Tuesday's round up of the top transfer rumours

- Italian sites are claiming Manchester United’s interest in Juventus star Claudio Marchisio will be revived this summer.



- Liverpool face a battle with Inter Milan to clinch the signing of Barcelona defender Martin Montoya, according to talkSPORT.



- Liverpool look set to sign Reading defender Alex Pearce.



- Roman Abramovich could strip John Terry of the Chelsea captaincy and replace him with David Luiz, according to DailyMail.



- Andre Villas-Boas wants Danny Rose to snub a potential move to Sunderland and return to Tottenham next season.



- Arsenal will have to switch their attentions elsewhere after Napoli midfielder Gokhan Inler revealed he has no intentions of leaving the Italian club.



- Everton have been put on red alert after the agent of Fiorentina midfielder Adem Ljajic revealed they are no closer to agreeing a new contract with the club.



- West Ham defender Winston Reid has signed a new contract that will keep him at Upton Park until 2015 - as revealed by Sportsmail in January.



- Borussia Dortmund have opened contract renewal talks with Ilkay Gundogan to ward off interest from Manchester United.



- Stephan El Shaarawy shrugged off interest from Manchester City today. “I’d like to stay at Milan for life.”



- English media claim Lazio are close to signing Anderlecht midfielder Lucas Biglia, beating Inter and Liverpool.



- Juventus midfielder Andrea Pirlo claims he came close to joining Chelsea and Real Madrid during his days at AC Milan.



- On loan Atalanta midfielder Luca Cigarini has revealed that he is happy at the club and doesn't want to return to Napoli.



- The agent of Francesco Bardi has admitted that he does not know if his client will return to Inter at the end of the season.



- Udinese sporting director Fabrizio Larini has insisted that Luis Muriel will not leave the club over the summer.



- Zinedine Zidane believes Europe's major clubs will not be deterred by the £60million price tag hanging over Tottenham's star player Gareth Bale.



- Djibril Cisse is eyeing a move back to Marseille after admitting playing in the Championship with QPR appears "complicated".



- Kevin De Bruyne may have scuppered Chelsea's chances of signing Bayer Leverkusen striker Andre Schurrle after the midfielder's agent told Voetbal International that his future at Stamford Bridge will depend on who succeeds Rafael Benitez as manager this summer.



Bayer are believed to be wanting De Bruyne as part of any deal for Schurrle.



- Thiago Silva, who continues to be linked with a move to Barcelona, has told Le 10 Sport that he is happy at Paris Saint-Germain.



- Raphael Varane, who has reportedly emerged as a summer transfer target for Manchester United, has a whopping €200million buy-out clause in his contract with Real Madrid, according to L'Equipe.



- Nicolas Gaitan is ready to move away from Benfica according to his agent as he suggested that he would love to play in England.



- Freiburg have insisted that starlet Matthias Ginter will not be leaving the club this summer.



- Copenhagen striker Andreas Cornelius is pleased to be attracting interest, with scouts flocking to watch him in action.



- Paris Saint-Germain have reportedly joined the race to sign Simone Zaza, beating Juventus, Milan and Napoli’s bids.



- Lens midfielder Samba Sow says he is flattered to be linked with a move to Middlesbrough.



- Goalkeeper Stephan Andersen has revealed that he will be leaving Ligue 1 strugglers Evian Thonon Gaillard at the end of the season.



- Sao Paulo are still keen to reach a permanent agreement with Arsenal for Denilson, but are planning to bide their time.



- Blackpool have already kickstarted negotiations with Ludovic Sylvestre over a new deal.



- Plymouth have offered contracts to seven first-team players, including player of the year Onismor Bhasera and captain Conor Hourinhane.



- Accrington manager Leam Richardson has left the club to become Paul Cook's assistant at npower League Two counterparts Chesterfield.



- Jamie Reed is among nine York City players to have been released by the League Two club.



- Bilel Mohsni is among five Southend players to have been shown the door by Shrimpers manager Phil Brown.



- Exeter boss Paul Tisdale has confirmed that four of his squad will definitely depart St James' Park this summer.



- Oldham winger Lee Croft admits he is open to the prospect of an extended stay at the League One outfit.



- Graham Stack wants to stay at Barnet and help them back into the Football League following their relegation this season.



- Preston North End are poised to offer German goalkeeper Thorsten Stuckmann a new contract.



- Scott Cuthbert has signed a new deal with Leyton Orient, but Lee Cook and Martin Rowlands are among those to be released.



- Walsall have offered professional contracts to youngsters Jake Heath, Danny Griffiths and Danny Roberts.



- Rotherham are set to sign Bury's Joe Skarz when his contract at Gigg Lane comes to an end.

Zanetti surgery a success

Inter Milan captain Javier Zanetti has undergone successful surgery on his Achilles tendon and is expected to be out for around six months.



The 39-year-old Argentinian ruptured his left Achilles during his side's 1-0 Serie A defeat at Palermo and went under the knife at Pavia's Policlinico San Matteo on Tuesday afternoon.



Professor Franco Benazzo, who performed the operation, told Inter's official website: "The operation was a complete success.



"How long will it take him to recover? He'll have his foot in a cast for the next three weeks and won't be able to walk on it, then he will start to walk in phase two of his physiotherapy.



"As ever in cases like these we're looking at six months out of action."



Benazzo added: "Is there a chance he might lose a bit of fitness after an operation like this? In general terms no, but locally the muscle mass will decrease slightly during the time his foot's immobile.



"But the Inter medical staff have shown over the years that they can get players fit who have suffered from more serious injuries than a snapped Achilles."

Dortmund holds on to reach UCL final

Borussia Dortmund are through to the UEFA Champions League final after securing a 4-3 aggregate win over Real Madrid.



Following their stunning 4-1 success in Germany a week ago, the visitors were stubborn throughout, with Madrid only able to breach their backline in the final 10 minutes through Karim Benzema and Sergio Ramos.



Jose Mourinho made two changes from the first leg, bringing in Michael Essien and Angel di Maria for Pepe and Sami Khedira, while Dortmund went with the same XI that had won so convincingly at the Westfalenstadion.



The hosts exploded into the game and could have taken the lead as early as the fourth minute. Luka Modric robbed Marcel Schmelzer and touched the ball to Mesut Ozil, who found Gonzalo Higuain first time in the box, but Roman Weidenfeller rushed out to smother the Argentine.



Ronaldo then blasted an effort over and hit a swivelling volley at Weidenfeller, either side of an opening for Robert Lewandowski, before Dortmund were handed an early blow as Mario Gotze was forced off with a hamstring strain and replaced by Kevin Grosskreutz.



Madrid were swarming forward and wasted yet another gilt-edged chance as Higuain's flick sent Ozil through on goal but, with Ronaldo waiting square for a tap-in, the German screwed his effort wide at the near post.



In the build-up to Tuesday's game Mourinho had lamented Real's soft approach to handling Lewandowski in the first leg, but his side went about roughing up the Pole where they could at the start of the second. Fabio Coentrao was the first to go into Howard Webb's notepad for a crunching challenge on the striker, while he was also caught by a stray Sergio Ramos elbow in an aerial challenge.



The visitors smelt blood and went after an early goal in the second half. Lewandowski blazed over after good work from Jakub Blaszczykowski on the left and had an even better chance just a minute later as Reus slipped him through on goal, but the number nine rattled the crossbar from eight yards.



