Football: Scotland to retain Brown

CRAIG BROWN, who has enjoyed considerable success as manager of the Scotland Under-21 side over several years, is likely to be appointed officially as Scotland manager on Wednesday evening, when Scotland travel to Malta for a World Cup tie.

The match will be Brown's second in charge of the national team following the resignation of Andy Roxburgh, and the Scottish Football Association are likely to make it his last as caretaker-manager.

Jack Charlton's selection problems are not diminishing as the Republic of Ireland prepare to meet Northern Ireland in the World Cup in Belfast on Wednesday. Terry Phelan, the Manchester City full- back - who is due in court six days after the match on charges of affray - has picked up a calf strain and will leave a fitness test until 24 hours before the game.

Better news for Charlton though is the arrival of John Aldridge, who proved his fitness in Tranmere Rovers' 4-1 First Division victory over Sunderland.

Terry Yorath, the Wales manager, has no injury problems but a headache over who to play in midfield instead of the suspended Mark Hughes for their decisive World Cup tie against Romania in Cardiff.

Gary Speed of Leeds United is favourite to take over from Hughes, but Jeremy Goss's impressive form for Norwich City lately could just persuade Yorath that he is the man of the moment.