Nigel Adkins takes over as Reading manager

Reading have appointed former Southampton boss Nigel Adkins as their new manager.

Adkins, who replaces Brian McDermott at the Madejski Stadium, has signed a contract that will keep him at the club until summer 2016.

Nigel Adkins

• Born in Birkenhead, 11 March 1965
• Goalkeeper for Tranmere, Wigan and Bangor City in a 13-year playing career
• Player-manager of Bangor for three years, twice winning the League of Wales
• Graduates from the University of Salford with a degree in physiotherapy
• Takes charge of Scunthorpe in November 2006 after a spell as their physio
• Wins League One title that season
• Relegated from the Championship but wins promotion back via the play-offs in 2009
• Takes over at Southampton in September 2010
• Wins promotion to Championship in May 2011
• Promoted to the Premier League on last day of 2011-12 season
• Sacked as Southampton manager in January 2013

"I am pleased to be the Reading manager," the 48-year-old said.

"We will take it one game at a time and try to keep this club in the Premier League. It's a good club - I've been impressed with them."
Adkins, who will have former Saints assistant Andy Crosby alongside him in the dugout, added: "We're in the Premier League and we want to stay there. I am excited."
McDermott led Reading to promotion last season, but four successive Premier League defeats left them in relegation trouble - the 51-year-old lost his job on 11 March as a consequence.
Coach Eamonn Dolan took charge for the league match at Manchester United on 16 March, which the Royals lost 1-0. They are currently seven points adrift of safety and second bottom.
Brighton boss Gus Poyet had been in the running for the Reading job but opted to stay at the play-off chasing Championship side, while former Swindon boss Paolo Di Canio was also a target.
Owner Anton Zingarevich was delighted to welcome Adkins to the Berkshire club, and said it was an appointment for the "short and long term".
"He has great respect within the game," said the Russian.
"His CV speaks for itself and he has many attributes as a manager, he is progressive, he develops players, his teams play attacking, passing football but most of all he knows how to win games at all levels.
"This is an appointment we have made both with the short and long term in mind and Nigel can take our club forward."
Adkins guided the Saints to back-to-back promotions before he was sacked in January. He also previously managed at Bangor City and Scunthorpe United.
After a trip to Arsenal's Emirates Stadium on Saturday, the ex-Wigan player's first home game in charge will be against his former employers, Southampton.
The ex-Wigan player thanked the players, staff and supporters at St Mary's at Tuesday's news conference before confirming the circumstances of his sacking at the club was "in the hands of the League Managers' Association".
His dismissal in January, and replacement by former Espanyol coach Mauricio Pochettino, occurred when the south-coast club were three points clear of the relegation zone in their first season back in the Premier League.

World Cup - Hernandez brace in vain for Mexico

CONCACAF round-up: Honduras scored twice in three minutes to snatch a 2-2 draw at home to Mexico after the visitors had taken charge of their World Cup qualifier through a pair of superb goals from Javier Hernandez.

• 
  Eurosport - Mexico' s Javier Hernandez (R) celebrates after scoring against Honduras in World Cup qualifying (AFP)

The result elevated Honduras to the top of the CONCACAF standings with four points from two games and left Mexico with just two points ahead of Tuesday's clash with the United States in Mexico City.

Hernandez put 'El Tri' ahead with a superbly angled glancing header in the 28th minute after Andres Guardado burst past two defenders and delivered a pinpoint cross.
The Manchester United striker struck again nine minutes into the second half with a darting run at the near post, poking in a free-kick by Carlos Salcido.
It was the 24-year-old's 30th goal in 45 appearances for the Mexican national team and looked as though it would be enough for a victory.
But Carlo Costly, who always seems to deliver his best in a Honduras shirt, gave the home side new life in the 77th minute with a powerful header to score from a Mario Martinez corner.
Three minutes later, Costly was ruled to have been brought down by defender Francisco Rodriguez and Jamaican referee Courtney Campbell pointed to the spot.
Jerry Bengtson's poor penalty was saved by Mexico keeper Guillermo Ochoa but the Honduras striker pounced to slot home the loose ball and level the scores at 2-2.
In a heavy snow storm at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, the United States battled to a 1-0 win over Costa Rica with Clint Dempsey's 16th minute goal securing victory.
The US's decision to try and gain an advantage over the Central Americans by playing in a cold climate and at altitude, looked in danger of back-firing and causing a major logistical headache but despite the snow blowing for 90 minutes, the game was able to be finished.
The three points were vital for Juergen Klinsmann's team after they lost their opening game in the final stage of the qualifiers last month to Honduras and the German will be delighted with the character his team showed in a blizzard.
Captain Dempsey went close with a long-range effort in the 16th minute but moments later he had put Klinsmann's team in front.
Jozy Altidore tried his luck from the edge of the area and his shot deflected off Costa Rica defender Roy Miller and fell kindly to Dempsey who simply slotted home.
The game looked to be in doubt when the referee halted the game in the 55th minute but after consultation and a few minutes of clearing the touchlines of snow, the game resumed.
Costa Rica piled on the pressure with Alvaro Saborio forcing Guzan into action with a diagonal shot in the 60th minute and two minutes later Michael Umana had a header disallowed for offside.
But the US held on for a three points and a major morale boost.
The top three teams from the region qualify automatically for next year's finals in Brazil while the fourth placed team advances to a play-off.

