Loan Ranger Rowan Vine admits he would rather stay at QPR than return to Birmingham and kick his heels on the sidelines.
The former Luton star has struggled for first-team football since joining Blues in the January transfer window and was shipped out to Loftus Road earlier in the month.
And Vine admits he would be tempted to extend his stay in west London if the possibility arises given the fact QPR are currently without a permanent manager.
"I can't see any reason why not, I just want to play football," said Vine.
"At the moment I'm just taking it as it comes. Premiership football is my ambition and however I get there I'll take it. But I wouldn't want to be sitting around at Birmingham if I don't see any chance of getting a game."
10 October 2007
Keith Gillespie has been named in Northern Ireland's squad for the team's Euro 2008 qualifier against Sweden on Wednesday.
Gillespie was fined after an altercation with George McCartney prior to the team's flight back from Iceland last month and is named in a 19-man party, despite missing Sheffield United's defeat to Bristol City at the weekend through injury.
Luton midfielder Stephen Robinson has also been included by Nigel Worthington – Robinson won the last of his six caps against Azerbaijan in 2005.
After disappointing back-to-back defeats in Latvia and Iceland last month, the Northern Irish lie third in Group F, three points behind leaders Sweden and Spain.
The full squad:
Maik Taylor (Birmingham), Alan Mannus (Linfield), Michael McGovern (Celtic); Stephen Craigan (Motherwell), Tony Capaldi (Cardiff), George McCartney (West Ham), Aaron Hughes (Fulham), Jonny Evans (Manchester United), Gareth McAuley (Leicester); Keith Gillespie (Sheffield United), Steven Davis (Fulham), Sammy Clingan (Nottingham Forest), Grant McCann (Barnsley), Chris Brunt (West Brom), Stephen Robinson (Luton Town), Steve Jones (Burnley); David Healy (Fulham), Kyle Lafferty (Burnley), Ivan Sproule (Bristol City)
05 October 2007
Charlton manager Alan Pardew will be forced to make at least one change to his starting line-up for the visit of Barnsley.
The Addicks' appeal against Lloyd Sam's sending-off during Tuesday's 2-1 win at Hull was turned down by the FA, so the young winger starts a three-match ban.
Pardew has named the same starting XI for the past four Championship games but must now find a replacement on the right flank.
Darren Ambrose would be an obvious candidate, but he pulled a hamstring during the recent Carling Cup clash at Luton and remains doubtful so Jerome Thomas, who has been out in the cold of late, could be recalled.
Elsewhere, Ben Thatcher (knee) is still struggling so Chris Powell will continue at left-back, while fit-again Yassin Moutaouakil (ankle) will once again challenge Danny Mills for the right-back berth.
Svetoslav Todorov is pushing for a start ahead of Luke Varney and Chris Iwelumo in attack.
Barnsley boss Simon Davey is expected to name an unchanged side as the Tykes look to extend their five-match unbeaten run.
Davey has no new injury or suspension problems to contend with and is unlikely to change a winning line-up following the comprehensive midweek victory over previously unbeaten Bristol City.
Hungarian striker Istvan Ferenczi remains sidelined due to the ankle injury he sustained in last Saturday's home draw with Cardiff, so Davey must choose between Peruvian Miguel Mostto or Dane Kim Christensen again to partner Kayode Odejayi.
Rob Kozluk will be hoping for a recall at full-back after recently losing his place to fit-again Dominik Werling and Martin Devaney could play a more prominent role after stepping off the bench to score a late goal on Tuesday.
04 October 2007
Stuart Pearce has named his England Under 21 squad for the Euro 2009 qualifiers against Montenegro and Republic of Ireland.
Manchester City's impressive Michael Johnson has been recalled, while Preston full-back Billy Jones has earned his first call-up.
Johnson missed the away victories over Montenegro and Bulgaria through injury, but after some excellent performances for his club he is likely to feature in the forthcoming fixtures.
An injury to Michael Mancienne has created an opening for Jones, while Birmingham City's Cameron Jerome has been included after impressing Pearce with his performance against Manchester United.
"Cameron has forced his way in at club level. I saw him play against Manchester United and thought he caused them problems and was a handful," Pearce said.
"Also Billy Jones has come in, to supplement what we've got, since losing Michael Mancienne to injury, so we just hope we don't lose any more."
After an excellent start to their qualifying campaign Pearce has emphasised the need to drive on and improve in their upcoming back-to-back fixtures.
"We need to capitalise on the two games coming up," he added.
"The two results out in Montenegro and Bulgaria were very good, we couldn't ask for any more from the players. We haven't conceded a goal in the two games, we've scored five, picked up maximum points, but we now need to capitalise on the two games coming up. But it just goes to show the mark of the group, we feel that we have picked up two very good results away from home, but we're not top of the group."