Dortmund kept the pressure on and Madrid had Diego Lopez to thank as he thwarted Ilkay Gundogan from point-blank range after Marco Reus and Grosskreutz's one-two had left Raphael Varane for dead.



Madrid were struggling, with Mats Hummels and Neven Subotic proving nigh-on impossible to breach despite wave after wave of attack.



Indeed it was Dortmund who continued to make the better of the chances and they should have killed the tie off for good with 15 minutes to play. Reus danced into the box and, with a sight of goal, squared for Lewandowski, but Varane threw himself in front of the Pole's effort to preserve the stalemate on the night.



But the home fans were given cause for hope in the 83rd minute as Khedira played Ozil in down the left flank and crossed for Benzema, who finished high into the net.



With two minutes left on the clock, Madrid had another. Benzema did magnificently to control a high ball on the bye-line and cut back to Ramos, who thumped the ball past Weidenfeller, but it was not enough for the hosts and Dortmund will go on to face Barcelona or Bayern Munich, who are 4-0 up from the first leg, at Wembley in May.

Sunderland appeal red card

Sunderland have launched an appeal against midfielder Stephane Sessegnon's sending off in his side's 6-1 loss at Aston Villa, the English Football Association announced on Tuesday.



The 28-year-old Benin international was shown a straight red card after catching Villa midfielder Yacoub Sylla with a late challenge during the second half of the Premier League game at Villa Park on Monday.



He will have his case heard by an independent regulatory commission on Wednesday.



Speaking after the game, Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio criticised referee Lee Probert's decision to send Sessegnon off.

"There was nothing in it," Di Canio said. "The leg was not straight. He didn't want to cause any damage to his opponent. The referee fell in a trap. It wasn't a nasty action."

Sunderland's defeat left them level on 37 points with Villa and Newcastle United, five points above the relegation zone with three matches to play this season.

Julio Cesar to remain in Europe

Julio Cesar's future has yet to be decided but a return to Brazil is not in the offing, according to the Queens Park Rangers goalkeeper's agent.



Cesar, 33, signed for QPR from Inter Milan last summer and has since made 24 Premier League appearances for the club, impressing despite his side's struggles this season.



With QPR's relegation to the Championship confirmed last Sunday, speculation has begun over the futures of their star players, including Cesar.



"Everything said on the player's future is absolutely premature, there is still nothing concrete," his agent, Josias Cardoso, told Calciomercato.



"Julio wants a team that proves it has a focus on him, but anyone interested in him will have to talk first with QPR, because the contract with the London club expires in 2016.



"In two weeks I should come to Europe to talk with Julio - but back to Brazil? I don't think so. If QPR were to decide to sell Julio Cesar, I still see a European future for him."

Strands of Bronze and Gold

  I haven't heard of the Bluebeard fairy tale until I ran across the name when I read the best-selling graphic novel series, Fables by Bill Willingham. From the context in which he appeared and after doing a little bit of research, I couldn't believe I'd never heard of it before. Jane Nickerson's debut novel, Strands of Bronze and Gold revisits the Bluebeard story and sets it against the backdrop of Pre-Civil War Mississippi. Please note that this review is based on the advanced reader's copy provided by the publisher through Netgalley (Thank you!)

Description (from the Publisher): When seventeen-year-old Sophia Petheram’s beloved father dies, she receives an unexpected letter. An invitation—on fine ivory paper, in bold black handwriting—from the mysterious Monsieur Bernard de Cressac, her godfather. With no money and fewer options, Sophie accepts, leaving her humble childhood home for the astonishingly lavish Wyndriven Abbey, in the heart of Mississippi.
   Sophie has always longed for a comfortable life, and she finds herself both attracted to and shocked by the charm and easy manners of her overgenerous guardian. But as she begins to piece together the mystery of his past, it’s as if, thread by thread, a silken net is tightening around her. And as she gathers stories and catches whispers of his former wives—all with hair as red as her own—in the forgotten corners of the abbey, Sophie knows she’s trapped in the passion and danger of de Cressac’s intoxicating world.

Review: Strands of Bronze and Gold is a Gothic retelling of the Bluebeard fairy tale set in Pre-Civil Mississippi. When Sophia’s father dies, she is sent from Boston to Wyndriven Abbey, the Mississippi plantation of her godfather, Monsieur Bernard de Cressac. At first Sophia is caught up with her new luxurious lifestyle- beautiful gowns, jewelry, and extravagant dinners all made simply for her. Slowly, she finds herself being attracted to Bernard as he makes her the center of his world. Soon Bernard's attention becomes claustrophobic as he refuses to let her go outside the mansion. She becomes more and more suspicious of the plantation slaves’ living and working conditions, the vine-shrouded outbuildings she is not allowed to explore, and the various treasures belonging to Bernard’s former wives, all dead, that she finds in the attic. She even feels like there are ghosts following her and trying to deliver a message which she can't unravel until it is too late. In spite of her uneasy attraction to Bernard’s increasingly romantic intentions, Sophia finds herself falling for Gideon Stone, the local minister who also has the quiet reputation among the slaves of assisting in escapes to the North and who is much more aware about Bernard's sinister background.
  Strands of Bronze and Gold is a decent read that has some strengths and weaknesses, however some of the weaknesses are hard to ignore. Nickerson does a good job in slowly building up the suspense and uneasiness surrounding Sophie. Though we can forgive her of being so swept up when she first attends Wyndriven Abbey, it really takes our heroine quite some time to figure out that there is something truly disturbing about her godfather Bernard. As our protagonist, Sophia isn't all that remarkable. Similarly, Bernard doesn't stray very far from the Bluebeard caricature. Nickerson definitely captured his wild mood swings and his lecherous looks made me shudder, but there is really no explanation of why he is a psychotic killer. I would have liked a bit more exploration with his character as well as more time spent with Sophia learning about Bernard's previous wives. Sophia's discovery along with meeting a new and dull love interest, Reverend Stone, happen all too quickly and conveniently.
  Despite all these flaws, I was truly disappointed on how the topic of slavery was addressed in the book. I can see how the author tried to draw parallels between Sophia's caged life to those of Bernard's slaves, but it didn't quite make it there. It touched the surface just like how it touched the surface about the fairy tale's theme of the fatal effects of feminine curiosity.
  Strands of Bronze and Gold is a book that is an entertaining read as long as you don't really think too much about it. Readers interested in fairy tales, a historical setting, and mystery would enjoy the book.

Rating: 3.5 stars

Words of Caution: There is some language, sexual innuendo, allusions to domestic abuse and rape, and disturbing images. Recommended for Grades 8 and up.

If you like this book try: Bluebeard's Egg by Margaret Atwood, The Rose and The Beast: Fairy Tales Retold by Francesca Lia Block

Fernandes fumes at QPR flops

Tony Fernandes has launched a scathing attack on QPR players who have taken his money but have failed to keep the club in the Premier League.



QPR's relegation was confirmed on Sunday when they drew 0-0 with Reading, who will join them in the Championship next season.



Despite ploughing millions in to the club to fund the signings of Ji-sung Park, Jose Bosingwa and Chris Samba among others, neither Harry Redknapp nor Mark Hughes could get enough out of a squad that was expected to be challenging for a top-half position this season.



