Regional Paper Talk

The transfer headlines and rumours from Monday's regional newspapers.

MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has avoided denying claims he has spoken with Zinedine Zidane, who is mooted as his replacement and worked with him at Real Madrid.

United midfielder Nemanja Matic called on his team-mates to be 'leaders' and not be 'scared' amid the pressure on them and Mourinho following Saturday's loss at West Ham.

Pep Guardiola has challenged Leroy Sane to keep up the level of performance he has set in recent games, after starting the season out of the Manchester City side.

EVENING STANDARD

Chelsea defender David Luiz was left puzzled after being frozen out by former boss Antonio Conte, according to current manager Maurizio Sarri.

Watford head coach Javi Gracia is set to put on extra finishing sessions for his side after their profligate performance in a 2-0 defeat to Arsenal.

Fulham fear defender Timothy Fosu-Mensah could be set for a spell on the sidelines after injuring his shoulder in Saturday's 3-0 defeat to Everton.

NEWCASTLE CHRONICLE

Mike Ashley knows Newcastle need to strengthen their squad in January because "everybody knows", boss Rafa Benitez said ahead of a meeting between the pair this week.

Florian Lejeune has given Newcastle fans hope he could play for the club this season after injuring himself during their pre-season tour, although no date has been set for his return.

Moroccan international Achraf Lazaar has been called back in from the cold at Newcastle and handed a squad number with the club short of left-backs with Paul Dummett out injured.

FOOTBALL.LONDON

Mauricio Pochettino says Tottenham must 'live with the reality' of being the only club in Europe's major leagues not to strengthen their squad with a single signing this summer.

HULL DAILY MAIL

Nigel Adkins has backed Chris Martin - on loan from Derby - to galvanise Hull's attack after an influential home debut against Middlesbrough during which he won a penalty.

LANCASHIRE TELEGRAPH

Tony Mowbray will once again weigh up whether Danny Graham can play all three games in a week, but feels the 33-year-old is the fittest he's been during his time at the club.

EAST ANGLIAN DAILY TIMES

Paul Hurst is continuing to look at free agent strikers in the wake of injuries to Ellis Harrison and Jon Walters but currently has no plans to bring Aaron Drinan back from his loan at Sutton United.

READING POST

Vito Mannone is back in contention for a starting spot after four games out injured but Reading boss Paul Clement could stick with summer recruit Sam Walker.

BOLTON NEWS

Bolton goalkeeper Ben Alnwick could be out until the international break later this month after aggravating a groin injury.

WALES ONLINE

With Welsh midfielder Aaron Ramsey said to be on his way out of Arsenal, Unai Emery is said to be keen on bringing in Piotr Zielinski from Napoli as a replacement.

DERBY TELEGRAPH

Derby are still waiting to hear whether loanees Fikayo Tomori and Mason Mount will be eligible to face Chelsea in the next round of the Carabao Cup.

Derby captain Curtis Davies is set to return to action for the club's Under-23 side tonight.