In anticipation of the World Cup, The Independent will be running down the key people and factors to keep an eye out for in South Africa with our World Cup Watch series.

Prospective parliamentary candidates beware, economic tinkering and business red tape are not welcomed in the Northamptonshire constituency of Wellingborough, where Conservative Peter Bone, a Sven-Goran Eriksson doppelganger, holds a wafer-thin majority of just 687.

Much tittering in the publishing industry last week, following the news that a certain Icelandic volcano had rendered Tony Blair (plus tan) unable to return from the Middle East. Not only was he due to join the Labour Party on the campaign trail, but he was to be thrown a no-expense-spared do at the London Book Fair by his publishers, Random House, in order to meet and greet industry figures. Unable to cancel the event, the champagne and canapés had to be passed around without him.

Michael Carrick believes David Beckham's presence as a non-playing member of England's World Cup party would be welcomed throughout Fabio Capello's squad.

Sven Goran-Eriksson has resigned at Notts County, bringing an end to one of the stranger appointments in football.

ITV ended its tortuous search for a chief executive yesterday with the surprise appointment of Adam Crozier, the man best known for appointing Sven-Goran Eriksson England football manager, and currently the head of Royal Mail.

Sven-Goran Eriksson is close to walking away from Notts County as further turmoil engulfed the club today.

Notts County have confirmed the appointment of Hans Backe as their new manager.

Sven Goran Eriksson's former assistant Hans Backe will have talks with Notts County regarding the vacant managerial post at the League Two club. Eriksson, director of football at Meadow Lane, is leading the search for Ian McParland's successor after the Scot was sacked. Backe has won four Danish titles with FC Copenhagen and Aalborg.

Sven-Goran Eriksson has ruled himself out of the running for the vacant Sweden coaching role, the Swedish FA announced today.

Notts County executive chairman Peter Trembling believes Sven-Goran Eriksson will continue as director of football rather than become manager of Sweden.

Sven-Goran Eriksson could be installed as Sweden manager by the end of the month after he today emerged as the front-runner to replace Lars Lagerback.