Crystal Palace winger Sean Scannell is set to miss the first half of the season due to a knee injury.

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Scannell setback for Palace

It was always going to end in tears, and it still might for Crystal Palace’s supporters depending on their club’s future, but the only long faces here were wearing Sheffield Wednesday’s colours. Darren Purse’s goal three minutes from time set up a dramatic finale but Palace managed to hang on to escape finishing in the bottom three and condemn Wednesday to League One football next season. Palace could not have made a better start. The match was only 24 minutes old when Alan Lee thumped a free header from Darren Ambrose’s corner beyond Lee Grant to give his side the lead. Wednesday complained that James O’Connor was still off the pitch after receiving treatment to a head injury but it was ridiculous to think that the smallest player on the field would have been marking Lee or done anything about the forward’s second goal in 20 appearances. The 5,700 travelling supporters were buoyant but Leon Clarke darkened their mood two minutes before the interval with a fine goal, albeit one that Danny Butterfield will not want to see again. The Palace right-back had a chance to clear but he dwelled on the ball close to the touchline, allowing Clarke to pick his pocket before sweeping a curling shot from an acute angle past Julian Speroni to bring parity. Renewed belief coursed through Wednesday after the restart and Luke Varney should have added a second when he wriggled clear but he shot straight at Speroni. It was a missed chance that would be punished moments later, when Ambrose swept home Sean Scannell’s excellent cut-back to put Palace back in front. Purse revived Wednesday’s hopes when he converted at the far post in the 87th minute but late pressure failed to yield the third goal that would have saved the home side. Championship Sheffield Wednesday Crystal Palace Stuart James guardian.co.uk

Republic of Ireland Under-21 manager Don Givens has named his starting team to face Armenia tonight (Wednesday) in their UEFA Championship qualifier at Tallaght Stadium (7.30pm).   The side shows six changes from the team which were beaten by Armenia last November in the reverse fixture, including the return of Seamus Coleman of Everton) and Ipswich Town’s Owen Garvan, who will captain the side.    Coleman missed out through injury while Garvan sat out the fixture due to suspension.   Midfielder David Meyler is also restored to line-up, having broken into the first team at Sunderland, and he will be joined in the engine-room by Ireland Under-19 captain Conor Clifford, who will be making his first international start at this level.   Uncapped Kevin Long, the recent signing from Burnley FC from Cork City, will be on the bench and he reflected the mood amongst the players.   He said: “I was with the squad in Armenia when we got beaten and I know the lads are eager to put that result right.   “I’ve only been called into the squad for the last few matches and hopefully I get to my first cap soon.   “It’s been a great experience to be training with such quality players and it would be brilliant to play a role for the team.”   REPUBLIC OF IRELAND U-21: Shane Redmond (Darlington); Seamus Coleman (Everton), Callum Morris (Newcastle United), Darren Dennehy (Gillingham), Cian Hughton (Lincoln City); Conor Clifford (Chelsea), Owen Garvan (Ipswich Town), David Meyler (Sunderland); Alan Judge (Plymouth Argyle), Cillian Sheridan (St. Johnstone), Sean Scannell (Crystal Palace).   Substitutes: James McKeown (Peterborough United), Kevin Long (Burnley), Olanrewaju Oyebanjo (Histon), Seamus Conneely (Galway United), Scott Davies (Reading), Ian Daly (Aris Thessaloniki), Terry Dixon (West Ham United).   Tickets for the match are priced Eur5 for adults and Eur2 for Under-16s.

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Under-21 team named for Armenia qualifier at Tallaght Stadium

Crystal Palace and Aston Villa must meet again after the Premier League side twice came from behind at Selhurst Park Preamble: So far this season’s FA Cup has been just about as magical as David Blaine standing in that box above the Thames so, given that it is Valentine’s Day, it’s about time we focused on the romance of the cup instead. I realise I may have lost some of you with that last sentence as you now dash to your local newsagent to return with a Crunchie and a can of Cherry Coke saying to your loved one, ‘I know we don’t usually do Valentine’s Day but I thought I’d just get you something anyway’. But in reality, what could be more romantic than Crystal Palace v Aston Villa at Selhurst Park? Not much. And anyway, why must we be force-fed this annual bout of sentimentality which we all know is merely corporate posturing as they desperately try and keep a once-great institution alive. And that’s just the FA Cup. Martin O’Neill, for one, doesn’t think it’s going to be much of a love-in at the Palace. He’s predicting a gruelling affair as the Championship side attempt to put their off-field difficulties to one side and earn another big-payday in the sixth round. Kick off at Selhurst Park is 3.45pm The teams are finally in: Crystal Palace: Speroni; Clyne, Davis, Ertl, Hill; Butterfield, Derry, Ambrose, Danns, Carle; Lee. Subs: Manns, Scannell, Lawrence, Andrew, Djilali, N’Diaye, Wynter. Aston Villa: Friedel; Luke Young, Dunne, Collins, Warnock; Delph, Petrov, Downing; Ashley Young, Heskey, Milner. Subs: Guzan, Sidwell, Carew, Delfouneso, Davies, Beye, Cuellar. Referee: Kevin Friend (Leicestershire) A bizarre pre-match profile of Neil Warnock saw him, amongst other things, say that he doesn’t mind being compared to Marmite “because it got us through the war”, we witnessed him getting his hair done, and he said “the greatest feeling in the world is sitting in a bath with a cup of tea knowing you’ve sent thousands of people home happy.” I assume he’s talking about after a match. “Well seeing as this is a live game Ashley Young will try and deter any calls for him to be an English regular by having an awful game,” says Ben Bennett. “Delph will get sent off because, as how O’Neil puts it, he’s a little bit ‘nasty’. I think he’s going to Cherub Crystal Palace up the wrong way.” That’s quite a prection. I’m going for Crystal Palace 1-3 Aston Villa. “As a Villa fan nervous about this afternoon. Palace got nothing to lose and we’re not exactly free scoring at the moment. Could be a difficult game,” says Silver Fox. “Sent the Mrs out with the little one today (not too happy about that let me assure you) so just hope its a decent game……” That’s the spirit. 