Paul McGrath, Sheffield United's Republic of Ireland defender, expects to be back playing within another fortnight after undergoing a minor operation on his knees.

McGrath, around whom the club has built many of their promotion hopes, hasn't appeared in the team for the last five weeks, but is now back in light training at Bramall Lane.

Club officials have targeted the replay of their FA Cup, third round tie against Bury next Tuesday as a possible date for the Irishman's return to action, but the suspicion is that this timetable may prove optimistic.

It's the latest in a series of knee problems which have littered his career, but he rejects suggestions that it could presage the end of a career which has encompassed some marvellous moments at club and international level.

"People talk about my knee problems as if they happened every week of the season, but the truth is that I've missed very few games over the last 10 years," he said. "On the last occasion, I had my knees washed out, I was still with Manchester United. And the pressure for my recent operation came not from the club but from me.

"Hopefully, it's going to make it easier for me to get through games and keep my career going. At this point, I'm looking no further than the end of the season, but who knows how I will feel come the start of the 1998/99 season".

McGrath, the Republic of Ireland's most capped player with 83 appearances, insists that he has not retired from international football, but acknowledges that the chances of being recalled by Mick McCarthy are slim. In the meantime, he can console himself with the prospect of a big payday when his testimonial game takes place at Lansdowne Road on May 17th.

The news of another mature Ireland player, John Sheridan, is equally encouraging after a knee injury which has kept him out all season. Sheridan is now back in full training with Bolton and manager Colin Todd believes that his return to action may now be only a matter of weeks away.

FAI officials confirmed yesterday that the international friendly against the Czech Republic will go ahead in Prague on March 25th. The day before, the countries will meet at under-21 level, at a venue yet to be announced.

Although Switzerland made a late attempt to persuade the FAI to hold off filling the date for another week, yesterday's announcement was little more than a formality after negotiations with Prague had been re-activated at the weekend.

Brian Kerr, who had a busy post-Christmas schedule in his capacity as manager of Ireland's underage teams, has mapped out an ambitious programme to ensure that his under16 players are properly prepared for the finals of the European Championship in Scotland from April 24th to May 8th.

Ireland meet Scotland at Richmond Park on January 28th and will then take part in a mini-international tournament involving teams from Belgium and Northern Ireland next month.

His opening assignment of the year with the under-18 team will be a friendly game in France on March 4th, just three weeks before facing Greece in the away leg of their European championship tie.

Crystal Palace striker Paul Warhurst could be out for the next two months after breaking a leg for the third time in his career.

Bradford yesterday sacked manager Chris Kamara after winning only four of their last 21 League and Cup games.

Stevenage have been given the go-ahead to stage their fourth round FA Cup clash with Newcastle at their Broadhall Way ground.

Coventry City have opened contract talks with Dion Dublin in a bid to keep the striker at the club.