SVEN-Goran Eriksson warned that Premiership clubs will continue to undermine their own chances of winning the Champions League until they reduce the fixture congestion that has robbed him of eight England players.

BIRMINGHAM have signed former England striker Chris Sutton from Celtic after making an unsuccessful attempt to sign his old Parkhead team-mate Henrik Larsson from Barcelona last week.

LIVERPOOL manager Gerard Houllier believes his side can now consolidate fourth place in the Barclaycard Premiership – and insists the fans cannot complain at how the points are earned.

WEST BROM boss Gary Megson is under no illusions about the size of his side’s task as they bid to reach the Carling Cup semi-finals tonight.

LEEDS striker Alan Smith will be hoping the season of goodwill is still in effect when he faces a Football Association disciplinary hearing today.

ALEX FERGUSON has revived an old partnership with Walter Smith and hopes to revive Manchester United's title chase by yesterday appointing the former Rangers and Everton boss as his assistant until the end of the season.

ALEX FERGUSON is convinced Ruud van Nistelrooy is the man who will ensure Manchester United complete 'the biggest task' of his 18 years at Old Trafford tonight.

MANCHESTER UNITED chief executive David Gill insists the club’s new owners are prepared to invest in the team to further the Red Devils’ quest for success.

MARCUS TREGONING sent out the winner of the Letheby & Christopher Predominate Stakes for the second year running yesterday as Manyana improved considerably for the application of a tongue strap.

LEEDS striker Alan Smith has urged his team-mates not to let their standards drop, ahead of a four-game acid test for the troubled Elland Road club.

THE English Football Association yesterday indicated their willingness to work alongside the police in serious cases, although they stressed these are extremely isolated.

MIDDLESBROUGH manager Steve McClaren has all but admitted defeat in his bid to sign Manchester United midfielder Nicky Butt.

IT’S official. Roy Keane wants to put everyone in the shade — for a very good cause!

LEE HENDRIE will return to action for Aston Villa on St Stephen’s Day at Chelsea with a “stop mouthing off” message from David O’Leary ringing in his ears.

DAVID DUNN reckons Manchester United are football’s equivalent to snooker’s Steve Davis — so good that everyone wants them to lose.

RANGERS have rejected a bid from Newcastle for central defender Jean-Alain Boumsong but that is unlikely to deter manager Graeme Souness.

EUROPE’S leading clubs are threatening to refuse to release players for long-distance international friendlies as the ill feeling over Brazil’s friendly in China next week intensifies.

JOHN TERRY admitted Chelsea had fallen short of the raised expectations at Stamford Bridge as he conceded that failing to win a trophy was now simply “not good enough“.

KEITH GILLESPIE is facing a critical phase in his career, according to Northern Ireland manager Lawrie Sanchez.