|   England

Stuart Pearce, the England U21 coach, is happy to go into Friday night's European Championship qualifier against Portugal knowing only a victory will keep alive his side's hopes of reaching the finals.

Goals from Michael Ngoo and Jonjo Shelvey gave Noel Blake's new-look England U19 side a comfortable victory in their first outing of the season.

Steven Gerrard, who will captain England against Bulgaria and Switzerland, has suggested the European Championship qualifying campaign will see several new players break into the Three Lions squad.

Stanimir Stoilov, the Bulgaria coach, made an attempt at mind games ahead of Friday's European Championship qualifier against England at Wembley - suggesting Wayne Rooney's temperament is suspect.

Noel Blake, the England U19 coach, said there is plenty of time for young players to force their way into his plans, as a new group of players make their first outing against Slovakia on Thursday night.

The first-leg of the World Cup play-off between England Women and Switerland will now kick-off at the earlier time of 7.05pm.

Scott Loach, the Watford goalkeeper, has been added to the senior England squad for the European Championship qualifier against Bulgaria on Friday night.

England supporters will not be allowed to take vuvuzelas into Friday's game against Bulgaria, after Uefa ruled that the South African musical instruments would not be allowed into any stadium hosting a European Championship qualifier.

Carlos Queiroz, the Portugal coach, will miss the first four games of Portugal's European Championship qualifying campaign after being suspended for six months.

Peter Crouch has withdrawn from the England squad to face Bulgaria and Switzerland due to a back injury.