England Premier League Media

Barclays Premier League
Venue: Reebok Stadium Date: Saturday, 13 March 2010 Kick-off: 1500 GMT
Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 Live, local radio, Final Score & highlights on Match of the Day

Bolton full back Sam Ricketts is suspended but Tamir Cohen returns to the squad after serving a one-match ban for his red card at West Ham.

Fabrice Muamba and Jack Wilshere both picked up knocks against Sunderland and will be assessed before the game.

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez has reported no fresh injury concerns ahead of Saturday’s trip to the Reebok.

Captain Mario Melchiot remains absent with a thigh injury, but the Latics have an otherwise fully-fit squad.

Bolton

Suspended: Ricketts (one match)

Doubtful: Muamba & Wilshere (unspecified)

Injured: Basham, M Davies, Davis & J O’Brien (all knee), Cahill (arm), Holden (broken leg), McCann (ankle).

Wigan

Injured: Melchiot (thigh)

Two Lancashire neighbours managed by coaches united in their commitment to attractive football find themselves separated by just one point at the wrong end of the Premier League table.

Bolton hover just five points clear of the relegation zone, and saw their recent resurgence suffer a demoralising setback with Tuesday’s 4-0 capitulation at Sunderland.

Owen Coyle’s side continue to struggle for goals – they have netted just four times in their last 10 – and showed signs of fatigue at the Stadium of Light, unsurprising for a team who will be playing their eighth game in 28 days on Saturday.

Wigan make the short journey to the Reebok Stadium buoyed by Monday’s morale-boosting victory over Liverpool, their first win in 10 outings.

Top scorer Hugo Rodallega’s first goal since Boxing Day was a welcome fillip, and the Latics will take further heart from their record against their local rivals – they are unbeaten in their last four meetings, all without conceding a goal.

Head-to-head

This is the 34th meeting between these sides. Bolton have won 12, Wigan 14 and there have been seven draws.

The Latics are unbeaten in their last four games against Bolton, winning two. Bolton failed to score in all four meetings.

Bolton

Bolton have only scored three goals in the last eight league games.

They have lost 14 of the 15 games in which they have gone behind this season.

Wanderers have lost only one of their last seven Premier League matches at the Reebok and have not conceded in their last three at home.

Wigan

Wigan have won just one of their last nine league games away from home, conceding 26 goals.

Charles N’Zogbia has completed 68 dribbles this season, more than any Premier League player.

Bolton

Cahill: 7 goals (5 league); Klasnic: 6 goals (6 league);
K Davies: 6 goals (3 league)

Wigan

Rodallega: 8 goals (8 league); N’Zogbia: 6 goals (4 league)

Referee: Mike Dean

Assistant referees: Simon Beck & Paul Thompson

Fourth official: Phil Gibbs

Bolton (L0-4 v Sunderland, a): Jaaskelainen; Robinson, Ricketts, Knight, Steinsson, Gardner (Taylor 73), Wilshere, Muamba (Weiss 57), Lee, Kevin Davies, Elmander (Klasnic 65). Subs not used: Al Habsi, Samuel, Riga, Andrew O’Brien.

Wigan (W1-0 v Liverpool, h): Kirkland; Boyce, Caldwell, Bramble, Figueroa, Diame (Thomas 82), McCarthy, N’Zogbia, Scharner, Rodallega (Scotland 86), Moreno (Moses 67). Subs not used: Stojkovic, Amaya, Gomez, Sinclair.

Barclays Premier League
Venue: Turf Moor Date: Saturday, 13 March 2010 Kick-off: 1500 GMT
Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 Live, local radio, Final Score & highlights on Match of the Day

Burnley expect leading scorer Steven Fletcher to return against Wolves, having missed the last two matches with a broken hand.

Chris McCann is unlikely to be rushed back from a knee problem, while Steven Caldwell is absent with a groin injury.

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy could name an unchanged side for the fifth successive match.

Striker Stefan Maierhofer has recovered from an ankle injury and could be named among the substitutes.

Burnley

Doubtful: Fletcher (hand), McCann (knee) Injured: Caldwell (groin)

Wolves

Injured: Edwards (ankle), Kightly (ankle/knee)

Burnley brought the advertising hoardings closer to the pitch in midweek in an attempt to nullify Stoke’s threat from throw-ins; there is no evidence of them needing to move the goalposts for the visit of toothless Wolves.