1 min: We’re underway at Selhurst Park 2 min: Palace are in their familiar red and blue stripes, which is nowehere near as good as the kit they wore in 1990 final (see the picture above). Villa are all in white and have Emile Heskey limping at the moment. I think he’ll be ok. 3 min: Villa have won a corner from a long clearance from Friedel which Palace didn’t deal with properly. From Downing’s corner Petrov got a strike at goal but it was blocked. It’s now Fulham 2-0 Notts County 5 min: Palace seem as if they are going to man-mark Emile Heskey, who is back on the pitch after that early knock. That seems like an odd-decision. Heskey usually man-marks himself out of the game 6 min: Stephen Warnock makes a powerful run forward to get on the end of Petrov’s nicely wighted pass but Davis makes a good block and Palace clear 8 min: Nathan Clyne makes a really good run up the right flank and Warnock does well to challenge. Clyne showed good pace there 10 min: A big scramble in the Palace penalty area. Collins won the first header from Downing’s cross. Alan Lee failed to clear but Davis got out and made a great block on Richard Dunne’s shot. 12 min: I observed the picture above and I couldn’t remember if Crystal Palace was captained by Dolph Lundgren,” says Pangeran Immanuel. Of course they were, Pangeran. Where is Dolph now? Maybe he could come back and buy the club. 15 min: Ther rumour is Selhurst Park today is that this could be Neil Warnock’s last game in charge of Crystal Palace. QPR are said to have come in with a bid. Warnock and Briatore – now that’s a good match. I hope he keeps his phone charged. 17 min: The first bit of football from palce sees Lee and Danns link-up before Jonny Ertl tried his luck from distance but it goes high, wide and handsome. 19 min: A penalty appeal for a foul by Clyne on Ashley Young. Villa claim there was a push on the back as Young collected Petrov’s ball but there was barely any contact. The ref has made the right decision. No penalty “Is Neil Warnock like Marmite? ponders Gary Naylor, one of the game’s great thinkers. “I’d say possibly – not because people divide into love it or hate it camps (surely only Neil Warnock loves Neil Warnock) – but because Marmite applied to anything makes it look a bit s!*&@y.” I can’t comment I’m afraid. I’ve never had Marmite 22 min: Heskey does well to turn and shoot left-footed at the edge of the box but it’s straight at Speroni who saves easily 23 min: Goal! Crystal Palace 1-0 Aston Villa Scott Danns swung in a corner from the right. Brad Friedel came to claim but Alan Lee and Stephen Warnock got in his way and Ertl had the easy task of heading into the empty net 26 min: Villa seem to think that Alan Lee may have fouled Friedel as he came for that corner butI don’t think so. Warnock was in the way too. Danns does well to turn and shoot at the edge of the area but it’s straight at Friedel. It’s all Palace now 28 min: “Dolph Lungren will be seen this Summer in Stallone’s back to basics action romp, The Expendables,” says Ben Bennett. “When I say back to basics, I don’t mean Stallone as John Major crusading against Britain’s moral turpitude but the killing of foreigners with big guns….Even Arnie has a cameo.” I thought he might pop up in that alright. The Expendables is already the highlight of my summer. Forget the World Cup 35 min: Goal! Crystal Palace 1-1 Aston Villa Villa have been coming back into it and James Collins has got the equaliser. Downing swung in a great ball from the right and the defender just redirected the ball past Speroni from six yards 36 min: Very near 2-1 to Villa and again it’s a set piece., Milner’s corner is met by Petrov but his header goes about a foot wide of the back post 39 min: Palace go straight up the other end and nearly score themselves. Lee won a header and knocked it to Ambrose who saw his shot charged down. It came back to Lee but he skewed his volley and went towards the corner flag rather than the goal. Dare I say it, but this his turned into a proper old-school cup tie 40 min: “I am glad that you specified it was Stephen Warnock who got in Friedel’s way (for the Palace goal),” says Tim Howard who is definitely, most definitely, not the Everton goalkeeper. “I wouldn’t put it past Neil Warnock to run on the pitch and cause havoc at corners. Although thinking about it, allowing managers to do that would add a whole new dimension to the game.” 41 min: Another chance for Villa and again it’s from a set piece. Young’s corner was met by Heskey who headed over. I think he should have scored 43 min: Silver Fox doesn’t like my comment that this is an old-school cup game. “You’ve either A) Gone all ITV on us there or B) Put the kiss of death on the game. It would be fair to say its been the best game I’ve seen today.” Please let that be B. I would take that over A any day. Although I do very much enjoy Take Me Out on a Saturday evening. Maybe I’m confused 45 min: A free kick to Crystal Palace for a foul on Alan Lee, who has been excellent so far. This will be the last action of the half … and Friedel makes a really good reflex save from Ambrose’s rocket of a free kick. It took a little