Fernandes, who confirmed on Monday that Redknapp would stay on as manager for the Championship campaign ahead, has bit his tongue all year about the team's poor performances, but let rip at the players who he thinks have let the club down badly.



Bosingwa received the brunt of criticism from fans for smiling and laughing following the final whistle at the Madejski Stadium despite his team's relegation.



"It was probably the low point for me when I saw the reaction of some of the players," Fernandes continued. "It has shocked me because it is something that is alien to me.



"Whatever I have done as a job, for whoever has hired me, I put in 150 per-cent. It's in my character. If I am taking someone else's money, then I am going to work bloody hard for that person.



"It's an alien concept to me that someone takes someone's salary, doesn't put 100 per cent in, thinks: 'Oh, we lost. No big deal. What club are we going to tonight?' That is an alien concept to me.



"It wasn't right to say anything during the season, but I noticed everything and I am a little bit wiser for it now."



He added: "It's heartbreaking for me when we lose. I don't want to go out, I just want to stay at home.



"And I am someone who has dealt with success and dealt with disappointment. But there is nothing I have gone through that is as disappointing as losing a football game.



"I haven't said it throughout the season because it wasn't right to be said, but it hurt me when I saw some of the players who didn't feel the way I felt. And in fact, in their case, it should be worse because this is their job, it's their life. It wasn't a good feeling."

The top stories from papers and websites - 30 April 2013

• Manchester City are preparing to offload up to 12 players this summer as part of an extensive overhaul of the squad.


• Alan Pardew has been backed to revive the fortunes of Newcastle after speaking with owner Mike Ashley.

• Manchester United will have to battle PSG for Cristiano Ronaldo.


• Henning Berg's spell in charge of Blackburn cost the club £40,000 per day after the Norweigian won a £2.25m compensation claim.


• Harry Redknapp is staying with QPR after winning his budget battle with owner Tony Fernandes.


• Carlos Tevez would 'die' to return to Boca Juniors but fears Manchester City would price him out of the move.


• Dave Jones has launched a legal battle against former club Cardiff and claims he is owed nearly £540,000.


• Arsenal want Southampton midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin to replace the injury-prone Abou Diaby.


• Liverpool have edged closer to signing defender Alex Pearce, who has rejected a new contract with relegated Reading.


• West Ham are tracking Everton's Nikica Jelavic.


• John Sheridan is to get a new deal as Plymouth boss.

• Manchester City owner Sheikh Mansour is close to sealing a $100m deal to establish a new MLS team in New York.


• Galatasaray are after Manchester City left-back Gael Clichy while they are also planning a £12m bid for Bayern Munich's Arjen Robben.


• Toronto FC and Vancouver Whitecaps are tracking Jermaine Pennant.


• Liverpool are stepping up interest in Sporting Lisbon defender Tiago Ilori.


• Cardiff are ready to make another bid to sign Matt Phillips from Blackpool this summer for £3m.

• Angry Tony Fernandes has blasted QPR's wage-thieves who have ripped the heart out of the club.


• West Ham are eyeing Nikica Jelavic as a cut-price alternative to Andy Carroll.


• Tottenham are ready to splash out £6.5m for Blackpool's Thomas Ince as they start planning for next season.


• Derby want to snatch striker James Vaughan from under the noses of Huddersfield.


• Arsenal are watching teenage striker Thierry Anang, seen as the rising star of Cameroon football.


• Carlos Tevez admits he has been priced out of a dream move to Boca Juniors.

• Blackburn have been ordered to pay £2.25m in compensation to former boss Henning Berg.


• Owner Anton Zingarevich says Reading are financially strong enough to cope with their relgation to the Championship.

• Roman Abramovich wants to dump John Terry as Chelsea captain and replace him with David Luiz.


• Teenager Sam Byram has pledged his future to home-town club Leeds.


• Reading defender Alex Pearce has moved a step closer to joining Liverpool by rejecting a new contract with the Royals.


• Ex-boss Stale Solbakken says the blame for Wolves' likely relegation from the Championships rests firmly with owner Steve Morgan.

• PSG's Qatari owners are confident Arsene Wenger will take charge of the club this summer.


• Jose Mourinho's future at Real Madrid is expected to be decided in the next few weeks.


• David Luiz is set to replace John Terry as Chelsea's long-term captain.

• Manchester City want to sign Sampdoria youngster Pedro Obiang, 21.

• Bayern Munich may turn back to Luis Suarez as they now believe Robert Lewandowski will sign for Manchester United.

Monday's round up of the top transfer rumours

- Arsenal and Liverpool look set to miss out on Isaac Cuenca once more after the Spanish starlet revealed his desire to spend another season at Ajax.



- Liverpool are stepping up interest in Sporting Lisbon defender Tiago Ilori, according to DailyMail.



- Robert Lewandowski’s agent has claimed a move to England this summer remains ‘unlikely’ despite recent reports suggesting something to the contrary.



- Manchester City believe they are winning the battle to sign Napoli striker Edinson Cavani, according to the Sunday Mirror.



- And Man City are also ready to enter the race to sign Lewandowski, according to the Daily Star Sunday.



- Manchester City face a battle with Juventus to clinch the signing of Sampdoria midfielder Pedro Obiang at the end of the season.



- Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez has insisted that he will not be moving back to Boca Juniors this summer.



- Txiki Begiristain, Manchester City's director of football, has met the agent of Manuel Pellegrini, the Málaga coach who is a favoured option to replace Roberto Mancini should the Italian leave the club, according to The Guardian.



- Arsenal have opened preliminarily talks with Lyon over midfielder Maxime Gonalons after making him their number one summer transfer target, according to Metro.



- Sunderland want to sign on-loan left-back Danny Rose permanently and will offer his parent club Tottenham Hotspur around £8m for his services, according to the Metro.



- Tottenham are stepping up their interest in Spanish striker Roberto Soldado, according to the Mail on Sunday.



- Swansea boss Michael Laudrup has remained coy over reports linking him with Real Betis midfielder Jose Canas.



- West Ham United have seen off competition from Marseille to sign Romania's captain, Razvan Rat, on a three-year contract, according to The Guardian.



- Stoke midfielder Maurice Edu may make his loan switch from England to Turkey a permanent move.



- Queens Park Rangers defender Christopher Samba has admitted that he was not ready for the rigours of the Premier League when he agreed to join the club in January.



- Esteban Granero insists he wants to stay at QPR and tough it out in the Championship.



- QPR have begun their rebuilding process for next season by releasing youngster Bradley Simmonds.



- Tony Fernandes launched a scathing attack on his highly paid Queens Park Rangers flops on Monday as he confirmed Harry Redknapp will remain as the club’s manager.



- Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal has pledged his future to the club amid interest from the likes of Manchester United and Bayern Munich.



- Juventus general director Beppe Marotta has confirmed the club are keen on Arjen Robben and Alexis Sanchez.



- Geoffrey Kondogbia has snubbed interest from Manchester City and Arsenal to declare his intention to join Real Madrid.



- Arsenal target Julian Draxler has emphatically dismissed rumours he will join Borussia Dortmund next season.



- Former Germany international Patrick Owomoyela does not expect his contract with Borussia Dortmund to be extended beyond the end of the season.



