Preston - Coventry

Preston demolished Scunthorpe in the previous round (0-3 away), they’re still far from relegation line (10 points), but they’ll probably give a good try. That win stands alone, but lately North End played against the team from the top. Against Leeds and Burnley lost, but took a draw vs. Norwich, Nott Forest, QPR and Watford. Preston have never lost at Deepdale against City (6 wins of last 7) and have just one defeat in last 13 both at home and away. No injury worries for Phil Brown.

Coventry are in a better position (8 points above the line), but actually facing a free fall since they have just one win out of last 17 games (winless in last six). Manager Boothroyd paid the price for poor results, they have a caretaker Andy Thorn, played a draw at Burnley (2-2) in the midweek, but actually Coventry are the best chance that Preston have to keep their hopes alive. Some important players are sidelined, or in doubt. Striker King is suspended, defender Cranie injured, while another striker Platt and skipper Carsley will have a late fitness test.

This is the first “make or break” game for Preston, they boosted the confidence with impressive display at Scunthorpe and Coventry surely aren’t unbeatable. I expect a tough match, but believe in Phil Brown’s capabilities and predict a home win. 2-1 correct score.

Bet: Preston -0.25
Odd: 2.07 Canbet
Stake: 7/10
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Preston - Leeds

North End are stuck for the bottom with 10 points below the relegation line and it seems there’s no wonder that could keep them in Championship. They’re 13 games without win in league (6D, 7L) and have won only one of last 21! They also conceded second highest number in league (62 goals in 35 games). Phil Brown has a long row in front the medic. Six players are rated as in doubt. Goalie Lonergan, def Morgan, def Gray, str Ellington, def Cort and mid Nicholson. So, goalie and three defenders in the poorest side in second tier.

Leeds are strong play-off (and promotion, in my opinion) candidates. However, they continue to play with the nerves of their fans, scoring goals for fun but conceding as well. 2-2 and 3-3 at home, then 0-3 at Swans and from 1-0 and 1-2 till 5-2 against Doncaster! They’ve brought midfielder Barry Bannan (till the end of season) from Villa and this lad could have very important role in the team. Leeds have failed to score in only four Championship games out of 35. One more reason for a good display will be first game at Elland where Leeds had 4-1 lead and eventually lost 4-6!

Goals look like an obvious and very popular bet, but it’s more my feeling that Grayson will demand tighter defence and not so open game. After almost every Leeds high scoring game this season, a low scoring one followed. The difference in quality is huge and I expect their safe win (something like 0-2), but took -0.25 line just in case. 

Bet: Leeds -0.25
Odd: 1.78 10bet
Stake: 8/10
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Thursday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP
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Chelsea face a battle to hold on to Ashley Cole, with the left-back worn down by speculation in England surrounding his private life and Real Madrid, Barcelona, AC Milan, Roma and Bayern Munich all interested in signing him.
Arsenal are interested in Lorient's £8m-rated centre-back Laurent Koscielny, 24, who is eligible to play for Poland and France.
Spain striker Fernando Torres has sparked a new round of speculation over his future by refusing to rule out a summer move from Liverpool.
Arsenal have risked alienating Spain midfielder Cesc Fabregas after refusing to discuss their skipper's transfer with Barcelona.
But Fabregas is hoping to secure a £40m move to Barcelona by toeing the line at Arsenal and refusing to be drawn into further discussion about a move.
Chelsea's out-of-contract midfielder Joe Cole has been told he must lower his £5m-a-year pay demands if he wants to join Tottenham.
Liverpool and Tottenham are battling to sign Croatia goalkeeper Marijan Antolovic, 21, who plays for Cibalia.
West Ham have had a bid of £5m turned down for Everton striker Yakubu, with Toffees boss David Moyes wanting closer to the £11.25m he paid Middlesbrough for the Nigerian.
Everton are being linked with a move for Marseille's France winger Hatem Ben Afra, 23, who has a price tag of £10m.
Birmingham manager Alex McLeish will offer Wigan £8m for French midfielder Charles N'Zogbia.
Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce's hopes of signing Spain midfielder Guti from Real Madrid look doomed after the player said he wants to stay in Spain.
Newcastle are set to launch a £3.5m bid for Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha, 23, and the Magpies are also favourites to land out-of-contract Rangers striker Kris Boyd, 26, on a free transfer.
Cardiff are preparing a shock move to try to take striker Craig Bellamy back to his hometown from Manchester City in a £7m deal.
Middlesbrough boss Gordon Strachan is hoping to pip his former club Celtic to the £2.5m signing of Scunthorpe striker Gary Hooper, 22. (Daily Mail)
Newly promoted Leeds are ready to rival Burnley for Derby striker Rob Hulse in a £1.5m deal.
Rangers boss Walter Smith has told Liverpool they will need to offer at least £5m for defender Danny Wilson, 18. Smith has also rejected Middlesbrough's advances for midfielder Kevin Thomson but will allow Algeria defender Madjid Bougherra to leave. (Daily Record)

OTHER GOSSIP
.
Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti has identified England manager Fabio Capello as the "ideal candidate" to replace their Real Madrid-bound coach Jose Mourinho and will offer the Italian a £9m-a-year contract.
Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole's chances of going to the World Cup are hanging in the balance after he was not guaranteed a starting place against Japan on Sunday - England final warm-up game before this summer's tournament.
Former MK Dons boss Paul Ince has emerged as a contender to succeed Avram Grant at Portsmouth after talks with the club's administrator.
Phil Brown, who was put on gardening leave in March, has agreed an £800,000 compensation deal with Hull City - ending all hope of him making a shock return as manager.
Meanwhile, Egypt striker Mido plans to see out the last year of his contract at Middlesbrough, which will cost the club £1.3m.

