Ireland's European Championship hopes received a timely boost when midfielder James McCarthy declared himself fit for their opening game against Sweden on June 13.

The 25-year-old was named in coach Martin O'Neill's squad despite being injured during Everton's win over Norwich City on the final day of the Premier League season.

McCarthy, who has been almost ever-present under O'Neill, has now returned to training after missing Ireland's warm-up games against Netherlands and Belarus.

"It's hamstring, groin injuries. I should be fine (for Sweden)," he told British media.

"I am back training and delighted to be back with the squad. Hopefully now I can kick on and step up the fitness."

Ireland have been drawn in Euro 2016 Group E with Sweden, Italy and Belgium.

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Belgium's defensive woes ahead of Euro 2016 continued on Friday as coach Marc Wilmots announced that centre-back Thomas Vermaelen will miss Sunday's friendly against Norway with a muscle strain.

Wilmots said that the Barcelona player was forced to leave training on Friday in Genk early and becomes the latest defender on the sidelines for a team seen as one of the favourites to win the European Championship.

Wilmots has already seen skipper Vincent Kompany and Bjorn Engels withdraw from his squad while fellow defenders Nicolas Lombaerts and Dedryck Boyata pulled out at the start of this week.

Belgium will leave for their Euro base in Bordeaux next Tuesday with their first match against Italy in Lyon on June 13.

They are also due to face the Republic of Ireland and Sweden in Group E

Romania scored two early goals on their way to a leisurely 5-1 victory against a listless Georgia side at the National Arena in their final Euro 2016 warm-up on Friday.

Anghel Iordanescu's team, who play in the tournament's opening game against hosts France next Friday, took the lead after 68 seconds when Adrian Popa punished a defensive blunder by dribbling past Georgia keeper Roin Kvashvadze to score.

The home side doubled their advantage two minutes later when Georgia captain Aleksandr Amisulashvili slid the ball into his own net from Romania captain Razvan Rat's left-wing cross.

The last time the Romanians scored twice in the first three minutes was in a 4-2 win over China in a friendly in 1984.

Romania, who have been struggling with injuries and players not featuring for their clubs, had conceded six goal ... Read more »

Arsenal have triggered a buy-out clause in striker Jamie Vardy's contract with English champions Leicester City after making a bid of about ?£20 million, several British media reports said on Friday.

Vardy, who is in England's 23-man squad for the Euro 2016 finals in France that start next week, scored 24 Premier League goals last season as Leicester won the top-flight crown for the first time in their history.

The 29-year-old was chosen as Player of the Year by the Football Writers' Association and was named in the Professional Footballers' Association's team of the year.

Former England forward Gary Lineker, a Leicester fan, has urged Vardy not to leave.

"Stay with the Champions @vardy7 don't join the perennial also-rans," Lineker said on his Twitter account.

Arsenal have n ... Read more »

She looks great!

Retired Nigerian footballer Joseph Yobo met with Chairman of UBA and Heir Holdings, Tony Elumelu, today."Met @TonyOElumelu today, inspired by what he is doing to advance African Enrepreneurship." he wrote. See more photos after the cut...

Looks like they will have a good marriage...lol

Major General Atewe, currently serving in TRADOC Minna as Director of Doctrinal and Combat Development, was also a former Guard Brigade Commander at the Presidency as well as Joint Task Force Commander Pulo Shield Port Harcourt.

The Commission received an intelligence report in June 2015 alleging that the management of NIMASA under the leadership of Ziadeke Patrick Akpobokelemi made payments aggregating to the tune of N8,537,586,798.58 to Joint Task Force Operation Pulo Shield’s Zenith Bank Account with substantial part of the money diverted and transferred through several individuals and companies who served as proxies.

Investigations ... Read more »

The former NBA player was spotted out with a new chick getting dinner in LA last night...
 

The three planes of Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany, President of France, Francois Hollande & English metal band, Iron Maiden were spotted side by side at Zurich airport, Switzerland on June 1