- Galatasaray have added Manchester City left-back Gael Clichy to their summer transfer wishlist, according to DailyMail.



- Galatasaray have less than 24 hours to complete the permanent signing of Juventus midfielder Felipe Melo.



- Anzhi Makhachkala have denied reports that they are set to sign Felipe Santana from Borussia Dortmund.



- Marco van Ginkel has refused to dismiss speculation over his future, as he continues to be linked with a move to one of the giants of the Eredivisie.



- Bristol Rovers winger Joe Anyinsah will leave the Memorial Stadium this summer when his contract expires.



- Derby have offered Ben Davies a new contract, with the midfielder's current deal due to expire in the summer.



- Richard Wood heads a five-strong list of out-of-contract players released by Coventry.



- York City striker Jason Walker has confirmed he will leave the club this summer, while Matty Blair also appears set to leave.



- York City striker Jason Walker admits he would be interested in a move to Rotherham.



- Plymouth chairman James Brent expects John Sheridan to sign a new deal after Argyle secured their safety on the final day.



- Carlisle have released seven first-team players, including long-serving defender Peter Murphy.



- Tranmere boss Ronnie Moore is hopeful of extending goalkeeper Owain Fon Williams' stay at Prenton Park.



- And have offered new contracts to five players, with the same number told they can leave Prenton Park.



- Neal Trotman and Danny Whitaker are among seven players released by Chesterfield boss Paul Cook.



- Zoumana Bakayogo will take his time before deciding on his next move after seeing out his contract at Tranmere Rovers.



- Morecambe defender Will Haining will part ways with the League Two club this summer.

Villas-Boas wants Huddlestone to stay at Tottenham

Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas has urged midfielder Tom Huddlestone not to quit the club despite a lack of first-team action.



The 26-year-old midfielder has made only seven starts this season and with Sandro, Scott Parker, Moussa Dembele, Thomas Carroll and Jake Livermore all fighting for a midfield place Huddlestone has suggested that he may be forced to leave White Hart Lane to get regular football.



Huddlestone was given a rare start in the 2-2 draw with Wigan and it was his low free-kick that led to the equaliser in the closing seconds.



Villas-Boas insisted Huddlestone would get his chance if he maintained his performance levels.

"It is difficult [for him] to break into the team," the Tottenham boss said.



"But with performances like this he is able to get more chances, definitely."

Huddlestone has two years left on his contract and although Villas-Boas acknowledged the player's desire to play regular football he urged him to stay and fight for his place.

"The words are understandable from a player who has not been involved as much as he wanted," he continued.



"I think we have seen lots of players in midfield this season raise a level. From the moment Sandro got injured, he was the number-one recoverer of the ball and Mousa was also in the top 10.



"So it was very difficult for him to get into the team and when the chance happened it opened up for Scotty [Parker]."

Bremen suspend Arnautovic and Elia

Werder Bremen duo Marko Arnautovic and Eljero Elia have been suspended by the club for the rest of the season for speeding on a motorway.



The Austrian forward and the Dutch midfielder were stopped for speeding in separate cars last week, leading the club to initially impose a temporary ban.



However, Bremen have now extended it to include all training sessions and matches until the end of the season, despite the club being in a precarious position in the Bundesliga.



Currently in 14th place, the club's 32-year stay in Germany's top flight could soon be at an end and sports director Thomas Eichin said in a statement that all players needed to be focused on avoiding the drop.

"In the final stretch of the season we need all players to be fully focused," he said.



"We have made it clear to Marko Arnautovic and Eljero Elia that their behaviour damaged the team in this phase. Both will train separately until the end of the season."

Bremen face 17th-placed Hoffenheim in a crucial game at the bottom of the table.

Mourinho believes in Real comeback

Jose Mourinho believes Real Madrid's naivety lead to them losing so heavily against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League semi-final first leg last week, but has backed his side to turn the tie around at the Bernabeu.



Real head into tomorrow's match 4-1 down after they were outplayed by Jurgen Klopp's side at the Westfalenstadion.



Robert Lewandowski scored all of Dortmund's goals and Mourinho felt his players did not mark him properly, and even complained they did not commit fouls against the Polish striker.

"My team only does legal things and only can do legal things," he said.



"We are so pure and so naive that Lewandowski scored four goals and we didn't foul him even once. They (Dortmund) fouled Cristiano (Ronaldo) five times as soon as the game began.



"How can you play 90 minutes and not commit a foul on a player who scored four goals?"



Mourinho expressed reservations about the team's chances of qualifying for the final, but still believes it is possible if they learn from their mistakes.



"I respect the history of this club but I never like to be in this situation, especially with a scoreline like that, when you start 1-4 behind. It's difficult to mathematically justify that we have a chance," he said.



"If we play like we did in Dortmund then it's difficult to see us doing it, but if we play the same way we have played in many games and we have the spirit to win a great game we will do it.



"We are an excellent team and we have excellent players.We are going to play to try and go through. We have to go for it right until the end of the game. Football is football and everything is possible."



Los Blancos beat rivals Atletico Madrid 2-1 at the weekend and Mourinho would like to see that performance replicated against Dortmund.



"I want my team to play with mental strength," he said.



"I have read that Saturday's game was boring but for me it was an example of how to be a compact, united and an aggressive team all working together for one objective."

Defender Sergio Ramos declared that the team were motivated to make amends for their disappointing performance in Dortmund.

"We can't wait for the game to arrive," he said.



"There is a desire in the dressing room to get revenge and stay in the competition."

Ramos, who will be the team's captain tomorrow, called on the fans that will be in the Bernabeu to make an extra effort but emphasised that ultimately it is down to the players to reverse their fortunes.

"You have to do your talking on the pitch," he said.



"Of course it is a boost to be able to play at home and have the fans roaring us on till the death. They can lift us, but that'll be no use if we aren't concentrated. It's up to us."

Vidal happy to stay at Juventus

Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal has pledged his future to the club amid interest from the likes of Manchester United and Bayern Munich.



Vidal has been superb for Juventus this season and he has attracted interest from Europe's top clubs.



The Serie A giants signed him from Bayer Leverkusen in 2011 and he has since gone on to become one of their star performers.



Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed he will be active in the summer transfer window and Vidal, 25, is a target.



But the Chile international told Gazzetta dello Sport:

"I am happy in Turin and with Juventus.



"I will stay here next season and (try to) win everything. I always aspire to improve as a player and here I have the confidence of the club and coach."

The top stories from papers and websites - 29 April 2013

• Alan Pardew has told Newcastle owner: Back me or sack me!


• Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has confirmed he wants Sevilla midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia.


• Foul-mouthed Joey Barton signalled the end of his QPR career on Sunday night with an astonishing X-rated attack on the club.


• Burnley striker Charlie Austin is a shock target for Bournemouth.


• Brian Laws is to be axed as boss of Scunthorpe in the next 48 hours.

• Harry Redknapp saw his QPR side relegated - and says they may never come back.


• QPR owner Tony Fernandes will have talks with Redknapp on Monday morning about a fire sale before next season.


• Emmanuel Adebayor has told Tottenham he will not be forced out of the club.


• Barcelona striker David Villa will look to force a move to save his World Cup dream, but may have missed his chance to go to Arsenal.


• Jeffrey Bruma is to return to Chelsea after Hamburg dumped him.

