A potential tie against Norwegian champions Rosenborg awaits Shelbourne in the Champions League third round draw if they can overcome Steaua Bucharest in the Ghencea Stadium next week.

Chelsea striker Hernan Crespo, on loan with AC Milan, has admitted he reached such a low with injuries last season that he considered retirement.

Norwich manager Nigel Worthington must decide whether to change a winning side for tomorrow’s Barclays Premiership relegation showdown at Crystal Palace.

Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren was able to call upon experienced striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink once again as his side looked to get their Barclays Premiership campaign back on track against struggling Southampton.

Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira admitted he is looking forward to another final after the Gunners saw off Blackburn in the first FA Cup semi-final at Cardiff.

Gordon Strachan has urged Scots to unite behind new Scotland manager Walter Smith after missing out on the job himself.

John Barnes has handed Ron Atkinson a chance to resurrect his TV career eight months after he was forced to resign for an on-air racist remark.

Barcelona star Ronaldinho has revealed he would like to play in England one day and hinted Chelsea could be a possible destination.

Gaming group Stanley Leisure today said a winning streak by a “major player” at its casinos had dented its profits.

Arsenal striker Jose Reyes predicts Arsenal can land a Champions League and Barclays Premiership double this season.

Alex Ferguson has revealed that retiring from football is not on his agenda.

Thierry Henry has been appointed as FIFA’s senior ’fair play’ ambassador to campaign against racism in football.

Darius Vassell is aiming to put four months of frustration behind him after making another comeback from a broken ankle for Aston Villa reserves.

Alex Ferguson will assess the extent of Ruud van Nistelrooy’s stomach complaint before finalising his line-up for Monday’s Premiership clash at Wigan.

Fulham could give Bobby Petta, the left sided midfielder signed on loan from Celtic until the end of the season, his debut against Cheltenham in the FA Cup on Sunday.

Middlesbrough will be without Spanish international Gaizka Mendieta for tomorrow’s FA Cup third round clash with Second Division Notts County.

Ruud van Nistelrooy is expected to step out of the spotlight and onto the Ewood Park pitch tomorrow.

The Irish index of shares in Dublin was up 8.04 points, or 0.17%, to 4,724.05 this morning buoyed up by gains in the financials.

In Dublin the ISEQ index of shares closed 4.37 points lighter to 4,716 with a slim fall of 09%, after closing in positive territory for six days in a row.

Fabien Barthez’s chances of playing for Marseille before Christmas were all but ended today when FIFA upheld the decision not to allow him to move outside the transfer window.