Sporting Digest: Football

DON GIVENS, the former Queen's Park Rangers, Sheffield United and Republic of Ireland international, has been appointed coach of the Swiss First Division, Neuchatel Xamax, after the resignation of the former West German international, Uli Stielike.

THE Endsleigh League First Division matches between Portsmouth and Watford on Saturday week, and Crystal Palace against Middlesbrough the following day, have been postponed because of international call-ups.

JOHN SHERIDAN, the Sheffield Wednesday midfield player, is struggling to overcome a thigh injury and may have to withdraw from the Republic of Ireland squad for the World Cup qualifier against Northern Ireland in Belfast on Wednesday week.

NORWAY, who face Turkey in a World Cup qualifier in Istanbul on Wednesday, have refused to release Gunnar Halle, who is wanted by Oldham Athletic for their Premiership game against Newcastle on Monday.

BRISTOL CITY have announced a profit of pounds 527,000 for the last financial year. It is the ninth time in 11 seasons that the First Division club have made a profit since being saved from the brink of liquidation in 1982.

TUESDAY'S LATE RESULTS: Diadora League First Division: Boreham Wood 0 Wembley 0; Leyton 5 Walton 1; Tooting 1 Billericay 0; Windsor 2 Bognor Regis 2. Beazer Homes League Dr Martens Cup first round second leg: King's Lynn 0 Cambridge City 3 (agg:

1-7); Newport (IoW) 0 Weymouth 0 (agg: 0-1). Highland League Cup first round: Caledonian 6 Nairn County 2.