Sport / Football

England according to the Capello Index - with Luke Varney up front!

www.dailymail.co.uk - Who is right: Fabio Capello or the Capello Index? The web ranking which bares his name if not his blessing features just six of his squad in its top 24 Englishmen. More... (Football)

West Ham's Kieron Dyer banned from driving for six months

www.dailymail.co.uk - West Ham midfielder Kieron Dyer has been banned from driving for six months after he was caught speeding. He was also handed a hefty fine. More... (Football)

Jose Mourinho admits he's REAL disappointed at missing out on Didier Drogba and Emmanuel Adebayor

www.dailymail.co.uk - Jose Mourinho has revealed his disappointment at failing to sign a new striker after weighing up bids for Didier Drogba and Emmanuel Adebayor. More... (Football)

Tottenham new boy Rafael van der Vaart insists he is no Real Madrid reject

www.dailymail.co.uk - Rafael van der Vaart maintains he was no failure at Real Madrid - but will not take a place in the Tottenham team for granted because of the 'sensational players' at White Hart Lane. More... (Football)

Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz suspended for six months after disrupting anti-doping test

www.dailymail.co.uk - Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz has been suspended for six months after the country's Sports Institute ruled that he disrupted an anti-doping test ahead of the World Cup. More... (Football)

Steven Gerrard calls on England to show fans how much it means after World Cup flop

www.dailymail.co.uk - England captain Steven Gerrard has called on England to make a statement of intent in their opening Euro 2012 qualifier against Bulgaria at Wembley on Friday night. More... (Football)

Wolves winger Stephen aiming for October debut

www.dailymail.co.uk - Wolves winger Stephen Hunt has returned to light training after a foot injury and is hoping to be fit to make his debut for the club next month. He joined in the summer. More... (Football)

FIFA farce as World Cup flop Wayne Rooney is described as 'outstanding'

www.dailymail.co.uk - Wayne Rooney may have been viewed as one of the biggest disappointments of the World Cup but FIFA's technical experts have praised him. More... (Football)

Barcelona's Javier Mascherano wants trophies after barren four years with Liverpool

www.dailymail.co.uk - Javier Mascherano has left Liverpool with a parting shot by insisting he can’t wait to win things at the ‘best club in the world’ following an austere four years in England. More... (Football)

West Bromwich's Joe Mattock walks free from court after pleading guilty to affray

www.dailymail.co.uk - West Bromwich player Joe Mattock was given a suspended sentence for punching two men and two women in a nightclub in Leicester. He can now resume his career. More... (Football)

Jose Mourinho insists his Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo is an honest player

www.dailymail.co.uk - Jose Mourinho seems to have backtracked two years after calling Cristiano Ronaldo a diver. He now says the Real superstar is too honest for his own good. More... (Football)

Bebe blunder! Manchester United could have had £7.4m signing for £125k

www.dailymail.co.uk - Manchester United could have signed Portuguese striker Bebe for as little as £125,000 last January. The striker recently signed for United for £7.4m. More... (Football)

Tottenham told need to make a 'better offer' for South African defender Bongani Khumalo

www.dailymail.co.uk - Tottenham have been told to make a 'better offer' for SuperSport United defender Bongani Khumalo. The South Africa caught the attention at the World Cup. More... (Football)

The Firing Line: Alex McLeish's final straw

www.dailymail.co.uk - Each week we bring you our latest chart of the bosses under pressure, and those on Easy Street. Here's Sportsmail's sack-race rankings - otherwise known as the Firing Line... More... (Football)

Blackburn striker Benjani slams Manchester City and claims players are only motivated by money

www.dailymail.co.uk - Blackburn striker Benjani claims there is 'no trust' at his old club Manchester City and that some of their players at the mega-rich club are motivated primarily by money. More... (Football)

Michael Kightly ruled out out of Wolves' 25-man squad

www.dailymail.co.uk - Michael Kightly has been left out of Wolves' 25-man squad for the first half of the season after suffering a setback in his recovery from knee problems. More... (Football)

David Weir and Kenny Miller to start for Scotland in Lithuania

www.dailymail.co.uk - Kenny Miller and Davie Weir are certain starters for Scotland in their opening Euro 2012 qualifier in Lithuania, although manager Craig Levein is yet to name his team. More... (Football)

Blackpool hoping Ghana World Cup goalkeeper Richard Kingson will provide safe hands for Seasiders

www.dailymail.co.uk - Blackpool have signed Ghana World Cup goalkeeper Richard Kingson on a free transfer and named him in their 24-man squad for the 2010/11 season. More... (Football)

Alan Curbishley enters Aston Villa race

www.dailymail.co.uk - Alan Curbishley has emerged as one of the candidates to succeed Martin O'Neill as Aston Villa manager. The former West Ham boss was interviewed by Villa on Wednesday. More... (Football)