• Harry Redknapp fears the spectre of a Wolves-style double relegation hangs over Queens Park Rangers.


• Stephane Sessegnon has pledged to fire resurgent Sunderland to Premier League safety.


• QPR dissolved into Twitter chaos on Sunday as relegation was confirmed.


• Barcelona could be ready to sell Cesc Fabregas this summer to finance a rebuilding job at the Nou Camp, putting Arsenal on alert to pounce for their former skipper.

• Queens Park Rangers are furious with Jose Bosingwa after he was caught laughing just moments after relegation was confirmed.


• Qatari telecom firm Ooredoo have been linked with a multi-million pound sponsorship deal with Liverpool, which could see Anfield renamed.


• Harry Redknapp is planning a a summer sale to spark a QPR revival.


• Joleon Lescott admits he may have to leave Manchester City this summer to safeguard his World Cup ambitions.


• Manchester United hope they can still win the race for Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski, as their banking on the fact the German club won't want to sell to their Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich.


• Middlesbrough boss Tony Mowbray is plotting an ambitious move for Real Madrid striker Javier Acuna, who is currently on loan at Girona and is out of contract in the summer.

• Joey Barton launched a foul-mouthed rant at his relegated QPR team-mates on Sunday, calling them "maggots" for showing a lack of fight - and putting the blame on former manager Mark Hughes.


• Alan Pardew is likely to survive as Newcastle boss despite the humiliating 6-0 defeat to Liverpool.


• Joleon Lescott admits he will probably have to leave Manchester City this summer.


• If Lewandowski does leave Dortmund, they could move to replace him with Newcastle United striker Papiss Cisse.

• Arsene Wenger has promised that he will not allow Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson to sign any more players from Arsenal but defended how his club - if not the fans - welcomed Robin van Persie on his return to the Emirates.

• Sunderland are ready to offer £8m to Tottenham for on-loan left-back Danny Rose.

Zanetti vows to return

Inter Milan captain Javier Zanetti vowed to return stronger than ever after rupturing the Achilles tendon in his left foot during yesterday's 1-0 Serie A defeat at Palermo.

Zanetti underwent tests at Pavia's Policlinico San Matteo last night after being forced off the pitch in the 17th minute at the Stadio Renzo Barbera.



The 39-year-old Argentinian looks set to face a lengthy absence, but insisted he had no plans to call it a day.



"My goal is to come back stronger than before, and I believe (I can)," he said on www.inter.it. "I had to change tyres after so many miles... I'm sorry for how the season has gone.



"Injuries can happen and they're part of this profession. The most important thing is the team. We'll decide when surgery will take place.



"They still haven't given me the timescale involved, but my career certainly isn't over.



"What matters is healing well. What I want most is to be back with my team-mates."



Yesterday's result dealt a blow to the Nerazzurri's hopes of securing European football next season, leaving them in seventh spot - two points off a Europa League berth.



Josip Ilicic scored the only goal of the game after 10 minutes to lift the hosts out of the bottom three on goal difference.



Zanetti continued: "I'm sorry I can't give (my team-mates) a hand in the final part of the season, but I'm confident they'll be able to qualify for the Europa League.



"I appreciate the messages from the fans, as well as those from president (Massimo) Moratti, my team-mates and the many others who have shown their support."

AVB: Gareth Bale is similar to Cristiano Ronaldo

Gareth Bale won the PFA Player of the Year and PFA Young Player of the Year awards after an impressive season under Andre Villas-Boas. The Portuguese manager has likened the Welsh star to former Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo.

“There are similarities,” he said. “Both are extremely technical, powerful and pacy. They grew up as strikers, but became wingers. Gareth [Bale] is now playing a more advanced role.”



Bale has been linked with a big-money move to Real Madrid in recent months, but it remains to be seen if Spurs will be persuaded to part with their star man. Bale has 19 goals and 4 assists in the Premier League this season as Tottenham Hotspur fight for Champions League qualification. The Welshman has indicated that he would stay in North London if Spurs finish in the top-four.




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Ferguson confirms Scholes stay

Paul Scholes is certain to be at Manchester United next season, even if Sir Alex Ferguson is not sure if it will be as a player or a coach and is expected to retire a second time after failing to make a league appearance in an injury-hit 2013.

But Scholes, who spent six months as a reserve-team coach before returning to the first team in January 2012, will revert to a role on Ferguson's backroom staff if he decides to call time on his playing career.

The United manager stressed that Scholes, who is behind only Ryan Giggs and Sir Bobby Charlton in United's all-time appearance makers, is yet to say whether he will be in the squad again next season.

But he said: "He'll be here anyway - whether as a player or coach. We'll have to wait and see with Scholes."

Scholes was a notable absentee when the other United players celebrated their title win on the Old Trafford turf after last Monday's 3-0 win over Aston Villa but Ferguson played down the significance of that.

He told the club's official website: "I don't think he came onto the pitch but he's not that type. He was probably home by the time the game ended!"

Scholes was in superb form in the second half of last season and Ferguson is glad he returned, adding: "It would've been easy to say nothing and carry on with the reserves but he made his mind up he wanted to come back and play and it was a good one for us.

"I think there will come a time when he has to quit anyway, whether it's next year or this year. He's not made his mind up about that. He has got a lot to offer us and we do this now, it's a very important part of our club to get players who have made a great contribution."

The United manager reiterated his wish that two more of his current playing squad will become members of the club's coaching team.



He added: "Nicky Butt is with the reserves; Darren Fletcher, when his time comes, will join. Ryan Giggs will join. [Then there are] Brian McClair, Tony Whelan, Paul McGuinness, Marek Szmid. We have a lot of former players in positions at the club which is healthy for us."

The expensive England XI

Top 10 England expensive squad who're not (in current squad)

Chris Kirkland



Bought by Gerard Houllier for £6 million, it is often forgotten that Chris Kirkland went on to play in four of six group games in Liverpool's memorable Champions League run of 2004-05. However, the fact Jerzy Dudek went down in Liverpool folklore as a hero for his wonder saves in the final tells much about Kirkland's time at Anfield. "Mr Glass" was constantly injured, he appeared to take up a starting position too far from his line, and by the time he departed he was even behind the equally over-billed Scott Carson in the pecking order.

Still, not all was lost for Kirkland, whose father had combined with a group of friends to place £100 each at 100/1 on his 11-year-old to play for England by the age of 30. Having left Liverpool, Kirkland earned his one and only international cap in 2006 against Greece.



Wayne Bridge



Purchased for a fee in the region of £7 million by Chelsea and then £10 million by Manchester City, you might expect Wayne Bridge to boast a slightly better resume. Yes he has won a Premier League title, an FA Cup and a League Cup. Yes he has 36 England caps, yielding one goal. But arguably his most defining moment on a football pitch came when he refused to shake John Terry's hand after his international team-mate had reportedly had an affair with Bridge's ex-girlfriend.

Nowadays Bridge finds himself on loan at Brighton, looking forward to his Saturdays... or one in particular.



Rio Ferdinand



"Rio hasn't become unpatriotic overnight." That was the assessment of Frank Lampard after Ferdinand rejected Hodgson's recent invite to the England fold - citing his special fitness schedule at Manchester United as the reason. Of course, Rio is the brother of Anton, who was involved in a case of racial abuse with John Terry - a charge of which the Chelsea man was eventually cleared. Rio was was left out of Euro 2012 by Hodgson for "footballing reasons", which at the time unofficially translated to: It's you or Terry.