AND FINALLY
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Argentina coach Diego Maradona has promised to run naked in the centre of Buenos Aires if his team win the World Cup in South Africa.
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Friday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Arsenal and Manchester City target Yaya Toure has ruled out a move to the Premier League. The midfielder insists he is settled at Barcelona.(Daily Mail) 
Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has dismissed press speculation that he might be heading for Chelsea in the summer.(IMscouting.com) 
Liverpool winger Albert Riera could leave Anfield within weeks after his outburst against manager Rafael Benitez. CSKA Moscow and Spartak Moscow are tracking the 27-year-old and may match Liverpool's £8m valuation.(The Times) 
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich will invest in young talent rather than high-profile big names in the summer as he attempts to drive down the age of his ageing squad. (Daily Star)  
Sunderland manager Steve Bruce is keen to sign on-loan full-back Alan Hutton on a permanent £6m deal from Tottenham. The transfer may help rebuild the relationship between the two clubs after Darren Bent's protracted move to the Stadium of Light last summer.(Daily Mirror) 
Former Celtic midfielder Barry Robson has tipped winger Aiden McGeady to be the next high-profile star to follow him out of Parkhead.(Daily Record) 
Everton are readying themselves for a battle with Spanish side Sevilla for £8m-rated FC Twente striker Bryan Ruiz.(The Sun) 
Meanwhile FC Twente boss Steve McClaren is looking at a bid for Hull forward Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink as he attempts to bolster his fAorward line. (The Sun) 
West Ham owner David Sullivan wants Birmingham midfielder Sebastian Larsson and defender Liam Ridgewell, but Blues boss Alex McLeish has issued a hands-off warning over the pair. (Daily Mail) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Portsmouth manager Avram Grant has threatened to field weakened teams for the remainder of the season with his side all-but relegated following a nine point penalty for entering administration. (Daily Mail) 
Bristol City may approach former Ipswich and Scotland manager George Burley as they attempt to replace Gary Johnson who parted company with the club on Thursday.(The Guardian) 
Or sacked Hull boss Phil Brown will be offered an immediate return to management with the Ashton Gate side. (Daily Star)
Doncaster manager Sean O'Driscoll is another in the frame for the Bristol City position with City chairman Steve Lansdown impressed by Doncaster's performance in a 5-2 win over the Robins earlier this month.(The Sun) 
Forward Robinho could return to Manchester City this season because of a wage dispute at his loan club Santos. (Daily Mirror) 
But City feel under no obligation to take the playmaker back, and resume paying his salary, until their loan arrangement with the Brazilian side comes to an end on 4 August.(The Independent) 
Hull City must continue to pay Phil Brown as, although he is on gardening leave, he technically remains their manager. Iain Dowie has been appointed as "football management consultant". (Daily Mail) 

AND FINALLY

Ipswich boss Roy Keane has admitted he would rather throw punches than tea cups at underperforming players, adding that it is good "to go a bit mad".(Daily Mail) 
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson will offer his sympathy to under-pressure Liverpool counterpart Rafael Benitez in his programme notes for the two teams' meeting on Sunday.(Daily Mirror)

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Monday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Aston Villa are considering a move for Manchester United's reserve Polish goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak. (Daily Mail) 
Reports in Italy claim Juventus would be prepared to let goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon sign for Manchester City for a fee in the region of £32m. (The Times) 
France winger Franck Ribery remains coy over his future at Bayern Munich amid continued interest from Chelsea, Real Madrid and Barcelona. Ribery's current contract expires at the end of the season, but German side Bayern have given him until the end of March to decide his plans.(IM Scouting) 
French striker Frederic Piquionne wants to remain in England after his loan spell at Portsmouth finishes at the end of the season. The 31-year-old looks set to leave cash-strapped Pompey but does not want to return to his parent club Lyon. (IM Scouting) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Rafael Benitez would earn an instant £16m payment if Liverpool sacked the under-pressure manager in the summer because of a clause in the Spaniard's five-year contract.(Daily Mail) 
But should the Anfield club accept an investment offer of £100m from private equity firm Rhone Group, the Reds could afford to hang on to their coveted stars Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres. (Daily Mail)
However, Benitez fears that striker Torres will seek to leave Anfield if Liverpool fail to finish fourth in the Premier League to qualify for next season's Champions League.(The Guardian) 
Inter Milan manager Jose Mourinho is claiming 'home advantage' ahead of Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final second leg tie at former club Chelsea. Mourinho, who led the Blues to six trophies in three years, said: "Everybody knows Mourinho doesn't lose at Stamford Bridge. My record is unbeatable." (The Sun) 
Meanwhile, Mourinho has refused to let his Inter players train at Stamford Bridge, fearing Chelsea spies may attempt to learn his tactical plans. The Italian side hold a 2-1 lead from the first leg.(Daily Star) 
Kasper Schmeichel, the son of Manchester United legend Peter, is good enough to play in the Premier League again, according to the keeper's Notts County manager Steve Cotterill. (Daily Mail) 

AND FINALLY

Hull manager Phil Brown has been ordered not to talk to his teenage midfielder Tom Cairney. Brown has received a letter from the 19-year-old's legal representatives after the club tried to open contract negotiations.(The Sun)

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Monday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Premier League trio Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City are battling it out along with Spanish duo Real Madrid and Barcelona for Benfica winger Angel Di Maria. (imscouting.com) 
Sunderland manager Steve Bruce is targeting £3.5m Portsmouth defender Marc Wilson.(Daily Mail) 
Manchester United are leading the race to sign QPR's highly rated 15-year-old midfielder Raheem Sterling. Manchester City, Arsenal and Fulham are also interested in the player. (Daily Mirror) 
West Bromwich Albion are tracking Hamilton midfielder James McArthur, with a view to making a £2m summer bid.(Daily Mirror) 
Plymouth have joined the race for highly-rated Barnet winger Albert Adomah.(Daily Mirror) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Chelsea defender Ashley Cole is facing a £400,000 fine from the Blues after recent headlines concerning the 29-year-old's private life heaped further embarrassment on the club.(The Times) 
Alternatively, Cole could be transfer listed by Chelsea following an investigation by the club. Owner Roman Abramovich is understood to be furious at the way Cole's alleged behaviour has damaged the reputation of the club.(Daily Mail) 
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has ordered Carlos Tevez to return to England after the striker went AWOL in Argentina. Tevez has missed City's last three matches after he was granted compassionate leave by City for family reasons.(Daily Mirror) 
AC Milan manager Leonardo offered to quit following the club's 3-2 home defeat by Manchester United in the Champions League last week.(Daily Mail) 
QPR expect to name Crystal Palace boss Neil Warnock as their new manager this week. Former Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate has been lined up to replace Warnock at Selhurst Park.(Daily Mirror) 
Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney's younger brother John has landed a week-long trial at Derby.(Daily Mail) 
The Football Association has played down concerns over England's unfinished World Cup base in Rustenburg. England manager Fabio Capello and FA officials have flown over to inspect the £20m hotel and training complex before approving the site for use by the national squad this summer.(The Times) 
Sunderland boss Steve Bruce says that the next four home games will decide if they are to face a relegation scrap at the end of the season. The struggling Black Cats host Fulham, Bolton, Birmingham and Manchester City with a trip to Aston Villa in between.(The Sun) 

