Soccer Shorts: Steve McClaren last night recalled the veteran pair Sol Campbell and David James to his England squad for next week's friendly against Germany.
Campbell (32) and James (37) have not featured in the national set-up since last summer's World Cup but both impressed at Portsmouth last season.
The injured Ledley King, Michael Dawson, Jonathan Woodgate, Gary Neville and Ben Foster are out of the 28-man party which will form the basis of the squad for next month's Euro 2008 qualifiers against Israel and Russia.
Campbell missed Wednesday's draw with Manchester United with a groin strain and McClaren has given the uncapped Newcastle defender Steven Taylor an opportunity to capitalise on Jamie Carragher's retirement by promoting him from the under-21 squad due to play Romania at Ashton Gate on Tuesday.
Steven Gerrard, who broke a toe in midweek, will link up with the squad but along with John Terry, Owen Hargreaves, Michael Owen and David Beckham, who have all recently returned from injury, he is unlikely to face Germany.
ENGLAND SQUAD(v Germany): Robinson (Tottenham), James (Portsmouth), Carson (Aston Villa), Richards (Manchester City), Brown (Manchester United), Ferdinand (Manchester United), Terry (Chelsea), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Campbell (Portsmouth), Taylor (Newcastle), Neville (Everton), Shorey (Reading); Beckham (LA Galaxy), Gerrard (Liverpool), Lampard (Chelsea), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Wright-Phillips (Chelsea), Carrick (Manchester United), Barry (Aston Villa), Downing (Middlesbrough), Dyer (West Ham), Hargreaves (Manchester United); Smith (Newcastle), Owen (Newcastle), Crouch (Liverpool), Bent (Tottenham), Johnson (Everton), Defoe (Tottenham).
Everton close to deal for Fernandes
David Moyes expects midfielder Manuel Fernandes to officially become an Everton player today. The Portuguese 21-year-old arrived in the UK yesterday as a €8.8 million deal was being formulated to capture him from Benfica.
The Everton manager said: "Manuel had the first part of his medical yesterday and that will be completed today. I would then expect him to become an Everton player within the next 24 hours."
Meanwhile, Everton have suspended their Dutch Andy van der Meyde (27) and given the Dutch winger a maximum fine for missing training last Sunday.
"Andy has had numerous warnings about this type of thing and we won't tolerate it any longer," Moyes said. "I will make a decision regarding the player's future next week."
Ireland lose out to Brazilians
The Ireland Women failed in their quest to gain a bronze medal at the World University Games when they went down 2-1 to Brazil in the play-off game.
Michelle O'Brien pulled a goal back on 71 minutes after the Brazilians had powered into a two-goal interval lead.
North Korea were the goal medal winners overcoming Russia 1-0 in the final.
IRELAND: S Peters, E Griffin, E Malone, N Fahey, S Hughes (capt), M DeBurca, V Mallett, M O'Brien, T MacMahon (Y McMonagle 46), S McGrath (N Burke 63), S Smyth (C Breen 81). Subs not used: M Cullen, M Gallagher, E Mullin, L Bradley.
In brief
Leeds Unitedchairman Ken Bateshas confirmed the club will appeal to the English Football Association against the 15-point deduction imposed by the Football League. In an open letter to Leeds supporters, he said: "The 15-point 'sanction' is a scandal and a travesty of justice. We are appealing against that decision to the Football Association." Ruud van Nistelrooyhas been recalled to the Hollandsquad for the first time since falling out with the coach Marco van Basten at the World Cup last year. The Real Madrid striker, who has scored 28 goals in 54 internationals, has been named in a 20-man squad to face Switzerland in Wednesday's friendly in Geneva. Van Nistelrooy has not played for Holland since Van Basten left him on the bench in their 1-0 World Cup defeat by Portugal. Carson Yeungexpects to have completed his takeover of Birmingham Citywithin "a couple of months" although the Hong Kong-based businessman has moved to assure Steve Bruce that the change of ownership at St Andrew's will not impact on the manager's position.