Cameroon boosted by return of Assou-Ekotto for Togo match

Advertisement

Cameroon have been boosted by Tottenham defender Benoit Assou-Ekotto's arrival in Yaounde ahead of Saturday's World Cup qualifier against Togo.

He is set to make his first appearance for Cameroon since 2010 when he turned his back on the team because of his concerns about the national set-up.
"Cameroon is my country and I would give my best even if there are still some problems," he said.
The 28-year-old added that he is focused only on securing victory.
Assou-Ekotto's availability eases a defensive crisis for Cameroon, who will be without injured pair Aurelien Chedjo and Dany Nounkeu.
Centre-backs Chedjou of Lille and Nounkeu of Galatasaray were examined by Cameroon's medical staff and ruled out earlier in the week.
Cameroon are third in Group I on three points, two points above Togo who have yet to win a game.
Norwich City defender Sebastien Bassong, who is set to be included in the starting line-up, said: "Missing some players means the match will not be easy for us although we'll be playing at home.
"Togo has some very good players, notably their key striker Emmanuel Adebayor. I watched them perform very well at the recent Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa, so we must put in extra effort to win the match.

Nigeria turn focus to Brazil 2014 as qualifiers resume

African champions Nigeria can take complete command of Group F with a win at home to Kenya on Saturday in the latest round of qualifiers for the 2014 World Cup.

The Super Eagles lead the way in their group on four points from two games and are 33 places higher than Kenya in the Confederation of African Football rankings.
Nigeria also have home advantage and there is a three-point gap between the teams.
The Super Eagles beat Namibia at home and held Malawi away last June, while the Harambee Stars secured only one after a home draw against Malawi and a loss in Namibia.
However, Kenya and Celtic midfielder Victor Wanyama believes his country can spring a surprise.
"The players are ready, there is a lot of mental strength among them and we are hopeful of a favourable result against Nigeria," said the 21-year-old Kenya captain.
"Everything is possible in football and Kenya can win in Nigeria - it is time the Harambee Stars moved forward in international football."

Pitroipa has urged Burkina Faso to carry on their good form from the Nations Cup

Nigeria ended a 19-year trophy drought when they won the Nations Cup in South Africa in February, beating Burkina Faso in the final.
But coach Stephen Keshi has urged his players to forget that success and concentrate on a new target.
"South Africa is history now and Nigeria must qualify for Brazil next year. We need the support of everyone to ensure that happens and I know my boys will not let the nation down," he said.
Keshi has called up two midfielders - Ukraine-based Michael Babatunde and John Ogu of Portuguese club Academica Coimbra - who did not make the 23-man Nations Cup-winning squad.
Kenya will rely heavily on France-based striker Dennis Oliech for goals and Algeria-born Adel Amrouche makes his debut as coach after succeeding veteran Frenchman Henri Michel.
Burkina Faso are in trouble having taken only one point from two Group E games, and that was later forfeited because they fielded ineligible defender Herve Zengue in a 0-0 home draw with Congo Brazzaville.
Belgian coach Paul Put's side created one of the biggest upsets in Nations Cup history by reaching the final, and player-of-the-tournament Jonathan Pitroipa says they must carry on where they left off in South Africa.
"We must build on the Nations Cup results and prove that our results were not a flash in the pan," said the midfielder.
The Stallions host Niger in Ouagadougou while leaders Congo are at home to Gabon, who also had a point deducted for using an ineligible player, on an artificial pitch in Atlantic port Pointe Noire.
In group C, Ivory Coast face The Gambia and will be eager to put their disappointing Nations Cup campaign behind them.
The highly fancied Elephants failed to live up to their pre-tournament billing once again - this time beaten in the quarter-finals by Nigeria - and there have been some big-name casualties as a result.
Didier Drogba has been dropped, with coach Sabri Lamouchi saying the striker must regain match fitness, and five other Ivorians who were in South Africa have also been left out.

