Young Black Cats back in drop zone with one game left

Sunderland Under-23s dropped back into the Premier League 2 relegation zone yesterday after Derby County beat West Ham 1-0.

The young Black Cats had climbed out of the danger zone on Sunday with their 4-1 victory over title hopefuls Leicester City.

But yesterday, Jayden Bogle scored the only goal of the game to give the Rams a massive boost as they climbed above Sunderland again.

Derby’s victory relegates botom side Manchester United, with second-bottom Sunderland now two points behind Derby with both sides having just one game left.

Derby also have a far superior goal difference.

The final positions at the bottom will be decided next Monday evening.

Derby are away to titlechasing Leicester - although the Foxes’ title hopes will be over if top side Arsenal get a point or more at West Ham this Friday.

Sunderland are away to fourth-top Swansea next Monday - needing a win and hoping Derby lose.

Scotland will host Portugal in a friendly match at Hampden Park on October 14.

Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo, Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva and AC Milan’s Andre Silva will be expected to be in the reigning European Champions’ squad for the trip to Glasgow.

The match will take place three days after Scotland’s fixture away to Israel in the UEFA Nations League, with the kickoff time still to be confirmed.

Scotland boss Alex McLeish told the SFA’s website: “Portugal will provide a stern test for our players, which is exactly what we are looking for in our opposition in challenge matches.

“The recent challenge matches against Costa Rica and Hungary were invaluable to myself and my coaching team, allowing us to get to know the players and experiment with different systems.

“This match will provide further opportunity for the team to develop.

“Our Nations League campaign will be in full swing when we play Portugal and it can only be a huge incentive to the players to have the opportunity to test themselves against some of the best in the world.”