News in brief - Weds 13th May

A review of the news from around the grounds of each Barclays Premier League club.

Arsenal

Arsenal Arsene Wenger is adamant he will resist the temptation to go on a summer spending spree to challenge for the Barclays Premier League title. The Gunners will finish fourth this season and their last trophy remains the 2005 FA Cup. "We have a team which is 22 years old (on average), why should we look for revolution?" Wenger said. "That would be stupid and not responsible. I still believe that when you have responsibilities, you have to make decisions and stand up for that. Until now we have not done too badly."

aston villa

Aston Villa Martin O'Neill is unhappy next season's Europa League has not been streamlined. Although UEFA have reduced the number of teams in the group stage of the revamped UEFA Cup, they have also increased the number of fixtures by introducing home and away matches as well as persevering with two knockout rounds before the quarter-finals. O'Neill thinks having too many European fixtures towards the back end of the season can detract from domestic campaigns, such as when Manchester United fielded a weakened team for their FA Cup semi-final. He said: "There are too many games. One thing they could have done was that whoever comes out of the group stage would be in the last 16, like the Champions League. The last 32 is a round too many. I accept there are more teams and that there are teams that drop out of the Champions League and go into it, but you can devise a system that those teams that come out of the group should be in the final 16."

Blackburn Rovers

Blackburn Rovers Benni McCarthy believes his international career may be over after he was omitted from South Africa's Confederations Cup squad. McCarthy is not even in the provisional squad for the June tournament, and said: "To be honest, with all the problems I have had with the national team in recent years, I think my career is over in the selection. I am not disappointed. If they think it is best for the team, all right. It is a young team and it is a good chance for them to gain confidence. I wish them luck."

Bolton Wanderers

Bolton Wanderers Bolton Wanderers Football Club has announced in-play betting specialist 188BET as their new shirt sponsor for the next two seasons. The 188BET logo will feature prominently on the new adult home and away shirts and on the club's official team training wear and leisurewear for the next two years. The new-look kits, which will continue to be manufactured by Reebok, will be unveiled on Thursday 14th May and will be worn for the first time at the final home match of the season against Hull City on Saturday 16th May. Bolton Wanderers Chairman, Phil Gartside, said: "This is a fantastic and lucrative deal for the Club, and represents the beginning of an exciting partnership with 188BET. We are looking forward to developing it further in the future, and working alongside 188BET on a number of major initiatives for the Club and the fans."

Chelsea

Chelsea Chelsea's west London home will host the first ever Stamford Corporate Cup this summer. Talent, skill and stamina will all be tested as 24 teams compete against one another in a six-a-side competition, all on the famous turf of Stamford Bridge. It's any Blue's dream to score the winning goal in front of the Matthew Harding End or the Shed, and for one day only fans will have that opportunity after running out onto the famous pitch. It could be the perfect challenge to prove your ability to work colleagues and business leaders, and a unique opportunity to play your favourite sport inside your favourite ground. The Stamford Corporate Cup takes place on Thursday 4th June and entry prices for a team begin at £1,980 plus VAT. That price includes breakfast, barbecue lunch, refreshments, gifts and prizes, so for your chance to enter a team of up to nine call 0871 984 1955.

Everton

Everton Tim Cahill has been hailed as the "warrior" who has driven Everton to the FA Cup final. The Australian midfielder, who has averaged a goal every three matches in his Everton career, is the player who has inspired his colleagues most according to goalkeeper Tim Howard. Howard said: "So many players have gone beyond their boundaries in terms of performance. People like Tim Cahill. We all accept he is a real warrior for the team, he wants the ball and his game has gone onto another level. He is unselfish and always works hard for the team. He has been asked to play up front, midfield, anywhere in fact. But he has always turned in good performances, gives everything for the team and his reward will be a cup final appearance."

fulham

Fulham Fulham are considering an offer for Darlington striker Curtis Main after the teenager impressed during a brief trial spell. The 16-year-old, who has attracted interest from other Barclays Premier League clubs, spent the previous week with the Craven Cottage outfit and is believed to have made a positive impression. With the Quakers staring into the abyss having entered administration in February and with no viable bids received for the club, their entire first-team squad is facing an uncertain future. Craig Liddle, head of youth at the troubled North East side said: "He's got a lot of potential and it would be up to the administrators to negotiate with Fulham if they do make an offer and a lot would depend on any future appearances he makes. But I don't want us to lose him for nothing. A lot of work has gone into improving Curtis and Curtis has put a lot of work in himself. I wouldn't like to see him go to Fulham for less than he is worth. There's other clubs waiting in the wings. There were three enquiries about him last week from Premier League clubs."

