MAIK TAYLOR should have been celebrating his 34th birthday yesterday, but the Northern Ireland goalkeeper was preparing for the World Cup qualifier against England on Wednesday.

Northern Ireland got just the boost they wanted ahead of the World Cup qualifier against England on Wednesday by beating Azerbaijan at Windsor Park.

Northern Ireland manager Lawrie Sanchez recalled Damien Johnson and Stuart Elliott for the World Cup qualifier against England at Old Trafford.

Stockport striker Warren Feeney was today handed a dream ticket to the World Cup qualifier against England at Old Trafford by Northern Ireland manager Lawrie Sanchez.

SHEFFIELD UNITED enhanced their Coca-Cola Championship play-off hopes last night with a 4-0 victory at home to Crewe.

Sheffield United enhanced their Coca-Cola Championship play-off hopes tonight with a 4-0 victory at home to Crewe.

Steve Davis was handed his first Northern Ireland cap by manager Lawrie Sanchez in tonight’s friendly against Canada at Windsor Park.

COCA-COLA League One leaders Luton left it late again to secure victory.

Northern Ireland 3 Austria 3

Northern Ireland 3 Austria 3

Manchester United goalkeeper Roy Carroll won a surprise recall to the Northern Ireland team tonight for this World Cup qualifier.

Azerbaijan 0 Northern Ireland 0

LAWRIE SANCHEZ is expected to name Bristol City captain Tommy Doherty in midfield for Northern Ireland tonight as they take on Azerbaijan in Baku.

Lawrie Sanchez saw his selection options improve dramatically tonight when four of the five players who pulled out of the World Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan tomorrow became available for the match with Austria on Wednesday.

Lawrie Sanchez’s decision to invoke the four-day rule has prompted an angry reaction on the club circuit.

Northern Ireland pair Chris Baird (knee) and Phil Mulryne (groin) have dropped out of the squad to face Poland in the World Cup qualifier on Saturday because of injury.

West Ham’s Grant McCann faces five weeks on the sidelines after his full Northern Ireland debut ended in disaster.

Motherwell let a one-goal lead slip at Fir Park as third-placed Livingston enhanced their claims for a Uefa Cup spot with a smash-and-grab victory.

Lubo Moravcik added another wonder goal to his collection to give Celtic the lead at managerless Motherwell.

Northern Ireland delivered nothing but defeat and disappointment after losing 1-0 to Bulgaria in their World Cup Qualifying group three match.

Mark Williams claimed his first international goal counts for nothing because he feels so embarrassed by Northern Ireland's defending in their defeat against Bulgaria.

Sammy McIlroy blasted his Northern Ireland side after they lost 4-3 in their World Cup qualifier against Bulgaria.

Northern Ireland have pulled back two goals in their World Cup Qualifier against Bulgaria.