Saracens chairman Nigel Wray has dismissed rugby’s salary caps rules as ‘a farce’ in financial documents seen by The Mail on Sunday that show his club’s wage bill soared by another £1million last season alone — even as they remain the subject of a salary cap investigation. A fortnight after the shock departure of chief executive Edward Griffiths and three months since the revelation that the north London club are being investigated by Premier Rugby for alleged salary cap breaches, The Mail on Sunday can reveal Saracens’ mounting debt has topped £40m — the most in rugby history. The rising costs facing the club are also a concern, with the wage bill leaping more than 50 per cent in three years. Saracens now owe £41.6m, according to new filings at Companies House, much of it funded by an unsecured loan from long-standing benefactor Wray and a consortium of South African business associates. Saracens chairman Nigel Wray has dismissed rugby’s salary caps rules as ‘a farce’ The employee wage bill ballooned to £9.1m last year and, with Wray admitting further losses lie ahead, there are growing concerns about the club’s financial health. A move by Saracens last December to scrap the salary cap — which is currently £5m but was £4.5m in the period covered by the new figures — drew no public support from other Premiership clubs. With discussions ongoing over the viability of ring-fencing the top flight, or at least restricting promotion and relegation, Wray has restated that the salary cap must be scrapped. ‘We need to change the farce whereby we are all operating under different rules,’ wrote Wray in a chairman’s statement in the club’s annual accounts seen by The Mail on Sunday. ‘We have one wage cap, the Irish provinces have no wage cap, the French clubs a wage cap twice ours, all of which makes no sense whatsoever. It needs to be changed. ‘In financial terms, it was another difficult year [2013-14]. Having been involved in professional rugby now for 20 years, I’m constantly amazed how hard it is to break into people’s culture. Documents show his club’s wage bill soared by another £1million last season alone despite investigation . ‘The big cities have that soccer culture but built over 100 years. Allianz Park [the purchase of] is a vast step forward and gives us a permanent home but we still have much to do. We could, of course, cut costs very considerably — for example a top French club has a medical staff of three, far smaller than ours. But we really don’t see how you can aspire to be one of the best club sides in Europe if you don’t have a fantastic support system for the players.’ The club have lost on average just over £5m per year over the past four years, more than doubling its debt burden in that period. Annual accounts for 2013-14 show the club’s parent company carry no legal obligation to service the debt, meaning they could technically walk away at any time and leave the club insolvent. Of most interest to their Premiership rivals will be the dramatic hike in salaries paid to employees, which rose from just over £8.1m to more than £9.1m last year . The Mail on Sunday can reveal Saracens’ mounting debt has topped £40m — the most in rugby history . The club took on 24 new staff in that time, nine of them players and coaches, but with the salary cap set at just £4.5m last season — not allowing for one ‘marquee player’ who theoretically could earn an unlimited salary but in reality will not get more than £500,000 — questions persist over the club’s salary structure. Even allowing for the unlikely scenario of a £1m budget for coaching staff, that would leave more than £3m in staff costs for 54 administrative staff — an average salary of more than £55,000. A Premier Rugby spokesman said: ‘Saracens have recently moved into a new purpose-built stadium, Allianz Park — which is a huge asset to the local community — with a number of new staff added. ‘The club are in an investment phase and, given the strength of the shareholding base, this is something they can manage.’

Documents show club’s wage bill soared by another £1million last season . That's despite remaining the subject of a salary cap investigation . Saracens chairman Nigel Wray says rugby’s salary caps rules as ‘a farce’ The Mail on Sunday can reveal Saracens’ mounting debt has topped £40m .


Liam Plunkett has set his sights on the West Indies batting line-up and is ready to 'rough them up' with pace. The 29-year-old England seamer is back in Test contention in the Caribbean after his comeback last summer was cut short by injury. He managed 18 wickets in four Tests prior to that, playing a big part for an England side often criticised for going easy on the speed gun. Liam Plunkett wants to use his pace to lead England to victory in the Test series against West Indies . Plunkett returned to the England fold last summer in Test series against Sri Lanka and India . Plunkett has recovered from a minor ankle complaint in Yorkshire's pre-season trip to Abu Dhabi . A minor ankle complaint during Yorkshire's pre-season trip to Abu Dhabi proved to be nothing more than a brief setback and he is now looking to make a name for himself in a part of the world that is famous for its quick men. 'I'm trying to be the fastest (bowler on the pitch). I train hard at it and I feel that's why I stand out from the rest,' he said ahead of Monday's two-day warm-up against a St Kitts & Nevis Invitation XI. 'I feel like I'm adaptable but you might need those little patches in the game - where it's a bit dead and there's good batters - to try and rough them up a bit. 'That's why I'm in the team, because I do bowl fast. 'I'm not a bowler who runs up and just hits line and length all day, I want to do something, I want to ruffle batsmen up. If that's what I'm asked to do, I'm happy to do that.' With James Anderson and Stuart Broad likely to retain new ball duties for the first Test in Antigua on April 13, Plunkett is fighting for a place with Barbados-born Chris Jordan and the uncapped Mark Wood. There is a case to be made for both his rivals, Jordan being more familiar with conditions in his homeland and Wood an unknown quantity to the opposition, but Plunkett relishes the scrap. 'It's a good unit, a good bunch of lads and we're all working hard. There's massive competition,' he said. 'It's up to me to bowl well in practice and in the warm-up games and get the chance to play in the first Test. 'You don't want to just get in easily. You want to feel like you've earned your place and outbowled the other guys. You want to be the best bowler. 'Last summer I felt the best I had in my career, I felt good with the ball, I felt confident. Plunkett is fighting for a start in the England Test side with Chris Jordan and Mark Wood . Plunkett (second left) could feature in a warm-up game for England that begins on Monday . 'I felt I was in a situation where I could win games for England. It didn't quite happen but I bowled nicely. 'Then I got the injury, went away this winter with the Lions and I feel good again. I got some wickets and some good rhythm so it would be good to play that first Test.' England plan to play a standard XI man fixture on Monday, with their selection likely to provide a clear insight into their preferred Test side.

Liam Plunkett enjoyed a return to the England Test fold  last year . He wants to continue his resurgence against the West Indies . He has recovered from an ankle injury that hampered his pre-season .


Martin Guptill has been recalled to the New Zealand Test squad for their upcoming two-match series against England next month. Guptill, who smashed 237 against the West Indies in the recent World Cup has not represented the Black Caps at Test level since the 2013 tour of England. Paceman Matt Henry who played against South Africa in the semis and in a losing team against Australia in the final, has been called up to the Test squad for the first time. The 23-year-old has only played 20 first class matches. Martin Guptill has been recalled to New Zealand Test squad for their two-match series with England . Guptill of New Zealand pulls the ball away for six runs during the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup match . 'This is a stable, established Test side but there will be opportunities for contenders,' coach and selector Mike Hesson told the New Zealand Cricket website. New Zealand Test Squad: McCullum (captain), Anderson, Boult, Bracewell, Craig, Guptill, Henry, Latham, Ronchi, Rutherford, Southee, Taylor, Wagner, Watling, Williamson. One day international and T20 squad: B McCullum (captain), Anderson, Boult, Elliott, Guptill, Henry, Latham, McClenaghan, N McCullum, Milne, Ronchi, Santner, Southee, Taylor, Williamson. 'Martin's a classically-styled batsman and there's really no reason why he can't be as influential in the longer game as he is in the short. 'It's another step up for Matt but we've been impressed by the maturity and skill-set he's already shown in the ODI format.' James Neesham will miss the tour because of a hamstring injury while New Zealand will also be without Daniel Vettori after he retired following New Zealand's seven wicket loss to Australia. Mitchell Santner is the only uncapped player in the one day international and T20 squads. 'Mitchell brings to the table some all-round cover,' said Hesson whose side will play five 50 over games and one T20 match against England. 'We're hoping he can take his opportunities and continue the excellent progress he's been making over recent seasons.' New Zealand will also be without Daniel Vettori after he retired following their seven wicket loss to Australia .

Martin Guptill has been recalled to the New Zealand Test squad . Guptill has not represented the Black Caps at Test level since 2013 . Paceman Matt Henry has been called up to the Test squad for the first time . James Neesham will miss the tour because of a hamstring injury .


England have barely been in St Kitts a day but the early indications are they are ready to give Jonathan Trott the chance to reinvent himself as an international opener. Trott, England’s rock at No 3 for four years before his early return home from the 2013-14 Ashes series in Australia with a stress-related condition, was picked for this three-Test tour of the Caribbean after fighting his way back into contention. All the talk before the team’s departure may have been about Kevin Pietersen but the real focus of this tour is likely to fall on another South African-born batsman in Trott. Jonathan Trott during a nets session as he returned to the international scene and could be ready to play . The 33-year-old has been impressive in not only addressing the personal demons which led to his departure from Brisbane but also scoring the weight of runs needed to demand a recall. Alastair Cook knows the value an in-form Trott would bring to his side’s chances of recording a series win in the Caribbean that is vital not only for his own future as Test captain but that of coach Peter Moores, whose job security is at perilous levels. Cook admits England will not be totally sure if Trott can handle the mental demands of international cricket until he is pitched into the heat of battle again.But he is likely to be given the chance to re-establish himself in the team, this time as Cook’s opening partner, during the two warm-up matches against a St Kitts & Nevis Invitation XI this week. Test captain Alastair Cook feels the batsman is ready for international cricket return . Trott (left) and Cook train together during a batting session at Warner Park, Basseterre, St Kitts & Nevis . The first of those two-day encounters starts here tomorrow and if Trott can show the same form he displayed during the England Lions tour of South Africa earlier this year then he looks certain to see off the challenge of Yorkshire opener Adam Lyth and make his 50th Test appearance in Antigua a week tomorrow. ‘I am confident he can handle it,’ Cook said. ‘You don’t know 100 per cent until he’s put out in the environment. There are a lot of things about selection that are unknown until you’re put into the pressure cooker of international cricket and make no mistake, it’s a high-intensity environment. ‘But what we do know is he’s a quality player.’ The Warwickshire batsman has been in fine form for them and rightly deserved his call-up . Trott looks for a single during a training session at Warner Park, Basseterre, St Kitts & Nevis .

Jonathan Trott will be given chance to reinvent himself as an opener . Alastair Cook feels Trott is ready to return to the England squad . The batsman has been impressive for his side Warwickshire .