deflection too. Half time: This whistle goes at the end of a really entertaining first half. I’m off to stare at myself in the mirror and wonder if I am going all ITV. I always pictured myself as more of a Sky1 man More Dolph Lundgren news, this time from Larsson Christian. ” Something to keep you all entertained with in the halftime . He actually hurt his hand when he did the ice break part.” Phil Sawyer has the question on everyone’s lip’s … “Shouldn’t Silver Fox be exiting through a window twirling his moustache enigmatically having stolen a large expensive diamond and leaving a calling card with his name on it rather than reading an MBM? I would have thought Valentine’s Day would be a busy one for cat burglars, what with all that hastily purchased jewellery knocking around.” Over to you, Silver … Ben Bennett is also continuing the Dolph and burglary themes, which seem to have taken over, even though the game is good. ‘One more bit of Dolph trivia. “Lundgren’s home was reportedly broken into by three masked burglars who tied up and threatened Qviberg, but fled when they spotted a family photo and realized that the house was owned by Lundgren.’ You watch a new demand for Lundgren photos emerge around Anfield.” 46 min: We’re underway in the second half and there is one change in the Villa side. John Carew is on for Emile Heskey 47 min: “Your Dolph clip must be the most interesting thing ever shown on SVT1,” says Gary Naylor. “The competition isn’t fierce, believe me.” I’ve just put this to my Swedish colleague who mumbled something that I can only assume was an agreement. 48 min: Adam, from New York, seems to have this minute-by-minute confused with a self-help column. “Spent the last week or so agreeing with the missus not to do anything for Valentine’s Day this year. Now the day has arrived, I feel guilty that I’ve not done anything, knowing too well that the missus was still expecting something. I also know that all her family and friends are going to ask her what we did for Valentine’s. She will say nothing, and I will look like the schmuck even though it was a joint decision from the start! Anyone else in the same situation as me? Have I made a schoolboy error here?” I would say the answers to your two questions are Yes and Yes 49 min: Carew is almost straight into the action getting onto Downing’s through ball and hitting a near post shot which Speroni deflects away. God save 52 min: James Milner goes down in the area under a challenge from Danny Butterfield but he just lost his footing, and doesn’t even appeal for a penalty. That’s because English players don’t dive (© John Terry) 54 min: Lou Roper has a suggestion for Adam from New York. “As a last-ditch effort to salvage the day, couldn’t ‘Adam from New York’ invite his missus to join him in following the MBM? Surely that’s a better approach than the one taken by ‘Silver Fox’ (is this John Gregory in disguise?) as set out at kick-off?” Take that Dear Deirdre 56 min: Palace are doing quite well here. Ertl goes on a marauding run down the left – a run he looks pretty uncomfortable doing – but there’s is no one up with him and Villa clear his cross 57 min: Phil Sawyer has some more relationship advice for Adam. “Adam from New York has indeed made a schoolboy error. Namely, thinking that anyone sat reading internet coverage of Crystal Palace v Aston Villa on Valentine’s Day are the best people to ask for romantic advice. Or that any MBMers have actually been in the position of ever going out with a real live woman.” 58 min: Alan Lee is left shaking his head after a tussle with James Collins. Lee has really given them a hard time today. I was in school with Alan Lee. He was never like that in maths class. 60 min: A nice bit of cursing from Neil Warnock is picked up by the camera. I’m waiting for the grovelling ITV apology 62 min: The first yellow card of the game and it goes to Claude Davis for a challenge on James Milner. He complains, but he went right through him 63 min: Poor defending from Shaun Derry from the resulting free kick and Carew nearly pounces, but Palace scramble it clear. 66 min: The Crystal Palace goalkeeper kicks the ball out of play so that he can tie his laces. Villa give the ball back to them. That’s nonsense in my opinion. There’s far too much giving the ball back to the other team these days 67 min: A terrible backpass from Clyne lets in Ashley Young who squares across goal but no one is there and it goes harmlessly out for a throw 69 min: Goal! Crystal Palace 2-1 Aston Villa Out of nothing, and just when Villa were getting on top, and Palace have the lead through a brilliant Darren Ambrose free kick. It was 35-yards out and swerved past the wall. Friedel got a hand to it – he probably should have done better – but he couldn’t keep it out. That’s Ambrose’s 16th goal of the season 71 min: Ambrose has now hit the bar with a flicked header that looped over Friedel. Villa are in trouble here 72 min: Anthony O’Connell is in the mood. “I booked a table for the missus for valentine’s. I’d say it’ll end in tears. She hates snooker!” 74 min: Change for Villa – Delph is replaced by Nathan Delfouneso. We have an update on Adam’s domestic situation. “Some good points by Phil Sawyer. But I think I will soon be joining my fellow MBMers and not have a real live girlfriend. She’s currently pottering in the kitchen. I’m sat at my laptop desperately taking advice from MBMers and thinking of a way to get out of this mess. The “Maybe we can go out tomorrow night when it’s less crowded” line has already failed miserably…” 75 min: Another yellow card this time for Danny Butterfield who couldn’t keep up with Delfouneso and so hauled him down. From the free kick, Dunne flicked it on to Carew whose header was goalbound until Speroni got a hand to it 76 min: From that corner the ball fell to Collins whose shot was cleared off the line by Clyne. This is a great game. We may have to put the relationship advice and burglary speculation on hold 77 min: No we won’t. Jim French is further adding to the speculation. “Silver Fox is using this MBM as an alibi while he burgles a Monte Carlo residence of some euro aristocrat. He pops into the MBM with some comments at the start and now is silent …. just see, he’ll pop with a bon mot towards the end to prove he was not at the scene of the jewel heist dodging laser beams and scaling high walls.” 