Darren Fletcher is the latest fitness doubt ahead of Scotland’s Euro 2012 qualifying double-header against Liechtenstein and Spain after being hit by illness.

ROBBIE BRADY will be on dual mission when he lines out for the Republic of Ireland U21s in this evening’s UEFA Championship qualifier against Turkey in Manisa (kick-off 5pm).

IRISH Davis Cup ace James Cluskey has put himself in line to capture a doubles title on the ITF Men’s Futures Circuit for the second week on the trot.

HAT-TRICK hero Jermain Defoe hailed his partnership with Wayne Rooney after the pair teamed up profitably in last night’s 4-0 win over Bulgaria in their opening Euro 2012 Group G qualifier at Wembley.

CRAIG BELLAMY’S international future is in doubt after his yellow card in Saturday’s meek defeat to Finland brought another deflating qualification campaign to a premature end.

Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack is a doubt for Germany’s opening two World Cup qualifiers as he is still struggling with a foot injury.

LIVERPOOL’S Spanish goalkeeper Jose Reina has become the latest player to commit his long term future to the club.

JONNY EVANS has a winning mentality at 19 — and Northern Ireland are reaping the benefits.

Derry City defender Mark McChrystal has been called into the Northern Ireland U21 squad for Wednesday night’s UEFA Championship qualifier with Liechtenstein.

Motherwell’s on-loan defender Brian McLean has been told by FIFA that he cannot play for Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland's U21s were forced to cancel training this morning in Vaduz ahead of their European Championship first-leg qualifier tomorrow against Liechtenstein.

ENGLAND coach Sven-Goran Eriksson has played down suggestions Manchester United’s Alan Smith does not have a future with the national team.

The Republic of Ireland clung on to top spot in World Cup qualifying Group Four as France were held to a goalless draw by Switzerland.

COACH Luiz Felipe Scolari needs to lift his Portugal players after their humiliating failure to beat part-timers Liechtenstein when his side take on Russia in a World Cup qualifier tomorrow.

SVEN-Goran Eriksson insisted that he would resist the growing clamour for Wayne Rooney to be handed his first start for England against Turkey in the Stadium of Light on Wednesday night in their next Euro 2004 qualifier- even if Emile Heskey is ruled out by injury.

England striker Michael Owen has vowed to “carry on scoring” for his country after reaching the 20-goal mark during the 2-0 win over Liechtenstein in Vaduz.

THE military conflict in the Middle East poses no threat to the Republic of Ireland’s European championship qualifiers against Georgia and Albania.

England’s Euro 2004 qualifier against Liechtenstein will go ahead.

Neil Lennon and Ian Nolan have become the latest players to pull out of the Northern Ireland squad for next Wednesday’s friendly against Liechtenstein.