AND FINALLY

Real Madrid winger Cristiano Ronaldo is distraught about the catastrophic floods that have killed 32 people in his native Madeira and has pledged to help the devastated island.(Daily Mail) 
Hull manager Phil Brown says he was so angry with his side's 3-0 defeat at West Ham he cancelled a scheduled appearance on Sky's Goals on Sunday programme so he could read the riot act to his players.(The Sun)
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Great day

Newcastle 3 - 0 Preston

Newcastle moved five points clear at the top of the Championship as they kept up their unbeaten home record.
The Magpies took only three minutes to score, Peter Lovenkrands' attempted cross clearing Preston keeper Andy Lonergan and dropping inside the post. 
Top scorer Kevin Nolan doubled the lead after half-time when he burst into the penalty area and slotted in his 12th goal of the season. 
Substitute Ryan Taylor fired in the third in injury time. 
West Brom could narrow Newcastle's lead when they face Bristol City on Sunday. 
But the Magpies' promotion chase shows no sign of letting up after a comfortable win over Preston, who had their chances but lost to a far more clinical side.
Newcastle boss Chris Hughton:
"I think it is the most important thing. 
"We know West Brom and Nottingham Forest are one or two wins away from being a lot closer to us or being above us so we can't afford to lose focus. 
"Our preparation has to be the same and our mental attitude going into every game has to be the same." 
Preston boss Darren Ferguson:
"It was never a 3-0 game, that flatters Newcastle massively. 
"They'll have a good chance of winning promotion if they get referees like today. You have to have strong referees, especially against Newcastle, and he wasn't strong enough. 
"Overall I was pleased with the performance, if we play like that we'll be OK."

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West Ham 3 - 0 Hull City

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West Ham turned on the style to make it two wins in a row for the first time this season as fellow relegation strugglers Hull were reduced to 10 men.
Valon Behrami capped a surging run with a third-minute opener after exchanging passes with Guillermo Franco. 
And Hull's problems increased shortly after the break when Craig Fagan was sent off for a second bookable offence. 
Julien Faubert fed Carlton Cole for a slotted second before completing the win with a thumping late effort. 
It was West Ham's fourth consecutive clean sheet at home, and the emphatic scoreline - not to mention the buoyant nature of the display against a relegation rival - will surely please manager Gianfranco Zola.
The Hammers came out of the blocks at lightning speed and although they did not build on their overall superiority until after Fagan's dismissal, their performance was brimming with a brio and belief that have too often been missing this season. 
They were aided and abetted by a Hull side who, rarely in it apart from a brief spell of pressure before the break, were left with a mountain to climb after Fagan's departure. 
The result leaves Phil Brown's side just a point above the drop zone.
Hull manager Phil Brown:
"It was self-inflicted, we had a game plan but it was unhinged by poor decision-making. 
"The sending-off was also self-inflicted, it was a poor decision by Craig Fagan to make the tug because he was already in the book. 
"The first diagnosis of Anthony Gardner's injury isn't good, he has a problem with both his tibia and fibula. 
"It was a bad day at the office to say the least." 
West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola:
"It was a good performance; we can do better, but the difference was the way we started. 
"We were solid throughout the game and the second goal was important for us. 
"Robert Green's save was worth a goal to us, because it allowed us to reorganise at half-time. 
"The whole team is getting better; the more confidence you get, the more the players can give."
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West Ham - Hull City

West Ham have been noticing a slight improvement in past few games. Main reason is return of a key striker Carlton Cole who already reached his old shape and start scoring goals. The Hammers made very important victory against Birmingham (2-0 at home) in last round. The pressure has been decreased, but they’ll simply have to continue with collecting the points. Especially in six points games as this one is. Many other things have also been settled down. Zola’s position is safe again, club paid Curbishly and they won’t have to sell best players. The squad is even strengthened with few names. Benni McCarthy will miss the game because the knee problem, while his fellow striker Guillermo Franco is in contention to return. Gabbidon,Davenport, Boa Morte and Hine remain sidelined. Zola's side are unbeaten in their last four home games, keeping a clean sheet in the last three.

Hull City have collected the same number of points as today’s opponent and hold the 17th position with just one point far from relegation zone. They’re typical home side, from total of 24 points, 20 collected at home. On the road they’re the second worst team (after Burnley) with just four draws in 13 games. Tigers scored just 7 goals and conceded 31 and didn’t score in last three games on the road! The Tigers also have failed to score in seven of their last nine away games in the league. As for West Ham, this game is also decisive for Hull and I expected their intention to win all three points. That would, at the same time, make the defense line even more vulnerable. The biggest dilemma for boss Brown is should he include his “key of the keys”, Jimmy Bullard in this game. Midfielder has been absent for 11 weeks and still doesn’t train with full capacity. Geovanni remains sidelined, but midfielder Boateng is available after his red card at Blackburn was rescinded. Hull City have gone 18 games without an away win.

West Ham definitely have more potential than have been showing so far. Win vs. Birmingham decreased the pressure and give a wind in the back. They’ll be focused and fully motivated as this is a six point game. Hull simply lack in quality and while they at home compensate it with fanatical fighting, on the road don’t have a clue. Hosts are clear favorites here. Home win and again handicap as a gamble.

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And another gamble. Michael Chopra (Cardiff) to score first.

