By IANS
London : Here’s a sample of some of the gossip and transfer rumours from England’s newspapers Wednesday about Premier League clubs:
Chelsea’s Russian owner Roman Abramovich is offering each player of his national team a 40,000-pound bonus to beat England in the Euro 2008 qualifier at the Wembley Stadium. (Times)
Emile Heskey has held off the challenge of Peter Crouch and will start against Russia Wednesday. (Star)
Actor Max Beesley, who stars in BBC programme Hotel Babylon, was seen at England’s training session Tuesday – wearing a team tracksuit. However, he was not taking part in the work-out but was given special access after becoming friendly with the squad when staying at their Grove Hotel base while filming. (Mail)
Scotland will give James McFadden the chance to fire them to Euro 2008 glory against France. (Record)
French coach Raymond Domenech fears his side will not take the Scots seriously when they meet in Paris. (Record)
Republic of Ireland striker Robbie Keane says goalkeeper Shay Given is the best in the world. (Independent)
Newcastle United midfielder Geremi has been dubbed Nelson Mandela by his team-mates because of his statesman-like presence in the dressing room. (Sun)
Liverpool and Manchester United opposed UEFA president Michel Platini’s plans for FA Cup winners to qualify for the Champions League when 102 members of the European Club Forum met in Nyon, Switzerland. (Mail)
Liverpool defender Fabio Aurelio returned to action in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Crewe Tuesday after damaging his Achilles tendon in April. (Times)
Arsenal’s majority shareholder Danny Fiszman has insisted he will not sell his stake in the club to billionaire Alisher Usmanov. (Mail)
Brazilian midfielder Juninho, who is currently sidelined with a shoulder injury at Sydney FC, hopes to return to former club Middlesbrough as coach. (Mail)
Middlesbrough and Reading are interested in Wolverhamptio’s Seyi Olofinjana. (Mirror)
Tottenham Hotspur manager Martin Jol is ready to take a gamble on Aaron Lennon by playing the winger, who had knee surgery this summer, in Saturday’s London derby against Arsenal. (Sun)
Blackburn Rovers captain Ryan Nelsen has ended his three-year international exile by agreeing to become New Zealand skipper. (Sun)
Chelsea has been given permission to speak to Millwall’s academy goalkeeper, 15-year-old Sam Walker, after having a 500,000-pound bid accepted. (Sun)
Aston Villa goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen and midfielder Shaun Maloney want to leave the club when the transfer window opens in January. (Mirror)
Birmingham manager Steve Bruce hopes Carson Yeung’s imminent takeover of the Premier League club will mean he can go on a January spending spree. (Mirror)