Charlton sets record straight

Jack Charlton will not immediately resign as manager of the Republic of Ireland if they are eliminated from the European Championships against Portugal in Lisbon tomorow night.

"No matter what happens here I'm going to sit down and think about it," the 60-year-old Charlton said yesterday. "I never said I was definitely leaving. I said I would consider it. And it certainly won't be the press that drives me out, it will be the people of Ireland. The people will let me know when it's time to go."

Charlton has injury doubts over his captain Andy Townsend (foot) and another Aston Villa player, Steve Staunton, who has been sidelined for three weeks because of a hamstring injury.

The Rangers midfielder, Stuart McCall (rib injury), is the only player doubtful for Scotland's last Group Eight qualifier against San Marino at Hampden Park tomorrow.

Wales yesterday lost their captain, Barry Horne, when he became the latest player to pull out of the trip to Albania. The 33-year-old Everton midfielder has a chest virus.