CUELLAR: Sunderland defender Carlos Cuellar is set to miss his club’s next three matches after suffering a hamstring injury. Cuellar was forced off with the injury at half-time during Sunderland’s 1-1 draw against Liverpool at the Stadium of Light on Saturday and the Spaniard has been receiving treatment since then.

UNDER-21: England U-21 will stage the first leg of their play-off for next summer’s European Championship at Carrow Road. Stuart Pearce’s Young Lions will take on Serbia at the home of Norwich City on October 12 shortly before the senior side host San Marino in their latest World Cup qualifier at Wembley.

WOMEN’S EURO: England qualified for the UEFA Women’s Euro 2013 Finals late Wednesday after claiming a convincing 3-0 victory over Croatia. Jill Scott gave England a first-half lead at Walsall’s Banks’s Stadium and second-half goals from Eniola Aluko and captain Casey Stoney sealed the victory. The triumph lifted Hope Powell’s side to the top of Group 6 with 20 points and secured an automatic berth in next summer’s finals in Sweden.

COVENTRY: Struggling Coventry have confirmed the appointment of Mark Robins as the club’s new manager as they look to turn around their early-season woes. The former Manchester United striker is certain to have his work cut out with Coventry who, aside from their ongoing financial concerns off the pitch, are struggling to adapt to life in League One following relegation last season.

BROWN GOES: Terry Brown has been sacked as manager of AFC Wimbledon. Brown, who guided the club into the Football League with three promotions in five years, bade an emotional farewell to supporters Wednesday night following the 1-0 home defeat by Torquay, their sixth loss in seven matches.