EXCLUSIVE: Come in Carlo - Roman goes for Ancelotti after giving up on Guus

By Matt Lawton Chief Football Correspondent

Roman Abramovich has identified Carlo Ancelotti as the next manager of Chelsea after conceding he will not be able to keep Guus Hiddink at Stamford Bridge beyond the end of this season.

Abramovich has informed Chelsea’s players of the political complications in trying to extract Hiddink permanently from his role as coach of Russia before next year’s World Cup. The players stunned their Russian billionaire owner by urging him to bring back Jose Mourinho.

But Abramovich is in no mood to do that, and according to sources in Italy has instead opted for Ancelotti, a 49-year-old Italian who has guided Milan to two European Cups and a Serie A title in eight years at the San Siro.

Ancelotti’s deal with Milan ends this summer and Sportsmail understands the terms of a three-year deal with Chelsea have already been discussed.

The Milan boss’s lack of English has concerned some Stamford Bridge officials but Abramovich wanted Ancelotti before he eventually turned to Luiz Felipe Scolari last summer and this time he is determined to get his man.

Last year Ancelotti confirmed that an approach had been made to him prior to Scolari’s appointment, but that he had opted to stay at Milan. Since then, however, the situation at Milan has changed.

His employers were prepared to sell Brazilian superstar Kaka to Manchester City three months ago in a world record £100million deal and yesterday Florentino Perez vowed to lure the Brazilian to the Bernabeu this summer if he is re-elected as Real Madrid president.

Milan’s apparent lack of ambition and the power and influence of the Barclays Premier League now look like being enough to change Ancelotti’s mind, giving club owner Abramovich the manager he wanted all along.

Hiddink has impressed Chelsea’s players. He has restored some discipline to the side, even limiting his team-talks to no more than 12 minutes so he can hold their
attention.

He tells players to leave the training pitch if, in his opinion, they are not working hard
enough and his tough new regime has clearly revived a team that was floundering under Scolari.

But Abramovich has now realised it will be impossible to retain the Dutchman, even though he has rescued a Russian federation which was in financial meltdown and paid Hiddink’s wages.

As one source put it last night: ‘It is not worth incurring the wrath of the political machine in Russia over a football manager. I think the feeling in Russia is that the oligarchs need to be putting something back in rather than taking even more away.’

Once made aware of the situation, the players did suggest Abramovich go back for Mourinho and rescue him from what is proving a unhappy stay at Inter Milan.

But Mourinho went because of a breakdown in his relationship with Abramovich, leaving Ancelotti as the top Chelsea target.

Portsmouth Release Yearly Accounts

By Steven Fisher

Portsmouth football club today revealed that they have reduced losses by £6.79M for the year ending 2007/08 - from £23.45M to £16.66M.

The club anticipates a further substantial reduction for 2008/09 and is on course to break by the time Fratton Park is redeveloped 30,000 fans by the season 20011/12.

The first phase of the redevelopment will see Fratton Park capacity to increase by 5,000 to around 25,000 by the start of the 2010/11 season.

That is part of the official statement on the clubs website, now all that matters is for them to stay in The Premiership and hopefully find a buyer as well, because by the look of things, the chairman wants out and the fans want someone who wants the club to succeed and not someone who wants to line his pockets by making a quick buck.

MON On Moscow Dinner

Martin O'Neill has hit back at newspaper claims he has funded this evening's UEFA Cup 'thank-you' dinner from his own pocket.

The Daily Mirror claimed MON has splashed out £15,000 of his own money on tonight's Holte Suite event.

But the Villa boss was keen to stress the dinner was simply a "club function" to reward loyal supporters who made the journey to the UEFA Cup clash with CSKA Moscow.

O'Neill said: "It was an idea I had on the way back from Russia and, after it was cleared by the chairman, we both decided to go ahead with it."

Didier Hands Boro Huge Boost

BORO were today handed a major boost with the news that French U21 international Didier Digard is back at Rockliffe Park and should be in full training within a fortnight.

The midfielder returned from rehabilitation at the French national football academy in Clairfontaine this week and his currently being put through light fitness work with Boro's coaching staff.