The Black Country side have scored the fewest goals in the top flight this season, a problem encapsulated by the sight of Sam Vokes blazing over the bar from close range last weekend as a point went begging against Manchester United. Wolves have now failed to score in seven games out of 10 since beating Burnley before Christmas.

Burnley failed in their attempt to deny Stoke’s Rory Delap a decent run-up for his exocet throw-ins, but a point on Wednesday ended a four-match losing run and brought Brian Laws’ side level on points with 17th-placed Wolves.

Burnley’s inferior goal difference is a consequence of having the worst defensive record in the division. Clearly, both clubs have obvious improvements to make if they are to avoid an immediate return to the Championship.

Head-to-head

Burnley have not won in their last eight top-flight home matches against Wolves since a 1-0 victory in November 1963 (D4, L4).

Wolves have won three of their last four league visits to Turf Moor. Their only defeat in the last five was 1-0 last season.

Burnley

Burnley’s only win in their last 18 league matches was 2-1 at home against West Ham on 6 February.

They have scored in all 14 Premier League matches at Turf Moor.

The Clarets have the worst defensive record in the top flight, conceding 61 goals.

They have only earned 11 points from 13 games against other sides in the bottom half of the table – the worst record in the division.

Wolves

Wolves have lost their last three league matches without scoring. If they lose on Saturday it will be their longest run of defeats this season.

Their only victory in the last 10 games was 1-0 at home against Tottenham on 10 February.

Wolves have failed to score in seven of their last 10 league matches.

They have scored 21 league goals – the lowest tally in the division this season.

Burnley

Fletcher: 11 goals (7 league); Nugent: 6 goals (6 league); Alexander: 6 goals (5 league)

Wolves

Doyle: 6 goals (6 league); Craddock: 4 goals (4 league)

Referee: Steve Bennett

Assistant referees: Andy Garratt & Trevor Massey

Fourth official: Phil Dowd

Burnley (D1-1 v Stoke, h): Jensen; Mears, Carlisle, Cort, Fox (Jordan 77), Paterson, Alexander, Cork (McDonald 46), Eagles, Nugent, Thompson (Elliott 71). Subs not used: Weaver, Duff, Blake, Bikey.

Wolves (L0-1 v Manchester United, h): Hahnemann; Zubar, Craddock, Berra, Ward (Keogh 84), Henry, Foley, Guedioura (Ebanks-Blake 84), D Jones, Jarvis (Vokes 88), Doyle. Subs not used: Hennessey, Elokobi, Milijas, Mancienne.

Wolves scorers: Milijas 15, Doyle 50

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will not pursue its dispute over the validity of the administration at Portsmouth football club, the BBC has learned.

A scheduled High Court hearing is still expected to go ahead on Monday.

But administrator Andrew Andronikou says an HMRC challenge to his appointment will now be dropped.

Mr Andronikou, of UHY Hacker Young, was appointed administrator last month, and cut 85 jobs at the club on Wednesday.

Portsmouth are facing a nine point deduction for entering administration.

‘Substantial interest’

The validity of Mr Andronikou taking charge of the club matters had been challenged by HMRC.

But on Thursday afternoon he told the BBC that the challenge had been dropped.

“We can now send out letters of terms of engagement,” Mr Andronikou said.

“Interested parties have to pay 5,000 – that allows us to concentrate on real buyers.

“After six weeks they get the money back or can donate to charity.”

He added: “From what I’ve seen there are five substantial interested parties. One has had an interest in a football club before.

“My abiding concern is that we find the right buyer.”

Mr Andronikou had earlier said that interested parties have to provide him with proof of funds and a proven financial covenant before he would release further financial documents for scrutiny.

On Wednesday when the job losses were announced he said no players were being made redundant as they were the “shop window” with regards to finding a potential buyer.

The administrators of Portsmouth have started to make employees redundant, with 85 people losing their jobs.

Administrator Andrew Andronikou said no players were being made redundant as they were the “shop window” with regards to finding a potential buyer.

He also said he had held constructive talks with the tax authorities, and provided them with further details about club finances.

Portsmouth are the first Premier League club to enter administration.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has been seeking a winding up order against the club, and Portsmouth is due in the High Court next Monday, as revenues and customs officials have challenged the terms of the club’s administration.