England Test captain Alastair Cook feared Jonathan Trott's international career was over 18 months ago, but feels he is now ready to face the 'pressure cooker' once again. Trott dramatically left the 2013/14 Ashes trip after just one match at the Gabba having struggled with what was initially labelled a 'stress-related condition' and later diagnosed as situational anxiety. Cook was concerned that would be the end of his Three Lions days but has watched the 33-year-old rebuild his career with typical focus and determination, first with Warwickshire then during a productive winter tour with England Lions. Jonathan Trott during a nets session as he returned to the international scene and could be ready to play . The pair are now heavy favourites to open the batting together in West Indies this month and should get a first chance against a St Kitts & Nevis Invitation XI on Monday. Uncapped Yorkshireman Adam Lyth is the other top-order batsman on tour but Trott appears to have first claim after batting alongside the skipper in Saturday's centre-wicket practice session at Warner Park. 'He was in a bad place in Brisbane and at the time I would have been surprised that he'd come back, but it's a huge credit to the work he's done off the field and the effort he's put in,' said Cook. 'That obviously shows his desire to come back to play for England. Test captain Alastair Cook feels the batsman is ready for the 'pressure cooker' of international cricket . 'He has almost demanded selection with the runs he has scored for Warwickshire and it's great for me to see him back in an England shirt. He's a great guy and if he gets his chance he'll be desperate to do well.' Cook accepted there was no guarantee over how Trott would react to the glare of the international game, which remains several notches beyond anything he will have experienced on the county or Lions circuit. But with a CV boasting 49 Tests, 3,763 runs and nine centuries, Cook is delighted to have him back on board and nudging the selectors for a recall. 'I am (confident), but you don't know 100 per cent until he's put out in the environment - that is always unknown,' he said. Trott (left) and Cook train together during a batting session at Warner Park, Basseterre, St Kitts & Nevis . 'There's a lot of things about selection that are unknown until you're put into the pressure cooker of international cricket and, make no mistake, it's a high-intensity environment, there's no doubt about that. 'But Trotty's done everything we've asked of him. He feels confident in himself and he's just looking forward to taking that next step. 'What we do know is he's a quality player. You don't have his stats and that weight of runs behind you without being a quality player.' For his own part, Cook is in need of a successful series both as captain and run-scorer. The last of his 25 Test centuries came in May 2013 and he was stripped of the one-day captaincy on the eve of the World Cup, though in hindsight his absence from the tournament may have been a blessing given England's travails. The Warwickshire batsman has been in fine form for them and rightly deserved his call-up . Now, rested and recharged following his enforced spell at home, he is setting his sights on nothing short of victory in the three-Test series. 'It's been great to spend a bit of time at home, live a bit more of a normal life away from the travelling circuit of cricket,' he said. 'That's been great, at home with my family, but now it's the serious business of trying to win the series here. 'It's always important we win. When you play for England you carry the hopes and the pride of the nation on your shoulders. 'That hasn't changed since the day I started playing.' Trott looks for a single during a training session at Warner Park, Basseterre, St Kitts & Nevis .

Alastair Cook feels Jonathan Trott is ready to return to the England squad . Trott left the international stage last year with 'situational anxiety' The batsman has been impressive for his side Warwickshire .


Four years after becoming the youngest first-class cricketer in county history, Yorkshire's Barney Gibson has retired from the sport. The Leeds-born wicketkeeper entered the record books in 2011 when he lined up against Durham University just 27 days after his 15th birthday. But that match proved to be his only appearance at senior level and he never again progressed from the second XI. Ben Gibson, pictured at the age of 15, has decided to retire from cricket just four years after his debut . The 19-year-old said it was a 'difficult decision' to retire from cricket at such a young age . In his last game for the second string he did not bat or keep wicket, instead sending down 3.3 overs for 29 runs. 'This was a difficult decision to make,' the 19-year-old said. 'I would like to thank the players and staff at Yorkshire for their support. I have been involved with the club since I was 11 and I feel that now is the right time for me to look at a career change. 'The support from my parents has been tremendous and I would like to thank Ralph Middlebrook at Pudsey Congs Cricket Club and England coach Paul Farbrace, who I had close working relationships with.' Yorkshire's director of cricket development Ian Dews, said: 'Everyone at the club wishes Barney well. 'It is very much his decision. We hope that the next chapter in his life is very successful.'

Barney Gibson became the youngest first-class cricketer in 2011 . The Yorkshire wicketkeeper made his debut shortly at 15 . Gibson said it was a 'difficult decision' to retire from the game .


The world endurance championship, whose annual highlight is the Le Mans 24 Hours sportscar classic, is getting rid of the grid girls. In a move that will be applauded by many, and is sure to dismay those accustomed to seeing scantily-clad beauties posing next to cars before a race, the FIA-backed series is adopting a more progressive stance. 'From Silverstone next week, you will see that for any race we will do - no grid girls like in the past,' WEC chief executive Gerard Neveu said after a presentation on Thursday for the opening Silverstone six-hour race. The world endurance championship have announced that there will be no more 'grid girls' before races . The decision by the FIA is seen as a progressive one by those in a male-dominated sport . 'For me that is the past. The condition of women is a little bit different now,' he said. The use of models, also referred to as 'race queens' or 'umbrella girls', to stand by cars with flags or placards displaying drivers' numbers has long been a feature of Formula One. It has also been a bone of contention for those seeking more equality and less sexism in a male-dominated sport, although in some series where women racers have joined the grid the 'umbrella' role has been taken by a man. The Hawiian Tropic Girls arrive on the grid before the start of the Le Mans 24 Hour Race in 2001 . Toyota's world champion Anthony Davidson said it was about time things changed. 'I talk about this with my wife quite a lot, and we both agree it's actually pretty backward,' the Briton, who has also raced in Formula One, said. 'It's old school to have such a concept as grid girls. Surely the world's moved on? And motor racing should follow quite closely what the rest of the world's doing in that respect. 'I think that's a really nice touch, a modern touch as well, from the WEC to take that aspect of racing away. It is a bit sexist.' Neveu said the cars would line up diagonally opposite the pit wall and grandstand as if for an old-style 'Le Mans start'. Current world champion Anthony Davidson has backed the decision to remove grid girls for equality . In Le Mans of old, before safety concerns stopped the practice, drivers would run across the track to the cars but at Silverstone there will be a rolling start. Neveu said the changes were all part of catering for a new audience. 'The sport is sport, but around it we can do many things,' he said. 'We will have a DJ, entertainment, many things on the grid. The show will start from the grid... but the star at the end is the sportscars and the drivers of the car.'

World endurance championship begins at Silverstone on April 12 . Scantily-clad beauties traditionally pose next to cars before races . 'Grid girls' decision has been welcomed for those seeking gender equality .


The renowned sports psychiatrist Dr Steve Peters claims he did little more than give Jonathan Trott the tools to rebuild his England career. Warwickshire batsman Trott touched down in the West Indies with England on Thursday night, back in the international set-up for the first time since leaving last winter's Ashes tour with a stress-related illness. Trott has spoken openly of his struggles since, but has slowly rehabilitated his career with both Warwickshire and the England Lions and is now on the brink of returning to Tests. Jonathan Trott returns to the England set-up for the first time since taking a break with a stress-related illness . The 33-year-old has worked extensively with Dr Peters during the last year, learning from a man who has done notable work with the British cycling team, Liverpool FC and Ronnie O'Sullivan, and who introduced the 'Chimp Paradox' in a bid to help people better manage their own minds. But speaking in The Independent, Peters said there is no magic cure and that Trott had worked hard to counter his problems, which he described as 'situational anxiety'. He wrote: 'He ticked all the boxes. It was a foregone conclusion to me that he would make massive progress - I just hoped that he would then perform as he has been doing and justify his place. Now he has done that. Dr Steve Peters worked with the batsman and gave him the necessary tools to return to the game . 'He's an incredible cricketer. The advice I give to most of the people I work with is not to go public because obviously you're training people to do a skill. A lot of people don't understand it is a skill and therefore you might not get it right. 'People are expecting a magic-wand cure and that's not really the way it works. Jonathan decided he wanted to go public about this because he has done so well. 'It's a credit to the man. You can have periods in sport, sometimes a whole season, when things just aren't happening and you're just digging even harder to make it happen again - that's effectively what Jonathan has done. Trott has impressed since returning for Warwickshire and the England Lions, earning his return to the squad . 'From a psychological point of view, Jonathan is quite robust and certainly determined. It was just a case of giving him the tools to understand what was going on.' Peters, who helped mentor the golden generation of British cyclists and also worked with O'Sullivan for his last two world titles, can see no reason why Trott will not make a successful return to Test cricket. 'What Jonathan did was to take it very seriously, he meant business, which is a measure of the man,' he added. Peters (left) has worked with Liverpool, Ronnie O'Sullivan and the England football team in recent years . 'He was very open, hard-working, and what I effectively told him to do was to get some insights into the way his mind was working. Then it was up to him to operate [his mind] in the way he wanted it to, rather than it dictating to him what was going happen. 'I don't have a recipe for people. It's up to the player himself to manage the mind in the way they want to in the future. That's something anyone can do, it's not something you only do when you're distressed. Jonathan had what became a situational anxiety, and once that was understood, he was able to manage it. 'My feeling is that he'll do very well and he won't have any problems now because he has that insight.' Trott reacts while bowling during a friendly match at Edgbaston, Birmingham during his comeback .

Jonathan Trott returned to England's set-up after his stress-related illness . Sport psychiatrist Dr Steve Peters helped the batsman with his problems . Peters is delighted to see the 'incredible' Trott return for England . CLICK HERE for all the latest cricket news .


Surrey have signed Australia all-rounder Moises Henriques for this summer's NatWest T20 Blast. Henriques will join Surrey immediately after the Indian Premier League season concludes at the end of next month and will be with them throughout their Blast campaign and also as overseas cover for Kumar Sangakkara - depending on the veteran Sri Lanka batsman's Test commitments in the second half of the summer. Australian all-rounder Moises Henriques has signed a deal to play in the T20 Blast for Surrey . Henriques, pictured in the Big Bash (left) and in ODI action for Australia (right), will join after the IPL . Twenty-eight-year-old Henriques, capped by his country in all formats but not selected for the forthcoming Ashes, said: 'I'm really looking forward to playing for Surrey this season. It's a club with a proud history and an exciting squad, and I hope to play my part in achieving success this summer. 'I've seen some of the names that are coming to England to be involved in the NatWest T20 Blast this summer, so am looking forward to testing myself against some of the best players in the world.' Surrey director of cricket Alec Stewart added: 'Moises is a fine all-round cricketer and will add great depth to our squad.'