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Wednesday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will not stand in the way of captain Cesc Fabregas if he wants to leave England and join Spanish side Barcelona, according to Spanish newspaper Sport.( imscouting.com) 
Arsenal midfielder Andrey Arshavin says he would understand if team-mate Cesc Fabregas leaves the Gunners for Barcelona in the summer, but hopes the midfielder will stay at the Emirates.(Daily Mail) 
Nadir Belhadj is an unlikely target for Barcelona after the Portsmouth defender was singled out for praise from Barca midfielder Xavi Fernandes.(Daily Mirror) 
AC Milan will use striker Klaas Jan Huntelaar as bait to land Manchester United's wantaway defender Nemanja Vidic.(Daily Mirror) 
Manchester City and Chelsea are on alert after Sevilla's Brazilian striker Luis Fabiano refused to rule out a move to the Premier League.(The Sun) 
Chelsea are plotting a £70m spending spree this summer to rejuvenate their squad with Borussia Dortmund's Serbia centre-back Neven Subotic, winger Angel Di Maria, of Benfica, Napoli midfielder Marek Hamsik and Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger their main targets.(Daily Express) 
Tottenham's Jamie O'Hara is ready to quit the club in a bid to further his career. The midfielder is currently on loan at Portsmouth. (Daily Mail) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Crystal Palace boss Neil Warnock will ask the FA to take into account the stress he is under working for a club in administration when investigating the comments he made about assistant referee Trevor Massey after the FA Cup match against Aston Villa last Sunday. Warnock labelled Massey a "disgrace" after the decision to wrongly award Villa a corner from which they scored a late equaliser at Selhurst Park.(Daily Mirror) 
Former Crystal Palace striker Ian Wright says he would be tempted to return to Selhurst Park as a coach if Ron Noades takes over the cash-strapped Championship club.(The Sun) 
Wolves chairman Steve Morgan believes Liverpool would be debt-free had his 2004 bid for the Merseysiders been accepted.(The Times) 
West Ham co-owner David Sullivan has offered Birmingham chief Carson Yeung £500,000 to end their dispute - but the Hong Kong billionaire has rejected it.(Daily Mirror) 
Hull manager Phil Brown is ready to gamble on midfielder Jimmy Bullard to play in his side's crunch relegation clash at West Ham on Saturday.(Daily Mirror) 
Real Madrid winger Cristiano Ronaldo is officially the highest paid player in the world, according to a recent list published by Portuguese marketing agency Futebol Finance. The former Manchester United star picks up a basic gross salary of £11.3m. Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor is the Premier League's highest earner on £7.4m, according to the list.(Daily Mirror) 
Former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, who is now managing Inter Milan, says the Blues would have won more trophies under him had he not left the club in 2007.(Daily Mail)
Burnley boss Brian Laws has scotched rumours of a bust-up with Clarets midfielder Joey Gudjonsson, insisting the player still has a role to play in the club's battle against relegation.(The Sun) 

AND FINALLY

Liverpool's Glen Johnson has won every major trophy with the Reds - on Championship Manager. The right back has become a big fan of the computer game while recovering from his knee injury. "I'm sick of TV now," he admits. "When you're confined to the couch you'll look at anything. Thankfully, Championship Manager got me through."(Daily Mail) 
Queens Park Rangers are on the verge of signing reality TV star Hicham Abdellah. The 17-year-old striker has made it through to the semi-finals of Football's Next Star, whose winner gets a place at the Inter Milan academy.(Daily Mirror)

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Nottingham F. 1 - 0 Sheffield U.

1 - 0 R. Earnshaw 4.min.

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AC Milan 2 - 3 Manchester U

1 - 0 Ronaldinho  3.min.
1 - 1 P. Scholes  36.min
1 - 2 W. Rooney  66.min.
1 - 3 W. Rooney  74.min.
2 - 3 C. Seedorf  85.min.

Manchester United – Hull City

United come into this game after a slap from City in Carling Cup and to make the things even worse both goals were conceded from top enemy at present. So, Sir Alex is very annoyed by that game, but also with whole season as well. United have noticed some very surprising defeats lately (four in last nine competitive games, Villa, Fulham, Leeds and City). Big debt of the Glazer family caused team probably can’t be strengthened during the winter market. Injury crisis also didn’t help. However, with a win today United would occupy top of the table (Chelsea and Arsenal play FA Cup). Defender John O'Shea is set to miss the rest of the season after suffering a blood clot problem, while Vidic remains sidelined with a calf complaint. But, long waited return of Rio Ferdinand should happen today and Berbatov has recovered from a dead leg. United have won their last six league and cup matches against Hull.

 

Hull occupy the 18 place at the table with the second worst away record with just four points (four draws) from eleven games (first is Burnley)! Hard times are in front the Tigers and they look like serious contender for moving in the second tier. Big blow for their Premier League hopes is injury of their “key of the keys” man, Jimmy Bullard (will return probably next weekend against Wolves). Without him, Hull usually look harmless and focused only on defending their own goal. To change it, boss Phil Brown has brought Amr Zaki (played for Wigan previous season), but he’s totally unfit and won’t appear today. In previous round, Hull make the biggest upset of the round keeping a goalless draw at White Hart Lane thankfully to wonder game of goalie Boaz Myhill, but also to huge amount of luck. Defender Kamil Zayatte will face a late fitness test, but Brown has no other injury concerns.

 

United feel humiliated and this game should heal the wounds. Ferguson wants a win by few goals margin which would be a nice introduction to re-match vs. City. So far, United haven’t had any problems with the clubs of Hull’s level (Wolves 3-0,Wigan 5-0 and Burnley 3-0 in last three home games). And last, I think Hull spent the luck against Spurs and don’t expect them to be such fortunate again. Home -2.5 handicap win looks like a nice bet.

.

