Leicester - Norwich

Leicester did lose at North London against QPR, but actually were the better side and missed two sitters before conceded a late loser. They’re now big five points far from a play-off zone and will be certainly looking for all three points. Interesting fact is they haven’t failed to score at Walkers since SG Eriksson took the charge, 13 games and total of 30 goals! No injury worries, same squad is available.

Norwich have noticed only a draw against poor Preston side, mainly because their relaxed attitude (in previous at home, also drew against another poor side Doncaster). They’re in much better position than the hosts, but missed the opportunity to occupy second spot. They also have an interesting fact and it is Norwich have never made two consecutive defeats under Paul Lambert (88 games)! If we consider 1-1 against Preston as a defeat (I think it’s fair), their good performance is in front. Also, only QPR took more points on the road, they have scored in 10 of last 11 away games (in 31 of 35, both at home and away).Defender Whitbread is doubt, Edwards could make a first start and replace him.

Leicester are probably closer to win, but I think goals would be a better call. First game on Carrow Road ended 4-3, this one also smells on high scoring affair. Both to score should be the second option.

Bet: Over 2.5
Odd: 1.96 188bet
Stake: 8/10
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QPR - Leicester (preview)

QPR are topping the table and it seems with Neil Warnock as a manager they got what they needed for promotion. Defence line looks much better than in previous seasons and it is the best in second tier with just 20 goals conceded. They also have noticed just one home defeat of 17 games (11 wins) and they’re in the run of 10 games without a loss. Tommy Smith should start from the bench, but Taarabt and Routledge should be fit (considering odds free fall).

Since SG Eriksson took the charge, Leicester started to look much better and they became with climbing on the table. They’re 7th with just two points far from a play-off zone. However, their away shape doesn’t look so impressive. They’ve lost 10 of 17 games on the road and all five against current top 5 in Championship. Chelsea’s on-loan defender, Patrick van Aanholt, is out.

QPR are better squad, play at home and cope much better with the pressure of big games. In my opinion they should be favorites. 2-0 correct score.

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Leicester – Sheff Utd

I’m definitely not a keen of Sven-Goran Eriksson admirer, but couldn’t deny he made a very good impact at Leicester. Still a big reputation, I guess. However since his arrival, City noticed one defeat (not unexpected one, away at Swansea 0-2), one draw and three consecutive wins (I don’t count Cup defeat with mixed squad). Leicester have a potential for play-off (top side of the table surely), Sousa’s departure was a good thing and I expect they’ll continue with the climbing on the table. Skipper, Matt Oakley, should be fit after a knee injury. Same applies for defender Miguel Vitor.

Well, Blades even before the start gave up from play-off ambitions. But their performances and latest results threat to push them into relegation battle, as United have just one point more from bottom placed Palace. They have three defeats in a row and just one win from last 8 league games (Hull away, 1-0)! Some excuses could be addressed on the injury list that contains six players, captain (and key defender) Chris Morgan, Nick Montgomery, Ryan France, Stephen Jordan, Lee Williamson and in my opinion the most important - striker Darius Henderson. But despite that, Gary Speed doesn’t seem as a good choice for a gaffer, their performances are usually terrible and I don’t see them higher than a bottom side of the table at the end.  

Leicester are a strong favorite here. Only thing that worries me is Eriksson’s defensive style that applied in all his clubs and even in English national team. On the other hand United are struggling to score lately and Walkers surely is not a good place for a shooting practice. I expect a home win with a clean sheet. 2-0.
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Bet: Leicester -0.75
Odd: 2.05 Victor Chandler
Stake: 8/10

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Leicester - Hull

The Foxes occupy shameful 22nd place (third from the bottom) and after a run of embarrassing results, Paolo Sousa got fired. The thing is, the team is almost the same from previous season (finished 5^th and lost after play-off penalties against Cardiff), but team was paying prices to Sousa’s attempts to implement his defensive philosophy of football that was working perfectly at his time at Swansea. Also, some of his management decisions didn’t help, like to leave top goal scorer and club’s mascot, Matty Fryatt, on the bench. It’s not a new boss syndrome, in the first game without Sousa players showed a new face and played like without the weight on the shoulders (Scunthorpe at home 3-1). I’m not a keen of Sven-Goran Eriksson’s admirer, but his arriving just confirms club’s ambition that his owner is repeating these days – Premier League. Erikson has already signed two very good players, extra talented Kyle Naughton from Spurs (should even start the game) and Villa’s defender Curtis Davies. Striker Dany N`Guessan is only missing.

Hull are facing a rough times in the second tier. And while at home things don’t look so bad (haven’t conceded a goal in all five games, scored just two tough), their record on the road again looks shameful. In previous season in Premier they finished without a win (6 draws and 12 scored goals in 19 games) and not too much have been changed. One win (very lucky one at Norwich) and four defeats with goal difference 3-13! I predicted at the start that lot will depend from Jimmy Bullard (key of their key players). He has an injury and will face a late fitness test for today’s game, but even when he was fit didn’t look too much interested for the game. Their ambition is return to Premiership, but that doesn’t sound likely for the near future.

Leicester will start climbing on the table (in fact, started already), they possess more than decent amount of quality and will finish somewhere in top eight – I’d say. Sousa’s era has been finished and players are eager to show their full potential. Opponent is very good for that purpose. Home win.

Bet: Leicester -0.5
Odd: 1.90 Pinnacle
Stake: 8/10
 
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Friday's World Cup round-up

England will wear their all-red kit when they take on Germany in the last 16 of the World Cup on Sunday.
As the designated away team, it was always likely England would be forced to wear their changed strip in Bloemfontein, as they did against Slovenia.
But Fabio Capello's side have again elected to wear red shorts, as opposed to the white ones they originally intended to adorn their away strip.