Surrey sign the Australian all-rounder for Natwest T20 Blast . Moises Henriques has played 3 Tests, 6 ODIs and 4 T20s for Australia . The 28-year-old will join after his stint in the Indian Premier League .


Louis Smith will represent Great Britain for the first time since his double Olympic medal-winning performance at London 2012 after being named in the squad for the European Championships. Smith, who won pommel horse silver and team bronze at the London Games before pursuing a media career, competed for England at last year's Commonwealth Games and has been selected after winning gold on the pommels at the recent British Championships. World all-around silver medallist and reigning pommel horse champion Max Whitlock and Olympic team-mates Kristian Thomas, Sam Oldham and Daniel Purvis are also selected, with Courtney Tulloch finishing off the six-man squad. Louis Smith will represent Great Britain for first time since winning two medals at London 2012 . British gymnast Smith won a silver and bronze medal during the 2012 Olympic Games in London . Four-time Commonwealth Games champion Claudia Fragapane is in the women's team, which also includes the experienced Becky Downie and her younger sister Ellie and 2015 British all-around champion Amy Tinkler. The European championships take place in Montpellier between April 15 and 19 and will only feature individual all-around and apparatus events. Smith is currently dating former The Only Way is Essex star Lucy Mecklenburgh .

Louis Smith decided to focus on media career following London 2012 . Gymnast Smith competed for England at last year's Commonwealth Games . Max Whitlock and Kristian Thomas also been included in six-man squad .


John Higgins narrowly defeated Judd Trump 5-4 to move into the quarter-finals of the China Open, where he will face home favourite and defending champion Ding Junhui. The veteran Scot recovered from losing the opening frame to move 4-2 ahead, but both players were struggling for rhythm in Beijing. Trump narrowed the gap and a break of 68 helped the UK Championship finalist take the match to a decider, where Higgins prevailed, after overturning a 59-point deficit. John Higgins moved into the quarter finals of the China Open with a 5-4 victory over Judd Trump . Trump had a 59 point lead in the deciding frame before being dumped out by the veteran Scotsman . His reward will be a clash with world No 4 Ding, who dispatched two-time world champion Mark Williams 5-2. The Chinese took the initiative in the opening frame with a 68 and from then on never looked back, winning the last two frames with Williams failing to pot a single ball. World champion Mark Selby was also a 5-2 winner over David Gilbert in a low-quality clash and the world No 1 will next face Robert Milkins, who thrashed Michael White 5-1, which included four breaks over 50. Masters champion Shaun Murphy was in fine form against Jamie Jones, whose late rally counted for nothing in a 5-3 defeat. Higgins will face defending champion and local favourite Ding Junhui in the last eight in Beijing . World No 1 Mark Selby moved into the quarter finals with a routine win over David Gilbert . After losing the opening frame, Murphy bounced backs and breaks of 67, 143 and 80 helped him move 4-1 ahead, and although Jones came within one frame of levelling, the world number eight prevailed. Murphy will play Kurt Maflin in the last eight after the English-Norwegian player cruised to a 5-1 victory over Robin Hull. Breaks of 76, 87, 51 and 79 helped Barry Hawkins to a 5-3 triumph over Stephen Maguire and a clash with Gary Wilson, a convincing 5-1 winner over Dechawat Poomjaeng.

John Higgins defeated Judd Trump 5-4 at the China Open in Beijing . He will play defending champion Ding Junhui in the quarter finals . There were also wins for Mark Selby, Shaun Murphy and Kurt Maflin .


Ahead of this weekend's Premier League action, Sportsmail will be providing you with all you need to know about every fixture, with team news, provisional squads, betting odds and Opta stats. Here is all the information you need for West Brom's home clash with QPR... West Bromwich Albion vs Queens Park Rangers (The Hawthorns) Team news . West Brom . West Brom's Craig Dawson is suspended for the visit of QPR after he was awarded the red card wrongly given to Gareth McAuley against Manchester City. Defender McAuley was dismissed by referee Neil Swarbrick for a foul on Wilfried Bony which Dawson committed and the red card was switched to Dawson after a review. Craig Dawson (right) will serve a suspension for his challenge on Wilfried Bony following retrospective action . Ben Foster has been ruled out for six months with damaged crucial knee ligaments which the England keeper suffered in the Baggies' last home game against Stoke while Callum McManaman is also out with a foot injury. Provisional squad: Myhill, Rose, Gamboa, Pocognoli, Wisdom, Lescott, Olsson, McAuley, Baird, Brunt, Morrison, Fletcher, Yacob, Gardner, Mulumbu, Sessegnon, Berahino, Anichebe, Ideye. QPR . QPR manager Chris Ramsey has no fresh injury concerns for Saturday's visit to fellow Barclays Premier League strugglers West Brom. On-loan striker Mauro Zarate has returned to parent club West Ham to regain fitness while Richard Dunne and Leroy Fer are both out with knee injuries. Queens Park Rangers youngster Darnell Furlong is likely to miss out with a calf injury . Darnell Furlong is also likely to miss the game with a calf problem and Alejandro Faurlin is a long-term absentee with a cruciate ligament injury. Provisional squad: Green, Caulker, Onuoha, Yun, Wright-Phillips, Henry, Sandro, Phillips, Taarabt, Austin, Hill, McCarthy, Kranjcar, Hoilett, Vargas, Zamora, Grego-Cox. Kick-off: Saturday, 3pm . Odds (subject to change): . West Brom 8/11 . Draw 23/10 . QPR 9/2 . Referee: Lee Probert . Managers: Tony Pulis (West Brom), Chris Ramsey (QPR) Head-to-head league record: West Brom wins 16, draws 9, QPR wins 12 . Key match stats (supplied by Opta) West Brom have kept six clean sheets in seven games in all competitions at the Hawthorns under Tony Pulis. Queens Park Rangers have lost 17 of their last 19 Premier League away matches (W1 D1 L17). Only two teams in Premier League history have ever had fewer points away from home after 14 away matches than QPR (3) have currently (Sunderland 2 in 2007-08 and Burnley 1 in 2009-10). The Baggies have won three and lost just one of the five Premier League meetings with Rangers. QPR have conceded the first goal in 23 of their 30 Premier League games this season; more often than any other team. Charlie Austin scored a hat-trick for QPR in a 3-2 win over West Brom earlier this season at Loftus Road . Rob Green has made more errors leading to opposition goals than any other Premier League player this season (5). Joleon Lescott has given away three penalties in the Premier League this season; more than any other player. 15 of Saido Berahino’s 18 competitive goals for WBA this season have come at the Hawthorns (83 per cent). Harry Kane (19) is the only English player to have scored more Premier League goals this season than Charlie Austin (15) and Saido Berahino (12). Since Chris Ramsey took the reins at QPR, they have found the net in six of their seven Premier League games.

Craig Dawson to serve ban following Gareth McAuley's incorrect red card . WBA keeper Ben Foster ruled out for six months with knee injury . QPR have no fresh injury concerns with Richard Dunne and Leroy Fer out . Queens Park Rangers teenager Darnell Furlong also ruled out .


Jonas Gutierrez was the surprise inclusion in the Newcastle side, coming in for his first start in 20 months. The Argentine has twice beaten testicular cancer and only returned as a substitute last month. But, in fairness to the 31-year-old, he was Newcastle’s best player - not that he had much competition. Jonas Gutierrez was not expected to start after twice surviving cancer, but was the visitors' best player . Gutierrez gets up to challenge Steven Fletcher during a good performance, but one that ended in defeat . History was on Dick Advocaat’s side. The last two Sunderland managers – Paolo Di Canio and Gus Poyet – both enjoyed Tyne-Wear victories in their second match in charge and the Dutchamn kept alive that quirk of footballing fate. So whoever is the new boss at the Stadium of Light next season can only hope the Magpies are game No 2. Sunderland's new manager won a derby in his second game in charge, just like his two predecssors . Newcastle suffered an injury scare during the warm-up when emergency centre-back Daryl Janmaat limped off towards the dressing-room, although he did start the game. United, though, had no recognised defenders on the bench. However, rumours that coach Dave Watson was set to start in the middle of the backline were probably wide of the mark. Daryl Janmaat's warm-up injury led to rumours of Dave Watson filling in, but the Dutchman recovered . John Carver hardly helped in sparing Jack Colback the gauntlet of hate from the home fans. The head coach started the former Sunderland midfielder at left-back, ensuring every time he took a throw-in supporters in the front row would vacate their seat and hiss insults in his ear. At left-back on the opposite flank was Patrick van Aanholt, formerly of Newcastle. However, a barely-memorable seven appearances in the Championship meant he avoided such scorn from the Toon Army. Jack Colback was not protected from the Sunderland fans' ire, positioned by John Carver at left back . Colback was returning to face his former club after departing to join rivals Newcastle last summer . Both sets of supporters were united in the 17th minute as they applauded as one in tribute of Newcastle fans John Alder and Liam Sweeney who were killed when flight MH17 was shot down above Ukraine last summer. Sunderland fans subsequently helped to raise nearly £33,000 in their memory and rivalries were forgotten during the minute-long tribute.

Jonas Gutierrez was an unexpected inclusion, but performed well . Dick Advocaat continued Sunderland's new managers' winning tradition . John Carver left Jack Colback exposed to Sunderland hate at left back .