79 min: We have word from the Silver Fox. “I leave the jewel stealing for after Christmas. Just as the Mrs and little one come home Palace score. Tempted to send them out again.” I think that puts him in the clear. 80 min: “My lady is working tonight… result!” says Michael Ollier. “And it’s just cost me a card and a bunch of carnations from Asda.” And they say that romance is dead. 83 min: Alan Lee has got a yellow card for a swinging arm on Stephen Warnock. Eric Laffly claims to have the inside track on Adam. “Knowing Adam from New York personally, I can indeed claim he’s made a grave error by ignoring Valentine’s day. His missus was angling for a holiday with him somewhere warm, but instead, he opted to join a bunch of lads on a stag-do to Vegas. Valentine’s Day would have been the perfect opportunity for him to make it up to her.” 84 min: Speroni claws at a Downing corner and it goes behind. This time he comes and punches brilliantly from Young’s inswinger 86 min: Goal! Crystal Palace 2-2 Aston Villa It’s been coming and again it’s from a set-piece. Downing swung in a beautiful corner and Stilyan Petrov met it with a flying header to send it past Speroni, who moments earlier had made a brilliant save with his head from Carew at point-blank range 89 min: Ashley Young takes a corner and this time Speroni catches cleanly. Milner and Danns then go into a tackle and both are down injured 90 min: “Why do ITV protest too much? asks David Wall. “I’d be more inclined to believe that the FA Cup still meant something if we weren’t constantly being told how much it means to the players, managers, and fans, etc. Do they expect someone not to celebrate an equaliser if it comes in a second-rate competition?” 90 min +1: Change for Palace. Alan Lee is replaced by Calvin Andrew 90 min +3: Great cross from Downing on the right and Clyne does just enought to unsettle Young who can’t get his head to it and it goes behind Full time: The whistle goes and the happiest people in the ground will be Crystal Palace’s administrators. Neil Warnock saw his side lead twice but were pegged back each time. The last thing Villa really needed was a replay but that’s what they’ve got, so there’s nothing they can do really. Just accept it. “An enjoyable game and now we’ve equalised I’ve let the Mrs out of the cupboard,” says Silver Fox further keeping in the spirit of the universally recognised Day of Love. “Cracking MBM as well, quite enjoyed being an international man of mystery and intrigue. Make a change from the day job.” That’s about all, folks. It turned out that Crystal Palace v Aston Villa was by far the most romantic thing here. Sad really. Thanks for all your emails. Sorry I couldn’t publish them all. We will leave the final word to Adam in New York. “Thanks to my good friend Eric. It is true. What he forgot to mention is that the Vegas stag weekend is also our anniversary weekend. That’s why she wanted to go on a romantic trip away. Don’t think I’m going to win any boyfriend of the year awards this year…” There’s still time to salvage it Adam, It’s only lunchtime in New York. Get her a bottle of wine and a DVD. Maybe a Dolph Lundgren classic? FA Cup Crystal Palace Aston Villa Evan Fanning guardian.co.uk

The revenues of around £500,000 from this televised tie effectively bought the administrators desperately attempting to attract buyers to Selhurst Park another few weeks to uncover interest in the beleaguered Championship club. Neil Warnock’s team may now languish on the fringes of the relegation zone in the second tier, but they will still be awkward opponents for the Carling Cup finalists. Martin O’Neill will consider resting some key players – his opposite number does not have that option – though Villa should be wary given that they have not beaten Palace in south London since 1980 and were defeated by two Andrew Johnson goals on their last visit. That was in the Premier League. How times have changed. Dominic Fifield Venue Selhurst Park, Sunday 3.45pm (ITV1) Tickets £15-£20 (08712 000071) Last meeting Crystal Palace 2 Aston Villa 0 (Premier League, 3 Jan 2005) Referee K Friend Odds Crystal Palace 4-1 Aston Villa 5-6 Draw 13-5 Crystal Palace Subs from Scannell, Andrew, Lawrence, Comley, N’Diaye, Wynter, Manns, Pinney, Djilali Doubtful Lawrence (hamstring), Davis (groin) Injured McCarthy (shoulder, Mar) Suspended None Cup-tied Hills, John, Cadogan Form guide LWWWL Disciplinary record Y32 R2 Leading scorer Ambrose 15 Aston Villa Subs from Friedel, Cuéllar, Collins, L

• Details of all 16 teams and eight ties, updated through the day • John Terry rested by Chelsea, Craig Bellamy out for City Aston Villa Aston Villa skipper Stiliyan Petrov and 12-goal leading scorer Gabriel Agbonlahor are major fitness worries ahead of Sunday’s match at Crystal Palace. Petrov and Agbonlahor suffered ankle and leg injuries respectively during the midweek Premier League draw with Manchester United and are regarded as “doubtful” by Villa boss Martin O’Neill. Striker Emile Heskey (groin) and left-back Stephen Warnock (shin) have been able to resume running with no ill-effects but O’Neill will make a late check on whether they can feature against Neil Warnock’s side. O’Neill has indicated he will again make changes for the competition and the likes of Brad Guzan, Nathan Delfouneso, Steve Sidwell, Curtis Davies and Habib Beye could come into the equation to start. Provisional squad