The English Football Association are to informally meet Leeds manager David O'Leary to discuss his concerns that the fixture demands on players could be harming the chances of English clubs in Europe.
O'Leary is calling for a reduction in the size of the Premiership and for domestic games ahead of Champions League ties to be moved forward, as well as questioning the number of international friendlies.
While his first two concerns come under the jurisdiction of the Premier League, the FA are keen to meet O'Leary in a bid to allay his worries over friendlies.
Reducing the size of the Premiership would need a two-thirds vote in favour by top-flight club chairmen but O'Leary insisted he would more than willing to meet the FA to discuss matters.
Former England manager, Graham Taylor, met Limerick officials yesterday on a possible link-up between his present club, Watford, and Limerick FC. Limerick chairman, Father Joe Young, said that the talks had been very positive and a final decision would be made inside the next few days.
He said Taylor was impressed with Limerick's Youth Academy. If talks proved successful it would open the door for fringe players with Watford to become available on loan to Limerick with local talent getting the chance to go on loan to Watford.
An Italian third-division footballer, knocked unconscious after a post-match brawl, remained in a coma for a third day yesterday. However, doctors said surgery to reduce blood clots on Francesco Bertolotti's brain had probably saved his life.
Modena midfielder Bertolotti (33), fell into a coma after hitting the dressing-room floor on Sunday when he was punched following a match won 1-0 by Serie C opponents Como.
Rangers chairman David Murray insists that the Ibrox club have made a deal in "broad principle" with Chelsea for striker Tore Andre Flo. Murray believes that the forward will be available for the Old Firm clash with Celtic on Sunday providing Flo can negotiate personal terms with the Stamford Bridge club before his departure.
Non-leaguers Nuneaton Borough sent Stoke city tumbling out of the FA cup last night with an injury-time goal giving them a 1-0 win over the second division side. Mark McGregor hit the winner deep into injury-time at Manor Park to settle the first-round replay.