Still the most expensive English defender in football history, Ferdinand joined Manchester United in 2002 for £29.1 million. He has 81 caps to his name as well as five league titles and one Champions League, yet still got pipped for the Euro 2012 squad by the likes of Joleon Lescott. We await official clarification on the meaning of "footballing reasons".



Jonathan Woodgate



Leeds, Newcastle, Real Madrid and Tottenham... Jonathan Woodgate's CV lists some impressive clubs. And at his peak he commanded a fee of £13.4 million when he made the switch to El Santiago Bernabeu. However, his trophy cabinet is rather less substantial, currently showcasing the odd alice band, a League Cup and - after a catalogue injuries - probably a degree in surgery.

Woodgate won eight caps for England, using his speed and reading of a game to outwit rival attackers. Currently at Middlesbrough, he is one of a select group to play on both Tyneside and Teesside, but his crowning career moment had to be his Madrid debut, when he scored a blinding own goal (with a header) before getting sent off.



Phil Jones



At right-back we have £16.5 million Phil Jones, whose brief career has fluctuated as often as his availability. Signed by Manchester United as a centre-back "in the Nemanja Vidic mould", he suddenly became dubbed "the new Bryan Robson" after a couple of barnstorming runs into opposing penalty areas. Of course, such a knee-jerk reaction overlooked the fact Jones lacks an ability to spray the ball around, and he was perhaps as exposed as anybody in United's shock 2011 Champions League exit to Basel, when he started in midfield.

At his best, Jones is a dogged defender who sticks to his task and provides lung-busting runs forward, and he showed his best side in the first leg of United's recent clash with Real Madrid, when he made a goal-saving block to deny Cristiano Ronaldo. Ruled out of the return leg by injury, he was robbed of the chance to prove he may be "the new Gary Neville".



Gareth Barry



Operating at the base of our diamond in midfield is the rich man's Xabi Alonso (according to Rafael Benitez). Yes it is well known that Benitez wanted to offload Alonso to bring Barry to Liverpool - eventually sparking the end of the Spaniard's career at Anfield. Liverpool have never been the same since.

Instead it was Manchester City who snapped up Barry for a cheeky £12 million, clearly viewing him as a preferable option to the forgettable Ousmane Dabo. To be fair to Barry he's picked up a Premier League crown, an FA Cup and 53 England caps, yet it's difficult to shift that image of him wading through treacle as Germany knocked England out of the 2010 World Cup.



David Bentley



"The next David Beckham", which would have been true had the lesser-known DB had the same talent, work ethic or underwear deal. For a while it did look like David Bentley might be an England star, boasting a lovely set-piece, a cunning cross and an eye for the spectacular. It was enough to convince Spurs to part with over £15 million for his services, which ultimately proved a waste. Bentley, now on loan at Blackburn, won only seven England caps and can count the Vodacom Challenge trophy among his biggest achievements.



Stewart Downing



A Kenny Dalglish panic buy? Stewart Downing was bought by Liverpool for between £16-£20 million and did not contribute an assist or goal in the Premier League in an entire season - as a winger. Bought from Aston Villa where, to be fair, Downing had been one of the stand-out players, he nevertheless always looked overprice compared to Chelsea's capture of Juan Mata the same summer. An impartial observer would have to say that has proved the case since, although Brendan Rodgers has at least found some semblance of form from Downing (nothing ground-breaking). Roy Hodgson's decision not to pick Downing in a squad lacking any left-footed wingers does tell its own story though.



Shaun Wright-Phillips



Completing our diamond is little Shaun Wright-Phillips, the £21 million misjudgement of Jose Mourinho. To be fair to Mourinho and Chelsea, Wright-Phillips had pace to burn, could score from range, beat players for fun and was voted Young Player of the Year four years in succession. However, when you've got stars such as Salomon Kalou in front of you it is difficult to make an impact, and such was his fall from grace that SWP missed out on the 2006 World Cup squad. In fairness, he does have a Premier League title, two FA Cups and one League Cup to his name, but the current QPR man may have expected to win more than the 36 England caps to his name.



Darren Bent



Darren Bent has won 13 caps for England and scored four goals. But given that he has commanded separate fees of £16.5 million and £24 million in his career, you might expect better. The Aston Villa man cannot currently force himself into a team that is struggling just to stay in the Premier League. Having started the season as club skipper, he has been stripped of the honour and parked on the bench. Undoubtedly a prolific goal-poacher, Bent offers little outside of the penalty area and his career appears to be on the nosedive at the age of 29.



Andy Carroll



What to say about Andy Carroll? Since making a £35 million switch to Liverpool he has scored nine league goals in over two years, and three of them weren't for the Reds. Seemingly lacking in the ball control department, it was first claimed that Liverpool didn't play to his strengths despite the fact they threw crosses into the box throughout the time he was there. Now he's on loan at West Ham (Liverpool rating him so lowly that they'd rather lend a £35m asset to another club) and he still can't score despite the Hammers piling in the high balls under Sam Allardyce. A ratio of two goals in nine England games looks unlikely to improve in the near future, and neither does the return Liverpool will get on their investment.


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Borini determined to put injury woe behind

Fabio Borini is determined to play a starring role for Liverpool FC after putting his injury nightmare behind him.

The Italian striker enjoyed a dream return to action when he came off the bench to score his first Premier League goal for the Reds in Saturday’s 6-0 thrashing of Newcastle United.



Borini had been out for 10 weeks after dislocating his shoulder, having already sat out three months earlier in the campaign due to a broken foot.



It’s been a frustrating first season at Anfield for the £10.5million signing but he’s ready to make up for lost time.



“There was a lot of emotion after scoring that goal,” he said.



“It had been a long injury for me and a long wait to score in the Premier League.



“It came so soon after my first touch and it made it even better that I scored in front of our fans.



“I thanked them with my celebration because they have always been good to me and helped me through some tough times.



“I put my thumbs up to the bench to say thank you to

Brendan (Rodgers) and all the staff for the work they have done with me.



“It’s been hard. When I hurt my shoulder, they said my season could be cover. But I fought back as I really needed to come back earlier.



“I took the minimum possible to get back training which was eight weeks instead of 12. Some people probably didn’t think I could make it but I fought back.”


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Ronaldo a doubt for Dortmund clash

Cristiano Ronaldo has emerged as an injury doubt for Real Madrid's Champions League semi-final second leg against Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday.



Ronaldo missed Real's 2-1 derby win over Atletico on Saturday with a thigh injury which he suffered in the 4-1 defeat in the first leg in Germany in midweek.



The Portugal forward did not train with his team-mates on Sunday either, working alone with Madrid's fitness team as he bids to get close enough to 100% to feature in the return contest.



Madrid's hopes of overcoming their three-goal deficit would clearly not be helped by the absence of a player who leads the Champions League scoring charts with 12 goals - Ronaldo has scored in their last six European matches.


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Injury concern for Inter captain Zanetti

Inter Milan captain Javier Zanetti ruptured his Achilles' tendon during the 1-0 loss at Palermo on Sunday, the latest mishap in a season coach Andrea Stramaccioni has described as cursed.





