Denmark will use some tips from their stricken team-mate Christian Eriksen as they look to thwart Romelu Lukaku in Thursday s Euro 2020 Group B match against Belgium.

Kasper Hjulmand s side are back in action for the first time since the ordeal of witnessing Eriksen s sickening cardiac arrest on the turf at Parken Stadium just before half-time in last Saturday s 1-0 defeat to Finland.

The Inter playmaker thankfully pulled through and is feeling fine, under the circumstances as he continues to recuperate in hospital.

But Hjulmand told reporters that Eriksen s insight into his San Siro team-mate Lukaku could prove invaluable.

Lukaku scored twice in Belgium s 3-0 win over Russia, dedicating his opening goal to his close friend Eriksen.

That made him…

England manager Fabio Capello has warned Liverpool striker Andy Carroll to watch his drinking.

The Italian boss said he was wary of any potential mishaps Carroll, an England squad member, might have while socialising, and the impact that would have on the former Newcastle striker s perception in the public as a national representative.

He needs to be careful at every moment because when you play with the England national team you are the focus of the fans, the newspapers, the photographers, the people that live around him, Capello said ahead of his side s friendly with Ghana on Tuesday.

The England boss said he told Carroll he could continue to drink in social situations, but to significantly decrease his intake or risk his national team spot.

Not only…

Gabriel Heinze has been appointed as the new coach of Newell s Old Boys.

The former Argentina defender replaces Adrian Coria, who had been caretaker boss following Javier Sanguinetti s resignation in August.

Heinze s last coaching role was with MLS franchise Atlanta United, where he was in charge for only seven months before being sacked.

The ex-Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United and Real Madrid full-back will now continue his coaching career in his homeland at the club where he started and ended his playing days.

Six-time Argentine champions Newell s did not state the length of contract Heinze has signed.

The 44-year-old also coached Godoy Cruz, Argentinos Juniors and Velez Sarsfield before a spell in the United States.

Committed

…

The appointment of Chris Hughton as the new Birmingham boss is probably the wisest appointment the Blues board could have made.

The former-Newcastle boss had been linked with lots of vacant positions in recent months and has now finally landed a big job.

Promotion

Asked if promotion was his ambition he told Sky News: Yes, (my remit is to get the club promoted). We know it will be a tough task. I hope I can do it.

It s a tough season, a very tough division. I feel you want to work at a club where you have a good chance of getting back where this club wants to be and belongs. I feel I have that here. The ultimate aim is to get back into the Premier League, and the job starts now.

Pressure

Hughton will be under pressure to help the Blues t…

Argentina Football Association President Julio Grondona has confirmed Alejandro Sabella will take over as the country s national team coach.

AFA general secretary Jose Luis Meiszner last week revealed former Estudiantes boss Sabella was the organisation s first choice to succeed Sergio Batista, who was sacked after Argentina’s dismal Copa America showing last month.

Grondona has validated his colleague s comments, but said there would no formal unveiling, with Sabella s appointment now common knowledge.

The details are being finalised but Sabella has already been presented (in the media) and will be coach from here until the World Cup in Brazil, contingent on Argentina qualifying for the tournament, Grondona said, referring to the FIFA showcase in 2014.

…

Fit and scoring again, towering West Ham striker Andy Carroll claims he is unplayable as he talked up his aerial ability.

Carroll offered a timely reminder of what he is capable of with Euro 2016 fast approaching after scoring a hat-trick in West Ham s thrilling 3-3 Premier League draw at home to Arsenal.

The 27-year-old England international tormented Arsenal s defence, scoring two headed goals as West Ham overturned a two-goal deficit at Upton Park on Saturday.

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has already pinpointed Carroll as the player to watch in Wednesday s FA Cup quarter-final replay and the former Liverpool man is aware of the threat he poses in the penalty area.

I like to say that if the ball comes in the box I feel I am favourite, Carro…

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo clash again as Portugal meet Argentina on neutral ground on Tuesday.

Manchester s Old Trafford will host the fixture, meaning a return to the city for former United star Ronaldo, which is highly anticipated despite its friendly status.

Given the complete dominance of Messi and Ronaldo in world football, you would be hard pressed to find a football fan who would argue anyone else belongs in the top two current players as has been shown by the FIFA Ballon d Or s recent history.

Either Barcelona s Messi or Real Madrid s Ronaldo has won the prestigious award for the last six years and although debates over who is the best are likely to rage for decades to come, there is no doubting their stardom.

Both sides come into the mat…

Real Sociedad winger Adnan Januzaj plans to dedicate his first goal for his new club to Louis van Gaal, with whom he had a difficult relationship during their time at Manchester United.

Januzaj made just nine Premier League starts across two seasons under Van Gaal and endured a less than successful loan spell at Borussia Dortmund during the 2015-16 campaign.

Van Gaal s successor Jose Mourinho also deemed Januzaj surplus to requirements and loaned him to Sunderland for the previous season, before the Belgium international decided a permanent move away from Old Trafford was best for his career, agreeing a five-year deal at Sociedad last month for a reported fee of €11million.

Currently struggling with a hamstring injury, Januzaj sat out Sociedad s 3-2 win at Cel…

The row between Sporting CP and West Ham over William Carvalho could escalate into legal action, if tweets apparently posted by the son of Hammers co-owner David Sullivan are to be believed.

Sullivan Sr last week claimed West Ham initially had a club-record bid for Carvalho rejected and then accepted on deadline day, but without enough time left to complete a deal.

Sporting s communications director Nuno Saraiva angrily rejected that suggestion, publishing a statement on Facebook accusing Sullivan of lying and calling on him to provide proof that an offer was both submitted by the Hammers and received by the Primeira Liga side. 

West Ham have not formally responded to those remarks.

But posts appearing on an unverified Twitter account, seemingly belongin…

Pep Guardiola believes Newcastle United are contenders for the Premier League trophy this season and feels Liverpool cannot be ruled out of the running, naming six rivals for Manchester City s crown.

City are bidding for a third consecutive Premier League triumph and sit two points behind early-season leaders Arsenal ahead of this weekend s fixtures.

With last season s runners-up Liverpool languishing in ninth place amid a dire start to the campaign, the upper reaches of the table have an unfamiliar look – with Newcastle flying high in fourth.

Eddie Howe s team have won three successive Premier League games and have conceded just 10 goals in their 13 outings in the competition this term – fewer than any other side, leading Guardiola to talk up their chances.…