Crowley under Roy’s gaze in Oakwell clash

ROY KEANE will make the short hop across the Pennines today to Oakwell to watch highlyregarded Barnsley midfielder Dan Crowley in action. Coventry-born Crowley, 18 last month, is on loan from Arsenal until January, and is eligible to play for the Republic of Ireland. Crowley played for Arsenal in their pre-season win over a Singapore Select XI. Irish manager Martin O’Neill attended Reading against Ipswich last night and is due at Craven Cottage tomorrow where Shane Duffy is expected to play for Blackburn rovers against Fulham.

THE Republic of Ireland will fall three places to 51 in the updated FIFA world rankings on October 1, despite taking six points in their recent Euro 2016 qualifiers. Michael O’Neill’s Northern Ireland will jump six positions to 35th, their highest position in six years. They will leapfrog Scotland, who fall eight places to 39. Wales will move up a place to eighth, with England staying 10th.

ANDY CARROLL is set to make a comeback after eight months out when West Ham face his former club Newcastle on Monday night. The striker has been unavailable since February with a knee injury and, after returning to training six weeks ago, there were fears he would be out for longer when he rolled his ankle. But boss Slaven Bilic said: ‘Is he in contention? It looks like he is good.’ Meanwhile, West Ham have been fined £50,000 after their players surrounded the referee following Mark Noble’s red card in the 3-0 win at Liverpool last month.

EMMANUEL ADEBAYOR has exiled himself to train with the youngsters at Tottenham after turning down the chance to train with Spurs’ first team.