Mr Andronikou said that the authorities “should now be satisfied” that his appointment as administrator was valid.

He also said other staff had agreed to work fewer hours and that he would attempt to agree salary deferrals with others.

He also said “one or two” players had offered to take pay cuts.

‘Players protected’

The administrator was adamant that all prize money earned by Portsmouth from reaching the FA Cup semi-final would go to the club.

He added that Portsmouth would be taking its place in the semi-final and would “certainly fulfil its fixture list this season and begin the new season in August 2010″.

Mr Andronikou also said chief executive Peter Storrie – who has been criticised over his handling of Portsmouth’s troubles – had tendered his resignation. In the meantime, he has taken a 40% wage cut and currently remains in his post.

“Peter Storrie has tendered his resignation, he is working to a timetable. He is still chief executive today. It may very well change,” Mr Andronikou said.

He added that his hands were tied in relation to the playing wage bill as the players were “very much protected by [players' union] the PFA”.

Before the job cuts the club had a staff of 166 full-time employees, and 154 part-time.

The club’s administrator added that he had received substantial interest in buyers for the stricken club, but only two had been able to show proof of funds.

Arsenal drew level on points with second-placed Chelsea after making hard work of beating Burnley.

Cesc Fabregas opened the scoring when he slotted in from close range but soon afterwards he was forced off injured.

Burnley equalised when David Nugent latched on to Leon Cort’s header and looped the ball over Manuel Almunia.

Theo Walcott curled in a sublime shot to ease the embarrassment of Nicklas Bendtner’s awful finishing before Andrey Arshavin rifled in a third.

Denmark international Bendtner, who scored for his country in midweek, is in the running for miss of the season with at least three of his fluffed efforts on goal.

Fortunately for Arsenal, the impressive Walcott was able to supply the cutting edge to his game that has often been lacking to keep the Gunners’ title ambitions on track.

The result takes Arsenal to within two points of leaders Manchester United, who won at Wolves 1-0 later on Saturday.

The Gunners are level on points with Chelsea but have an inferior goal difference and have played one game more than both their title rivals.

And while Arsenal’s victory keeps the title race wide open, it also served to leave Burnley deep in relegation trouble.

Brian Laws’ side have now won only one of their last 17 league games – and it is hard to see how they will turn things around after another performance lacking guile and belief.

In contrast, there was mental toughness in evidence from the hosts, who were determined to show that the horrific broken leg suffered by Aaron Ramsey against Stoke last weekend would not derail their season.

There was one flashpoint when Walcott reacted angrily to a challenge by Daniel Fox – which showed that memories of Ramsey’s injury are still fresh.

But that aside, Arsenal did not look shaken and vulnerable in the way they did after Eduardo suffered a similar injury two years ago.

They did, however, offer Burnley a glimmer of hope when they conceded a poor goal after Emmanuel Eboue’s clearance was headed back by Cort and Nugent split the defence to finish smartly.

That goal, against the run of play, restored parity after Fabregas had struck first, steering the ball between Brian Jensen’s legs after Samir Nasri’s exquisite chip had played him in.

Arsenal will be concerned that Fabregas was unable to continue for long and was replaced by Abou Diaby.

However, even without their talisman, the hosts should have romped to victory given the chances they created.

That they did not was largely down to awful finishing from Bendtner, who headed wide from eight yards, sidefooted wide from the same distance and screwed another good chance off target in the three worst examples from a woeful catalogue of misses.

Jensen also did brilliantly to deny Walcott and Arshavin more than once, while Tomas Rosicky fired over and substitute Eduardo also turned a cross wide.

However, Burnley were not without their chances, and they had a good opportunity to bring things back to 2-2 when Almunia failed to deal with a corner but Steven Thompson could only smash over.

Instead, substitute Arshavin finally finished off one of Arsenal’s chances when he cut inside from the flank and drove the ball into the bottom corner.

But the stories of the match were Burnley’s vulnerability in defence – they have only once on their travels in the league this season conceded fewer than two goals – and Bendtner’s nightmare.

Arsenal, though, will be delighted with the form of Walcott who looked sharp and creative.

For Burnley, their top-flight status could be slipping away as they remain next to bottom.

