FA Cup final, Premier League avert fixture clash

Premier League chiefs have agreed to reschedule fixtures on the penultimate weekend of the season in order to avert a clash with the FA Cup final in May, it was confirmed on Thursday.

Last season a fixture pile-up caused by the Champions League final being held at Wembley meant the FA Cup final was staged alongside Premier League fixtures, taking the shine off one of the most prestigious days in the English calendar.

A similar scenario had been expected this year with more fixture congestion expected as the calendar factors in a break before Euro 2012.

However Premier League clubs have agreed to stage all fixtures in the penultimate round of games on Sunday, May 6, the day after the cup final at Wembley.

"We realise that it is not good for either competition to have our matches conflicting with the FA Cup," Premier League communications director Dan Johnson said.

Meanwhile Premier League officials confirmed next season would begin on August 18, six days after the end of the London Olympics.

Premier League avoid FA Cup clash

Premier League clubs have agreed to move all matches on the penultimate weekend of the season to the Sunday to avoid a clash with the FA Cup final on Saturday May 5.

Fixture congestion caused by the need for a break before Euro 2012 and the Champions League final being played on a Saturday forced the FA to move the FA Cup climax to a weekend where top-flight league matches were also scheduled.

A fixture pile-up last season saw Premier League games played on the same day as the final, but the 20 club chairmen agreed at a meeting to move to the Sunday.

Premier League communications director Dan Johnson said: "We realise that it is not good for either competition to have our matches conflicting with the FA Cup."

The only exceptions will be if an English club is involved in the Europa League final the following Wednesday and would prefer to play on the Saturday, and if Sky choose to show a top-flight match in the Saturday lunchtime slot - the Premier League would be contractually obliged to agree to that.

Lunchtime kick-offs should not conflict greatly with the FA Cup final as this year, for the first time, the kick-off is at 5.15pm.

The chairmen also unanimously agreed to bring in the Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP), a change to the youth development system which has been opposed by some lower league clubs, from next season.

Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore said: "The clubs unanimously backed the EPPP and adopted the rules necessary to implement it.

"The hard work already done in progressing the system of youth development really is just the start, but the commitment shown by the Premier League clubs, mirrored by the Football Association and Football League, means that there will be more and better homegrown players at every single level of English professional football."

It was also confirmed, as expected, that next season's Premier League will kick off on August 18, six days after the end of the London Olympics.

Ridgewell deal confirmed

West Brom have confirmed the signing of Birmingham defender Liam Ridgewell for an undisclosed fee.

Ridgewell has put pen to paper on an initial two-and-a-half year contract plus the option of a further 12 months in the club's favour.

He successfully passed a medical at the Baggies training ground on Tuesday afternoon after agreeing personal terms.

Martinez tips Beausejour to shine

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez believes new signing Jean Beausejour could give his side the boost they need as they head into four months which will decide their Barclays Premier League future.

The Chile international made the switch from npower Championship side Birmingham last week and is set to be included in the squad for Tuesday night's trip to Tottenham. But Martinez has no concerns that the 27-year-old is up to the task.

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"He has had tremendous experiences at international level," said the Spaniard.

"The first time I saw him was playing live at the World Cup in South Africa. Since then he has taken his football to the next level; you could see with his performances at Championship level he is ready for this football.

"We are delighted we are getting the player we all wanted and one who is ready to compete in the Premier League. The timing is perfect for us."

The player admitted Wigan's plight at the bottom of the table was of no concern after being convinced to move by the Latics boss.

"Roberto told me he has been watching me for a long time and as soon as I met with him I could feel his enthusiasm for the team and for the future of the club, which made it a very easy decision to make," Beausejour told wiganlatics.co.uk.

"I didn't take any notice of the table or league positions; I looked at the players at the club and the manager in charge and I believe we are strong enough to survive in the Premier League.

"For a long time I have admired the way the team plays and the style the manager has brought, perhaps what has been missing is a little bit of luck which I'm sure we can earn over the remaining games.

"We have a big game to get ready for against Tottenham and it's one I'm looking forward to. It will be tough because they are such a strong team but the only way we're going to make this a successful season is if we believe, and we have to do that tonight."

Martinez: Young stars not for sale

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez has stressed Victor Moses and James McCarthy are not for sale but did not offer the same reassurances over striker Hugo Rodallega.

The Latics boss is determined not to sell his two 21-year-old "assets" but accepts the situation with Rodallega, whose contract expires this summer, is somewhat different. Moses has been linked with a move back to London with QPR while McCarthy has been on the radar of some of the Barclays Premier League's bigger clubs for some time.

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However, Martinez is adamant he will not allow his squad to be weakened with a vital four months remaining of their relegation battle. "Victor Moses is not for sale. He is one of the biggest assets we have at the club," said the Spaniard.

