Former Town defender Frank Yallop can be held partly responsible for the USA's fine performance at the World Cup. Striker Landon Donovan is one of Yallop's San Jose Earthquakes squad which is currently topping the MLS Western Conference as they attempt to hold on to their title.

Earthquakes manager Yallop says of his player: "I'm not really surprised at all by the way he is playing - he just needed his sort of stage to show off his ability and his versatility."

The ex-Town man has kept an eye on the World Cup despite games being played in the middle of the American night and enjoyed watching Donovan score against Mexico: "It's on at about one in the morning here and I was watching it at home with my wife, and we just went crazy when he scored.

"We love Landon to do well - it's kind of a fulfilling feeling."

Donovan's performances are reported to have brought interest from European managers with Martin O'Neill said to be keen to take him to Parkhead.

Photo: Action Images

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