Alex Ferguson has given England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson his blessing to pick Wayne Rooney for next month’s World Cup qualifiers against Wales and Azerbaijan.

Middlesbrough midfielder James Morrison is the latest injury doubt for beleaguered boss Steve McClaren ahead of tomorrow’s Barclays Premiership clash at Portsmouth.

Tottenham striker Fredi Kanoute could return to the starting line-up for tomorrow’s clash with Barclays Premiership leaders Chelsea at White Hart Lane.

The Football Association refused to make any comment early today on whether Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho would face any charges for his controversial remarks about referee Neale Barry.

Nottingham Forest manager Gary Megson has completed the first permanent signing of his City Ground tenure by securing Portsmouth defender John Curtis on a free transfer.

Charlton will be without striker Francis Jeffers for tomorrow’s trip to Barclays Premiership champions Chelsea.

New Lyon coach Gerard Houllier has admitted it will take “an incredible offer” to prise midfielder Mickael Essien away from the club.

British Airways was flying high among blue-chips today but its performance was eclipsed by the gloomy mood affecting the rest of the London market.

Thierry Henry is looking to prove his fitness for the FA Cup final in Sunday’s final Premiership game of the season when Arsenal travel to Birmingham.

David Beckham has confirmed he will play at right-back when Real Madrid visit Real Sociedad tomorrow.

West Bromwich Albion are boosted by the return of Jonathan Greening for Monday’s clash with Arsenal at The Hawthorns.

Shelbourne may recall Jim Crawford to midfield for their Champions League first round second leg clash with Glentoran at Tolka Park tonight.

Striker Michael Owen has attempted to quash speculation about his Real Madrid future, claiming he has no intention of leaving the Bernabeu this summer.

Steven Gerrard remains optimistic Liverpool can qualify for the second round of the Champions League despite tonight’s 1-0 loss to Monaco.

Charlton are set to be without defender Chris Perry for tomorrow’s clash with Barclays Premiership leaders Chelsea at The Valley.

Troubled former footballer George Best will undergo routine tests on his liver as part of his transplant treatment and not because of his drinking, his spokesman said today.

The London market held on to its new-found confidence today as the FTSE 100 Index broke through the 4800 barrier to set a new 29-month high.

West Brom midfielder Ronnie Wallwork has signed a new contract which will keep him at The Hawthorns for another two years.

The BBC has apologised after one of its football commentators used pidgin English to suggest what a Cameroon player was saying on the pitch.

Belarus international midfielder Aleksander Hleb has today agreed to join Arsenal from Bundesliga side VfB Stuttgart on a long-term contract in a deal which could be worth up to £9.94million.