Sissoko makes progress

The 21-year-old hopes to be back in training soon after damaging the retina of his eye in a collision with Beto on Tuesday as the Reds slumped to a 1-0 defeat in Lisbon.

"We had bad news, but now we have better news," Benitez said on Friday.

"We need to wait for another opinion but I am positive and I hope he will be in training soon," he continued.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger insists Ashley Cole will not be rushed back into action following an extensive lay-off through injury.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger insists defender Ashley Cole will not be rushed back into action following an extensive lay-off through injury. The England left back sustained a thigh injury in January just as he came back from a lengthy absence with a broken foot.

"I am a little cautious with him at the moment because he had a few setbacks," Wenger said. "It is difficult to say when he will return.

"He responded to the reserve game with a lot of fatigue because he has hardly played in over four months.

"The plan with him is to play him on Monday night in the reserves against Tottenham and assess him after that."

Ahead of Sunday's League Cup final, Wigan boss Paul Jewell has dismissed speculation linking him to the vacant coaching job at Newcastle.

Jewell has guided his Wigan side to a lofty position in their first season in the Premiership and to a League Cup final appearance, and in doing so his reputation has soared.

"I'm surprised, but I've a job to do at Wigan. I enjoy my job here," he said.

"There are all sorts of rumours flying around linking different people, but I tend to take no notice of rumours because that's all they are."

The rumours are circulating despite Newcastle having won three and drawn one of their last four outings since parting company with sacked Graeme Souness.

Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd is thought to be in no particular hurry to find a replacement.

Aston Villa have extended Welsh defender Mark Delaney's contract by a year... and Manchester City youngsters Micah Richards and Lee Croft are set to win new deals to see them stay at Eastlands.

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