O'Leary in injury scare

Tomas O'Leary looks certain to miss the British and Irish Lions Tour to South Africa after suffering a serious ankle injury in Munster's 29-10 Magners League win over the Scarlets.

O'Leary's injury marred Munster's 10th straight win in all competitions at Musgrave Park, with early indications that the Ireland scrum-half has a suspected fractured ankle.

He was immediately ruled out of next weekend's Heineken Cup semi-final showdown with Leinster and will almost certainly miss the trip to South Africa.
Tries from Ian Dowling, David Wallace, Keith Earls and Denis Leamy helped Munster move onto 58 points, meaning the title will be theirs if Ospreys fail to gain a point against Edinburgh on Saturday.

The reigning European champions had seven of their eight Lions in action, with tour captain Paul O'Connell the only absentee as he rested a sore hip.

Tevez loan arrangement concerns Ferguson

Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted Manchester United are in a position of weakness because of Carlos Tevez's complicated loan arrangement.

The South American's United days appear to be drawing to an end because of a perceived lack of opportunities. Ferguson has not given up hope of keeping him, but his bargaining position is not helped by the knowledge Tevez can walk away at the end of the season to take up any of the lucrative offers bound to come his way.

"We are vulnerable because of the loan situation, there is no question about that," said Ferguson.
"It is the weakness and when he is questioned by journalists it is loaded towards that," he added. "It can lead him into saying things he doesn't really believe or mean."

Tevez arrived under a loan arrangement with adviser Kia Joorabchian which was sanctioned by the Premier League.

An agreed price - believed to be around £30million - needs to be paid at the end of the season for United to seal Tevez's registration. But, while Ferguson still hopes it will happen, Tevez is seemingly resigned to leaving because he has not played in enough key matches.

"I don't want him to be unhappy that's for sure because he is an important player for us," said the Scot. "The difficulty is when you have the options I have got, it creates problems.

"All the good players want to play in every game but you can't do that in this league, it is impossible.

"I think he genuinely wants to stay and that is something we are trying to work towards. I have told him that repeatedly.

"Maybe at the end of the season if he has won something or achieved something, he will look at the overall picture and realise he has made a contribution. I think he will stay. I hope he does."

Shearer hoping for some Oz wizardry

Alan Shearer is hoping Mark Viduka's return to fitness will help to re-ignite his goal-shy team.

The Magpies head into Monday night's must-win clash with Portsmouth at St James' Park having scored just four times in their past eight Barclays Premier League games, a sequence of fixtures which has yielded only three points from a possible 24.

Asked what the returning 33-year-old Australia international might add to the team, Shearer said: "Hold-up play. When the ball goes into him, more often than not, it will stick."
He added: "That will give our players a chance to get up and support and make runs off him, knowing the ball will stick with him."

Newcastle have not scored more than once in a single game since their last win, a 3-2 victory at West Brom on February 7, and Shearer knows that with clean sheets at a premium - they have collected just one in their past 16 league outings - that situation will have to change if they are to rescue their season.

Viduka has managed only seven appearances all season because of a troublesome Achilles injury, and is yet to find the back of the net. But he showed enough during his 29-minute cameo as a substitute in the 1-0 defeat at Tottenham last Sunday to suggest he could have a major role to play during the remaining five fixtures of the campaign.

It was no coincidence that the Magpies belatedly started to fire at White Hart Lane after Viduka and Obafemi Martins had been introduced from the bench.

The pair, along with skipper Michael Owen, teamed up to fire the club to safety under Kevin Keegan at the end of last season, and Shearer has not yet ruled out the possibility of fielding all three in the same team.

He said: "We want all our big guns fit and certainly, Viduka is, Martins is, Michael Owen is. We want them all fit to give us options."

On Monday's opponents, Shearer said: "Without doubt, they will be a tough nut to crack. Paul Hart has gone in there and done a really good job. They will certainly be a threat from set-pieces, but I believe if we look at ourselves and do it right ourselves, then we will have a big chance."

Arsenal back up Fabregas

Arsenal remain confident Cesc Fabregas has no case to answer after their captain was charged with two counts of improper conduct following allegations he spat at Hull assistant boss Brian Horton after the FA Cup tie at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners were asked by the Football Association to provide their observations after receiving submissions from Hull.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger feels the case should be dropped, but said: "I always said we are always very open to co-operate with any investigation. I personally looked at the reports, at the video evidence and there is nothing in there against Cesc."
In accordance with the governing body's disciplinary procedures, Fabregas has been given until May 12 to respond to the charges, with the matter then likely to be decided by an independent commission who will consider all of the evidence before deciding what, if any, punishment is necessary.

Hull manager Phil Brown brought the alleged incident to light immediately after his side's defeat on March 17, but has also been charged by the FA following his outburst at referee Mike Riley.

Wenger continued: "I do not know if we will appeal - I will see what we can do about that. At the start, I am not a great fan of appealing because I said we are very open to co-operate and now I don't think we should stop that.

"I am very positive that there was enough evidence in what I have seen that the case should have been dropped."

Chairman Peter Hill-Wood concurred, telling the Daily Sport: "We have a video of the tunnel which we gave to the FA.

"I didn't see it myself, but Arsene has and so has (chief executive) Ivan Gazidis and they both said that the whole thing was innocuous. I think the whole thing is ridiculous."

Given the Gunners potential involvement in the Champions League final, the hearing could well not be scheduled until the end of the season. However, any ban could also be carried over into the next campaign.

Hiddink: Blues trophy hunt is not over

Guus Hiddink is ready to concentrate on a cup double after conceding Chelsea are realistically out of the race for the Barclays Premier League title.

Hiddink insisted that it was now time to focus on the Champions League and the FA Cup after their goalless stalemate against Everton at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night.

"It is difficult but we now have to focus on only two other roads - the Champions League and, later on in May, Everton again in the FA Cup final," admitted Hiddink.
Chelsea face Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final, first leg at the Nou Camp next Tuesday and Hiddink is considering giving some of his players a rest against West Ham on Saturday.

He is already without centre-half Ricardo Carvalho for the trip to Spain, the Portuguese having suffered a recurrence of his hamstring problem.

But in a dress rehearsal for the FA Cup final at the end of May, Chelsea and Everton served up an entertaining draw that was dominated by goalkeepers.

Chelsea's Petr Cech and Everton's Tim Howard produced fine solo performances to preserve the deadlock which, coupled with Manchester United's 2-0 victory over Portsmouth, put an end to any remaining title ambitions for Hiddink's side.

The Blues are six points adrift of leaders United who have a game in hand and Hiddink added: "Everyone is disappointed. We knew it was difficult to go for the title so when you drop two points there is disappointment of course.

"But this team is able to cope with that and focus ourselves on the difficult game against Barcelona next week."

Allardyce rejects 'bizarre' Keane claim

Sam Allardyce has delivered a withering put-down to Roy Keane after the Irishman's "bizarre" outburst at his former Manchester United team-mates who have become managers.

Keane, the new Ipswich manager, questioned whether Steve Bruce and Mark Hughes should be regarded as "good managers" or successful because they have yet to win a trophy - but Allardyce said Keane himself had a long way to go to be seen alongside either of his former United team-mates.

Allardyce, whose Blackburn team come up against Bruce's Wigan side on Sunday, told PA Sport: "I find that statement to be quite bizarre to be perfectly honest."

