Regional paper talk

All the top stories from the sports pages making the headlines in today's regional newspapers.

LONDON EVENING STANDARD

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has confirmed midfielder Ramires is finally ready to make a major impact in the second half of the season after recovering from a thigh injury.

Federico Fazio today warned Tottenham’s rivals they are capable of succeeding on four fronts this season.

Glenn Murray will hold talks with new Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew about his future at the club this week after being told he was “last in the pecking order” by former boss Neil Warnock.

FIFA vice-president Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein of Jordan has announced that he is to stand for the presidency of the world governing body.

QPR are looking to use misfit Adel Taarabt as bait to lure defensive midfielder Yann M'Vila from his loan spell at Inter Milan.

Harry Redknapp has beaten off late interest from fellow relegation candidates Crystal Palace to sign West Ham striker Mauro Zarate on loan for the rest of the season.

Bordeaux president Jean-Louis Triaud has insisted that Yaya Sanogo wants to join the Ligue 1 side on loan, despite Arsene Wenger’s desire that the Arsenal striker remains in the Premier League.

Mauricio Pochettino is concerned about Tottenham's busy schedule after Monday's 1-1 draw with Burnley added an FA Cup replay to their packed fixture list.

MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS

Louis van Gaal admits that his first six months in charge of Manchester United have not come up to scratch.

Sergio Aguero has hinted that he could be back for Manchester City's crunch clash with Arsenal on January 18.

Rudi Garcia has suggested Kevin Strootman will be like a January signing for Roma, casting further doubt on Manchester United's hopes of capturing the midfielder.

Burnley are hoping to sign Michael Keane from Manchester United on a permanent basis, Sean Dyche has revealed.

LIVERPOOL ECHO

Martin Skrtel saluted the enduring brilliance of Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard as he admitted: “We’re going to miss him.”

NEWCASTLE CHRONICLE

Newcastle United’s supporters want the club to go overseas for their next head coach with former Mainz boss Thomas Tuchel - hailed as the next Jurgen Klopp - the favourite among the paper's readers.

The Newcastle United Supporters Trust (NUST) have written to Uefa and the football authorities regarding their fears over the team’s eligibility to play in Europe if Mike Ashley has dual ownership of the club and Rangers.

John Carver says he has never been in better shape to take the “responsibility” of leading Newcastle United.

John Carver remains in the dark about Newcastle United’s intentions regarding their head coach vacancy – with the club understood to be targeting an appointment by the time Southampton arrive at St James’ Park in a fortnight.

SUNDERLAND ECHO

Sunderland are keeping a close eye on developments in the Premier League’s loan market.

Sunderland are lining up a £8million move for Celtic defender Virgil van Dijk, according to a report in the Daily Mail today.

Gus Poyet insists Sunderland have needed to take a cautious approach with fit-again flair pair Emanuele Giaccherini and Ricky Alvarez.

BIRMINGHAM MAIL

Peter Pannu has been re-elected to the board of Birmingham City’s parent company, with Blues director Panos Pavlakis losing his place in the Birmingham International Holdings boardroom.

Aston Villa’s senior stars are fully behind Paul Lambert’s newly-introduced playing style, says stand-in captain Ashley Westwood.

West Bromwich Albion head coach Tony Pulis today confirmed David Kemp and Paul Jewell will join his backroom staff.

EXPRESS & STAR

Wolves midfielder James Henry insists the team are ‘back on track’ following their FA Cup draw with Fulham at the weekend.

THE SENTINEL

Stoke City boss Mark Hughes says he can't wait to get cracking on the training pitch with German newcomer Philipp Wollscheid.

LANCASHIRE TELEGRAPH

Steve McClaren has admitted on-loan Blackburn Rovers striker Leon Best’s future at Derby County is ‘open for discussion’.

LEICESTER MERCURY

Nigel Pearson has challenged his Leicester City squad players to step up to the plate when their opportunity comes.

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST

Garry Monk has revealed he is in the hunt for at least one more new signing this month amid fresh links with Sevilla's Timothee Kolodziejczak, while another player who has been on Swansea’s radar for some time is Tottenham’s Kyle Naughton.

FULHAM CHRONICLE

Brentford are battling it out with Red Bull Salzburg for Sturm Graz striker Marco Djuricin.

SOUTH LONDON PRESS

Glenn Murray has revealed he only opted for a loan move to Reading once Neil Warnock had dropped him to the bottom of Crystal Palace's striker rankings.

YORKSHIRE EVENING POST

Scott Wootton has rejoined Leeds United after his loan at Rotherham United but the defender could depart for the New York Stadium on a permanent basis before the end of the month.

Neil Redfearn admits he has a welcome selection headache ahead of Leeds United’s crunch Roses battle at Bolton Wanderers – following the displays of a number of fringe players in the FA Cup loss at Sunderland.

NOTTINGHAM POST

David Vaughan still has an important role to play at Nottingham Forest, according to manager Stuart Pearce.

THE PINK UN

Mike Phelan looks to be the front-runner to become the next permanent Norwich City manager.

EVENING GAZETTE

Chelsea defender Tomas Kalas is poised to join Middlesbrough on loan.

WALES ONLINE

Russell Slade's latest target has been identified with the news Cardiff City have made a bid for Rotherham striker Alex Revell.

Cardiff City boss Russell Slade could make his first signing of the transfer window later on Tuesday after agreeing personal terms with Millwall defender Scott Malone.

THE BOLTON NEWS

Bolton have rewarded FA Cup goalscoring hero Zach Clough with an extended contract until 2017.

WIGAN EVENING POST

With striker Oriol Riera drawing a line under his short and not-so-sweet tenure in England, Wigan Athletic have been moving to make Liam Ridgewell their first January capture.

BLACKPOOL GAZETTE

Blackpool could be set to lose their two most promising young talents - Dom Telford and Mark Waddington - after contract talks stalled last week.

READING POST

Reading boss Steve Clarke does not expect to do much business in this month's transfer window.

Reading's hopes of landing Glenn Murray have taken a blow after the frontman revealed he wants to remain at Crystal Palace.

THE ARGUS

Brighton's January transfer window plans have been given a financial boost by the FA Cup fourth round visit of Arsenal to the Amex.

IPSWICH STAR

Darren Ambrose says he has fallen back in love with football since being reunited with his boyhood club Ipswich Town.

THE STAR

Sheffield United’s FA Cup hero Jamal Campbell-Ryce has urged his teammates to show no fear as they prepare for a run of games which could shape their League One season.

Chris Kirkland hopes his Sheffield Wednesday future will be much clearer by the end of the month after describing the personal frustration at his season so far.

Sheffield Wednesday will redouble their efforts to bring in extra attacking reinforcements in the January transfer window after missing out on Royston Drenthe.

EVENING TIMES

Celtic boss Ronny Deila has slammed the door on reports Efe Ambrose could be a target for English Premier League clubs.

Rangers chairman David Somers was today urged to quit after it emerged Sandy Easdale had given the crisis-hit Ibrox club a £500,000 emergency loan.