Wigan newboy Franco Di Santo insists he had no choice but to leave Chelsea

www.dailymail.co.uk - Wigan's new striker Franco Di Santo claims Chelsea forced him to leave the club in the search for regular football. The 21-year-old has signed a three-year deal with the Latics. More... (Football)

Newcastle defender Sol Campbell insists he still wants to play for England again

www.dailymail.co.uk - Sol Campbell has not given up hope of playing for England again. The 35-year-old made his first appearance for the Magpies in the reserves' 3-1 win over Sunderland. More... (Football)

Scott Carson released from England squad following family bereavement - Scott Loach called up

www.dailymail.co.uk - Goalkeeper Scott Carson has been released from the England squad to play against Bulgaria. Watford's Scott Loach has been called up from the Under 21s as his replacement. More... (Football)

Meireles is the man! Portugal boss Carlos Queiroz tips new signing Raul to reign at Anfield

www.dailymail.co.uk - Carlos Queiroz is tipping Raul Meireles to help bring the glory days back to Liverpool. The ex-Manchester United assistant believes he has what it takes to succeed. More... (Football)

Stoke City's Eidur Gudjohnsen wants football not the high life

www.dailymail.co.uk - Eidur Gujohnsen has revealed it was an easy decision to swap the cosmopolitan lifestyle in Monaco for a return the Premier League with Stoke City. More... (Football)

Lazio to make new bid for Manchester City's Roque Santa Cruz

www.dailymail.co.uk - Lazio are considering making another attempt to sign Manchester City's Roque Santa Cruz in January after a move for the Paraguay striker broke down on deadline day. More... (Football)

Tottenham striker Robbie Keane turns down £8m Besiktas move

www.dailymail.co.uk - Robbie Keane rejected the chance to join Turkish side Besiktas in an £8million deal. The Turkish transfer window did not close until 5pm on Wednesday night. More... (Football)

Alex McLeish furious following rift with Birmingham board on £1m deal

www.dailymail.co.uk - Alex McLeish has fallen out with his Birmingham board after being accused of greed over contract talks. McLeish is furious about a jibe by vice-chairman Peter Pannu. More... (Football)

Ricardo Rocha turns down offers from Germany and Portugal to rejoin Portsmouth

www.dailymail.co.uk - Portsmouth manager Steve Cotterill has persuaded Ricardo Rocha to rejoin the club. The 31-year-old defender had offers from Portugal and Germany. More... (Football)

Mikel Arteta will never be called up by England

www.dailymail.co.uk - Mikel Arteta will never play for England. Fabio Capello had spoken to Everton’s Spanish midfielder about the prospect of representing the national team. More... (Football)

Tottenham new boy Rafael van der Vaart hails his 'beautiful' move after sealing switch from Real Madrid

www.dailymail.co.uk - Rafael van der Vaart completed his after-hours transfer to Tottenham and then spoke of a ‘beautiful’ future together. Spurs will pay Real Madrid £8.7million for the Holland playmaker. More... (Football)

Revealed: The incredible rise of a lost street kid who is now... Manchester United's new Bebe

www.dailymail.co.uk - Manchester United’s new £7.5m forward flew from England to Lisbon with his Old Trafford team-mate Nani on Sunday morning, following his first call-up to the Portugal U21 squad. More... (Football)

Blackburn and Leeds lead race for former Stoke midfielder Amdy Faye

www.dailymail.co.uk - Blackburn and Leeds are showing interest in former Stoke midfielder Amdy Faye who is a free agent after being released in the summer. More... (Football)

England v Bulgaria: Sportsmail takes a look at the story so far

www.dailymail.co.uk - England fans can expect better weather on Friday than in November 1979, when more than 83,000 turned up at Wembley, only for the game to be put back 24 hours because of fog. More... (Football)

Southampton linked with Paul Hart and Phil Brown

www.dailymail.co.uk - Paul Hart and Phil Brown are early contenders for the vacant manager's job at Southampton. Chairman Nicola Cortese is ready to risk the wrath of supporters. More... (Football)

Coventry to complete signing of Marlon King after impressive trial

www.dailymail.co.uk - Coventry City are to complete the controversial signing of Marlon King after he impressed on trial at the club. Sportsmail first revealed Coventry's interest in July. More... (Football)

Manchester City defender Micah Richards pulls out of England U21 squad for crucial Euro qualifiers

www.dailymail.co.uk - Micah Richards is the latest key player to pull out of the England Under-21 squad for their crucial final two European Championship qualifiers. More... (Football)

Welsh FA considering John Toshack's plea to move England game away from Millennium Stadium

www.dailymail.co.uk - John Toshack is heading for a confrontation with his bosses at the Welsh Football Association after asking for the Principality's clash against England to be moved. More... (Football)

Rio Ferdinand ready for Manchester United return after successful reserves run-out

www.dailymail.co.uk - Manchester United reserve team boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer declared Rio Ferdinand ready to make a first-team return after the defender came through the Oldham clash. More... (Football)