He added: "What Sparky and Brucey have done with the resources they have had shows they are both top managers and very, very capable managers.

"I think that Roy's a long distance away from a Steve Bruce and a Mark Hughes by his lack of experience in the job. So I find that quite a bizarre statement and I wouldn't agree with that at all."

Hughes meanwhile has reminded Keane he is not the only one with a fierce hunger to succeed as a manager.

And he feels Thursday's observations were just an example of his former team mate shooting from the hip without necessarily giving a great deal of thought to the substance of his words.

"Roy is just making a statement," smiled Hughes. "The media are very glad he is back on the scene because he is good value.

"I don't think many managers who get appointed to a mid-table Championship team could make the impact Roy has.

"It is a compliment to him and the personality he has. He has taken on a big task there, just as I have here. It is about driving our clubs forward."

Gerrard to miss Hull trip

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has been ruled out of making a return from injury at Hull in the Barclays Premier League on Saturday.

The England midfielder is still struggling with a groin problem which has forced him to sit out the last three matches.

Manager Rafael Benitez is hopeful, however, Gerrard will be fit for next weekend's visit of Newcastle.

Ferguson fine with Benitez jibes

Sir Alex Ferguson is happy for Rafael Benitez to keep aiming his verbal volleys at Manchester United because he trusts his players to avoid them.

Benitez has launched a series of scathing attacks on Ferguson since the turn of the year, the latest being a claim in Spain that the United manager is fearful of Liverpool because he knows they are a better side than his own.

"He is definitely saying a lot," said Ferguson of Benitez's jibes. "But I am happy for him to carry on with it."
The latest comment seemed strange in a week when United opened a three point lead at the Premier League summit, although it did maintain a feud Ferguson continued last week when he claimed Benitez had behaved with contempt towards Sam Allardyce for his reaction at a goal against Blackburn at Anfield recently.

But Ferguson has no wish to silence Benitez, preferring to let his team do the talking.

"I have to trust my players. I know they are good enough," he said.

"I have trusted them for years now. That is why I have picked them.

"They are a good bunch of lads and we will just carry on the way we always have."

Meanwhile, Gary Neville has been ruled out for a fortnight after injuring his foot against Portsmouth at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

It means the Red Devils' skipper will miss both legs of the Champions League semi-final against Arsenal and also key Barclays Premier League games against Tottenham on Saturday and Middlesbrough on May 2.

Fabregas charged over Hull spat

Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas has been charged with improper conduct by the Football Association following allegations he spat at Hull assistant boss Brian Horton after the FA Cup tie at the Emirates Stadium on March 17.

The Gunners were asked by the Football Association to provide their observations, and according to manager Arsene Wenger, they have now decided to take the matter further.

"Fabregas has been charged for improper conduct on the night," the Arsenal manager said, speaking at Friday's press conference ahead of the Barclays Premier League game against Middlesbrough on Sunday.

"I always said we are always very open to co-operate with any investigation," he added.

"I personally looked at the reports, at the video evidence and there is nothing in there against Cesc."

Fabregas, who was not playing against Hull because of a knee injury, issued a statement on the evening of the incident to deny he spat at Horton in the tunnel.

Should the charges be proven, Fabregas - who missed more than three months of the campaign with a knee problem which required surgery - could face a suspension.

However, that would only be for domestic matches and as such would not cover the forthcoming Champions League semi-final against Manchester United.

Wenger continued: "I dont know if we will appeal - I will see what we can do about that. At the start, I am not a great fan of appealing because I said we are very open to co-operate and now I dont think we should stop that.

"I am very positive that there was enough evidence in what I have seen that the case should have been dropped."

Knee surgery for Flintoff

Andrew Flintoff has been ruled out of the forthcoming Test series against West Indies after contracting a knee injury playing in the Indian Premier League.

The influential England all-rounder will fly home from South Africa, where the IPL is being played, and undergo an operation on his right knee next week which their medical team believe will sideline him for the next three to five weeks.

That will sideline 31-year-old Flintoff for both Tests and the three-match one-day series against West Indies, but he should recover in time for the ICC World Twenty20 tournament starting on June 5.
Flintoff complained of a soreness in his right knee playing for Chennai Super Kings, who made contact with England immediately after he underwent scans at a Durban hospital.

They confirmed Flintoff had suffered a slight torn meniscus in his right knee and after they were inspected by Dr Nick Peirce, the England and Wales Cricket Board's chief medical officer, he was booked in for an operation early next week.

"Clearly this is a huge disappointment for both the player and the IPL team," admitted Peirce. "This sort of degenerative injury though is one that could have happened at anytime, anywhere.

"The procedures we put in place meant that the ECB medical staff were alerted about the problem immediately and we thank Chennai for their co operation."

Keane is back - and already slamming former United stars turned managers

New Ipswich boss Roy Keane walked into Portman Road insisting all that had gone before was history - and neither he nor any of his former Manchester United team-mates had yet achieved anything in management.

The former Republic of Ireland midfielder, 37, has signed a two-year contract with the Coca-Cola Championship side, who earlier this week sacked Jim Magilton.

Keane has been out of work since departing as Sunderland manager last December but insisted the challenge and timing was right for his return to the game.

However, when quizzed on what it was that made him and the likes of Bryan Robson, who had stints at Middlesbrough, West Brom and Sheffield United; Mark Hughes, the Manchester City manager; Steve Bruce - in charge at Wigan; and Paul Ince, sacked after a spell with Blackburn earlier this season, all successful in the dugout, Keane wasted no time in putting the record straight.

'Who are the good managers you are talking about?' asked the Irishman.

'Sparky [Hughes] and Brucey have not won a trophy have they?

'They have potential.

'Steve Bruce has had a good season but Steve Bruce has been manager how many years?

'Sparky has done a brilliant job at Blackburn but is facing different challenges at Man City.

'We are all facing different challenges.

'Until an ex-team-mate of mine from 1994 goes on and really achieves something, then I would not agree with what you are saying about being a successful manager.

'You need a bit more than some of those managers have achieved yet.'

Keane added: 'With me, it is a desire to win, a fear of losing, wanting to achieve something in my life.

'I had five months out of the game and, while I really enjoyed it, I had this gut feeling that it was time to try something.

'I believe I can potentially be a good football manager.

'I have done nothing in the game yet; I did okay at Sunderland, but I want to do better than okay.'

Keane took Sunderland into the Premier League in what was his first season as a manager in 2006-07, and intends to do the same with the Tractor Boys

However, he warned: 'There are lots of clubs in the Championship who feel they belong in the Premier League - Nottingham Forest, Leeds, Sheffield United; look at Charlton now.

'Ipswich are a club with a good heritage who did well in the 70s and 80s.

'As much as it is a massive part of the club, it is about now and what I achieve.

'I am looking forward to it.'

Arsenal not a real threat, says Anelka

Nicolas Anelka has claimed Chelsea are as big as Real Madrid - and slammed former club Arsenal for coming up short in the title race again.

The Chelsea striker, who joined the Blues from Bolton in January 2008, has scored 15 goals this season and has the FA Cup final and the Champions League semi-finals to look forward to.

The Gunners, however, are likely to finish fourth in the Premier League while Chelsea have, until Tuesday's draw with Everton, challenged Manchester United and Liverpool for the title.
And, having beaten Arsenal 2-1 in Saturday's FA Cup semi-final, Anelka said: 'Chelsea are a mega club composed of top players, within which you have to win every game because you are put under massive pressure.