England Under 21 squad:
Goalkeepers: Ben Alnwick (on loan at Luton Town), Joe Hart (Manchester City), Joe Lewis (on loan at Morecambe)
Defenders: Martin Cranie (Portsmouth), Craig Gardner (Aston Villa), Billy Jones (Preston North End), Nedum Onuoha (Manchester City), Andrew Taylor (Middlesbrough), Steven Taylor (Newcastle United), David Wheater (Middlesbrough)
Midfielders: Tom Huddlestone (Tottenham Hotspur), Adam Johnson (on loan at Watford), Michael Johnson (Manchester City), Michael Kightly (Wolves), James Milner (Newcastle United), Fabrice Muamba (Birmingham City), Mark Noble (West Ham United), Andrew Surman (Southampton)
Forwards: Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa), Dexter Blackstock (QPR), Matt Derbyshire (Blackburn Rovers), Cameron Jerome (Birmingham City), Luke Moore (Aston Villa).
01 October 2007
Sheffield United defender Gary Naysmith and Nick Montgomery are both doubtful for the visit of Cardiff.
Summer signing Naysmith has strained a hamstring and midfielder Montgomery is struggling with a rib injury.
Manager Bryan Robson has no other new injury or suspension problems, but could be tempted to make changes following the defeat to Southampton.
Michael Tonge was dropped to the bench in place of Lee Hendrie, but could be recalled if Montgomery fails to make it, while strikers Billy Sharp and Luton Shelton are both pressing for starting places.
James Beattie started up front alongside Jon Stead against Southampton, but Robson could opt to rotate his forwards, with Danny Webber also hoping to feature after being left out of the squad altogether at the weekend.
01 October 2007
Sunderland striker Anthony Stokes has been restored to the Republic of Ireland under-21 squad for the European Championship qualifier against England at Turners Cross later this month.
Ireland will attempt to get their qualification campaign back on track against the English having gone down to a 2-0 defeat to Portugal in the opening game last month.
And Stokes returns to the squad having been frozen out following a row with boss Don Givens ahead of a friendly against Germany in August.
Darron Gibson, the Manchester United midfielder, is also included, dropping down from the senior squad despite making his debut against Slovakia three weeks ago.
Injured Wolves midfielder Stephen Gleeson and UCD striker Conor Sammon drop out of the squad.
Givens has also named a squad for a warm-up friendly against Sweden four days before the meeting with England, with 12 of the 18-man panel on duty for both games.
eircom League trio Shane McFaul, Darren Quigley and Conor Powell, as well as Huddersfield Town's Richard Keogh and Michael Collins and Adam Rooney of Chesterfield, have been excused for the friendly in Uppsala on Friday, October 12th.
In their stead comes four players who graduate from last season's under-19 side - midfielders Keith Keane and Alan Power, highly-rated Blackburn Rovers winger Keith Treacy and Norwich City's Michael Spillane.
Ipswich Town goalkeeper Shane Supple and Leicester City full back Alan Sheehan will also be on duty for the game in Sweden before dropping to a stand-by list for the qualifier against England four days later.
Republic of Ireland under-21 (v. England, 16/10/2007):
Goalkeepers: Darren Randolph (Charlton Athletic), Darren Quigley (UCD).
Defenders: Stephen O'Halloran (Aston Villa), Conor Powell (Bohemians), Darren Dennehy (Everton), Eddie Nolan (Blackburn Rovers), Richard Keogh (Huddersfield Town – on loan from Bristol City), Darren O'Dea (Celtic).
Midfielders: Darron Gibson (Manchester United), Stephen Quinn (Sheffield United), Owen Garvan (Ipswich Town), Shane McFaul (UCD), Michael Collins (Huddersfield Town), Patrick Cregg (Falkirk).
Forwards: Billy Clarke (Ipswich Town), Adam Rooney (Stoke City – on loan at Chesterfield), Anthony Stokes (Sunderland), Jim O'Brien (Celtic).
Republic of Ireland under-21 (friendly v. Sweden, 12/10/2007):
Goalkeepers: Darren Randolph (Charlton Athletic), Shane Supple (Ipswich Town).
Defenders: Stephen O'Halloran (Aston Villa), Darren Dennehy (Everton), Eddie Nolan (Blackburn Rovers), Darren O'Dea (Celtic), Alan Sheehan (Leicester City), Michael Spillane (Norwich City).
Midfielders: Darron Gibson (Manchester United), Stephen Quinn (Sheffield United), Owen Garvan (Ipswich Town), Alan Power (Nottingham Forest), Patrick Cregg (Falkirk), Keith Keane (Luton Town).
Forwards: Billy Clarke (Ipswich Town), Anthony Stokes (Sunderland), Jim O'Brien (Celtic), Keith Treacy (Blackburn Rovers).