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Friday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Defender Sol Campbell is set for a shock return to Arsenal, but only if manager Arsene Wenger sells Philippe Senderos in the January transfer window.(Daily Mirror) 
Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola is delaying signing a new contract with the club until they can guarantee the signing of Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas.(Daily Star) 
However, Spanish rivals Real Madrid are preparing to derail Barcelona's attempt to sign Fabregas. President Florentino Perez and director general Jorge Valdano have held talks about a £43m bid.(The Sun)
Manchester City are on the verge of signing Argentine defender Cristian Ansaldi for £4m from Rubin Kazan. (The Times) 
Liverpool have entered the race to sign Marouane Chamakh with the offer of a pre-contract agreement for the Bordeaux striker, who can leave the French club for nothing at the end of the season.(The Guardian) 
Wolves have made a £3m offer for Hull winger Stephen Hunt.(The Sun) 
Birmingham boss Alex McLeish is willing to make Kenwyne Jones the club's highest earner if he can lure him from Sunderland, but is unwilling to pay the £11m the Black Cats want for the striker.(The Times) 
Former Chelsea striker Eidur Gudjohnsen, who is now at Monaco, is closing in on a £2m move to Blackburn.(The Sun) 
But Gudjohnsen is also wanted by West Ham and Tottenham.(Daily Mirror) 
Middlesbrough manager Gordon Strachan has blocked Austrian defender Emanuel Pogatetz's proposed £1.5m move to Greek club Panathinaikos.(Daily Mail) 
Hull boss Phil Brown is chasing Aston Villa striker Marlon Harewood, who is currently on loan at Championship side Newcastle.(The Sun) 
Liverpool are expected to conclude a £1.5m deal for Atletico Madrid winger Maxi Rodriguez in the next 24 hours.(The Times) 
And Reds boss Rafael Benitez also wants to sign Reading goalkeeper Adam Federici for £2m.(The Sun) 
Winger John Utaka is set to start an exodus at cash-strapped Portsmouth by joining French side Sochaux. (Daily Mirror) 
Defender Younes Kaboul is also expected to leave Portsmouth, with Sunderland keen on the former Spurs player.(Daily Mail) 
Stoke City are considering a £1m move for ex-Wigan striker Amr Zaki, while Marseille enquire about Bolton striker Johan Elmander's availability. (Daily Mail) 
West Ham want to sign striker James Beattie on loan but Stoke say they will only consider a permanent transfer.(The Times) 
Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester City are sending scouts to Crystal Palace's home game on Saturday as the race hots up for striker Victor Moses.(Daily Mirror) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Manchester City have insisted on a six-month get-out clause with new midfielder Patrick Vieira, just in case the former Arsenal star fails to make the grade at Eastlands.(Daily Mirror) 
Norwich manager Paul Lambert has emerged as a leading contender to replace Owen Coyle at Burnley.(Daily Mail) 
Or Burnley want to talk to Simon Grayson about becoming their new manager.(Daily Mirror) 
Swansea boss Paulo Sousa has also been linked with the vacant job at Turf Moor.(The Guardian) 
In a bid to keep striker Kris Boyd at Ibrox, Rangers are promising to make him one of their best-paid players - on a salary of £18,000 a week. Boyd has been linked with moves to Birmingham and Middlesbrough.(Daily Record) 
Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney is set to become club captain next season should Gary Neville retire in the summer.(The Sun) 
And United defender Rio Ferdinand could make his long-awaited comeback from injury in the home game with Burnley on 16 January.(Daily Mirror) 
Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti could offer the club's 21-year-old Serbian Nemanja Matic the chance to take over the first team's holding midfielder role in the absence of Michael Essien and John Mikel Obi.(Daily Mail) 

AND FINALLY

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is so fed up with freezing conditions ruining training that will take his players to Dubai if Saturday's game at Birmingham is called off.(The Sun) 
Thirty-three-year-old Patrick Vieira, who would have been out of contract in the summer, will pick up a weekly wage of £100,000 at Manchester City. The Guardian's report fails to mention whether he will also receive a final-salary pension. (The Guardian)

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Hull 3-2 Everton

Hull held off an Everton fightback to earn a win which moves them level with their struggling opponents.
Stephen Hunt powered in a shot for the home side after Jozy Altidore's effort had been parried by keeper Tim Howard. 
Andy Dawson's free-kick and a Dean Marney shot added to the lead but Hull's Kamil Zayatte sliced a clearance into his own goal to give Everton hope. 
Zayatte conceded a penalty which Louis Saha converted for the visitors but the Tigers clung on for victory. 
Everton must have been on the end of a verbal bashing from manager David Moyes at half-time as they came out a different side after the break. 
However, their efforts came too late to rescue a dire opening half as the home side were resolute enough to earn three points and leave the Toffees with only one win in 10 games.
Hull had gone into the match without Jimmy Bullard as boss Phil Brown decided to rest his star man so that the midfield playmaker could recover from a minor knock to his knee. 
Bullard has had a major impact for the Tigers since his recovery from a lengthy spell out injured but Brown was taking the longer term view when leaving him out and the home side initially made light of his absence.
Hull City boss Phil Brown:
"I think it was a deserved win, even though Everton scored two goals in the second half. People might have been nervous at 3-2 but I wasn't unduly worried, I thought we still had a grip on the game. 
"Defensively, we were very good in the first half. The second half was a different ball game and an own goal unhinges you to a certain extent. 
"But we stuck at the task and thoroughly deserved the victory. 
"Jimmy Bullard's in a new area of his rehabilitation. It was just a precautionary resting and fortunately it has worked for everybody. 
"It now gives me a bit of a headache for Saturday, but they are the kind of headaches you want."
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Hull City - Everton

Home side is in the run of four games at home without a defeat. Two wins (Wigan and Stoke) and two draws (Portsmouth and West Ham). Midfield playmaker, Jimmy Bullard, recovered from the injury (returned against Stoke), team improved the attacking potential, moved from relegation zone and manager Phil Brown still keeps his job. The problem is, their defense line is the worst in Premier (only Wigan conceded more, but thankfully to London’s disaster). That defense will miss regular right-back, Bernard Mendy who will serve a one-game ban after his sending-off against West Ham, while goalie, Boaz Myhill, will face a late fitness tests. The same situation, as with Myhill, is with midfielder Seyi Olofinjana. The Tigers will fight for all three points, although their last win against Everton was at old stadium Boothferry Park back in December 1952.

Everton play a season much under all expectations. David Moyes has had a lots of injury players since the league started. They have only one win (West Ham 2-1, away) in last nine competitive games. Defense line hasn’t been performing well, since the departure of Joleon Lescott. Two other defenders who Moyes imagined to be key in back line, Jagielka and Neville, are long-term injured. However, they have plenty of players who make a goal scoring threat and I think (hope Moyes too) Everton will have more chances if attack and try to play for a goal more, than to defend. Yakubu and Saha should cause a lots of problems for Hull’s shaky defense. Fellaini and Bilyaletdinov are suspended, while Steven Pienaar is finally set to return, but could appear only against Liverpool on Sunday.

This is their second meeting at KC Stadium this season. In League Cup, Everton made a convincing 4-0 win and that’s probably the reason for such low odds for away win. It seems both teams have much more potential in attacks than in back lines. I expect another open game and goals on both sides. Betfair offer 2.14, Pinnacle 2.12. Over.