Digard suffered a partial rupture to the quadriceps muscle in his left leg and a partial tear to his medial ligament on his right knee against Wigan on February 21.

His return for the final games of the season would be a huge shot in the arm for the squad as the relegation battle hots up.

Meanwhile, Adam Johnson has returned to light training after missing the Bolton game with an ankle problem.

It is hoped he will be in full training with his team-mates by Thursday and he could be available for Saturday's massive game against Hull City at the Riverside.

Johnson was in outstanding form for England U21s during their games against Norway and France last week.

Chris Riggott is also back in training after recovering from a medial knee ligament tear suffered in the defeat at Manchester City on February 7.

However, skipper Emanuel Pogatetz is out of the Hull game after injuring his knee and the tendon behind his knee during Saturday's defeat at Bolton.

Macheda's impact no surprise to Man Utd or Lazio

By Mitch Phillips

LONDON, April 7 (Reuters) - Wayne Rooney must have smiled to himself when the world's media clamoured to find out more about Federico Macheda after the Italian teenager's exquisite late winner for Manchester United against Aston Villa on Sunday.

In 2002, five days before his 17th birthday, Rooney curled home a similar goal for Everton to end Arsenal's 30-match unbeaten run and make him the Premier League's youngest scorer.

Outsiders rushed to discover more about him but he was already old news to everyone connected with Everton who had seen him excel for the youth and reserve teams.

Seven years on, Rooney is an established part of the Manchester United and England hierarchy while 17-year-old Macheda is setting out on a career that the man who discovered him predicts will also lead to big things.

"Federico was the jewel of the Lazio youth team and will end up becoming one of the finest strikers in Europe," Volfango Patarca, a scout at the Rome club, told British newspaper the Daily Telegraph.

Just as Rooney's departure from Everton caused anger and frustration at the club who developed him, Macheda's move from Lazio to United has left the Italians fuming.

United are widely reported to have paid a token amount of compensation to Lazio after the then 15-year-old Macheda joined them. Italian federation rules do not allow clubs to contract players under 16, leaving the Rome club powerless to counter United's offers.

United certainly knew what they were doing and Macheda immediately impressed with his youth team performances alongside Danny Welbeck, who has developed into a first-team player.

HAT-TRICK

Under the shrewd guidance of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, he then became established in the reserves and last week Alex Ferguson dangled the carrot of a place on the bench against Villa if he performed well in a reserve game against Newcastle United.

A hat-trick later, and he was getting ready for the big time.

"It was a challenge for him and he goes and scores a hat-trick, which is him saying 'get me on that bench, quick'," Ferguson told reporters.

"To play under pressure in front of 76,000 is a big ask but I have seen him in training and at reserve-team games and how he handles certain situations.

"Young players get challenged at this club. It was a late goal but for one like that you would wait until the very last kick because it was so good."

Cristiano Ronaldo, who also made a dazzling United debut off the bench against Bolton Wanderers six years ago, said that the club offered the ideal environment for a talented youngster.

"I had very good support from the older players when I started here," he told reporters ahead of Tuesday's Champions League clash with Porto. "I looked to them for help, just as Federico will.

"I would like the younger players to follow me for the same type of career. It is very important to behave properly and to be intelligent."

Macheda, likely to be on the bench on Tuesday, will also need to show plenty of patience, as first-team opportunities are likely to remain few and far between with Rooney, Ronaldo, Dimitar Berbatov and Carlos Tevez vying for forward places.

Giuseppe Rossi, another teenager lured from Italy when he joined United from Parma in 2004, seemed set to be the next big thing after also lighting up the reserves and producing some skilled cameos for the first team.

However, frustrated by his lack of first-team opportunities, he was loaned out before eventually being sold to Villarreal in 2007, since becoming a full Italy international.

© Reuters 2008. All rights reserved.

United in sponsorship talks

By Richard Baily

Financial service company Prudential have confirmed they are in talks with Manchester United over becoming the club's new shirt sponsor.

Current sponsors AIG are in the middle of the third year of a four-year contract and have confirmed that they will not be renewing their deal.

The insurance and financial services group came to the decision after they were the subject of a US taxpayer bailout after incurring huge losses during the global economic downturn.