Burnley boss Brian Laws:
“I thought in the first half we sat a bit too deep I the first half and we conceded the goal but I thought we responded well in the second half.

“We lived a bit of a charmed life and the had a few chances but we stayed in the game as long as we could.

“But there are positives to take away from the game, we worked ever so hard and we competed well.”

Plymouth Argyle are set to sign Burnley’s 20-year-old defender Richard Eckersley on a one-month loan deal.

“Subject to the paperwork going through, we’re signing Richard,” Pilgrims boss Paul Mariner told BBC Radio Devon.

Mariner needs cover for the injured Reda Johnson and Eckersley can play at full-back or in central defence.

“It’s a bit of a godsend he’s come to us, as it affords us a little room,” added Mariner.

Eckersley started his career as a trainee at Manchester United before moving to Burnley last summer.

Accrington have signed Everton defender James McCarten on a short-term loan.

The 19-year-old reserve team player completed the move to the Crown Ground after Accrington’s temporary transfer embargo was lifted.

The embargo was in place after a delay in paying around 30,000 to HM Revenue and Customs.

Boss John Coleman told BBC Radio Lancashire. “He’s good in the air. He’s a good talker and will add competition for places.”

McCarten signed his first professional deal at Goodison Park in 2008 after a number of impressive performances at the club’s academy.

He told the club website: “I’ve been waiting around for a couple of weeks wanting to sign.

“I trained here a few weeks ago but wasn’t allowed to play in the games so I went back to Everton.

“Now the embargo has been lifted I’m really happy to come here and try to get some games.”

McCarten could make his Accrington debut against Barnet on Saturday.

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish says Barry Ferguson has “certainly proved a few people wrong” in his first season back in the Premier League.

Ferguson signed for Blues in the summer after his second spell at Rangers.

McLeish told BBC WM: “Barry Ferguson’s got a co-ordination and a touch on the ball that most players would kill for.

“He’s brought a calmness and composure to the team without being casual and complacent. He’s brought a real authority to this football club.”

Ferguson, 32, has been a key figure in midfield for Blues in their successful Premier League season. He had previously appeared in the Premier League for Blackburn between August 2003 and January 2005.

McLeish added: “He’s certainly proved a few people wrong.

“People thought he was getting a bit tired in his performances at Rangers, and for the fans probably the love affair had finished. It was time for him to spread his wings and go somewhere else.

“It’s a little bit remiss of people not to mention his very good form just before he left Blackburn.

“People forget that, and I think if you look back at videos of Blackburn games then you’ll see he was actually in excellent form and I know other clubs had courted him.

“But his first love was Rangers and he was desperate to go back there. But this year has given people a lasting look at him for the whole season, and then they realise just how good a player he is.

“He brings drive, but he also brings that thing that I really love about players, he takes the ball. He can keep the ball and he can pass it first time. Other people attempt that and the ball will go all over the place.”

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish is disappointed with the International Football Association Board’s decision to rule out using goal-line technology.

Shortly after the Fifa-backed IFAB ruling, a Liam Ridgewell header that had crossed the line was disallowed in the Blues’ FA Cup defeat at Portsmouth.

“It is frustrating. They’re doing their officials a disservice,” said McLeish.

Former Premier League referee Graham Poll said the decision reflected a “level of arrogance” within the game.

Poll told BBC Radio 5 live’s Sportsweek he was disappointed but not surprised by the decision.

“It’s the same as experimenting with things like sin bins, they say ‘oh that’s a rugby idea, we wouldn’t do that’. We have to be different, we’re football,” he said.

“I’ve spoken to Dr Paul Hawkins who developed Hawk-Eye and it is clear that technology, which has been tested in Premier League grounds, in Premier League training grounds, to the satisfaction of the Premier League, is available and would help match officials.”

Poll went on to defend assistant Adam Watts who was at Fratton Park on Saturday, saying: “I don’t think many people would have been 100% confident that the ball was over the line when they saw it at full speed the first time.

“It’s not helping match officials by not brining new technology in.

“The time has surely come that we need to help officials and I can guarantee that the referee and the assistant driving home from the Portsmouth match will have been very sad they missed that goal.”

Fifa has been under increasing pressure to use some form of technology to eliminate mistakes which are highlighted by television replays.

