The Republic of Ireland's Wes Hoolahan missed a penalty for Norwich at Loftus Road as QPR saw their lead at the top of the npower Championship cut to four points.

Michael Owen is hoping to figure more often for Manchester United as the heavy schedule takes its toll.

MICHAEL OWEN expects to be given plenty of chances to impress for Manchester United over the forthcoming months, after opening his account for the season with two goals in the Carling Cup at Scunthorpe on Wednesday night.

LIVERPOOL blew one of their best chances of winning a trophy this season after suffering an embarrassing penalty shoot-out Carling Cup defeat against League Two side Northampton at Anfield last night.

Scunthorpe 2 Manchester United 5

FT: Scunthorpe 2 Manchester United 5

Alex Ferguson was not in attendance for Manchester United as their quest for a fifth League Cup crown began against Scunthorpe in a Carling Cup third-round tie at Glanford Park.

Alex Ferguson is convinced his youngsters will benefit from tonight’s Carling Cup exposure at Scunthorpe – even if Manchester United end up on the wrong end of a shock.

Scunthorpe caretaker boss Ian Baraclough is relishing the prospect of locking horns with Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson.

Bebe is expected to be part of Manchester United’s squad for the first time as the Carling Cup holders begin the defence of their trophy at Scunthorpe.

Holders Manchester United will begin their Carling Cup defence at Scunthorpe - and the third-round draw also paired Tottenham and Arsenal together for a north London derby.

DAVID HEALY came off the bench to score his first goal for Ipswich last night, securing another precious point in a 1-1 draw at Scunthorpe as they continue their bid to avoid relegation from the Championship.

Ipswich manager Roy Keane has warned his players to prepare for “a tough battle” as they attempt to secure their Coca-Cola Championship status.

Simon Cox’s second-half volley was enough to keep West Brom in the Coca-Cola Championship automatic promotion places with a 1-0 win at Plymouth.

MANCHESTER CITY striker Robinho is convinced he has played his last game for the club and will be heading back to Brazil after signing off with the final goal in the 4-2 FA Cup win at Scunthorpe on Sunday.

Robinho struck what is likely to prove his farewell goal in English football in Manchester City’s 4-2 FA Cup fourth round win at Scunthorpe and seems to be heading back to Brazil whether Roberto Mancini likes it or not.

CONFUSION surrounded the immediate future of Robinho last night in the wake of Manchester City’s progression to the FA Cup fifth round at the expense of Championship side Scunthorpe.

Scunthorpe 2 Manchester City 4

Manchester City midfielder Stephen Ireland is likely to return to the team against Scunthorpe on Sunday in the FA Cup fourth round.

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini expects Roque Santa Cruz to be sidelined for a month with his latest calf injury.

The FA Cup is feeling the force of the winter freeze with three of today’s third-round ties falling victim to the weather.

ROY KEANE suffered yet more frustration last night as his Ipswich Town side again let a lead slip, this time in the 90th minute to end up with only a point with a 1-1 draw at home to Watford.

Scunthorpe 3 Preston 1

Tony Pulis steered his Stoke side to a 0-0 draw against Leicester which secured the Potters promotion to the Barclays Premier League and relegated the Foxes to Coca-Cola League One.

Celtic defender Gary Caldwell has warned Barcelona there will be no repeat of the negativity that angered the Catalan side when they played Rangers at Ibrox in this season’s Champions League.

DARIUS HENDERSON scored the only goal of the game to help Watford remain at the top of the Coca-Cola Championship with a 1-0 victory over Leicester at Vicarage Road.

Darius Henderson scored the only goal of the game to help Watford remain at the top of the Coca-Cola Championship with a 1-0 victory over Leicester at Vicarage Road.

ROMAN BEDNAR had double cause for celebration on Saturday. As if scoring the winning goal against Burnley was not enough, his manager Tony Mowbray confirmed that he will sign the Czech (pictured right) on a permanent deal at the end of the season.

Leicester chairman Milan Mandaric has warned manager Gary Megson in no uncertain terms his future lies at the Walkers Stadium ahead of today’s Coca-Cola Championship clash at Scunthorpe.

OCTOBER 7, 2006. Not a day that holds too many fond memories for anyone involved in the Ireland set-up but, while the national team was getting stuffed in Nicosia, Andy Keogh was having a day to remember in Nottingham.

Sunderland manager Roy Keane has warned his players they face a long season if they fail to buck up their ideas following the friendly defeat 1-0 to Coca-Cola Championship new boys Scunthorpe.

Big-spending Sunderland were stunned 1-0 by Coca-Cola Championship new boys Scunthorpe at Glanford Park in today’s friendly.

MICHAEL CHOPRA is likely to make his Sunderland debut in today’s friendly at Scunthorpe.

Fabled FA Cup giantkillers Hereford booked themselves a third-round date in January by beating Coca-Cola League One side Port Vale 4-0 at Edgar Street today.

Manchester City’s miserable start to the season plumbed new depths as Chesterfield dumped them out of the Carling Cup with a 2-1 victory at Saltergate tonight.

Tottenham’s attacking problems were highlighted again following the shock 1-0 defeat to Grimsby at Blundell Park in the Carling Cup.

Wycombe will soon begin the search for a new manager after former Arsenal and England captain Tony Adams today quit his post for “personal reasons”.

Scunthorpe manager Brian Laws has left the Third Division club by mutual consent following a meeting today.

Sunderland moved up to fourth in Nationwide Division One tonight as they completed the double over struggling Gillingham with a 2-1 win at The Stadium of Light.

West Ham midfielder David Noble has bucked the trend of departures from Wimbledon by heading for the Dons on trial.

Sunderland defender Cliff Byrne has turned down a permanent move to Scunthorpe.

MARK JACKSON made sure of one last souvenir to remind him of his days at Leeds - Harry Kewell’s number 10 shirt.

Scunthorpe are looking to bounce back from their 3-0 defeat at Cardiff when they meet Leyton Orient.