Ahead of this weekend's Premier League action, Sportsmail will be providing you with all you need to know about every fixture, with team news, provisional squads, betting odds and Opta stats. Here is all the information you need for Leicester's home clash with West Ham... Leicester City vs West Ham United (King Power Stadium) Team news . Leicester City . Matt Upson is out of Leicester's clash with West Ham as the rock-bottom Foxes continue their fight for survival. The defender limped off in their 4-3 defeat by Tottenham before the international break with an achilles problem and will not be risked. Jeff Schlupp (right) trains with Leicester team-mate Wes Morgan on Thursday but could be rested by the Foxes . Dean Hammond (calf) is out and Jeff Schlupp will be assessed after he played in Ghana's 1-1 draw with Mali on Tuesday with boss Nigel Pearson admitting the winger is tired, while Liam Moore has returned from a loan at Brentford. Provisional squad: Schmeichel, Schwarzer, Hamer, Simpson, Moore, Wasilewski, Morgan, Huth, De Laet, Konchesky, King, Knockaert, Albrighton, Schlupp, Cambiasso, James, Mahrez, Nugent, Kramaric, Vardy, Ulloa. West Ham United . West Ham will welcome Winston Reid back from injury for Saturday's Premier League trip to bottom side Leicester. The New Zealand defender has been struggling with a hamstring problem but worked on his fitness over the international break and is now in contention to face the Foxes. West Ham United's Winston Reid tackles Tottenham Hotspur's Mousa Dembele during a 2-2 Premier League clash at White Hart Lane in February . Hammers' boss Sam Allardyce believes the game will come too soon for Enner Valencia (toe) but the Ecuadorian is back in training whilst Andy Carroll (knee), James Tomkins (shoulder) and Doneil Henry (hamstring) all miss out. Provisional squad: Adrian, Jaaskelainen, Cresswell, Jenkinson, Reid, Collins, O'Brien, Noble, Poyet, Song, Amalfitano, Kouyate, Nolan, Downing, Jarvis, Nene, Sakho, Valencia, Cole. Kick-off: Saturday, 3pm . Odds (subject to change): . Leicester 7/5 . Draw 11/5 . West Ham 2/1 . Referee: Mark Clattenburg . Managers: Nigel Pearson (Leicester), Sam Allardyce (West Ham) Head-to-head league record: Leicester wins 39, draws 29, West Ham wins 51 . Key match stats (supplied by Opta) Leicester have won just one of their last 10 Premier League home matches (W1 D3 L6). West Ham United are unbeaten in their last seven league games against Leicester City (W4 D3 L0). The Hammers scored with their only two shots on target in their 2-0 win in the reverse fixture against the Foxes back in December. Sam Allardyce’s team have won none of their last seven Barclays Premier League away matches (W0 D4 L3). West Ham have kept just one clean sheet in their last 20 Premier League games on the road. Andy Carroll will not feature for West Ham United at Leicester City but he did score in the Hammers' 2-0 victory over the Foxes back in December . Nigel Pearson’s side have scored just three goals in their last nine Premier League games at the King Power Stadium and have gone five hours and 15 minutes since they lasted netted in front of their own fans. West Ham will be looking to win back to back Premier League games for the first time since December 7th. No ground has seen fewer Premier League goals this season than the King Power Stadium (30, level with Villa Park). After scoring five goals in his first five Premier League appearances for Leicester City, Leonardo Ulloa has scored only two in his 23 apps since. Diafra Sakho has scored a league-high five headed goals this season, while only Graziano Pellè (25) has attempted more headed shots than the Hammer (23).

Leicester defender Matthew Upson will miss out against former club . Dean Hammond and Jeff Schlupp to be given fitness tests by Foxes . Winston Reid returns from hamstring injury for West Ham United . Hammers without Enner Valencia who is back in training . Andy Carroll, James Tomkins and Doneil Henry also missing for West Ham .


Kevin Pietersen has announced plans to begin his season with Surrey against Oxford MCCU in The Parks. Pietersen, hoping to press for an England recall through weight of runs in the LV= County Championship, signed a new contract with Surrey last month. The 34-year-old was given fresh hope of a return to Test cricket, after his sacking last year, when incoming England and Wales Cricket Board chairman Colin Graves hinted in a broadcast interview that it was a possibility. Kevin Pietersen posted this photo on Twitter and wrote 'Nothing good comes from walking at full pace into a tree! #faceplant' Pietersen is set to play against Oxford MCCU in The Parks as he prepares for the new season with Surrey . The record-breaking batsman is therefore expected to feature in his first championship match since 2013, against Glamorgan on April 19. But before then, he intends to turn out too against Oxford in a three-day match starting on April 12. Responding to a question on persicope.tv, Pietersen said: 'I think I am going to be playing at Oxford, just to get some overs in my legs.' Pietersen is returning to the Surrey team for his first Championship appearance since 2013 . Pietersen (right) in action for Surrey in a Natwest T20 Blast semi-final at Edgbaston last year .

Kevin Pietersen signed a new contract with Surrey last month . He has confirmed that he will play against Oxford MCCU later this month . Pietersen is still hoping to win an England recall .


It is still Der Klassiker - but not quite as we know it. The fierce rivalry between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund has dominated German football for much of the past decade, reaching its crescendo when the two titans met in the 2013 Champions League final at Wembley. For a while, Der Klassiker represented the pinnacle of European football. Briefly, it carried as much relevance on the continental stage as El Clasico between Barcelona and Real Madrid - maybe even more. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Borussia Dortmund looks dejected after Robert Lewandowski of Bayern Munich scored an equaliser during Der Klassiker between the teams at the Allianz Arena in November . Arjen Robben eventually grabbed the winner five minutes from time as Bayern defeated Dortmund 2-1 . Former Dortmund striker Lewandowski (left) battles with defender Mats Hummels during the recent Bundesliga clash at the Allianz Arena . But as these two prepare to meet in front of an 80,000 audience at the Signal Iduna Park on Saturday evening, some of that lustre has been lost. There is something unsettling about Bayern and Borussia being separated by nine Bundesliga places and a whopping 31 points. It just doesn't seem right, they should be No 1 and No 2. It feels very weird that nothing is riding on the outcome, at least so far as the title race is concerned. A Bayern win will confirm what we already know, that they will be champions for a third successive season. Bayern Munich's Arjen Robben scores past Borussia Dortmund's goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller during the 2013 Champions League final at Wembley Stadium . Bayern Munich defeated Borussia Dortmund 2-1 at Wembley to win the Champions League - a period in which Der Klassiker was one of the highlights on the European football calendar . A Dortmund win would make a little dent in Bayern's 10-point lead but isn't likely to derail their serene progress to retaining the shield. It would, however, boost their hopes of qualifying for Europe. Therein lies the problem - these two have experienced contrasting seasons in the extreme, to the point where the transferable Klassiker tag could soon be applied to another fixture - perhaps Bayern vs Wolfsburg or Bayern vs Monchengladbach. Having been rock-bottom at the beginning of February, Jurgen Klopp's Dortmund embarked on a seven-match unbeaten run, winning five, and could salvage a modicum of respectability from a disastrous season - and perhaps offset a summer exodus of their best players - by finishing in the top six. Mario Gotze celebrates scoring for Borussia Dortmund with Robert Lewandowski in their 1-0 win at Bayern Munich in November 2011 - both have since joined Bayern as Dortmund have slipped down the table . For Klopp, whose reputation around Europe has taken a battering this season, insists that Der Klassiker is still as significant as ever. 'We've got to try to beat Bayern and where that can take us in the league is secondary,' he said. Gotze refuses to celebrate after scoring for Bayern Munich against Dortmund in November 2013 . 'Although we're 10th, and although there's a huge points gap between us, and although a lot is different compared to the past, it's still a Borussia Dortmund home game. 'I don't recall us gifting any of these games in the past. Gladbach have shown us how it's done. Wolfsburg have also beaten them, but it's not all that easy.' Dortmund do have positive recent memories in this fixture to draw upon. They won 3-0 at the Allianz Arena at the tail end of last season, for example, though it came far too late to alter the destination of the title, which Bayern won by 19 points. They completed the double over their rivals en route to winning their back-to-back Bundesligas in 2010-2011 and 2011-2012. But those great moments seem a long time ago now and the fixture is harder to hype without so much riding on it. Another source of optimism for Klopp is Bayern's mounting injury list, with winger Franck Ribery, who has a recurring ankle problem, joining Arjen Robben and David Alaba on the sidelines. Not that club chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge was panicking: 'We cannot change it and it would be a mistake if Bayern started to lament now.' Quite understandable. Another thrilling climax to the season awaits for Pep Guardiola and his team - they are coasting to a 25th championship, travel to Bayer Leverkusen in the last eight of the DFB-Pokal and Porto in the same stage of the Champions League. Another Treble looms for this all-conquering side. And, for a change, Dortmund are in no position to affect that.

Borussia Dortmund host Bayern Munich on Saturday at Signal Iduna Park . Teams contest Germany's biggest domestic game, Der Klassiker . But little is riding on it with Bayern Munich cruising to Bundesliga title . Dortmund hope home win will keep them in shout of Europa League spot .


Lyon moved back to the top of Ligue 1 for 24 hours at least after claiming a comfortable 3-1 victory at Guingamp. Nabil Fekir's goal and Alexandre Lacazette's penalty in the first half put Les Gones in control and Guingamp's hopes of a comeback took a blow when Christophe Kerbrat was given his marching orders before half-time. Clinton N'Jie struck just after the hour to put Hubert Fournier's side three goals to the good, meaning Claudio Beauvue's effort 10 minutes from time was only a consolation. Alexandre Lacazette celebrates after scoring a penalty for Lyon to send them top of Ligue 1 on Saturday . It was Lyon's first win in three and moved them back above Paris St Germain, who play third-placed Marseille in a much-anticipated encounter on Sunday evening. Two quick-fire second-half penalties saw Montpellier come from behind to beat Bastia 3-1 and move six points off the European places. Lucas Barrios and Anthony Mounier both struck from the spot within two minutes to cancel out Giovanni Sio's opener - with Morgan Sanson adding a third for the hosts in stoppage time. It was Lyon's first win in three and moved them back above Paris St Germain who play on Sunday . Lille got back to winning ways in emphatic fashion with a 3-1 triumph over strugglers Reims. Sebastien Corchia and Divock Origi put the hosts 2-0 up before Nicolas de Preville pulled one back for Reims but Nolan Roux added gloss to the scoreline at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy. At the other end of the table Rennes took a significant step closer to survival with a 3-0 win at Lorient, whose own hopes of avoiding the drop received another hit. Edson Mexer gave Rennes a 17th-minute lead and then goals either side of half-time from Sylvain Armand and Abdoulaye Doucoure ensured Philippe Montanier's men would be returning home with the points. Lille's French forward Nolan Roux is congratulated by teammates after scoring in their 3-1 win over Reims . Metz gave themselves at least some hope of staying up as Modibo Maiga's hat-trick earned them a 3-2 victory over relegation rivals Toulouse. Wissam Ben Yedder gave Toulouse a 21st-minute lead but Maiga - on loan from West Ham - quickly equalised, put Metz ahead before half-time and completed his treble early in the second period. Toulouse then had Marcel Tisserand sent off and could only manage a late consolation from Tongo Doumbia. Metz gave themselves at least some hope of staying up as Modibo Maiga's hat-trick earned them a 3-2 victory . Nice and Evian both picked up another point in their battles for survival following a 2-2 draw at the Allianz Riviera. Evian took a 18th-minute lead through Dany Nounkeu, Daniel Wass having wasted an earlier chance to put them in front from the penalty spot, but they had to rely on an Adrien Thomasson equaliser 12 minutes from time to earn a share of the spoils. Goals either side of half-time from Alexy Bosetti and Valentin Eysseric had turned the match in Nice's favour. Nice and Evian both picked up another point in their battles for survival with Adrien Thomasson scoring .