Although AIG will not sponsor the club beyond the 2009/10 season, United look set to continue to wear the company's logo next term.

As well as Prudential other names to be linked with replacing AIG, whose deal is worth £56.5million to the club, are AirAsia, Saudi Telecom and Sahara.

"We can confirm we have been approached by Manchester United," Edward Brewster, head of group media relations at Prudential told The Sport Briefing.

"We are one of several (companies), we believe, to have been (talking to Manchester United)."

However Tata Group, an India-based car manufacturer linked with the sponsorship, pulled out of the running when they said they do "not have any intention of sponsoring any football club at this point of time."

Green still No1

Gianfranco Zola believes goalkeeper Robert Green can become England's No1 at next summer's FIFA World Cup finals in South Africa.

The West Ham United stopper has been in consistent form this season, underlined by a fourth clean sheet in five games last Saturday by keeping Sunderland at bay for 90 minutes. Green is certainly in Fabio Capello's thoughts, having won his second full England cap in the 2-0 friendly defeat by Spain in Seville in February.

The 29-year-old was in Capello's squad for last week's 4-0 friendly win over Slovakia and 2-1 Group 6 qualifying triumph over Ukraine at Wembley, but was left out of the matchday selection in favour of Portsmouth's David James and Manchester United's Ben Foster for both fixtures.

However, with England on course for the finals in South Africa after winning all five of their qualifying matches so far, Zola believes the Hammers goalkeeper can overtake both James and Foster and earn a starting place at next year's tournament. Rather than have his confidence knocked by his recent omission, the manager said Green has the attitude and ability to force his way into Capello's first eleven.

"For me, he has to continue doing what he has been doing for West Ham. He has to carry on performing the way he has been performing and I'm sure he will find a way to be No1 for England as well. That's the only way he can do that. His consideration in the national team has grown very much since the beginning of the season. He just needs to persist.

"I don't think he's worried. I know Robert very well and I'm sure this will be a reason to push himself even harder. I've learned a lot about Robert and I'm sure he will be even stronger after this and for me he will achieve that and has a very good chance to be No1 at the World Cup."

Liam's Aim

City midfielder Liam Lawrence says helping to keep the Club in the Barclays Premier League would be one his all-time achievements.

The 2-0 victory against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday saw the Potters move six points clear of the relegation zone and give the Potters their first top-flight win on the road in almost 25 years.

"It was fantastic to get our first away win," Lawrence told Stoke City World.

"We have had games away from home where we have not started so well but we went there, had a proper game plan and thought if we could start well we could go on to win the game.

"It is a few more points on the board for us and it puts a bigger gap between us and the others now.

"We have seven cup finals left and to help keep Stoke in the Premier League would be one of my all time great achievements."

The Potters welcome relegation rivals Newcastle United to the Britannia Stadium at the weekend and the former Sunderand midfielder knows three more points could be crucial towards their quest for survival.

"It is going to be a massive game and if we can get a result it can really affect where we are at the end of the season," he added.

"If we stay up it will top getting promoted in the first place.

"People have written us off since I have been at the Club it is up to us to prove them wrong every week and we are starting to do that now.

"It is time for us to push on if we are to stay up this season."

Gordon offers positive outlook

By Nick Alexander

Craig Gordon has called for a positive outlook as Sunderland prepare for the visit of Manchester United.

The Scotland goalkeeper says the Black Cats must believe they can get a good result against the Premier League leaders and title favourites.

Saturday's meeting is the first of two big games for Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, with strugglers Hull City arriving on Wearside seven days later. After that, Ricky Sbragia's men go to West Brom.

It is an important month for Sunderland and Gordon believes the fans will have a leading part to play as the Black Cats look to get out of trouble.

"We're back at home and even though we're playing a good Manchester United side, we still think we can take something from the game," he said.

"People will say we have no chance against United but football is strange, they lost at Fulham recently and no one expected that.

"Man United are in a close race for the title and they will be nervous. If they are not 100 per cent on their game, we have to pounce. We're not expected to win so maybe we can relax and play some good football."

Gordon added: "We've got plenty to do, we realise that, but we're ready to put in the hard work to make sure we are in the Premier League next season.

