Republic call for Moore and Fleming

The uncapped Middlesbrough midfielder Alan Moore and the full- back Curtis Fleming have been drafted into the Republic of Ireland squad for next week's friendly match against the Czech Republic in Prague.

They replace Norwich's Keith O'Neill, who has a ligament injury, and the Chelsea full-back Terry Phelan, who has still not recovered from a thigh muscle injury picked up in the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United. John Aldridge, the new Tranmere player-manager, has also withdrawn from the Republic's squad.

"I wasn't going to start John in this match because I want to try a few new options," Mick McCarthy, the Republic's manager, said. "I understand John's position - he has a few big games left this season and Tranmere are still in the danger zone."

Northern Ireland's manager, Bryan Hamilton, has called up the Walsall goalkeeper Trevor Wood for the friendly match with Sweden in Belfast next week after Nottingham Forest's Alan Fettis pulled out with a thumb injury.

Italy's coach, Arrigo Sacchi, has signed a new contract to take the national team to the 1998 World Cup finals in France, assuming they perform well under his guidance at this summer's European Championship. Sacchi, previously coach of Milan, took over as national coach in 1990 and led Italy to the final of the 1994 World Cup.