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Football News and Instant Reports

Report: Wolfsburg Set Sights On USA International Jay DeMerit
Wolfsburg are reportedly keeping tabs on USA defender Jay DeMerit.

Atlético jostle for position as group stage begins
Club Atlético de Madrid begin their title defence against Aris Thessaloniki FC when the group stage commences next Thursday, with ten former UEFA Cup winners also in action.

Bruce hopeful of Gyan debut
Steve Bruce hopes to give Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan his Sunderland debut at the weekend against Wigan.

Clubs want Fifa scheduling review
Europe's top clubs call on Fifa to re-assess its scheduling of international friendlies.

Scotland U21's make European Championship play-off
Aberdeen Scotland Under-21s are confident of taking on the continent's best after securing their place in next month's play-offs for the European Championships. Aberdeen striker Chris Maguire's 89th-minute winner secured a 2-1 win over Austria at Pittodrie on Tuesday night and Scotland's passage to the two-legged play-offs. And manager Billy Stark believes the strength of character Scotland displayed by coming from a goal down to triumph stands them in good stead, whoever they are drawn to face next month, with Spain, Italy, England and Holland among those in the draw. The Scotland Under-21 boss said: "I'm confident that our boys will equip themselves very well - we have total trust from that point of view. "Who knows who we'll get, we may get one of the major powers, we could be up against players who have been transferred for millions of pounds and who get paid big, big money every week. "But I don't think I would worry about any team having the team characteristics that we have. "Whoever we get, we'll go into it feeling that we've got a chance."

Hughes: Stokes left Hibernian to pursue Celtic dream
Celtic Hibernian Hibernian boss John Hughes has revealed striker Anthony Stokes was allowed to join Celtic to achieve a lifelong ambition. The 22 year old frontman plundered 23 goals in his debut season, firing his side to a fourth-placed finish in the SPL. Hughes was desperate to keep hold of the Republic of Ireland international, but admits once Neil Lennon showed an interest in him it was impossible to keep him at the club. "Anthony Stokes expressed a real desire to sign for Celtic," Hughes told the Daily Record. "He is a Dublin-born Irish boy who supported the club all of his life. He told me that is where his heart lay. "His performance against St Mirren told me his heart and mind was elsewhere. That is not a criticism of Stokesy. I wanted him to go out of this club with a bang but it was not to be. "For what he did for me and this club and scoring a lot of goals, he goes with our best wishes."

McCulloch admits relief as Scotland leave it late
Lee McCulloch admits Scotland's players were relieved to scrape a 2-1 win against Liechtenstein. Questions would have been asked of boss Craig Levein had Stephen McManus' 97th-minute winner not prevented the Scots from suffering one of their worst ever results at Hampden against a nation ranked 100 places lower. McCulloch said: "The players are relieved we got the win, for the group, for ourselves and for the manager as well. He is so organised and he puts his neck on the line at times and he's not scared to make a decision. I think that shows through. "The boys are just delighted they've got the win for him. I thought we dominated the game but they frustrated us, they sat in and made it hard for us to pass the ball around and we are just glad we got the goal in the end."

Rangers Edu ignoring Man Utd clash for SPL business
Manchester United Rangers Maurice Edu has called for Rangers to take care of league business this weekend before looking ahead to next week's Champions League clash with Manchester United. Rangers travel to meet Hamilton in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League on Saturday before next Tuesday's Champions League Group C fixture at Manchester United. "The Old Trafford game is obviously going to be exciting and we're all looking forward to that, but at the same time you've got to take care of business before that," said Edu. "We're not looking past this game this weekend - that's our focus right now. "After that game we'll turn our attention to the game at Old Trafford." Edu hopes to continue the Gers 100% league record of three wins from three games at New Douglas Park this weekend, although he expects Accies to be a difficult proposition. "They're going to pose a problem for us," added the 24-year-old United States midfielder. "They're always a well-organised team. I think this game's no different. "It will be down to us to impose ourselves on the game early and try and dictate the tone of the game early on. "I think we have enough within our squad to come up with a good result there, it's just a matter of imposing ourselves on the game."   Need your Rangers news fix? Click here for all Gers news and transfer rumours.