An England fan who berated the players after wandering into the team's dressing room after the 0-0 draw with Algeria will appear in court today.
Pavlos Joseph, 32, from Crystal Palace, south-east London, will appear at a special World Cup court in Cape Town where he is due to go on trial charged with trespassing. 
At a previous hearing, he was banned from attending future World Cup matches, his passport was withheld, and he was released on 500 rand bail. 
Joseph said he was looking for a toilet after the Algeria match when a security guard sent him in the direction of the players' tunnel. 

Japanese football fans celebrated wildly after their side stunned Denmark 3-1 to reach the second round of the World Cup - with police called to fish revellers out of rivers.
Newspaper headlines boasted of "history in the making" after the Blue Samurai reached the last 16 for the second time, while television viewing figures nudged past 41 percent, despite the game finishing just before 0530 local time.

Ivory Coast boss Sven-Goran Eriksson has tipped the African side to become a force in world football, even if they are eliminated from the World Cup on Friday.
To secure an unlikely place in the last 16, Ivory Coast would need to beat North Korea in their final Group G game and hope Brazil beat Portugal, while Eriksson's men also need to make up nine goals in the process. 
"The players are getting better and better and as a team we are getting better and better," said Eriksson. 
"Whatever happens, Ivory Coast has a great future as a football team. I am really impressed with all the players we have."

www.bbc.co.uk

Tuesday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Atletico Madrid keeper David de Gea rejected Wigan last year because his dream move would be joining Manchester United.(Daily Mail) 
Portsmouth are trying to sell Nadir Belhadj to Russian side CSKA Moscow for £4m - but about £1m is owed to his former club Lens, who want the amount settled in full. (Daily Mirror) 
Striker Eidur Gudjohnsen has been told by his French club Monaco to forget about making his loan move to Tottenham permanent. (Daily Mail) 
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has stepped up the chase for 21-year-old Athletic Bilbao midfielder Javi Martinez. (Daily Mirror) 

OTHER GOSSIP

West Ham want former England manager Steve McClaren, who is currently in charge of Dutch side Twente Enschede and on the verge of winning the title, to be their new boss next season - but need Gianfranco Zola to keep them in the Premier League first. (Daily Mirror) 
Current England boss Fabio Capello has tipped Aston Villa midfielder James Milner to be his surprise package at this summer's World Cup finals in South Africa.(The Sun) 
Arsenal are confident captain Cesc Fabregas will be fit to face his former club Barcelona in the Champions League quarter-final first leg at the Emirates on Wednesday.(The Independent) 
Meanwhile, self-confessed Arsenal fan Thierry Henry says he is feeling emotional about his return to north London as a Barca player.(Daily Express) 
Iain Dowie could get the Hull manager's job permanently, even if the Tigers are relegated this season.(Daily Mirror) 
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson loves playing against the best teams in the Champions League and declared: "We've got our cake and we're eating it."(Daily Mail) 
Landing Sven-Goran Eriksson as the new Ivory Coast manager is a dream come true, according to the Elephants' Chelsea striker Didier Drogba.(Daily Mirror) 
Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha, an England Under-21 regular, could switch to the Nigeria national side so he can play in the World Cup.(Daily Mail) 
Barry Ferguson is set to head a delegation of Birmingham players for a crunch meeting with the club's new owners over improved contracts.(Daily Mirror) 

AND FINALLY

Referee Mike Dean, who awarded Blackburn a controversial penalty in their 1-0 win at rivals Burnley on Sunday, will take charge of Saturday's crunch match in the Premier League between Manchester United and Chelsea at Old Trafford.(Daily Mail)

www.bbc.co.uk

Friday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Barcelona defender Dani Alves has ruled out a move to Chelsea but has admitted to being flattered with their reported interest in him.(The Independent) 
Former Notts County director of football Sven-Goran Eriksson had planned on luring LA Galaxy and England midfielder David Beckham to Meadow Lane as a part of ex-owners Munto Finance's ambitious plans for the club. This was before the full extent of the financial problems at Notts became clear and Munto sold the club.(Daily Telegraph) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Manchester City defender Wayne Bridge quit England because of ex-Chelsea team-mate John Terry's failure to apologise over his alleged affair with his former partner, Vanessa Perroncel.(Daily Mail) 
England coach Fabio Capello will try to persuade left-back Bridge to change his mind and join the Italian's World Cup squad for South Africa this summer. (Various) 
Everton left-back Leighton Baines is likely to benefit from Bridge's decision to quit the national squad by being given a call-up to face Egypt in a friendly on Wednesday 3 March. First-choice left-back Ashley Cole is out after undergoing surgery on a broken foot.(Daily Star) 
Alternatively, Capello could turn to Aston Villa left-back Stephen Warnock, who has recovered early from a shin injury that threatened to end his season.(Daily Express) 
"Friends" of Terry claim Bridge has long been considered a "bottler" in the dressing room as the bad feeling between the pair shows no sign of abating.(The Guardian) 
Arsenal forward Theo Walcott is set to deputise for Tottenham's Aaron Lennon on the right wing for England's friendly against Egypt in five days time.(Daily Mail) 
Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand is definitely out of his side's Champions League second leg match at Old Trafford against AC Milan on 10 March.(Daily Mail) 
Bournemouth have been served another winding-up petition by Her Majesty's Revenue & Customs, with a hearing set for 31 March over an outstanding debt of £314,000 the club owes in tax.(Bournemouth Echo) 
Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez has returned from compassionate leave in Argentina following the premature birth of his second daughter, and is in contention to face Chelsea on Saturday. (Daily Mail) 
Roberto Mancini's tenure at Manchester City is coming under intense boardroom scrutiny for the first time after a run of two wins in eight matches. The Italian was only appointed to the City job in December last year.(Daily Mail) 
The Football Association is considering switching the majority of FA Cup matches to midweek to make it "more relevant".(Daily Mail) 
Neil Warnock has moved a step closer to becoming the new QPR boss after beginning compensation talks with current employers Crystal Palace. (Daily Mail) 

