Derby will assess the fitness of captain Tom Lawrence ahead of Saturday’s home match with Middlesbrough in the Sky Bet Championship.The midfielder sat out the midweek win at Hull with a groin injury while Festy Ebosele (knee) was another player manager Wayne Rooney did not want to risk.Debutants Phil Jagielka and Sam Baldock impressed in the 1-0 victory on the road and ...Full Story »

Huddersfield claimed a 1-0 Championship victory over Preston for their first win of the season as an own goal from on-loan Liverpool defender Sepp Van Den Berg kept North End bottom of the table.It was Preston’s third-straight league defeat as the unfortunate Dutch teenager diverted the ball past his own goalkeeper with 16 minutes left.Town had suffered a blow before kick-off – when ...Full Story »

Tom Huddlestone could make his second Hull debut against former club Derby after returning to the Tigers on a one-year deal, with the option of a further year.The 34-year-old has been training with the first team in recent weeks and featured in pre-season friendlies against Scunthorpe and Manchester United Under-23s.The move was partly made possible by forward Thomas Mayer being released from hi...Full Story »

Reading could hand a debut to Tom Dele-Bashiru in the Sky Bet Championship clash at home to Bristol City.The Watford midfielder joined on a season-long loan last week but was an unused substitute in Saturday’s 2-1 win over Preston.Ovie Ejaria is in line to return from a groin injury in time to be considered for selection by Royals boss Veljko Paunovic.Yakou Meite (knee) is a long-term abse...Full Story »

Former Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has written an open letter to his successor in which he attempts to absolve himself from blame for the club's situation while also hitting out at Joan Laporta's role in it. The club's dire finances have become public knowledge around the world and have culminated in the loss of Lionel Messi, prompting many to pile further blame on Bartomeu's pre...Full Story »

Port Vale are hopeful Tom Conlon will be available for Saturday’s visit of Tranmere.The midfielder was absent from the midweek defeat to Sunderland in the Carabao Cup because of a niggle but it is hoped he will be fine to face Rovers.Striker Devante Rodney was also absent against the Black Cats because of a knock but he too is likely to be in contention this weekend, while midfielder Jake ...Full Story »

Crewe midfielder Tom Lowery will miss the season opener at home to Cheltenham as his contract dispute rumbles on.The 23-year-old has entered his final year and been offered a new deal but has yet to sign it and, as a result, has been left out of pre-season matches.Manager Dave Artell is likely to give debuts to a number of his new signings with centre-back Tommie Hoban, forward Christopher Long ...Full Story »

KIERAN TIERNEY had a special message hidden on his shin pads during his paw-fect performance at Wembley on Friday night. The Arsenal defender put in a terrier's performance in Scotland's 0-0 draw with England in the Euros. Kieran Tierney showed off his custom shin pads And Tierney, 24, showed a picture of a dog on his shin pads after the draw. It's unclear who the mystery pet is or belongs t...Full Story »

ARSENAL’S move for Sporting Lisbon striker Tiago Tomas hangs in the balance after failing to qualify for Europe. The Gunners have been in talks with the Portuguese side for months to prize away the 18-year-old this summer. Sporting Lisbon whizkid Tiago Tomas has been monitored by Arsenal for months and already has two Portugal Under-21 caps However, Sporting are determined not to see th...Full Story »

Thomas Tuchel is set to sign a new contract with Chelsea this week after masterminding their Champions League triumph. Beating Manchester City in Porto has triggered a clause that automatically extends his current 18-month deal. But after initial discussions with owner Roman Abramovich last night, a bumper new long-term contract is now being readied. Tuchel said: “I think that I have a ...Full Story »

Shocked Kilmarnock boss Tommy Wright could not believe how little fight his players showed as they lost their grip on the club’s 28-year Scottish Premiership run.For the second match in a row the Rugby Park outfit put in an abject display as they allowed Dundee to claim promotion back to the top flight with a 4-2 aggregate win in the play-off final.A club who finished third as recently as ...Full Story »

Torquay’s automatic promotions hopes suffered a serious setback as they squandered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 against Barnet, the basement side in the Vanarama National League.Jake Andrews put the Gulls ahead in the 13th minute with a fine finish at the back post following Ben Wynter’s low cross from the right flank while the hosts were cruising when Connor Lemonheigh-Evans doubled ...Full Story »

An injury-time penalty earned Eastleigh a 1-0 victory over Boreham Wood in a major boost to their National League play-off hopes.The Spitfires threw everything at their opponents in the final stages and were rewarded when the referee pointed to the spot, with Joe Tomlinson converting.Boreham Wood hit the bar in the first half through Gus Mafuta, while Eastleigh had an 88th-minute effort ruled ou...Full Story »

Relieved Tommy Wright hopes Brandon Haunstrup’s late goal has given Kilmarnock the lifeline that will allow them to rescue their 28-year top-flight run.Second tier runners-up Dundee claimed first blood in their Premiership play-off battle as goals from Jordan McGhee and Charlie Adam put them two-up just after half-time at Dens Park.But after an error-strewn display, Killie finally got thei...Full Story »