TRANSFER RUMOURS
Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill travelled to Germany to watch Bayern Munich's giant centre-half Daniel van Buyten as he seeks a replacement for Olof Mellberg. (Daily Mirror)

Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant was demoted to reserve team action against Everton and is likely to be released in the summer. (Daily Mirror)

Wigan manager Steve Bruce is expected to swoop for midfielder Medhi Nafti from his old club Birmingham. (Various)

Burnley are giving a trial to keeper James Beasant, the nephew of former Wimbledon and Chelsea stopper Dave. (Daily Star)

Former Tottenham winger Rohan Ricketts is having trials with Toronto after being released by Barnsley. (Daily Star)

OTHER GOSSIP
Former Chelsea striker Mateja Kezman taunted his old club by saying "Jose Mourinho would never have lost" against Fenerbahce. (Various)

Blues midfielder Frank Lampard will not be disciplined following his furious reaction to being substituted by Avram Grant against the Turkish side. (Various)

Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano has apologised for his actions before and after his sending off against Manchester United and admits he deserved his extended ban. (Daily Mail)

Barnsley manager Simon Davey has chosen Marks and Spencer for the team's FA Cup semi-final suits. (Daily Express)

Portsmouth captain Sol Campbell says he is uncertain of his future and has not been approached about a new contract. (Daily Star)

Fulham boss Roy Hodgson is reconsidering the role of former Liverpool playmaker Jari Litmanen, after admitting the Finn is not suited to a relegation scrap.

AND FINALLY

Evergreen Dean Windass has proved age is no barrier by agreeing a new deal with Hull that will take him well beyond his 40th birthday. (Various)

Liverpool's Dirk Kuyt grew up two miles from the home of referee Pieter Vink, who decided his challenge on Arsenal's Alexander Hleb was not a penalty, but insists he did not receive special treatment in the Champions League quarter-final first leg. (Daily Star)

Reading midfielder Stephen Hunt has had his unruly locks trimmed after being subjected to derisory comments from Liverpool fans. (Various)


Saturday, 05 April 2008

Barclays Premier League
Arsenal v Liverpool, 12:45
Aston Villa v Bolton, 15:00
Blackburn v Tottenham, 15:00
Fulham v Sunderland, 15:00
Man City v Chelsea, 15:00
Newcastle v Reading, 15:00
Wigan v Birmingham, 15:00

The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON
West Brom v Portsmouth, SF, 12:15

The Coca-Cola Football League Championship
Barnsley OFF Hull, 15:00
Colchester v Ipswich, 15:00
Norwich v Burnley, 15:00
Plymouth v Charlton, 15:00
QPR v Preston, 15:00
Scunthorpe v Sheff Wed, 12:00
Sheff Utd v Leicester, 15:00
Southampton v Bristol City, 15:00
Watford v Coventry, 15:00

Coca-Cola Football League One
Brighton v Port Vale, 15:00
Bristol Rovers v Hartlepool, 15:00
Carlisle v Yeovil, 15:00
Crewe v Southend, 15:00
Huddersfield v Doncaster, 15:00
Leyton Orient v Leeds, 15:00
Millwall v Gillingham, 15:00
Northampton v Luton, 15:00
Nottm Forest v Cheltenham, 15:00
Swansea v Bournemouth, 15:00
Swindon v Oldham, 15:00
Walsall v Tranmere, 15:00

Coca-Cola Football League Two
Bradford v Morecambe, 15:00
Bury v Notts County, 15:00
Chesterfield v Shrewsbury, 15:00
Hereford v Chester, 15:00
Mansfield v Barnet, 15:00
Rochdale v Grimsby, 15:00
Rotherham v Brentford, 15:00
Stockport v Darlington, 15:00
Wrexham v Macclesfield, 15:00
Wycombe v Peterborough, 15:00