JACK GAUGHAN visited Edgeley Park on Saturday afternoon as Salford City took on Stockport in a fiery clash (left). Also among the crowd were two of the owners - Gary Neville and Paul Scholes (right). So, how are the team - who have been the subject of a popular BBC series - getting on in their bid to rise through the leagues?
Is Rooney's time up? England captain faces anxious wait to discover if he has been dropped as they train ahead of trip to Slovenia
Wayne Rooney took part in England's training session on Monday morning but his place in the starting line-up for the clash with Slovenia is in doubt. Sportsmail understands Gareth Southgate is giving serious consideration to what would be the biggest decision of his short managerial reign – dropping his captain from the starting line-up. The Three Lions trained at Tottenham's Enfield training centre ahead of Tuesday's clash in Ljubljana as they look to build on their 100 per cent record in Group F.
The 100 best footballers on the planet... starting today, we count down our pick of the leading stars in the world right now
ADAM SHERGOLD: It is the conversation that dominates pubs, internet forums and the office space. Who is the greatest footballer on the planet? This week Sportsmail will be counting down the top 100 players in world football. From Nos 100-81 the Premier League is well represented, while there is space for an English teenager who only made his professional debut earlier this year...
United team-mates - but rivals tonight: Pogba and Depay start mind games... with dancing and croissants!
Manchester United stars Paul Pogba and Memphis Depay have each been preparing in their own unique way ahead of the duo's meeting on the international stage. Holland host France in a crunch World Cup 2018 qualifier which will pit the Old Trafford aces against each other in their nation's colours. The two however have differed in their preparatory approach, the world's most expensive footballer Pogba getting into the match day spirit by dancing on the team plane, while his United team-mate Depay has taken a stance on French food.
Southgate's inner circle: Who are the men that make up England's backroom team?
These are the men Gareth Southgate is relying on to help him make an instant impact as England manager. Southgate's reign began with victory over Malta on Saturday and the caretaker boss - drafted in to fill the gap following the departure of Sam Allardyce - was surrounded by his trusted advisers on the Wembley bench. Among them are a former lead doctor at British Athletics, a physiotherapist with experience of working in South Korea, an ex director of the Crewe academy and a shipyard worker from Dumbarton who used to drive the team bus. Here, Sportsmail breaks down Southgate's crew, what they do and where their careers have taken them...
Hair Bale! Wales star shows off tumbling locks after top-knot comes undone in match
Gareth Bale has long cemented his place as the jewel in the crown of Welsh football but an incident during his country's draw against Georgia on Sunday has got fans talking about him for a different reason. He was forced to re-tie his top-knot during the first half of the World Cup qualifier at the Cardiff City stadium and in the process gave a glimpse of just how long his locks has become. The 27-year-old was met with wolf-whistles from the crowd as he had to wait for a break in play before he could re-arrange his hair.
Premier League stars Costa and Nolito score to send Spain top of their group with win in Albania
ALBANIA 0-2 SPAIN: Spain rose to the top of World Cup qualifying Group G following a comfortable 2-0 victory over former leaders Albania at the Loro-Borici stadium. The visitors predictably dominated proceedings and only a couple of excellent saves from Albania keeper Etrit Berisha, denying Thiago Alcantara and Vitolo, prevented them from taking a first-half lead. Chelsea striker Diego Costa eventually broke Albania's resistance after the interval before Manchester City's Nolito came on to double their lead and take Julen Lopetegui's side top of their group after three games.
England captain Jos Buttler reprimanded after furious row with Bangladesh rivals
England captain Jos Buttler has been given an official reprimand by the International Cricket Council following his reaction to provocation from Bangladesh fielders during the ill-tempered second one-day international in Dhaka. Buttler reacted to what he thought were over-exuberant celebrations from several Bangladesh players on Sunday and a heated confrontation ensued, with umpires forced to intervene by sending the Englishman on his way.