Friedel, Guzan, Cuellar, Beye, Collins, Dunne, Davies, Warnock, Luke Young, Ashley Young, Milner, Petrov, Downing, Delph, Sidwell, Salifou, Carew, Heskey, Agbonlahor, Delfouneso. Bolton Wanderers Loan signings Vladimir Weiss and Jack Wilshere are Cup-tied for Bolton’s FA Cup fifth-round tie against Tottenham on Sunday, having played in the competition for their respective parent clubs, Manchester City and Arsenal. Owen Coyle claims his squad also have a “few bumps and bruises” ahead of the game but hopes to have the majority of players from the midweek trip to Manchester City available. Bolton are still coming to terms with the loss earlier this week of the central defender Gary Cahill, who is out indefinitely after a blood clot was discovered in his arm. Ivan Klasnic, Sean Davis and Gavin McCann are still missing. Provisional squad Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, Knight, Robinson, Gardner, Cohen, Taylor, M Davies, Muamba, Lee, K Davies, A O’Brien, Al Habsi, Samuel, Basham, Elmander, Ricketts, Holden. Birmingham City Christian Benítez is available for the match with Derby at Pride Park tomorrow. The Ecuador international has recovered from the ankle injury suffered against Wolves which kept him out of the midweek defeat at West Ham. Blues manager Alex McLeish has to decide whether to recall wide players James McFadden and Sebastian Larsson or persevere with Craig Gardner and Keith Fahey, who replaced them at Upton Park. Left-back David Murphy and midfielder Teemu Tainio have resumed training after knee problems but will not be considered for the clash with Nigel Clough’s side. Provisional squad Hart, Carr, Johnson, Dann, Ridgewell, Gardner, Bowyer, Ferguson, Fahey, Phillips, Jerome, Benítez, Michel, McFadden, Larsson, Taylor, Parnaby, Vignal, Jervis. Cardiff City Cardiff boss Dave Jones has major selection problems, with Jay Bothroyd (ankle) a major doubt. Stephen McPhail (pancreas) joins Mark Hudson (ankle), Miguel Comminges (thigh), Gavin Rae (hamstring), Joe Ledley (hips), Josh Magennis (broken fibula) and Kelvin Etuhu (ankle) on the sidelines, while Tony Capaldi is cup-tied. Michael Chopra and Gabor Gyepes will be asked to battle through illness. Chelsea Chelsea’s captain, John Terry, misses their match against Cardiff at Stamford Bridge after being allowed to take leave by manager Carlo Ancelotti, who made the unusual step of naming his starting line-up on Friday. The team, as revealed by Ancelotti, is: Hilario; Ferreira, Alex, Carvalho, Zhirkov; Lampard, Mikel, Ballack; Sturridge, Drogba, J Cole. Subs: Turnbull, Bruma, Ivanovic, Malouda, Matic, Borini, Kalou. Ashley Cole is sidelined with a broken ankle, while midfielder Deco and right-back Juliano Belletti are out with knee injuries. Other senior players have been rested by Ancelotti, including striker Nicolas Anelka and goalkeeper Petr Cech. Provisional squad Hilario, Ferreira, Alex, Carvalho, Zhirkov, Lampard, Mikel, Ballack, Sturridge, J Cole, Drogba, Turnbull, Bruma, Ivanovic, Malouda, Matic, Borini, Kalou. Crystal Palace Neil Warnock will wait on fitness tests on Claude Davis (groin) and Matt Lawrence (hamstring) ahead of Sunday’s match against Aston Villa. Stern John is Cup-tied and Danny Butterfield, normally a full-back, is set to fill in again as a striker after scoring a hat-trick against Wolves in the fourth round. Provisional squad Speroni, Clyne, Hill, Derry, Ambrose, Danns, Carle, Scannell, Hills, Lee, Andrew, Butterfield, Djilali, Ertl, Cormley, Wynter, Davis, Lawrence. Derby County Rams boss Nigel Clough could name an unchanged starting line-up against Birmingham – but there will be a change to the squad as new signing David Martin is ineligible having played against Derby for Millwall in the third round of the competition. Lee Croft could replace Martin on the bench after recovering from a hamstring injury. Fulham Roy Hodgson is set to name an unchanged side for Sunday’s tie against Notts County at Craven Cottage. Midfielder Zoltan Gera (knee) and left-back Paul Konchesky (foot) are both back in light training after recent injuries but are not in contention for this weekend, while in-form striker David Elm should continue up front alongside Bobby Zamora. Kagisho Dikgacoi (ankle), Andrew Johnson, Clint Dempsey and John Pantsil (all knee) are all long-term absentees. Provisional squad Schwarzer, Zuberbühler, Baird, Kelly, Stoor, Hangeland, Hughes, Smalling, Shorey, Duff, Murphy, Greening, Davies, Etuhu, Riise, Nevland, Okaka, Elm, Zamora. Manchester City Craig Bellamy will not be considered for the tie against Stoke City, or the Premier League encounter against the same opposition on Tuesday. However, Roberto Mancini expects the Welshman to have shrugged off a knee complaint in time to face his former club Liverpool at Eastlands next Sunday, in a match that could prove crucial in the race for fourth place. “Craig will train on Monday and I hope he will be ready for Liverpool,” said Mancini. Adam Johnson is Cup-tied having played in the tournament for Middlesbrough before moving to Manchester on transfer deadline day. Vincent Kompany is also set to miss the FA Cup tie with a groin injury, but Kolo Touré should be available despite limping out of the win over Bolton on Tuesday with a knee problem. Kolo Touré, however, is expected to play, despite limping out of Tuesday’s win over Bolton with a knee injury. Provisional squad Given, Taylor, Richards, Zabaleta, Onuoha, Touré, Lescott, Boyata, Garrido, Sylvinho, Bridge, Wright-Phillips, Ireland, Vieira, Barry, De Jong, Petrov, Ibrahim, Tevez, Adebayor. Portsmouth Portsmouth will be without the suspended Ricardo Rocha for their trip to Southampton on Saturday. The Portuguese defender was sent off in the midweek 1-1 draw with Sunderland. Avram Grant may also be unable to call upon the Serbian defender Dusko Tosic, who is set to sign for the club but is yet to receive international clearance. Michael Brown (back), Kevin-Prince