Nabil Fekir and Alexandre Lacazette scored in Lyon's 3-1 win at Guingamp . Lille got back to winning ways with a 3-1 triumph over strugglers Reims . Modibo Maiga's hat-trick earned Metz a 3-2 win over Toulouse . Nice and Evian both picked up another point in their battles for survival . Paris Saint-Germain face Marseille in Le Classique on Sunday night .


Roma ended their four-month winless streak at home with a victory over Napoli in Serie A on Saturday in a key match for Champions League places. Miralem Pjanic finished off a swift counter-attack for Roma in the 25th minute and goalkeeper Morgan de Sanctis did the rest - saving shot after shot by Napoli in the second half. 'It's important to win a match and gain some continuity,' De Sanctis said. 'The last (four) months were tough in terms of results. So to win in front of our fans fills us with pride.' Miralem Pjanic slots home to put Roma ahead in the 25th minute after a clinical counter-attack . Pjanic (second left) celebrates with his team-mates Juan Iturbe, and Daniele de Rossi after scoring . Second-place Roma moved provisionally four points ahead of city rivals Lazio, who play later on Saturday. They had gone seven matches since their last home win - a 4-2 victory over Inter Milan on November 30. Meanwhile, Napoli's winless streak - home and away - was extended to five matches, and Diego Maradona's former club remained fifth. Security was tight for Napoli's first visit to Roma since a fan of the southern club died following a shooting before last season's Italian Cup final at the Stadio Olimpico. Napoli manager Rafa Benitez shows the strain after his side failed to win for the fifth straight game . Roma keeper Morgan de Sanctis (right) was excellent to deny the visitors and protect the three points . Residents of the entire Campania region that includes Naples were barred from buying tickets for the match and 1,000 police officers were called in to maintain order. But there were no reports of problems. Roma was without injured captain Francesco Totti and fellow forward Gervinho but Pjanic quickly made an impact with a free kick from 30 meters that sailed just wide of the post. A few minutes later, Juan Iturbe rapidly carried into the area and passed to Alessandro Florenzi, who from the right flank picked out Pjanic to slot it in. Roma full back Jose Holebas tracks Napoli midfielder Jose Callejon as Roma finally won at home . Iburte skips past Miguel Britoss during a vital win for Roma, who have fallen off the pace recently . Napoli may have had a case for a penalty when Kostas Manolas stopped Jonathan De Guzman in the 39th with shoulder contact but there wasn't much of a protest to referee Nicola Rizzoli, who officiated last year's World Cup final. In the second half, De Sanctis was superb in denying Dries Mertens on several occasions. The 38-year-old goalkeeper also made a leaping save on a shot from Manolo Gabbiadini in the 64th. Iturbe had a chance to make it 2-0 two minutes from time but hit the outside of the net. Napoli forward Lorenzo Insigne came on late for his first action since tearing his knee in November.

Roma win at home for the first time since November . Miralem Pjanic completes a counter-attack to put hosts ahead . Morgan de Sanctis produces stunning goalkeeping display . Napoli without a win for five matches after terrible run .


Stuart McCall revealed captain Lee McCulloch apologised to him and the Rangers players after being sent off in the 2-1 win over runaway Scottish Championship winners Hearts at Ibrox. Goals from striker Kenny Miller and the returning midfielder Haris Vuckic had the home side two ahead and cruising before McCulloch was shown a straight red card by referee Bobby Madden for fouling striker Osman Sow. It left the 10-man Govan side to fight a rearguard battle in the second half and, although Jambos striker Genero Zeefuik reduced the deficit in the 83rd minute, Rangers held on to move into second place in the league, three points ahead of Hibernian with a game in hand over the Leith club. Lee McCulloch was sent off during Rangers' crucial 2-1 victory against Hearts in the Scottish Championship . Staurt McCall says the Gers captain apologised to him as well as the players after the incident . The Gers boss said: 'Believe it or not I haven't seen it again and I didn't see it live - all I was interested in was Zeefuik going through the middle - but I spoke to Bobby coming off and he said he caught him with his elbow. 'Jig (McCulloch) came in after the game and apologised to me and the team so obviously it must have merited a red card.' The former Rangers midfielder paid tribute to Gers supporters in the crowd of 40,521 who willed their team on to a third successive win when they were down to 10 men. He said: 'In the second half, that was the first time for a long, long time, since I was playing, that I got goosebumps out there. McCulloch walks off the pitch after he was shown the red card on Easter Sunday . 'The fans deserved that (win) but I thought the players deserved their applause coming off the park because you need both together to be a success. 'It was pleasing in a lot of ways. We set out with a game plan to stop Hearts playing because they are a good side, no doubt about that. 'Obviously it was two terrific goals, but I thought the tempo and passing in the first half was outstanding. 'I thought the second half was just about guts, desire, being a good team-mate, so it was a hard shift but a nervy finish.' Man of the match Nicky Law also noted the improving relationship between players and supporters. The Rangers midfielder said: 'The crowd just lifted everyone and the atmosphere was as good as it has been since I signed at the club and Hearts fans played their part in that as well. 'Probably for the first time the fans have been right behind us and united as one, which it hasn't been for a while and that was great to see. 'We know that has been down to ourselves in large parts because it hasn't been good enough. 'But we hope that they see the effort we are putting in and hopefully we can achieve the aim that we started the season with and repay the fans. 'It was a huge win for us. Three wins on the spin now and the boys are buzzing.' McCall has paid tribute to the 40,521 Rangers fans who made it to Ibrox for the game . It was Hearts' first away defeat in the league all season and head coach Robbie Neilson refused to be too downbeat. He said: 'I thought we dominated in the second half without creating a lot of chances. I don't think we did enough to win. 'But the pleasing think is I am sitting here at Ibrox, having lost 2-1 and everyone is devastated. 'We have to take a step back and look at the big picture. 'We are 23 points clear at the top of the Championship and we are guaranteed top level football next year. 'So I don't want to be too down. I spoke to the players after the game and told them to put it into perspective. 'When they walk out of Ibrox they should have their heads held high because they are champions and it doesn't matter what happens in one game, it is a 36-game league and they have been the best team.' Kenny Miller (left) celebrates scoring for Rangers against Championship winners Hearts on Sunday .

Lee McCulloch was shown a straight red card after fouling Osman Sow . Rangers went on to win Scottish Championship fixture 2-1 at Ibrox . Stuart McCall says captain McCulloch apologised to both him and the players after sending off against Hearts .


Fighting between rival fans forced a Russian Premier League match between Arsenal Tula and Torpedo Moscow to be stopped for seven minutes on Sunday. A statement on Arsenal's official site read: 'In the 31st minute, fans from the visiting Moscow club broke down barriers in front of the visitors sector and tried to get to the East Stand, where a number of women and children were sitting. 'The Torpedo fans began breaking seats and throwing them towards law enforcement officers and stewards.' Scroll down to watch video footage of the incident . Fans fight leading to Arsenal Tula vs Torpedo Moscow to be suspended for seven minutes on Sunday . Torpedo Moscow fans broke down barriers and threw chairs, according to Arsenal Tula's website . Referee Alexander Yegorov stopped the match and told the players to leave the pitch and head for the dressing rooms, while fights broke out between fans on the running track after they managed to climb over barriers. After order was restored play resumed and Torpedo ran out 3-1 winners. Sergei Cheban, executive director of the Russian Football Premier League, said Torpedo could expected to be heavily punished for this latest outbreak of violence by their fans. 'Those people who organised the trouble have already been detained. The security forces on duty were very professional in their work,' said Cheban in an interview with Championat.com. 'Torpedo can expect to receive serious punishment. This is hooliganism and it not the first time they have stopped a match. The punishment will be harsh.' Torpedo's fans have caused trouble on a number of occasions and the club have already been punished three times this season for racist behaviour of their supporters. The last incident occurred on March 15 when Torpedo fans abused Zenit St Petersburg's Brazilian forward Hulk. The side were sanctioned by having to play two matches behind closed doors. Torpedo are currently in 12th place in the Russian Premier League table with 19 points, while Arsenal Tula are one place off the bottom with 14 points.

Torpedo Moscow fans broke down barriers and threw seats . Match suspended for seven minutes. Torpedo went on to win 3-1 . Torpedo punished three times this season for racist behaviour from fans . Russian Premier League have promised a 'harsh punishment'


It may an unorthodox way of achieving European qualification, but West Ham manager Sam Allardyce would welcome doing so through UEFA's Respect and Fair Play rankings. The top three nations in UEFA's rankings qualify for the Europa League, with England currently sitting third and West Ham topping the Barclays Premier League's Fair Play table. West Ham have little left to play for as they sit ninth ahead of Saturday's match with bottom-club Leicester City at the King Power Stadium. Yet they could achieve European qualification regardless of where they end up in the Premier League by finishing top of the Fair Play table. West Ham manager Sam Allardyce wants the club to qualify for Europe next season through Fair Play . It is a case of the fewer yellow and red cards the better for Allardyce, but the West Ham manager insists he has not instructed his players to keep their discipline at all costs. Asked if his players should tone down their commitment for the final eight games, Allardyce said: 'I haven't told them that. 'If we have done what we have done all season and we have been as good as we have been I shouldn't really need to tell them any more. 'For us as a team to be where we are at this stage of the season shows that we have played the game in the right way and the right manner and achieved something that is out there to promote the game in the right fashion.' Allardyce shouts instructions at his Bolton players during a UEFA Cup match against Besiktas in 2005 . Allardyce led Bolton Wanderers into UEFA Cup qualification for the first time in the club's history in 2005, and knows first hand how it can attract players in the transfer market. 'It was never easy but there were players of much higher quality interested in coming to Bolton, there is no doubt about that,' Allardyce added. 'The journey may not be great financially, but it is not the financial journey we look for as footballers and managers – it is the experience. 'It is the fact that you are competing in Europe which in itself may help in some of your recruitment areas – however you have got there.' Bolton forward Stelios Giannakopoulos scores a goal against Marseille in the UEFA Cup back in 2006 .

