Monday's B*ll*x

[Chinners]

Man City striker Santa Cruz keen to hear from Blackburn
Manchester City striker Roque Santa Cruz is keen on a return to Blackburn Rovers.
The Lancashire Telegraph says Santa Cruz would welcome a sensational Rovers return with the Ewood Park outfit weighing up a move that would land them a £10million plus profit on the Paraguayan.
As Sam Allardyce continues his search for an experienced Premier League striker, former Ewood darling Santa Cruz would be of serious interest if the Blackburn Rovers boss can be assured about his full fitness.
Sources close to Santa Cruz have revealed he would relish a return to East Lancashire and current employers Manchester City would listen to offers of between £3m to £5m for him in January – despite buying him from Rovers in the region of £16m plus add ons in June 2009.

Noel Gallagher sets up reunion between Man City and Leicester boss Eriksson
Noel Gallagher has delivered Sven Goran Eriksson an FA Cup reunion with Manchester City.
In an amazing coincidence City fan Noel Gallagher pulled the Blues out of the hat just seconds after Kasabian’s Serge Pizzorno, a Leicester supporter, had drawn out his favourites.
The two rock stars, at Wembley for the draw, laughed and hugged at the news of the renewal of the 1969 final won by the Blues thanks to Neil Young's famous goal.
The contest will have a nostalgic feel for the older fans of both sides, some of City's current squad who played under Sven and for boss Roberto Mancini, a former Foxes player, who credits the Swede with being a major influence on his own managerial career.

TODAY'S OTHER BOLLOX
Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson is interested in Bolton's in-form Swedish striker Johan Elmander, who is out of contract in the summer. Daily Mirror

Arsenal keeper Vito Mannone hopes to extend his loan deal at Hull City beyond January after featuring in a run of three matches for the Championship side. eatsleepsport.com

Wolves are considering a £200,000 bid for Nice striker Mamadou Bagayoko, who has been on a three-day trial at Molineux. Daily Mirror

Manchester United are keeping their goalkeeping options open after admitting that Edwin van der Sar's retirement looks likely this summer. Among those under United's radar are Rangers' Allan McGregor, Bayer Leverkusen's Rene Adler, Manuel Neuer of Schalke and David de Gea from Atletico Madrid. Daily Mail

Birmingham City manager Alex McLeish says his 27-year-old centre-half Roger Johnson deserves an England call-up. Daily Mail

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson thinks it is "sad" for the game that his team have drawn Manchester United in the third round of the FA Cup because of the calibre of the two clubs. Daily Telegraph

Aston Villa centre-back Curtis Davies says he has been rescued by Leicester City manager Sven Goran Eriksson as his loan deal is extended until January. Daily Mirror

Chelsea's interest in Barcelona's former sporting director Txiki Beguiristain has been put on hold because of queries over the part he would be expected to play at Stamford Bridge. The Guardian

Blackpool boss Ian Holloway may use aerobics classes and sessions on the beach to keep his team on their toes ahead of their clash with Manchester United on Saturday because the Seasiders' training pitch is frozen and they have no proper indoor facilities. Daily Mirror

[john@staustell]

"The contest will have a nostalgic feel for the older fans of both sides, some of City's current squad who played under Sven"

Hmm, how many is that then?

Micah Richards and Joe Hart? Nostalgic?

Michael Johnson is current squad I suppose. And Big Phil in Spain may shed a tear from a distance.