Italian media speculated that the Argentine - 40 in August - could be out for up to eight months and that, considering his age, the injury could even spell the end of his career.

Zanetti, who is two years older than his coach, dismissed the notion telling Inter's website (www.inter.it): "My aim is to return stronger than before. I have to change tyres after many kilometres.

"We will decide when to operate. They haven't told me a recovery time but my career is certainly not over, the important thing is to get better."

Zanetti was speaking after having a scan near Milan which confirmed the rupture.

"It's a big blow and we really didn't need this injury to Javier," Stramaccioni said earlier.

"Losing him today certainly hurts us in a very difficult moment."

The remarkably consistent Zanetti has made more than 800 appearances for Inter, including over 600 in Serie A, since joining the club from Banfield in 1995 and has never before suffered a serious injury.

He has won five Serie A titles, four Italian Cups, one Champions League, one UEFA Cup and one Club World Cup and is also Argentina's most capped player.

"I felt a pull at one point, I'm not sure if anyone touched me, and it really hurt," Zanetti told Mediaset Premium. "I will overcome this as well."

Inter have suffered a string of injuries in the last few weeks and were missing Rodrigo Palacio, Diego Milito, Walter Samuel, Antonio Cassano, Walter Gargano and Fredy Guarin for the trip to Sicily.

In the last few weeks, Stramaccioni's team have dropped to seventh in Serie A, ending their hopes of Champions League football next season, been knocked out of the Europa League by Tottenham Hotspur and been beaten by AS Roma in the Italian Cup semi-final.

"It's a curse," agreed defender Andrea Ranocchia, who took the armband from Zanetti in the 17th minute. "We seem to be losing two players a game. It's just incredible.




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Bale dismisses rumours

Tottenham winger Gareth Bale has played down talk of a summer move away from White Hart Lane.



Bale was speaking after collecting the Professional Footballers' Association Player of the Year Award and Young Player of the Year awards.

The 23-year-old's consistent performances have propelled Spurs towards a top four finish this season.

But Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas has admitted he fears losing the Wales international if the club fail clinch a Champions League spot.

Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona are among the teams already linked with Bale, but the player insisted his focus is on Tottenham.

Bale said: "I just take no notice, it's all speculation, I can't do anything about it.

"I just concentrate on my football and play as well as I can and do my best for the team."

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Reading, QPR relegated from EPL after draw

Reading and Queens Park Rangers became the first teams to be relegated from the English Premier League this season after they drew 0-0 on Sunday.



Both teams needed a win to keep a slim hope alive of overtaking 17th-place Aston Villa, but neither side managed to create many clear-cut chances in a game that featured little creativity or entertainment value.



QPR is leaving the top flight after two years, having stayed up on the last day of last season.



"Next year it will be very difficult to get promoted, there are some good teams," QPR manager Harry Redknapp said.



"For us to get promoted we have to come back in preseason and get super fit. The Championship is Saturday, midweek.



"It you are not fit enough you won't survive, you won't get out of that league. The players that are here have to work so hard and want to get super fit to compete next year."



QPR have spent heavily since owner Tony Fernandes' takeover in 2011, and Redknapp is hopeful the Malaysian's investment will still be rewarded.



"I will get to see him this week and we will have some meetings and talk about things going forward, with the team with the players," Redknapp told Sky Sports TV.



"I have said many times they are good people, so I would love to see them get back in the Premier league and build a team that will stay there next time."



Reading is making an instant return to the second tier.



"I have told the players to bottle up the feeling as it is never nice to get relegated, and make sure they never feel that way again," Nigel Adkins, who was hired as Reading manager last month, told the BBC.



"We must now build for the future and learn the lessons well from this season. We have to regroup and put ourselves in a position to challenge to get back into the Premier League. For any new promoted team, it is a challenge to stay up. The Premier League is a ruthless division."



Wigan currently occupies the third spot in the relegation zone, and is two points from safety.

Balotelli: "No comeback for Real"

AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli has put his girlfriend 'into play', making a remarkable offer to the Real Madrid players that he will let Fanny Neguesha sleep with them if they are able to comeback in their Champions League semi-final tie against Dortmund, where they trail 4-1 from the first leg.

"If Real Madrid come back against Dortmund and get through to the Champions League final I'll let my girlfriend sleep with all of them", said Balotelli.

So far Miss Neguesha has not offered an opinion on whether she is keen to take up the rather bizarre offer. It's also not clear what the Real Madrid's players' current wives and girlfriends would make of it if any of the players decided to take advantage of the opportunity.

PFA Team of the Year 2012/2013

Premier League top scorer Robin van Persie is one of four Manchester United players to be named in the PFA Team of the Year.



Van Persie, who moved to Old Trafford from Arsenal last summer, has scored 25 goals so far this term to help United win their 20th Barclays Premier League title.



He is joined in the Team of the Year, which is voted for by the players, by team-mates David De Gea, Rio Ferdinand and Michael Carrick.



Deposed champions Manchester City only have one member in the team - Argentinian right-back Pablo Zabaleta.



Controversial Liverpool striker Luis Suarez, who last week received a 10-match ban for biting Branislav Ivanovic, partners Van Persie up front in the XI, which was revealed at a glitzy bash in central London.



Gareth Bale's 19 goals earn him a place in the team, while his Tottenham team-mate Jan Vertonghen is named in central defence.



Chelsea duo Juan Mata and Eden Hazard were also included, as was Everton left-back Leighton Baines.



Wilfried Zaha, who will join the Premier League champions in the summer, was named in the npower Championship team of the year alongside Crystal Palace team-mates Glenn Murray and Yannick Bolasie.



There was no place in the starting XI for Blackburn's Jordan Rhodes, with Watford hitman Matej Vydra preferred up front.



Peter Whittingham and Mark Hudson were the two representatives from champions Cardiff while Blackpool's Tom Ince was also included.



Newly-promoted Doncaster had two players - David Cotterill and Rob Jones - named in the npower League One team of the year and there was also a place in the team for top scorer Patrick Madden, who has netted 23 goals this season for Yeovil.



Gillingham, who will be playing in League One next season, had three players included in the League Two team of the year - Stuart Nelson, Adam Barrett, and Joseph Martin.



Premier League Team of the Year: David De Gea (Manchester United), Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City), Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Leighton Baines (Everton), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Juan Mata (Chelsea), Gareth Bale (Tottenham), Eden Hazard (Chelsea), Luis Suarez (Liverpool), Robin van Persie (Manchester United).



Championship Team of the Year: Kasper Schmeichel (Leicester), Kieran Trippier (Burnley), Wes Morgan (Leicester), Mark Hudson (Cardiff), Wayne Bridge (Brighton), Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace), Thomas Ince (Blackpool), Peter Whittingham (Cardiff), Yannick Bolasie (Crystal Palace), Glenn Murray (Crystal Palace), Matej Vydra (Watford).



League One Team of the Year: Wesley Foderingham (Swindon), Simon Francis (Bournemouth), Robert Jones (Doncaster), Harry Maguire (Sheffield United), Charlie Daniels (Bournemouth), Matthew Ritchie (Bournemouth), Luke Murphy (Crewe), Alan Judge (Notts County), David Cotterill (Doncaster), Patrick Madden (Yeovil), Leon Clarke (Coventry).