"We know we have a couple of huge games after Saturday but it's wrong to look beyond the Man United game, we're focusing on that."

Gordon returned to Sunderland's starting line-up at West Ham last weekend, for the first time in the league since November.

The Scot edged out Marton Fulop who had saved Robinho's penalty in Sunderland's previous game.

"It was a surprise when I found out I was playing, but a nice one," said the goalkeeper. "I'll work hard to keep my place in the team now."

Sunderland are expecting a crowd of around 45,000 for Saturday's game against the Premier League and European champions.

"The fans will have a big role to play," said the Scot. "We have some tough home games to come but with the crowd behind us, we know we can get some good results."

Big Al Implements Synchronised Sitting

By Craig Hope

ALAN Shearer has already set about stamping his own mark on the Newcastle United camp by insisting the squad must eat together after training.

When the Geordie legend was a player under Sir Bobby Robson it was a rule that the team were only dismissed from lunch on his say so.

And Big Al, having promised to take what he can from each of the managers he served under, has wasted no time in implementing some early changes.

"We have changed one or two things," said the Magpie boss.

"We can't address everything because we're only here for seven weeks.

"When Bobby came in to Newcastle, he made everyone sit down and eat together.

"It's just a small thing, but I think it gets the players together as a team."

CLAYTON McDONALD

CLAYTON McDONALD has signed a one-year extension to take his contract at the club to June 30, 2010. The 6ft 6in defender, 20, has been on loan at Chesterfield.

Midfielder Paul Marshall's loan at Port Vale has been extended to May 2.

QUARESMA IN, HUTCHINSON RETURNS FOR RESERVES

Ricardo Quaresma heads the list of names in the reserve side that faces Fulham tonight, live on Chelsea TV from Craven Cottage.

The Portuguese international winger, a February loan signing from Inter, drops down to the second string for this evening's game as he is ineligible for Champions League action.

Quaresma, 25, has already enjoyed some success for the reserves, scoring twice in a 6-0 win against Portsmouth back in February, before turning in an impressive display in the 3-2 defeat against Stoke a week later.

He is joined in the line-up by Sam Hutchinson, who returns for a first outing since October following a serious knee injury.

The defender has been highly rated at Stamford Bridge, and travelled to America for the club's pre-season tour in July 2007 before a succession of knee injuries.

Also starting is Mineiro, who has been a steadying influence at the heart of the midfield for Paul Clement's youthful team, alongside the still learning Liam Bridcutt, whose display against Arsenal a fortnight ago warranted merit.

That point kept us within touching distance of the Gunners, in seventh place of the Barclays Premier Reserve League South. Tonight's opponents sit second with 20 points from 13 games, still 10 behind league leaders Aston Villa.

Elsewhere in the line-up there is a youthful look to the forward line, with Fabio Borini, scorer of two against Portsmouth reserves earlier in the season, partnered by Adam Phillip, still a relative novice at this level. Jan Sebek, a debutant against the Gunners a fortnight ago, continues in goal.

Back in January, these two sides played out a 1-1 draw at Brentford's Griffin Park, a Miroslav Stoch penalty earning a point after Adrian Leijer had given the Cottagers a first half lead.

Slovakian international Stoch is suspended for tonight's match after being sent off against Arsenal, but has travelled with the first team for Champions League duty. Clement's involvement with the first team under Guus Hiddink means youth team coach Dermot Drummy will be in charge in west London tonight.

MON: Turning Point

By Paul Brown

Martin O'Neill insists he felt "ignited" to bring the good times back to Villa after his team's rip-roaring comeback against Everton in April 2007.

The Villa boss regards the night on Monday April 2 as the defining point of his first season as manager.

"In the first half against Everton, we were just wretched for every reason under the sun," he says. "The crowd booed us off and everything we got at half-time that evening, we thoroughly deserved.

"The team could have wilted under that pressure and ended up being in deep, deep trouble but they went out and showed their battling qualities and their character.

"There was a genuine desire and we came rolling back from a position of despair. That showed something about the team that really pleased me.

"I learned a lot about them that night, and also about the crowd, who had been sharing our frustration for some considerable time.

