Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate believes Stewart Downing does not want to leave the Riverside - despite handing in a transfer request in the January transfer window. (The Sun)

Birmingham are targeting deals for Bolton defender Danny Shittu and ex-Newcastle right-back Stephen Carr. (Daily Mirror)

Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka has taken a swipe at former boss Luiz Felipe Scolari by insisting he can play as a second striker alongside Didier Drogba. (Various)

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has urged owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks to offer new contracts to his backroom staff, as well as sort out his own future at Anfield. (The Guardian)

Benitez has revealed his ambition to return to Spanish giants Real Madrid at some time in the future. (Daily Star)

Arsenal's Nicklas Bendtner does not believe Andrei Arshavin's arrival will dislodge him as the club's top striker. The Dane said he never watched the �15m Russian in action during Euro 2008. (Daily Mirror)

Former Chelsea boss Avram Grant says he wants to return to English football and would happily fill the vacant Portsmouth role. (Daily Mirror)

Portsmouth could be plunged into a �25m financial crisis with the club's bankers ready to pull out of football. (Daily Mirror)

Ex-Tottenham defender Ramon Vega, now a successful businessman in Switzerland, could be the new owner of Portsmouth by the end of the week. (Daily Mail)

Russian champions Rubin Kazan are stepping up their �2m bid to sign Rangers striker Kenny Miller before 1 March. (The Scottish Sun)

Rangers are keeping tabs on Hamilton Accies goalkeeper Tomas Cerny and midfield starlet James McArthur. (The Scottish Sun)

And the Ibrox club face competition from Juventus for highly-rated IFK Gothenburg defender Mattias Bjarsmyr. (The Scottish Sun)

Coventry boss Chris Coleman revealed several members of his team suffered bouts of food poisoning before their 2-2 draw FA Cup fifth-round draw with Blackburn on Saturday. "Freddy Eastwood was sick four times, Kieren Westwood was sick a couple of times and couldn't do the warm-up," said the Welshman. (The Sun)

Derby goalkeeper Stephen Bywater wants to become a cage fighter when he hangs up his boots. "I train with my mates and have taken some punches. I've told my agent I'd like to do it when I finish and he laughs - but I'm serious." (The Sun)

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version