Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni put his faith in Darron Gibson and Glenn Whelan for tonight’s World Cup qualifier against Cyprus.

The Premier League in England insist they have no plans to ask UEFA to move the venue of the Champions League final if two English sides are involved.

ITV has retained the rights to show midweek Uefa Champions League football matches, the broadcaster announced today.

A Premier League winner’s medal presented to former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho sold for £21,600 (€25,767) at auction today.

AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has reiterated David Beckham will only stay at the club for three months before returning to the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Real Madrid have signed Holland midfielder Rafael van der Vaart from Hamburg.

Rangers manager Walter Smith admits the Old Firm could only ever hope to compete with the top clubs in Europe if they were able to attract foreign investment in the same way Manchester City have

Defender Emmerson Boyce returns to Wigan’s squad for the trip to Newcastle on St Stephen's Day after recovering from a torn hamstring.

Manchester United forward Memphis Depay has been involved in a spat with former Red Devils striker Robin van Persie during a Holland training session.

Mikie Sheehan and Peter McNamara join Stephen Barry for a packed show previewing a bumper sporting weekend.

Paul Hartley and Gary Caldwell have been ruled out of Scotland’s Euro 2008 qualifier against Ukraine on Saturday.

Chelsea are without Frank Lampard (thigh) and Didier Drogba (knee) for their Carling Cup clash with Hull tomorrow night.

An Irish man has been charged in connection with the racial abuse of former Manchester United star Andy Cole on a flight from Dublin to Manchester.

Former Ireland international and Manchester United and Newcastle midfielder Liam O’Brien will manage the PFAI squad for this year’s annual training camp in Dublin and FIFPro Winter Tournament in Oslo, Norway on January 9.

Portugal suffered a major scare yesterday after Cristiano Ronaldo was forced to cut short a training session.

Midfielder Tomas Rosicky says Arsenal will continue to take no notice of their doubters as Arsene Wenger’s side aim to last the distance in the Premier League title race.

Bayern Munich star Arjen Robben has labelled Manchester United’s defensive display in the Champions League quarter-final as being “like handball”.

Republic of Ireland international James McCarthy admits he’s flattered by the reported interest from Manchester United and has revealed just how close he came to joining Spurs last year.

Wayne Rooney has posted a picture online of the head injury that has ruled him out of England’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers, along with a message to those questioning his withdrawal from Roy Hodgson’s squad.

Republic of Ireland captain Robbie Keane last night dismissed any prospect of a another return to the Premier League, insisting he does not miss England.