"If ever there was an evening where I felt 'this is a club worth doing something for' that was it. It was encapsulated in a 90-minute period where we were getting the crowd's utter wrath in the first half but were applauded off at the end."

Villa's battling second half performance that night earned them a 1-1 draw. But the sheer magnitude of the second 45 minutes, crowned by Gabriel Agbonlahor's late equaliser, convinced O'Neill that he can create something special at Villa Park.

"Talk is cheap, but I've never felt more ignited about wanting to get things right for a club," he added.

Almunia - We can win all remaining game

By Declan Taylor

Manuel Almunia believes the Gunners can win all the remaining games of what could become “Arsenal’s season”.

After losing five of their opening 14 Premier League fixtures this term, Arsène Wenger’s side have battled back to within striking distance of domestic and European silverware.

And after losing a string of first-team regulars to injury over the course of the season, Arsenal’s brightest stars are returning at the same time as their imperious form.

Speaking ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League Quarter-Final first-leg encounter with Villarreal, Almunia summed up the unbridled confidence currently swirling around Arsenal’s youthful squad.

"This season looks to be our season," the Spaniard declared.

"It looks to be the season for the young players to be man enough to face all the big competitions we have.

"Players like Alex Song, Abou Diaby and Theo Walcott - when these players are 100 per cent fit, they can be mentally prepared to be totally professional, and they have the potential to win trophies.

"We can win every single game and we are here to do it."

Of course, the Gunners do have some previous with tonight’s opponents.

In 2006, the pair contested the Champions League Semi Final and, after Kolo Toure’s first-leg goal, Jens Lehmann saved a late Juan Roman Riquelme penalty in the second leg to secure Arsenal’s place in the Final.

However, wholesale changes to both teams means that Almunia won’t be reading much into that aggregate result.

“We have good memories from Villarreal but every single time is different,” he said. “There have been a lot of changes on both sides.

“Tomorrow's game is going to be different but comparing our team between 2006 and now. I am very confident that the team is going to be very good and the performance will be brilliant.

“The good thing is that we have the second leg at the Emirates but we expect to have a good result tomorrow.”

Rafa dismisses Fergie theory

Rafa Benitez believes Sir Alex Ferguson will want Liverpool to beat Chelsea in their UEFA Champions League quarter-final, and has suggested the Manchester United boss is only talking about his rivals because he is 'a little bit scared'.

Ferguson stated on Monday that he believes the winner of the all-English tie will provide the main challenge to United in the title race.

However, Benitez is not convinced by Ferguson's theory and has put forward his own ideas about what the Scot may want to happen.

Benitez feels the side that does not go through to the semi-finals will be able to concentrate completely on the Premier League and could topple United.

Liverpool are currently United's nearest rivals so Benitez thinks Ferguson would like the Reds to have the distraction of European football.

"I think they will have a problem, United, because clearly one of us, Chelsea or Liverpool, will be focused on the league so I think it is worse for them," Benitez said on Sky Sports News.

"I think he will be supporting Liverpool because he knows that we are the big threat, so if we continue in the competition (he will think) 'it will be okay, they will be tired'.

Threat

"If we are not in the competition he knows we will be a threat, if Chelsea are not in the competition he knows they will be a threat.

"One thing is the momentum but another thing is the time you have to prepare for every single Premier League game, so clearly I think he will be supporting us."

Benitez, who is confident Liverpool can challenge for glory on two fronts, does not believe Ferguson should dwell on such matters.

He explained: "I would like to be worrying about both (Premier League and Champions League) but he likes to think too much about other teams.

"I don't think it is mind games, I think he is a little bit scared."

Benitez insists he did not mind being drawn to face Chelsea in the Champions League for a fifth successive year.

The Liverpool boss believes such a rivalry shows the strength of both sides and he is looking forward to many more clashes with the Blues.

"I am really pleased to be here playing Chelsea again because we are at this stage of the competition again, and hopefully it will be the same for the next five years," he said.

"And that means we will be there and they will be there too."

Nedum - Cups not cash will lure stars

NEDUM ONUOHA insists that Mark Hughes' big summer recruits will be joining the Blues revolution for the chance to win some medals and not the opportunity to make their bank manager a very happy man.

