Chelsea backing Wayne Bridge over captain John Terry as duo set to clash for first time
Wayne Bridge comes face to face with John Terry at Stamford Bridge having received an astonishing pledge of support from five members of the Chelsea dressing room.
On a day when Fabio Capello all but accused Terry of setting a bad example to young fans, it emerged that the Vanessa Perroncel scandal has divided the Chelsea captain's own colleagues.
Manchester City players, some of whom wore Team Bridge T-shirts under their kit after the scandal broke, have told Bridge they will join him in refusing to shake Terry's hand during the now customary exchange.
Head to head at High Noon: All eyes focus on just two men - Terry and Bridge Show of support: Bridge with Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini at training before the big showdown with nemesis John Terry at former club Chelsea
But just as remarkable is that, according to sources, Bridge has earned the sympathy of Terry's team-mates over a scandal which has led to the Manchester City full back declaring himself unavailable for England.
Bridge is a former Chelsea player and he clearly still has friends there who believe Terry deserved to lose the England captaincy.
Capello certainly seems to be disturbed by the sorry episode, as well as Ashley Cole's troubled private life.
On Friday he gave a clear indication of what he will say to his England players when they meet for next Wednesday's friendly against Egypt.
'When I met the players for the first time, I told them, "You have to respect all the people that work with me, around us and the other players",' he said.
Sorry saga: Fabio Capello will remind Terry and his England team-mates they have a duty to fulfill in the public spotlight, namely showing respect to set an example
'The younger children look to these players like an example for life.
'I prefer to speak about football and not the personal life. The next press conference will not be easy to speak about Egypt. A lot of questions will be about John Terry, Wayne Bridge and other things around their private life.'
TRANSFER BOLLOX
Manchester United will be under pressure to sell off up to 15 players at the end of the season to help clear their rising debt, reported to be about £716m. Striker Michael Owen and keeper Ben Foster are likely to be top of the list for the axe.Daily Star
Veteran former Scotland striker Paul Dickov, a free agent after leaving Leicester in January, will join League One title hopefuls Leeds on Monday.
Daily Mail
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Ipswich manager Roy Keane sympathises with Bridge's decision to quit England, claiming "getting the big contract, the Bentley and the blonde" has replaced playing the international game as "the pinnacle" for players. Daily Mail
Olympic and world sprint champion Usain Bolt is desperate for Manchester United to beat Aston Villa in Sunday's Carling Cup final. He will be watching in his Kingston home and said: "I want to be celebrating at the end." The Sun
Milton Keynes Dons manager Paul Ince is facing the axe, with former Watford and Reading boss Brendan Rodgers being lined up to replace him. Daily Mail
Reading have decided not to appeal against Jobi McAnuff's red card in the FA Cup fifth-round replay victory over West Brom, ruling the winger out of the Royals' quarter-final clash against Aston Villa. Daily Mail
The Premier League could introduce fines if members fail to stick to an agreement made at the start of the season on giving interviews to rights holders. It could lead to Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson speaking to the BBC once again. Ferguson fell out with the corporation after a 2004 documentary about his son Jason. The Independent
Rangers manager Walter Smith has told goalkeeper Allan McGregor, who this week claimed he was attacked at a city centre taxi rank, he is on his last chance over his off-the-field antics. (The Sun)
Rangers' Walter Smith says it is understandable that striker Kris Boyd has called off contract talks because of the uncertainty over the club's finances and the manager's future. (Various)
Scotland's under-fire referees will be wined and dined by the Scottish Football Association before next week's friendly with Czech Republic as a defiant show of support to officials. (The Sun)
Rangers striker Kenny Miller has hit back at Celtic's claims that they get a raw deal from referees, saying he suffered a harsh red card against Dundee United that ruled him out of the last Old Firm derby. (Various)
Former Manchester United and Aston Villa striker Dwight Yorke is in reflective mood ahead of the Carling Cup final. When asked about a premature end to a four-year Old Trafford career in 2002, he said: "Would I give up the women and nights out for another year at United? Would that make me happy? Would that make me the person I am today? I'm not so sure."
Daily Express