In Scotland: The quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup have thrown up an intriguing derby clash after Dundee were drawn to play host to Dundee United. Dundee were rarely troubled as they swept aside Morton 5-1 in the fifth round yesterday, and will play a United side who booked their progression with a comfortable 3-0 win over Rangers on Saturday. Celtic have been offered the chance of gaining quick revenge after being draw away to St Mirren, who knocked the Hoops out of the Scottish Communities League Cup at the semi-final stage last month

England: Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe and Manchester United’s Michael Carrick are out of the England squad to face to Brazil on Wednesday. Defoe had to be substituted in the first half of Spurs’ 1-0 win at West Brom after a challenge from Shane Long, while the FA announced that Carrick was suffering from a hip injury and would not join Roy Hodgson’s squad ahead of the game at Wembley.

Nigeria: Nigeria delivered a hammer blow to Ivory Coast at the African Nations Cup yesterday, knocking out the favourites 2-1 in the quarter-finals to leave the tournament wide open. Sunday Mba’s mazy run set up a dramatic winner on 78 minutes, sending the Ivorians home empty-handed yet again after another appearance in which they failed to deliver. Other result: Burkina Faso vs Togo 1-0 (aet).

Alonso: Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso has pulled out of Vicente del Bosque’s squad to play Uruguay this week because of a groin injury, the Spanish football federation (RFEF) said yesterday. He will be replaced by Atletico Madrid’s defensive midfielder Mario Suarez, a 25-year-old who earns his first call up.

Curle: Notts County have sacked manager Keith Curle after less than a year in charge. The Magpies sit 10th in League One, but lost to rock-bottom Hartlepool on Saturday and have won just two of their last 11 games in all competitions.