McClean scores twice as Republic of Ireland move above Wales into second place in Group D
MOLDOVA 1-3 REPUBLIC OF IRELAND - CRAIG HOPE IN MOLDOVA: James McClean's second-half double handed the Republic of Ireland a deserved 3-1 victory over Moldova to put Martin O'Neill's side joint-top of their World Cup qualifying group. Shane Long didn't have to break his stride to score Ireland's first of the evening, latching onto Wes Hoolahan's pinpoint through-ball to slot home his first goal in 18 matches for club and country. Moldova grew in confidence and equalised through Igor Bugaev on the stroke of half-time - but McClean secured all three points for the visitors with two side-footed finishes seven minutes apart.
That's blown it! Lewis needs title miracle as blunder lets Nico coast to win and extend world championship lead to 33 points
JOE DOWNES AT SUZUKA: Lewis Hamilton’s woeful start allowed Nico Rosberg to coast to victory at the Japanese Grand Prix and edge closer to a maiden world title. The German was left with the simplest of tasks to claim his maiden win at Suzuka, his ninth this season and his fourth in the last five races. Hamilton was down in eighth place at the end of lap one as his troubles off the line this term continued. He recovered to finish third but now trails Mercedes team-mate Rosberg by 33 points with just four races remaining and a maximum 100 points up for grabs.
Double celebration for Mercedes as Rosberg win in Japan hands team third straight constructors title
STARS OF SPORT
- Sterling spends some quality time with his girlfriend as he recovers from calf injury Raheem Sterling has been making the most of his time on the sidelines after his stunning start
- Bale shows off his lengthy locks as Wales draw against Georgia in World Cup qualifying Superstar and wild man of Welsh football with his mad hair
- Pogba dances in the air while Depay rejects croissants as the United duo prepare to meet in international showdown preparing in their own unique ways
- Liverpool duo Coutinho and Firmino jet off with Brazil Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino have been in terrific form for Liverpool this season
- REVEALED: What a Manchester United contract looked like under Busby in 1965 United signed Pat Dunne from Shamrock Rovers for £10,500 in 1964
MORE STARS OF SPORT
- Valencia breaks his silence over child maintenance row The Everton striker stated he must 'honour his family as and professional image'
- Stop being Charlie Big B******* Neymar! Bolivia defender Yasmani Duk is refusing to apologise to Brazil star Neymar after elbowing him in the head
- 14-year-old wonderkid Mustafa Kapi handed debut by Galatasaray He only turned 14 in August and has already been likened to United superstar Paul Pogba
- Shoot, Aaron! Wales star Ramsey takes up new hobby with brother The Arsenal midfielder celebrated his brother Josh's birthday by going clay pigeon shooting
- Bisping beats Henderson to retain middleweight title at UFC 204 in Manchester Bisping got revenge on his old foe with a unanimous decision
- Jordi Cruyff believes iconic father Johan would be a Manchester City fan today Football legend Johan Cruyff sadly died of lung cancer in March this year
- Coleman warns kids about the big, bad world of football Irishman is now 27 and one of the senior players in Ronald Koeman's Everton team
- Hargreaves: A future watching the other guys get stuck in... I'll drink to that! Alistair Hargreaves on his decision to quit rugby due to fears for his health
- Zlatan masks up and insists he has 'no free time' Zlatan Ibrahimovic is keeping himself fit during the two week international break
- I want to earn respect! Bradley unveiled as Swansea's new boss Bob Bradley becomes the first American to take a job at a Premier League club
- Hollywood meets... Kane! Tottenham star and Wahlberg have a catch up The England striker is currently sidelined with an ankle injury
- Burns' night in Glasgow as Ricky holds on to world title Ricky Burns claimed victory by unanimous decision as he beat Kiryl Relikh in Glasgow
- 'Manchester let's f****** do this!' Bisping raring to go at UFC 204 Michael Bisping was at his provocative best as he came face to face with Dan Henderson
- Careful, Greg! Golf great Norman gets his chainsaw out to clear mess from Hurricane Matthew... despite nearly losing his arm in horrific accident Back in the game
