Elsewhere in the news Mancini set to hand Carlos Tevez a lifeline; Bernstein claims the England job is an attractive position, while the HMRC are determined to clean up the game and expose the murky financial side within football.

Sir Alex Ferguson has caused Luis Suarez a disgrace and believes his actions prior to the game at Old Trafford could have incited a riot – Guardian

FA Chairman David Bernstein has claimed that the England job is an attractive proposal and that ‘serious’ managers will be keen to take up the opportunity if it was presented to them – Guardian

Roberto Mancini has suggested that Carlos Tevez still has a role to play at the Etihad Stadium and could feature for City between now and the end of the season – Guardian

The HMRC will not be deterred in their quest to clean the game up and exposed the murky financial side within football – Independent

Roy Hodgson remained coy over his own personal ambitions to take over the England national job – Independent

Kenny Dalglish has implied that media scrutiny has played its part in the ongoing tensions between the two football clubs – Sky Sports

Wayne Rooney has thrown his hat in the ring for the vacant England Captaincy. The United striker will welcome the opportunity and believes he will thrive on it – Daily Mail

Andre Villas-Boas bemoaned Chelsea’s defeat and claimed it was arguably their worst performance of the season – Daily Mail

Tottenham will line up move for Jurgen Klinsmann to replace Harry Redknapp, should he wish to take the reins of England – Mirror

Nicolas Gaitan has put both Manchester clubs on alert by suggesting that he may be leaving Benfica at the end of the season – Metro

Everton have joined Liverpool in the transfer race for Anderlecht striker Dieumerci Mbokani – Metro

Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish has revealed that he has funds for a big signing, amid reports that the Scot has been told to tighten the belt of the club coffers – Mirror

The Three Lions need a new boss after Fabio Capello resigned as the country’s trainer over the stripping of John Terry‘s captaincy, and Bernstein has stated that all options will be explored.

“No, he will not definitely be English. There clearly is a preference for an Englishman,” the executive told Sky Sports.

“I have been asked this question consistently and the position hasn’t changed. There is a preference for an English person, or a British person. But, at the end, we want the best person.

“We aren’t prepared to rule out anything at this stage. Clearly, an English or British person would have a good start on the matter,” he admitted.

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp is favourite for the vacant role, but Bernstein refused to speak about specific individuals under consideration.

“I am not going to enter into discussions on individuals, but we will do it as sensibly as we can. It will be interesting to see who comes up, who comes to us and we will put a shortlist together.

“We are in very good shape in many ways, everything is in place and there is plenty of time for a new man to get in place and do what he needs to do, and I think we are in a much better place than what it might appear.

“I believe we will get the position put in place very soon,” he concluded.

It has also been confirmed that under-21 boss Stuart Pearce will assume the role on a caretaker basis until a new manager is appointed.

By Gareth McKnight

The Portuguese coach has come under scrutiny due to the fact that The Blues are not in the race for the Premier League title, but Villas Boas is eager to fulfil the club’s objectives this term.

“We have two competitions where we look better, and another competition where we have to dilute the damage and try to finish fourth, at least, which is not a very honourable position for the dimension of this club,” he stated in a press conference, which is documented by The Telegraph.

“I think when we set up with this team, we believed that the team was ready for four trophies.

“We had a transfer window open when we didn’t do any market activity, apart from Gary [Cahill].

“So we are confident on playing still to reach the objectives that we have for this season with this team, and then eventually move on to what is next year.

“The reality is that in the last years there was a pattern of managers shifting. In the end, you have to agree that from 2004 Chelsea has been massively successful. It has been the best period of Chelsea’s history.

“And hopefully we can progress that within the three-year range with me here,” he commented.

Chelsea face Everton on Saturday and will look to close the gap on London rivals Tottenham in the position above them.

By Gareth McKnight

The pair were apprehended by Northumbria Police, with damage to vehicles in Stowell Street in Newcastle’s China Town, which is a well known area for Newcastle fans to visit before the Tyneside club’s games.

The reported incident happened at 10pm on December 6th, two days after The Black Cats were beaten 2-1 by Wolves.

The maximum sentence for this offence according to The Daily Telegraph is three months imprisonment and a fine of £2,500, but a warning is more likely in this case.

Both players have not played a part in the club’s revival under Martin O’Neill due to injury.

Meanwhile, Bantams midfielder Jack Colback is looking forward to facing Arsenal on Saturday, as Sunderland and The Gunners will meet twice in quick succession; once in the Premier League and once in the FA Cup fifth round.

“It’s a good opportunity for us. They come up to our place twice and I am sure they will be fearing us as much as we fear them.

“It should be a good game, the one on Saturday, and hopefully we can keep on winning.

“We know what to expect from them. They pass it well and we like to do the same,” he stated.

By Gareth McKnight

The Wales international has scored nine goals since moving to Anfield from Manchester City in the summer, and Kuyt is full of admiration for Bellamy’s ability.

“Craig has been ­unbelievable. He looks even better now than he did the first time he was here – it’s not very often you can say that about someone who spends two spells at a club,” the Netherlands international told Mirror Football.

“Usually, the first time is better, but this time, with Craig in better shape, he knows exactly what he can do and he’s really professional in training every day, not just helping himself, but the whole of the squad.”

Bellamy was awarded the club’s Player of the Month award for January, for the second time in a row, but has stated that success for the team is more important.

“I’ve always had the view that a goal is a bonus for me. They don’t alter how I go about my game,” Bellamy said.

“The aim for me is to try and win and to try and play as big a part as I can in the game. And if I’m able to score or create one, it’s a bonus.

“If goals come, great, but winning games is more important for me.

“To win the player award two months on the run means ­something to me. Do I think I’ll get a third? No, so I’m going to milk it this month!” he admitted.