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Monday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Newcastle United are willing to splash out £5m for Leeds forward Jermaine Beckford. (The Sun)

OTHER GOSSIP

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson could be in trouble with the Football Association for expressing his displeasure over referee Martin Atkinson after Sunday's 1-0 defeat at Chelsea.
Disputing the free-kick that led to John Terry's headed goal and the failure to see Didier Drogba's foul on Wes Brown, Ferguson said: "You lose faith in the refereeing sometimes." (Various)(Guardian) 
Hull chairman Adam Pearson could be set to give manager Phil Brown until the end of the season to prove himself. 
With many predicting Brown's sacking on the back of Hull's poor run, the recently appointed chief said: "If you stay strong and dig in, then I think it is a decent solution."(The Sun) 
Former Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate is being lined up to return to employment as manager at Brighton and Hove Albion. (The Sun)

AND FINALLY

Former Manchester United winger Lee Sharpe has revealed in a forthcoming book that David Beckham used to do everything for him.
On his former Old Trafford team-mate, Sharpe says: "He'd clean my shoes, make me cups of tea and even came in to one of my fan club afternoons." (The Sun)

Friday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp is planning a summer raid on Manchester United to sign defender Rio Ferdinand, who has recently endured a torrid few months for club and country.(Daily Mail) 
Former Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor says that current Gunners captain Cesc Fabregas will be the next star to quit the Emirates if the club underachieve again this season.(Daily Mirror) 
Arsenal could also lose Fabregas' fellow Spanish midfielder Fran Merida, with Atletico Madrid set to step up their interest in the player.(The Sun) 
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is keen on signing Torino's Italy Under-21 international defender Angelo Ogbonna.(The Sun) 
Birmingham want to sign Seville striker Arouna Kone on loan.(The Sun) 
Alternatively, City are planning a move for Salzburg striker Marc Janko.(Daily Mirror) 
Wolves striker Chris Iwelumo has turned down the chance to join Middlesbrough.(Daily Mirror) 
Middlesbrough boss Gordon Strachan has other targets in mind though, namely Manchester United striker Federico Macheda, who the Scot wants on loan.(Daily Mail) 
Swansea are tracking Sheffield United's Welsh international winger David Cotterill.(Daily Mirror) 
Derby boss Nigel Clough is planning a £500,000 swoop for Plymouth striker Jamie Mackie.(Daily Mirror) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is wanted by Real Madrid as replacement for current boss Manuel Pellegrini.(Daily Mail) 
Hull manager Phil Brown has been given only two games to save his job as the club look to consolidate in the wake of the departure of Paul Duffen as chairman.(The Sun)
Alternatively, Brown has just one game to avoid the sack, meaning he must get a positive result at Burnley on Saturday.(Independent) 
However, if former Hull owner Adam Pearson returns to the club, Brown will be axed as manager regardless of whether he turns their fortunes around.(Daily Mail) 
Another manager who is battling to save his job is Reading boss Brendan Rodgers, who has two games to save himself from the axe.(Daily Mail) 
Notts County executive chairman Peter Trembling says the club backed away from appointing former Inter coach Roberto Mancini as boss at Meadow Lane because of the media interest it would generate.(Guardian) 
Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano has denied suggestions that his poor form this season is because of continual transfer speculation linking him with a move to European champions Barcelona.(The Sun) 
Liverpool's players have backed Italian midfielder Alberto Aquilani, who has recovered from a broken ankle, to be the club's trump card after he finally made his debut in the Carling Cup tie with Arsenal on Wednesday.(Daily Mirror) 
Striker Marlon King will miss out on £2.7m in wages after his sacking by Wigan in the aftermath of his 18-month jail sentence for sexual assault.(Daily Mirror) 
LA Galaxy midfielder David Beckham will miss England's friendly with Brazil in Doha on 14 November if Galaxy win their MLS play-off next week as they would next play again on the 12th. This will wreck his chances of breaking Peter Shilton's 125-cap record at the World Cup in South Africa next year.(The Sun) 
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has slammed international friendlies as money-making ventures for FA delegates, who fancy a "nice sunny trip".(The Sun) 
Wigan boss Roberto Martinez has phoned Sir Alex Ferguson, Sam Allardyce, Steve Bruce and Rafa Benitez to help defuse the row over comments attributed to him suggesting that the Manchester United, Blackburn and Sunderland boss were ganging up on Liverpool manager Benitez.(The Sun) 
Manchester City striker Craig Bellamy says that he will quit international football with Wales if City qualify for the Champions League.(Daily Mirror) 
Former Arsenal defender Sol Campbell's attempts to release his registration from Notts County have hit a snag as the club want him to agree to five-year gagging agreement preventing him talking about his time at Meadow Lane.(The Sun) 
Arsenal striker Jay Simpson is aiming to be a hit in the Premier League next season, whether it be with the Gunners or at QPR, with whom he is currently on loan.(Daily Mirror) 

AND FINALLY

Sheffield United player-coach Gary Speed says the only training he is now doing is for the London Marathon. The former Newcastle midfielder, who has been recovering from a serious back injury suffered last November, is running the event for the Bobby Robson Foundation.(Daily Mirror) 
Former Manchester City defender Danny Mills will compete in April's Brighton Marathon in a wheelchair to help raise money for the Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus and football charity the National Association of Disabled Supporters. (The Sun) 
Arsenal midfielder Samir Nasri says he was so hungry to make his mark on his return to Arsenal's in the Carling Cup match with Liverpool on Wednesday he "wanted to eat the pitch". The Frenchman has been out for three months with a broken leg.(The Sun) 
Portsmouth boss Paul Hart says he loves being kept in the dark over issues at Fratton Park as it makes his day more interesting. Hart admitted he had not been consulted over the appointment of Avram Grant as director of football in October and Pompey despite a transfer embargo being in place at the club since 15 October, Hart only found out about it on Tuesday.(The Sun)

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P.S.:Football weekend is in front. Analyzes will follow, first tonight.

