Today in the Premier League

James Mariner
Friday 04 January 2008 01:00 GMT
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Arsenal

Borussia Dortmund are expected to announce the signing of the goalkeeper Jens Lehmann today. The German club are looking to secure the services of the 38-year-old after learning that their first-choice keeper Roman Weidenfeller faces three months on the sidelines with a shoulder injury.

Aston Villa

Goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen has again expressed his dissatisfaction at being frozen out of the first-team at Villa Park. "I am in my prime," the 31-year-old Denmark international said. "I've been feeling very good in training. If I am not going to play here, then it has to be with someone else."

Birmingham city

Alex McLeish hopes to extend the stay of the on-loan midfielder Wilson Palacios until May. The Honduran impressed at St Andrew's prior to returning to Honduras in November following the kidnapping of his brother. He made a succesful comeback against Manchester United this week.

Blackburn Rovers

Mark Hughes has confirmed that enquiries have been made about the availability of the striker Jason Roberts, though no bids have yet been received for the Grenada international. "Although there has been interest in Jason's situation," Hughes said. "Nobody has come in and firmed up an offer."

Bolton Wanderers

The manager Gary Megson has criticised the supporters who booed Kevin Nolan when he was substituted during the 1-0 victory over Derby on Wednesday. "He was very upset," Megson said. "Kevin was playing with 11 stitches in his head and an injection in his ribs. He wears his heart on his sleeve. No other player cares more about Bolton."

Chelsea

The England midfielder Frank Lampard has expressed his desire to remain at Stamford Bridge for the rest of his career. "I do not think I would receive the love I get from the Chelsea fans anywhere else," the 29-year-old, who has 18 months left on his current contract, said. "I would love another six or seven years of it."

Derby County

Gary Walsh has joined the club as goalkeeping coach from Wigan Athletic. The 39 year-old former Manchester United and Middlesbrough keeper played under manager Paul Jewell at Bradford, before joining his coaching team at Wigan in a full-time capacity in 2005.

Everton

The club have agreed a deal with Plymouth Argyle to sign Dan Gosling. The midfielder, 18 next month, has made 24 appearances for the Pilgrims and can operate in defence or midfield. "He is one for the future," Toffees manager David Moyes said. The fee is expected to total 1.5m.

Fulham

The midfielder Simon Davies said he was looking forward to working with the new manager Roy Hodgson. "His CV comes with a lot of experience," the Welsh international said. "He has an excellent record and we can learn a lot from him." Hodgson replaced Lawrie Sanchez last month.

Liverpool

The former Reds manager Roy Evans said he was eagerly anticipating the club's televised FA Cup trip to Luton on Sunday. "It is a great trophy and it's still a very special competition," he said. "I think Liverpool have got a decent draw in Luton and hopefully we can down there and do a good job."

Manchester City

Sven Goran Eriksson said he hopes the club can build on the 2-0 win at Newcastle on Wednesday. "We started the season by winning away, and we have started the new year by winning away," the Swede said. "Let's hope it does not take another 19 games before we do so again!"

Manchester United

The manager Sir Alex Ferguson is reportedly monitoring the situation of Liverpool's midfielder Javier Mascherano. Paul Scholes, meanwhile, is close to a return. The midfielder has started running again after a lateral ligament injury and aims to return at the end of the month.

Middlesbrough

The defender Julio Arca has called on his team-mates to improve their home form if they are to pull clear of the relegation zone. "We should be getting more positive results at home," he said. "We will be trying to work on that for the visit of Liverpool in a fortnight."

Newcastle United

Sam Allardyce is hopeful of retaining the service of the Nigeria striker Obafemi Martins for a further week before he departs for the African Nations Cup. He may now face Manchester United on 12 January. Habib Beye, Geremi and Abdoulaye Faye could depart after Sunday's match at Stoke.

Portsmouth

The manager Harry Redknapp said he has identified a couple of signings to replace the players he will lose to the African Nations Cup next week. "I know where there are one or two players who can do a good job for us, if we can get them without spending any money," he said. "We'll see what we can do."

Reading

The striker Leroy Lita could return to the Royals' starting line-up for the FA Cup match at Tottenham tomorrow, in place of the "shattered" Dave Kitson. "Leroy has been left in the cold," the manager Steve Coppell said. "Hopefully his frustrations will come out on Spurs' defence."

Sunderland

Manager Roy Keane has urged his players to take their chances after an early missed penalty cost them victory over Blackburn on Wednesday. "Come the end of the season I hope we're not left regretting it," Keane said. "Blackburn were there for the taking, but we didn't take our chance."

Tottenham Hotspur

The defenders Pascal Chimbonda (stomach bug), Paul Stalteri (groin) and Teemu Tainio (Achilles) are all back in first-team contention for the FA Cup third round match against Reading at White Hart Lane tomorrow. The trio all missed the New Year's Day defeat at Aston Villa.

West Ham United

The manager Alan Curbishley has been linked with a move for the Toulouse striker Johan Elmander, who has expressed an interest in a move to the Premier League. The 26-year old Sweden international is rated at 10m and is also reported to being watched by Tottenham, Manchester City and Everton.

Wigan Athletic

The manager Steve Bruce said he was not surprised to see Titus Bramble equalise against Liverpool on Wednesday. "Titus is a wonderful striker of the ball," Bruce said. "It's probably the best goal I've ever scored," Bramble said of the 80th-minute strike, which earned the Latics a 1-1 draw. "I'm absolutely delighted."

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