AND FINALLY

England boss Fabio Capello's World Cup worries for the summer tournament in South Africa mounted last night as it emerged the England WAGs are planning their own base-camp 15 miles from the squad's Rustenburg headquarters.(Daily Mirror)
www.bbc.co.uk

Saturday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic is set to join former team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid in a £20m deal.(Daily Mail) 
Real Madrid legend Raul has been linked with a move to the United States to join New York Red Bulls at the end of the season.(The Independent) 
Coventry are planning a summer bid for Derby striker Rob Hulse after having an approach to sign him on loan rejected earlier this week.(Daily Mail) 
Chelsea defender Alex is wanted by German club Bayern Munich.(Daily Mirror) 
Mikael Silvestre is set to leave Arsenal after being snubbed by boss Arsene Wenger for last Wednesday's clash with Liverpool.(Daily Mirror) 
Marouane Chamakh will be an Arsenal player this summer after agreeing to a four-year, £10.4million deal.(Sun) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Kolo Toure believes Patrick Vieira's "winning mentality" can help Manchester City end their 41-year wait for FA Cup success.(The Guardian) 
Spurs manager Harry Redknapp says he will not sacrifice his club's FA Cup ambitions in favour of Tottenham's bid to break into the top four.(The Guardian) 
Manager Carlo Ancelotti has laid down the law to his wayward Chelsea stars and warned: "If our form starts to suffer, I will act".(Daily Express) 
Wayne Rooney has revealed that he is limited to five sponsorship deals by his Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson.(Independent) 
Sven-Goran Eriksson has revealed the full story behind his chaotic seven months at Notts County and the bizarre sequence of events that began with hopes of a multi-million-pound revival for the Football League's oldest club only to end with it on the brink of financial collapse.(Guardian) 
Manager Roberto Mancini is to net a £9million three-year contract extension from Manchester City's wealthy owners.(Sun) 

AND FINALLY

England manager Fabio Capello has urged Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson to rest Wayne Rooney to keep him fresh for this summer's World Cup in South Africa.(Daily Mail)
www.bbc.co.uk

Friday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Portsmouth could lose on-loan Algerian midfielder Hassan Yebda because they cannot afford the £4m it would take to buy him from Benfica.(The Daily Mirror) 
But Pompey could be in the running for former Blackburn striker Shabani Nonda, who has been released by Galatasaray on a free.(The Daily Mirror) 
Sunderland have not given up their interest in Paraguay striker Salvador Cabanas in the summer - despite the player being in hospital at the moment after being shot in the head last month.(Daily Star) 
Manchester United are interested in bringing Benfica's Brazilian Under-20 international defender David Luiz to Old Trafford.(The Daily Mail) 

OTHER GOSSIP

The Premier League could advance Portsmouth their end-of-season payment to help the club stay afloat, provided the other Premier League clubs all agree.(The Daily Mail) 
Former Manchester United striker Andy Cole is drooling over his old club's performances this season and says Wayne Rooney is in the form of his life.(The Daily Mirror) 
Manchester City midfielder Stephen Ireland, 23, feels liberated under new manager Roberto Mancini because he feels he was played out of position by previous boss Mark Hughes.(The Daily Mirror) 
West Ham co-owner David Sullivan says he is glad his mind games have worked after the team responded to talk of a pay cut with their first win of the year when they beat Birmingham on Wednesday night.(The Sun) 
Former Notts County director of football Sven-Goran Eriksson could be on his way to the World Cup as Nigeria and North Korea both want the Swede to take over as manager.(The Daily Mirror) 
Wayne Bridge has been warned he can forget about going to the World Cup if he boycotts England's next game against Egypt on 3 March.(The Independent) 
England's home weekend international fixtures could be moved to Friday nights from the autumn onwards.(Daily Express) 
Hibernian defender Sol Bamba says his Ivory Coast team-mates wanted to pull out of last month's Africa Cup of Nations after receiving death threats after the attack on the Togo team, and only the nation's president persuaded them to take part(Daily Record) 

AND FINALLY

Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher says the fact their second-top scorer this season is own goals by opponents - 10 goals - is because they put opponents under so much pressure.(The Sun)
www.bbc.co.uk

