Cody and Shefflin

Much-coveted Argentinean youngster Paulo Dybala wants to join Arsenal should he leave Palermo for the Premier League, according to the president of the Italian club.

As a boy in Dublin, with a Cork mother, I admired the sterling sportsman Noel Cantwell, just as my late father had admired Cobh’s “Gorgeous Gael”, the boxer Jack Doyle.

Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce is unlikely to have any of his recent injury victims back for tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League clash with Birmingham.

Manchester City keeper Kasper Schmeichel is on the brink of a one-month loan deal with Cardiff.

Goalkeeper Scott Carson and midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker both return to the squad for Aston Villa’s clash with Derby County at home tomorrow.

Sunderland manager Roy Keane has claimed his clash with Alf-Inge Haaland which put him out of action for nine months actually saved his career.

Holland coach Marco van Basten expects Edwin van der Sar to be fit to face the Ivory Coast in Stuttgart on Friday.

Ruud van Nistelrooy has accepted Marco van Basten’s complaint that he is not doing enough to justify his place in the Holland starting line-up.

Bayern Munich have admitted they were unable to afford the asking price for Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon has hailed LA Galaxy-bound David Beckham as a “gentleman” – but made it clear he believed the 31-year-old former England captain was no longer part of the club’s plans.

Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill has played down speculation that striker Chris Sutton’s career could be in jeopardy because of his current eye problem.

Rio Ferdinand has given a ringing endorsement of Michael Owen’s importance to England’s World Cup bid and is convinced the striker will eventually become his country’s record goalscorer.

Gary Neville has accused the Football Association of setting a “dangerous precedent” by failing to meet their own deadlines after an appeals hearing upheld his £5,000 (€7,300) fine for improper conduct.

Celtic today moved quickly to turn down a written transfer request from Stilian Petrov.

David Beckham admits “the whole nation” is willing Wayne Rooney to be fit for the World Cup – and gave a glimmer of hope by revealing the striker “looked fine” when he was dancing at the England skipper’s party.

Andy Cole has signed a one-year extension to his contract at Manchester City.

Bayer Leverkusen claim Tottenham have agreed to match their asking price for Bulgaria striker Dimitar Berbatov.

Wembley Stadium will launch an internal inquiry into the fiasco that has left hundreds of executive club fans waiting for their FA Cup final tickets with two days to go.

Justin Timberlake's romance with Jessica Biel is getting so serious the actress flew into the UK to see the pop superstar on his European tour.