Billionaire Arsenal shareholder Alisher Usmanov has given the Russian Football Union a loan of nearly £4m to cover head coach Fabio Capello’s wages. Ex-England boss Capello has not been paid since June 2014 – (Sky Sports)
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is scheduled to end his “vow of silence” and speak to the media again on Friday – (London Evening Standard)
Stoke are seeking 2,000 extra tickets for their FA Cup tie at Blackburn next week, after their initial request was rejected by Lancashire Police. Blackburn are willing to give the Potters the whole Darwen End Stand at Ewood Park but police will only grant permission if the kick-off is moved from 15:00 GMT to lunchtime – (Stoke Sentinel)
Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert insists his team can end a Premier League goal drought exceeding 10 hours this weekend, despite being “disappointed” to miss out on Liverpool striker Rickie Lambert in the transfer window – (Birmingham Mail)
Everton will monitor James McCarthy’s training, nutrition and even his footwear in a bid to end the 24-year-old midfielder’s injury problems – (Liverpool Echo)