Van Gaal warned: Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has been warned as to his future conduct following comments he made about the referee after his team’s 0-0 FA Cup draw at Cambridge United, the FA said. The Dutchman said everything had been against Premier League side United during the fourth-round match last month against fourth-tier Cambridge, including the referee.
Newcastle: Vurnon Anita and Ryan Taylor could be pressed into service as emergency defenders as Newcastle head coach John Carver faces a potential crisis. Paul Dummett left Selhurst Park on crutches after last week’s 1-1 Premier League draw with Crystal Palace and seems certain to miss Saturday’s trip to Manchester City with a knee injury at the very least. That would leave Carver with just four fit senior defenders, Daryl Janmaat, Mike Williamson, Fabricio Coloccini and Massadio Haidara.
Olsson: Jonas Olsson is closing in on a first-team return with West Brom. The 31-year-old centre-back has now completed two full games for the under-21s over the past 10 days since undergoing Achilles tendon surgery before Christmas.
Commons: Ronny Deila has yet to decide if Kris Commons will be in the Celtic squad for the Europa League clash with Inter at Parkhead tonight. The Hoops midfielder has missed the last two matches with a hamstring injury but is in training for the first leg of the last-32 tie against the Italian side.
Everton: Leighton Baines and Aiden McGeady are among eight Everton players not to have made the trip to Bern for today’s Europa League last-32 first leg against Young Boys. As well as Baines and McGeady (both knee), the travelling party is also missing Leon Osman, Steven Pienaar and Arouna Kone – a trio in action for the under-21s side this week as they worked on their fitness – plus Tony Hibbert (unspecified).
Cleared: Leeds defender Giuseppe Bellusci was cleared of racially abusing Norwich’s Cameron Jerome because he was actually threatening to give the striker “a black eye”, the Football Association has revealed. The Italian was charged following an incident during the 1-1 draw between the teams in October, where he was alleged to have directed a racial insult at Jerome.