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| Bolton keen on Burnley's Coyle • Owen Coyle installed as favourite for Bolton job• Approach likely following FA Cup third-round tieBurnley are bracing themselves for an approach from Bolton Wanderers for their manager, Owen Coyle, amid a growing sense that he is more intrigued about the possibility of replacing Gary Megson than he let on when appearing to rule himself out of the running.Coyle is the new bookmakers' favourite to take charge at the Reebok Stadium and move from one Lancashire club to another even though the 44-year-old has publicly stated that he would not be prepared to leave the project he is "privileged to be building" at Turf Moor.The feeling at Bolton is that Coyle is just trying to play a political game in order not to be seen to be campaigning for the move but that he is seriously considering asking his current employers for permission to speak about the vacancy if an official approach was made. Bolton could offer him a considerable pay rise as well as a larger transfer budget and there is a strong emotional pull for Coyle after playing for the club from 1993 to 1995.However, a Burnley spokesman told BBC Radio Lancashire: "There has been no discussion about our manager's future and no contact from Bolton regarding Owen Coyle."Coyle guided Burnley to promotion last season, as well as reaching the Carling Cup semi-finals, and is renowned for making his team play with a passing style that was seldom evident at the Reebok during Megson's time in charge. He was prominently linked with the manager's job at Celtic before Tony Mowbray replaced Gordon Strachan.Peter Reid, currently the assistant manager at Stoke City, also features in Bolton's thoughts, as do Alan Shearer and Gary Speed. But the club are likely to make their first move for Coyle after Burnley's FA Cup third-round tie at MK Dons tomorrow.Premier LeagueBolton WanderersBurnleyDaniel Taylorguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Fulham lose Zamora for eight weeks • Striker suffered injury in defeat at Stoke• Defender Hangeland has knee problemBobby Zamora will be out for about eight weeks after dislocating his collarbone in Fulham's 3-2 defeat at Stoke City yesterday.The striker fell heavily early in the second half at the Britannia Stadium and had to be substituted but there was confusion over the precise nature of the injury. It had appeared to be serious, as players close to Zamora gestured immediately for medical attention. But after the match Roy Hodgson, the Fulham manager, was unsure whether Zamora had damaged his collarbone or his shoulder. Zamora was seen by the club's medical staff early today and the extent of the damage was confirmed.Zamora must now complete a lengthy period of rehabilitation and Hodgson must hope that a miserable night in the Potteries – after which his squad did not reach London until after 3am because of adverse weather conditions – does not produce a further sting.Brede Hangeland, the club's influential Norwegian central defender, was forced off at half-time with a recurrence of a knee injury. Like Zamora he was in the physiotherapist's room for treatment this . The Fulham medical staff are as yet unsure whether he will require a period on the sidelines. Hodgson will hope that Hangeland will be available for the club's Premier League fixtures this month, which resume with the visit of the bottom side, Portsmouth, on Saturday.After that, Fulham travel to Blackburn Rovers, before an FA Cup fourth-round tie away to Accrington Stanley or Gillingham. Fulham then face Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa.Hodgson has at least been boosted by the return to fitness of the England striker Andrew Johnson, who has had a groin problem. Hodgson's leading transfer-window target is the 20-year-old Roma striker Stefano Okaka, whom he hopes to take on loan until the end of the season. Roma have signed the experienced Italy striker Luca Toni from Bayern Munich on loan and as a result they may be willing to sanction a temporary move for Okaka, who has represented Italy at youth levels.FulhamPremier LeagueDavid Hytnerguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Athletic Bilbao shuts down Real Madrid's top guns: Spain Fernando Llorente's early goal gave Athletic Bilbao a 1-0 victory over Real Madrid in the Spanish league on Saturday. cbc.ca |
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger 'sorry' for William Gallas tackle on Bolton's Mark Davies Frenchman apologises for challenge which led to Arsenal's equaliser as side go top of Premier League with win over Bolton. telegraph.co.uk |
Next games crucial for Arsenal's title credentials, says Arsène Wenger • 'If we win these games we have a big hope'• Liverpool comeback was a vital win, says Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger says Arsenal's next four matches represent the most intense and meaningful period of his Premier League career but, as the team prepare to kick off the sequence at Aston Villa tonight, the manager believes that they are set fair to make a grand statement about their title-winning chances.Arsenal will go on to play Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool in a spell which has been billed as make-or-break for their prospects of a first championship since 2003-04 and, having hit form and broken down a major psychological barrier with the come-from-behind victory at Anfield last month, Wenger is bullish. Since the 3-0 home defeat to Chelsea on 29 November, his team have taken 23 points from an available 27."I have never known a run of four league games as significant as these," he said. "I believe we are in a strong position [despite] having lost at Manchester City, at Manchester United and against Chelsea at home, so you cannot say it is a make-or-break because in this league, a lot can happen. But if we win these games, then we can really have a big hope. It is a great opportunity to send a message to the rest of the Premier League. We want to take it and I am very confident that we are in a good position."Wenger highlighted the importance of the 2-1 away win against Liverpool, when a 1-0 deficit was overhauled following some choice words from him at half-time. "It was a massive turning point and we've since come from behind in many games. It shows immense mental strength to come back. Before Liverpool, we had not won the big games. Even if we felt we should have won, we didn't and it was in the head of the players. But we did it at Liverpool, we beat Villa as well [at home, two weeks later] and we overcame something in our head."Wenger said "we know we can beat Villa and they know it as well, don't worry" and, ahead of the trip to a happy hunting ground – Arsenal have won five and drawn five of their previous 10 Villa Park fixtures – the Frenchman was cheered by news from his injury list. Nicklas Bendtner is expected to return to the subs' bench, having not played since 31 October because of groin trouble, and Wenger said this meant he would not sign a striker before the closure of the transfer window. Bendtner has scored only three goals this season but Wenger's faith in him is total.Samir Nasri, too, is also expected to be named as a substitute.ArsenalArsène WengerPremier LeagueDavid Hytnerguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |