Summary

  • England prepare for Thursday's Nations League match with Greece

  • Latest on David Coote video investigation

  • Football regulator bill reaches next stage today

  • Get Involved: #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

  1. You are Scotland boss Steve Clarke… what would you do?published at 11:44 Greenwich Mean Time 13 November

    Scotland v Croatia (Fri, 19:45 GMT)

    Scotland

    PitchImage source, Getty Images

    Scotland have won once in their past 16 matches so perhaps fresh ideas are needed.

    Influential midfielder John McGinn is back after injury, while Scott McKenna, Jack Hendry, Greg Taylor, Lawrence Shankland and Tommy Conway also return.

    Channel the energy of Steve Clarke and choose your starting XI, formation and how you would approach the Nations League fixtures here

  2. 'The goals will return before long' - Gordon backs Shanklandpublished at 11:40 Greenwich Mean Time 13 November

    Scotland v Croatia (Fri, 19:45 GMT)

    Brian McLauchlin
    BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

    Lawrence ShanklandImage source, Getty Images

    Craig Gordon is convinced Hearts and Scotland team-mate Lawrence Shankland will soon be back to his goalscoring best.

    Shankland has netted just once for the Edinburgh side in 18 matches this season after hitting 59 across his first two years at Tynecastle.

    Despite his barren run, the 29-year-old striker has been recalled to Steve Clarke's Scotland squad for their upcoming Nations League games against Croatia and Portugal.

    Goalkeeper Gordon, who is expected to start the double-header with Angus Gunn still out injured, said of Shankland: "Everybody knows what a good goalscorer he is and sooner rather than later that will come back.

    "I have been training with him over the last few weeks and I can see in training he is giving absolutely everything. At times his touch has been really good and he has been scoring goals in training.

    "It just hasn't materialised in matches but I have absolutely no doubt he will be back scoring goals very soon. He is too good a player for that to last for any length of time.

    "It's great that he is here and I am sure the goals will be back before too long."

  3. Scotland team news updatepublished at 11:34 Greenwich Mean Time 13 November

    Scotland v Croatia (Fri, 19:45 GMT)

    Scotland

    Scotland assistant coach John Carver also gave a team news update.

    He said the loss through injury of Che Adams is "a blow" given the striker's confident start to his time in Italy with Torino.

    However, Carver stressed that: "With Jack Hendry back, with John McGinn back and Stuart Armstrong back, it just shows how competitive the squad is when you think of how well, I thought, we did in the last two camps.

    "We had a lot of different faces and they all did well - so guys coming in who have been with us for a long time, with more caps, can be encouraging. So quite refreshing."

    Read more

  4. Scotland narrowing gap with top teams - Carverpublished at 11:28 Greenwich Mean Time 13 November

    Scotland v Croatia (Fri, 19:45 GMT)

    Scotland

    Scotland take on Croatia on Friday in their first match of the November international break.

    Assistant coach John Carver was in an optimistic mood as he talked to the media in the build-up: "We have two games to go and it's still all to play for, which is a good thing. I think we can be encouraged by the performances. We should be sitting here with more points, so there's a confidence in the group. If results go our way and, for example, we win both games, we might have a chance of finishing second."

    "I think we are closing the gap on these teams and the results have been quite tight and showed that," he said. "But now we need to go that step further. It is all well and good getting good performances and getting a draw with Portugal, but it's time for a win. Normally about this time of year, our form has been good in the past and the important thing is we get something out of the first game and see where it takes us."

    Scotland assistant coach John CarverImage source, Getty Images
  5. Postpublished at 11:25 Greenwich Mean Time 13 November

    Scotland v Croatia (Fri, 19:45 GMT)

    Scotland

    Over to the Scotland camp now and Steve Clarke's side are close to relegation from League A, sitting bottom by three points before their final games against Croatia and Poland.

    Scotland will be relegated if they lose to Croatia and Poland avoid defeat, or if they draw and Poland win.

  6. Listen: 'Scared stiff at prospect of playing for Arsenal' - Dixonpublished at 11:17 Greenwich Mean Time 13 November

    Sacked in the Morning podcast

    This week's Sacked in the Morning podcast hones in on Arsenal legend Lee Dixon, who won four league titles, three FA Cups, a League Cup and a European Cup Winners' Cup in his time at the club.

    The former England international joins Amy Irons and Craig Levein to discuss the ins and outs of his footballing career - from injury stories to suffering with imposter syndrome and fighting Dennis Bergkamp.

    Now, this episode has a bit of spicy language in it, so if you're under 13, go and ask your mum or your dad if you can listen.

    Listen to the full podcast on BBC Sounds

  7. 'Seminal review can end Premier League deadlock'published at 11:10 Greenwich Mean Time 13 November

    Rick ParryImage source, Getty Images

    English Football League chairman Rick Parry has given a wide-ranging interview with BBC Sport and says he hopes a "seminal" review of the game by a new independent regulator could help overcome years of deadlock with the Premier League over greater financial redistribution.

    Strengthened legislation to establish a body to oversee the elite men's club game was relaunched by the government last month, and begins its second reading in parliament on Wednesday.

    About 40 peers are scheduled to speak in the House of Lords before any potential amendments are debated.

    Parry says the Football Governance Bill is "an improvement" on a version introduced by the previous government, and which failed to become law before the General Election was called in May.

    Read the full interview with sports editor Dan Roan here

  8. get involved

    Get Involved - Jones and Gordon energetic playerspublished at 11:05 Greenwich Mean Time 13 November

    #bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    I'm a Man United fan and the one thing with my team no one seems to of hit upon is just how important it still is, even in 2024, to actually run about a bit. Curtis Jones and Antony Gordon are really energetic dynamic players and that should (because for me it does) count for something just as much as other quantifiable abilities.

    Carl

  9. Chance to shine for England's youngsters?published at 11:01 Greenwich Mean Time 13 November

    Greece v England (Thu, 19:45 GMT)

    There are lot of big names missing in this England camp, however, the younger members of the squad could be given a chance to catch the eye of incoming boss Thomas Tuchel.

    Newcastle left-back Lewis Hall, who was handed his first-team debut by Tuchel when he played for Chelsea in 2022, has received his first England call-up for the Nations League games against Greece and Republic of Ireland, while Manchester City defender Rico Lewis has been there, done that, having made his first appearance in the 1-1 draw against North Macedonia a year ago.

    Lewis Hall during trainingImage source, Reuters
    England's Rico Lewis during trainingImage source, Reuters
  10. Hard at workpublished at 10:51 Greenwich Mean Time 13 November

    Greece v England (Thu, 19:45 GMT)

    England

    How long do you think you would last in an England training session? Reckon a hammy would be pulled by most of us within the first 10 minutes.

    In October, Ollie Watkins said he would like to replace Harry Kane as the Three Lions' main striker one day.

    "Everyone is fighting for a position on the pitch and I want to be the man to play, but day in day out we have a good relationship," the Aston Villa forward said of England team-mate with Kane.

    "We talk and when I’m in the camp, I speak to him so there’s no animosity and I’m doing all I can to be on the pitch and so is he."

    England captain Harry KaneImage source, Reuters
    England's Ollie WatkinsImage source, Reuters
    England's Curtis Jones and Marc Guehi during trainingImage source, Reuters
  11. Will Branthwaite be fit to play?published at 10:41 Greenwich Mean Time 13 November

    Greece v England (Thu, 19:45 GMT)

    England

    Confirmation that Jarrad Branthwaite is still working indoors - at least he can stay warm.

    Will he be making the trip to Greece later on? We'll keep an eye out for any news on the 22-year-old's fitness.

    Straight off the plane, meanwhile, Lee Carsley and Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon will be chatting to the media in Athens from 19:30 GMT.

    England interim manager Lee Carsley with Rico Lewis during trainingImage source, Reuters
    England's Morgan Rogers during trainingImage source, Reuters
  12. Quansah trains with squadpublished at 10:33 Greenwich Mean Time 13 November

    Greece v England (Thu, 19:45 GMT)

    England

    One player who is on the pitch, however, is Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah.

    The 21-year-old was called up to senior men's training yesterday in the absence of Jarrad Branthwaite and is back again today with the Everton centre-back still missing.

  13. Postpublished at 10:26 Greenwich Mean Time 13 November

    Greece v England (Thu, 19:45 GMT)

    England

    Having a look at the pictures of England's latest training session and we can't spot Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite in among the squad.

    According to Sky Sports news, the 22-year-old is training indoors, just like he did during yesterday's session.

  14. England's training session startspublished at 10:17 Greenwich Mean Time 13 November

    Greece v England (Thu 19:45 GMT)

    England

    Jordan Pickford is up and out early for this Wednesday training camp and is already being put through his paces with a few drills before the rest of the squad join him.

    Interim boss Lee Carsley is also there, waiting for his players.... and here they are.

    Some players are definitely feeling the cold more than others here. Not sure it's quite full hat and scarf combo just yet.

    Jordan PickfordImage source, Reuters
  15. get involved

    Get Involved - football hard men as father-in-lawspublished at 10:12 Greenwich Mean Time 13 November

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    I can imagine Roy Keane at Taylor Hardwood Bellis's wedding. 'You're too worried about your appearance and what your hair looks like...play the game man..'

    Martin

    BBC Sport wrote a feature last year titled: Who is your club's most notorious hard man? Have a look at the list here and then come back and tell us which one you would choose as a potential father-in-law.

  16. Pick your Wales team and tactics for Turkeypublished at 10:04 Greenwich Mean Time 13 November

    Turkey v Wales (Sat, 17:00 GMT)

    Wales

    Craig BellamyImage source, Getty Images

    Wales have been revitalised under new head coach Craig Bellamy, with a run of four games unbeaten putting his team in with a chance of winning Nations League Group B4.

    A win against Turkey in Kayseri on Saturday would give Wales the chance to clinch promotion to Division A in their final match at home to Iceland three days later.

    So who would you pick to start for Wales in Turkey?

    Choose your starting line-up, and give your view on how Wales should approach the game on Saturday, here

  17. Postpublished at 09:59 Greenwich Mean Time 13 November

    Greece v England (Thu, 19:45 GMT)

    They'll be plenty more Home Nations chat over the next hour.

    England are having a training session in front of the media from 10:00 GMT.

  18. get involved

    Get Involved - Who starts in goal for NI?published at 09:56 Greenwich Mean Time 13 November

    #bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Pierce Charles has to start against Belarus, whilst untested in the last 2 games, his distribution was top drawer. Should be given a chance, Bailey is very flakey at times.

    Anon

  19. Leeds teenager Crew added to Wales squadpublished at 09:52 Greenwich Mean Time 13 November

    Turkey v Wales (Sat, 17:00 GMT)

    Wales

    Charlie CrewImage source, FAW

    Daniel James will be joined by Leeds United team-mate Charlie Crew for Wales' two Nations League fixtures with Turkey and Iceland.

    Crew has been called into Craig Bellamy's squad to replace Ipswich Town's Nathan Broadhead.

    The 18-year-old won his first cap earlier in June's 0-0 friendly draw with Gibraltar.

    The call-up comes just weeks after the midfielder made his Championship debut for Leeds, coming on as a second half substitute in a 3-0 win over Plymouth at Elland Road in early November.

  20. James making up for lost time after penalty painpublished at 09:48 Greenwich Mean Time 13 November

    Turkey v Wales (Sat, 17:00 GMT)

    Wales

    Dan JamesImage source, Getty Images

    It's been nearly eight months since Daniel James missed the decisive spot-kick against Poland that ended Wales' hopes of qualifying for Euro 2024. But now the Leeds United winger is aiming to make up for lost time with new boss Craig Bellamy.

    A hamstring injury ruled the 27-year-old out of Bellamy’s first four games as Wales boss in September and October, but he has returned for this month’s Nations League matches against Turkey and Iceland.

    “It’s great to be back. I definitely missed it. I was gutted not to be involved in the first two camps,” said James.

    “It [penalty miss] was tough to take, but it’s long gone now. Football isn’t always positive but you have to bounce back. If I said I’d forgotten about it I would be lying, but I won’t let it affect me in future games.”

    Wales are unbeaten in their four matches under Bellamy, with two wins and two draws leaving them second in Group B4.

    They face leaders Turkey in Kayseri on Saturday needing victory to boost their chances of winning the group and securing promotion to the Nations League’s top tier, before concluding their group with a match against Iceland in Cardiff the following Tuesday.