The FA are to probe a half-time tunnel bust-up involving Niall Quinn and Gerry Taggart during Sunday's match between Sunderland and Leicester.

The pair were booked for a 41st minute flare-up on the pitch and the row continued as they headed for the Stadium of Light dressing rooms.

Sunderland boss Peter Reid described it as "a bit of nonsense" but it was confirmed yesterday that the incident has been included in referee Steve Lodge's report.

The two players had clearly patched up their differences by the end of the game and gave each other a friendly embrace at the final whistle.

Taggart was dismissed in the corresponding fixture last season while Quinn has become increasing frustrated in recent weeks by the lack of protection from officials.

The Irish striker was similarly aggravated by Derby defender Horacio Carbonari a fortnight ago and has shown other signs of losing his customary cool.

Reid said: "I've said it before - I don't think he gets the rub of the green on many decisions."

Thomas Sorensen, meanwhile, has admitted that he was relieved to keep a clean sheet against table-toppers Leicester.

Danish keeper Sorensen has been beaten only twice in four games since returning from injury and he said: "I've got to be pleased with that.

"I thought we struggled in the first three or four games of the season but we played well at Liverpool and did ok against Leicester.

"It was a tough game mentally but we came away with a clean sheet so from my point of view it's a good result. We needed a little break for a goal but we didn't get it."

Striker Kevin Phillips was given the all-clear to link up with England's squad for the crucial world cup qualifiers against Germany and Finland.

Sunderland meet Emerson Thome's former club Chelsea on Saturday week and Reid is keeping fingers crossed that all his players return unscathed from international duty.

However Scottish midfielder Don Hutchison will miss the game because of a one-match ban after collecting five bookings.

Former Sunderland boss Denis Smith has resigned as manager of Oxford United.

Fans had called for Smith to resign after Saturday's 1-0 home defeat against Bristol City - the club's eighth defeat in 10 games - left them rooted to the bottom of the Second Division.

But he will remain with the Us in an advisory capacity.

Smith said: ''I believe it's in the best interests of the club for me to step down.

''I've a deep feeling for Oxford United and a good relationship with the chairman and I hope to be able to make a contribution to the club away from the direct relationship with the playing side.''

l Tim Flowers could be forgiven for allowing himself a rueful smile this weekend as England and Germany battle for precious World Cup qualifying points.

The 33-year-old Leicester goalkeeper is one of the main reasons that his club side are sitting happily on top of the Premiership table going into the international break, having conceded just two goals in eight league games.

His form has simply served to add to the clamour for him to be recalled to Kevin Keegan's squad but, although he admits that he would dearly love to add to the 11 caps he has already won, he is not holding his breath.

''I've given up being disappointed,'' he said. ''I think you always hope and I won't give up, but it doesn't really look too good for me, I'm afraid.

''I've played 11 times and I've thoroughly enjoyed that, but I suppose once you've played, you'd like to have another go or a bit more of that.

''It's a fantastic feather in your cap to be able to travel around the world with the national team and I'd love to get back in there.

''I'm younger than one or two of them but, having said that, they're all very good goalkeepers as well and I've got no qualms. They're all top class.''

While David Seaman and his understudies go through their paces at Wembley, Flowers will instead reflect upon a superb start to the new Premiership campaign by Peter Taylor's men.

''Our next two games are Manchester United at home and Liverpool away, so it could all go straight out of the window,'' he said.

''I'm not really going to tempt fate too much but we've started really solidly. We're top of the league so at this stage of the season we've got to be happy with that.'