The former Southampton boss received a vote of confidence from Scottish Football Association chief executive Gordon Smith ahead of the Norway game, who assured the manager his job would be safe regardless of the result.

Australia will be missing key attacking option Harry Kewell, the former Liverpool winger now with Turkish club Galatasaray, and three other frontline players, but Verbeek is concentrating on who he has at his disposal.

The Liverpool captain admits he has struggled to bring his superlative club form to the international arena but believes he and Frank Lampard can still make a success of the midfield partnership which has struggled so often for England.

Steven Gerrard wants to capture Liverpool form for England: Football - Telegraph

Former Manchester United and Real Madrid star Beckham, 33, moved to Los Angeles with his wife and three sons last year in a blaze of publicity. The couple now divide their time between LA and Rowneybury House - nicknamed Beckingham Palace . The mans....

Three years ago, Upson's career had hit a full stop. In his own words, he was 'stagnating' at Birmingham, a seemingly endless line of top-class central defenders blocking his path to national honours.

Agbonlahor, who was born a couple of miles away from Villa Park in Erdington, Birmingham, celebrated his 22nd birthday yesterday and will have a full army of family and friends at the crucial second leg tonight.

Robinho admits he feared he would find a wasteland when he joined Manchester City.

The fitness of Tottenham duo Ledley King and Jonathan Woodgate is too fragile for them to be considered, Sol Campbell's age has finally caught up with him, while Jamie Carragher has retired, stating he was not that bothered about playing for England ....

Toshack is aware of a growing groundswell of opinion in Wales in favour of Arsenal& 8217;s 5m teen sensation being thrown into senior team battle at once.

Toshack is aware of a growing groundswell of opinion in Wales in favour of Arsenal& 8217;s & 163;5m teen sensation being thrown into senior team battle at once.

But it works for the former Arsenal man, which is why the fact Ferdinand and John Terry, who has again been ruled out with a back problem, are his chief competitors for a place in Capello's side is of little consequence to Upson. Just because John T....

Germany captain Michael Ballack is an injury doubt after sitting out training yesterday. The Chelsea midfielder picked up a knock to his right calf during Saturday& 8217;s Group Four win over Russia.

Everton midfielder Tim Cahill is expected to be thrust into the World Cup qualifier against Qatar as Australia& 039;s lucky charm.

The former Cardiff City favourite will be with Toshack& 8217;s team for next month& 8217;s friendly in Denmark, another game in February and the back-to-back Millennium Stadium qualifiers with Finland and Germany next spring.

Wales assistant manager Roy Evans joined the chorus of disapproval against the state of the venue& 8217;s pitch, claiming it could lead to injury. And the former Liverpool manager suggested for games attracting such small crowds perhaps another venue....

& 8220;There& 8217;s still a lot to work on, but Welsh football is definitely on the up,& 8221; said the 19-year-old Manchester City striker.

The former Wales star, currently on loan at Brighton from Derby County, claimed training under Toshack was shambolic and that his methods were out of date with regards the modern player.

Every club is different and most will look at Chelsea with undisguised envy due to our owner and his extraordinary wealth. Others have built their success on huge borrowing, not a healthy position in the current climate but you will not hear them com....

We were very fortunate in having two of the most experienced coach educators in the game. Keith Boanas is Surrey's county coach, manager to Millwall Lionesses, and assistant director at the David Beckham Academy. Ted Dale brought John Terry through t....