IT used to be that you could always rely on Chelsea to spice up those vacant weeks when the international programme lays a dead and frosty hand across football.

FORMER Northern Ireland international Keith Gillespie has been declared bankrupt, it was revealed yesterday.

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has every faith his second-string players will step up to the mark after being handed the responsibility of getting past Northampton in the third round of the Carling Cup tomorrow.

LIAM IRWIN knows that trying to emulate his father’s achievements in football is close to an impossible task.

Daniel Pacheco has become the latest Liverpool starlet to agree a new contract.

Liverpool are planning to offer new contracts to two of their most promising home-grown stars.

THE PEOPLE bidding to buy a divided Liverpool are themselves divided. Of course they are. How could it be otherwise in such crackpot times?

YOU have got to love the way football defies economic realities. The world’s most precariously indebted club is beginning to whisper the world ‘quintuple’ whilst the planet’s richest has just ensured its 33rd trophyless year.

Liverpool 2 Charlton 2

Rangers 2 Celtic 0

Whether they win or lose the FA Youth Cup at Old Trafford tonight, coach Paul McGuinness believes his Manchester United players will be better for the experience.

LIVERPOOL manager Rafael Benitez would love to produce a “team of Carraghers” from his youth set-up.

Watford 1 Manchester United 4

ALEX FERGUSON has confidently predicted Manchester United will book an FA Youth Cup Final meeting with north-west rivals Liverpool tonight.

Sir Alex Ferguson has reaffirmed his determination to keep Cristiano Ronaldo but the Manchester United manager has received mixed messages about the availability of Fernando Torres.

Manchester City 1 Fulham 2

TEENAGE prodigy Theo Walcott has the potential to be the next Wayne Rooney - according to the Southampton striker’s agent.

Thierry Henry has pleaded with teenage striker Theo Walcott to join Arsenal.

Aston Villa striker Luke Moore has set his sights on becoming an integral part of the team alongside Steve Davis and Liam Ridgewell.

Gilberto Silva returns from a potentially career-threatening back injury tomorrow, with Arsene Wenger hailing him as Arsenal’s Claude Makelele.

Manchester City have taken Icelandic international keeper Arni Gautur Arason on trial as they look to fill the void left by David Seaman’s shoulder injury.

Manchester United stalwart Nicky Butt has informed Alex Ferguson of his desire to leave the club after failing to command a regular first-team place at Old Trafford this season.

Manchester United are set to widen their global reach by announcing a new partnership with Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon.

PATRICK VIEIRA has had to accept that the eighth sending off in his Arsenal career in Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea will not be overturned by referee Andy D’Urso.