West Ham are currently top of the Fair Play rankings in the Premier League . Should they finish there at the end of the season, they could qualify for the Europa League next term . Sam Allardyce is well aware of the benefits of being able to offer European football to players in the transfer market . Allardyce led Bolton Wanderers to UEFA Cup qualification in 2005 .


Hull midfielder David Meyler says he is totally convinced the Tigers will hang on to their Premier League status. Steve Bruce's side are in 15th place, three points off the relegation zone, but have a tough run-in with five of their last eight matches against clubs in the top seven of the Premier League. The Tigers have impressed however against top sides, drawing 1-1 away at Manchester City and losing 3-2 at the hands of Chelsea in a match they could easily have won. Hull midfielder David Meyler is confident his side will remain in the top flight despite their recent poor form . The Tigers will be hoping to bounce back from their 3-2 home defeat by Chelsea when they face Swansea . Hull are currently just three points above Burnley . Speaking ahead of the weekend meeting with Swansea, Meyler said: 'We are not going down. We just have to get into the mentality that it is not good enough to accept the 3-2 defeat by Chelsea, even if they are likely Premier League champions. 'We had some great chances and we need to win these games when you get into those positions.' He added: 'We're down to the last eight games now and this is where we have to earn our money. 'This is the period when everything will be decided so we've got eight games to make sure we finish as well as we can and that is what we aim to do. 'We finished 17th last season and at the moment, we're 15th this season so we're a little bit ahead. Hull trio Mohamed Diame (pictured), James Chester and Gaston Ramirez could feature against Swansea . 'What we want to do here is maintain Premier League status for a number of years to come and we'll do what we have to do to achieve that aim and build this club. We're looking to develop every year. 'We've got eight games to come, against some decent teams, but I'm sure we can get the wins we need if we keep performing like we did in games against the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool and for 70 minutes against Chelsea. 'It will be tough against Swansea but we're going there with the mentality that we can get some points.' Hull will be hugely boosted by the return of Senegal midfielder Mohamed Diame after a long injury absence, and James Chester is also back in the squad to face Swansea. Gaston Ramirez is fit to play despite concerns about an injury picked up on international duty.

David Meyler is confident Hull will remain in the Premier League . The midfielder has warned his team-mates they are facing tough period . Hull are currently just three points above the relegation drop zone .


Ahead of another weekend in the Barclays Premier League, Sportsmail brings you the latest squad news, odds and stats on every top flight fixture as it breaks. Simply click on your team  in the fixture list below to find out who is ruled out and who is making a return as well as all the key statistics surrounding your club's fixture. In or out? Keep up-to-date with all the latest team news and stats ahead of the Premier League weekend . SATURDAY . Arsenal vs Liverpool (12.45pm) Everton vs Southampton (3pm) Leicester City vs West Ham United (3pm) Manchester United vs Aston Villa (3pm) Swansea City vs Hull City (3pm) West Bromwich Albion vs QPR (3pm) Chelsea vs Stoke (5.30pm) SUNDAY . Burnley vs Tottenham Hotspur (1.30pm) Sunderland vs Newcastle United (4pm) MONDAY . Crystal Palace vs Manchester City (8pm)

Arsenal host Liverpool in explosive return from international football . Manchester United feature at Saturday 3pm when they take on Aston Villa . League leaders Chelsea welcome Stoke City in Saturday evening kick off . Barclays Premier League champions Manchester City travel to Crystal Palace for Monday Night Football . Sunderland and Newcastle United clash in Wear-Tyne derby on Sunday .


After hitting nine past Granada at the weekend, it's safe to say Real Madrid's attacking prowess isn't misfiring at present. And for Real boss Carlo Ancelotti he now faces the enviable dilemma of trying to fit in his array of stars into his starting line-up. However, as Spanish paper AS reports seven players into six spots doesn't go - with one set to be upset at being left out of his preferred 4-3-3 formation. Spanish papers report on the attacking selection that Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti now has at the club . For the first time since November midfield quartet Isco, Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and James Rodriguez are all fit and available alongside famed 'BBC' triumvirate of Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo. Marca also recognises this issue at the Santiago Bernabeu. Leading with the headline 'Blessed Problem,' the publication states that Ancelotti will have to choose between either Isco or Rodriguez to finalise his best starting line-up. The Madrid-based paper further adds that the latter is the favourite due to his impressive stats in his debut season at Real to date. In all competitions so far, the 23-year-old has scored 12 goals and provided 11 assists in comparison to Isco's five and six. Over in Italy, the fallout at the demise of giants Inter continues with Corriere dello Sport reporting that there is a huge divide between Italian and foreign playing and non-playing staff. The main issue of contention at the San Siro outfit appears to be at boardroom level though with Managing Director Marco Fassone and CEO Michael Bolingbroke  said to be wanting to take the club in different directions. Over in Italy, Corriere dello Sport focuses on the internal struggles at fallen giants Inter Milan . Meanwhile Tuttosport looks ahead at the Coppa Italia semi-final second legs taking place in midweek - with Fiorentina's clash against Juventus taking centre stage. The paper reports that Juve boss Massimiliano Allegri will pair star striker Carlos Tevez and Alvaro Morata together for the trip to Florence, while Viola manager Vincenzo Montella is looking for another moment of magic from on loan Chelsea midfielder Mohamed Salah. And finally in France, the reaction to Paris Saint-Germain's pulsatring 3-2 win at title rivals Marseille on Sunday continues. L'Equipe state that exciting affair at the Stade Velodrome is confirmation that Ligue 1 is progressing and becoming more appealing - while the result adds an extra spice to this year's championship race. As it stands, PSG sit top of Ligue 1 with 62 points after 31 games - just one ahead of second-placed Lyon and five ahead of Marseille in third. In France, L'Equipe reports that PSG's 3-2 win at Marseille is an indictment at the improvement of Ligue 1 .

Real Madrid thrashed Granada 9-1 in La Liga at home on Sunday . For the first time since November Real have all seven attacking stars fit . Fiorentina host  Juventus in Coppa Italia semi-final second leg on Tuesday .


Ahead of this weekend's Premier League action, Sportsmail will be providing you with all you need to know about every fixture, with team news, provisional squads, betting odds and Opta stats. Here is all the information you need for Manchester United's home clash with Aston Villa... Manchester United vs Aston Villa (Old Trafford) Team news . Manchester United . Striker Robin van Persie is out of Manchester United's Barclays Premier League match against Aston Villa with an ankle injury. Left-back Luke Shaw has recovered from a hamstring problem, but centre-back Chris Smalling is a big doubt due to illness. Robin van Persie scores against Leicester City earlier in the season but he is ruled out of the Aston Villa game . Defender Jonny Evans sits out the fourth match of his six-game ban for spitting at Newcastle striker Papiss Cisse. Provisional squad: De Gea, Lindegaard, Valdes, Shaw, Blackett, Rojo, Smalling, Jones, McNair, Rafael, Pereira, Young, Blind, Fellaini, Herrera, Valencia, Di Maria, Januzaj, Mata, Falcao, Rooney, Wilson. Aston Villa . Skipper Ron Vlaar could return for Aston Villa after finally shaking off a calf injury for the trip to Manchester United. The defender has been out since February and he will be joined in the squad by Joe Cole after a hamstring issue while Jores Okore (knee) is also fit. Ron Vlaar trains ahead of his expected return to the Aston Villa squad at Manchester United . Kieran Richardson and Philippe Senderos (both calf) are in training but could still miss out while there are doubts surrounding Aly Cissokho (groin) and Nathan Baker (knee) and United loanee Tom Cleverley is ineligible. Provisional squad: Guzan, Given, Hutton, Lowton, Okore, Vlaar, Clark, Cissokho, Kinsella, Delph, Sinclair, Gil, Westwood, Sanchez, Grealish, Cole, N'Zogbia, Agbonlahor, Benteke, Weimann. Kick-off: Saturday, 3pm . Odds (subject to change): . Manchester United 3/10 . Draw 4/1 . Aston Villa 9/1 . Referee: Roger East . Managers: Louis van Gaal (Manchester United), Tim Sherwood (Aston Villa) Head-to-head league record: Manchester United wins 82, draws 38, Aston Villa wins 43 . Key match stats (supplied by Opta) Manchester United have 31 Premier League wins against Aston Villa, the joint-most of any team against any opponent in the history of the competition (along with Man Utd v Everton). Aston Villa have won just one of the last 38 Premier League games against Manchester United (L27 D10 W1). Wayne Rooney has scored 12 goals against Aston Villa, his joint-highest tally against any opponent in Premier League history along with Newcastle United. Aston Villa are the only side in the Premier League this season yet to see a substitute score or assist a single one of their goals. Radamel Falcao scored Manchester United's equaliser in their 1-1 draw at Aston Villa in December . Rooney has scored eight goals in his last six Premier League games at Old Trafford against the Villans, netting four braces. Villa have seen six players sent off in the Premier League this season; two more than they had in any previous Premier League campaign. Rooney has scored 95 goals at Old Trafford, only Alan Shearer with 97 at St James Park (two for Blackburn) and Thierry Henry with 114 at Highbury have scored more goals on one single ground in Premier League history. The Red Devils have won 12 of their last 14 Premier League matches at Old Trafford (D1 L1). On just eight occasions this season have a side used two or more players that are under 20 in a Premier League game – seven of these have been by Manchester United (Arsenal the other). Aston Villa have scored just two goals in the final half an hour in the Premier League this season – Man Utd have scored more in the 90th minute or later (3).

Robin van Persie ruled out with ankle injury for Manchester United . Chris Smalling a doubt but Luke Shaw back from hamstring complaint . Ron Vlaar could make return to Aston Villa squad following calf injury . Joe Cole and Jores Okore have also regained fitness for Villans .