Player of the month Nedum, who has been at the club since he was a boy, believes footballers are a misunderstood breed and last week leapt to the defence of young players under fire from Chelsea's Frank Lampard.

England's Under-21 skipper maintains that bringing home the UEFA Cup from Istanbul would have far more impact on players' perception of City as a club than the Abu Dhabi riches that manager Hughes can now call upon.

Onuoha said: "That would definitely mean more than the money. There is so much potential here now and the chance to be able to afford better players. But they will come because they see the club is moving in the right direction.

"They'll see the ambition and take a pride in coming here. It's amazing to think that not so long ago we were escaping relegation but three or four years from now could be one of the top teams in the country if not Europe.

"But it wouldn't be about the money, it would be about the team developing. Players take a pride in the team they play for, otherwise you wouldn't go. Big clubs will pay big money, because they will be winning things."

Nedum, who has established a firm partnership with Richard Dunne at the heart of defence, also insists that money can't compensate if you're not happy at your job - and bears no resentment for the game's big earners.

He said: "Some will think I'm unique, others boring, but for me it's not about the money. Football is a great profession to be in and I'm having a good life. It doesn't matter to me if someone else is having a better one.

"Players who are deserving can have as much as they like and it won't trouble me. I hope Stevie Ireland signs a new contract and they pay him whatever he wants, because for me he has been our best player this season.

"Whatever he earns, he deserves, and if I only get a hundredth or whatever fraction of what he is paid, it wouldn't matter to me as long as I had enough to be OK. I'd never compare myself to him, he's integral to the team."

Peter Ferguson

Barmby Praises Tigers Defence

Nick Barmby was full of praise for the Tigers' defensive efforts in Saturday's 0-0 draw with Portsmouth.

Barmby, who was handed a first league start since early January, admitted that City were scrappy in the final third but felt their efforts at the other end warranted a clean sheet.

"Both teams were scrappy in the final third and we were disappointed that we didn't create a great deal of chances," said Barmby.

"But our defence was magnificent and our desire and attitude was spot on again.

"Michael Turner and Kamil Zayatte were up against Peter Crouch, an England striker who is in form and scoring goals, and they did well against him. Matt Duke came up with a clean sheet and that is another positive.

"Picking up a point at this stage of the season is another plus, especially with the bottom three all losing.

"We didn't really capitalise when they went down to ten men, but Portsmouth defended well and they are a big team. A draw was maybe a fair result."

Having suffered a broken nose following a clash with Peter Crouch on Saturday, Barmby shows the battle scars of his efforts to help maintain City's Premier League status, something he has immense pride in.

"Being in the Premier League carries a massive sense of pride, especially with me coming from Hull.

"That is why it is imperative we stay in this league. If we stay in the league, hopefully we will stay in it for a long time.

"That will bring the profile of the club up and allow the youngsters to see Premier League players week in, week out. That will improve their mentality and hopefully we can bring a few more Hull lads through."

Manager Pleased With Shittu Return

Gary Megson has laid down the gauntlet to Danny Shittu after the defender impressed on his return to the starting line-up in the 4-1 victory over Middlesbrough.

The Wanderers boss wants the Nigerian international to continue where he left off when Bolton head to Stamford Bridge this weekend to tackle title-chasing Chelsea.

Shittu has endured a stop-start career at the Reebok since moving from Watford for £2m last summer, but he was given the nod ahead of both Andy O'Brien and Sebastien Puygrenier to partner Gary Cahill against the Teessiders.

Saturday's outing was Shittu's ninth of the season, and Megson says that the 28-year-old will continue to keep his place if the performances and results keep on coming.

"Danny has had a stop-start season but he did very well when he went on at West Brom and again on Saturday against Middlesbrough," said the Wanderers manager.

"Danny was a little bit unfortunate at Arsenal because he lost his place and then we went on a decent run after that when we played Andy O'Brien.

"Before Saturday, in the games that Danny had played, we had only taken one point. That's not pure and simply down to his performances, in fact it's far from the case, but you have to get a team out there and not 11 individuals and some people play better alongside others.

