Men's football in brief
John Stones was “very upset” at having to withdraw from the England squad with a muscle injury ahead of the World Cup qualifier against Andorra tomrrow.
Thomas Tuchel has confirmed that Harry Kane will start up front for England against Andorra.
The former Burnley captain Josh Brownhill is on the verge of joining Saudi Pro League side Al-Shabab after leaving Turf Moor as a free agent this summer.
Wolves are ready to offer Jorgen Strand Larsen a new and improved deal after rejecting two offers of £50m and £55m from Newcastle for the Norwegian striker this summer.
The Newcastle defender Dan Burn has said he harbours “no animosity” towards Alexander Isak over the manner of the Swedish striker’s departure for Liverpool during the transfer window. “I’ve got nothing but good wishes for Alex,” he said. “I understand why our fans are frustrated but I’ve been in the game long enough to understand what goes on.”
Daizen Maeda has revealed he hoped to leave Celtic before the summer transfer window closed but a proposed move to an unspecified club, rumoured to be Brentford, was blocked by his employers.
Republic of Ireland head coach Heimir Halgrimsson says his team’s opening qualifier at home to Hungary tomorrow could be the most important of their Group F campaign. “This game will have a huge impact on who will qualify from this group, definitely,” he said.
And today’s scheduled European Under-21 championship qualifier between France and Luxembourg in Lorient has been postponed after a traffic accident involving the visitors. Eight people suffered injuries including four Luxembourg players, three members of staff and the coach driver.
Women's football in brief ...
The new WSL season kicks off tonight, with defending champions Chelsea hosting Manchester City at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea striker Sam Kerr is expected to return to action after a 20-month absence with a serious knee injury.
Chelsea have signed the USA winger Alyssa Thompson from Angel City for an upfront fee understood to be just shy of $1.5m (£1.1m).
London City Lionesses have broken the world record for a women’s football transfer by signing the France midfielder Grace Geyoro from Paris Saint-Germain for €1.65m (£1.43m).
The England striker Alessia Russo has signed a new long-term contract with Arsenal, the duration of which has not been disclosed by the spoilsport club.
Bayern Munich and England star Georgia Stanway talks tattoos, taboos and a whole lot more besides in this wide-ranging sit-down with Donald McRae.
And not to be outdone by her fellow Lionness, Beth Mead got her chat on at great length with Suzanne Wrack.