Hull City

Hull City Chairman Paul Duffen claims it is "imperative" the Tigers beat Bolton Wanderers on Saturday. They are adrift of Newcastle on goal difference with two matches remaining, and must face Manchester United on the final weekend of the season. The Red Devils may still be chasing the title at that stage, making this weekend's Reebok Stadium match one Hull are desperate to take three points from. "Certainly a win on Saturday is imperative," Duffen said. "Bolton have proved they're a really robust side this season. If we (beat Bolton) then of course we'll have an eye on results elsewhere. There are clubs that may not yet be in the mix who could come into the mix over these last two games."

Liverpool

Liverpool Steve McManaman believes Liverpool would win the Barclays Premier League title if there were eight matches remaining. But the former Liverpool winger, who scored 66 goals in 364 appearances for his home-town club, accepts that his old club's best form of the season has come just too late for them to pip Manchester United. McManaman said: "Unfortunately it has all come a little too late this season. But they must be full of optimism for next season. And I expect Rafa (Benitez) to rectify in the summer that little lacking in creativity. The different between them and Manchester United is match-winners on the bench. United have had the likes of Carlos Tevez to come on and change things, but if you looked at Liverpool's bench that match-winning quality was not there. Rafa knows that, I believe he will put that straight in the summer."

Manchester City

Manchester City Mark Hughes has categorically quashed any notion of Manchester City making a bid for Real Madrid striker Raul. Reports emanating from Spain at the weekend suggested that the 31-year-old would be leaving the Bernabeu and heading for the Blues, but the City manager has scotched the reports, which he sees as following a familiar pattern to similar suggestions about other players earlier in the season. He says, "What everyone has to understand is that there are a lot of people out there who profess to have mandates to work for Manchester City and who are approaching players, apparently on our behalf telling players they can get deals for them and asking if they are interested. Some players then react and some don't but it is a situation that has happened time and time again this year and that is why there is so much speculation about players that we supposedly approach. There are a lot of people who are out there who would like to manufacture deals and situations where they would in turn become part of a big money move for a player to come to City. Raul is an exceptionally talented and great player and has been for many years. He is someone I clearly admire and respect enormously and has done great things for his club and his country but I have not tried to sign him. He will not be coming to City."

Manchester United

Manchester United Rio Ferdinand never lost faith in Manchester United's ability to dominate English football, even when they were completing three years without winning the title. "I never once thought this might not happen again or that it was the end of an era," said Ferdinand. "You just have to trust the manager. He has been so successful, so not to have done that would have been crazy. The players stood by everything he has done."

Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough Gareth Southgate felt his side did not have the rub of the green as they suffered a 3-1 defeat to Newcastle United. Habib Beye's own goal put Boro ahead at St James' Park, but Steven Taylor, Obafemi Martins and Peter Lovenkrands turned it around to move the Magpies out of the bottom three, but leave the visitors in deep trouble. Southgate said: "For them to lose in the manner we did having gone ahead is very difficult for all of us to take. It's a tough evening for everyone associated with our football club. The players gave everything, but unfortunately, key events on the night went against us. The second goal, looking at the television pictures, I thought at the time it was a foul on (Robert) Huth by Viduka, but it was also offside. It then dropped straight to their guy - they are key things and unfortunately, they didn't go for us."

Newcastle United

Newcastle United Mark Viduka is hoping Alan Shearer can launch a long career as Newcastle United manager by sparing the club from relegation. The 38-year-old former Magpies and England captain sampled victory for the first time as manager at St James' Park as his side came from behind to defeat derby rivals Middlesbrough 3-1 and give themselves a genuine chance of Barclays Premier League survival. Viduka said: "He's had a massive impact. Everybody respects Alan - he's got that automatically. Maybe he doesn't have the experience as a manager, but he has got that presence about him. I wish him all the best - and I hope we stay up and he's got a long career here."

portsmouth

Portsmouth Linvoy Primus is confident he will be at Portsmouth next season - but admits he is unsure in what capacity. The 35-year-old, who joined Pompey in 2000 from Reading, is out of contract this summer and may not be offered a new deal after failing to regain his first-team spot following a year out with a knee injury. Executive chairman Peter Storrie has indicated he will offer Primus an ambassadorial role when he retires, and the defender is confident a deal can be reached. Primus said: "We're working on things at the moment. I want to be here long term. Things are changing in my life and I'm getting older. But I want to be around the club still. Once we're safe (from relegation) things will be sorted out. I'm sure that I will be here in some way. This is home for me. It was good to hear Peter say he wants to arrange something but you don't know things are finalised until you see them on paper. I don't want to go elsewhere now. I'm here for life."