France striker Thierry Henry’s handball in the build-up to the equalising goal against the Republic of Ireland in Paris in November helped his country to qualify for the World Cup.

Raymond Kennedy, president of the Irish Football Association, Northern Ireland, said there had not been enough controversial goals to warrant introducing new technology.

“If you were to take the FA Cup as an example, that has teams right from the very bottom and if you were to use [goal-line technology] in that competition you would have to have that installed in many of the smaller grounds,” he told Sportsweek.

“I happen to believe that the extra officials, maybe brought in at a latter stage, does much more than goal-line technology. They are there, they will see the fouls that go in the penalty area.

“We believe our game is played by humans and we want human eyeballs to decide whether it is a goal or not. There will be mistakes, people thrive in the controversy of football.”

Former Rangers boss McLeish believed technology needed to be introduced when the stakes were so high.

“I know you can’t stop every part of the game but certainly for key decisions in a major competition like the FA Cup, your chances of getting to semi-finals and finals are few and far between for a little club like us,” added the Scot.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger described the IFAB’s move as “beyond comprehension”.

“For me, it is difficult to understand, for one reason because you want as much justice as possible,” said the Gunners boss.

“I do not even think it is linked with the money factor. If you love football you want the right decisions to be made.

“There was an incident again at the Portsmouth game and I just do not understand why we rule that out.”

Football’s lawmakers reached the decision after watching presentations of two systems, Cairos – which uses a chip inserted in a ball, and Hawk-Eye – used in tennis and cricket.

And the company behind the development of the chip technology have voiced their exasperation over the IFAB vote.

Cairos marketing director Oliver Braun said: “It’s frustrating for us because we have developed this system over so many years. IFAB encouraged us to develop the system.

“They set up some criteria and said if they were met they would go with the technology. For them to come back and say in principle they don’t want to use any technology, that’s frustrating.

“If they said that before it would have saved a lot of time, effort and money.

“The solution to these incidents is here – it’s not an issue that the technology isn’t working. The technology is working, but they don’t want to use it.”

Europa League
Venue: Stadio Olimpico di Torino Date: Thursday 11 March Kick-off: 2005 GMT Coverage: Full commentary on BBC London 94.9 FM, DAB, DSAT & Online, BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 live and ITV4

Fulham will be without captain Danny Murphy (ban) for the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie against Serie A giants Juventus in Turin on Thursday.

Nicky Shorey and Stefano Okaka, who are both cup-tied, will also be missing.

Paul Konchesky could replace Shorey at left-back if he recovers from an ankle injury but Andy Johnson, Clint Dempsey and John Pantsil (all knee) are out.

Juventus are without Gianluigi Buffon, Giorgio Chiellini and Amauri through injury, while Felipe Melo is suspended.

That has left Juve coach Alberto Zaccheroni short of midfield options so Mohamed Sissoko and Claudio Marchisio could be called upon despite the fact both are carrying knocks.

It has ensured Zaccheroni, only beat Fulham counterpart Roy Hodgson once during the three spells the 62-year-old spent in Italy in charge of Inter Milan (twice) and Udinese, will not be taking Fulham lightly.

“Roy is a very honest person,” said the Italian. “His teams are always successful without trying to do too much, they just keep it simple.

“We should never underestimate him and his team. He was worked hard and has fought hard as a manager.”

“I watched Fulham when they played Shakhtar Donetsk (in the last round) and they were very strong. They were arranged very orderly and have plenty of good players so Thursday will be a tough match.

“None of the players play for themselves, they all play for the team they can defend really well. They are a typical English team, they’re very tough, they create a lot and have some excellent players.”

Still, though, the size of the task Fulham face against the Italian giants is not lost on midfielder Zoltan Gera.

He told the club’s website: “I like to watch football in general so I know Juventus and the players. There won’t be any surprises because I’ve seen them a few times.

“There will be a big difference between Shakhtar Donetsk and Juventus. We played against Roma twice and played very well and hopefully we can do the same against Juventus and get a result.”

Fulham provisional squad: Schwarzer, Zuberbuhler, Baird, Kelly, Stoor, Hangeland, Konchesky, Hughes, Smalling, Marsh-Brown, Gera, Duff, Greening, Davies, Etuhu, Riise, Nevland, Elm, Zamora.