Boateng (ankle), Anthony Vanden Borre (leg), Hermann Hreidarsson (Achilles) and John Utaka (hamstring) are also doubts. Provisional squad James, Mokoena, Mullins, Vanden Borre, Piquionne, Ben Haim, Wilson, Finnan, Utaka, Webber, Hughes, Ashdown, Belhadj, Yebda, Dindane, Owusu-Abeyie, O’Hara. Reading Reading are without defender Zurab Khizanishvili, who is cup-tied having played in the third round for parent club Blackburn. Matt Mills is available after a ban and he should take Khizanishvili’s place in the centre of defence. Midfielders Gylfi Sigurdsson and Marek Matejovsky are close to returns from a foot and abdominal injury respectively. Stoke City Tony Pulis has a few late decisions to make regarding the fitness of a number of players ahead of the tie at Manchester City. Captain Abdoulaye Faye has missed the last two matches with a back problem but may be ready to return. Pulis said one or two other unnamed players had minor knocks which would all need to be assessed prior to the evening kick-off at Eastlands. Ricardo Fuller, a second-half substitute in the 1-1 midweek Premier League draw at Wigan after being arrested over allegations of a nightclub assault, could return to the starting line-up at the expense of Tuncay Sanli. Provisional squad Sorensen, Huth, Abdoulaye Faye, Wilkinson, Amdy Faye, Higginbotham, Collins, Lawrence, Sidibe, Whitehead, Delap, Diao, Kitson, Beattie, Etherington, Fuller, Tuncay, Pugh, Whelan, Simonsen, Begovic. Southampton Saints are without January signings Jose Fonte, Dan Seaborne, Jon Otsemobor and Jason Puncheon, who are all cup-tied. Wayne Thomas, Chris Perry and Radhi Jaidi come in at the back and Michail Antonio should start on the flank. Lee Barnard is available and boss Alan Pardew checks on fellow forward David Connolly (groin). Full-back Graeme Murty (ankle) is sidelined. Tottenham Hostpur Michael Dawson has an ankle complaint and faces a fitness test ahead of the game against Bolton at the Reebok Stadium. Roman Pavlyuchenko could return after a groin injury and Harry Redknapp will wait before deciding on the availability of Ledley King (knee) and Luka Modric (illness). Aaron Lennon (groin), Benoît Assou-Ekotto (groin), Jonathan Woodgate (groin) and Carlo Cudicini (wrist, pelvis) are more long-term absentees, while Younes Kaboul and Kyle Walker are Cup-tied. Provisional squad Gomes, Alnwick, Corluka, Bale, Dawson, Bassong, King, Dervite, Bentley, Kranjcar, Modric, Rose, Palacios, Jenas, Huddlestone, Pavlyuchenko, Defoe, Crouch, Gudjohnsen. West Bromwich Albion On-loan forward Frank Nouble is ineligible for West Brom, having played earlier in the competition for West Ham. Striker Ishmael Miller (ankle), defender Marek Cech (hamstring), winger Jerome Thomas (suspended) and midfielders James Morrison (heel) and Giles Barnes (Achilles) all remain unavailable. FA Cup Bolton Wanderers Tottenham Hotspur Crystal Palace Aston Villa Fulham Notts County Chelsea Cardiff City Derby County Birmingham City Manchester City Stoke City Reading West Brom Southampton Portsmouth guardian.co.uk

Calvin Andrew, the Crystal Palace substitute, heaped more misery on managerless Championship rivals Sheffield Wednesday by firing a second-half winner to send the Owls tumbling out of the FA Cup at the first hurdle. Andrew cashed in on some poor defending to finish clinically from the edge of the penalty area soon after replacing the injured Sean Scannell in front of a paltry Hillsborough crowd of 8,690. Palace, whose players have not yet been paid their December wages, put their off-field troubles behind them to take a 19th-minute lead through Neil Danns. Although the Owls drew level thanks to Palace defender Clint Hill’s own goal just before half-time, Andrew booked the Londoners a place in the fourth round with a well-taken 68th-minute winner. Wednesday chairman Lee Strafford, who sacked manager Brian Laws in early December, had urged fans to get behind their side in the build-up to the third-round tie, but there was little response from the blue-and-white half of the city after a run of 11 matches without a win before kick-off. That has now been stretched to 12 in all competitions, with the Owls without a victory since a 2-0 success against Coventry on 17 October. Palace dominated the first half-hour after taking the lead through Danns’s opportunist strike. The former Birmingham midfielder pounced on a defensive lapse on the edge of the six-yard box and swept the ball home, right-footed, into the bottom corner in the 19th minute. Danns volleyed wide from 20 yards soon after grabbing his fourth goal of the season, while midfield team-mate Darren Ambrose had gone close when trying his luck from long range in the fifth minute. Wednesday had mustered just one chance on goal until Palace’s breakthrough, with striker Francis Jeffers, back in the starting line-up for the first time since being sent off in a Carling Cup defeat at Port Vale at the end of August, seeing his angled drive blocked by Palace defender Jose Fonte. But the Owls were back on level terms a minute before the interval. Jeffers and Leon Clarke had successive shots blocked and following the latter, Palace defender Hill inadvertently turned the ball beyond his own goalkeeper, Julian Speroni, from six yards. Wednesday wrestled back an equal share of possession after the break, but still found chances hard to come by, while Palace were dealt a blow when Scannell was forced out of the action through injury and replaced by Andrew in the 58th minute. But Palace were untroubled by Scannell’s loss and it was Andrew who regained his side the lead after more hesitancy at the back from Wednesday. Owls defender Frank Simek failed to clear a long ball forward on the edge of his penalty area and Andrew nipped in to steal the ball and fire a low, left-foot shot into the bottom corner. Jeffers, Marcus Tudgay, Jermaine Johnson and substitute Etienne Esajas all had shots blocked or saved in the closing stages, but the Wednesday caretaker manager Sean McAuley was left chasing his first win after three matches in charge. FA Cup Sheffield Wednesday Crystal Palace guardian.co.uk

