Wayne Rooney on borrowed time as Gareth Southgate prepares to stick by beleaguered captain

MATT LAWTON: Too nice to be the England manager? On Saturday night at Wembley Gareth Southgate appeared anything but. He was calm, articulate, and very much at ease in his new surroundings. He was confident enough, too, to take a swipe at the England fans who baffled him with their abuse of Wayne Rooney. He actually credited Rooney, quite rightly, for being among those players who always make themselves available to England when others have gone into hiding the moment the going gets tough; 117 caps says it all.

Wales 1-1 Georgia: Gareth Bale header not enough as Chris Coleman's side held to a draw as

LAURIE WHITWELL AT THE CARDIFF CITY STADIUM: For the second time in four days Welsh hands let slip a lead and while the draw in Austria brought a sense of buoyancy the single point collected in Cardiff against Georgia is likely to leave Chris Coleman with a sinking feeling. Before this game the Wales manager likened his career to riding a pushbike uphill rather than sipping champagne in a limousine and though his side started with fizz the wheels came off to change the complexion of their campaign to reach the 2018 World Cup.

Neal Ardley's side claimed their first-ever victory over Oxford - winning 3-1 - on Sunday to move up to 10th in Sky Bet League One, one point above the Dons who lost 1-0 at home to Port Vale.

Liverpool have scored 26 goals in their opening nine games - with only leaders Manchester City equalling their haul of 18 in the Premier League. Mane has contributed three.

Inter Milan agreed a whopping £76million deal with Real Madrid to sign James Rodriguez in the summer but their attempts to bring the Colombian playmaker to the San Siro were in vain.

Sunderland goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has been called into the England squad for the first time after Tom Heaton withdrew due to injury.

Chris Coleman plans to step down after the current World Cup qualifying campaign, meaning a potential opening and, depending on his circumstances, Giggs would like the opportunity.

After Karamoko Dembele made his debut for Celtic's U20 side aged just 13, there's already another wonderkid on the block... and he goes by the name of Mustafa Kapi. 

Moldova 1-3 Republic of Ireland: James McClean scores twice as Martin O'Neill's side move

MOLDOVA 1-3 REPUBLIC OF IRELAND - CRAIG HOPE IN MOLDOVA: They won't quite be scoping hotels for Russia but this felt like a significant night in Ireland's quest to reach a first World Cup in 16 years. Two-goal James McClean came to their rescue to ensure that an earlier favour from Georgia in Cardiff did not go to waste. Martin O'Neill was clearly cheered by news of Wales being held to a draw when interviewed before the game.

Neymar has to stop being 'Charlie Big B*******' according to Bolivia defender Yasmani Duk

Bolivia defender Yasmani Duk is refusing to apologise after elbowing Neymar and demands that the Barcelona forward stops his 'Charlie Big B******* behaviour'. Duk has been in the headlines after catching Neymar full in the face during his country's World Cup Qualifier against Brazil on Thursday - a blow which caused a gash on his eyebrow to bleed heavily. Many sections of the media accused the 28-year-old of being over-aggressive but the player has justified his actions as part and parcel of the game, and even found time to take a swipe at the Barcelona man.

The Brazilian was courted by Manchester United last year but a deal failed to materialise and the 23-year-old suffered a drop in form. Now Chelsea are monitoring the Lazio winger.

Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo claim that Real Madrid, PSG, Manchester United and Manchester City tried to sign Neymar last summer, with each club happy to pay his £170m clause.

Steve Bruce believes managing Aston Villa would be 'a terrific job' and hopes to hear if he will be appointed this week. He held initial discussions and is the leading contender.

Dele Alli hailed Gareth Southgate as a 'fantastic manager' after he began life as England's interim head coach with victory over Malta in Saturday's World Cup qualifier.

The 34-year-old was involved in an alleged heated exchange at the club's Murray Park training ground on September 13, and he has not been allowed back since. He was due to return on Monday.

Jurgen Klopp hints at Liverpool title desire but admits he cannot say it because

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has hinted at a Premier League title hope with the Reds, but cannot say it aloud because 'everybody will go nuts.' The German manager recently occupied himself during the international break with a game of crown green bowls at Holy Trinity Bowling Club in Formby. Joining a set of local members and lifelong Liverpool fans, Klopp was introduced to the game of bowls while questioned about his first year in charge on Merseyside.

Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey takes up clay pigeon shooting with his brother as he

Aaron Ramsey has seemingly taken up a new hobby during his recovery from injury. The Arsenal midfielder celebrated his brother Josh's birthday by going clay pigeon shooting and was gracious in defeat when sending his sibling his best wishes on social media. 'Suppose I had to let him win on his birthday. Happy birthday #claypigeonshooting.' wrote Ramsey.

