Neil Lennon is battling against expectation and assumption ahead of Celtic’s Champions League play-off game against Helsingborgs at Parkhead tonight.

Former Celtic and Manchester United star Henrik Larsson would consider a return to the Barclays Premier League amid reports he is a target for injury-ravaged Everton.

CELTIC manager Gordon Strachan has all but ended his quest for new players before the transfer window closes, thus quashing speculation Hoops legend Henrik Larsson could return to Parkhead.

Wigan have confirmed that Sweden international Andreas Granqvist has joined Dutch club Groningen.

Wigan striker Emile Heskey has been given the all-clear to play in Sunday’s Premier League relegation battle with Bolton at the JJB Stadium.

MARTIN O’NEILL is hopeful Aston Villa defender Martin Laursen will finally agree to sign a new contract this week.

TOTTENHAM manager Juande Ramos has been given a favourable draw in his quest for a third successive UEFA Cup triumph.

Tottenham and Bolton will be among the second seeds in today’s draw for the group stage of the UEFA Cup but Everton are in the group of third seeds.

Paul Doolin is hoping Drogheda United can make up for last season’s UEFA Cup agony by advancing at the expense of Henrik Larsson’s Helsingborgs at the Olympia Stadium tomorrow night.

Drogheda manager Paul Doolin was thrilled with his team’s UEFA Cup fightback against Helsingborgs and believes they can progress after a 1-1 first-leg draw.

A SECOND-HALF equaliser from top scorer Eamon Zayed rescued Drogheda United after Henrik Larsson’s goal had put Helsingborgs in the driving seat in this UEFA Cup second qualifying round first leg.

Drogheda United 1 Helsingborgs IF 1

Drogheda United face Helsingborgs this evening in the first leg of their UEFA Cup second qualifying round tie.

CLUB secretary Bryce Morrison admits Liverpool are heading into unknown territory after the Reds were paired with Toulouse in the Champions League third qualifying round.

Drogheda will face Helsingborgs in the UEFA Cup second qualifying round.

CORK CITY’S Joe Gamble is a serious doubt for this evening’s Intertoto Cup second round meeting with Hammarby at Turner’s Cross (kick off 7.30pm).

Rafael Benitez believes he is on the brink of the major signings, including Fernando Torres, that he needs to boost Liverpool’s squad ahead of the new Barclays Premier League season.

Wigan manager Paul Jewell's relegation fears could increase if a centre-half crisis fails to ease ahead of the weekend.

Wigan manager Paul Jewell’s relegation fears could increase if a centre-half crisis fails to ease ahead of the weekend.

Henrik Larsson has revealed he planned to retire from the game when he left Celtic – before Barcelona stepped in to sign him.

Henrik Larsson has ruled out staying at Manchester United beyond the current loan spell which ends next month.

Sheffield United captain Chris Morgan returns from a four-match ban for tomorrow’s Barclays Premiership match with Blackburn at Ewood Park.

Manchester United chief executive David Gill insists it remains “extremely unlikely” that Henrik Larsson’s loan move to Old Trafford will ever be extended to become a permanent deal.

Wigan are to sign Sweden defender Andreas Granqvist on a loan deal to the end of the season.

Henrik Larsson has admitted he could not turn down the chance to join Manchester United.

Former Sweden striker Henrik Larsson has trained with Manchester United for the first time.

Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock has warned fans he will not be spending silly money in next month’s transfer window.

Neil Warnock and his Sheffield United staff have spent the week watching January transfer targets across Europe.

Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill has hinted he may have to wait until next summer before undertaking a major spending spree in the transfer market as he played down speculation linking him with a move for striker Henrik Larsson.

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan is considering offering a contract to France defender Philippe Christanval.

UEFA Cup 2nd rd draw, Nyon:

Inter Milan, Parma and Roma were all dumped out of the Uefa Cup on a night to forget for Italian clubs in Europe.