Sammy McIlroy will dip into his Under-21 squad after Danny Griffin became the third Northern Ireland player to pull out of Saturday's match against Malta because of injury.

Griffin returned to his club Dundee United yesterday after he aggravated an old knee problem during training yesterday.

McIlroy had already lost Neil Lennon and Keith Gillespie through injury and Griffin's withdrawal leaves him with just 17 players for the opening World Cup qualifier at Windsor Park.

Irish boss McIlroy is short of cover and he intends to call up at least one replacement from Roy Millar's under-21s, who face Malta tonight at The Oval.

Dutch international Winston Bogarde yesterday declared it was Chelsea's title-winning credentials which proved the key to him turning down several other offers as he joined on a free transfer from Barcelona.

John Hartson's agent Jonathan Barnett claims the striker's dream move to Rangers is not dead after failing the club's "toughest ever" medical.

Hibernian striker Didier Agathe is in negotiations with Celtic to become manager Martin O'Neill's next signing.