"He has now got to stay in there and players will always stay in there if we play well and win. Playing well and not winning doesn't guarantee that you will stay there. He has got keep it going and one game won't make any difference, not just to Danny but anybody.

"He played very well against Middlesbrough, we won 4-1, hence if he doesn't play this Saturday then he would have a strong case to come and see me."

Megson also saluted the in-form Ricardo Gardner, who netted his fourth Barclays Premier League goal of the season against Middlesbrough.

Of late, Gardner has been playing in a more unorthodox central midfield berth as opposed to his customary position on the left flank, and Megson believes that the Jamaican is relishing his new role.

He added: "It wasn't an experiment because we now his qualities and we know what he can do. He's done brilliantly and he seems to be enjoying it because he is involved a lot more.

"His performance on Saturday epitomised what we were looking for."

Marseille keen on Mears deal

Marseille are ready to open talks with Tyrone Mears over a permanent move to Stade Velodrome to ward off interest from other clubs, skysports.com understands.

Mears, who is on a season-long loan from Derby, has impressed in recent weeks after finally getting an extended run in Erik Gerets' side.

The 26-year-old has had to be patient for his chance since his move last August due to injury, but with Laurent Bonnart sidelined until the end of the season Mears has established himself as a regular in the side.

Mears has caught the eye for Marseille in helping them challenge Lyon at the top of Ligue 1, as well as scoring the winning goal against Ajax to send the French giants into the quarter-finals of the Uefa Cup.

His performances have not gone unnoticed, with clubs across Europe believed to be keeping tabs on the former Preston and West Ham defender.

Marseille have the option to turn Mears' loan deal into a permanent move and they are thought to be ready to hold talks about keeping him later this month, but they could face competition from other French sides as well as clubs from England, Spain and Italy.

Mears' agent, Willie McKay, confirmed Marseille were hoping to sign the full-back, but that other clubs are also interested in his services.

Rewards

"Tyrone has been outstanding for Marseille since he got in the team and they have expressed an interest in signing him on a permanent basis," McKay told skysports.com.

"Marseille are hoping to sit down with Tyrone later this month to hold talks and Tyrone really loves playing for such a big club as Marseille.

"But there is a lot of interest in Tyrone with three other teams in France watching him as well as one Premier League club, two Spanish clubs and one Italian side all tracking him.

"Tyrone had an unlucky start at Marseille when he joined because of injury, but he kept working hard and he has kicked on now and he is getting his rewards in the side."

Gekas 'unhappy' at Pompey

On-loan Portsmouth striker Theofanis Gekas will review his future at the end of the season after his agent revealed he is 'unhappy' at Fratton Park.

Gekas joined Pompey from Bayer Leverkusen in January but has yet to make an appearance on the South Coast.

The Greece international criticised interim Portsmouth manager Paul Hart in March, and reports in Tuesday's press suggest he could be set for a move to Zenit St Petersburg at the end of the season.

Gekas' agent, Paul Kutsoliakos, said in the Daily Mirror: "It's too early to talk about my client's future as the summer transfer window is far away.

"We have not been officially approached yet by Zenit. But Gekas is not happy in Portsmouth."

'THAT WASN'T US' EXPLAINS BLACK

By Paul Chialton

A harsh lesson was taught to Latics at Goodison on Sunday with Everton gliding to a 4-0 victory, but Eric Black insists the team will be ready come the arrival of Arsenal on Saturday.

The assistant was understandably upset following the result but as well as highlighting the team's inadequacies he was also able to see the positives to come out of the game:

"It's not our best performance by a long shot. We were slightly slow out of the blocks and at times didn't keep possession very well.

"The second goal killed us really and it was a poor goal to concede. Their man had far too much time and we didn't organise ourselves quickly enough which led to a simple goal.

"In the Premier League we shouldn't be allowing that to happen, teams should be working harder to score goals past us.

"The players deserve credit because they continue to work hard and stick at it. We have to find out the reasons for today's defeat and keep on going onto the next game, because that definitely wasn't us out there.

"I think the one positive to come out of it all was (Hugo) Rodallega's performance. He came on and looked the part, causing them problems, holding the ball up well, getting in behind the defence at times and that was definitely a positive."