Argentina boss Edgardo Bauza admitted that he was 'surprised' by how much Lionel Messi knows about football and said that 'nothing escapes' the Barcelona superstar.

A statement on the club's website read: 'Derby County Football Club can today confirm that they have mutually agreed to part company with Nigel Pearson with immediate effect.'

Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera has credited Jose Mourinho's arrival at Old Trafford with the fact that he has finally received international recognition.

Gag's on you, lads! Wales pose for another hideous team photo but Georgia derail hosts'

Wales lined up for another wretched team photo ahead of their World Cup qualifier against Georgia on Sunday night, but after the visitors snatched a deserved point in Cardiff, one wonders if the in-joke has grown old. Injuries to two key players Aaron Ramsey and Joe Allen left the Welsh team depleted heading into the crucial encounter - and the way the side stationed themselves for the cameras forewarned expectant fans of the dishevelled performance that ensued. 

Scotland 1-1 Lithuania: Gordon Strachan under pressure despite sub James McArthur

Substitute James McArthur rescued a World Cup qualifying point for Scotland with a late equaliser against Lithuania at Hampden. Scotland made an edgy start and fell behind in the 59th minute when Fedor Cernych got away from Grant Hanley with the help of a one-two and finished clinically. The Scots were lacking creativity but McArthur headed home in the 89th minute following a long throw.

Giggs

Ryan Giggs has hit back at claims he had a poor interview with Swansea saying: 'They did not meet my ambition.' Giggs was a contender for the job after the Swans sacked Francesco Guidolin.

Manchester United outcast Bastian Schweinsteiger is pondering his next move after being snubbed by New York Red Bulls. The former Germany captain has been linked with a move to the MLS.

SAMI MOKBEL: This disciplined display an example of why Mourinho has shown such faith in the 23-year-old. Lingard's value isn't always the easiest to spot; but Mourinho certainly has.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino sad at Sam Allardyce's England exit but vows third-party ownership crackdown

CHRIS WHEELER: FIFA president Gianni Infantino says he was saddened by Sam Allardyce's departure from the England job after just one game, but promised to crack down on third-party ownership of players. Allardyce's comments to undercover reporters about circumventing FA rules preventing private investors from owning part of a player's economic rights were a principal reason behind his departure last month. 'I was surprised,' said Infantino, speaking at the re-opening of Windsor Park in Belfast. 

Gareth Southgate admits big decisions are 'part and parcel of the job' as he vows to drop Wayne Rooney if he must

Kieran Gibbs cuts short trip to Dubai as Arsenal left back helps ease England's defensive crisis ahead of Slovenia tie

Wayne Rooney deserves respect... moaners are turning Wembley into home for the angry brigade

Wayne Rooney on borrowed time as Gareth Southgate prepares to stick by beleaguered captain against Slovenia

Daniel Sturridge is too deep to be a threat for England... Liverpool striker needs to take responsibility as a No 9

Slovenia squad slam 'deserter' Kevin Kampl ahead of England crunch clash 

Dele Alli can add that crucial magic touch for England... the Tottenham Hotspur star has the X-factor

Kyle Lafferty vows to pay debt to Michael O'Neill with goals as he takes thinly-veiled dig at Alex Neil

Gordon Strachan believes 'getting a big result away from home' could be the difference between making World Cup 2018 or not ahead...

Macedonia 2-3 Italy: Ciro Immobile scores twice late on as Azzurri come from behind to get out of jail in Skopje

Moldova 1-3 Republic of Ireland: James McClean scores twice as Martin O'Neill's side move joint top of 2018 World Cup qualifying...

Albania 0-2 Spain: Diego Costa and Nolito take visitors top of World Cup qualifying Group G

Sunderland keeper Jordan Pickford called into England squad to replace the injured Tom Heaton

Joke's on you, lads! Wales pose for another hideous team photo but Georgia derail hosts' World Cup hopes

Wales 1-1 Georgia: Gareth Bale header not enough as Chris Coleman's side held to a draw as they maintain unbeaten start to World...

Moldova 1-3 Republic of Ireland, World Cup 2018 qualifier RESULT, plus relive wins for both Spain and Italy

AFC Wimbledon move above MK Dons in league table for first time in history

FIFA president Gianni Infantino says a Team GB Olympic football team will not endanger the independence of the four nations

Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs laughs off ever becoming Anfield boss... 'I literally grew up encouraged to dislike people...

Ryan Giggs reveals managing Wales or Manchester United would be the 'hard to beat highlight' of his career

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Wales lined up for another wretched team photo ahead of their World Cup qualifier against Georgia, but after the visitors snatched a deserved point, one wonders if the in-joke has grown old.

ROB DRAPER: It is almost as if the man himself is there. The question has been raised as to whether Johan Cruyff would have had any concerns about Pep Guardiola adapting to English football.