SoccerShorts

Johnson pulls out: Everton striker Andy Johnson has pulled out of the England squad for the forthcoming Euro 2008 qualifying matches against Macedonia and Croatia.

The 25-year-old has made a stunning start to the season with Everton.

However, a hamstring injury, which Johnson sustained in the last minute of Saturday's 1-1 draw against Manchester City in the Premiership, will keep him sidelined for the England games.

Darren Bent has been promoted to the senior squad to cover for the loss of Johnson, after the Charlton striker was initially named in the England under-21 squad.

England play Macedonia on Saturday - and Croatia on Wednesday, October 11th.

Dabo hit for six

Manchester City's Ousmane Dabo has been ruled out for six weeks after it emerged he suffered a knee ligament injury in training.

The French midfielder has only just completed a three-match suspension following his dismissal at Reading and had been expected to play in City's draw with Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday.

However, manager Stuart Pearce saw his hopes of fielding Dabo dashed during training last Thursday. The 29-year-old summer capture from Lazio pulled up with an injury which is likely to rule him out until the middle of November.

FA to charge Barton

Joey Barton, the Manchester City midfielder, is to be charged with misconduct by the English FA for lowering his shorts to reveal his backside to Everton's supporters.

The FA's disciplinary department intend to indict Barton as soon as Merseyside police confirm that they will not be taking action of their own in relation to the incident at the end of Saturday's 1-1 draw at Goodison.

Stuart Pearce, the City manager, has reprimanded Barton but the club had decided against taking any further action and they will be dismayed that the FA seem willing to pursue the matter.

Cup replay at Tolka

The FAI Carlsberg Cup quarter-final replay between Killester United and Sligo Rovers has been fixed for 7.30pm on Thursday at Tolka Park.

In Scotland, the details for the League Cup quarter-finals have also been agreed. The Edinburgh derby between Hibernian and Hearts takes place on November 8th at Easter Road and will be live on BBC. The same night, Rangers will host St Johnstone at Ibrox. The previous night, Kilmarnock play Motherwell and holders Celtic face Falkirk. The matches have a 7.45pm kick-off.

Spot the difference

Euro 2008 organisers are facing a possible legal challenge over alleged similarities between the tournament's mascots and two well known German cartoon characters.

The tournament's Austrian and Swiss hosts have called on fans to give the pair names from a shortlist of Flix and Trix, Zagi and Zigi and Flitz and Bitz.

However, the owner of the rights to Fix and Foxi, two cartoon foxes with similar hair, face colouring and character attributes to the mascots, were alerted to the new arrivals and are now consulting a lawyer.