Friday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

European champions Barcelona will test Manchester City's resolve to keep Brazilian forward Robinho by offering to take the player on a six-month loan should the Blues reject a £32.5m bid. (Daily Mirror) 
Alternatively, Barca will offer City French striker Thierry Henry in exchange for Robinho. (Daily Star) 
Hull City boss Phil Brown is tracking Aarhus' Danish international midfielder Jakob Poulsen ahead of a transfer window move.(Daily Mirror) 
Inter Milan midfielder Sulley Muntari has insisted he will not be leaving Italy to join Tottenham this summer. (The Sun) 
Atletico Madrid have reiterated their desire to sign Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Eboue, a move which could embroil them in a "tapping-up" row. (Daily Mirror) 
The Gunners also face a fight to keep hold of young Spanish midfielder Fran Merida who is wanted by Sevilla.(Daily Mirror) 
Chelsea will attempt to sign Middlesbrough winger Adam Johnson next summer if their appeal against their transfer ban, imposed for tapping up, is successful.(The Times) 
Leeds are set to sign Wolves striker Sam Vokes on loan until January.(Daily Mail) 
Stoke want defender Ryan Shawcross to sign a new four-year deal to ward off interest from Tottenham, Liverpool and Everton, who are all considering January bids for the player.(The Sun) 
Portsmouth are hoping to sign on-loan Tottenham midfielder Jamie O'Hara on a permanent basis. The 22-year-old's temporary deal at Fratton Park expires in January. (The Sun) 
Sheffield United are weighing up a £2m bid for Blackburn's third-choice keeper Mark Bunn.(The Sun) 
Sheffield United defender Matthew Kilgallon is being tracked by Bolton, Wigan and Burnley after contract talks between him and the Blades broke down.(Daily Mail) 

OTHER GOSSIP

LA Galaxy midfielder David Beckham has played his way into Fabio Capello's squad for next year's World Cup, as has Peter Crouch.(The Sun )
New Birmingham owner Carson Yeung has promised to go on an £80m spending spree next year with half available to manager Alex McLeish in January and half the following summer.(The Sun) 
Newcastle caretaker boss Chris Hughton has admitted he wants to take the reins at St James' Park on a permanent basis.(Daily Mirror) 
The representative of referee's union Prospect says that Sir Alex Ferguson's apology to referee Alan Wiley for labelling him "unfit" shows that managers can no longer get away with abusing officials.(Daily Mirror) 
Bolton have complained to referee's chief Keith Hackett that striker Kevin Davies is being victimised by officials because of his previous poor disciplinary record.(Daily Mirror) 
Argentine midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron has warned his national coach Diego Maradona has got eight months to save the country from World Cup humiliation. Argentina scraped through to the 2010 finals in South Africa via a nervy 1-0 win over Uruguay last weekend.(Daily Mirror) 

AND FINALLY

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has joked that his controversial decision to pick David Beckham as man-of-the-match for Wednesday's England match against Belarus was because two-goal striker Peter Crouch rejected a summer move to the Stadium of Light.(Daily Mirror) 
Tottenham midfielder Wilson Palacios is set to miss Spurs' game at Portsmouth on Saturday after Interim Honduras President Roberto Micheletti told the national team's players, including Palacios, to stay in the country and party following their qualification for the 2010 World Cup.(Daily Mirror)
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Saturday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Tottenham striker Robbie Keane could be out of White Hart Lane in the January transfer window, with Glasgow giants Celtic leading the chase for the 29-year-old.(The Sun) 
Out-of-favour Inter Milan midfielder Patrick Vieira could return to England in the new year as he tries to secure a place in France's World Cup squad.(Daily Mirror) 
Manchester United have been told that they will have to pay £20m if they want to lure defender Gary Cahill from Bolton next summer.(Daily Telegraph) 
Manchester City are chasing Gremio's 19-year-old defender Mario Figueira Fernandes. (Daily Mail) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Former Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan, who won £2m in damages after winning his case against the club for constructive dismissal, was forced to sign Uruguayan midfielder Ignacio Gonzalez because ex-director of football Dennis Wise wanted to keep two agents happy.(Various) 
Birmingham managing director Karren Brady is leaving the club with a severance package worth over £1m.(Daily Mirror) 
Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick is set to start in one of England's World Cup qualifiers next week, either in Ukraine or at home to Belarus.(The Sun) 
And England boss Fabio Capello is also expected to play West Ham striker Carlton Cole against Ukraine.(Daily Star) 
Portsmouth owner Sulaiman Al Fahim had been called to a meeting with Premier League chairman Dave Richards and chief executive Richard Scudamore to explain his position before he was admitted to hospital.(The Sun) 
And Al Fahim's tenure at Pompey could be over if he does not find £16.5m to keep the club afloat by 15 October.(Daily Mail) 
Notts County's bid to have their takeover approved by the Football League has been boosted by the news that a major backer is set to go public next week. (Daily Mirror)
Former Arsenal and Tottenham defender Sol Campbell is to ask the Premier League for special dispensation so that he can join a top-flight club before the January transfer window, after he quit Notts County last month.(The Guardian) 
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, who this week became the club's longest-serving manager, believes former players Thierry Henry, Lee Dixon, Steve Bould, Tony Adams and Nigel Winterburn could succeed him at the Emirates Stadium.(Daily Star) 
Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti says there is nothing sinister to be read into owner Roman Abramovich flying in to watch training this week, coming as it did after the defeat by Wigan and the unconvincing victory over Apoel Nicosia in midweek.(The Independent) 

AND FINALLY

Hull manager Phil Brown is so angry with his players following the 6-1 defeat at Liverpool that he has banned them from the club canteen. "It is a strange punishment but the manager feels it is time they quite literally stop getting everything on a plate," says a club insider.(The Sun)
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Wednesday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Manchester United are the latest club to track Bolton defender Gary Cahill. Chelsea, Juventus and AC Milan are also interested in the 23-year-old.(The Sun)
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is keen on Atletico Madrid forward Keko, who has been likened to Liverpool striker Fernando Torres.(Daily Mirror) 
Tottenham and Arsenal are two of the clubs willing to offer midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker a way out of Aston Villa following his bust up with manager Martin O'Neill. (Daily Star)
Hull boss Phil Brown is desperate to land Sol Campbell in the January transfer window, following the former Arsenal defender's decision to leave Notts County last week.(Daily Mirror) 
Japanese midfielder Keisuke Honda, who plays for Dutch club VVV Venlo, is wanted by Everton.(Daily Mirror) 
Aston Villa are deciding whether to make a January bid for midfielder Milan Jovanovic, whose contract with Standard Liege expires next summer.(Daily Mirror) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Aston Villa defender Curtis Davies is set to land a new contract, despite being out for five months with a shoulder injury.(The Sun) 
Liverpool's American owners, George Gillett and Tom Hicks, say they are ready to water down their control in the club. (Various) 
Birmingham City chairman David Gold is set to lose his job at the club if Carson Yeung completes his takeover.(The Sun) 
Sunderland manager Steve Bruce says Anton Ferdinand still has a future at the club, despite the defender being dropped for the victory over Wolves at the weekend. (Daily Star) 
Hull midfielder Jimmy Bullard says he is fit and ready for action after recovering from knee ligament surgery earlier this year. (The Sun)
Manager Fabio Capello wants to make sure England's 2018 World Cup bid does not come under scrutiny by refusing to treat the qualifiers against the Ukraine and Belarus as practice matches.(Daily Express) 
Manchester United striker Michael Owen says he is determined to be part of England's World Cup campaign in South Africa next year. (The Times)

