Football: That Was The Weekend That Was - The week ahead

Today: With all respect to the clubs involved, selling a Monday night football game cannot come tougher than Charlton, no wins in 15 matches, against Wimbledon, one goal in five.

Tomorrow: International football arrives at Pride Park, Derby in the shape of England Under-21 against France. Elsewhere, Wales and Northern Ireland contest a B international and Darlington meet Carlisle in the Third Division.

Wednesday: Howard Wilkinson's job application, otherwise known as England versus world champions France, takes centre stage at Wembley. The Republic of Ireland, meanwhile, face Paraguay in another friendly.

Friday: Colchester against Wigan in the Second Division, Rochdale versus no-longer-bottom-of-the-League Hull in the Third Division.

Saturday: Last-16 time in the FA Cup, featuring slightly wobbly Leeds against up-for-it Tottenham (and G Graham, of course), which may not be one for the faint-hearted. Elsewhere, holders Arsenal should see off Sheffield United, while Italians (Carbone and Zola) perform tricks for Sheffield Wednesday and Chelsea at Hillsborough among the other ties. In the Premiership, Nottingham Forest will be off the bottom if they win at West Ham and Charlton fail to beat Liverpool.

Sunday: Old Trafford brims over with Cup romance as Manchester United take on Kevin Keegan's Second Division Fulham, while Newcastle against Blackburn looks too close to call.