THE SUN

Joey Barton is off the hook over allegations that he racially abused Gabriel Agbonlahor when Newcastle played Aston Villa on Monday.

Referee Martin Hansson has admitted he made a mistake by saving Liverpool's Champions League hopes with a last-minute penalty against Atletico Madrid at Anfield on Tuesday.

Newcastle's Holland Under-21 keeper Tim Krul has been told to challenge Shay Given for the number one jersey next season.

Sunderland misfit Michael Chopra is poised to rejoin Cardiff on a two-month loan deal.

Norwich are chasing Newcastle striker Andy Carroll on loan.

Congo striker Tresor Mputu, 22, flies into England next week for a trial with Blackburn.

Javier Mascherano reckons Liverpool are ready to unleash hell on West Brom on Saturday.

Blackburn's Roque Santa Cruz is battling to make a shock return against Chelsea on Sunday.

Didier Drogba wants to return to full fitness before signing a new deal at Chelsea.

Tottenham's Luka Modric wants to be a White Hart Lane idol like Glenn Hoddle and Paul Gascoigne.

Steve McClaren came home to England ahead of FC Twente's UEFA Cup clash at Manchester City and admitted: "I want shooting if I've not learned from the last 12 months."

Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill reckons that star winger Ashley Young is becoming priceless.

DAILY MIRROR

Barcelona's Andres Iniesta will be out for up to two months after damaging a thigh muscle against Basel.

Javier Mascherano reckons Diego Maradona is ready to guide Argentina back to greatness.

Manchester City are lining up a £10million move for Portsmouth's Lassana Diarra in January.

Les Ferdinand is set to join Harry Redknapp's Tottenham revolution.

Paddy Kenny is close to agreeing a new deal with Sheffield United.

Bolton are set to make a £6million bid for Standard Liege teenager Alex Witsel.

Sunderland's Michael Chopra is ready to make a shock two-month loan return to Cardiff.

DAILY STAR

Furious Stoke have accused Arsene Wenger of doing a 150-mile runner before deciding to blast them.

Tony Adams wants to open talks with former Arsenal team-mate Dennis Bergkamp about the coaching vacancy at Portsmouth.

Ken Bates has told Sunderland boss Roy Keane and Arsenal's Arsene Wenger to forget about signing Leeds starlet Fabian Delph.

Leeds are keen to sign Preston winger Simon Whaley on loan.

Wigan boss Steve Bruce has given Norwich the green light to take defender Ryan Taylor on loan.

Sheffield United's £4million-rated right-back Kyle Naughton, 19, could find himself at the centre of an international tug of war, with both England and the Republic of Ireland checking up on his availability.

Leicester are signing free agent defender Marc Edworthy for the rest of the season.

Millwall striker Gifton Noel-Williams, 28, has joined League One rivals Yeovil on a month's loan after making just one appearance since signing for the Lions in October.

A £70,000, eight-foot tall bronze statue of Nottingham Forest legend Brian Clough will be unveiled by his widow Barbara in the city centre on Thursday.

Leeds are keen to sign Preston winger Simon Whaley on loan.

The FA has made a dramatic U-turn after deciding not to investigate a race allegation against Newcastle's Joey Barton.

Javier Mascherano cannot wait for Fernando Torres to return to action - and watch Liverpool dish out a hiding or two.

DAILY MAIL

The heavy pressure on beleaguered West Ham owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson to sell the club has been increased by the reported collapse of Samson Holdings, his main business in Iceland.

Stoke manager Tony Pulis has hit back at Arsene Wenger, even quoting Abraham Lincoln as he accused the Arsenal boss of 'trying to rewrite history' over last weekend's bruising encounter at the Britannia Stadium.

John Terry has offered a brutal assessment of Chelsea's demise in Rome. Bad attitude, bad performance - and not worthy of a club with designs on the European title, said the skipper.

Liverpool's players may remain steadfast in their belief that honours can be pursued without Fernando Torres - but evidence is stacking up against them.

Mark Hughes has ordered his Manchester City entertainers to shape up as the going gets tough or face the consequences when the club's new owners start writing out cheques in the January transfer window.

Gabriel Agbonlahor has decided against making an official complaint against Joey Barton over the Newcastle midfielder's alleged racist taunts.

Diego Maradona is locked in a power struggle with the Argentina FA which threatens to disrupt his reign as national team coach almost before it has started.

Harry Redknapp will attempt to solve Heurelho Gomes' confidence crisis by making an approach to former club Portsmouth for highly respected goalkeeping coach David Coles.

Derby's Robbie Savage has flown to Beirut for talks with Lebanese champions Al-Ansar.

Hungarian goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly wants to leave Burnley after being relegated to third choice.

Watford manager Aidy Boothroyd has turned down an immediate return to management with League One Huddersfield.

DAILY EXPRESS

Chelsea skipper John Terry has launched a blistering attack on his team, admitting they lined up against Roma thinking they could just stroll to victory.

DAILY RECORD

Derek Young is keen to secure a new deal at Aberdeen.