- Football's furry friends! From awkward embraces to affectionate hugs, we celebrate mascots in brilliant images... with managers Hilarity ensues
- Valencia chased by police after being carried off injured on medical buggy as child support row continues Took a turn for the bizarre
- Pogba looks to rediscover his form while away on international duty The midfielder took part in a training session with France on Thursday
- Sidelined Messi relaxes with family at the movies Argentina will be without Messi for the 2018 World Cup qualifiers against Peru and Paraguay
- Found a new career, Fernando? Alonso serves sushi to Button in Tokyo The pair are preparing for the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday
- Suspended All Blacks star Smith admits 'huge error' in tearful apology After he was caught 'having sex with a woman in a disabled toilet at airport'
- Hamilton jokes that 'this s*** is killing me' as he uses Snapchat bunny filter to amuse himself during press call Childishness ahead of Japanese GP
- FORE! Lingard should stick to football as United youngster sends driver flying during golf session Winger reacted with a mixture of shock and embarrassment
- Joshua vs Klitschko could be finalised next week with winter mega-bout on the cards Ukrainian also said Tyson Fury is 'dragging boxing through the mud'
- Gayle hangs tough as West Indies all rounder hits the gym Preparing for his individual schedule on the T20 circuit in unusual fashion
- Henderson, Stones and Dier take a break from England duty with a round of golf England stars enjoyed a round of golf at The Belfry on Wednesday
- Redknapp plays football with Scottish schoolchildren... after a round of golf with Gullit Jamie Redknapp took time out of his participation in the golf
- Wagner was Klopp's best man... and he's led Huddersfield to the top of the Championship David Wagner could easily pass as stunt double for Jurgen Klopp
- Nine Premier League legends in one photo... and just the 1,260 goals between them! Premier League legends joined together in London
- Secret Southgate: How a 'posh' boy who fancied a career in journalism survived jokes about his nose to make it to top Gareth Southgate is now in charge of England
- Alli gets the better of pal Dier with secret nutmeg in England training Dele Alli and Eric Dier's friendship has been well-documented
LATEST MATCH REPORTS
- 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 Cup qualification
- Moldova 1-3 Republic of Ireland: James McClean scores twice as Martin O'Neill's side move joint top of 2018 World Cup qualifying Group D with Serbia
- Albania 0-2 Spain: Diego Costa and Nolito take visitors top of World Cup qualifying Group G
- Macedonia 2-3 Italy: Ciro Immobile scores twice late on as Azzurri come from behind to get out of jail in Skopje
- England 2-0 Malta: Daniel Sturridge and Dele Alli strike to fire Gareth Southgate to victory in his first game in charge over plucky minnows
- Scotland 1-1 Lithuania: Scots booed off despite sub James McArthur salvaging a point with last-gasp strike
- Northern Ireland 4-0 San Marino: Steven Davis, Kyle Lafferty and Jamie Ward ensure Michael O'Neill's side beat 10-man opposition
- Slovenia 1-0 Slovakia: Substitute Rok Kronaveter scores winner with first touch to seal well-earned victory
- Portugal 6-0 Andorra: Cristiano Ronaldo scores FOUR in rout as minnows have two men sent off for kicking Real Madrid star
- France 4-1 Bulgaria: Antoine Griezmann and Kevin Gameiro double act gets 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign back on track
- Belgium 4-0 Bosnia: Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku and Toby Alderweireld get The Red Devils back to winning ways under Roberto Martinez
- Holland 4-1 Belarus: Vincent Janssen stunner caps dominant display
- Austria 2-2 Wales: Marko Arnautovic strikes twice to leave Chris Coleman's men to settle for a point in Vienna after the visitors had led through Joe Allen and a Kevin Wimmer own goal
- Republic of Ireland 1-0 Georgia: Seamus Coleman secures Martin O'Neill's side narrow win in Dublin
FOOTBALL NEWS
Wales pull out another wacky formation for their team photo... but the joke's on them as they drop two points at home to Georgia
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.