The Premier League returns this weekend after the fourth interruption this season for international fixtures, leaving managers hoping their players have returned with a clean bill of health. The break can be both a blessing and a curse, potentially halting your momentum if results and confidence are positive, or halting your slide if all is not well. Premier League sides have already had to resume their season after international breaks in September, October and November 2014. Premier League leaders Chelsea have won all three of their matches following the international break . Everton lead the post-international Premier League table with three wins from three after the break . However six Premier League clubs are still chasing their first win after an international break this season, so who has been the best at managing this transition? Sportsmail examines this through a modified Premier League table that takes in only results immediately after international resumptions. Our alternative table makes nice reading for Toffees fans, with their side winning all three matches and keeping clean sheets against Aston Villa and West Brom. Champions-elect Chelsea are the only side to match this perfect record, though both of these teams have not faced a current top seven team across their post-international fixtures. Southampton and both Manchester clubs are the only other unbeaten sides though United did slip up in drawing 2-2 at home to West Brom. Manchester City have been relatively impressive, drawing 2-2 at the Emirates and most notably dispatching Champions League chasing Tottenham 4-1, who have an indifferent record. Moving further down and Liverpool have a significantly worse record following the international break than in overall form, suffering surprise defeats when visiting Crystal Palace and hosting Aston Villa. Moreover their only win came through an unconvincing 3-2 victory at Queens Park Rangers, secured only through a sensational second-half display by Raheem Sterling. Manchester United will be hoping to follow up their win against Liverpool by beating Aston Villa . Arsenal are awaiting their first Premier League win directly following an international break . Brendan Rodgers (right) will be hoping his side can pile more post-international misery on Arsenal . Saturday . Arsenal vs Liverpool . Everton vs Southampton . Leicester vs West Ham . Manchester United vs Aston Villa . Swansea vs Hull . West Brom vs QPR . Chelsea vs Stoke . Sunday . Burnley vs Tottenham . Sunderland vs Newcastle . Monday . Crystal Palace vs Manchester City . Both the Reds and Arsenal will want to change the vast discrepancies between their current league table positions and their positions in our alternative view, currently sitting in eighth and 13th respectively. The two Champions League sides meet on Saturday lunchtime as Arsenal chase a first win following an international break this season. The Gunners have been fortunate in having three home fixtures but have totally failed to capitalise on this, drawing 2-2 with Hull City and Manchester City, whilst losing 2-1 at the hands of Manchester United. Southampton have handed out two thrashings to sides in the North-East by picking up 8-0 and 4-0 wins over Sunderland and Newcastle respectively. However in this table the Toon still make the top six through narrow 1-0 wins over both QPR and Leicester. The Foxes have a notably improved position whilst keeping clean sheets against Sunderland and Stoke in their three post-international games, despite these being relatively rare across the season. Relegations strugglers QPR have lost all three of their post-international fixtures so far this season . This puts Nigel Pearson’s side comfortably nestled in mid-table, joined their relegation strugglers Burnley. Possibly benefitting from having fewer players occupied on international duty, both join a cluster of teams on four points. Stoke will also be concerned by their poor record, which includes 2-1 and 1-0 defeats when hosting relegation-threatened sides Burnley and Leicester City. Such results across an entire campaign may have seen them struggling to maintain mid-table stability under Mark Hughes. Hull City, Sunderland and West Brom are all winless, though the Black Cats did claim a respectable 2-2 draw at home to Tottenham. Swansea City and QPR are both pointless, though the Swans have had three games including difficult trips to Chelsea and Manchester City. Meanwhile the R’s have hosted Liverpool whilst suffering away defeats with scoring at both Newcastle and Manchester United – Chris Ramsey’s team will hope to change that trend when travelling to West Brom on Saturday.

Everton and Chelsea have perfect records with three wins each . Southampton, Man City and Man United are the only other unbeaten sides . Arsenal are still yet to win following an international break this season . Liverpool are similarly poor with one win and two defeats . Six clubs are yet to win after an international break, find out who here… .


It is eight long, barren years since an English club claimed the top prize in European rugby and the bookmakers aren't convinced the grim cycle can be broken this year. When Wasps claimed the Heineken Cup in 2007 with victory over Leicester, it seemed unthinkable that the Premiership would not produce another continental champion for so long. Yet since then Irish teams have seized four titles — Leinster claiming a hat-trick — and French teams three, accurately reflecting the balance of power in the European game. This season is not seen as any real exception, despite the presence of four English sides in the last eight of the new Champions Cup. There is a consensus among the bookies that holders Toulon are destined to finish on top of the pile for the third successive year, with Clermont their primary challengers followed by Racing and Leinster. The Aviva Premiership quartet are all away from home this weekend and are all firm underdogs. Francois Louw runs with the ball during the Bath Rugby training session held at Farleigh House . Bath's George Ford practices his kicking during the training session at the Farleigh House complex . Leinster's Jamie Heaslip is tackled by Sailosi Tagicakibau during the Champions Cup match with Wasps . In World Cup year it would provide a clear boost to national morale if one of their elite clubs could shatter the status quo by lifting the trophy on May 2 but there are significant reasons why an English triumph shouldn't happen. The first comes down to money. Northampton, Saracens, Bath and Wasps are well-funded, with strong squads, but their resources are modest compared to French powerhouses Toulon, Clermont and Racing, who have budgets three or four times the size of their Premiership opponents. Across the Channel, squads are awash with Test-class players from around the world, even on the bench. Meanwhile, Leinster have superb recent European pedigree and benefit from the Irish system which sees top players rested from league duties in order to peak on these major occasions.Bath will find themselves in hostile territory at the Aviva Stadium, but they went to Toulouse in January and scorched the earth to win 35-18. If their pack can go toe-to-toe with the hosts, the likes of Jonathan Joseph are capable of wreaking havoc. Make no mistake, Mike Ford's team are capable of winning in Dublin. Also on Saturday, Northampton face an arduous task in trying to storm the Stade Marcel Michelin fortress where Clermont are on a 22-match unbeaten run in Europe. The Saints are the only English team to win an away quarter-final against French opposition — beating Biarritz 7-6 in 2007. English sides have lost the eight other quarter-finals they have played across the Channel. Clermont's New Zealand winger Zac Guildford (left) tries to escape a tackle during the match against Paris . Clermont winger Napolioni Nalaga (right) charges with the ball during the match against Bordeaux-Begles . Nothampton's Stephen Myler (left) and Luther Burrell (right) prepare to tackle Jamie Roberts of Racing Metro . The current Premiership champions were losing Heineken Cup finalists in 2011. To reach that stage again would require a monumental result this weekend, but Clermont are far from infallible, as Saracens proved, thrashing them 46-6 in last season's epic semi-final. The London club lost to Toulon in the final, but they have been the standard-bearers for English rugby in the last two seasons and will believe they can go to Paris and beat Racing, who can be wildly inconsistent. Wasps captain James Haskell provides a link back to the club's distant 2007 success, but Dai Young's men will be confronting a multi-national force in Toulon that would beat most Test teams. If they were to stun the holders, it would go down as one of the greatest shocks in European competition. There is a fair chance that one English team can progress, with Bath and Saracens the more likely candidates. If two were to make it, that would provide a colossal and timely boost to national morale. Wasps captain James Haskell receives a pass during the training session at Twyford Avenue Sports Ground .

It has been eight years since an English club triumphed in the European Champions Cup . Despite four English teams in this year's quarter-finals, that hoodoo looks set to persist . English clubs are nowhere near as well-resourced as French clubs . In a World Cup year, it would be a huge boost to national morale if English clubs could progress further into the competition .


Wales' crunch Euro 2016 qualifier with Belgium this summer has been declared a 33,000 sell-out. The top two sides in Group B meet at the Cardiff City Stadium on June 12 with Wales in their best position to qualify for a major tournament since the 1958 World Cup finals in Sweden. Belgium and Wales both have 11 points from five games with Marc Wilmots' side - ranked fourth in the world - on top spot because of a superior goal difference. Wales'  Euro 2016 qualifier with Belgium this summer has been declared a 33,000 sell-out . Gareth Bale fires homes a brilliant free-kick during Wales' 3-0 victory over Israel in Euro 2016 qualifying . Real Madrid star Bale celebrates as the victory took Wales to the top of the Group B table on goal difference . But Wales' comprehensive 3-0 victory in Israel last weekend has seen expectations rise that Chris Coleman's charges can claim one of the two automatic qualifying spots and make it all the way to the 2016 finals in France. 'The stunning performance in Israel has created a huge buzz around Chris Coleman's team and the FAW has been inundated with orders for tickets,' the Football Association of Wales said in a statement on its website. 'Due to overwhelming demand, general admission tickets for the European qualifiers match between Wales and Belgium at the Cardiff City Stadium have now sold out.' It is understood the Wales squad prefer to play at the Cardiff City Stadium rather than the Millennium Stadium . There had been speculation that Wales would play Belgium at the 74,500 capacity Millennium Stadium with so much interest in the match. But that was never going to happen as UEFA rules prevent the venue being changed within 120 days of the scheduled date. It is understood Gareth Bale and company would prefer playing at the more intimate Cardiff City Stadium rather than the Millennium Stadium, where they have not played since meeting England in a Euro 2012 qualifier in March 2011.

Wales' Euro 2016 qualifier with Belgium has been declared a sell-out . Gareth Bale and Co currently top the Group B table on goal difference . Belgium and Wales both on 11 points ahead of clash .


Mark Hughes has insisted he will have significant money to spend this summer if required – and told Asmir Begovic he can fulfil his ambitions at Stoke City. The Stoke manager has kept the club's chequebook largely in his pocket since taking over in May 2013 but said he would splash out when the right player became available. Signing Begovic to a new contract is a priority given the Bosnia goalkeeper will be entering the final year of his current deal. Stoke City manager Mark Hughes is confident he will have money to spend in the summer transfer window . Hughes wants goalkeeper Asmir Begovic to agree a new contract at the Britannia Stadium . But Hughes will add expensive acquisitions if needed, having missed out on £10million Xherdan Shaqiri in the January window. Hughes said: 'We haven't spent a great deal since I've been here. A net spend of £6million I think over four transfer windows. 'But I've never been given the impression that if the right player was available and we wanted to really push the boat out there wouldn't be funds available. 'We've chased any number of players and some targets we've got very, very close to where we would have been in a position to make a decision whether or not we spent a significant amount. Stoke sit 10th in the Premier League and still have an outside chance of earning a European berth . Begovic is out of contract at the end of next season and could be targeted by clubs this summer . 'We've never actually got to the point where we've needed to just because the target fell by the wayside. I've never been in any doubt that if the right target is available then the finances will be made available to me.' A host of clubs may decide to make a move for Begovic, 27, who is set to open talks over extending his Stoke stay once the season is over. Hughes said: 'I'm sure they will be looking at him. But we've got a lot of things we can offer to Asmir. 'He knows we're a good club that will continue hopefully to progress. He wants to be part of a successful football club, I know that. He's an ambitious guy. 'But we'd like to think he could achieve what he needs from his career here at Stoke.'

