Big Stories

Defoe set for hot reception

Jermain Defoe

Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe is determined to continue his fine start to the season when he visits former club West Ham on Sunday.

The 26-year-old started the campaign with two goals against Holland for England, then fired Spurs to the top of the Barclays Premier League with a hat-trick at Hull this week.

Next is a clash at Upton Park where he is expected to receive a hot reception after requesting a transfer from the Hammers in 2003 following relegation from the top flight.

"Scoring goals does give you confidence and I just want to keep it going, keep working hard and hopefully I'll get more," he said. "I'm playing in a good team so I know I'm going to get chances, it's just down to me to take them."

Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola is desperate to bolster his attack with Bordeaux forward Marouane Chamakh and is looking to sell James Collins to push the deal through, with Stoke believed to be leading the chase.

Duo set to boost City squad

Vincent Kompany

Manchester City boss Mark Hughes expects competition for places to hot up when Roque Santa Cruz and Vincent Kompany return to full fitness.

Santa Cruz has been unable to play after undergoing knee surgery in April but could be back for the clash against rivals United on September 20, while Kompany is coming back from a toe problem.

City face Wolves this weekend without the pair.

"The specialist is really pleased with his progress and I imagine he will be available around the time of the United game, or the West Ham match immediately afterwards," said Hughes, when asked about Santa Cruz's injury.

"There is a little way to go (for Kompany) but he is progressing well."

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy has written off City's chances of winning the title, despite the millions they have at their disposal.

McCarthy said: "I don't think that expecting them to win the league when they have just bought a team is realistic."

Brown feels the heat

Phil Brown

After their opening defeats to Chelsea and Tottenham, Hull boss Phil Brown admits the pressure will be on his side to pick up points against Bolton this weekend.

"Chelsea away and Tottenham at home were two very difficult games to get anything from," he said. "Now the pressure is on us to get a point or points on Saturday and the same at Wolves a week later."

Bolton manager Gary Megson wants summer signing Sam Ricketts to focus fully on the job in hand when he returns to his former club Hull.

Megson said: "What you have to do is concentrate on putting a performance in, not back-slapping and high fiving everyone on the way into the ground and meeting old colleagues."

Henderson eager to kick on

Jordan Henderson

Sunderland midfielder Jordan Henderson is keen to face Blackburn this weekend after he came up against Chelsea full-back Ashley Cole in the midweek 3-1 defeat.

"He will learn from the experience of playing against Ashley Cole," said boss Steve Bruce. "The kid ran a million miles and covered every blade of grass, which he had to."

Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce could give a debut to Michel Salgado.

"Michel is an outstanding player. This lad will bring an awful lot, not just on the field but to the club in general," Allardyce said.

Pulis expects stiff test

Tony Pulis

Stoke travel to Birmingham looking to bounce back from their heavy midweek defeat at the hands of Liverpool.

Potters manager Tony Pulis expects his squad to get tested to the limit in their hectic start to the campaign.

"It has been a long pre-season, and then three games in a week," Pulis said. "That is difficult for us, if not for the bigger teams with much bigger squads."

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish has challenged left-back Gregory Vignal to use the Stoke clash to put a case together for a long-term deal at St Andrews.

Vignal has created a favourable impression in his opening two games since making the move from Lens on a one-year deal.

McLeish said: "He will certainly see this season through and it is up to Gregory. It is a challenge to him."