Real Madrid are in talks with Zinedine Zidane about a sensational return to the game he quit in disgrace after the 2006 World Cup Final (various). But Manchester United and Chelsea can forget about trying to hijack the Frenchman – it looks as if he will stick to coaching.

Sven-Goran Eriksson is today expecting to tie up the most important deal of his short Man City reign . . . by securing the long-term future of Micah Richards at the club. The England defender – an £18m target of Man United, Arsenal and Chelsea – is on the brink of agreeing a new £55,000-a-week deal to stay.