Wednesday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Under-fire Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez wants to sign two players in January, with Aston Villa's former Reds striker Emile Heskey being one of them.(Daily Mirror) 
New Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini will make strengthening his defence a priority in the new year. West Ham centre-half Matthew Upson (£10m), Inter Milan full-back Maicon (£15m), Juventus full-back Giorgio Chiellini (£10m) and Bolton's Gary Cahill (£10m) are all on the wanted list.(Daily Star) 
And City striker Craig Bellamy could be the first player to be shown the door after clashing with Mancini in his first training session. Mancini has reportedly ordered double training sessions but Bellamy was only expecting a light workout because of a recurring knee injury.(The Sun) 
Valencia striker David Villa believes the time is right for a switch to England after failing to secure moves to Barcelona and Real Madrid.(The Times) 
Sporting Gijon midfielder Michel is to become Birmingham City owner Carson Yeung's first signing.(Daily Mirror) 
Manchester United have bid £9m plus Nani for Benfica winger Angel di Maria.(Daily Mail) 
Everton are in talks with Valencia midfielder Manuel Fernandes about the possibility of the 23-year-old returning to Goodison Park for a third loan spell.(Daily Mirror) 
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is under pressure from the club's shareholders to spend big in January. Wenger wants to bring in a striker and West Ham's Carlton Cole, Andre-Pierre Gignac of Toulouse and Bordeaux's Marouane Chamakh have all been linked with the Gunners.(Daily Mirror) 
Real Madrid are keen on in-form Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic.(Daily Mail) 
Tottenham defender Michael Dawson is poised for a move to Sunderland.(Daily Mirror) 
Former Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant is set for a return to the Premier League after being told by Spanish club Real Zaragoza that he is no longer wanted. Aston Villa are thought to be interested in the 26-year-old.(The Sun) 
Everton are considering making a loan move for former Arsenal winger Jose Antonio Reyes, who is now at Atletico Madrid. (Daily Mail) 
And Everton will battle it out with Tottenham for Watford's England Under-21 goalkeeper Scott Loach. (Daily Star)
Sunderland boss Steve Bruce wants to sign Coventry goalkeeper Keiren Westwood as his new number one.(Daily Mirror) 
Portsmouth manager Avram Grant could still be prevented from signing players in the new year, even if the club pay off all their transfer debts.(Daily Star) 
But if the ban is lifted, Grant wants to buy Wigan midfielder Olivier Kapo.(Daily Mirror) 
New Queens Park Rangers manager Paul Hart will go to his former club Portsmouth to try to sign defender Mike Williamson and striker Tommy Smith.(The Sun) 
Wolves boss Mick McCarthy is interested in Celtic winger Niall McGinn, who is valued at £1.5m.(Daily Mail) 
Glasgow giants Celtic are set to join Newcastle in the race to sign Sheffield United defender Matthew Kilgallon.(The Sun) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Former England, Tottenham and Chelsea manager Glenn Hoddle is set for a return to the English game with Championship side Reading.(Daily Mirror) 
New Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini is not convinced that his tenure at Eastlands will last beyond next summer.(Daily Mail) 
Notts County director of football Sven-Goran Eriksson is closing in on a £2m buy-out at the club, with backing from Scandinavian investors. (Daily Express)
Sunderland midfielder Jordan Henderson's impressive form has alerted England boss Fabio Capello.(The Independent) 
Saudi prince Faisal bin Fahad bin Abdullah is ready to buy the 50% stake of Liverpool co-owner George Gillett.(Daily Mail) 

AND FINALLY

As captain of England, John Terry is known to millions but that did not prevent the Chelsea defender from being snubbed when saying hello to darts player James Wade at a chemist in Surrey. "I thought it was someone trying to be a pest so I gave him the flick," explained Wade. "But a few hours later he texted my girlfriend with the message 'How rude is your other half?'. I've never been so embarrassed in my life."(Daily Star)

www.bbc.co.uk

Friday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Tottenham will get rid of David Bentley in January following a heated row between the winger and manager Harry Redknapp. (Daily Express)
Redknapp has been told by Spurs chairman Daniel Levy that he will have to sell before he can make any signings in the new year.(The Guardian) 
Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce is preparing a new-year raid for Stoke striker James Beattie following his row with manager Tony Pulis after the defeat at Arsenal.(Daily Telegraph) 
Portsmouth manager Avram Grant has been ordered to offload players as the club's cash crisis mounts.(Daily Telegraph) 
Blackburn are poised to complete the signing of France Under-21 midfielder Amine Linganzi from St Etienne in January.(Daily Mirror) 
Wigan are set to allow Ghana goalkeeper Richard Kingson leave the club in the new year after failing to unseat Chris Kirkland from the number one spot.(The Sun) 
The entire playing staff of Crystal Palace have been put up for sale in order to solve the club's cash problems. Wigan and Sunderland are interested in midfielder Darren Ambrose, winger Victor Moses and goalkeeper Julian Speroni.(Daily Mail) 
Sought-after Ipswich striker Connor Wickham, 16, who has attracted the interest of Tottenham, Arsenal and Chelsea, is set to sign a new five-year deal at Portman Road.(Daily Mirror) 

OTHER GOSSIP

West Ham striker Dean Ashton is considering whether he can sue Shaun Wright-Phillips and his then employers Chelsea for the challenge in 2006 that he will claim ended his career.(Daily Telegraph) 
Paul Hart, who parted company with Portsmouth last month, will take charge at Queens Park Rangers should they sack manager Jim Magilton.(The Sun) 
The people in charge of Notts County have days to complete negotiations over a management buy-out otherwise director of football Sven-Goran Eriksson will leave the club.(The Times) 
And Eriksson will need to find £500,000 of his own money if he wants to complete the buy-out.(Daily Mail) 
David Gold and David Sullivan will make a bid for West Ham in the next 24 hours but no money will go to the current owners. The cash will instead be used for players and debt repayments in return for a 50% stake.(The Independent) 
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has come under fire from Jurgen Klinsmann for the way he manages the club. The German, who was once lined up to take the top job at Anfield, says Liverpool lack pace, creativity, quality and consistency.(The Sun) 

AND FINALLY

With a name like Roque Santa Cruz, you would think finding the Christmas spirit would be easy. However, the Paraguay striker was the only player not wanting a light blue santa hat as Manchester City's stars filmed a video of them singing "Jingle Bells".(The Sun) 
England manager Fabio Capello says he is dreaming of a final against his home country Italy in next year's World Cup final. "The strangest moment will be during the national anthems," he said. "But, I am wearing a different shirt now and I must work for the England shirt."(Press Association)
www.bbc.co.uk