Assou-Ekotto was mobbed by media on his arrival at Nsimalen Airport, Yaounde

Lamouchi himself might be considered fortunate to keep his job after many called for him to resign. He will be eager to secure a win at home that would give Ivory Coast a commanding seven points from three games, will ease the pressure.
In Group A South Africa are struggling on two points from two games, and a defeat against a talented Central African Republic team at home would be a huge blow to their chances.
Bafana Bafana also have problems in defence - they must find new centre-backs to face for the match in Cape Town with captain Bongani Khumalo axed and Siyabonga Sangweni both injured.
Cameroon are in perhaps the toughest group - group I - which contains Libya, Togo and Democratic Republic of Congo. They've won one and lost one so far, so need a victory at home to Togo to increase their chances of qualifying for the World Cup.
The Indomitable Lions will be without injured defenders Aurelien Chedjou and Dany Nounkeu but Spurs' Benoit Assou-Ekotto will play his first official game for Cameroon since 2010.
Guinea will host the Group J match between Senegal and Angola as the Lions of Teranga are banned from hosting matches following the crowd trouble that forced the mid-match abandonment of their 2013 Nations Cup qualifier against Ivory Cost.
Senegal lead the group J by two points and will look to consolidate their position when the face Angola.
But the Lions of Teranga must play their home match against Angola in neutral Conakry, Guinea because of a year-long home ban in place following crowd trouble that forced the mid-match abandonment of their 2013 Nations Cup qualifier against Ivory Cost.
Malawi will play their first match under interim coach Edington Ng'onamo when they travel to Windhoek to take on Namibia.
Ng'onamo will be especially desperate for a good result as he is attempting to earn a contract at the end of June.
Saturday's African zone 2014 World Cup qualifiers (all times GMT):
Congo v Gabon (1430, Pointe Noire)
Cameroon v Togo (1430, Yaounde)
Nigeria v Kenya (1500, Calabar)
Namibia v Malawi ( 1600, Windhoek)
Senegal v Angola (1700, Conakry)
Ivory Coast v The Gambia (1700, Abidjan)
Burkina Faso v Niger (1800, Ouagadougou)
Tunisia v Sierra Leone (1810, Rades)
South Africa v Central African Republic (1815 Cape Town)

Roy Hodgson has no intention of "digging a grave" for his team if England fail their World Cup test in Montenegro on Tuesday - but that is exactly what their supporters appear to have done to Rio Ferdinand's international career.

Football - Hodgson silent on Ferdinand abuse

• 
  Eurosport - Roy Hodgson, pictured, was tight-lipped over Rio Ferdinand

As their side sauntered to an 8-0 win over San Marino on Friday night, the travelling Three Lions left Ferdinand in no doubt about the depth to which his name has plummeted in the wake of his decision to commentate on the game in Doha rather than actually play in it.

"Of course I heard it," said Hodgson. "I'm not deaf. But I've absolutely no comment to make on it."
Hodgson has emerged as the moral victor over the issue of Ferdinand's fitness.
And he also watched those players who were here produce a dazzling display, which was far too good for their woefully weak hosts. Jermain Defoe was the only man to score more than once, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ashley Young, Frank Lampard, Wayne Rooney and Daniel Sturridge adding to his brace and an early Alessandro Della Valle own goal.
It meant the only thing that went wrong all evening was the late Montenegro goal in Moldova that ensures England will head to Podgorica still trailing the Group H leaders by two points ahead of Tuesday's crucial World Cup qualifier.
"It would be a great lift to win on Tuesday, but if we don't get it I won't be getting the spade out to dig a grave for the team," said Hodgson. "There are 15 points to play for and the team is capable of getting a large number of those points to see us through.
"Beating Brazil gave us confidence and most people will look at the football we played tonight and revel in the fact there were exceptional moves and goals in there."
England will try to achieve a positive result without Gary Cahill, who has been ruled out with a knee injury, and Theo Walcott, who will return home after suffering a groin strain in training.
"We did have some forlorn hope that Gary Cahill might recover," said Hodgson. "But I was warned it was extremely unlikely, and he's not trained yet so there's no chance of him joining us."