The Republic of Ireland U19 squad maintained a good record of consistency in the qualifying stages of the UEFA Championship by advancing once again to the second, elite stage, of the 2010 Championship. Ireland opened their programme for 2009 at this level by competing at the same stage of the UEFA Championship of 2009 in Belgium. They were drawn against Belgium, favourites Switzerland and Sweden and the four teams competed in a round robin tournament with the winners, only, going forward to the finals. Ireland’s U19s, under manager Sean McCaffrey, took part in a three-day training camp in Dublin in preparation for the tournament. They travelled to Belgium in June with hopes high but the schedule was not favourable to them. Ireland had to face the hosts, Belgium, in their opening match and despite a spirited performance, they were beaten 1-0. The only goal came after 37 minutes and Belgium withstood Ireland’s best efforts at securing an equaliser. Ireland now faced a difficult task and it was rendered impossible when they were heavily defeated by Switzerland 6-1 next time out. Their 2-1 win over Sweden in their third match was of little consolation to a disappointed group as Switzerland advanced to the final tournament. Ireland were left to prepare for the preliminary qualifying competition of the UEFA Championship of 2010. Manager McCaffrey went through the process of offering all of Ireland’s eligible players an opportunity of making the championship squad at a warm-up tournament in Dublin in September. This tournament followed the pattern of the qualifying tournaments with Netherlands, Turkey and Portugal joining Ireland in a round-robin competition. And Ireland excelled against high-quality opposition. Ireland drew the opening match 1-1 with Netherlands, beat Turkey 2-0 and played some splendid football as they went under 0-1 to Portugal in their final contest. The work that was down in the course of the tournament paid rich dividends when the preliminary qualifying tournament of the Championship was played in San Marino in November of 2009. Ireland were drawn with San Marino, Albania and favourites Italy. Ireland and Italy had identical 5-0 wins in their opening matches with Ireland overcoming the hosts, San Marino. And Ireland made sure of advancing to the second elite phase by beating Albania 2-0. Italy also won their second match and with a superior goals record to Ireland they needed a draw in the final series to finish as winners of the group. They defeated Ireland 2-0 while Albania defeated San Marino to finish third. Ireland’s defeat would have serious consequences when the draw for the second elite qualifying phase was made in Nyon, Switzerland. Ireland were presented with a huge task as they were drawn with Ukraine, England and Bosnia & Herzegovina. The tournament will be played in the Ukraine from May 26 to the 31st, 2010, with the winners, only, advancing to the final of the Championship in France next Summer. Ireland find themselves in the most difficult group for Ukraine won the Championship of 2009 when the final tournament was played in Ukraine. And they beat England in the final in Donetsk on August 2, 2009 before 25,000 spectators. This was the 25th celebration of the tournament and the first that was won by the host nation of the finals tournament. So Ireland will go there in May to take on the reigning champions and the runners-up before fans who will offer huge support to the home team. It will obviously be a challenging task but Ireland will draw encouragement from their consistently good performances in 2009 and will look back for inspiration to 1998 when Ireland won the Championship for the only time in their history. The Republic of Ireland U19 results in 2009 – UEFA U19 Championship 2009 – 2010 – Elite Qualifying Phase 05/06/’09: Belgium 1 – 0 Republic of Ireland U19                 Eden Hazard 37 07/06/’09: Republic of Ireland 1 – 6 Switzerland               Sean Scannell             Unal, Koch, Lang, Pache (2), Mustafi 10/06/’09: Republic of Ireland U19 2 – 1 Sweden, in Belgium                Aaron Doran 29                      Jesper Floren 65                James Collins 73 UEFA U19 Championship 2009 – 2010 Clarion Hotel, Four Nations Tournament in Dublin 05/09/’09: Republic of Ireland 1 – 1 Netherlands, Carlisle Grounds                 Callum O’Connor 26         Ebicilio 87 06/09/’09: Republic of Ireland 2 – 0 Turkey, Richmond Park                 Conor Clifford 27, 78 08/09/’09: Republic of Ireland 0 – 1 Portugal, Tallaght UEFA U19 Championship, 2009 – 2010 First Phase Qualifying tournament in San Marino 13/11/’09: Republic of Ireland 5-0 San Marino                 Conor Henderson 17                 Joe Mason 43, 58                 Jamil Adam 74                 James Keohane 85 15/11/’09: Republic of Ireland 2-0 Albania                Aaron Doran (pen) 56               Conor Henderson 84 18/11/’09: Republic of Ireland 0-2 Italy                                                    Mattia Destro 62, 64 UEFA U19 Championship, 2009 – 2010 Draw for second phase qualifying tournament to be played in Ukraine To be played in Ukraine from May 26 – 31, 2010. Group 3 Ukraine, England, Republic of Ireland, Bosnia & Herzegovina

Link:
2009 Review – Republic of Ireland U19

