McLeish warns Ferguson

The National staff

• Last Updated: November 20. 2009 9:27PM UAE / November 20. 2009 5:27PM GMT

Alex McLeish has told the Birmingham midfielder Barry Ferguson he runs the risk of losing his regular spot at St Andrew’s if he makes a return to international football with Scotland.

“Would Ferguson welcome a return to playing for Scotland? I don’t know, but if Barry was asked the question, he would be needed to be reminded he is in the Premier League and you need legs in this Premier League,” said the Birmingham manager manager, whose side host Roy Hodgson’s 11th-placed Fulham today.

“To go and play international football at the age of 31 and to come back and perform week in and week out for us may mean there are times I’m going to have to rest or rotate him. Am I being selfish? No, I am just guiding and educating him.”

Birmingham v Fulham, KO 7pm, Show Sasha

O’Neill is Coyle’s hero

Owen Coyle, the Burnley manager, comes face-to-face with one of his role models today and admits he would love to emulate the success of Aston Villa’s Martin O’Neill.

“Martin O’Neill is the perfect role model. He wasn’t gifted a top job, even given he was a top player who won the European Cup,” said Coyle, 43. “He has worked his socks off at the coalface going from Wycombe to Leicester and everything he has got he has earned – no one has handed him anything. That is the type of manager I am very respectful of.

He is a tremendous role model for all us young managers trying to make our way in the game.”

Today’s game is the first league meeting between the clubs in 33 years. It will be a stiff test for Villa, Burnley have won five of their six home games.

Burnley v Villa, KO 7pm, Show Comedy Extra

McCarthy tips Chelsea

The Wolves manager Mick McCarthy has backed leaders Chelsea to win the Premier League, and tipped them as potential winners of the Champions League.

McCarthy, who takes his side to Stamford Bridge today bidding to end Chelsea’s 100 per cent home record in the league, said: “I think they are the strongest team. If they end up being the best team in the Premier League they will not be far away from being one of the winners in Europe.”

McCarthy also praised Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti.

“He has got a good group of players and they look to me like they were under Jose Mourinho when he first arrived, he added. “They look a really happy bunch together and there is no tittle-tattle coming out of there anymore.”

Chelsea v Wolves, KO 7pm, Showsports 2

Brown: Irish will fight back

Phil Brown has no doubts Hull’s trio of Irish players will be fully focused on club matters at home today against fellow strugglers West Ham. Kevin Kilbane, Paul McShane and Stephen Hunt were all involved with the Ireland side whose World Cup dreams were controversially ended by France on Wednesday.

He said: “They have obviously had their disappointments. Our thoughts go out to the Irish team in the manner they were defeated but they have got a job to do back at Hull City. I would have no qualms or hesitation about all three coming back in good spirits.

They’re very experienced lads. You sometimes forget Paul McShane is only 23 – he carries a wealth of experience. And putting an arm around Kevin Kilbane, 102 international caps? I don’t think he’ll take too kindly to that.”

Hull City v West Ham, KO 7pm, Show Series Extra

No panic from Ferguson

Sir Alex Ferguson is adamant his Manchester United side can catch Chelsea in the Premier League title race. The champions are five points behind the Londoners after their 1-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge two weeks ago, but Ferguso, whose side host Everton tonight, remains confident.

“Five points is not insurmountable, that has been shown time and time again in the Premier League,” he said. “You can come from behind and you can be in front and lose it, as we did in 1997. It is a challenge. But I always think if you get to New Year’s Day a point in front or behind, with our experience in big-game situations over the run-in, we have a great chance.”

United go into the match unbeaten in their past eight league games with Everton, who have not won at Old Trafford since 1992.

Man Utd v Everton, KO 9.30pm, Showsports 2

Bruce happy, Bent is not

Steve Bruce has been delighted with Darren Bent’s contribution in recent weeks, but knows the striker has not. Bent already has eight league goals this season, but has not scored in his last three matches.

“He gives you a terrific work ethic, he is a real team player,” said the Sunderland manager Bruce. “If he doesn’t score he contributes to the team. At West Ham, for instance, I thought was arguably his best performance for us. He didn’t score but did everything but. But a goalscorer like Darren is never happy unless he scores a goal. Other centre forwards are happy to contribute and take a big pride in making goals for other people.

“Darren is single-minded and wants to score. I believe he will score because he keeps getting chances. He always has done, so he’s not going to stop now.”

Sunderland v Arsenal, KO 7pm, Showsports 1

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