'You have to win week in, week out.

'It's different at Arsenal. They are composed of young players, playing for third or fourth place, but we do not really speak about them for the title. Chelsea are like Real Madrid. The pressure is huge.'

Blues team-mate Michael Ballack, meanwhile, has admitted shock at Frank Lampard's absence from the shortlist for the PFA player of the year award.

The midfielder (pictured) has scored 19 times for Chelsea this term and Ballack said: 'Frank has played consistently at a high level all season.

'I don't know why he was not nominated but at Chelsea we know how good he is and that is all that matters.'

Saints to appeal against points deduction

Southampton will appeal against the ten-point penalty which has condemned them to Championship relegation.

The Football League imposed the penalty yesterday having investigated Saints' finances since their holding company, Southampton Leisure Holdings plc, went into administration.

Southampton argued because the club itself is not in administration they should avoid the mandatory points penalty but the League decided the deduction stands.

If the south-coast club finish outside the bottom three they will still be relegated as the points will be taken from this season's total, while if they finish in the drop zone they will start next season in League One on minus-ten points.
Saints, currently second-bottom and four points from safety, therefore face the bizarre prospect of playing their final two games for the right to start the League One season on zero points rather than to avoid the drop.

In a statement, the club said: 'We are of the opinion an incorrect conclusion has been reached.' League chairman Lord Mawhinney said: 'The job of the Football League Board is to protect the integrity of the competition and that is what we have done.'

Liverpool could make move for Tevez

Liverpool will make a sensational attempt to sign Manchester United forward Carlos Tevez this summer, according to reports.

The Argentina striker admitted this week he is resigned to leaving Old Trafford at the end of the season after failing to command a regular starting place.

United have to pay around £22million to keep Tevez at the club after a complicated two-year loan agreement expires.
But today's Times reports Rafa Benitez is keen to battle Chelsea, Inter Milan and Manchester City for his signature.

Sir Alex Ferguson would be loathe to see Tevez sign for a rival after blocking Gabriel Heinze's switch to Liverpool two years ago.

But United will have no say over where Tevez goes as he does not belong to the club.

Arsenal's Euro hopes hit by Van Persie blow

Arsenal could see their defence boosted by the return of goalkeeper Manuel Almunia and Johan Djourou this weekend - but the Gunners will head into the Champions League semi-final clash against Manchester United without leading scorer Robin van Persie.

The Dutchman, who has hit 17 goals this season, continues to be troubled by a groin problem which saw him miss the midweek 4-4 draw at Liverpool and will not feature in Sunday's Barclays Premier League game with Middlesbrough at Emirates Stadium nor the first leg of the European tie against the holders.

Manager Arsene Wenger, though, hopes van Persie will be fit by the time United come to London on May 5.

There was more positive news on Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor, who could face Boro following a minor hamstring concern, while Almunia (ankle) and Djourou (knee) could both be back to bolster what Wenger accepts has been a 'fatigued' defence.

'We will rotate a little bit again, but we have no major injuries from Liverpool,' said Wenger.

'Manuel Almunia was in full training on Thursday and we will see how he responds. Djourou was in full training also so we will see how he is too. Both could come back into the squad.

'It is not enough training to say [for sure] yet, we need 48 hours more.

'Emmanuel Adebayor should come back into training on Saturday. He could be in the squad.

'But Robin van Persie is definitely out for Sunday and for Manchester United.

'Gael Clichy could be back for the second Manchester United game.

'He has a scan [on his back] on Monday. We will go from there. He has a chance to be back in full training next week.'

O'Neill relaxed about Barry future

Martin O'Neill is content for Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry to wait until the end of the season to decide upon his future.

Barry has just over one year left of his current deal and there is growing speculation that he will look to leave Villa should they fail to qualify for the Champions League.

O'Neill said: "The speculation regarding Gareth is inevitable. It will happen, it's not a problem. I have discussed it numerous times with the player. He is very happy to wait until the end of the season to see how things develop. That's The Villa boss is not expecting a repeat of the long drawn-out saga of last summer when Barry looked set to move to Liverpool before the deal collapsed.

He added: "But this is not like last year. This is a situation which I realised would come around and that's the way it is. It's not an issue.

"I'm not bothered (by last summer). From the experience of last year I don't think that will materialise. I really have not got an issue with any of this."

O'Neill has been delighted with the way Barry has responded after failing to land his move to Anfield after the Reds failed to meet Villa's £18million asking price.

He said: "Gareth has played very, very well indeed. He gets a freedom to play that might not be afforded in other places.

"But at the end of it all I'm delighted with him and Stiliyan Petrov in the heart of the midfield, I've been delighted with the other boys as well.

"We can play different systems which we have proved during the course of the season. It's great to have learnt these things because next season they will probably have to come into play."

Brown boost for Red Devils

Wes Brown is set to return just in time to ease a potential injury crisis for Manchester United.

Skipper Gary Neville and defensive colleague John O'Shea could be out for weeks, according to manager Sir Alex Ferguson after being forced out of Wednesday night's 2-0 win over Portsmouth at Old Trafford.

"Wes is fine. He is training hard and should be OK for the weekend," United assistant manager Mike Phelan told BBC Radio Manches
The loss of Neville and O'Shea would leave only Rafael as cover at right-back and while the Brazilian has had an outstanding season for United, Ferguson might be reluctant to rely solely on a teenager during the crucial latter stages of the campaign.

However, after a season wrecked by injury, Brown came through a reserve-team return at Preston on Monday and Ferguson is ready to draft the England star into his squad for Saturday's encounter with Tottenham.

Brown has been missing with a foot injury since October. Although he did briefly return to action with a couple of substitute appearances at the end of January, the Longsight-born defender then dropped back out of the side.

However, while his performance at Anfield much earlier this season did attract criticism, Ferguson will not have forgotten Brown was the mainstay of a defence that won both the Premier League and Champions League trophies last term.

Meanwhile Neville and O'Shea will both be assessed on Thursday to discover the extent of their respective problems.

Neville, who has bounced back after a series of injuries over the past two years, lasted just 10 minutes before limping off with a foot injury, raising fears he had suffered a repeat of the broken metatarsal that saw him miss the 2002 World Cup.

O'Shea hurt his ankle following a late tackle by Nadir Belhadj. ter.

Keane sets promotion target

Roy Keane revealed his aim to take Ipswich back into the Barclays Premier League in one season as he declared: "It's good to be back."

The former Manchester United captain, who has been out of work since leaving Sunderland in December, was confirmed as the new manager of the Tractor Boys after signing a two-year deal.

Keane, who revealed he had received other offers, said: "It's a massive challenge trying to get the club back in the PHe added: "I'm excited and looking forward to it. I've had a good break. It's good to be back.

"Three or four weeks ago I thought, if the opportunity came up, I was ready for it. I've signed a two-year contract but I'd like to try and do it (get promotion) in one year.

"If I wasn't up for challenges I'd be out walking my dogs. I think my dogs need a break."

Keane insisted he would need time to take stock before beginning the process of shaping the team.

"Nothing will be happening over the next week or two, we've got to take stock and take it from there," he said.

He hinted at the possibility of major changes by adding: "There are a lot of players on long-term injuries and players whose contracts are up, so that might suit me.

"But it would be unfair to say to players whose contracts are up 'You've got two games to prove yourself'." remier League."

