Wigan v Liverpool

Venue: JJB Stadium Date: Wednesday, 28 January Kick-off: 1945 GMT
Coverage: Full commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live, text commentary on BBC Sport website & highlights on Match of the Day (on Wednesday)

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Mido will make his Wigan debut and Hugo Rodallega could be on the bench if international clearance arrives.

New signing Ben Watson (calf) misses out, while Antonio Valencia (hamstring) and Chris Kirkland (back) are doubts.

Liverpool striker Robbie Keane will return to the squad after being dropped for Sunday's FA Cup clash with Everton.

Keane's absence had prompted speculation about his Anfield future, but Liverpool have no injury worries ahead of the trip to Wigan.

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Wigan manager Steve Bruce:
"Liverpool are very strong defensively and, with Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres, they have exceptional players.

"It will be interesting to see if they can last the pace with Manchester but they are making a right good fist of it.

"But when Liverpool come to town it is always a great occasion against one of the giants of the game and we are looking forward to it."

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez:
"People are talking too much about Keane. It was just one decision about one player, he wasn't in the squad.

Benitez tight-lipped on Keane rumours

"He had a day off on Sunday like the rest of the players who were not involved in the game. He trained on Monday, he trained today and he will be in the squad at Wigan.

"It is nothing to do with whether he talked to me about the situation. Every player has trained very hard this week, as has Robbie, and he will be in the squad.

"He will be in the squad and if he can score goals then I will be happy."

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Wigan (from): Kirkland, Melchiot, Scharner, Figueroa, Valencia, Cattermole, Taylor, Camara, Kapo, De Ridder, Zaki, Mido, Kingson, Pollitt, Edman, Brown, Boyce, Rodallega.

Liverpool (from): Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Skrtel, Aurelio, Dossena, Hyypia, Agger, Babel, Benayoun, Gerrard, Mascherano, Alonso, Kuyt, Torres, Keane, Riera, Lucas, Ngog, Cavalieri


From BBC.co.uk/Sport

Gossip from BBC site for Wednesday 28th Jan 2009

Ex-Arsenal keeper Jens Lehmann, who is currently at Stuttgart, is ready for a Premier League return. (The Sun)

Newcastle and Aston Villa are battling to sign Charlton's teenage midfielder Josh Wright. (The Sun)

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson sent his brother to run a personal check on Rangers teenage striker John Fleck. (The Sun)

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp admits his club's bid for Brazilian striker Fred is doomed. He was supposed to meet the Spurs boss before that match against Stoke. (The Sun)

Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce has warned Roque Santa Cruz's suitors Manchester City that he has been unable to find a replacement for the striker. (The Sun)

Aston Villa want to sign Newcastle striker Michael Owen on a free (Mirror)

West Ham have made a £4m bid for Spartak Moscow midfielder Radoslav Kovac. (Daily Mirror)

Fulham boss Roy Hodgson wants to bring in Watford midfielder Lee Williamson. (Daily Mirror)

Chelsea striker Claudio Pizarro wants to turn his loan deal at Werder Bremen into a permanent one. (Daily Mirror)

Tottenham have offered midfielder Aaron Lennon or Jermaine Jenas plus cash for Liverpool striker Robbie Keane. (The Independent)

Manchester City may have to pay Newcastle £8m to prize away goalkeeper Shay Given. (The Independent)

Portsmouth manager Tony Adams is lining up £1m-rated Stoke midfielder Amdy Faye. (Daily Mail)

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp will decide whether to give midfielder Stephen Appiah a deal when he watches him play for the reserves. (Daily Mail)

Wigan are expecting a fresh bid from Real Madrid for winger Antonio Valencia. (Daily Mail)

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OTHER FOOTBALL GOSSIP

Wigan manager Steve Bruce claims Manchester City's "disgusting behaviour" cost him midfielder Wilson Palacios.

Bruce was on the verge of persuading the £14m Spurs new boy to sign a new deal when City entered the frame.

Bruce claims there was a "gentlemen's agreement" struck which meant Spurs would get Palacios and City could have a clear run at Craig Bellamy. (The Sun)

Brazil legend Zico believes AC Milan forward Kaka was right to snub Manchester City because he would "lose his ambition". (The Sun)

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger believes Everton can win the Premier League this season. (The Sun)

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AND FINALLY

Manchester City new boy Craig Bellamy said if he wrote a book one day it would be called "Don't Google Me!".

