England: Uncapped goalkeeper Alex McCarthy has replaced injured Southampton team mate Fraser Forster in England’s squad for this weekend’s World Cup qualifier against Slovakia, the FA said yesterday. Forster, 28, was expected to start Sunday’s game in Trnava but was ruled out of Sam Allardyce’s first game as manager after injuring his arm in training.

Borini: Sunderland boss David Moyes has confirmed that striker Fabio Borini is facing up to three months on the sidelines with a groin injury. The 25-year-old Italian tore an adductor muscle while taking a free-kick during Saturday’s 1-1 Premier League draw at Southampton.

Prepelita: Romania midfielder Andrei Prepelita joined Russian side Rostov from Bulgarian champions Ludogorets on Wednesday in a bid to resurrect his career. “Rostov are a very serious team, I hope that I made a good choice,” Prepelita, who signed a two-year contract, told local media. Rostov will compete in the Champions League this season.

Mccarthy: James McCarthy is out of the Republic of Ireland’s opening World Cup qualifier in Serbia after returning to his club following assessment of his groin injury. The 25-year-old midfielder met up with Martin O’Neill’s squad despite missing Everton’s 1-0 Premier League win over Stoke at the weekend with the problem, but has had to admit defeat in his efforts to shake it off ahead of Monday night’s game in Belgrade.

Simpson: Leicester City defender Danny Simpson has signed a new three-year contract that will keep him at the club until 2019. “I’ve been here two years now and the club is going places,” the 29-year-old former Manchester United full back told Leicester’s website.