SFA apologise for booing of Liechtenstein national anthem
Scottish Football Association acting chief executive George Peat has issued a public apology over Tuesday night's jeering of the Liechtenstein national anthem. The Liechtenstein anthem, which has the same tune as God Save The Queen, was met with audible derision by some members of the Scotland support ahead of last night's match at Hampden Park. Peat said: "I was embarrassed and extremely disappointed by the disgraceful behaviour of some of our supporters during the Liechtenstein national anthem at Hampden Park. "The Scotland fans have worked hard to earn their reputation throughout the world as fun-loving and respectful followers of football. "Those who chose to boo our opponents' anthem only served to tarnish that reputation. "I apologise unreservedly to our visitors for the crass reaction to their anthem, just as I did in private last night to the Liechtenstein delegation. "It must not be forgotten that all nations must abide by FIFA's Fair Play policy and last night's behaviour does nothing to help Scotland's image."

FA accuse Accrington midfielder of playing whilst suspended
Accrington's Ray Putterill has been charged by the Football Association after playing for the club while under a County FA suspension. The midfielder appeared for Stanley, also charged by the FA, in a Johnstone's Paint Trophy match against Tranmere on August 31, just one day after his 42-day suspension should have started. Accrington and Putterill have until September 13 to respond to the charge which will be handled by the Football League. Stanley chief executive Robert Heys said "We are in receipt of the letter informing us of the charge and will respond when we have investigated the facts. "There are currently a number of questions regarding the case that we need answered before we can comment further."

Boffin to challenge West Ham's number one Green for keeper berth
West Ham United Ruud Boffin is keen to challenge Robert Green for the right to be West Ham United's No.1 stopper. The Hammers completed a deal for Boffin on transfer deadline day after the Belgian impressed on trial during the summer. The 22-year-old, who had a spell on loan at Dutch outfit VVV Venlo last season, kept a clean sheet for West Ham's reserves against Leicester on Tuesday night. "I am very happy to be here," Boffin told the club's official website. "It is a great opportunity for me to come and play here. "I had been training here before at Chadwell Heath. I was here for four days and I had a game. "Things then happened very quickly on the day I signed and we had just two-and-a-half hours for the paperwork. I had to wait until the last day, but it all happened. "I like the atmosphere here and it is a very nice group. I will learn a lot from playing with Robert and under [goalkeeping coach] David Coles. "It is going to be a big challenge for me but I am ready."   Need your West Ham news fix? Click here for all Hammers news and transfer rumours.

West Brom still undecided whether Wood goes out on loan
Liverpool West Bromwich Albion World Cup West Bromwich Albion say it is not certain that young striker Chris Wood will go out on loan, despite interest from the Championship. The 18-year-old, who represented New Zealand at the World Cup this summer, has been heavily linked with a loan move to Derby. But Baggies sporting and technical director Dan Ashworth insists the youngster's loan exit is not certain, despite the attention he has attracted from the second tier. "We've had 10 Championship clubs in touch with us about Chris - not just Derby," Ashworth told the Express and Star. "No deal has been agreed with any club yet and none will be agreed unless it suits West Bromwich Albion. "I'm not surprised there is so much interest in him, because he has done very well for us last season and enjoyed a terrific World Cup. "I would also remind everyone that at the moment he is in our first-team squad and came on against Liverpool at Anfield where he did very well. "It is not yet set in stone that he will go on loan anywhere."   Need your West Bromwich Albion news fix? Click here for all Baggies news and transfer rumours.

Hodgson to bring Liverpool's Pacheco in from the cold
Barcelona Liverpool Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson has promised Daniel Pacheco an opportunity to play this season. The highly-rated Spaniard has struggled to break into the first team since arriving at Anfield from Barcelona in 2007. "He is young but it is great that we can keep giving him these opportunities and moments on the field and I think these moments will get even longer as the season progresses," Hodgson told the club's official website.. "Now we are in the Europa League, it is good for me too that I will be able to give chances to the likes of him, (Jay) Spearing and (Jonjo) Shelvey. "They need games and we will have plenty of opportunities in the coming months." Pacheco is determined to take his chance when it comes for him, commenting: "I hope I will play a big part. "I know that I have to keep working very hard in training and I will have to take the chances that the manager will give to me."   Need your Liverpool news fix? Click here for all Reds news and transfer rumours.

