Roy Hodgson yesterday made his first visit to St George's Park, the future home of England, as he continues to juggle the last few days of his tenure at West Bromwich with his looming duties as the national manager.

New England manager is taken on whirlwind trip round Burton – then it's back to Premier League

Watching England's Under-17s, in whom such hope had suddenly been vested, lose to their German counterparts in the Under-17 World Cup in Mexico late Monday night, Gareth Southgate's mind went back 11 years to another Anglo-German encounter.

Wigan chairman Dave Whelan believes the strength of the Barclays Premier League is having a detrimental effect on the national side and has joined the calls supporting a shake-up of football at grass-roots level.

Striker Darren Bent insists Aston Villa will be able to compensate for the loss of Ashley Young.

Former Aston Villa skipper Gareth Southgate believes manager Gerard Houllier "runs the risk of a lot of criticism" after fielding a much-changed side for the FA Cup clash at Manchester City.

Sir Trevor Brooking last night said the Football Association is confident that Fabio Capello will remain England manager even if he receives overtures from Internazionale. The Italian club appears to be on the brink of sacking Rafael Benitez after the Spaniard issued what seemed an old-fashioned "back-me-or-sack-me" ultimatum to club president Massimo Moratti at the weekend. Capello, despite a long association with city rivals Milan, would be high on the list of possible replacements and may be becoming disaffected enough with life as England manager to accept.

Gordon Strachan's reign as Middlesbrough manager is over.

Richard Madeley has turned back the clock to host ITV1's This Morning, nine years after quitting - after presenter Eamonn Holmes was late for work.