Lampard: This is my best season yet

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard claims he is having the best season of his career.

The 30-year-old has scored 12 Premier League goals during a campaign in which the Blues started inconsistently under Luiz Felipe Scolari but have returned to form since the arrival of Guus Hiddink in February.

Chelsea are still in with a shout for three trophies as they are in the FA Cup final, the last four of the Champions League and are four points off leaders Manchester United in the Barclays Premier League.

I think personally it has been my best season,' said Lampard.

'Over the course of the season different things have cropped up, and as a group we've had some ups and downs, but I'm very pleased with the way I've been playing.

'Hopefully my thirties can be my best years. I'm more experienced, more aware of how to play the game and how to manage myself in between games.

'People used to joke about me hitting shots from all over the pitch, and when you're younger you do try a lot of things.

'Now I'm looking for the right moment to slip people in and the right moment to score.

'If you can make two assists like I did on Saturday you don't get the glory of scoring the goal, but you get the glory of winning the game.'

It has been almost two years since Chelsea won a major trophy and Lampard is delighted they have a good chance of ending the drought this season.

'When you have a couple of years of winning leagues and cups and then a couple of barren years you're upset about not winning anything,' he said.

'We're close to winning again and we are playing as well as we did during those times. I hate to compare the Mourinho era, but there's certainly an element of that strength and belief in the team we had then.

'We lost that at the start of the season. We lost points and games through giving away late goals, but now there's a much stronger feeling.'

Bent could quit Spurs to boost World Cup hopes

Tottenham striker Darren Bent admits his future at White Hart Lane is likely to be decided in the next month and will depend on the role he plays in the club's late push for European football.

Bent is Spurs' top scorer this season with 16 goals but the return of Jermain Defoe and Robbie Keane has intensified competition for starting places.

Defoe has now recovered from his foot injury and it means Bent could be back on the bench after starting the last six Premier League games.
With five matches to go and Spurs chasing a seventh-placed finish, Bent agreed who starts in those matches could point towards where his future lies.

'No one likes to sit on the bench,' said the 25-year-old, who scored the winner in the victory against Newcastle at the weekend.

'I'll have to see what happens and take it from there,' he said. 'My season has been up and down. The end of the season is coming and we'll have to see what happens after that.'

Bent feels there is an England World Cup place up for grabs next year if he is playing regular football.

However, he admitted: 'If you don't play for your club regularly you won't play for England. As long as I keep working hard and scoring, hopefully I'll be in there.'

England boss Fabio Capello was at White Hart Lane to see Bent in action at the weekend and the striker added: 'Wayne Rooney is obviously the No.1 [striker] and there is always a fight for the other spot.

'As long as I can keep scoring goals and playing well when he's [Capello] watching me, it's all I can ask for.'

Manchester United to raise price of season ticket

Manchester United have confirmed they will increase season ticket prices by £1 a game next term.

While many clubs have reduced prices to attract more cash-strapped fans at a time of a global economic crisis, United once again feel confident about bucking the trend because they are still turning away an average of almost 5,500 fans per game.

Fans' groups are not too impressed with the rises, which take the cost of a ticket to a top-price £49. The cheapest ticket at Old Trafford will be £27.
However, United feel the continued clamour to watch Sir Alex Ferguson's men - average Premier League attendances this season are 75,299 - is justified.

'We are still turning away over 5,000 people per game on average and we believe it represents good value for money,' said a United spokesman.

Earlier this month, the Glazer family revealed debts of £650million.

Since then the OFT have refused to ask United to scrap their automatic cup scheme, meaning fans who do decide to purchase a season ticket - which will be reduced in number - are again committed to purchasing tickets for all cup games, apart from the Carling Cup.

In addition, the decision of the Treasury to refuse to acknowledge tickets purchased last year should be reduced because of the mid-season cut in VAT has effectively meant supporters have felt no benefit, other than with their cup purchases.

United claim they are 'highly unlikely' to add the additional 59 pence to a £27 ticket when VAT returns to its previous 17.5% level on December 31, although supporters' groups remain unimpressed.

'It has been said in the past that the owners of the club will squeeze United supporters until the pips squeak and this is clearly the case,' said Sean Bones, vice-chairman of the Manchester United Supporters Trust.

'Earlier in the year, the government gave a 2.5% reduction on the price of VAT on tickets.

'The Glazers have absorbed this benefit and added more increases on top.'

Arshavin: Arsenal fans have still to see best of me

Andrey Arshavin maintains there is plenty more to come from him after the Russian's four goals put a massive dent in Liverpool's title bid at Anfield last night.

The 27-year-old produced a brilliant individual display as Arsenal almost snatched victory over the Reds, but were once again undone by poor defending as Yossi Benayoun grabbed an equaliser deep into stoppage time as an amazing match ended 4-4.

Arshavin cannot play in the Champions League semi-final against Manchester United as he turned out for Zenit St Petersburg earlier in this season's competition.
However, the deadline-day signing - left on the bench for most of the FA Cup semi-final defeat to Chelsea at Wembley on Saturday - insists his display last night is only the start of things to come.

'I do not think I have adapted yet because in the first half I was quiet, except for the one moment when I scored,' the Russian said.

'It is difficult, but I will try - I need time.

'I am a new player, I have to go through [my own] pre-season and then everything will be better.'

Arshavin added: 'I had only scored a hat-trick twice in my career.

'I feel good, but also disappointed because we did not get the victory.

'Both teams wanted to win. What can I say? It was unbelievable football, but that is England for you.'

Arsenal - now unbeaten in the Premier League for 19 matches - host Middlesbrough on Sunday before heading to Old Trafford for the first leg of their European tie on April 29.

Manager Arsene Wenger accepts his makeshift defence - which could have first-choice goalkeeper Manuel Almunia back from an ankle injury - must cut out costly basic errors.

He said: 'The big regret we have is that 10 minutes into the second half we were 2-1 down, but not from something created by Liverpool - it was from balls we did not clear properly from the back.

'Now we want to continue our unbeaten run in the Premier League and also qualify in the Champions League.'

Shearer pins Newcastle hopes on Barton

Newcastle manager Alan Shearer is hoping forgotten man Joey Barton can revitalise his midfield.

The former Manchester City star (pictured) is expected to return to full training this week after recovering from a fractured metatarsal, putting him in contention for the must-win Premier League clash with Portsmouth on Monday evening.

Newcastle have just five games in which to avoid relegation from the Premier League and Shearer said: 'If everything goes well over the next few days, we might have him [Barton] in full training on Thursday or Friday.

He can run on and get past the forwards, which, with all due respect, Nicky Butt, who is 34, can't do. 'If Joey is there to do that, it would free up other players.'

Liverpool legend Dalglish ready to return to Anfield

Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish has admitted he would love a return to the club he served so well as a player and a manager.

Speculation at the weekend suggested the 58-year-old Scot was to be brought in to oversee youth development at the club.

And although Dalglish, who had a 14-year spell at Anfield before quitting as manager in 1991, said he had little knowledge of any possible approach, he stressed he would be happy to help out. 'I was as far removed from the weekend's speculation about me returning to a role at Liverpool Football Club as it was possible to be but that's not to say the Sunday paper stories and TV debate escaped me,' he told LFC Magazine.

'All I can say at the moment is what I've said many times; if I can help Liverpool Football Club in any way, shape or form then I'm in. That's not a new revelation.