"He is one of the players who represent Wigan [in terms of what the club stands for] as he is young with fantastic potential and has had great development in the last season or so.

"He is not on the market, he is not for sale and that is the end of the matter. Victor and James are the two younger players in this football club and it would be wrong for us to sell these assets."

When it came to the 26-year-old Rodallega, however, Martinez had a different line of thinking.

"Obviously with other players, when you get into a position when your contract is short-term with the club it is a completely different situation," he added.

"We are in a position where no-one is bigger than the football club.

"Whatever could happen over the next 48 hours will be in the best interest of Wigan.

"Every individual situation is going to be down to that measurement."

Wenger plays down Wilshere fears

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger insists there is no need to yet be concerned over Jack Wilshere's hopes of playing at Euro 2012 after the England midfielder suffered a setback to his recovery.

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The 20-year-old was set to return from his ankle problem in early February, but felt pain when running in training earlier this week and will now have a series of consultations with specialists before deciding how to proceed.

But Wenger is not overly worried, and when asked about Euro 2012, he said: "I would not (worry) at the moment. We are now at the end of January. He has not played since summer, so for the friendly against Holland (on February 29) it is impossible."

He added: "From day one, when you are completely fit to practice again, to be match fit you count at least six weeks.

"Jack is gutted. It is a massive disappointment, but I am really disappointed for him as well because he is a football animal.

"I am so sad that at that age you have to be out for such a long time with not any obvious reason.

"If you had have told me that Jack would not have played one game by February, I would have said 'that is impossible'.

"We miss that little burst from Jack. Let's hope it goes well and we have good news (from the specialists)."

Ambitious PSG wary of Brest slip-up in French league

French league leaders Paris Saint Germain are hoping to avoid a costly slip-up Saturday when their title credentials come under the microscope at Brest.

Despite sitting 11th in Ligue 1, the Brittany outfit are the only unbeaten side at home this season.

PSG however are the team with the best away record, setting the scene for a much-anticipated clash at the Stade Francis Le-Ble.

Midfielder Clement Chantome admitted the Parisians have become more ambitious under their new Qatari owners and were determined to maintain at least their three-point margin on Montpellier to stay on track for a first league title since 1994.

"Brest are unbeaten at home, are solid in defence. They're sure to challenge us," said Chantome.

"But things are nothing like in previous years. What has changed is that PSG has become ambitious and are looking to win titles."

The Parisians will however be without Argentinian star Javier Pastore who tore a left thigh muscle during their French Cup win last week. Jeremy Menez looks set to fill in with midfielder Mathieu Bodmer back from suspension.

Brest defender Jonathan Zebina is also expecting sparks to fly.

"Paris are the form team of the championship at the moment. The Parisians are first with a three-point advantage. It's a team under construction, the team that everyone is taking about," said Zebina.

"We have to be wary. But we've also shown that we're capable of taking on anyone at home. We're going to count on our fans to try and once again get the best out of the match."

Second place Montpellier meanwhile will be hoping for their rivals to slip up to move level on points after 21 games as they travel to second-from-bottom Nice.

Defender Garry Bocaly is back from his suspension but captain Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa (ankle) and striker John Utaka (thigh) are still out with niggling injuries.

The club will also be without their African contingent - Younes Belhanda, Abdelhamid El Kaoutari, Jamel Saihi and Souleymane Camara - who are all on African Cup of Nations duty.

Champions Lille, seven points off the pace in third, are at home to Saint-Etienne, sitting seventh.

Lyon, in fourth, host Dijon, sitting 13th and who have not taken any points from their clashes against clubs from the top eight.

"It's going to be complicated against a rival which has the potential to get on the podium at the end of the season," said Dijon coach Patrice Carteron.

"If we lose at Lyon, no one will be surprised. We're going to give it everything we have knowing that afterwards we're going to meet four rivals who are also looking to remain in the top flight."

Elsewhere Auxerre host Nancy as second-bottom Sochaux travel to Lorient and Toulouse take on Caen. On Sunday, Didier Deschamps' Marseille play Rennes in Brittany as Bordeaux travel to Evian and Valenciennes host tailenders Ajaccio.

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Hodgson keen on Huszti

West Brom head coach Roy Hodgson is hopeful of concluding a deal to sign Zenit St Petersburg winger Szabolcs Huszti for the remainder of the season.

Hodgson has been preparing his side for Saturday's FA Cup clash with Norwich at the Hawthorns amid ongoing talks with the Russian club about taking the Hungary international on loan with a view to a permanent deal in the summer.

Hodgson is keen to strengthen his wide options in midfield, with Zoltan Gera and skipper Chris Brunt both long-term injury casualties, and said: "Huszti is a player who has had a very good career with Metz, Hannover and now St Petersburg, who have been the top side in Russia for two or three years."

