Alexander delighted by surprise Scotland call-up

Graham Alexander, the Preston North End defender, has been provisionally selected for the Scotland squad to face Nigeria later this month.

The Coventry-born full-back qualifies for Berti Vogts' side because his father was born in Scotland. He said: "To be honest since I started playing football I've had two ambitions, to play in the Premier League and to play for Scotland.

"Neither have come true yet but if it happens it will be brilliant and it would mean a lot to my family. I've been brought up supporting Scotland as far back as I can remember."

A Preston spokesman confirmed: "We have received a letter from the Scottish FA informing us Graham is one of 18 English-based players they are looking at."

Birmingham City are hoping to complete the signing of the on-loan winger Paul Devlin from Sheffield United. Devlin, who spent two years at St Andrew's earlier in his career, would cost around £200,000.

The Queen's Park Rangers manager Ian Holloway will plead guilty to a Football Association charge of bringing the game into disrepute.

Holloway was furious with referee George Cain's decision to show a red card to Richard Pacquette during the 1-1 draw at Cardiff last month. But he has apologised for his conduct and will accept his punishment, saying: "The refereeing was very one-sided but I will take my medicine."

The Rangers manager Alex McLeish is interested in the Cameroonian striker Samuel Eto'o, according to his agent. Willie Mackay claims the Real Mallorca forward impressed McLeish's assistant, Andy Watson, during the Africans' 2-2 draw with Argentina last week.

Rangers have taken the young French midfielder Ludwig Norbert on loan to the end of the season from Lorient. The 18-year-old has also had a spell at Tottenham.

Another player who could be staying at Ibrox is Tony Vidmar. The Australian is out of contract in the summer and was expected to move to a Premiership club on a Bosman free transfer, with Middlesbrough showing interest. However Rangers have offered to extend his deal and director of football, Dick Advocaat, is expected to start talks with the defender next week. Advocaat is also set to complete contract extension negotiations with the 19-year-old Stephen Hughes.

The Portsmouth legend Ike Clarke has died at the age of 87. Clarke was centre-forward in the Pompey team which won the league championship in 1949 and 1950, scoring 31 goals in 61 games. He died in Canterbury, aged 87.