Sporting Digest: Football

CHRIS ARMSTRONG, the Crystal Palace striker, is staying at Selhurst Park after signing a new four-year deal. Armstrong, 23, had been linked with a number of clubs, including Everton.

JAN AGE FJORTOFT, Swindon Town's Norwegian international forward, has signed a new contract which will keep him at the County Ground until 1999.

JEAN-PIERRE PAPIN, the Bayern Munich striker, is to have a knee operation today and will miss France's European Championship qualifier against Slovakia next week.

COLIN LEE, Reading's assistant manager, has rejected an offer from Bournemouth to become their new manager after agreeing improved terms at Elm Park.

USA SQUAD (v England, Wembley, 7 Sept): Friedel (Newcastle), Sommer (Luton), Lapper (USSF), Balboa (USSF), Caligiuri (USSF), Lalas (USSF), Dooley (Bayer Leverkusen), Klopas (USSF), Moore (USSF), Harkes (Derby), Perez (USSF), Stewart (Willem II Tilburg), Jones (USSF), Kerr (Millwall), Sorber (USSF), Reyna (USSF), Bates (USSF), Kirovski (Man Utd).

ENGLAND SQUAD (v Portugal, European Under-21 Championship, Leicester, 6 September): Gerrard (Oldham), Oakes (Aston V), Watson (Newcastle), Gordon (C Palace), Makin (Oldham), * Campbell (Tottenham), Nethercott (Tottenham), Unsworth (Everton), * Redknapp (Liverpool), Bart-Williams (Sheff Wed), Parlour (Arsenal), Sinclair (QPR), Joachim (Leicester), * Barmby (Tottenham), * Fowler (Liverpool), Dyer (C Palace). Stand-by: Rust (Brighton), Thatcher (Millwall), Roberts (Millwall), Selley (Arsenal), Matteo (Liverpool), Pollock (Middlesbrough), Froggatt (Wolves), Fenton (Aston V), Eadie (Norwich).

* Indicates players who will train with the senior squad.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND SQUAD (v Latvia, European Under-21 Championship, Riga, 6 September): Colgan (Chelsea), Givens (Blackburn Rovers), Gallen (Doncaster), Breen (Peterborough), Greene (Luton), Byrne (Middlesbrough), Carr (Tottenham), O'Donnell (Liverpool), Sheridan (Coventry), Boland (Coventry), Moore (Middlesbrough), Kavanagh (Middlesbrough), Farrelly (Aston Villa), Turner (Tottenham), Launders (Crystal Palace), Kennedy (Millwall), Perkins (Southend), Scully (Crystal Palace).

J-LEAGUE: Verdy Kawasaki 3 JEF Ichihara 1; Yokohama Flugels 2 Jubilo Iwata 0; Kashima Antlers 1 Sanfrecce Hiroshima 0 (aet); Shimizu S-Pulse 1 Yokohama Marinos 0; Bellmare Hiratsuka 2 Nagoya Grampus 0; Urawa Reds 1 Gamba Osaka 0.