A round-up fo today's other stories in brief

Evra describes season as most difficult of career

Patrice Evra has described this season as the most difficult of his entire career and lifted the lid on the emotions he felt when Luis Suarez snubbed his pre-match handshake at Old Trafford. “The whole thing was so difficult,” he said.

“People thought my celebration at the end of the Liverpool game was because Suarez had abused me, but it was more than that.

“I wanted say thanks to my team-mates. I know everybody was playing to win for Manchester United, but it was also a little bit for me.

“That game was the most pressure I’ve ever felt in my life – and all to do with shaking his hand.

“It was very difficult to decide what to do before the game.

“Many people would never try to shake his hand. But I tried and he refused.”

It would be fair to stay that the period around those initial racism allegations was hugely traumatic for Evra. For only a week later came the news of the death of his 42-year-old brother.

King to give O'Kane debut

Republic of Ireland under-21 manager Noel King will hand Eunan O’Kane his debut against Denmark on May 28th after yesterday including the Derry-born attacker in his 20-man squad.

O’Kane was capped at underage by Northern Ireland but became the latest talent to switch allegiance last year, much to the annoyance of the IFA.

The 21-year-old, likely to join a Championship club should his Torquay United side lose tonight’s League Two play-off against Cheltenham, will use the friendly against Denmark at Tallaght Stadium to press his claims for inclusion in the side that faces Italy a week later at the Sligo Showgrounds in the vital Uefa Championship qualifier against leaders Italy.

Samir Carruthers (Aston Villa) and Seán Murray (Watford) will link up with the squad for the Italy qualifier once their duties for the under-19s are completed, with the final Uefa elite qualifier against Israel on May 31st.

Barton accepts one of two violent conduct charges

QPR captain Joey Barton has accepted a charge of violent conduct against Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero but denied the same charge for his confrontation with Vincent Kompany after getting the red card.

The 29-year-old’s future at QPR is in doubt after he elbowed Carlos Tevez, kicked Aguero and appeared to headbutt Kompany during Rangers’ 3-2 defeat at the Etihad Stadium last Sunday.

Barton was given extra time to respond to the charges levelled against him and the English FA revealed last night he has accepted only one of the violent conduct charges.

“Joey Barton has accepted an FA charge against him for violent conduct against Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero,” the FA statement read. “The player has requested a personal hearing, the date of which has yet to be set.

“Following the player’s dismissal in the 54th minute of the fixture, there followed two incidents involving Aguero and Kompany.”