Albania are hoping the return of inspirational captain Lorik Cana will drive the debutants on to a first victory and help them sneak into the last 16.

Romania head into this clash knowing that three points could be enough to take them into the next round but only if Switzerland lose to France.

CRAIG HATHERALL AT STADE DES LUMINIERES: An Armando Sadiku header gave Albania three points, and a fighting chance of making the Last 16 in France.

Kosovo police say they prevented simultaneous attacks by ISIS fanatics, including one on the Israeli national football team which played a World Cup qualifier in neighboring Albania.

Antonio Candreva's second-half strike was enough for Italy to end their 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign with a narrow 1-0 victory in Albania.

STEPHEN MCGOWAN AT HAMPDEN PARK: With seven goals in eight games already this season, Steven Naismith is sleeping soundly these nights.

The 27-year-old has been pursued by a number of Championship clubs including Wigan Athletic and Bristol City but is keen to link up with Mark Warburton and expects to sign this weekend.

Dexter Blackstock has gone from football to pharmaceuticals - and hopes to save lives, slash the cost of healthcare and even help change the perception of professional players.

QPR have signed West Ham striker Jordan Hugill on a season-long loan. The 27-year-old found opportunities hard to come by at the Hammers after making the step up from Preston.

Aberdeen defender Scott McKenna has handed in a formal transfer request in an attempt to force a move to England. The Scotland international has had a number of opportunities to leave for clubs in England.

Jordan Hugill has had a rocky last couple of seasons to say the least. Signed by West Ham in January 2018, he was on the verge of achieving his dream - becoming a Premier League striker.

QPR CEO Lee Hoos said in a club statement: 'We take a very strong stance against racism and will not tolerate one of our players being subjected to the despicable comments experienced.'

UEFA have come under fire for their response to the 'barbaric' racist abuse that forced QPR's under-18s to walk off the pitch during a pre-season friendly.

Huddersfield have only played against QPR, Derby, and Lincoln City so far this season, but pressure is already growing on manager Jan Siewert. They crashed out of the Carabao Cup.

Manchester United's former goalkeeper coach Eric Steele has recalled that sickening moment they lost out on the Premier League title to City with one of the last kicks of the season.

KIERAN GILL AT KIYAN PRINCE FOUNDATION STADIUM: Swansea knew it was by the slimmest of chances that they would finish the night in top spot, given it relied on three others dropping points.

West Bromwich Albion went top of the Championship - albeit for a short time - as they disposed of QPR at Loftus Road. Victory meant they extended their unbeaten run to nine in a row.

ADAM SHERGOLD AT LOFTUS ROAD: Sam Baldock scored 15 minutes from time to rescue a point for the Royals as QPR only had themselves to blame for defensive complacency.

ADAM SHERGOLD AT LOFTUS ROAD: Quite a few fancied Brentford as dark horses for promotion and here was more evidence Thomas Frank's side could challenge almost by stealth.

The club's youngsters walked off the pitch in protest after players were subjected to racial taunts during a pre-season fixture against AD Nervion FC back on August 8.

Newcastle scouted QPR full-back Ryan Manning during his side's 2-0 defeat by Leeds on Saturday. According to Football Insider, the Magpies are keeping close tabs on the 23-year-old.

ADAM SHERGOLD AT CRAVEN COTTAGE: Aboubakar Kamara scored a brace as Fulham came from behind to beat QPR 2-1. Jordan Hugill put QPR in front after just three minutes.

Flamengo legend Julio Cesar was so caught up in the emotion of his former side's incredible Copa Libertadores victory on Saturday that he fainted in the stands.

Wayne Rooney was all smiles on Thursday afternoon as he pulled on the Derby County kit for the first time as he prepares to join up with the rest of the squad ahead of their next match.

MATT HUGHES - AHEAD OF THE GAME: This week, Derby County have earmarked Rooney as a future manager, as he joins up with the Championship side for this weekend's home game.

