This piece from our legendary writer Ian Wooldridge, who followed Jimmy Greaves's career closely, first appeared in Sportsmail on February 21, 2001...

Brendan Rodgers has launched a passionate defence of James Maddison's lifestyle and insists the Leicester midfielder is the footballer all youngsters want to emulate.

The England manager, who said some of his side's recent performances as 'unacceptable', admitted they are still some way from closing the gap on the two-time world champions.

Manchester City star Raheem Sterling believes that a victorious England campaign in Euro 2020 could represent a significant step forward in the country's battle against racism.

West Ham vice-chairman Baroness Brady has thrown her support behind Sportsmail's quest to see former England striker Jimmy Greaves honoured for services to football.

Manchester United left back Luke Shaw hasn't featured in the last 15 England games under Gareth Southgate since playing against Spain in the Nations League 17 months ago.

The FA will today hold urgent talks over the impact of the coronavirus on England's Wembley friendly with Italy next month. Twelve people have died from the disease in Italy so far.

Take a look at Jerome Sinclair's social media accounts, and you won't find out much. No tweets since 2017, and all of his profile pictures are black. In a way, it is a sad reflection of his struggles.

England have revealed grand developments for Wembley stadium, as they prepare to ensure the iconic national stadium remains among the world's best.

Marcus Rashford is due to return from injury before the end of the season. The Manchester United striker, 22, suffered a stress fracture in his back in January.

FA chairman Greg Clarke says England will continue to prepare for next month's friendly against Italy at Wembley despite increasing fears over the spread of the coronavirus.

DOMINIC KING AT GOODISON PARK: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer gave his unequivocal support to David De Gea as he described Manchester United's No1 as the 'world's best goalkeeper'.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW BY CLAIRE BLOOMFIELD: Keira Walsh felt like she had to carry the world on her shoulders amid a constant stream of negativity during the World Cup.

Joe Gomez said his infamous clash with Raheem Sterling has made him more guarded but admits he has learned from the experience.

England manager Gareth Southgate is seriously considering calling on the 19-year-old for this month's friendlies and Guardiola believes the midfielder's stock will continue to rise.

CLAIRE BLOOMFIELD IN ORLANDO: Phil Neville insists his Lionesses are not here to make up the numbers and vows to put them to the test against the USA in Thursday's SheBelieves Cup opener.

MATT HUGHES - CHIEF SPORTS REPORTER: England players have been told there is a possibility the game will be called off, as the FA wait for advice from the government.

Since the shambolic viewings four years ago, England have started to assemble a side capable of going all the way and Southgate deserves credit for putting faith in the next generation.

CLAIRE BLOOMFIELD IN TEXAS: White came off the bench to hit an 84th-minute winner against Japan in the SheBelieves Cup in New Jersey on Sunday.

John Barnes has warned Jadon Sancho against completing a £100million transfer to Liverpool in the summer before he is ready.

EXCLUSIVE BY MATT HUGHES: The FA face multi-million pound losses if they are forced to cancel games or stage them behind closed doors due to the coronavirus crisis.

The announcement of all public activities being restricted or completely shut down until March 29 include the expectation that international friendlies at the end of the month will be cancelled.

JAMES SHARPE AT ANFIELD: There are few positions in which England are blooming more right now than at right-back. Two players did battle under the lights at Anfield as Liverpool.

EXCLUSIVE BY DOMINIC KING: Phil Neville is considering his future and could be set to end his two-year spell in charge of England's women.

UEFA announced plans on Tuesday to move this month's international fixtures, suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic, to the early June international slots, subject to review.

The England international, 29, is currently playing for Atletico Madrid in Spain and has impressed under Diego Simeone, but he aims to return to Burnley to end his career in the near future.

For reasons buried in the mists of time, the Blackburn Rovers club photographer once asked Fergus Suter to pose next to a huge bearskin, though, as ever, he did not seem terribly fazed.

McDermott held the role as technical director at Spurs and played a key role in the development of the likes of Harry Kane, Harry Winks, Andros Townsend and Japhet Tanganga.

Gareth Southgate has urged England not to waste time worrying about the postponed European Championship and urged fans to provide each other with relentless support.

Wan-Bissaka has starred at Manchester United since his £50million move while Trent Alexander-Arnold continues to go from strength-to-strength for Premier League champions-elect Liverpool.

Tottenham have told Newcastle they will be willing to sell Danny Rose. The 29-year-old moved to St James' Park in January and his loan is set to expire at the end of the season.

TOM COLLOMOSSE: At his best, Ben Chilwell is one of the finest attacking full-backs in the country yet he has displayed a far more important quality during Leicester's season - an ability to learn quickly.

COMMENT: Harry Kane, you expect, will be fitter than he would have been this summer. Young talents such as Jadon Sancho and Callum Hudson-Odoi will have gained another year of experience.

COMMENT: Perhaps, the one plus side to this summer's European Championship being moved to 2021 is that it offers Kane time. The team figurehead will not have to rush to get back.

Three Lions fans may not be able to cheer on their manager and players in the Euros this summer but they can take a trip down memory lane to summer of '96 via the ITV Hub and ITV 4.

MATT HUGHES - AHEAD OF THE GAME: The FA have held talks about asking senior executives and staff - which could include England manager Gareth Southgate - to take temporary pay cuts.

England crashed out of the tournament in the quarter-finals when they suffered a 2-1 defeat to eventual winners Brazil, Ronaldinho scoring an unforgettable winner in the second half.

The news had been widely expected since the Olympics were pushed back by 12 months, with the coronavirus crisis also creating a backlog of qualifying fixtures.

AHEAD OF THE GAME: Sky Sports and BT Sport will ask the Premier League for the right to broadcast more matches next season as the price for not demanding a huge compensation fee.

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher and Chelsea centre-back John Terry played together when they were both on international duty for England between 2003 and 2010.

MARTIN SAMUEL - CHIEF SPORTS WRITER: Having given up £1million of his salary, England manager Gareth Southgate must have been rather surprised to end up as the villain on Sunday.

The England boss will see his £3m salary cut over the next three months, sacrificing £225,000, with England Women's manager Phil Neville and Under-21s boss Aidy Boothroyd also impacted

The Manchester City full-back was forced to issue a grovelling apology on Sunday after it emerged he had ignored the measures to stop the spread of the coronavirus and hosted a sex party.

On the pitch, Kyle Walker's commitment to the cause is in no doubt. A star of the England team, he became the world's most expensive defender to the tune of £50million in July 2017. Off it, things are very different.

It's Hot or Not time again as Sportsmail's Riath Al-Samarrai reveals what's been making him feel warm and what's been leaving him cold this week.

The two strikers differences were shot into the spotlight last year when Owen released his autobiography, in which he had a pop at the former Newcastle striker and legend.

Nicknamed 'The Cat' for his lightning reflexes, Bonetti became a club legend at Stamford Bridge after playing 729 games for Chelsea - making him their second-highest appearance maker.

Tottenham and England legend Jimmy Greaves is comfortable in hospital. He was rushed to the hospital on Tuesday night after nurses had concerns over his condition. He is 80 and has been in poor health.

Reece James has posted a picture of himself and other Premier League stars during their time in Chelsea's academy. The right back has been reflecting on his journey to the first team.

Take a look at the England squad Gareth Southgate named at the end of August last year, and one position jumps out immediately.