League Two Team of the Year: Stuart Nelson (Gillingham), Sean Clohessy (Southend), Adam Barrett (Gillingham), Ryan Cresswell (Southend), Joseph Martin (Gillingham), Jacques Maghoma (Burton), Marlon Pack (Cheltenham), Gary Jones (Bradford), Jennison Myrie-Williams (Port Vale), Tom Pope (Port Vale), Jamie Cureton (Exeter).



Premier League Stats to the 28th April 2012



De Gea – 27 appearances, 11 clean sheets.



Zabaleta – 28 appearances, 2 goals, 2 assists.



Ferdinand – 26 appearances, 1 assist.



Vertonghen – 30 appearances, 4 goals, 3 assists.



Baines – 35 appearances, 5 goals, 5 assists.



Mata – 31 appearances, 10 goals, 12 assists.



Hazard – 32 appearances, 9 goals, 9 assists.



Carrick – 32 appearances, 1 goal, 4 assists.



Suarez – 33 appearances, 23 goals, 5 assists.



Bale - 29 appearances, 19 goals, 4 assists.



Van Persie – 35 appearances, 25 goals, 8 assists.

Bale scoops PFA awards double

Tottenham forward Gareth Bale has rounded off a remarkable season by becoming the first player since Cristiano Ronaldo to do the double at the PFA Player of the Year awards.



Bale beat off competition from Luis Suarez, Robin van Persie, Juan Mata, Eden Hazard and Michael Carrick to win the senior gong for the 2012-13 season.



The Welshman also took home the Young Player of the Year award, making him only the third player in history to receive both prizes in the same season.

"It's a massive honour," the Welshman said.



"To be voted by your peers is one of the biggest things in the game. It's great to win it and I am delighted."

Ronaldo scooped both the young player and the main award in 2007, some 30 years after Andy Gray become the first professional to do so.



Bale won the senior award two seasons ago when he shot to fame with a series of scintillating displays domestically and in the Champions League.



But he has gone on to become an even better player since, transforming himself in to a goal scoring machine that has found the net 29 times for club and country so far this season.



The Welshman, whose latest goal came yesterday in Tottenham's 2-2 draw at Wigan, dedicated the prize to his team-mates and manager Andre Villas-Boas.

"When you look at the list there are some massive names on it and the other nominees have been unbelievable this year, but I couldn't have done it without the team," Bale said.



"They have been fantastic this year and so has the manager.



"I couldn't have won it without them so I would like to give them all a big thank you as well."



"I have a few less assists this year but I am in more scoring positions these days and that has obviously helped my scoring tally as we have seen this season" - Gareth Bale

Bale had previously spent most of his career deployed on the left wing, but this term he has played more centrally, which he thinks is the reason why he has scored so many times.

"I have been shooting a lot more, and I have been coming inside a lot more too," he said.



"There are a few goals which I enjoyed. The one against Norwich was one of my favourites, and the West Ham one.



"Those two are my favourites from this season.



"I have a few less assists this year but I am in more scoring positions these days and that has obviously helped my scoring tally as we have seen this season."

Bale's talents on the pitch are worthy of praise, and his attitude off it has also been complimented.



While Suarez, who was also on the Player of the Year shortlist, has got himself into trouble of late by biting Branislav Ivanovic's arm, PFA chief Gordon Taylor thinks Bale is a good role model to the youth of today.



He said:

"Everyone knows Suarez is a great footballer, I just wish at times he could fall in to line because footballers are role models and Gareth and Robin van Persie are really good examples for the younger generation."

Taylor also is in no doubt about the talents Bale has displayed on the pitch this term.

"Gareth has had a tremendous season, he has had the same impact on Welsh football as Ryan Giggs did. He is part of the Southampton success story."

The Merit award went to Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, the class of '92 and their coach at the time Eric Harrison.



Arsenal Ladies midfielder Kim Little won the inaugural Women's Player of the Year award.



Little, 22, has been a regular at Arsenal since she joined from Hibernian at the age of 16 and last summer was a part of the British Olympic team at London 2012.



This is the first time that the PFA have handed out a women's award as next year will be the first season that females are allowed to join the organisation.



Little was delighted to be involved in the occasion. The Scot said: "It is a great night for me.

"For various years I have watched this event on television so to come here and win the first award is fantastic."

Qatari company want to invest in Liverpool FC

Liverpool Football Club could be the next Premier League in line for major Qatari investment, according to a report published last night by Al Jazeera Sport.



The report states that Qatari telecommunications company Ooredoo is interested in investing significant amounts of money into the Anfield club in order to break into the Asian market.



Ooredoo is particularly interested in shirt sponsorship and naming rights to Anfield.



The report from Al Jazeera Sport quotes an Ooredoo director, who said:

“The goal was to sponsor a big English club with a huge history, our search included Arsenal and Manchester United but the former two have long sponsorship deals and the same applies to Manchester City, so Liverpool is the only club available right now.



“We want to sponsor the club in full. We want to sponsor the Stadium as well as the club’s kits.



“Our goal is to reach the Asian markets where the Premier League has an enormous fan base.



“We received the tender from the club a few days ago and we are currently in the process of due diligence and we are studying each aspect of the study.



“It is a dual interest, Liverpool needs the money to compete with the European heavyweights and we want to expand our brand to reach new markets via football.”

The current shirt sponsorship deal with Standard Chartered is reported to end at the end of this season, and the club have been involved in talks to renew the deal. But the addition of Ooredoo to the negotiating table could help the Reds significantly increase their sponsorship revenue.



Formerly known as Qtel, Ooredoo is one of the major telecom providers in Qatar and is backed by the Qatari Royal family.

Vela keen on Real Sociedad stay

Real Sociedad forward Carlos Vela does not want Arsenal to trigger the €4 million buy-back clause in his current contract as he looks to achieve a top-four finish, and UEFA Champions League football, at the Estádio Anoeta, according to ESPN FC.



Vela, who joined the Gunners from Liga MX side C.D. Guadalajara in 2005, has spent the past two seasons in San Sebastián after failing to establish himself as a first-team regular at the Emirates Stadium.



During his time at Arsenal, Vela was also sent out on loan to UD Salamanca (2006-2007), CA Osasuna (2007-2008) and West Bromwich Albion (2011).



The 24-year-old bagged a team-high 12 goals and seven assists in 35 league matches while on loan at Sociedad in 2011-12, convincing La Real to pay Arsenal €3.5 million to sign the player on a permanent basis.



As part of the agreement, the Gunners have the right to re-purchase Vela for just €4 million, but the Mexican forward hopes to stay at Real Sociedad.



“It could happen at any time, but I don’t want to think about it,” Vela told L’Equipe. “My life is here, and it’s wearing this shirt that I want to discover European football next year.”



In addition, Vela expressed his preference for the Spanish game as opposed to English football.



“It’s physical, and too direct. I prefer possession football and playing it on the floor,” added the Mexico international.



“Because I’m purely left-footed and can’t do anything with my right, I was often stuck out on the left wing, and my main task on the pitch was to send crosses in. Now, I play all over the place, even on the right, and I arrive in front of goal on my good foot.”



Vela has tallied 13 goals and eight assists in 30 La Liga matches for Real Sociedad thus far this season.