Sunderland's Dickson Etuhu is facing up to being in trouble both with the long arm of the law, and his very scary manager Roy Keane. Etuhu, 25, was involved in a bog-standard footballers' nightclub skirmish - and Keano is not pleased (Evening Standard).

Meanwhile,  Keane is intent on signing Manchester United defenders Phil Bardsley and Jonny Evans in the New Year (The Sun).

Portsmouth are after Schalke 04's German striker Kevin Kuranyi, but he may not want to move as Schalke are still in the Champions League (Daily Mirror). And Aston Villa's Luke Moore wants to leave Villa Park in search of that fabled thing called 'first-team football'.

'One sneaky newspaper is claiming that Big Sam has actually called Sven offering him Owen on a platter'


Blackburn striker Jason Roberts is, as we speak, on his knees pleading for a transfer - and joins disgruntled Aaron Mokoena in the 'I want to leave' club. But Mark Hughes isn't even entertaining the idea. Fulham are said to be 'monitoring' proceedings (Evening Standard).

Manchester City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson has informed Newcastle's Sam Allardyce that actually, he isn't the slightest bit interested in nabbing Mickey Owen off them in the new year (various). However, one sneaky newspaper is claiming that Big Sam has actually called Sven offering him Owen on a platter (Daily Mail).

Everton's Nigerian pairing of Yakubu and Joseph Yobo have politely asked Berti Vogts if he would mind letting them play in the Carling Cup semi-final before joining up with their international teammates to prepare for the Africa Cup of Nations (The Times).

Birmingham defender Martin Taylor could be off to QPR for £1m. (The Sun)