Alan Shearer has already selected his backroom staff, should he be offered the Newcastle job on a permanent basis. Former Newcastle midfielder Rob Lee would become Shearer's assistant, with former coach John Carver rejoining the club - Express.

Meanwhile, Newcastle interim manager Joe Kinnear's much-hyped meeting with the club's reluctant owner Mike Ashley will not now take place after the trip to Chelsea on Saturday. "The goalposts have moved," said Kinnear - various.

Middlesbrough will compete with Bolton to sign £2m-rated Swansea midfielder Ferrie Bodde in January - various.

And Bolton are also chasing Hannover's Szabolcs Huszti - Mail.
Blackburn and Wigan are in the race to sign Ecuador striker Cristian Benitez - Mirror

Neil Warnock wants to bring Chelsea striker Ben Sahar, 19, to Crystal Palace - Mail

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger will not strip William Gallas of the captaincy following his outburst about his team-mates' lack of courage -Guardian

Or, yes he will - but not before the Gunners' game against Manchester City on Sunday - Times

Dimitar Berbatov may miss the first Manchester derby of the season after suffering a thigh strain in Bulgaria's friendly against Serbia (which they lost 6-1) on Wednesday - Guardian

Sir Alex Ferguson's injury problems at Manchester United are mounting, as Wes Brown's ankle surgery looks set to keep him out until January - Mail

Carlton Cole is poised to sign a new four-year contract at West Ham - Mirror