Sheffield United lead the chase to sign Tottenham winger Wayne Routledge on loan. (Various)

Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp has made a bid for two of Millwall's promising academy players in Tom Kilbey, 17, and keeper Sam Walker, 15. (Various)

Former Wales striker John Hartson is close to quitting West Bromwich Albion to move to home city club Swansea. (The Mirror)

Fulham outcast Ahmad Elrich will quit the Londoners to return to Australia. (Various)

England boss Steve McClaren says he will do whatever is needed to ensure Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard is fit to start Saturday's Euro 2008 qualifier against Israel, even if it means going against Reds boss Rafael Benitez's wishes and giving the midfielder a pain-killing injection. (Various)

And either side of Gerrard is likely to be Chelsea wide boys Joe Cole and Shaun Wright-Phillips, who will start together for England for only the third time. (The Mirror)

England new-boy Joleon Lescott claims he is still unsure of his place in the Everton side, despite being called up into the national squad for the Euro 2008 qualifiers against Israel and Russia. (The Sun)

Germany team manager Oliver Bierhoff has described Michael Ballack's omission from Chelsea's Champions League squad as "stunning". (The Daily Mail)

Tottenham insists skipper Ledley King has not suffered a setback in his recovery from knee surgery, claiming the 26-year-old is "is making steady progress". (The Sun, Express)

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says the quality of the youngsters in his squad is the main reason behind his decision to sign a new contract with the Londoners. (The Sun)

And that contract will be signed on Friday, with Wenger committing himself to the club until 2011. (The Daily Star)

Bolton striker Heidar Helguson could be out for seven weeks after an ankle operation. (The Sun).

Newcastle keeper Shay Given will have 'showdown' talks with manager Sam Allardyce when he returns from international duty after being replaced by Steve Harper in goal against Wigan at the weekend. (The Daily Mail)

Leicester chairman Milan Mandaric will approach Coventry in a bid to gain permission to talk to Iain Dowie about the vacant manager's role at the Walkers Stadium. (The Mirror)

Crystal Palace chairman Simon Jordan has promised manager Peter Taylor his job is safe - for now. (The Daily Star)

Israel midfielder Idan Tal has hit out at Euro 2008 qualifying opponents England, claiming they are little more than long-ball merchants. (The Sun)

England and Liverpool striker Peter Crouch has been identified as a marked man by referees across Europe, according to former official Graham Poll. (Various)

Wales striker Freddy Eastwood says he will be targeting Jens Lehmann when his side meet Germany on Saturday, adding: "When you look at the form I'm in and the form he's in, I definitely fancy my chances against him." (Various)