Steven Davis pulls out of Belgrade match

Influential Rangers midfielder Steven Davis has withdrawn from the squad with a hamstring strain. Davis was injured on Sunday after scoring the opening goal in Rangers' 2-1 victory over Celtic in the Co-operative Insurance Cup final at Hampden Park.

Cole called up as Stark loses four

BILLY Stark's Scotland Under-21 side travel to Belgium for a friendly on Thursday ahead of the qualifying campaign for the 2013 European Championship.

But his squad has been weakened by the withdrawals of Steven Saunders (ankle), Jamie Ness (groin), Nicholas Ross (virus) and Gregg Wylde (hamstring). Darren Cole of Rangers has been called in, although Stark is considering drafting in another player before heading out to Belgium.

Injured Holden to miss rest of season

Bolton midfielder Stuart Holden is set to be ruled out for six months with a knee injury.

Holden, 25, suffered the setback on Saturday when he was hurt in a challenge with Manchester United's Jonny Evans in the 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford, which saw the defender sent off. It means the Aberdeen-born United States international will take no further part in the season.

Gannon leaves Vale after just 15 games

Jim Gannon, the former Motherwell manager, has parted company with Port Vale after just three months and 15 games in charge at Vale Park.

Mark Grew has been appointed as caretaker, starting with the visit of Hereford tonight.

Vale slipped out of the npower League Two play-off places following Saturday's 3-0 defeat at Accrington. Gannon led the team to four wins, four draws and seven defeats.

Czechoslovakia captain of '62 dies

Ladislav Novak, who captained Czechoslovakia to the 1962 World Cup final, has died at the age of 79.

Novak led his team past Hungary and Yugoslavia in the knock-out rounds of the 1962 tournament, which was staged in Chile, before they were beaten 3-1 by Brazil in the final.

A left-back, Novak won 75 caps for his country and was captain in 71 of his appearances. He also played at the 1954 and 1958 World Cups.