Thursday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Ajax striker Luis Suarez has become one of Chelsea's key targets in the January transfer window. The club are preparing a spending spree that will see them through a potential transfer ban in the summer as punishment for the Gael Kakuta affair.(The Independent) 
Liverpool are targeting Tottenham striker Roman Pavlyuchenko in a surprise January move that could result in Reds forward Ryan Babel heading in the opposite direction. (Daily Mail) 
Full-back Andrea Dossena may have played his last game for the Anfield club, with Roma ready to take the Italy international back to Serie A in January. (The Times) 
Barcelona midfielder Yaya Toure has ruled out a move to the Premier League, insisting he is happy at the Nou Camp.(The Sun) 
Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce is interested in signing former Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistlerooy.(The Sun) 
Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill has warned Fenerbahce that striker John Carew is not for sale.(The Sun) 
Tottenham striker Robbie Keane will not be allowed to leave White Hart Lane for Celtic in January. (Daily Express)
Fulham boss Roy Hodgson is keen on Rangers midfielder DaMarcus Beasley.(Daily Mirror) 
The Cottagers are making a £1m move for teenage striker Raheem Sterling from neighbours QPR.(Daily Mirror) 
Sunderland are tracking Belgium Under-21 goalkeeper Simon Mignolet.(The Sun) 
Watford want to keep on-loan Arsenal midfielder Henri Lansbury for the rest of the season but they will ask the Gunners to pay half of his wages. (The Sun) 
Doncaster midfielder Brian Stock is a £1.5m target for Reading manager Brendan Rodgers. (The Sun) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar is ready to commit himself to another 12 months at Old Trafford if the 39-year-old Dutchman, who is under contract until the summer of 2010, is offered a new deal. (The Sun) 
Portsmouth may have to sell their top players in the new year unless they can find £18m by the start of January to service outstanding debts. (The Sun) 
Former Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate and ex-Peterborough boss Darren Ferguson are favourites to replace Jim Magilton if the former Northern Ireland midfielder parts company with QPR.(Daily Telegraph) 
MK Dons boss Paul Ince and former Charlton and West Ham manager Alan Curbishley are also in the running to take over at Loftus Road if Magilton departs. (Daily Star) 
Former Reading manager Steve Coppell is another in the frame. (Daily Express)
Paul Sturrock's future as Plymouth boss will be discussed at a board meeting on Thursday, with former England striker Paul Mariner, who is head coach at the club, set to replace the Scot. (The Sun) 
Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson's future as director of football at Notts County may be decided on Thursday, with the League Two club on the brink of new ownership.(Daily Mail) 
Eriksson is set to launch a takeover bid for Notts County after owners Munto Finance put the club up for sale.(Daily Mirror) 
Former Portsmouth manager Tony Adams is set to become the new boss of Major League Soccer side New York Red Bulls and is keen for Barcelona striker and former Arsenal team-mate Thierry Henry to join him. (The Sun) 
Scottish Football Association chief executive Gordon Smith has quelled speculation that they are lining up Dan Petrescu as the next Scotland boss, revealing that the former Chelsea player has not even been selected for an interview yet.(The Times) 

AND FINALLY

Arsenal winger Theo Walcott has signed a lucrative new deal - as a children's author. The 20-year-old England international has been signed by a top publisher after he wrote two stories for fun about a hero schoolboy, who happens to be a soccer wonderkid. His tales are poised to go on sale in April. (The Sun) 
Germany could gain a crucial advantage over their 2010 World Cup rivals after the new Adidas Jabulani ball, which will be used at the finals, was introduced into the Bundesliga last weekend. (The Sun) 
Oldham will charge just £2 for fans to watch Saturday's League One clash against Exeter.(The Sun)
www.bbc.co.uk

Friday's gossip column

BREAKING GOSSIP

Former Inter Milan boss Roberto Mancini says he is prepared to take charge of Nigeria's national team after receiving an unofficial approach (Gazzetta dello Sport) 

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Chelsea are battling it out with Arsenal for Inter Milan's £18m-rated striker Mario Balotelli.(Daily Mail) 
Chelsea have also been linked with a £13.5m move for Santos striker Neymar. (Daily Mail) 
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp is set to land Switzerland World Cup keeper Eldin Jakupovic as competition for current number one Heurelho Gomes.(Daily Mirror) 
AC Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso could be heading for the Premier League after talks over extending his contract at the Italian club broke down. (The Sun) 
Newcastle have turned down the opportunity to sign former England defender Sol Campbell who is now a free agent after leaving Notts County. (Daily Mirror) 
The Magpies however, could move for former Newcastle midfielder Laurent Robert who is a free agent after leaving Larissa. (Daily Mirror) 
But, Robert's plea to be given an opportunity at St James' Park is likely to go unanswered.(The Times) 
Stoke want to sign Huddersfield keeper Alex Smithies in a £3m deal and then loan him back to the Terriers. (Daily Mirror) 
Burnley want on-loan striker David Nugent to join on loan from Portsmouth on a permanent basis. (The Times) 
Birmingham are being linked with a move for Valencia forward Nikola Zigic in January. (The Times) 
Peterborough United boss Mark Cooper is setting up a move for Crewe's giant striker Calvin Zola when the transfer window opens in January. (Daily Mirror) 
Malky Mackay, the Watford manager, does not expect to have to sell players despite the club's precarious financial situation. (The Times) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Notts County director of football Sven-Goran Eriksson is on the brink of quitting the League Two club because he is not being paid the full amount of his seven-figure contract. (Daily Mail) 
The 32 nations who made it to South Africa will share a jackpot of more than £250m next summer.(The Sun) 
Meanwhile, 200m people across the globe are expected to watch Friday's World Cup draw.(The Sun) 
Football fans will also be able to watch next year's World Cup in 3D for the first time.(Daily Telegraph) 

AND FINALLY

Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez has hit out at the lack of loyalty shown to him by fans at his former club, Manchester United. (The Sun) 
Middlesbrough have offered fans a gamble - anyone buying a half-season ticket by 21 December will get their money back if Gordon Strachan's men go on a winning streak of four games in a row.(Daily Mirror)
www.bbc.co.uk

