Sherwood: Lloyd Jones and John Goddard handed new director of football Tim Sherwood the perfect start to life at Swindon Town after they beat Charlton 3-0 at the County Ground, yesterday. Former Tottenham and Aston Villa manager Sherwood was unveiled at the club on non-contract terms last week and sat in the stands admiring his new side’s dominant performance.

Guardado: Mexico’s Andres Guardado will miss their World Cup qualifier in Panama on Tuesday after injuring his thigh in Friday’s 2-1 away win over the US. The PSV midfielder was part of the Mexico team that made a winning start in the final phase of the CONCACAF qualifiers. “It’s my right thigh... it’s an injury that has affected me throughout my career,” Guardado, who had recovered from a previous setback in February, told reporters.

Rafa: Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez has won the Championship manager of the month award for October. He led his side to five straight wins to affirm their position at the top of the table. Benitez beat Brighton’s Chris Hughton, Preston boss Simon Grayson and Leeds manager Garry Monk, who all had excellent Octobers, to the award.

Dybala: Paulo Dybala is facing a longer period on the sidelines as he continues to recover from a thigh injury. The striker has not played for Juve since their 1-0 defeat to Milan on October 22. “Dybala had tests which showed progress in the healing process of his injury. The situation does not allow him to resume training with the team until the next three weeks,” Juve said.