A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Allardyce rules out West Brom
SAM ALLARDYCE will not apply for the head coach vacancy at West Brom.
Roberto Di Matteo was relieved of his duties as head coach at the Hawthorns on Sunday after a run of 13 defeats in 18 matches, with first-team coach Michael Appleton placed in charge on a temporary basis. Allardyce was one of several names linked with the post but a source close to the former Bolton, Newcastle and Blackburn boss has confirmed he will not apply to succeed Di Matteo as he is reported to be keen to try his luck overseas.
Allardyce has been out of work since he was sacked by Blackburn in December, despite Rovers sitting comfortably in 13th place in the Premier League and was linked with West Ham when speculation over Avram Grant's future surfaced last month. Roy Hodgson, Chris Hughton, former Albion skipper Derek McInnes and ex-West Brom player Martin Jol have already been linked with a move to the Hawthorns.
Henry hails Dalglish's impact
LIVERPOOL'S principal owner John Henry admits Kenny Dalglish's transformation of their on-field fortunes is exactly what he hoped for when he chose to appoint the Scot as manager.
Henry was happy the 59-year-old, winner of three titles in his previous spell as manager and the last Reds boss to bring the championship to Anfield, had introduced a more positive style in keeping with his - and the club's - ideals. The American admitted the tactics of previous manager Roy Hodgson, who was appointed by the previous regime three months before Fenway Sports Group completed their takeover, had not been the Liverpool way, and that was why they took the decision to dispense with his services.
"I know for a long time now he has wanted to be in this position so it is a great thing for the club, for Kenny and for us."
Fabregas out of Spain friendly
MIDFIELDER Cesc Fabregas is suffering from gastroenteritis and has pulled out of Spain's home friendly with Colombia tomorrow.
The Arsenal captain consulted club doctors about his illness and decided to remain in London, the Spanish soccer federation said yesterday.
Coach Vicente del Bosque does not plan to call up a replacement for the match at Real Madrid's Bernabeu stadium.
TONIGHT'S FIXTURES
(7.45 unless stated)
Nations Cup: Rep of Ireland v Wales.
Friendly Internationals: Cyprus v Sweden (6pm), Peru v Panama (8.45pm), Romania v Ukraine (6.30pm).
Under-21 Friendly internationals: Italy v England (at Carlo Castellani, 2pm).
League 1: Dag & Red v Peterborough (Postponed ), Leyton Orient v Swindon, Rochdale v Bristol Rovers.
League 2: Bury v Stevenage, Gillingham v Rotherham, Hereford v Macclesfield, Lincoln City v Shrewsbury, Morecambe v Aldershot.
Football League Trophy Northern Area Final: Second Leg - Huddersfield v Carlisle.
Scottish Cup: Fifth Round - St Johnstone v Partick
Blatter says World Cup is set for summer in 2022 .
FIFA president Sepp Blatter has given a strong hint that the World Cup in Qatar in 2022 will be held in the summer.
He said: "I think for the time being this matter is on ice. We have just signed the final documents and the delegation from Qatar was here in Fifa House, and everything is settled now, but it's settled for summer and all the 64 matches in the territory of Qatar."
Blatter also appeared to confirm, meanwhile, that there was some form of alliance between the World Cup bids from Spain/Portugal and Qatar ahead of December's vote in Zurich.
A Fifa investigation cleared the pair of any wrongdoing, but Blatter said: "I'll be honest, there was a bundle of votes between Spain and Qatar, but it was a nonsense.
"It was there but it didn't work, not for one side and not for the other side."
McClaren sacked by Wolfsburg
STEVE McCLAREN parted company with German side Wolfsburg following a string of poor results.
In 21 games at the helm, McClaren managed just five wins.
The former England manager leaves with the club, champions just two seasons ago, sitting 12th in the 18-team Bundesliga, just one point above the relegation zone.
Pierre Littbarski, McClaren's former assistant, has been named as his replacement.
Wolfsburg chief executive Dieter Hoeness said: "We were not convinced that we could have a stable collaboration with Steve McClaren until the end of the season. We tried it, but unfortunately we have now lost the belief."
Wilshere not to face FA action
Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere will not face any disciplinary action from the FA over his Twitter comments criticising referee Phil Dowd after Saturday's 4-4 draw at Newcastle.
Wilshere used his Twitter page to hit out at Dowd's handling of the Premier League clash, where Arsenal had raced into a 4-0 lead before having Abou Diaby sent off - which proved to be the catalyst for Newcastle's amazing comeback.
