Wayne Rooney will be back in action in three weeks. (The People)

And his fellow England striker Michael Owen has slammed any doubts over his World Cup future insisting he will be fit to make the trip to Germany. (News of the World)

The duo's national captain David Beckham, meanwhile, is on the verge of signing a deal that will keep him at Real Madrid for life. (The People)

Beckham's former Manchester United team-mate Ruud van Nistelrooy could be at Old Trafford next season unless the club gets an offer in excess of �12m for the player. (Daily Star)

However, Man Utd's Giuseppe Rossi and Gerard Pique have become the most sought-after players in the country, with a host of clubs aiming to take them on loan next season. (Daily Star)

Chelsea have stepped up their bid to signing AC Milan striker Andriy Shevchenko by offering Hernan Crespo as part of the deal. (News of the World)

Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp is also in the market for a striker and is planning to prolong Duncan Ferguson's Premiership career by offering him a contract. (News of the World)

Staying on the striker front, Liverpool and Wigan will lose out in their bid to sign Crystal Palace striker Andy Johnson to Everton. (Sunday Express)

But not if Arsene Wenger has anything to say about it. He is willing to pay �8m for the player. (Sunday Mirror)

Jose Mourinho will make Feyenoord striker Salomon Kalou his first summer signing. (News of the World)

But Mourinho may end up without Eidur Gudjohnsen, who is a target for Newcastle boss Glenn Roeder. (The People)

Prior to that, though, Roeder's first job as Newcastle manager will be to axe Jean-Alain Boumsong, Albert Luque, Lee Bowyer, Celestine Babayaro, Titus Bramble, Craig Moore and Nicky Butt. (News of the World)

Roeder's a busy man - Newcastle have also upped their bid to sign Blackburn defender Lucas Neill. (Daily Star)

On the managerial front, Peter Taylor will make Ray Wilkins his assistant when he is named Charlton manager. (News of the World)

The pair will only get the post, however, after Wigan boss Paul Jewell turned down the job. (Sunday Mirror)

Jewell, meanwhile, is busy in his efforts to bring back striker Nathan Ellington to the JJB Stadium. (The People)

The Wigan player getting the most attention at present, however, is Pascal Chimbonda. Tottenham had a �3m offer for the defender rejected but will weigh in with a higher bid. (The People)

Another defender in the headlines is Charlton's Luke Young, who is on his way to Germany in the summer... but for club football. Bayern Munich are among the Bundesliga clubs after his signature. (Various)

Another man on the move is Steed Malbranque, who Fulham have transfer listed after he turned down a �50,000-a-week offer from the club - a Craven Cottage record. (News of the World)

Relegated Birmingham will welcome offers in the region of �5m for midfielder Jermaine Pennant. Liverpool are among those willing to pay the fee. (News of the World)

Middlesbrough players have been told by owner Steve Gibson they will have a major say in who takes over as Boro boss. (Various)

If it were up to striker Yakubu, however, the man for the job would be Martin O'Neill. (Sunday Mirror)

But according to sources at Crystal Palace, their manager Iain Dowie will take over the role having revealed he will walk out of Selhurst Park. (Daily Star)