and news from Thursday's regional newspapers.
LONDON EVENING STANDARD
Arsenal are hopeful Jack Wilshere will return to
training on Friday in a bid to be fit for Saturday's
Premier League game at Aston Villa.
Federico Fazio will make his Tottenham debut
tonight and the defender is targeting more Europa
League success after lifting the trophy with Sevilla
last season.
Neil Warnock has vowed to use Dwight Gayle much
more than previous Crystal Palace manager Tony
Pulis.
Didier Drogba admits he needs more time to get
back to his best but is confident he can still play a
major part at Chelsea this season.
MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS
Manchester City assistant Ruben Cousillas has
dismissed concerns over Yaya Toure's fitness after
the Ivorian's disappointing display at Bayern
Munich.
Joe Hart says it is time for the City squad to turn
performances into points in the Premier League this
weekend.
Radamel Falcao says he had tried to get Angel di
Maria to sign for Monaco before both moved to
Manchester United.
Former United youngster Keith Gillespie thinks
Adnan Januzaj might have to leave Old Trafford to
find regular football.
LIVERPOOL ECHO
Mario Balotelli has been reading up on the history
of Liverpool, according to Brendan Rodgers.
Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson admits the
Champions League will be a learning curve for most
of the players this season but he is confident they
will adapt quickly.
Roberto Martinez has challenged Everton to ensure
European football becomes an annual affair at
Goodison Park.
Phil Jagielka admits he faces a race against time to
taste cup glory as Everton captain.
THE CHRONICLE
Newcastle new boy Siem De Jong could be out until
January after having an operation to assess his
thigh injury.
Alan Pardew has warned his Newcastle United stars
they must "stand up and deliver" on Saturday.
Newcastle's honorary life vice-president Malcolm
Dix has urged fans to swerve an anonymous anti-
Pardew group asking for money and back the team
on Saturday.
THE JOURNAL
Patrick van Aanholt insists he will not get
complacent over his position in Sunderland's
starting XI.
Sebastian Coates has revealed he followed Fabio
Borini's advice to join Sunderland on deadline day.
Emanuele Giaccherini says he and Sunderland are
in for a better season than last year - insisting they
must avoid another relegation battle.
SUNDERLAND ECHO
Stade de Reims are yet to agree a provisional fee to
convert Valentin Roberge's loan into a permanent
switch.
BIRMINGHAM MAIL
Saido Berahino claims there is no panic at West
Brom, but admits they will be in for a tough season
if they continue to be a 'soft' touch.
Lee Clark has described it as 'imperative' that
Birmingham keep hold of their best young talent,
such as Demarai Gray.
Paul Lambert admits Aston Villa's Ashley
Westwood has had to take his game to a new level
this season.
THE SENTINEL
Steven Nzonzi says talent in the changing room and
backing from the stands have made sure he is happy
to stick with Stoke, despite handing in a transfer
request in the summer.
Micky Adams has stepped down as Port Vale
manager, ending his five years with the club.
NEWHAM RECORDER
Notts County boss Shaun Derry believes the game
'has gone absolutely bonkers' if Leyton Orient had
sacked manager Russell Slade.
Young Tottenham defender Milos Veljkovic has
been helping Spurs prepare for their Europa League
group stage opener with Partizan Belgrade.
Michael Ballack believes Mesut Ozil made a mistake
in moving from Real Madrid to Arsenal and
criticised the playmaker's attitude on the pitch.
FULHAM CHRONICLE
QPR will give late checks to Joey Barton and Jordon
Mutch ahead of Saturday's clash with Stoke.
A 'sloppy' second half cost Chelsea all three points
against Schalke, reckoned John Terry.
SOUTH WALES EVENING POST
Jonjo Shelvey reckons he can prove he is good
enough to play international football if Roy
Hodgson gives him another England chance
WALES ONLINE
Reports suggest Dundee boss Paul Hartley has
turned down an approach from Cardiff to become
their new manager
DAILY ECHO
Toby Alderweireld believes he has struck up an
instant connection with Jose Fonte at the heart of
defence and says joining Southampton has been a
"perfect step".
Southampton would be keen to eventually look at an
expansion of St Mary's - but have said it could only
happen with a significant run of sell-outs at the
stadium.
HULL DAILY MAIL
The Hull City appeal to become Hull Tigers will
centre around two key issues in the application
process.
YORKSHIRE EVENING POST
Darko Milanic moved to distance himself from the
head coach's job at Leeds, saying he was "100 per
cent" committed to Sturm Graz and yet to receive an
offer from United owner Massimo Cellino.
LEICESTER MERCURY
David Nugent has warned Manchester United to
beware of "on fire" Leicester strike partner Leonardo
Ulloa.
LANCASHIRE TELEGRAPH
Jason Shackell is targeting Burnley's first win of the
season on Saturday - insisting the Clarets need
victories at Turf Moor if they are to stay in the
Premier League.
Danny Ings is expected to be out for around four
weeks after picking up a hamstring injury at Crystal
Palace on Saturday.
BOLTON NEWS
Bolton are on the hunt for defensive cover, with
Greg Halford, Peter Ramage and Paddy McCarthy
all linked.
Rob Hall could leave Bolton on loan after being told
he needs to "show more" to feature in Dougie
Freedman's first team plans.
THE STAR
Sheffield United will await the results of a scan on
Jose Baxter's injured hamstring before deciding
whether to step-up their pursuit of Steve Davies.
EVENING TIMES
Celtic plan to strike fast and early when they kick off
their Europa League campaign against Salzburg
here tonight.
Celtic winger Aleksander Tonev has assured Ronny
Deila he did not make racist remarks to Aberdeen
defender Shay Logan last Saturday.
Disgruntled Rangers fans could be set to boycott the
Ibrox club until Sandy Easdale is removed from his
position as football board chairman.
THE SCOTSMAN
Celtic manager Ronny Deila has issued an
unequivocal defence of Aleksandar Tonev, insisting
the winger is not guilty of racially abusing Aberdeen
defender Shay Logan.
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