Soccer Shorts

Today's other stories in brief

Wexford Youths to get licence

Wexford Youths FC, the National League hopefuls fronted by construction magnate Mick Wallace, are expected to receive a First Division playing license today, writes Paul O'Hehir.

Sources indicate the bid has been successful, but the FAI's club licensing committee was last night finalising details of the application and an official announcement is imminent.

The club is hopeful of becoming the only National League outfit in the region and fill a void left by Dublin City FC, who folded last season due to financial difficulties.

The club is located just outside Wexford Town and boasts modern facilities on a 14-acre site bought by Wallace almost five years ago. Two state-of-the-art outdoor pitches, two artificial surfaces and a large indoor complex grace the site.

Real okay on Woodgate deal

Middlesbrough have edged closer to the permanent capture of Jonathan Woodgate after formalising a deal with Real Madrid to sign the England defender. The Spanish club have reached an agreement with Boro for the 27-year-old to make his loan move to the Riverside Stadium permanent at the end of the season.

However, the Teessiders, who negotiated a first-option clause on Woodgate when they brought him back to his his home town last summer, still need to persuade him his future lies with them.

Gerrard plays peacemaker

Steven Gerrard's first role as England captain was to act as peacemaker last night to prevent Joey Barton's introduction creating any divisions in a squad that prides itself on its sense of togetherness.

Barton's inflammatory remarks about the post-World Cup autobiographies have gone down badly among certain players, particularly Frank Lampard, and Gerrard tried to nip it in the bud ahead of tomorrow's friendly against Spain at Old Trafford.

Although Barton was typically unapologetic when he joined the squad for the first time, there were handshakes and conciliatory gestures when Gerrard introduced him to a group of players whom he had previously attacked in interviews.

England are sweating on Wayne Rooney's fitness and have already lost fellow striker Andy Johnson, defender Wayne Bridge and keeper Chris Kirkland.

Rooney, who suffered a knock on club duty with Manchester United in Sunday's 4-0 Premier League win at Tottenham Hotspur, had treatment yesterday and would be reassessed today, an FA spokesman said.

Despite the injuries, no new players are being called up by manager Steve McClaren.

Injury crisis for Sanchez

Northern Ireland manager Lawrie Sanchez has been hit by injuries ahead of tonight's friendly against Wales. Key players such as record scorer David Healy, Chris Baird and Jonny Evans are all unavailable. Goalkeeper Roy Carroll, Stuart Elliott, Steve Jones and Warren Feeney are also absent.

Sanchez has named a 17-man squad with Sean Webb, Dean Shiels and Peter Thompson all recalled for the first time since the US tour last summer. Michael Duff returns after missing the 1-0 victory against Latvia in a Euro 2008 qualifier last October through suspension.

In the absence of Healy, who has a broken arm, Sanchez could pair Kyle Lafferty and Ivan Sproule.

Collins back for Wales

Wales are expected to bring Sunderland defender Danny Collins back into the side for the friendly against Northern Ireland. Manager John Toshack is using the match to experiment ahead of the Euro 2008 qualifiers with the Republic of Ireland and San Marino next month. Collins has spent a year out in the cold after a row with Toshack, but has now apologised and is back in the fold.

WALES (provisional): Coyne (Burnley), Duffy (Swansea), D Collins (Sunderland), S Evans (Wrexham), Bale (Southampton), S Davies (Fulham), Fletcher (Crystal Palace), Koumas (West Brom), Giggs (Manchester United), Bellamy (Liverpool), Easter (Wycombe).

Liverpool deal a step closer

The £470 million takeover of Liverpool by two American tycoons could go through as early as today. Further progress has been made on the offer made by George Gillett and Tom Hicks, who own NHL teams.

If the details are tied up in time, the club could even announce to the Stock Exchange today that chairman David Moores has agreed to sell his majority shareholding to the Americans.