Sol eager for Toon debut
Veteran defender Sol Campbell says he is 'in with a shout' of making his Newcastle debut on Saturday.

Southampton interview former Hull boss over manager's vacancy
Bournemouth Southampton Former Hull boss Phil Brown has confirmed he held talks with Southampton on Monday over the vacant manager's position at St Mary's. Saints chairman Nicola Cortese is expected to name Alan Pardew's replacement this week, with Scunthorpe's Nigel Adkins and Bournemouth's Eddie Howe among the bookies` favourites for the position. "I went along to speak to them on Monday," he told talkSPORT. "It was very interesting, there's a very, very ambitious board. A very ambitious chairman. They've got (Les) Reed in there as a sort of director of football but he's got a different name to that. "They certainly seem to be doing it right in the backroom, they're building the club from within and they've got a long-term plan. It's very, very ambitious. "Everything about it is ready to move on. Albeit Alan (Pardew) had a half decent start, for whatever reason Alan found himself out of work and now there's a position down there. It is an ambitious club and certainly one that does interest me."

Football League reject Smith move from Portsmouth to QPR
Middlesbrough Portsmouth QPR's move for Portsmouth forward Tommy Smith is on hold after the Football League rejected the deadline day transfer. The 30 year old signed a three-year deal with the Hoops on transfer deadline day after the clubs agreed a fee in the region of £1.5million. A QPR statement said: "The two clubs are now working to bring the player to Loftus Road on a loan basis ahead of Saturday's home match against Middlesbrough before a permanent transfer is completed in January." Portsmouth's deadline day deals were further complicated when Liam Lawrence's move from Stoke was also rejected by the league.

Short term fix for Sheff Wed avoids administration
Burnley Sheffield Wednesday have avoided going into administration after reaching a 'short-term' agreement with the Co-Operative Bank. The Owls were due in court on Wednesday over a winding-up petition issued by HM Revenue & Customs. The Owls obtained an adjournment at an initial hearing last month over unpaid taxes, of which £300,000 has been repaid by the club following the sale of goalkeeper Lee Grant to Burnley. But Wednesday, who have debts in excess of £20 million, are currently unable to meet their outgoings and have since accrued further debts of £300,000 in unpaid PAYE. The Football League imposed two transfer embargoes on Wednesday since the end of last season due to the club's failure to meet its tax bills.

Williams happy at Swansea
Leicester transfer target Ashley Williams insists he is happy at Swansea and hopes to win promotion.

Everton youngster Vaughan poised for Palace loan
Everton Crystal Palace boss George Burley has confirmed the Championship outfit are close to landing Everton striker James Vaughan on loan. Vaughan has been linked with a move away from Everton after falling down the pecking order at Goodison Park. Sheffield United and Derby have both been linked with Vaughan, but it appears Palace have won the race for the 22-year-old. "We think James is a very good player and we are hoping to finalise the move today or tomorrow," the Eagles boss told the Croydon Advertiser. "It's no secret we have been looking for a striker and I think James could be the answer. "He will be the final player we bring in, after this deal we will work with what we've got."   Need your Everton news fix? Click here for all Toffees news and transfer rumours.

Swindon dispute Portsmouth claim over striker bid
Portsmouth Portsmouth claim they made a £1million bid for striker Charlie Austin which was rejected on transfer deadline day, but Swindon totally disagree. Portsmouth administrator Andrew Andronikou has said that his club actually tabled an offer for the 21-year-old, which was snubbed last Tuesday. Andronikou told The News: "The owners put in a £1m bid for Charlie Austin and that was turned down. "They want to bring some young players into the club and had identified him as a quality player." But Swindon chairman Andrew Fitton, who has always maintained that Austin is not for sale, has been left in a state of disbelief by Andronikou's understanding of the value of the offer. Fitton said: "I can absolutely categorically deny they put in a bid of £1m for Charlie Austin. "And I am appalled at them putting out a story saying that. "They mentioned a figure, but it didn't reach £1m and I have got the text to prove it. "I'm not going to say who the text is from, but it proves what that figure was and I could really embarrass them."