stoke city

Stoke City Midfielder Glenn Whelan has challenged the Potters to improve their league position further after securing their Barclays Premier League status. Tony Pulis' side guaranteed they will be playing top-flight football again next season with Saturday's 2-1 win over Hull City, which put them 12th in the table. At the start of the season, Stoke were favourites to go straight back down to the Championship but Whelan is not satisfied simply to have proved people wrong. He said: "We knew it was going to be a tough season and just wanted to get as many points as we can. We were always confident that we could stay up, which was our main objective. We've done that now so hopefully we can kick on from here and gain a few places."

Sunderland

Sunderland Kevin Ball is expecting a good performance from his Under-18 side when they play Tottenham in the Premier Academy League play-off semi-final at the Stadium of Light on Tuesday night. This is the third successive season that the team have won the league and the manager is happy with the way they have achieved it. Ball said: "We have had a great season. Not only have we played some fabulous football , but the way the players have gone about it both on and off the pitch has been superb. Sometimes when we were beaten the players were coming off the pitch and I had a smile on my face. I had to explain that it was because they had done everything I had asked them to do and I was delighted with the performance they had given. There has been a few injuries this season, but we've had great team spirit this year. All credit to the players, they have mucked in and have done a great job in winning the league. We play Tottenham tonight who are a good side and they have scored a lot of goals this season. I've told the players to go out and do their best and make sure they are happy with their performance. " Admission is £3 for adults and £1 for under 16s, with cash turnstiles 1-8 in the West Stand open from 6pm on the evening of the match. There will be no advance sale of tickets.

tottenham hotspur

Tottenham Hotspur Harry Redknapp has offered his son Jamie a coaching role at White Hart Lane next season. Redknapp Jr, the former Spurs midfielder who retired from playing in 2005 due to a knee injury, is a pundit with Sky Sports but that is unlikely to get in the way of spending two days a week coaching. Former Spurs players Les Ferdinand and Tim Sherwood are already on the coaching staff at the club. "Next year, I hope Jamie will come in and spend a couple of days a week working with the youth sides, just for the love of it," Redknapp said. "He is doing his coaching badges and he would be great with the kids. There are so many former players out there who have so much to offer. Tim and Les have done very well since they have been here but clubs do not give those boys a chance. I don't want to lose either of them but if a lower League club were to give them a chance, they would be fantastic. It is almost a crime that they are not involved, because there are so many who could do a great job."

West Bromwich Albion

West Bromwich Albion Chris Brunt wants his team-mates to emulate Middlesbrough when West Bromwich Albion host Liverpool on Sunday. The Baggies are currently three points and inferior goal difference from safety and need to win their final two matches if they are to have any hope at all of surviving in the Barclays Premier League. Now Northern Ireland international Brunt wants the Hawthorns side to take inspiration from Boro's recent 2-0 win over Rafael Benitez's side in February. He said: "The media have been writing us off for months anyway so it's no different. We just need to keep doing our bit and hope other results go for us. It's still a tall ask and we have a home game against Liverpool which won't be an easy one by any stretch. But Middlesbrough beat them at the Riverside and there's no reason why we can't beat them at The Hawthorns."

West Ham United

West Ham United Defender Jordan Spence could be the first Hammer to pull on an international shirt this summer after being named in England's squad for their UEFA Under-19 Championship Elite Round qualifiers. England take on Bosnia-Herzegovina at Doncaster Rovers' Keepmoat Stadium on Wednesday 27th May before contesting further qualifiers against Slovakia, on Friday 29th at Mayat Bradford City's Valley Parade, and Scotland, at Sheffield United's Bramall Lane on Monday 1st June.

Wigan Athletic

Wigan Athletic Wigan have signed a shirt sponsorship deal with online gaming company 188BET for the next two years, it has been announced. The in-play football betting specialist will become principal sponsor from the start of the 2009/10 season, and the brand logo will appear on all adult club shirts for the next two seasons. The agreement marks 188BET's first significant step into the English football market. Wigan chairman Dave Whelan said: "We are delighted to have attracted a new sponsor with such strong global reach. This record agreement will enable Wigan Athletic to build its profile internationally as well as introducing 188BET to the UK market. We look forward to working together to develop the partnership both on and off the pitch."