QPR midfielder Eberechi Eze could have his dream move to Tottenham called off after Mauricio Pochettino was sacked. West Ham, Leicester and Chelsea are all looking at the 21-year-old midfielder.

QPR and Brentford are among the clubs following Australian-born striker Lyndon Dykes. The powerful 24-year-old has caught the eye with his performances for Livingston.

Kyle Tomlin scored an outrageous last-minute 40-yard screamer for Mansfield Town's Under 18 side in the FA Youth Cup against Queens Park Rnagers, which the Stags went on to win.

Swansea are confident of securing the loan signing of Liverpool striker Rhian Brewster next month. The European champions are ready to let the striker leave Anfield temporarily in January.

Ian Holloway held final talks with Grimsby Town earlier this week before agreeing a contract on Tuesday morning. Holloway's last managerial job was with QPR in 2018.

Nahki Wells scored a hat-trick as QPR began the new year with a 6-1 mauling of Cardiff. The outstanding Bright Osayi-Samuel netted twice and there was also a goal for Ebere Eze.

HECTOR NUNNS AT LOFTUS ROAD: Jordan Hugill took full advantage of a badly weakened Swansea team to grab his first FA Cup goals for six years.

Burnley are among the clubs considering a move for Aberdeen centre back Scott McKenna. The Dons are asking £6million for the Scotland international, who is also being watched by Championship clubs.

Tottenahm winger Jack Clarke is wanted by Millwall, QPR, Stoke and Middlesbrough.  Clarke was given just 19 minutes in the Championship this season for Leeds before being recalled by Spurs.

ADAM SHERGOLD AT GRIFFIN PARK: Brentford recorded a seventh straight home win to claim a 3-1 victory in the west London derby against Queen Park Rangers and cut the gap to the top.

Tottenham winger Jack Clarke is to join QPR on loan for the rest of the season. The 19-year old will be in contention to face former club Leeds at Loftus Road this Saturday.

The 19-year-old spent the first half of the season back with his first club Leeds United after joining Spurs in the summer for £7million but the deal was cancelled due to a lack of game time.

ADAM SHERGOLD AT LOFTUS ROAD: Nobody needs to explain to Leeds United the differences between the Premier League and the Championship.

It was roughly this time last year that a sticky patch of results for Leeds United soon deteriorated into a slide that ended with play-off heartbreak.

Burnley have held talks with Bristol City over a January move for midfielder Josh Brownhill, 24. He has a £7million release clause in his contract which is active in the summer.

Wells has scored 14 goals in 28 appearances this season as part of his second loan spell at QPR, who want to keep him but could lose out to Championship rivals Bristol City.

Nakhi Wells joined QPR on a season-long loan in the summer and the Sky Bet Championship club want to sign the 29-year-old on a permanent basis from Burnley.

Wells scored 13 goals in 26 games for the Loftus Road club. And the interest in him was led by City who turned to Wells in their search for a striker after missing out on Arsenal's Eddie Nketiah.

JAMIE REDKNAPP: Liverpool are cruising to their first championship in 30 years and Saturday's victory over Bournemouth was their 22nd straight home win - a new record in the English top flight.

Sportsmail's scout is a top football expert who attends matches each week searching for the next star. 

QPR have announced 'a number of staff' have been placed on furlough leave while non-playing employees at the club - including manager Mark Warburton - have taken a voluntary pay cut.

Retired footballer Dexter Blackstock has pledged to help provide vital personal protective equipment (PPE) to NHS hospitals and care institutions after setting up a donations fund.

When Liverpool were last English champions 30 years ago, JOHN BARNES was their brightest star and 13-year-old DANNY MURPHY idolised him from The Kop.

Doting dad Bret Turner shared his five-year-old daughter's hilarious antics last week in a Twitter thread that went viral as people across the country look for comic relief amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 53-year-old comedian took the family van while picking up supplies Sunday in Malibu, California.