The search is on for the new Robbie Keane ! And if and when he is discovered nobody will extend a warmer welcome to him than Don Givens, manager of Ireland’s squad of U21 international players. Givens will look back on twelve months of regular action and regret that a player with the goal-scoring instincts of Ireland’s senior team captain has not yet been identified. That serves to emphasise how special are the particular qualities that elevate a player with goal-scoring potential above his contemporaries, how rare those qualities are. Keane has demonstrated at every level of the game a unique ability to capitalise upon a healthy quota of the goal-scoring opportunities that came his way. He confirmed this special gift when he graduated to senior international football from the day he made his debut in a friendly against the Czech Republic in Olomouc in March, 1998. A total of 41 goals from 95 matches for Ireland represents a marvellous return and points to a very special player. How Don Givens would like to groom his successor ! He said: “If we had a player with Robbie’s ability to take a good proportion of his scoring chances then I can assure you our U21 team would be very competitive in the current UEFA Championship.” Ireland have played six out of ten matches in Group two of the UEFA U21 Championship and are currently bottom of the table behind Switzerland, Turkey, Estonia, Georgia and Armenia with four draws and two defeats. The scoreline in the four drawn matches was 1-1 and therein lies a tale. A youngster with Robbie Keane’s eye for goal might well have led to Ireland winning all four of those matches. Said Givens: “I can honestly say that this squad of players have created more scoring chances in all of their matches than any other group I have managed. But we cannot find someone to put the ball in the back of the net. “The performances generally have been very good. The only one of the six matches where the performance was poor was in our last match where we lost 1-4 to Armenia.” There were extenuating circumstances. That match was played in Yerevan on November 17, four days after Ireland had drawn with Georgia in Tbilisi. Givens was drawing up his squad of players for those two matches when he had to find replacements for the injured James McCarthy, Alan Judge, Brendan Moloney and Ian Bermingham, all regulars in his squad. Then the match in Tbilisi took a heavy toll on his squad for three more players picked up injuries – Seamus Coleman, Sean Scannell and Owen Garvan. The team that faced Armenia was seriously weakened. Givens would, of course, like to see Ireland earn better results, would rejoice if they were to qualify for the finals of the UEFA Championship. However, the main purpose of developing a squad of U21 players has to be the production of players ready to take a place in Ireland’s senior squad. Givens addresses this challenge in his own way. “I do not put pressure on the players for results” he said, “of course we go out to win our matches, but I put pressure on the players for performance. “Generally if the performance is right then the results will follow. Now I have already said that our performances were good in all our games except for the match against Armenia. What has compromised our position has been the inability of our players to put the ball in the net … in a 1-1 draw with Estonia we had 24 scoring opportunities to their one.” Givens has sought to facilitate the advancement of his players and the production of good quality football and performances by imposing an adventurous playing system. “We have played 4-3-3 in all our games” he said, “with two wingers instructed to play wide at all times, principally because we have good wingers. That is why we have had so many scoring chances.” A big drain on the manager’s resources has been, inevitably, the calls of the senior management team. Ireland’s U21 team has lost the services of a large number of players in recent seasons to the senior team while they were still eligible for U21 football. That list includes Eddie Nolan, Paul McShane, Shane Long, Darren O’Dea, Darron Gibson, Aiden McGeady, Anthony Stokes, Andy Keogh among them. It remains to be seen how many of the current U21 squad will go on to play senior football for Ireland. The events of this season in England suggest that Seamus Coleman, the former Sligo Rovers player now with Everton, might well be next in line. “Seamus is a terrific young player with a great attitude” said Givens, “he was unlucky when he first went to Everton because he picked up a foot infection that kept him out for a long time and now he is quickly making up for lost time. “Seamus has always been a very good defender with the kind of enthusiasm and drive you want in your side. But he was, perhaps, a little bit limited when he came over the half-way line. “Then when I saw him recently against ‘Spurs it seemed to me that he has made great strides in this regard. Training and playing regularly with better players is bringing out his attacking skill and he is just one of the players I think could move on to the senior squad soon. “This is an occupational hazard to somebody in my job … just when the team is settling down the probability is one of your best players is plucked from your ranks and promoted to the seniors. Eddie Nolan was the last one and he is a defender too. “But, you know, that is what the job is all about; I mean, you have to accept that Giovanni Trapattoni is not going to be calling to take the players off my bench ! He’s looking for the best.” Results 2009 for Ireland’s U21 squad: 10/02/’09: Friendly – Ireland 1 – 1 Germany, Turner’s Cross. 27/03/’09: Friendly – Ireland 2 – 1 Spain, RSC Waterford 31/03/’09: *ECQ – Ireland 0 – 3 Turkey, Turner’s Cross 09/09/’09: ECQ – Estonia 1 – 1 Ireland, Rakvere 09/10/’09: ECQ – Ireland 1 – 1 Georgia, Tallaght Stadium 13/10/’09: ECQ – Ireland 1 – 1 Switzerland, RSC Waterford 14/11/’09: ECQ – Georgia 1 – 1 Ireland, Tbilisi 17/11/’09: ECQ – Armenia 4 – 1 Ireland, Yerevan. *European Championship Qualifying match

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Ireland’s U21s look for the new Robbie Keane

Crystal Palace midfielder Sean Scannell will miss this weekend’s clash with Coventry after pulling his hamstring on international duty.

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