'If I can be of help to the club I love in any capacity then I'm more than happy to play any part that I can.

'If the manager (Rafael Benitez) or the people running the club think there's a role for me then I'll fill it happily.

'Similarly, if the club think the best thing for the club is for me to stay out of the way then I'm not going to take offence at that either.

'At the moment there's not much more that I can say other than that if and when there's anything to say to the supporters - the people who keep this club alive - then they will be the first to know.'

Ipswich sack boss Magilton

Ipswich have confirmed they have sacked manager Jim Magilton after the club's failure to make the Coca-Cola Championship play-offs.

Magilton was appointed in June 2006 and after being handed £12million to spend on players by new owner Marcus Evans was expected to challenge for promotion this season.

However, despite beating deadly rivals Norwich 3-2 on Sunday, Ipswich are marooned in midtable, some 12 points adrift of the top six. Magilton had been under fire from Ipswich fans for the majority of the season after a lack of progress on the field despite spending heavily on new players like David Norris, Jon Stead and Veliche Shumulikoski.

In a statement Evans said: 'Today is a sad day for me.

'I have enjoyed working with Jim over the past 15 months and no one has worked harder to bring success to Ipswich Town in that time.

'Jim has a passion for the club but unfortunately we have not made the progress both he and I expected this season.

'I would like to put on record my thanks for his commitment to this Football Club and wish him every success for the future.'

Assistant manager John Gorman, who arrived to help Magilton at the end of January, has also left Portman Road.

No announcement has yet been made over who will take charge of the final two games of the season while Crystal Palace manager Neil Warnock has already been linked with the post.

Ferguson treasures Scholes the unsaleable

Paul Scholes will make his 600th appearance for Manchester United against Portsmouth tonight - with boss Sir Alex Ferguson claiming he has never once had an approach by a rival club for the midfielder.

Scholes is a famously private man and very rarely speaks to the press but at Old Trafford he will join a select band of United legends to reach the 600 milestone.

Only Bill Foulkes, Sir Bobby Charlton and current team-mate Ryan Giggs have played more often for the Red Devils than the former England midfielder, who made his debut as a 19-year-old against Port Vale in 1994.
And Ferguson says not once has another manager enquired about Scholes' availability.

'Funnily enough we have never had one enquiry for Paul,' said the United boss. 'You know why? Because they all know he will never leave.

'Maybe he has had private situations where people have begged him to join them because that is how it happens with agents phoning up and all that nonsense.

'But they all know he wouldn't leave here.' Scholes will aim to help his side recover from their FA Cup semi-final defeat on penalties by Everton on Sunday as they attempt to strengthen their bid for the Premier league title.

And Ferguson rates the 34-year-old, who retired from international duty in 2004, among the best players the club has ever seen.

'At United, you can go back to the Best, Law and Charlton era,' added Ferguson. 'Before that you have Duncan Edwards. You are talking a wide panorama of players.

'But in my time he would be in the top six or seven without a doubt. His contribution and quality have been great, even without the fantastic goals he has scored.'

Scholes will earn a starting place against Pompey, along with Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney, who missed the Wembley clash.

Ryan Giggs, who holds the United appearance record with 798, Dimitar Berbatov and Patrice Evra are all expected to return with only Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic remaining from the semi-final team.

Inter star open to Spurs move

Inter midfielder Suuly Muntari has admitted he would consider a move to Tottenham Hotspur in the summer.

Muntari played under Spurs boss Harry Redknapp at Portsmouth and has been linked with a move back to England despite being an integral part of an Inter side which is set to win Serie A.

However, Inter boss Jose Mourinho could be tempted to offer Muntari to Spurs in part exchange for long-tem target Jermaine Jenas.
And Muntari said: 'I love the football in England, there is no doubt about that, that is where the best league is.

'But I only signed last year for Inter and I like it here. As long as the coach still needs me, I am happy to stay.

'At the end of the season things could change, though, so we will have to wait and see.

'Everyone knows that I really like Harry.

'He is one of the best coaches in football, he is a top manager like the one I have at the moment.

'A move to Spurs? I don't know.'

Delay to Old Firm Premier League proposal

Premier League chairmen are expected to delay discussing plans to include Celtic and Rangers in a new two-tier set-up until at least the summer.

Bolton chief Phil Gartside was set to put forward the proposal at Thursday's meeting of top-flight clubs but it has not been included on the agenda.

His plan is for a two-tier Premier League with 18 clubs in each division, among them the Old Firm. It is understood although Uefa are neutral about the proposal, the Football Association and Scottish FA would block such a move.

Meanwhile, MPs have called for rule changes to prevent the likes of the American owners of Manchester United and Liverpool saddling clubs with debts of hundreds of millions of pounds.

Parliamentary Football Group chairman Alan Keen MP said: 'We say before someone takes over they pass a test and should be financing the takeover on money they put in and not on debt.'

Rooney: Best is yet to come

Wayne Rooney insists there is still a lot more to come from him.

Although he was denied an appearance in Sunday's FA Cup semi-final against old club Everton after being left at home to rest ahead of tomorrow night's Premier League showdown with Portsmouth, it could still be a glittering year for the Manchester United striker.

A title hat-trick and back-to-back European Cup wins are still on the agenda, in addition to his matchwinning performance in the Club World Cup final last December.
On the international front, Rooney now has 50 England caps to his name, an amazing achievement considering he is still only 23.

But there is no way the United striker will start taking it easy.

He knows there is still plenty to do if he is to fulfil his talent, including scoring a few more goals.

'There is still a lot more to come from me,' he said.

'I would love to score more goals consistently each year. I am still working on that and hopefully I can improve.'

Rooney has reached 17 for United already this term, plus another seven for England.

'I am only 23 but I suppose I started off at an early age so I have achieved quite a lot,' said Rooney.

'I understand people expect things of me now.

'I just have to keep playing as well as I can. That is what I must try and do.

'If I can help Manchester United or England win trophies it would be great for me.'

If United and England are to achieve success, Rooney will be a major influence.

However, while Fabio Capello has built his new-look side around the £27million star, handing him the support striker's role many thought would be given to Steven Gerrard, at United Rooney is used slightly differently.

Ferguson does not need to be told about Rooney's prowess as a forward.

But when a specific job needs doing, stopping full-back Aly Cissokho flying down the wing for Porto last week for example, the Red Devils chief knows he can rely on Rooney.

At some clubs around the world, a star name would turn their noses up at such tasks. Rooney relishes them.

'I have played in a few different positions over the last few weeks,' he said.

'Sometimes you can't express yourself as much as you would like but you have to do a job for the team.

'For me it is easy to see the bigger picture. Maybe other players around the world don't want to put the work in.

'You never really see any of the top players running back and helping out like that. For me it is about the team. I have no problem with that.'

Barton can save Newcastle, insists Shearer

Newcastle manager Alan Shearer is hoping forgotten man Joey Barton can revitalise his midfield just when he needs it most.

The 26-year-old former Manchester City player is expected to return to full training later this week after recovering from a fractured metatarsal and would then be in contention for the make-or-break Barclays Premier League clash with Portsmouth on Monday evening.

The Magpies midfield has lacked penetration in recent months, leaving the club's strikers starved of meaningful possession, so the return of a man who is yet to even start paying off his £5.8million transfer fee cannot come soon enough.
At his peak with City, Barton both scored and created goals, and Shearer is desperate for him to do just that as his side prepare for their final five games of the campaign, with three of them must-win affairs at St James' Park.