His fear is that a list of misdemeanours and bust-ups would spring up on the screen and hide the fact he is also a focused player. (The Sun)

Robinho held over 'sex assault'

Manchester City forward Robinho has been arrested by police investigating an allegation of sexual assault.

The Brazilian international, 24, met police as part of a "criminal investigation" into the alleged attack at a nightclub in Leeds.

Robinho "strenuously denied any allegation of wrongdoing" and had been released on bail, his spokesman said.

West Yorkshire Police said a man had been arrested on Tuesday in connection with an alleged incident on 14 January.

Robinho's spokesman, Chris Nathaniel, said: "[Robinho] strenuously denies any allegation of wrongdoing or criminality and is happy to co-operate with the police if further required."

Robinho, whose full name is Robson de Souza, joined Manchester City from Spanish giants Real Madrid in September for £32.5 million, making him Britain's most expensive player

Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks will try to end club's civil war

Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks will arrive at Anfield this week in a bid to bring an end to the civil war that is tearing the club apart.

The Texas-based multi-millionaire will tellboss Rafa Benitez that he has no intention of giving up his 50percent share of the Merseysiders. And he will then look to give Benitez assurances to bring an end to the contract standoff that has put his Liverpool future in serious doubt.

A source close to Hicks said: "Tom's commitment to Liverpool remains unchanged.

Reports that he wants to sell his stake in the club are inaccurate.

"When he comes to England, the first thing he will do is tell Rafa Benitez this.

"Then he will ask Rafa what the reasons are behind his decision not to sign his new contract. Tom will look to resolve these issues so that Rafa's future can be secured and they can plan for the rest of the season and the future."

Sunday Mirror Sport understands that fellow owner George Gillett is willing to sell his stake in the club - but any buyer must be prepared to work alongside Hicks.

Both owners will arrive on Merseyside ahead of the game with Chelsea next week. Hicks is then expected to renew his efforts to remove Rick Parry from his role as chief executive.

Gossip or Tuesday 27th Jan 2009

Tottenham are interested in bringing Liverpool striker Robbie Keane back to White Hart Lane but Manchester City also want the Republic of Ireland star. (Various)

Arsenal insist they are no closer to signing playmaker Andrei Arshavin, dsepite his club Zenit St Petersburg claiming a deal is almost done. (Daily Star)

AC Milan are keen to keep on-loan Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder David Beckham beyond his three-month deal. (Various)

Portsmouth are set to sign Real Madrid striker Javier Saviola on loan. (Daily Star)

And Pompey boss Tony Adams is also hoping to sign AC Milan's Brazilian midfielder Emerson. (Daily Mirror)

Juventus want Chelsea winger Florent Malouda, while goalkeeper Marco Storarin could move in the opposite direction. (Daily Mirror)

Wigan have been told by Cardiff it will cost them £6m if they want to sign midfielder Joe Ledley. (Daily Mirror)

Blackburn are interested in Valencia's 6ft 8in striker Nikola Zigiz, who is currently on loan at Racing Santander. (Daily Mirror)

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Fixtures for the next 2 Game Days

Tuesday, 27 January 2009

Portsmouth v Aston Villa, 20:00

Sunderland v Fulham, 19:45

Tottenham v Stoke, 20:00

West Brom v Man Utd, 19:45

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Wednesday, 28 January 2009

Blackburn v Bolton, 20:00

Chelsea v Middlesbrough, 19:45

Everton v Arsenal, 20:00

Man City v Newcastle, 19:45

West Ham v Hull, 20:00

Wigan v Liverpool, 19:45

Premier Legaue Table

Barclays Premier League Table 19 January 2009 21:59

		P	GD	PTS
1	Man Utd	21	24	47
2	Liverpool	22	22	47
3	Chelsea	22	29	45
4	Aston Villa	22	13	44
5	Arsenal	22	13	41
6	Everton	22	4	36
7	Wigan	22	2	31
8	West Ham	22	-2	29
9	Hull	22	-13	27
10	Fulham	20	2	26
11	Man City	21	9	25
12	Portsmouth	21	-12	24
13	Bolton	22	-8	23
14	Newcastle	22	-9	23
15	Sunderland	22	-9	23
16	Tottenham	22	-6	21
17	Blackburn	21	-11	21
18	Middlesbrough	22	-15	21
19	Stoke	22	-16	21
20	West Brom	22	-17	21

Full Premier League table

Agger - No contract offer

Liverpool defender Daniel Agger has admitted that he fears for his Anfield future after talks over a new contract have stalled.