Scots warn Lithuania not to target David Weir

www.dailymail.co.uk - Scotland assistant Peter Houston has warned Lithuania they will be wasting their time targeting veteran David Weir’s lack of pace, because he tried it himself in his role as Dundee United manager - and failed. More... (Football)

Arsenal set to move for Japanese youngster Ryo Miyaichi

www.dailymail.co.uk - Arsenal are considering a deal for Japanese strike prodigy Ryo Miyaichi. The teenager impressed on trial last month after previously playing at the U17 World Cup in Nigeria last year. More... (Football)

Peter Crouch pulls out of England squad for Bulgaria and Switzerland Euro 2012 qualifiers with back injury

www.dailymail.co.uk - Tottenham striker Peter Crouch has left the England squad for the Euro 2012 qualifiers against Bulgaria and Switzerland due to a back injury, the Football Association have confirmed. More... (Football)

We're right behind you, Fabio! England midfielder Gareth Barry backs underfire Capello

www.dailymail.co.uk - Gareth Barry insists the England dressing room is fully behind Fabio Capello. The Three Lions go into are facing their first competitive game since the woeful World Cup showing. More... (Football)

Blackburn insist they pulled the plug on Ivelin Popov deal

www.dailymail.co.uk - Blackburn denied they had failed to sign Bulgaria striker Ivelin Popov because the player was refused a work permit. Rovers turned down the Litex Lovech forward. More... (Football)

Everton striker Louis Saha turns to leech treatment in bid to get fit for France

www.dailymail.co.uk - Louis Saha has endured an injury-plagued career, but it seems he has had enough. The France international has resorted to using blood-sucking leeches on his knee injury. More... (Football)

Chelsea enforcer Michael Essien eyeing more glory...so boss Carlo Ancelotti can keep singing the Blues

www.dailymail.co.uk - Michael Essien is desperate to help Chelsea land the elusive Champions League title this season - if only so he can experience Carlo Ancelotti’s singing again. More... (Football)

Lionel Messi hails the arrival of Argentina pal Javier Mascherano to Barcelona

www.dailymail.co.uk - Lionel Messi described Javier Mascherano's arrival to Barcelona as a 'joy' following his Argentina team-mate £22m move from Liverpool. More... (Football)

Jose Mourinho hits back at disappointed Real Madrid fans: I'm not Harry Potter

www.dailymail.co.uk - Jose Mourinho has warned Real Madrid fans not to expect miracles from him and told them: 'I'm not Harry Potter.' His side managed just a goalless draw on opening weekend. More... (Football)

Crocked Rio Ferdinand set for Manchester United return...but Bebe still out in the cold

www.dailymail.co.uk - Rio Ferdinand will make his comeback for Manchester United in a reserve team game against Oldham. But there is still no place for £7.4million summer signing Bebe. More... (Football)

Premier League podcast: Tune in for the latest show on the weekend's action - September 1

www.dailymail.co.uk - And this week’s guest is journalist Guillem Balague who reports on how the Spanish club sides are shaping up at the start of a fascinating La Liga season. More... (Football)

Eidur Gudjohnsen makes permanent switch to Stoke City in £2m deal

www.dailymail.co.uk - Former Chelsea and Spurs striker Eidur Gudjohnsen has joined Stoke City on a permanent basis for around £2million from Monaco and not on loan as was first indicated. More... (Football)

Manchester United fail to hit season ticket target as vendetta against Glazers takes its toll

www.dailymail.co.uk - Manchester United failed to reach their target of season ticket sales this summer, the club's chief executive David Gill has confirmed. But Gill insisted the figure is still 'pretty good'. More... (Football)

England launch new kit

www.dailymail.co.uk - No team sponsor, low morale, half a team missing through injury and a manager fighting for his survival off the back of a shocking World Cup. Perfect timing to launch a new kit. More... (Football)

UEFA bans vuvuzelas at Champions League games and internationals

www.dailymail.co.uk - UEFA have banned vuvuzelas from European Championship and Champions League matches. They say the trumpets 'are not appropriate in Europe'. More... (Football)

Asamoah Gyan: Sunderland's 'incredible' fans inspire me

www.dailymail.co.uk - Asamoah Gyan revealed his delight at securing a move to the Premier League after Sunderland splashed out a club record £13million to land the striker on transfer deadline day. More... (Football)

Sandro makes Tottenham switch and eyes Champions League

www.dailymail.co.uk - Sandro has marked his long-awaited arrival at Tottenham by revealing his determination to emulate his Copa Libertadores success in the Champions League. More... (Football)

Fernando Torres: Liverpool need new owners, fast! Striker fears Reds can't compete without cash injection

www.dailymail.co.uk - Fernando Torres has revealed his desperation at Liverpool's lack of cash compared with Manchester United and Chelsea, and called on the Reds to find rich new owners that will give the club the financial firepower needed to achieve Premier League glory. More... (Football)