Football - Walcott set for return to London Theo Walcott will fly back to London after withdrawing from England's World Cup qualifiers against San Marino and Montenegro through injury.

• 
  Eurosport - Theo Walcott is set for upwards of a week on the sidelines

A statement on the Arsenal website said the 24-year-old was struggling with a "minor hip/groin injury".

The statement added: "The Arsenal forward sustained the problem in training with the national team on Thursday and will fly back on Saturday to be assessed by the Club's medical staff."
It is anticipated the winger will be sidelined for between seven and 10 days.
Walcott had been expected to start Friday night's 8-0 thrashing of San Marino but instead is now on Arsenal's list of injury doubts for their Premier League encounter with Reading at the Emirates Stadium on March 30.
Arsenal team-mate Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain started in his place in Serravalle and got on the scoresheet in the rout.
After the game, Hodgson told BBC Radio Five Live: "Theo overstretched slightly crossing a ball and immediately felt a slight problem in the pelvic area.
"He went straight off the pitch and had a scan this morning and it showed a slight tear in the pelvic muscle.
"It kept him out tonight and will keep him out on Tuesday but hopefully won't keep him out for much longer.
"We did all we could to stop him aggravating it but these things happen sometimes in training."

Football - WRAPUP 1-Messi's Argentina win again, Colombia crush Bolivia

Lionel Messi produced another brilliant performance to lead Argentina to a 3-0 win over Venezuela in World Cup qualifying on Friday, but Colombia kept up the chase on the group leaders with a 5-0 demolition of Bolivia.

The duo are the front runners in the nine-nation South American group heading into the final straight of the qualifiers with their coaches looking to ensure there is a good balance of hard work to go with the immense skill.

Messi, who stated his World Cup goal once again in midweek, is at the fulcrum of everything that is good about a dynamic team coached by Alejandro Sabella in which midfielders Javier Mascherano, Fernando Gago and Walter Montillo also shone.
Fans chanted favourite World Cup victory songs as Argentina displayed their attacking skills and also showed improvements in defence that reflect their work under Sabella.
Messi, who converted a penalty, is two goals short of the 34 Diego Maradona scored for Argentina, while Gonzalo Higuain's brace put him top of the South American scorers chart.
"We have a forward line that can be considered among the best in the world," Sabella told reporters.
"Venezuela are a tough team, very compact, who know what they want. What happened was that Argentina played very well, especially in the first half and were very superior."
Sabella said he asked for and got plenty of defensive help from his forwards and this will be important for Tuesday's match away to Bolivia in La Paz where visiting teams suffer the effects of the high altitude. Argentina lost 6-1 on their last visit.
Compatriot Jose Pekerman, whose second-placed Colombia side have notched up 19 goals to Argentina's 23, might have been talking about Argentina too when he referred to his Colombia team's strong form.
COLOMBIAN CHANCES
"It's hard to find teams with such skills and ball control although there are moments when you can't keep up the rhythm in these kinds of matches," he said after another win.
Colombia have a very realistic chance of ending a 16-year wait to play at the World Cup finals but Pekerman attempted to quash the hype.
"We have to keep calm and not get anxious. We don't think about the points we need to get to the World Cup, we'll carry on working," he said.
The other teams have their work cut out to keep pace although Ecuador, who had a bye on Friday, are in good shape in third place with the top four making it to the finals.
Ecuador crushed El Salvador 5-0 in a friendly on Friday before hosting Paraguay on Tuesday in Quito where they have picked up maximum points from five home matches.
Uruguay scraped back into the qualifying berths with a 1-1 draw at home to Paraguay but only because Venezuela lost. Luis Suarez scored his eighth goal in the qualifiers.
Coach Oscar Tabarez felt Uruguay had the better of the second half but conceded a late equaliser to a Paraguay side in bottom place and who look unlikely to reach the finals for the fifth time in a row.
"We know what we must do, lift our spirits and go in search of something we didn't get here," Tabarez added looking ahead to Tuesday's match away to Chile.
Venezuela occupy fifth place, which is valid for a two-legged playoff against an Asian team for another berth at the finals.
Chile were under the guidance of new Argentine coach Jorge Sampaoli for the match away to Peru but lost 1-0 to a Jefferson Farfan goal scored three minutes from time, leaving them in sixth place with the same number of points as Venezuela.
The victory was a big boost for Peru, one point behind Chile, as they seek to reach the finals for the first time since 1982.