AND FINALLY

Manchester City forward Carlos Tevez has explained his reasons for not celebrating his goals against West Ham on Monday, saying that "part of me will always be a Hammer". However, following the treatment he received at Old Trafford recently, the Argentine says he will not extend the same courtesy if he scores against his former club Manchester United. (Daily Mail)
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Thursday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Bolton defender Gary Cahill is being tracked by Italian giants Juventus following a glowing reference from England boss Fabio Capello. AC Milan are also interested in the 23-year-old.(Daily Mirror) 
Bolton manager Gary Megson says he is not prepared to sell striker Johan Elmander, despite a disappointing record in front of goal and the arrival of loan signing from Nantes, Ivan Klasnic, this summer.(The Sun) 
Wigan manager Roberto Martinez will decide on Thursday whether to offer a contract to Cameroon midfielder Modeste M'Bami, who has been on trial with the club since the start of the season.(The Sun) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Manchester United are becoming increasingly concerned by defender Rio Ferdinand's persistent injury problems.(The Times) 
Former Tottenham and Arsenal defender Sol Campbell quit Notts County because he hated his debut match against Morecambe so much.(Daily Mirror) 
Campbell walked out of Notts County because he did not believe the promised investment from the club's new owners would materialise.(The Independent) 
Hull's Carling Cup defeat at home to Everton leaves under-pressure manager Phil Brown with only four matches to save his job. After the game against Liverpool this weekend, Hull then face fellow strugglers Wigan, Fulham and Portsmouth.(The Sun) 
Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, 38, will decide in December whether this season will be his last.(Daily Mail) 
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez faces a battle to keep pace with the biggest clubs in Europe as leaked documents reveal that his net summer spending is locked at £20m until 2014. That figure also includes wage increases.(The Independent) 
Football Association chairman Lord Triesman and chief executive Ian Watmore have dismissed suggestions that Fabio Capello will stand down as England manager after the 2010 World Cup.(Daily Mail) 
Former Tranmere boss Ronnie Moore could be heading back to Rovers to replace John Barnes, if the ex-Liverpool winger fails to halt the club's slide down the League One table.(Daily Mirror) 
Portsmouth owner Sulaiman Al Fahim says the Premier League strugglers are unlikely to buy new players in the January transfer window.(The Guardian) 
Liverpool's Argentine midfielder Javier Mascherano has been cleared of any wrongdoing following his clash with Leeds striker Jermaine Beckford during Tuesday's Carling Cup match.(Daily Mail) 
Uganda's FA has dropped its compensation claim following manager Csaba Laszlo's move to Hearts last year. (The Sun)
Dundee United manager Craig Levein has escaped punishment from the Scottish FA after comments about the referees involved in defeats by Celtic and Hearts last season. (The Times) 
Scotland manager George Burley says he is ready to omit players from his squad for next month's friendly against Japan if they are not 100% fit. (The Sun)
Celtic midfielder Scott Brown says he does not want to be rested for club or country because of a niggling injury. (Daily Express) 
Former Rangers midfielder Charlie Adam is poised for a Scotland re-call after starring for new club Blackpool. (Daily Mail)
Preston's former Celtic and Sunderland winger Ross Wallace could also be named in the Scotland squad to face Japan. (Daily Mail) 
Robert Snodgrass hopes his impressive display for Leeds against Liverpool in the Carling Cup will earn him a Scotland call-up. (Various)

AND FINALLY

West Ham goalkeeper Robert Green has given an honest assessment of his club's performances this season following the Carling Cup defeat by Bolton on Tuesday. "We're getting above ourselves, thinking we're better than we are at the moment. We're in a position where we have to get results."(Daily Mirror)
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Tuesday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Manchester City forward Robinho says he would be open to a move to Spanish club Barcelona. (Guardian) 
AC Milan are the favourites to sign David Beckham on loan from Los Angeles Galaxy but the England midfielder is also being targeted by several other European clubs. (Daily Mirror) 
Hull manager Phil Brown may have missed out on Sunderland striker Fraizer Campbell in the last transfer window but will now try to sign him on loan in January.(Daily Mirror) 
Wrexham boss Dean Saunders is trying to lure former Turkey international and Blackburn midfielder Tugay out of retirement to play for the Conference side. (Daily Mirror) 

OTHER GOSSIP

David Beckham says the competition for places on the right of England's midfield means that he would face a tough task just to make it into manager Fabio Capello's squad for the 2010 World Cup, if the team qualify. (The Sun) 
Croatia will target 'wild' England forward Wayne Rooney when the two countries meet in a Word Cup qualifier at Wembley on Wednesday. (Daily Express) 
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has told Ryan Babel and Albert Riera, who appear to be unhappy at a lack of first-team football, to prove their worth when given the chance if they want more action. (Daily Telegraph) 
David Nugent claims the way former Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp treated him at Fratton Park left his confidence in tatters and the striker is now hoping to rebuild his career on loan at Burnley. (Daily Star) 
Southampton boss Alan Pardew is set to bring in his ex-Crystal Palace manger and former Reading boss Steve Coppell as his director of football. (Daily Mirror) 
Manchester United centre-back Rio Ferdinand has told rivals Manchester City that "this city is not big enough for two big teams". (Daily Mirror) 
Ferdinand's defensive team-mate John O'Shea could be out for up to two months after suffering a calf injury while on international duty with the Republic of Ireland. (Daily Star)
Aston Villa also have injury problems as cenrtal defender Curtis Davies is to have a shoulder operation which will rule him out until December. (Daily Mirror) 
Nigeria want Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha and Newcastle striker Shola Ameobi to opt to play for them at international level rather than England. (Daily Mirror) 

AND FINALLY

Pop star Cheryl Cole, whose husband is England and Chelsea left-back Ashley, says she would buy Newcastle if she had the money. (Daily Star)
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