Soccer Shorts
Rovers have received dozens of applications for their managerial vacancy since Steve Kean resigned on September 28th although former striker Alan Shearer, despite expressing interest in the job, has had no contact with the club owner, Venky’s.
Eric Black, formerly Kean’s assistant, has been in charge for the past three matches, draws at Charlton and Nottingham Forest plus a home defeat by Wolves.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Tim Sherwood, Shearer and the former Spain coach Javier Clemente have been linked with the position, with Tottenham reluctant to let Sherwood leave their coaching team.
Celtic's Commons called up to the Scotland squad
Celtic winger Kris Commons has been called up to the Scotland squad after ankle injuries forced Jordan Rhodes and Robert Snodgrass to withdraw.
Commons has not played for Scotland for more than a year but could face Wales in Cardiff on Friday, with Belgium hosting the Scots next Tuesday.
Rhodes’ Blackburn team-mate, Grant Hanley, pulled out of Craig Levein’s squad with a groin strain on Monday. And forward Steven Naismith will miss both matches because of suspension.
Capped nine times, 29-year-old Commons has scored two international goals – both during Levein’s time as national coach. But he has not featured for Scotland since early 2011 and last week admitted he found it “baffling” that he was not being considered for more caps.
Everton's Moyes is awarded manager of the month
Everton boss David Moyes has his eyes firmly set on a return to Europe after the club’s impressive start to the season earned him the manager of the month award for September.
The Toffees won two and drew another of their four matches to remain in the top four heading into October. Moyes is now keen for his side to maintain their elevated position for the rest of the campaign.
“With the quality of the Premier League it is really hard to qualify for the Champions League but I wouldn’t say we can’t do it,” said the Scot.
“It is possible and you have to aim for that. If we fall short and end up in the Europa League then so be it, but in recent years we have been pretty close, finishing sixth, seventh or eighth, so we want to do that at the very least.”
Sunderland striker Steven Fletcher won the player of the month award after scoring five goals in four games.
Fletcher, a £12 million signing from Wolves in August, scored twice on his debut against Swansea and followed up with goals against Liverpool, West Ham and Wigan.