By Gareth McKnight

David Moyes swooped late in the January transfer window to bring in Nikica Jelavic from Rangers, Darron Gibson from Manchester United and Steven Pienaar on loan from Tottenham.

The England left back is happy the cash-strapped outfit could strengthen their ranks.

“I think [January's transfer dealings] lifted everyone associated with the club, it certainly did from what we see within the club, it gave everyone a boost,” Baines told the club’s official website.

“It was massive, in particular, what that 24 hours did for us with the two new lads coming in (on deadline day) and the win over Manchester City.

“We needed it and it does lift people. It is hard to articulate exactly why that is at times but to get the new bodies in really helped.

“It was a productive period for the club and we certainly feel as though we are on the up again,” he concluded.

Everton take on Chelsea on Saturday, and will look to build on a five-match unbeaten run.

By Gareth McKnight

The former France midfielder is now a football development executive at the Etihad Stadium outfit, and has complained about the standard of refereeing.

“It felt like that anything that City will do will be amplified and we get punished, compared to the other teams and the other players” Vieria stated to Mirror Football.

“I don’t want to think about it because I don’t want to say everyone is against City or anything like that.

“But when you look at the last few decisions, you are asking yourself if something is wrong here, if people don’t want us to win the league,” he continued.

Vieria was also quick to point out Frank Lampard‘s tackle on Adam Hammill and Peter Crouch’s eye gouging of Jonas Olsson both were punished not as severely as Vincent Kompany’s red card against Manchester United.

“Lampard’s tackle looked dangerous compared to Vincent’s. Crouch, when he put his finger in the eye of another player, looked bad as well.

“We try our best to win the league, we accept our punishment. But when you look what is happening to the other ones, that makes us as a football club really frustrated.

“It seems like if you have one referee you get one decision but if you have a different referee the decision may also be different.

“It’s difficult to understand some decisions compared to the decisions we had. I think this is what brings the confusion. The confusion is dangerous for our game.

“Players are saying that they don’t know what the rules mean and if they are likely to be sent off or not.

“Confusion is really dangerous, especially for the referee and the refereeing body. I believe that they’re making the referee’s job more and more difficult.

“A good referee is someone who referees with his personality and with common sense, to make the decision he thinks is right at the moment, not because he’s afraid of the consequences,” he concluded.

By Gareth McKnight

Rodgers put pen-to-paper on a new three and a half year deal on Thursday, and has admitted that his job with the Welsh team is just starting.

“I’m delighted to sign the new deal. I hope the club and supporters feel it is still a good fit for everyone,” he told The Guardian.

“I’ve been very pleased with my work over the last 19 months. I can only promise that over the next three and a half years I will continue to fight for the club and its people to help us become a sustainable Premier League club.

“I very much appreciate what Swansea as a city, a club and supporters have given me and my family over the last 19 months, so signing the new contract was one of the easiest decisions of my life,” he revealed.

Liberty Stadium chairman Huw Jenkins is over the moon to tie his coach down to an extended deal, and feels Rodgers has been instrumental in the side’s success over the last year and a half.

“It’s very good news. We are under no illusions about the fact that we have got one of the best young managers around working for our club. Brendan has shown what he is capable of over the last couple of seasons and what he has done for us has been very pleasing.

“He is fully behind and supports the philosophy of the club and how we want to work. His personality and immense qualities highlight the importance of finding the right person to work with us to take the club forward.

“He is very important to us and that’s not going to change, so it was very, very important to get the contract sorted out,” the executive concluded.

Rodgers has also been linked with a move to Tottenham if Harry Redknapp gets the England job, but the Swansea boss distanced himself from this, stating it as mere speculation.

By Gareth McKnight

The Red Devils go to Anfield two points behind cross-town rivals Manchester City and have recently overtaken the Merseyside club’s record for number of top flight titles.

Giggs expects a tricky fixture against Kenny Dalglish’s men, and keep United’s record over Liverpool.

“Liverpool are a club similar to us, with a massive history,” the Welsh veteran told Mirror Football.

“We’re the two most successful teams in the country, so we know we’ve got to perform and play well to get anything from any game against them.

“We know we’re in for a tough game. It’s the club we tried to catch for so long and now we’ve caught them the challenge is to stay ahead,” he stated.

United’s trip to Anfield is the latest in a tough run of fixtures, and Giggs realises that it is getting towards the time of year where the title will be decided.

We know it’s a tough run of games but these are the games you want to be playing in.

“We’re not quite at the make-or-break part of the season, but it’s an important time and we know that if we win these games then we’ll be in good shape going into the run-in,” he concluded.

By Gareth McKnight

The Italian coach stepped down from his role as national boss due to a disagreement with the FA over John Terry losing the country’s captaincy, and the Spurs tactician is the bookmakers favourite to lead The Three Lions to Euro 2012.

Despite this, Redknapp has prioritised his role at White Hart Lane over any media speculation regarding his future.

“I don’t know anything about the England job. I’ve not even thought about it,” he told Sky Sports.

“I’ve got a job to do; I’ve got a big game on Saturday with Tottenham. Tottenham is my focus.

“They’ve been fantastic to me, the Tottenham people. The fans last week at the Wigan game, it was incredible the reception they gave me.

“It wouldn’t be right to them to focus on anything else but Tottenham. My only interest is Tottenham Hotspur.

“They (the Football Association ) will make whatever decision they want to make and hopefully it will be the right decision for the country,” he stated adamantly.

Finally, The Daily Mail indicate that Tottenham will demand a £10 million fee should Redknapp leave White Hart Lane.

Spurs take on Newcastle at White Hart Lane on Saturday, as they look to hold on to their third placed standing in the Premier League table.

By Gareth McKnight