Saturday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has made signing Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery his top priority and is ready to pay a British record £45m for the Frenchman and make him the highest paid player in the Premier League.(Daily Mail) 
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has warned the rest of the Premier League that Abramovich may go on a spending spree in the January transfer window.(Daily Express) 
Manchester United and Everton are trailing 18-year-old Antwerp midfielder Geoffrey Hairemans. The Belgian teenager has already spent a week training with United. (The Sun)
Sheffield United defender Matt Kilgannon, 25, will join Newcastle in a £2m deal in the New Year. The centre-back's arrival is likely to hasten Fabricio Coloccini's departure to Spain. (Daily Mail) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Paul Gascoigne has returned to Newcastle in a bid to reignite his coaching career. The former England and Newcastle midfielder is working alongside Peter Beardsley at the club's Academy.(Daily Express) 
Arsenal's record signing Andrey Arshavin has admitted he did not want to play football in the aftermath of Russia's failure to qualify for the 2010 World Cup finals.(Daily Express) 
Carlo Ancelotti says he wants to stay as Chelsea manager for the next 20 years and build an empire just like Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger have done at Manchester United and Arsenal respectively. (Various)
Sven-Goran Eriksson has demanded the immediate payment of a seven-figure sum of money he believes he is owed by Notts County's owners Qadbank Investments.(Guardian) 

AND FINALLY

Film director and Bath fan Ken Loach has dreamed about getting former Manchester United star Eric Cantona, 43, to play for his side if they reach the FA Cup third round for the first time in 15 years.(The Sun)
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Tuesday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Manchester City are prepared to let Brazilian forward Robinho leave the club, with Barcelona his likely destination, if they can bring in French midfielder Franck Ribery from Bayern Munich as a replacement.(Daily Mail) 
Tottenham are lining up a £5m move for Club Brugge defender Vadis Odjidja in January.(The Sun) 
Sheffield United defender Matthew Kilgallon will leave the Blades in January after rejecting a new £20,000-a-week contract. The £4m-rated 25-year-old is wanted by Wigan, Bolton, Celtic and Middlesbrough.(Daily Mirror) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is hoping to avoid a touchline ban for his remarks about referee Alan Wiley's fitness by citing as his defence the precedence that no manager has been banned for post-match comments and that they were made away from the technical area.(Daily Mirror)
Former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson is ready to leave Notts County and take up the Sweden managerial post - only three months after joining the Magpies as director of football. (Daily Mirror) 
Eriksson, though, has apparently already spoken to the Swedish FA about the national team coaching vacancy behind Notts County's back, according to his agent Lars Sternmarker. "(Swedish FA president) Lars-Ake Lagrell has talked both to Sven and me," said Sternmarker. "But what we talked about and further quotes about this you have to ask Mr Lagrell."(The Sun) 
If Eriksson does quit Notts County for the Sweden national job he will be forced to take huge pay cut on his £10m-deal with the League Two side.(Daily Mail) 
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed he plans to remain in football as long as he lives and cannot imagine ever retiring from the game. "If I have health, I want to work as long as I live but adapt to my potential," said Wenger.(The Sun) 
Newcastle caretaker manager Chris Hughton will be offered the job at St James' Park on a permanent basis this week - with owner Mike Ashley also preparing to take the club off the market.(Daily Mirror) 
Republic of Ireland coach Giovanni Trapattoni is ready to steal Bolton centre-back Gary Cahill from under the nose of England boss Fabio Capello. Cahill, who has featured in a number of Capello's England squads but has yet to play, qualifies for Ireland via one of his grandparents.(Daily Mirror) 
Sheffield United goalkeeper Paddy Kenny will use Italian defender Fabio Cannavaro's escape from a drugs ban as part of his defence in Tuesday's appeal against a nine-month suspension for taking prohibited substance ephedrine. Cannavaro failed a drugs test after using cortisone to prevent an allergic reaction to a bee sting but was given a reprieve.(Daily Mail) 
Former Hull striker Dean Windass wants to replace Mike Newell as the new Grimsby manager.(Daily Mirror) 
Stoke goalkeeper Thomas Sorenson has agreed terms on a new two-year contract with the club.(Daily Express) 

AND FINALLY

Aston Villa striker Emile Heskey incurred the wrath of Fabio Capello last week by flouting the England manager's rule on mobile phones. The 31-year-old was caught texting at the dinner table. (The Sun) 
England coach Capello's patience may also be tested by photos of Tottenham striker Peter Crouch out partying in a nightclub with teammates in the aftermath of Spurs' 2-1 victory over Portsmouth last Saturday.(Daily Mail) 
Liverpool will search Manchester United fans ahead of this Sunday's clash between the sides at Anfield for any items, including beach balls, which could be thrown onto the pitch and potentially cause a repeat of the "freak" goal scored against the Reds by Sunderland's Darren Bent last Saturday.(The Guardian)
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Wednesday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Tottenham are prepared to listen to Italian club AC Milan about a potential swap deal involving Spurs striker Roman Pavlyuchenko and Dutch forward Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.(Daily Mirror) 
Meanwhile, Pavlyuchenko's agent has dismissed reports that the Russia striker has already signed a contract with Zenit St Petersburg. (The Independent) 
Manchester City forward Robinho will ask for a January move if he fails to win first team football at Eastlands. Barcelona are ready to make a £32.5m offer. (The Sun) 
Barcelona could offer centre-back Carles Puyol or midfielder Yaya Toure as part of the deal. (Daily Star) 
Or, Manchester City may us Robinho as bait to land Barcelona defender Eric Abidal. (The Times) 
Manchester City and Spanish side Real Madrid will battle it out in the summer for Bayern Munich's £65m-rated Franck Ribery.(The Sun) 
Blackburn and Sunderland are both keen on Stromgodset's £2m-rated Norwegian striker Marcus Pedersen.(The Sun) 
West Brom have failed in a bid to sign former Notts County defender Sol Campbell, who is now a free agent after walking out on the club in September(The Sun) 
Portsmouth have reiterated their desire to keep hold of keeper David James who is a reported target of Manchester United and Tottenham. (Daily Express) 
Wigan are weighing up a move for Aston Villa's Emile Heskey, who left the Latics last January. Heskey is keen to secure first-team football in order to cement his England World Cup place.(The Independent)

. 