Whilst Everton may have momentarily knocked Wigan off course a little, Black is confident that the players will be more than ready for their next big test this weekend:

"The manager has said that he won't allow players to get complacent before the end of the season because it's not over yet.

"We need a reaction now. We've got a hard game next week against Arsenal and we need a Wigan performance against them because it was far from being that today.

"I certainly don't think we'll have to motivate anybody and I'm confident we'll be ready for it.

"Arsenal are starting to look like the top team we know they are, so it's a big challenge for us and players will have to pick themselves up, get organised and get ready to go."

Just What We Needed - Sorensen

Goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen was proud of the way his team-mates played against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday as the Potters secured their first away win of the season.

Strikes from Ricardo Fuller and James Beattie secured a 2-0 win over the rock-bottom Baggies, and Sorensen believes the win could act as momentum for the final seven games of the season.

"It was just what we needed," he told Stoke City World.

Shear hell for Coloccini

By STEVE BRENNER

FABRICIO COLOCCINI is set to become the first casualty of Alan Shearer’s Newcastle reign.

The defender, signed by Dennis Wise for £10million last summer, had a nightmare in the 2-0 home defeat to Chelsea on Saturday as the Toon backline fell apart yet again.

And with Steven Taylor and Sebastien Bassong winning their fitness battles ahead of the crunch trip to Stoke on Saturday, Coloccini seems certain for the axe.

The former AC Milan and Deportivo star, 27, has failed to live up to his price tag this term — with French rookie Bassong, 22, showing far more promise at centre-back.

Toon legend Shearer cannot wait to have Bassong and England Under-21 skipper Taylor back in the squad.

Shearer, in charge at St James’ Park until the end of the season, said: “Bassong was nearly there on Saturday.

“It’d have been a bit of a risk to play him but he was nearly there, hence the reason he didn’t play.

“By being sensible and not playing him against Chelsea, we will hopefully have him back for the trip down to Stoke.

“Steven Taylor was a little bit further behind than Sebastien, but we’re still hopeful we’ll have him available for next week too.”

Barry may clock off

ASTON VILLA have 10½ hours to ensure Gareth Barry stays at the club.

The Villa and England midfielder, 28, will decide whether to stay or quit at the end of the season.

And with seven games to go, the clock is ticking.

Barry, 28, is desperate to play Champions League football but Villa have slid to fifth in the table.

He said: “My aim is to finish in the top four and play in the Champions League.”

Boss Martin O’Neill said: “If we qualify for the Champions League there’s a decent chance Gareth will stay.

"While six points is a big gap on Arsenal, we are not finished yet.”

Fed express

By NEIL CUSTIS

ALEX FERGUSON says superkid Federico Macheda has kicked Manchester United into overdrive.

Fergie claims the teenager’s stoppage-time goal to beat Aston Villa will be the defining moment of the season as his side chase an amazing Quintuple.

The United boss said: “That goal has just galvanised the club. There will be an adrenalin rush and players like Cristiano Ronaldo will, hopefully, now go into overdrive.

“There is that sense of the big occasion now. Every game is now big.

“Sunday was a defining moment. We’re still in with a chance of winning three more competitions.”

United have already lifted the Carling Cup and the Club World Cup.

They are now a point clear of Liverpool at the top of the Premier League after beating Villa 3-2 on Sunday, face Everton in the FA Cup semi-finals and meet Porto in the Champions League quarter-final, first leg tonight.

Macheda’s injury-time winner against Villa came on his first appearance for the senior team.

Now the 17-year-old Italian forward, nicknamed Kiko, has played his way into Ferguson’s squad for tonight’s showdown with Porto at Old Trafford.

Fergie said: “I think he will be involved on the bench. I’ve got Wayne Rooney back which is a big bonus but, yes, it’s difficult to leave him out, isn’t it?”

United will be looking to tighten up at the back after Sunday’s ding-dong thriller with Villa at Old Trafford.

Centre-half Rio Ferdinand could return from a back injury, while defensive partner Nemanja Vidic is back from a ban.

Paul Scholes is also available after missing the Villa game through suspension.