Stoke manager Mark Hughes has a net spend of around £6million . He is confident the club will back him in this summer's transfer window . Hughes hopes to tie down No 1 goalkeeper Asmir Begovic . The ex-Portsmouth stopper is out of contract at the end of next season .


Following Raheem Sterling's interview on Wednesday, in which he said he was not ready to sign a new contract at Liverpool, blogger David Tyrer of Live4Liverpool gives the view from Merseyside. While I hate to use social media as a gauge of opinions, Raheem Sterling’s interview didn’t go down well at all. It was ill-timed and, regardless of what Sterling and his agent hoped, he didn’t come across very well. Some of his answers only fuelled the fire really. I’m hoping that that wasn’t the whole point, as we’ve seen these sorts of situations engineered by agents before. The interview has almost certainly changed the way the fans feel about him. There will be a lot of fans that are of the opinion: ‘let him go’. Obviously, with the caveat that we get our money’s worth! Raheem Sterling returns to Liverpool training after the international break and shakes hands with manager Brendan Rodgers . Sterling risked angering Liverpool fans after he said in an interview he was not ready to sign a contract . Sterling trains ahead of the weekend's game with Arsenal . It’s always disappointing when a young player gets his head turned, but there’s a sense of ungratefulness about the whole situation, considering how the club has nurtured him and paid him well throughout. Personally, I think he has the potential to be worth so much more than the £100,000-a-week contract he’s turned down. But it’s only that: potential. At present, he’s arguably in the top five best young players in the world but, obviously at his age, he’s also prone to bouts of inconsistency and prolonged poor form. He hasn’t been great recently and was awful against Man Utd. Sterling has been linked with a move to Arsenal - the team he is preparing to face at the weekend . Raheem Sterling played for England in the 4-0 Euro 2016 qualifier against Lithuania . And while I’d be willing to see the club give him £100k a week – possibly £120k a week - the club shouldn’t do everything it can to keep him. Definitely not. Liverpool fans have a popular mantra: no player is bigger than the club. Admittedly, we stretch the rules for truly great players (Suarez, a recent example) but Sterling is nowhere near. If he wants out, I’m sure the club will handle it the way they have before. Frustration over Sterling’s situation has been building for a while, and many fans are now of the belief that if he wants to go he’s welcome to. Personally, I don’t like players holding the club to ransom. He has as much chance of winning trophies here as he does anywhere (other than money-rich clubs such as Chelsea or Man City). Sterling did not have his best game in a Liverpool shirt during the defeat at Manchester United . Liverpool fans have a mantra that no player is bigger than the club . If Sterling was to move to Arsenal then it would not go down well with Liverpool fans . But if he does end up going, he’s worth a lot more than many established players. His ability is so raw but he has almost limitless potential. At the moment, we’ve seen it in fits and starts but even so, he’s easily worth £25-30 million. If I was FSG, I’d hold any interested club to ransom, though – double it. But a move to Arsenal wouldn’t go down well. Perhaps better than if it was Chelsea or Manchester United, but honestly there’s little Arsenal can offer that we can’t. Sure, they’re more financially stable but what – in terms of trophies – do Arsenal have to show for the last 12 years? Sterling speaks to the BBC and reveals he is not ready to sign a new contract . I think we’re somewhat ahead on that front. Much like Alexis Sanchez, any move to Arsenal will be more about location than anything else. People have drawn comparisons with when Suarez wanted to leave for Arsenal, but the situation is different. Suarez says he wanted Champions League football and we weren’t offering that at that time. Not only that, but Suarez was an established top-class player at the time, one of the best in the world. Sterling is purely potential and, given all the club have done for him (cliched, as that sounds), it makes little sense. If he’s going to be nurtured into the world-class talent he can become, it won’t happen at Arsenal. It may not necessarily happen at Anfield either, but a manager like Brendan Rodgers will give him the best shot of improving to that level over the next two to three years. You can read more from Live4Liverpool HERE and follow the Twitter account HERE .

Raheem Sterling said he was not ready to sign a new Liverpool contract . Fans mantra at Liverpool is that no player is bigger than the club . Liverpool fans have grown frustrated with the ongoing situation . READ: Rodgers insists Sterling will not leave Liverpool this summer . Sterling is not being disloyal in postponing contract talks, says PFA chief . CLICK HERE for all the latest Liverpool news .


Raheem Sterling gave a revealing insight into his future on Wednesday, insisting he was not a money-grabbing 20-year-old despite turning down a Liverpool contract worth £100,000-a-week. The England winger instead pointed to his desire to finish out the season before considering any more offers, focusing on winning trophies with his club for the time being. But how much of what Sterling told BBC Sport can we believe? Sportsmail's Riath Al-Samarrai tries his hand at interpreting. Liverpool star Raheem Sterling gave a revealing insight into his Liverpool talks with BBC Sport . WHAT HE SAID: ‘I would never want the fans to think bad of me, to think I just want as much money for myself. I want them to understand it’s been a bit much for me this season, with everyone talking about it every minute.’ WHAT HE MEANT: Can’t a guy just let his contract run down in peace? WHAT HE SAID: ‘It’s never been about money. I talk about winning trophies throughout my career. That’s all I talk about.’ WHAT HE MEANT:  Finishing the season empty-handed won’t help the situation . Sterling says it is not about money, only about trophies - so can Liverpool afford to not win any this season? WHAT HE SAID: ‘I don’t talk about how many cars I’m going to drive, how many houses I’ve got. I just purely want to be the best I can be.’ WHAT HE MEANT: If you’re wondering, I drive a Mercedes C63 and also have a Range Rover 4x4. They are both white. WHAT HE SAID: ‘You really want to be working with world-class players day in, day out. It’s obviously left a little dent, these two world-class superstars (Suarez and Gerrard) leaving, but I think we have good players coming through at Liverpool.’ WHAT HE MEANT::Players come and go. Deal with it. Sterling rejected Liverpool's contract offer of £100,000-a-week and says he is focusing on his football . WHAT HE SAID: On speculation that Arsenal are keen: ‘Quite flattering.’ WHAT HE MEANT:  Auctions are always better when more people turn up . WHAT HE SAID: ‘Everyone’s dream growing up is seeing themselves in an away kit somewhere in a sunny country. But, in reality, I’m happy to be playing for Liverpool and trying to win trophies.’ WHAT HE MEANT:  Barcelona and Madrid are nice cities. And warm, too. The 20-year-old England international has been linked with moves to Arsenal, Real Madrid and Barcelona . WHAT HE SAID: ‘If, at that point in time, I was offered a contract, I most definitely would have signed straight away, probably for far less money than being said now. I just think the timing was a bit off.’ WHAT HE MEANT:  You need me more than ever now. WHAT HE SAID: ‘I just want to focus on football and, when it gets to the end of the season, assess my position as a 20-year-old player playing in the Premier League.’ WHAT HE MEANT:  Literally all of the power in this situation is with me. Sterling holds all the power at Liverpool and has been one of Brendan Rodgers' star performers this season .

Raheem Sterling rejected contract offer of £100,000-a-week at Liverpool . Young winger gave revealing interview to the BBC on Wednesday . But what did Sterling mean with some of his statements?


Ludogorets player Cosmin Moti is guilty of producing one of the worst tackles you're likely to see this season after his kung-fu style tackle on a CSKA Sofia player - but unbelievably the referee waved play on. It was a kick Eric Cantona would have been proud of, as he connected cleanly with Stefan Nikolic's rib-cage and sending his opponent crashing to the floor. The defender made the headlines for the right reasons during Ludogorets Champions League play-off against Steaua Bucharest back in August, when he saved two penalties during the shoot-out - after their goalkeeper had been sent off. Cosmin Moti (centre right) kung-fu tacklesStefan Nikolic during Ludogorets clash with CSKA Sofia . His heroics sent the Bulgarian side through to the Champions League group stages as he established himself as a club legend. But Moti's kick on Nikolic shows a different side and the misdemeanor during the first half went unpunished as his side went on to win the contest 4-0 - sending them six points clear of their rivals at the top. It could have been so different for the away side if he had been given his marching orders but due to some shocking refereeing, that wasn't the case. The defender leaps up and aims his right foot at the forward but wasn't sent off for the tackle . Moti connects cleanly Nikolic's rib cage but the referee waved play on - much to the disgust of CSKA . The forward screams in pain after the horrific tackle and lands heavily on the Ludogorets pitch . Moti celebrates his first penalty save against Steaua Bucharest during their UEFA Champions League play off .

Cosmin Moti kung-fu kicked Stefan Nikolic during a Bulgarian league game . The Ludogorets defender wasn't punished as the referee waved played on . Moti is also well known for saving two penalties in the Champions League .


Brian O'Driscoll won't be thanking whoever snapped him crowd surfing at a party in Hong Kong any time soon after the picture went viral. To make matters worse the Irish rugby legend's wife Amy Huberman caught wind of the picture on social media, with hilarious consequences. O'Driscoll has been in Hong Kong this week working as an ambassador for HSBC ahead of the Hong Kong Sevens and clearly found time to unwind away from his commitments. Amy Huberman shares a joke with her husband in the Royal Box at Wimbledon last summer . The couple are pictured attending a Downing Street reception following the victorious 2013 Lions tour . On Monday, at home in Ireland, actress Huberman posted the picture of O'Driscoll and wrote: 'You know when your husband is away in Hong Kong on a very important business trip...' This was followed by a that read: 'I better get a giant Toblerone from the duty free.' Sure enough, O'Driscoll returned on Tuesday, tail between his legs with the requested Toblerone. Clearly taking some joy in her husband's embarrassment, Huberman later posted a picture of O'Driscoll holding the chocolate bar, declaring: 'He's home.' O'Driscoll may think twice before crowd surfing in future. The couple celebrates Ireland's Six Nations success in O'Driscoll's final international match in March 2014 .

Brian O'Driscoll pictured crowd surfing in Hong Kong earlier this week . Former Ireland captain was away working as an HSBC ambassador . O'Driscoll's wife Amy Huberman posted the picture on Twitter .