OTHER GOSSIP

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp will be protected by his own team of bouncers when he returns to old club Portsmouth on Saturday.(Daily Mirror) 
Notts County director of football Sven-Goran Eriksson is being lined up to manage North Korea at the 2010 World Cup finals. (The Sun) 
And, Eriksson is tempted by the move and has flown out to east Asia to hold final talks with North Korea. (The Guardian) 
Or, Eriksson has turned down the opportunity to manage North Korea and is not interested in another national role. (The Times) 
Meanwhile Notts County fans are begging Eriksson not to bring in David Platt as manager to replace recently sacked Ian McParland. (The Sun) 
North Queensland Fury have dismissed reports linking striker Robbie Fowler with a move to League One side Tranmere as player-coach.(Daily Mirror) 
Arsenal midfielder Samir Nasri says he is ready for a return to first team football having been out injured since July with a broken leg. (The Sun)
Former Celtic striker Henrik Larsson has revealed it will be a "dream" to return to the club as manager one day. (Daily Record) 
Newcastle United midfielder Nicky Butt has urged owner Mike Ashley to give temporary manager Chris Hughton the job full time. (The Sun) 
Meanwhile, the American consortium bidding to buy Newcastle expect an answer on the success of their bid from Ashley this week. (Daily Mail) 
Tottenham defender Jonathan Woodgate could be close to a return to action from his groin injury after coming through a practice match on Tuesday.(Daily Mail) 

AND FINALLY

England manager Fabio Capello has held crisis talks with defender Rio Ferdinand about his defensive nightmare against Ukraine on Saturday.(Various) 
Ruthless Capello also told midfielder David Beckham he was too tired to play and banished him to the stands on Saturday. (Daily Mail)
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Tuesday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Chelsea could move for Patrick Vieira as cover for Michael Essien and John Obi Mikel when they are away on African Cup of Nations duty in January - if the club can challenge its transfer ban.(The Sun)
Fulham are interested in American striker Brek Shea, who plays for FC Dallas.(The Sun) 
Fiorentina's protests over Manchester United's alleged poaching of 16-year-old defender Michele Fornasier have been thrown out after Fifa gave him permission to play for United's U18 side(Dail Mail).
Rangers striker Kris Boyd, who is out of contract at the end of the season, will be offered a new deal - but he will have to take a major pay cut to stay at Ibrox(Daily Record)

. 

OTHER GOSSIP

Liverpool co-owner George Gillett has told a fans' meeting manager Rafa Benitez is to blame for their faltering progress, not the club's owners(The Guardian) 
Hull's record signing Jimmy Bullard is due to make his comeback from a dislocated kneecap in the game against his former side Fulham in a fortnight's time(The Telegraph) 
Birmingham co-owner David Sullivan has told West Ham he will only buy the club if the price is reduced because of the debt he would be taking on - and could invest in Norwich, Ipswich, Cardiff, Leicester or Charlton if he cannot strike a deal(Daily Mirror) 
Businessman Barry Moat has made a "substantial" offer to Newcastle owner Mike Ashley to buy the club and still plans to install Alan Shearer as manager(The Times) 

AND FINALLY

Former Manchester United striker Eric Cantona says he no longer follows football and is unlikely to bother watching next year's World Cup. "I have another life, there are things to do," he said (Daily Express).
Former England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson says it is wrong to blame England's failure at the last two World Cups on the presence of players' wives and girlfriends around the squad.(Daily Mail)
Everton's Marouane Fellaini delayed having his wisdom teeth removed because of their injury problems - and as a result picked up a throat infection which has hampered his play so far this season.(Daily Mirror) 
A Bulgarian Third Division match had to be abandoned after four minutes after injuries reduced one of the teams to six men.(The Guardian)
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Sunday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Former Notts County defender Sol Campbell could be offered a route back into football by struggling Premier League club Hull.(Sunday Mirror) 
Or, Campbell was in talks with championship side Ipswich hours after walking out on Notts County on Wednesday.(Sunday Express) 
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has demanded £45m from the club's owners to sign Valencia forward David Villa. (Sunday People)
Arsenal are increasingly resigned to losing captain Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona in the summer.(Sunday Express) 
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp will launch a January transfer bid for West Ham defender Matthew Upson.(News of the World) 
Redknapp is also keen on Bolton centre-half Gary Cahill but will have to come up with £20m to land the Englishman. (Sunday People) 
Manchester United have been given first option on signing Sporting Lisbon keeper Rui Patricio.(News of the World) 
Or, Manchester United will offer Inter Milan £20m for Brazilian keeper Juilo Cesar. (Sunday People) 
Everton manager David Moyes hopes to sign Middlesbrough winger Adam Johnson for £6m in January. (News of the World) 
But, Middlesbrough will offer Johnson a massive 800% pay rise to tempt the 22-year-old to stay at the Championship club. (Sunday People) 
Aston Villa are keen on Sunderland keeper Marton Fulop as he looks for a long-term replacement for Brad Friedel. (Sunday People)
Arsenal's 19-year-old right-back Gavin Hoyte is wanted by Derby County on loan. (Sunday People) 
Cameroon midfielder Modeste M'Bami has snubbed an offer from Wigan of a one-month contract at the club. (Sunday People)
Everton are battling it out with Bolton for Maccabi Haifa's 23-year-old midfielder Lior Rafaelov. (Sunday Mirror) 
Newcastle and Middlesbrough are fighting to sign West Brom defender Abdoulaye Meite on loan. (Sunday Mirror)
Wigan look to be favourites to capture £2m-rated SK Brann winger Erik Huseklepp. (Sunday Mirror) 
Arsenal striker Carlos Vela could be in line for a surprise move to Spanish club Xerez in the January transfer window. (Sunday Mirror)