The manager said: 'Joey has had treatment all over the weekend and if everything goes well with him over the next few days, we might have him in full training on Thursday or Friday.

'He can also run on and get past the forwards, which, with all due respect, Nicky Butt, who is 34, can't do.

'He does well in other jobs that he does, but he can't get past the forwards, and if Joey is there to do that, then it would free up some other players.'

Barton was signed by former boss Sam Allardyce in July 2007, but has managed only 31 appearances since as a result of injuries and his spell in prison.

Just five of his 25 starts have come this season with knee and foot problems having severely restricted his attempts to belatedly prove his worth on Tyneside.

The Magpies are yet to see anything like his best form on a consistent basis, and Shearer will keep his fingers crossed that he can prove an inspirational figure in what is effectively a five-game shoot-out.

Newcastle's chances of top-flight survival have realistically come down to their remaining home games against Pompey, Middlesbrough and Fulham with only three victories likely to keep them up.

Barton's return, as well as that of Jose Enrique, who has missed the last two games with a knee injury, could prove significant, although the club was today awaiting the outcome of a scan on Steven Taylor's ankle problem.

It promises to be a tense few weeks on Tyneside as the Magpies attempt to dig themselves out of a hole entirely of their own making.

However, despite the ongoing uncertainty, planning for next season is under way. Shearer has repeatedly insisted he will not be at the helm come August with Joe Kinnear expected to return in some capacity, although the 38-year-old's denials have done little to dispel speculation that he could remain in charge.

But whatever happens over the next few weeks on and off the field, the process of identifying potential summer transfer targets is continuing despite the club not knowing which division they will be playing in next term.

Shearer said: 'That's all still happening. There have been one or two tweaks to the system, but it all has to happen for next season.

'That's for the benefit for the football club next season.'

Perhaps significantly, Shearer's return to St James' was confirmed hours after it emerged that controversial executive director (football) Dennis Wise, who was employed to oversee recruitment, had parted company with Newcastle.

RSS ICON Your views Bellamy set to miss rest of season

Manchester City manager Mark Hughes has confirmed striker Craig Bellamy is almost certainly out for the rest of the season because of a knee injury.

Bellamy, who arrived from West Ham in January, has missed the last three matches after suffering the setback during the UEFA Cup quarter-final first-leg defeat at Hamburg.

Hughes said: 'Craig has got to have complete rest for two weeks then he comes back for strength work.
'Hopefully he might get the last couple of games, but the probability is that he won't.'

Bellamy's absence is a blow for Hughes as his side are anxious to claim seventh place and a spot in the Europa League.

The 29-year-old - who had problems with the knee on international duty with Wales last month - settled in quickly at Eastlands following his move from the Hammers.

Bellamy scored five goals in 10 starts for City before seeing his progress hampered by the injury.

There was better news regarding the fitness of Bulgaria striker Valeri Bojinov, who will play for the reserves tonight at Middlesbrough after being left out the squad for the victory against West Brom on Sunday.

Hughes said: 'He needs more physical work and we're hoping he comes through at Middlesbrough to be available at the weekend.'

Shaun Wright-Phillips is still struggling to recover from the ankle damage that has ruled him out of the last three games while Pablo Zabaleta's hamstring injury is also cause for concern, with Hughes admitting: 'We've probably lost him for a number of games.'

Hiddink: I won't manage Chelsea and Russia

Guus Hiddink has ruled out any prospect of combining both the Russia and Chelsea jobs next season.

The Dutchman is currently combining both roles and continues to insist he will leave Chelsea after the FA Cup final at Wembley on May 30.

Hiddink has now dismissed any chance of combining the roles next season as he attempts to guide Russia into the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa.

Hiddink has a clause in his contract with the Russian Football Federation that allows him to leave the job should they fail to reach the finals.

He has transformed Chelsea since he took charge from sacked Luiz Felipe Scolari and fans and most of the players are keen for him to stay.

The Blues are in the final of the FA Cup and in the last four of the Champions League as well as having an outside chance of snatching the league title from Manchester United.

But even if the Barclays Premier League club reached a further agreement with the Russian Federation to allow Hiddink to continue in both roles until their World Cup fate was known, the Dutchman would turn it down.

'It's important this relationship I have with the Russia players,' said Hiddink.

'Because, even on a practical level, it's impossible to do. In August we have a friendly game which is 48 hours before a Chelsea game.

'Then you have to look at all the Russian players ahead of the qualifiers in September, and there are more qualifiers in October.

'Hopefully not in November, but there is a possibility of a play-off. So I'll be very occupied with all that.

'I know the body of the squad - so scouting isn't the main issue, but I've challenged them and it wouldn't be fair for me to leave.

'There is this project I started to renew with my people. It would not be fair with the players who I challenged to go into a new era of football if I said: 'Sorry, I'm leaving'.'

Hiddink is preparing his side for an FA Cup final dress rehearsal against Everton tomorrow and he knows that victory will keep their dreams of a trophy-treble alive.

'We have the attitude in the club, even in training sessions, that we want to win. So, what I try to say, is that tomorrow's game we want to win as well.

'What's coming up at the end of May, at that time we will see. We still take these games seriously, even though we have the Champions League and the FA Cup coming up.

'The league is very serious for us. As long as it's possible for us, then we go on. The pressure is more on Liverpool than us in terms of Manchester United and the title.

'Mathematically it's possible. In February we had to make sure we qualified for next year's Champions League, but you cannot just be satisfied with that being such a big club.

'Everybody has done what is expected of him, so you push your targets higher. We are doing that. If you'd told us in February that we'd be playing in the FA Cup final on May 30, people would have raised eyebrows.'

Chelsea's season is reaching an exciting climax but Hiddink is refusing to rest some of his key players as they chase glory on three fronts.

The Dutchman is without Deco and Jose Bosingwa for tomorrow's home clash with the Toffees but he is keeping a close watch on the fitness levels of his squad - both mentally and physically.

'I'm very informed by my eye and the eyes of Ray Wilkins as well as by the staff who provide the data and the information on players, to make sure no player gets into an over-load situation,' explained Hiddink.

'Physical fatigue has lots to do with mental fatigue. The body can do a lot of things, but the mental part can obstruct the body.

'But it depends on a player's character, too. Some say they feel 'top' because they like to play, and it's better for me to protect them. Others you have to push a bit harder.'

O'Neill: Villa lack the cash

Martin O'Neill has admitted Aston Villa "won't be able to compete financially" with the big four clubs in the Barclays Premier League.

But the Villa manager insists he is still driven on to succeed and to overcome that disadvantage.

"We won't be able to compete financially. We are trying to run this as a business at this minute. That is difficult, especially in this day and age," he said. "It is a tough old business. Financially it is tough out there - and we are not going to be running this club in the manner of some other clubs.

"But I think that is part of the excitement of it all. You have to try and find other ways to compete. I don't think we'll ever be up there in finance terms but it doesn't mean you cannot compete in other ways."

Villa have been in the top six virtually all season and were in strong contention for a Champions League spot until a recent poor run of results left them trailing Arsenal by seven points.

O'Neill added "We have been up there all season, never out of the top six.

"But we are in the same league as Manchester United, who have gates of 75,000 and are a different entity. We are in there against Arsenal, who house 60,000 fans every home game.

