Michael Duff praised the performances of his fringe players as Cheltenham cruised into the second round of the Carabao Cup following a 2-0 win over Bristol Rovers.Duff named a youthful side featuring seven changes from the team that drew at Crewe on Saturday and he was rewarded with a bright yet controlled performance against Joey Barton’s side.Callum Wright and Taylor Perry were particula...Full Story »

Delighted Stoke boss Michael O’Neill praised his side as they eased to a 2-1 victory over Fleetwood in the EFL Cup.Northern Irishman O’Neill was pleased with his team’s dominant display as goals from new signing Sam Surridge, his second goal in as many games, and a bullet header from skipper Harry Souttar did the damage for the Potters.“There were a lot of good things and...Full Story »

Newport boss Michael Flynn hailed his team after an “outstanding” Carabao Cup first-round win against Ipswich at Portman Road.Timmy Abraham’s clever finish from close range after four minutes saw the League Two side – who made 11 changes from Saturday – through to the next round.The League One Tractor Boys, who made 10 changes themselves, dominated large parts of th...Full Story »

Michael Ballack's long term girlfriend Natacha Tannous has shared an emotional tribute to his teenage son Emilio following his death in a tragic quad bike accident earlier this week. The 18-year-old was killed after the vehicle flipped close to their family holiday home in Troia, which is close to the capital of Lisbon, in the early hours of Thursday. Police said that Emilio, who is one of thr...Full Story »

Michael Duff expects Cheltenham to have some tough days ahead during their first League One campaign in 12 years.But the Robins started off with a point from a 1-1 draw at Crewe after Andy Williams and Mikael Mandron traded first-half goals.Loyalty to the squad which won the League Two title last term and a lack of resources has meant Duff has not been the busiest manager in this summer’s ...Full Story »

Newport boss Michael Flynn was delighted to put a difficult week behind him with a 1-0 win over Oldham.Kevin Ellison struck in the 88th minute to get County’s Sky Bet League Two campaign off to a winning start.It was Flynn’s first opening day victory as manager and the win was made even sweeter by the difficulties which he and the rest of the squad faced this week – including h...Full Story »

Michael Appleton was happy to escape Priestfield with a point as Lincoln held Gillingham to a 1-1 draw on the opening day of the League One season.Tayo Edun had got the visitors off to a flyer but Steve Evans’ Gills levelled on the stroke of half-time when Danny Lloyd bundled home after a frantic goalmouth scramble.Lincoln went down 2-1 to Blackpool in last season’s play-off final an...Full Story »

Stoke boss Michael O’Neill praised his side’s character after a thrilling 3-2 win against Reading.The Potters were twice pegged back as goals from Nick Powell and Jacob Brown were cancelled out by John Swift and Liam Moore, but debutant Sam Surridge came off the bench to grab a late winner in an entertaining encounter at the Bet365 Stadium.It is the first time since 2009 that Stoke h...Full Story »

Rotherham have received good injury news for their curtain-raiser against Plymouth.Goalkeeper Viktor Johansson (groin), defender Michael Ihiekwe (quad) and left-back Joe Mattock (Achilles) have all been passed fit after injuries in pre-season.That means only Curtis Tilt (hamstring) and Angus MacDonald (unspecified) miss out.New signings Shane Ferguson, Oliver Rathbone, Rarmani Edmonds-Green and ...Full Story »

Married England football legend Michael Owen allegedly told a former reality star to send him 20 topless pictures - having previously urged her to fire across images that "leave nothing to the imagination." The Mirror are reporting that Owen, 41, sent hundreds of texts to ex-Big Brother contestant Rebecca Jane, 36. The Liverpool and Manchester United hero, who has spoken publicly about his lif...Full Story »

Newport boss Michael Flynn said that a Wembley trip for the League Two final was a just reward for professionalism shown by his players.Goals from substitutes Kevin Ellison, Joss Labadie and Nicky Maynard might not have been enough to win a thrilling second leg but they were sufficient to take the Exiles through to the final against Morecambe.Flynn said: “I am very proud. It has been a ver...Full Story »

Lincoln boss Michael Appleton delivered a half-time rocket to his players to inspire their Sky Bet League One play-off semi-final fightback at Sunderland.The Imps saw their 2-0 first-leg lead evaporate at the Stadium of Light on Saturday before scraping their way back into the game to secure a 3-2 aggregate victory which booked them a trip to Wembley to face Blackpool next Sunday.Appleton told S...Full Story »

Lincoln boss Michael Appleton was proud of his players after they seized the initiative in their Sky Bet League One first leg play-off clash with Sunderland, running out deserved 2-0 winners at a raucous LNER Stadium.Following a goalless first half, Tom Hopper struck after 51 minutes to give the Imps the lead, before Brennan Johnson took advantage of a goalkeeping blunder by Lee Burge to double ...Full Story »

Newport manager Michael Flynn hailed his side’s impressive display but felt the Exiles could have put their League Two play-off tie with Forest Green to bed after a 2-0 victory.Flynn’s team took a huge step towards what would be a second Wembley final in three years thanks to a wonder goal from Matty Dolan and Lewis Collins’ cool finish after the break.Newport were fully deserv...Full Story »

England Under-21 goalkeeper Josef Bursik could make his Lincoln debut in Wednesday night’s Sky Bet League One play-off semi-final first leg clash with Sunderland.The Stoke keeper has joined Michael Appleton’s side on an emergency loan deal after Alex Palmer suffered a head injury in training.Defender Adam Jackson returned from a hip flexor injury as a substitute in the 0-0 draw with ...Full Story »

Lincoln boss Michael Appleton says he is relishing facing Sunderland in the Sky Bet League One play-offs.The Imps rounded off the regular season with a goalless draw against AFC Wimbledon, while the Black Cats were held 1-1 at home by Northampton.It meant the sides stayed fourth and fifth in the table, with Lincoln at home in the first leg on Wednesday, May 19 (6pm), with the second leg at the S...Full Story »

Cheltenham Town manager Michael Duff praised his history makers after seeing his players wrap up the League Two title in style.The Robins had already clinched promotion but a 4-1 win over Harrogate ensured they finished top of the pile.“I said it last week in terms of realising what they’ve achieved and I think it’s starting to sink in now, what they’ve actually done,&rdq...Full Story »

Newport manager Michael Flynn heaped praise onto his players after they cemented their place in the Sky Bet League Two play-offs with a 1-1 draw at Southend.Newport will take on Forest Green in a two-legged semi-final and Flynn is delighted to have extended County’s season.“The players deserve all the accolades and they’ve been outstanding this season,” said Flynn.“...Full Story »

Cheltenham manager Michael Duff turned his attention to the final week of the season after his side missed their first chance to wrap up the League Two title.A 1-0 defeat at play-off chasing Newport left the Robins needing to beat Harrogate next Saturday to make sure of a first Football League title in the club’s 134-year history.County skipper Joss Labadie’s fourth-minute goal was e...Full Story »

Stoke boss Michael O’Neill admits his side needs to improve in the final third next season following a 2-0 Championship defeat at home to QPR.Charlie Austin fired QPR ahead with a clinical finish from just outside the box after Harry Souttar was caught in possession after 17 minutes and Osman Kakay slotted the ball past Adam Davies to make the game safe 20 minutes from time.Sam Vokes faile...Full Story »