Veteran Southall stands down

Neville Southall has left himself out of the 20-man Wales squad for the friendly against the Republic of Ireland in Cardiff on 11 February.

Bobby Gould, the Wales manager, said he and Southall, who helps out on the coaching staff, each drew up a list of players and when they compared notes Southall was not on either. Gould stressed the 38-year-old, who was dropped by Everton on Wednesday was only making way because the Irish game is a friendly. Southall will still team up with the squad as Gould's assistant, with either Wrexham's Andy Marriott or Nottingham Forest's Mark Crossley in goal.

Another goalkeeper, Neil Sullivan, is travelling the other way on the international scene. On Monday, Craig Brown is expected will to name the English-born Wimbledon goalkeeper in Scotland's squad for next month's World Cup match against Estonia.

Sullivan will train with Scotland's English-based players at Stratford next week before the trip to Monaco. The squad for the re-arranged game against the Estonians could also feature a return from international exile for the Everton striker, Duncan Ferguson.