Evening Gossip

LONDON EVENING STANDARD
Bayern Munich striker Mario Mandzukic
has emerged as Arsenal's principal centre-
forward target after the Gunners admitted
defeat to Chelsea in their pursuit of Diego
Costa.
Tom Ince will become one of Tony Pulis'
top targets for a permanent Selhurst Park
switch if Crystal Palace complete their
Barclays Premier League safety mission.
MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS
Midfielder Yaya Toure is keen to get off the
treatment table as quickly as possible as
Manchester City look to fight back in the
Premier League title race.
Italian midfielder Andrea Pirlo criticises
former United boss Sir Alex Ferguson for
using Park Ji-Sung as a 'guard dog' against
him during a 2010 Champions League tie.
Manchester City midfielder James Milner
has come to the defence of skipper Vincent
Kompany after his blunder put Liverpool in
control of the league title race.
LIVERPOOL ECHO
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has
dedicated the thrilling 3-2 victory over
Manchester City to the 96 and their
families as Liverpool prepare to mark the
25th anniversary of Hillsborough.
Everton boss Roberto Martinez has
expressed his relief after Gareth Barry
avoided missing a hat-trick of vital games.
Defender Martin Skrtel said Liverpool
delivered a "demonstration of our spirit" in
the thrilling win over Manchester City.
Everton manager Roberto Martinez can't
wait to hear a packed Goodison Park roar
on his side's Champions League charge
against Crystal Palace.
NEWCASTLE CHRONICLE
Sunderland boss Gus Poyet is desperate to
extend Vito Mannone's stay on Wearside,
but admits summer recruitment must
come first.
Adam Armstrong's cameo performance at
Stoke City, during a 1-0 defeat at the
Britannia Stadium, was one of the few
highlights of a difficult afternoon for Alan
Pardew's team.
THE JOURNAL
Alan Pardew is today battling to regain the
respect and trust of the Newcastle United
dressing room.
Lee Cattermole has refused to write off
Sunderland's slim hopes of taking even a
point from Wednesday night's daunting trip
to the Etihad Stadium.
SUNDERLAND ECHO
Blackburn Rovers are considering a move
for rookie Sunderland defender Louis
Laing.
New Sunderland technical director Lee
Congerton is compiling a double list of
transfer targets for next season.
BIRMINGHAM MAIL
Youssouf Mulumbu has leapt to the
defence of West Bromwich Albion team-
mate Saido Berahino following his most
recent misdemeanor.
Aston Villa have moved to address fan
unrest by taking the unusual step of
publicly calling for support ahead of this
weekend's crucial match with
Southampton.
EXPRESS & STAR
Kenny Jackett today re-iterated to Wolves'
returning exiles they are unlikely to be
part of his Championship plans after
declaring: "We've moved on".
Midfielder Chris Brunt hopes the return to
fitness of key players will breathe new life
into Albion's Premier League survival bid.
Captain Andy Butler today said he wants to
know Walsall's plans for next season before
committing his future.
Brad Guzan today moved to ease the
pressure on Villa boss Paul Lambert and
insisted the whole club must cope under
the spotlight.
THE SENTINEL
Mark Hughes has launched his recruitment
campaign for next season by signing up
Stephen Ireland on a new three-year
contract.
Former Stoke City favourite Ade Akinbiyi
says he might have to work harder than a
white man to land a managerial role in the
English game.
NEWHAM RECORDER
David Mooney's double against Gillingham
ensured he became the first Orient player
in 16 years to hit 20 goals in a season.
SOUTH WALES EVENING POST
Swansea City head to a Newcastle side
blighted by division, with midfielder Leon
Britton insisting their unity could be the
key to Premier League survival.
Swansea have played down reports that a
training session ended in a mass brawl -
but admitted there were "incidents" during
a practice match.
WALES ONLINE
The Premier League have confirmed they
will investigate after Cardiff City made a
formal complaint over the Crystal Palace
'spygate' scandal.
Swansea City have admitted some of their
players clashed in training ahead of
Sunday's 1-0 defeat at Chelsea.
THE PINK UN
Norwich City chief Neil Adams insists he
has the characters to win a Premier League
survival fight after hailing Robert
Snodgrass' 'mind-boggling' display at
Fulham.
THE DAILY ECHO
Southampton supporters have seen the
cost of season tickets rise by about four
per cent for next season.
Saints midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin,
above, has avoided suspension after the
deadline for ten yellow cards passed.
HULL DAILY MAIL
Hull midfielder Jake Livermore admits
Arsenal will be a formidable force to
conquer in next month's FA Cup final, but
insists Hull City can make Wembley history
all over again.
YORKSHIRE EVENING POST
Manager Brian McDermott is predicting
some fun times for Leeds United under
Massimo Cellino - and says life will never
be dull under him.
Leeds United boss Brian McDermott says a
fresh look at tactics and work on the
training ground paid dividends against
Blackpool.
DERBY TELEGRAPH
Derby wide player Simon Dawkins is back
in training ahead of their Easter double
header.
NOTTINGHAM POST
Caretaker boss Gary Brazil has urged young
midfielder Ben Osborn to fight to earn a
first team place under Stuart Pearce at
Nottingham Forest next season.
LEICESTER MERCURY
Leicester City could face a difficult fight to
keep goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel this
summer, who is out of contract at the end
of June.
LANCASHIRE TELEGRAPH
Burnley boss Sean Dyche is confident that
they will get the wins they need to achieve
automatic promotion, providing they keep
delivering performances as good as
Saturday's.
In-form winger Craig Conway insists
Blackburn Rovers will overcome their
'horrible' feeling of gut-wrenching
dejection in time for Good Friday's crucial
home clash with Yeovil Town.
WIGAN EVENING POST
Wigan Athletic player James Perch reckons
they have proved they can mix it with the
best during their FA Cup run.
BLACKPOOL GAZETTE
Tom Ince will become one of Tony Pulis'
top targets for a permanent Selhurst Park
switch if Crystal Palace complete their
Barclays Premier League safety mission.
THE STAR
Nigel Clough, the Sheffield United
manager, has warned Stevenage to expect
no favours when his team return to League
One action following their remarkable FA
Cup adventure.
Barnsley boss Danny Wilson is under no
illusions about the importance of tonight's
away clash with fellow relegation-strugglers
Charlton Athletic.
Rotherham United manager Steve Evans
admits he may well rest players to ensure
he has them as fresh as possible for the
League One Play-offs.
THE ARGUS
Full-back Mat Sadler believes Crawley are
going places under John Gregory next
season - but wants them to guarantee
their League One safety first.
IPSWICH STAR
Ipswich Town boss Mick McCarthy is
bracing himself for plenty of interest in
left-back Aaron Cresswell this summer.
BOURNEMOUTH ECHO
Defender Tommy Elphick believes Cherries
will need to win their final four games of
the season to stand any chance of reaching
the Championship play-offs.
EVENING TIMES
Celtic midfielder Stefan Johansen knows
the history - and he is very happy to be
part of it, having helped Celtic win their
third title in a row.
Manger Ally McCoist admits Rangers could
get left behind in the transfer market this
summer as he waits to discover what his
budget will be for his sides' Championship
campaign next season.
The umbrella body of Rangers supporters'
groups has confirmed its plans to withhold
season-ticket money from the club after
the Ibrox board of directors refused to
discuss the issue.