The Denmark international first held meetings with Liverpool over a new deal 12 weeks ago but confessed that he has not heard anything back from the club.

The news is even more surprising given the fact that the 24-year-old stated that Liverpool wanted to resolve the matter quickly.

The former Brondby ace recently rubbished rumours linking him with a switch to AC Milan but reports may resurface if a contract fails to materialise.

Agger has been restricted to just nine Premier League outings due to injury this term and missed the 1-1 FA Cup draw with Everton on Sunday with a calf strain.

"The ball is with Liverpool," Agger told Ekstra Bladet over his contract dispute.

"I haven't heard a sound from the club since the beginning of November.

"There is no reason to set the expectations too high. To be honest, I have no idea if they want to sign a new deal."

Harry hails 'fantastic' Keane

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp admits he would be a 'liar' if he said he would not like to see Robbie Keane return to White Hart Lane.

The £20million Liverpool striker has flopped at Anfield since swapping North London for Merseyside in the summer and rumour is rife that he could be sold in January.

Keane was left out of Rafa Benitez's squad for Sunday's FA Cup draw with Everton, increasing speculation that the Reds boss is ready to cut his loses.

The Republic of Ireland international has been strongly linked with a move back to Tottenham, who are also chasing Sunderland's Kenwyne Jones, and Spurs boss Redknapp admits he would be interested if Keane was for sale.

"I wouldn't sit here and say I wouldn't like to have Robbie Keane at my football club, I'd be a liar, but he belongs to Liverpool so it is not an option unfortunately," Redknapp said.

"As a player and a person I have a lot of time for Robbie Keane. I think he's fantastic."

Spurs capture Cudicini

Tottenham have signed Carlo Cudicini on a free transfer from London rivals Chelsea.

Cudcini arrived at Tottenham's training ground on Monday and he has quickly agreed a move to White Hart Lane.

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp admitted earlier this month he was keen on bringing in a new goalkeeper after allowing Cesar Sanchez to join Valencia and he has turned to Cudicini.

Cudicini has seen his first-team opportunities at Stamford Bridge limited since the arrival of Petr Cech in 2004 and he has now decided to move on.

Chelsea have granted the long-serving goalkeeper a free transfer as his existing contract was due to expire in the summer.

"Chelsea can confirm Carlo Cudicini has today (Monday) signed for Tottenham Hotspur on a free transfer," said a statement on Chelsea's official website.

"The club would like to take this opportunity to thank Carlo for his years of service and wish him well."

Cudicini is expected to challenge Heurelho Gomes for the No.1 shirt at Tottenham and he is expected to go straight into the squad for the midweek game with Stoke.

GERRARD: SAME AGAIN AND WE'RE THROUGH

Steven Gerrard admits Liverpool could do without their FA Cup replay with Everton - but the skipper is sure the club's march to Wembley will continue if they match Sunday's performance. The Reds enjoyed 70 per cent of possession against their neighbours but couldn't add to Gerrard's second-half leveller, meaning the game ended 1-1. The tie will now be settled at Goodison Park on Wednesday, February 4 - just three days after Liverpool's crucial Premier League clash with Chelsea. "If we go and play like Sunday, we'll beat them," said the skipper, who now has 15 goals this season. "They were worth a point in the league game but we dominated them second time around. "It's natural to be disappointed after that because we had the chances. We will just have to be a bit more clinical in front of goal and watch the set-pieces. "I think we completely dominated the game - their goal was frustrating because we had worked on that. "Both sides could do without the replay. We have just got to put in the same work-rate at Goodison and if we do we will beat them. "I'm sure we can go there and win, we've done it before and we can do it again." On his own performance after a difficult week, Gerrard added: "I'm focused on my football, whatever else is going on. It's not about me, it's about the team. I might have scored but I'd rather be here without a goal, knowing we were in the next round. "I'm happy with my performances. I'm a footballer, I'm focused on my football and will continue to show that."