He added: "He is a player who comes with a very good CV, a type of player we don't really have at the club, not least with Gera and Brunt injured long term.

"We hope we can finalise the deal with the club and the player himself and he will be a good addition to our squad for the final 16 league games if it all gets tied up."

Hodgson has also not given hope of signing Birmingham defender Liam Ridgewell, even though Albion's initial bid was rejected by their midlands rivals.

He said: "I know that Birmingham are still in dialogue with Dan Ashworth [West Brom's sporting and technical director]. Whether that means there will be another offer from our side I couldn't say.

"I was under the impression that the offer we made was pretty much a final one, but who knows? It would be nice for a deal to be done and, if it can't, then that is okay too."

Hodgson has written off any hopes of signing defender Chris Baird from his former club Fulham, however.

He said: "We have been told he is not available. His name was mentioned and I said yes, if he was going to be released we would be interested. Then I have been informed that Fulham will not be releasing him."

Brunt frustrated by injury lay-off

West Brom skipper Chris Brunt has revealed his frustration at being sidelined for the first elongated spell of his career after undergoing ankle surgery.

The Northern Ireland midfielder suffered a fractured ankle when falling awkwardly during the home New Year's Day clash with Everton.

The 27-year-old will be out of action for eight to 10 weeks and told Albion's official website: "I've been lucky in my career in not having many injury issues in the past. This is probably the first real one for me."

He added: "In any case, any other time I've had to have surgery has been in the close season so I didn't miss any games.

"It hasn't been too bad so far but, as time goes on, I'll get more frustrated with not being able to get out on the field.

"It's never nice to miss games at any time but this is the crucial part of the season.

"Having a timeframe probably helps; knowing that it is eight weeks minimum gives me something to get my head around. At least I know I'll be back this season if all goes to plan."

Brunt is relieved the injury setback proved not to be even more serious.

He said: "The medical staff were happier it was a fracture rather than ligament damage or a tear. Initially they thought it was to do with my tendon which would have been a lot more serious.

"The operation went well but I've got a long few weeks ahead of me to get fit again and can't do much rehab yet as I still can't put any weight on the ankle."

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Hodgson welcomes Dorrans return

Roy Hodgson believes West Brom are beginning to see the best of midfielder Graham Dorrans and admits it is like having "a new player" at his disposal.

Dorrans has been dogged by injury problems since Hodgson took charge at the Hawthorns nearly 12 months ago, most notably a long-term ankle setback suffered in training.

But the Scottish international is now fit and has made the most of opportunities opened up to him by injuries to Youssouf Mulumbu, Chris Brunt and Paul Scharner in recent weeks, and Albion head coach Hodgson said: "It's good to see that Graham Dorrans is getting better match by match."

He added: "We're beginning to see the best of him because he is getting a run of games and that is benefiting his fitness.

"I've been at the club almost a year now and a large part of that time for Graham has been spoilt by injury.

"I'm now finding a new player who is a gifted footballer."

Hodgson is expected to ring the changes for Saturday's home FA Cup fourth round clash with Norwich, who won the recent Barclays Premier League clash at the Hawthorns.

He admitted: "I'm looking at the players who have been bearing the brunt of the opening 22 league games and maybe giving them a break at the weekend."

Scharner is unlikely to have recovered from his achilles injury in time to face the Canaries.

McCoist - No offers for Nikica

Ally McCoist claims Rangers have still not received any offers for Nikica Jelavic amid mounting speculation linking the striker with a move south of the border.

The Ibrox boss confirmed at the weekend that informal talks between chairman Craig Whyte and his West Ham counterpart David Sullivan had taken place. The Croatian has also been linked with Liverpool, West Brom, Fulham and QPR but McCoist is adamant that no club has tabled an offer for Jelavic yet.

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He told: "We have absolutely not received any bids for Nikica or indeed any of our players at all. No offers have been put in from any clubs."

He added: "That's where we are at the moment. Sam Allardyce and I have spoken on the phone and had a conversation which will remain private.

"Craig (Whyte) has also spoken to Mr Sullivan and they have had a discussion too which Craig has told me about. But there has certainly not been an offer from West Ham for Nikica and everything we are reading is purely speculation. The same applies to everyone else in the squad."

David Healy and Kirk Broadfoot have also been the subject of transfer speculation this month.

McCoist added: "The key message with the likes of Nikica, David and Kirk is that they are all integral members of our squad and hopefully that will remain the case."

Jelavic has been quoted in a number of newspapers expressing interest in a move to West Ham but also claiming he would be happy to remain with the Scottish champions.

He was quoted as saying: "West Ham are a great club; they are not a second division club. They are a famous Premier League club who happened to be relegated last season and will return to the Premier League next season.