"Then we are against the other two (Liverpool and Chelsea), who have our sort of gates but not only have the experience behind them but a lot of money to go at it as well."

Santa Cruz set on Rovers exit

Paraguay striker Roque Santa Cruz claims he has told Blackburn he wants to leave the club at the end of the season.

The 27-year-old, currently recuperating after undergoing a surgical procedure on his troublesome right knee last week, told Paraguayan radio he has informed Rovers he wants to move on in the summer.

'I have already told them (Blackburn) and they know that before the transfer window closes I would like to continue my career at a bigger, more ambitious team,' he told Radio Nanduti.
He added: 'Even though I haven't heard anything, I haven't changed my mind. I think it will be very difficult for me to play again this season because of the recovery. Our last league match is on May 24 and I also need a couple of days for my knee to physically recover.'

The former Bayern Munich frontman could, therefore, have played his last match for Blackburn, as he does not intend to take to the field again before he is 100% fit.

Santa Cruz last week underwent an arthroscopy in Germany, which showed 'a minor degree of wear and tear'. He had the joint washed out but did not require any active surgical procedure.

'I had to clean the zone of the cruciate ligament operation I had three or four years ago because there was some liquid there,' he said.

'When I had the tendonitis in the left knee, it made the other leg overwork. That's why it got worse and I needed the surgery.

'Now, it is up to the knee. The recovery time is between four and six weeks and I will not hurry. The most important thing is to play without any problems. I will wait for my knee to be perfect, no matter how long it takes.'

Liverpool hit back in Rafa row

Liverpool assistant manager Sammy Lee has dismissed criticism of boss Rafael Benitez as 'sad'.

And Lee has questioned why Blackburn chief Sam Allardyce never mentioned to him he felt humiliated by the Spaniard's hand gesture after the recent Premier League match at Anfield.

Both Allardyce and Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson attacked Benitez for a gesture he made when his side scored the second of their four goals against Rovers.

But Lee, who was Allardyce's former No.2 at Bolton, felt the Rovers boss should have voiced his concerns at the time if he felt there was an issue.

Lee said: 'I'm surprised Sam, if he felt that strongly about it, didn't mention it to me when we were sat having a drink after the game. We have a close relationship but I can't speak for what other people read into things.

'We know what we want out of football and it is not for us to talk about other clubs. When people are successful others will always want to knock you.'

Wenger tells Fergie to forget mind games

Arsene Wenger insists he has no interest in being drawn into Sir Alex Ferguson's mind games ahead of tonight's trip to Anfield.

The Manchester United manager has clashed with Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez this season and could not resist having his say ahead of Arsenal's visit, which could have a crucial bearing on the title race.

Ferguson's side are a point clear of the Reds at the top of the Premier League with a game in hand.
A point for Benitez's men would be enough to send them top once more and Arsenal's chances of avoiding defeat could be harmed if Wenger decides to make wholesale changes to the team defeated by Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final on Saturday.

Striker Emmanuel Adebayor will be rested as he has a slight hamstring problem while leading scorer Robin van Persie is absent with a groin strain.

Ferguson, who fielded a virtual reserve team himself in United's semi-final loss to Everton on Sunday, said: 'I don't know what Arsene will be thinking about tonight but, no matter what, Arsenal always try.

'That is the mantra of Arsene himself. He is a winner. Providing they try, it is all I can ask for.'

Wenger, though, is unconcerned by what rival managers have to say. He insisted: 'I believe it [mind games] was always something which was overrated a bit.

'It is a little bit like advertising - it is needed but what impact it has on sales you never know.I believe it can sometimes have a negative impact rather than a positive impact.'

Chelsea treble talk annoys Lampard

Frank Lampard last night attempted to banish all talk of a potential Chelsea trophy treble.

The England midfielder inspired the Blues to victory against Arsenal on Saturday to reach the FA Cup final with a 2-1 win at Wembley.

The Gunners had taken the lead in the 18th minute through Theo Walcott but Florent Malouda equalised for Chelsea, beating Arsenal keeper Lukasz Fabianski at his near post.
Didier Drogba then smashed his eighth goal in nine games to seal the win late on and leave the Blues still in the hunt for success on three fronts.

Chelsea face Barcelona in the semi-finals of the Champions League and remain in the race for the Premier League title.

But midfielder Lampard insists talk of three trophies only adds to the pressure.

'I hate talk of a treble,' he said. 'When you talk about it the pressure gets even more so we must keep our heads down and take each game and competition as it comes and if we do that then we will have a chance.

'It will be very difficult to win three trophies but if we can win something it would be great.

'We are now in a position where we can be very successful. We must keep doing the good things - playing together and with spirit.

'We want to keep going and keep putting the pressure on. We want to win all our games as you never know what might happen.

Bent admits his Spurs future is in the balance

Tottenham striker Darren Bent admits his future at White Hart Lane is likely to be decided in the next month and will depend on the role he plays in the club's late push for European football.

Bent is Spurs' top scorer this season with 16 goals but the return of Jermain Defoe and Robbie Keane has intensified competition for starting places.

Defoe has now recovered from his foot injury and it means Bent could be back on the bench after starting the last six Barclays Premier League games.

With five matches to go and Spurs chasing a seventh-placed finish, Bent agreed that who starts in those matches could point towards where his future lies.

'No-one likes to sit on the bench,' said the 25-year-old. 'I'll have to see what happens and take it from there. My season has been up and down. The end of the season is coming and we'll have to see what happens after that.'

Bent feels there is a World Cup place up for grabs next year with England if he is playing regular football.

'I would have liked to have played more games and scored more goals,' he said.

'The manager has got decisions to make. He's got fantastic strikers and you have to bide your time. 'If you don't play for your club regularly, you won't play for England. As long as I can keep working hard and scoring goals, hopefully I'll be in there.'

Bent has been encouraged by advice from England boss Fabio Capello, who was at White Hart Lane at the weekend to watch Bent score the winner against Newcastle.

'(Wayne) Rooney is obviously the number one, and there is always a fight for the other spot,' Bent admitted.

'As long as I can keep scoring goals and playing well when he's watching me, it's all I can ask for.

'Fabio is the best England manager we've had for a long time. He's told me on a personal level what he wants from me. He tells you face to face what he wants, which is what you need as a player.'

Van Persie and Adebayor out of Liverpool clash

Arsenal will be without leading scorer Robin van Persie (groin) and striker Emmanuel Adebayor (hamstring) for tomorrow's trip to Liverpool.

However, full-back Bacary Sagna has recovered from a virus and could feature at Anfield, along with fit-again Croatia forward Eduardo.

Despite his Wembley nightmare in Saturday's FA Cup semi-final, Lukasz Fabianski will again deputise in goal for Manuel Almunia (ankle), while defenders Gael Clichy (back), William Gallas (knee) and Johan Djourou (knee) are all sidelined.
Meanwhile, Liverpool will be without captain Steven Gerrard.
The England midfielder is expected to remain sidelined for another seven to 10 days with a groin problem having sat out the last two matches.

However, with a week's rest since their Champions League exit to Chelsea manager Rafael Benitez may not feel the need to rotate his side too much against the Gunners.

Wembley pitch needs sorted out, admit FA

The Football Association today accepted the much-maligned pitch at Wembley Stadium needs to be improved.

The debate over the surface has been rumbling ever since the new stadium was opened two years ago but it intensified over FA Cup semi-final weekend.