OTHER GOSSIP

Former Celtic manager Gordon Strachan is favourite to succeed under-fire Paul Hart at Portsmouth. (Daily Star Sunday) 
Sven-Goran Eriksson is ready to move from his role as Notts County's director of football and replace current manager Ian McPharland.(Sunday Expresss) 
Meanwhile, Sol Campbell claims that broken promises and the failure to land big-name players were the reasons behind his early Notts County exit. (News of the World) 
In his explosive new book, former Manchester United striker Dwight Yorke claims a bust-up with former manager Sir Alex Ferguson led him to drink.(News of the World) 
Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves has been warned by specialist knee surgeon Dr Richard Steadman that he may never recover from the tendinitis that has kept him out of action for a year.(News of the World) 
Liverpool co-owner George Gillett is in talks with an Arab prince to sell a 25% stake in the club for £125m.(Sunday Mirror) 
Blackburn striker El Hadji Diouf and team-mate Ryan Nelson were involved in a dressing room punch-up following last Sunday's 3-0 defeat by Everton.(News of the World) 
Fulham manager Roy Hodgson, who is out of contract at the end of the season, is yet to be offered a new deal by Craven Cottage chiefs. (Sunday People) 

AND FINALLY

Manchester United keeper Edwin van der Sar says he will not retire from football until he has won the Champions League again.(Sunday Mirror) 
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed how he placed a bet at the start of the season on former Old Trafford winger Cristiano Ronaldo to be the top scorer in Spain at new club Real Madrid.(Mail on Sunday)
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Saturday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce may decide to sell Kenwyne Jones if the striker's form does not improve.(Daily Mirror) 
West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola says he would be interested in bringing Sol Campbell to Upton Park in the January transfer window. (Daily Mirror) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Arsenal striker Robin van Persie says ex-team-mate and Manchester City forward Emmanuel Adebayor has yet to apologise for an alleged stamp on him when their two teams met recently.(Daily Star) 
Van Persie says he does not dive but does exaggerate his reaction to fouls.(The Sun) 
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has defended Jamie Carragher over criticism of the centre-back's form and fitness so far this season.(The Guardian) 
Reds midfielder Steven Gerrard was cleared of affray after an incident at the Lounge Inn in Southport but he says the experience has changed him and that he will never celebrate in a bar again.(Daily Mail) 
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes the fear of life without football is the driving force behind the impressive early season form of veteran Ryan Giggs.(The Sun) 
The takeover of Notts County has been cast into doubt under the Football League's 'fit and proper persons' test for owners.(The Sun) 
But that does not appear to be putting off director of football Sven-Goran Eriksson from bringing former Inter Milan boss Roberto Mancini to the club as a replacement for manager Ian McParland.(Daily Star) 

AND FINALLY

Burnley striker Robbie Blake is waiting for the right occasion to pull down his shorts and reveal his lucky charm Bad Beat Bob underpants. He has changed them from red to white because of the club's promotion to the Premier League.(Daily Mirror)
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Monday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

.

Manchester City, turned down by Chelsea captain John Terry, will now turn their attentions to a £12m bid for Arsenal defender Kolo Toure. City are also looking at Everton centre-half Joleon Lescott and are prepared to up their bid to £20m.(The Independent) 

Fulham striker Bobby Zamora has rejected a £5m move to Hull, becoming the fourth forward to turn down Tigers boss Phil Brown after Michael Owen, Fraizer Campbell, and Marc-Antoine Fortune all said no to a switch.(Daily Mirror) 
Sunderland and Bordeaux are still negotiating a deal that would result in striker Marouane Chamakh heading to the north-east. (The Times)
Leeds United have put an £8m price tag on teenage midfielder Fabian Delph, a Tottenham target, and would ideally like him back on loan for a month. (Daily Mirror) 
Midfielder Gavin McCann and defenders Danny Shittu and Nicky Hunt may leave Bolton as manager Gary Megson looks to recoup some cash following a signing spree.(Daily Mirror) 
Former Chelsea forward Eidur Gudjohnsen says he is not guaranteed to return to England this summer if he leaves Barcelona, despite interest from West Ham. (Daily Telegraph) 
Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill hopes Portsmouth defender Sylvain Distin will fly out to Spain this week to join the Midlands club, who are taking part in the Peace Cup. However, Pompey are holding out for a fee of about £4m after a £2.5m bid by Villa. (Daily Express)
Sam Allardyce is trying to land Zenit St Petersburg striker Pavel Pogrebnyak for Blackburn as a replacement for Roque Santa Cruz, who joined Manchester City in June. (Daily Mail) 
Sunderland, Everton and Aston Villa are all hunting Standard Liege's Milan Jovanovic after the midfielder reiterated his desire to play in the Premier League. (Daily Mail)Daily Mail 
West Brom manager Roberto di Matteo is ready to make a shock move for Rotherham United's highly rated striker Reuben Reid. (Daily Mirror) 
Cardiff City veteran Mark Kennedy says striker Ross McCormack, a Hull City target, is a "fantastic player, a great lad and very popular in the dressing room".(Western Mail) 
Midfielder Steven Pienaar could be on his way out at Everton after rejecting a new contract. He has attracted interest from Atletico Madrid and Fiorentina. (Daily Mail) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich will not offer John Terry the £250,000 weekly salary he would have got from Manchester City but the England defender's new Stamford Bridge contract will put him on at least £150,000 a week.(Daily Mail) 

AND FINALLY

Notts County's players say they have no idea what Sven-Goran Eriksson's precise role will be at the club. The new director of football watched Ian McParland's side beat Nottingham Forest 2-1 in a friendly on Saturday but keeper Russell Hoult said: "What Sven does, we don't know."(Daily Mail)
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