Kiely schools Norwich keepers in epic Spikeball battle as part of innovative training drill
Kiely, who last played for Premier League club West Bromich Albion before retiring in 2011, partnered young keeper Ben Killip against Canaries stoppers John Ruddy and Paul Jones in a thrilling session
Italy come back to avoid embarrassment in Macedonia thanks to Immobile's late winner
With Macedonia looking as if they were set to secure a major upset, Lazio striker Ciro Immobile scored two late goals as Italy got out of jail in Skopje and secured a 3-2 victory.
Arsenal ace Ramsey proves he's a sharp shooter off the pitch too as he uses injury break to take up clay pigeon shooting
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.
Liverpool star duo Coutinho and Firmino gear up for Venezuela away test
Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino have been in terrific form for Liverpool this season and both scored as Brazil beat Bolivia 5-0 in Friday's World Cup qualifier. It is perhaps no wonder, then, that both looked in convivial spirits as Coutinho uploaded a photograph to Instagram of the pair on the aeroplane to next international opponents, Venezuela.
Fourteen-year-old (yes, 14) wonderkid is handed senior debut by Galatasaray
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. The 14-year-old was handed his Galatasaray first-team debut on Saturday, replacing striker Sinan Gunus in the 89th minute of their friendly against Levski Sofia. The Turkish giants travelled to Bulgaria to keep up their match fitness during the international break and maybe bed in a couple of youngsters, but nobody expected Dutch coach Jan Olde Riekerink to play a teenager born in 2002.
OTHER SPORTS NEWS
Murray creeps closer to Djokovic's No 1 spot after winning fifth title of 2016 in China
MIKE DICKSON: Novak Djokovic remains a long way in front as world No 1, but it may not be long before he starts to hear Andy Murray's footsteps creeping up behind him. The 29-year-old Scot is trying to chase his Serbian rival down and moved closer by winning the China Open - his fifth title of the season and the 40th of his career on the ATP Tour. Murray's latest victim was Grigor Dimitrov, the flamboyant Bulgarian who produced his usual range of extravagant shotmaking but not enough consistency to derail his opponent in Beijing.
George double sees Saracens leapfrog Wasps to go top as Cipriani impresses in front of Jones
SARACENS 30-14 WASPS - CHRIS FOY AT ALLIANZ PARK: Jamie George touched down twice in the space of five minutes at Allianz Park to become the country's leading try scorer and quell Wasps' resistance. When Jimmy Gopperth struck a penalty for the visitors in the 67th minute, they were trailing by just two points and in the hunt for a sixth victory in as many matches, to remain top of the Aviva Premiership table. Instead, Saracens raised themselves for a furious late onslaught and George capitalised, crossing the line twice after coming on as a replacement to take his try tally to five in the first six games of this campaign.
Konta misses out on biggest title of her career after defeat by Radwanska in China but Brit still cracks world's top 10
Jo Konta began the year with an unexpected run to the Australian Open semi-final, and is ending it by showing that her performance in Melbourne was no isolated incident. Despite a 6-4, 6-2 defeat in the final of the China Open, the British No 1 has forced her way into the world’s top 10. Her improvement has continued apace, even though unlocking the remarkable courtcraft of world No 3 Agnieszka Radwanska proved beyond her.
RACING
THE BEST WRITING IN SPORT
Gatland beware... son Bryn's plotting your Lions defeat! Family rivalry reaches fever pitch ahead of tour to New Zealand
RORY KEANE - EXCLUSIVE: The British and Irish Lions will face many challenges during their daunting five-week odyssey in New Zealand, but coach Warren Gatland will also have to contend with his own son plotting their downfall. The Auckland Blues will provide the first real test of a gruelling 10-game tour on June 7 and Bryn Gatland could very well be wearing the No 10 jersey for the opposition at Eden Park.