The turf proved problematic for Saturday's clash between Arsenal and Chelsea and again for yesterday's tie between Manchester United and Everton, with the top surface appearing spongy and giving way easily under players' feet.
Its harshest critics were the two losing managers. Arsene Wenger branded it 'a disaster' and 'laughable' while Sir Alex Ferguson said the soil looked 'dead' and withdrew three senior players from his starting line-up because of injury concerns ahead of the season's run-in.

The pitch has had to be re-laid five times in two years since the new £750million stadium opened. The standard of the turf even prompted the Australian Rugby Union to investigate whether it contributed to injuries to two Wallabies in an international against the Barbarians in November last year.

The FA confirmed the state of the pitch is a concern and said they are focusing on improving it for the numerous fixtures in the next two months.

'Whilst recent changes to the surface have seen improvements in player traction, we accept there are still further improvements to be made,' a statement from the governing body read.

'Wembley Stadium will continue to work hard to address these issues for our next matches.

'The grounds team has made continual improvements to the pitch since opening in 2007, however, the stadium's unique environment continues to prove challenging.'

Before the end of the season, the turf will have to withstand three Football League play-off finals plus the Blue Square Premier play-off final, the FA Cup final and the finals of the FA Trophy and Vase. England then play a World Cup qualifier against Andorra on June 10.

Aside from football, there is an AC/DC concert on June 26 and, in July, three Oasis dates and four Take That concerts.

It will be re-laid again for the Community Shield in August and the FA's statement added that 'this new pitch will be of a different composition and from a different turf nursery'.

David Saltman, formerly in charge of Millennium Stadium pitch and now the managing director of www.pitchcare.com, said Wembley will never be as good as a Premier League club's surface.

'This pitch is the most spotlighted pitch in country if not the world,' he told BBC Radio Five Live.

'The number of events on the grass and off it is staggering.

'One of the problems with Wembley and the Millennium is they're not just pitches for football.

'Managers such as Ferguson and Wenger are used to playing on pitches which are just prepared for football week in, week out and the levels are superb. The pitch is cut short and the players know what they are going to be going on to.

'At Wembley and the Millennium the pitches are turfed - they have to be because of the other events - so you're never going to have the same sort of perfect level you have with an in-situ pitch you get in the Premier League and the Championship.'

Premier League and FA Cup - Who’s Hot and Who’s Not

The candidates are Chelsea, Everton, Tottenham, Manchester City, Portsmouth, Stoke and Sunderland. They all won, but look at who they were playing. Tottenham beat a desperately poor Newcastle, City beat a desperately poor West Brom, Portsmouth beat a desperately poor Bolton, Stoke beat a desperately poor Blackburn and Sunderland beat a desperately poor Hull.

It has to be one of the FA Cup finalists but look at who Everton beat - Van der Sar, Neville, O’Shea, Evans, Evra, Ronaldo, Carrick, Scholes, Giggs, Berbatov, Rooney. That’s the United team that didn’t start the game!

Through the process of elimination, the Hot team have to be Chelsea who beat a pretty good Arsenal team.
# Not Hot team

Basically all the losing teams, together with Middlesbrough who could only draw at home, are in the frame for this award.

The winner for me, by a mile is the Hull City team who went down at Sunderland to leave them with just one win in seventeen games.
# Hot keeper

To make a couple of fine penalty saves for your team is great for a keeper. To make them at Wembley to put your side through to an FA Cup final is even better. To do so against your old team, the World and European champions is just the icing on the cake.

There is no doubt that this week’s Hot keeper is Everton’s Tim Howard.
# Not Hot keeper

The good news for West Brom’s Scott Carson is that someone had an even worse game than him this week. It can’t be easy for a young keeper to step into a team and play in an FA Cup semi-final at Wembley. At least, I imagine it can’t be easy after watching the pretty poor efforts of Arsenal’s Lukasz Fabianski on Saturday!

The first goal beat him at his near post and the second goal…well, where on earth did he think he was going!?
# Hot defender

He’s had a great season and received England recognition. He has become one of the best defenders in the Premier League and yesterday, he struck home the penalty that took his team to Wembley.

Whilst Nemanja Vidic was absolutely immense for Manchester United, this award goes to Everton’s Phil Jagielka.
# Not Hot defender

Poor old Newcastle haven’t really had the type of reaction that many of us, including me, thought they would have to the appointment of Alan Shearer.

A defeat to Chelsea, a draw with Stoke and a pretty tame defeat yesterday at Tottenham has hardly been what Shearer must have been hoping for.

In amongst that performance yesterday was a particularly poor showing from one of this season’s signings, Ryan Taylor. The way he played sort of summed up Newcastle’s season so far. He was all over the place.
# Hot midfielder

I have been his biggest critic since he came to the Premier League, but I truly believe he has deserved it. Florent Malouda has been the biggest waste of money since Shevchenko or Alves…OK, there have been quite a few, but he has been rubbish!

All of a sudden, under Guus Hiddink, he has started to look like an international footballer. He scored Chelsea’s first goal on Saturday and had an all round good game. At last, we are beginning to see what Chelsea paid for.
# Not Hot midfielder

I love Paul Scholes. He is a true legend of the game and a true great. However, when he came on a substitute yesterday I was really pleased because I thought we might see a bit of quality that had been sadly missing from the game. The one thing you know about Scholsey is that he will just never give the ball away.

Yesterday, and against Porto in the first leg of their European tie, Paul did very little other than give the ball away. Form is temporary and class is permanent, so they say, but Scholesy is suffering a terrible blip in his form. He will always be a class act but I wonder if his days are numbered.
# Hot striker

He has had a very poor season by his standards and he has never been far away from controversy. Didier Drogba has looked like a shadow of his former self for much of this season.

He has become another player who seems to have blossomed under the guidance of Guus Hiddink and his performances against Liverpool in Europe and against Arsenal on Saturday, where he scored the winning goal, were right up there with his best.

When he is in form he is a frightening prospect for any defender. Nobody will fancy marking him between now and the end of the season.
# Not Hot striker

I am fed up with defending Dimitar Berbatov. He is a great player with a wonderful touch and outstanding vision.

He came on as a substitute yesterday and offered his team-mates absolutely nothing. He then took a penalty in the shoot out that must have been one of the worst penalties ever taken by a so-called international footballer.

Beckham stars for Milan on return from injury

AC Milan surged up to joint second in Serie A thanks to Filippo Inzaghi's hat-trick in a 5-1 home thrashing of lowly Torino on Sunday.

Carlo Ancelotti's in-form side moved level with Juventus on 64 points but are still 10 behind leaders Inter Milan with just six games left in the season.

Stuttering Juve drew 1-1 at home with Inter on Saturday and Milan quickly made sure they took advantage, Inzaghi nodding in David Beckham's corner after 13 minutes.
Beckham, returning to the starting lineup after two games on the bench, caused havoc and Inzaghi soon flicked in another of his crosses with fourth-bottom Torino completely powerless.

Inzaghi, 35, converted Ronaldinho's pass in the second half before Kaka netted a penalty, Ivan Franceschini grabbed a consolation and Massimo Ambrosini finished off a good move.

Ancelotti, linked with Chelsea and Real Madrid, had been warned by club bosses that third place was the minimum requirement after limping in fifth last season.

Second spot now looks a distinct possibility with the San Siro meeting with Juve on May 10 especially important given head-to-head records separate teams on the same points.