Cristiano Ronaldo failed to repeat his magic against the Republic of Ireland as 10-man Portugal were held to a goalless draw in their World Cup qualifier in Dublin.The 36-year-old scored two last-gasp headers in the reverse fixture in September to snatch victory at the death and powered a 67th-minute effort wide with a crowd of 50,737 at the Aviva Stadium expecting the net to bulge.He then fired...Full Story »

Boss Lee Carsley believes his England Under-21 stars rose to the challenge to boost their Euro 2023 qualifying hopes.Anthony Gordon’s debut brace and Folarin Balogun’s goal gave the Young Lions an impressive 3-1 win over the Czech Republic.They are now two points behind the Czech Republic, who top Group G, with a game in hand following victory in Burnley.Carsley had urged his men to ...Full Story »

Anthony Gordon’s debut double earned ruthless England Under-21s a crucial win over the Czech Republic.The Everton winger’s early brace put the Young Lions on course for a 3-1 win in their Euro 2023 qualifier in Burnley.Folarin Balogun also netted his first under-21s goal as the Young Lions threatened to run riot.Adam Karabec’s penalty tempered their momentum but Lee Carsley&rsq...Full Story »

Xavier Amaechi could make his Bolton debut in Friday’s League One home clash with basement boys Crewe.The winger, signed on loan from Hamburg over the summer, has been recovering from a fractured metatarsal suffered in pre-season and is set to be included in the Wanderers matchday squad for the first time.Josh Sheehan is available again after missing Sunday’s 2-2 FA Cup draw with Sto...Full Story »

Bristol Rovers manager Joey Barton has suffered another injury blow ahead of the visit of high-flying Northampton with the news striker Harvey Saunders may not play again this year.The 24-year-old tore ankle ligaments in last month’s draw with Bradford and Barton revealed this week that he is likely to be absent for another couple of months.With veteran duo Leon Clarke (hamstring) and Bret...Full Story »

Sam Stubbs is hoping to start against Oldham after making his long-awaited Exeter debut on Wednesday night after an injury-hit nine months at the League Two high-fliers.The 22-year-old – who joined the Grecians from Fleetwood in January but was suffering from Covid-19 and then a knee injury – started the Papa John’s Trophy win over Bristol Rovers before he was substituted at ha...Full Story »

Bradford will be boosted by the return of Abo Eisa and Liam Ridehalgh for their Sky Bet League Two clash at Port Vale on Saturday.Winger Eisa has yet to play a league game this season due to a hamstring injury but City manager Derek Adams has confirmed that both he and defender Ridehalgh, who has missed the last five games with a similar problem, are fit and pushing to be included in his 18-man ...Full Story »

Gavan Holohan has been ruled out of Hartlepool’s clash with Newport on Friday night.The midfielder has not recovered from a knock sustained during Pools’ 2-2 FA Cup draw at home to Wycombe last weekend.Full-back Jamie Sterry is “touch and go” to make his return from a hamstring injury, according to caretaker manager Antony Sweeney.Goalkeeper Ben Killip and striker Olufela...Full Story »

Ipswich expect to have Bersant Celina available for the visit of Oxford.Midfielder Celina was called up for international duty by Kosovo but is now set to stay in East Anglia.Full-back Kane Vincent-Young suffered a shoulder injury in midweek which could rule him out.Fellow defender Hayden Coulson has not featured since going off with a knock at Wycombe a fortnight ago.Oxford have this week been ...Full Story »

Carlisle goalkeeper Lukas Jensen will be unavailable for the Cumbrian derby against Barrow through injury.The 22-year-old Burnley loanee has suffered a wrist problem which will require surgery.Midfielder Daniel Devine is in contention to feature after an impressive performance in Carlisle’s 2-0 win over Morecambe in the Papa John’s Trophy in midweek.Jordan Gibson came off the bench o...Full Story »