Pearce gets go-ahead

Soccer Shorts: Football Association officials in England and their Manchester City counterparts have thrashed out a compromise that will allow Stuart Pearce to take charge of the England Under-21 team.

A solution has now been found which takes into account City's fears over Pearce being side-tracked at a key stage of the campaign.

Pearce, assisted by Nigel Pearson, will now take command for Tuesday's friendly with Spain at Pride Park and also this summer's European Championships, but will sit out a proposed friendly in March.

Staunton vexes Geary

Sheffield United defender Derek Geary has questioned whether Steve Staunton knows he is Irish after failing to land a place in the Ireland squad for the European Championship qualifier against San Marino on Wednesday.

"I'm really disappointed," said the 26-year-old Dubliner. "I've been playing in the Premiership against the best players in the world, week in and week out. But I've not heard anything. You start wondering 'does he [Staunton] know I'm Irish?' "

Henderson moves on

Irish international goalkeeper Wayne Henderson has described his transfer deadline day move to Preston North End as "a dream come true" after falling out of favour at Brighton and Hove Albion.

"I know the reason I was out of the team at Brighton had nothing to do with football," he said, "and it was great the way Steve Staunton and Alan Kelly backed me through that period. Now (Preston manager) Paul Simpson has put faith in me and it's a marvellous opportunity to join a club challenging for a place in the Premiership."

Olsson quits Uefa

Uefa yesterday announced the resignation of chief executive officer Lars-Christer Olsson.

Swede Olsson is thought to have taken the decision after close ally and countryman Lennart Johansson lost out to Michel Platini for the Uefa presidency last week.

Sonko out for season

Reading defender Ibrahima Sonko has been ruled out for the rest of the season with cruciate knee ligament damage suffered in the Premiership win over Sheffield United on January 20th.

O'Donovan bid fails

Cork City manager Damien Richardson has reacted angrily to Hull City's last minute attempt to sign Roy O'Donovan for around 525,000 just before the transfer deadline.

"The player and newspapers knew there was an offer before the manager and I don't do business like that," he said. "Anyway, I think Roy's going all the way. He could play for Ireland. I think he's got to set his sights higher than Hull City."