"It would be nice to play there if the opportunity comes up and the club agrees. But I am also playing at a big club and it wouldn't bother me in the least if I had to stay here."

Latics deny making Maynard bid

Wigan have stressed they have only made an 'informal enquiry' about Bristol City's Nicky Maynard and not an official bid.

The wheels appeared to be in motion regarding Maynard's potential move to the DW Stadium when a statement on the City website said the npower Championship outfit had given the Latics permission to speak to the 25-year-old, adding that "discussions to finalise a transfer fee with the Premier League club are at an advanced stage."

However, Wigan released a statement of their own confirming that "contrary to heavy media speculation, no official bid has been made to Bristol City for striker Nicky Maynard and there have been no official talks with the player or the club."

In the statement, Latics chief executive Jonathan Jackson said: "An informal enquiry was made as to the player's availability last week, but that really is as far as it goes at this stage.

"We are therefore disappointed by suggestions that talks are in an advanced stage.

"Some reports even suggest the player has turned (down) a move to Wigan Athletic, when in fact, no bid has been lodged.

"It is normal for clubs to communicate with each other to ascertain the availability of players - especially during a transfer window.

"However, we believe these conversations should remain confidential, otherwise, as we have seen in this instance, it can lead to exaggerated speculation."

Maynard has been made available for transfer by the Robins after ending talks over a possible new contract with the club.

An unused substitute in Saturday's 2-1 win over Doncaster, he has made 130 first-team appearances for the Robins, scoring 46 goals, since arriving from Crewe in a £2.25million deal in July 2008.

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Martinez defiant about survival bid

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez feels few people outside the town believe the Latics can stay up this season - but remains confident they will be proved wrong.

The Latics are bottom of the Barclays Premier League, four points adrift of safety, and widely tipped to go down, but the Spaniard - who guided the club to survival on the final day of last term - sees things differently.

He told the Wigan Observer: "I don't think the situation at the moment is any different from the ones we've faced in the past."

He added: "If you listen to anyone outside Wigan, I don't think many of them have really high hopes for us. But I think that's probably the biggest strength we've got - that siege mentality - and we need to take advantage of that.

"We know what we have to do and we know how we are going to achieve it. It's just a matter of working as hard as we can to maintain our standards.

"It's always nice to have that added motivation to achieve, and it makes it sweeter when you do it. This club has always defied the odds and we're determined to make sure we do it again this season."

Martinez looks set to soon inject some fresh blood into his team's bid to beat the drop.

Bristol City have given Wigan permission to open talks with Nicky Maynard, with the two clubs close to agreeing a fee for the striker.

Maynard, 25, had been made available for transfer by the Robins after ending talks over a possible new contract and a brief statement on City's website read: "Discussions to finalise a transfer fee with the Premier League club are at an advanced stage.''

The Latics are also understood to have agreed an undisclosed fee for Birmingham's 27-year-old Chile winger Jean Beausejour. Meanwhile, Wigan forward Hugo Rodallega, who is out of contract in the summer, has reportedly told a radio station in his native Colombia that he will not be staying at the DW Stadium beyond the end of his current deal.

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Latics close on Beausejour deal

Wigan have agreed an undisclosed fee for Birmingham winger Jean Beausejour, Press Association Sport understands.

The Chile international is due at the DW Stadium to discuss personal terms as the Barclays Premier League's bottom club aim to inject fresh blood into their survival bid.

Beausejour has previously attracted the attention of Latics boss Roberto Martinez, who saw his attempts to land the wide man thwarted in the summer.

Championship promotion-chasers Birmingham last week rejected a bid from West Brom for defender Liam Ridgewell, but Wigan's offer for Beausejour is understood to be more in line with City's valuation of the player.

The 27-year-old was signed by former Blues boss Alex McLeish after his performances for Chile at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa caught the eye, penning a three-year deal from Mexican side Club America for a fee believed to be just over £3million.

He subsequently made a total of 14 starts and 11 substitute appearances for Birmingham last season, including a second-half outing in the Carling Cup triumph over Arsenal at Wembley.

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Following City's relegation from the top flight and the subsequent raft of departures at St Andrew's, Beausejour has been a more consistent performer for the midlands club in the second tier.

He has made 22 league starts and nine cup outings, including six in the Europa League, bagging goals against Club Brugge and Burnley along the way.

Martinez confident of beating drop

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez is convinced his side will again beat relegation because defying odds is in their nature.

Latics, who avoided the drop only on the final day of last season, are bottom of Barclays Premier League heading into Saturday's crucial encounter at fellow strugglers QPR.

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Martinez's men, with just 15 points from 21 games and numerous statistics against them, are many bookmakers' favourites to finish last, but the Spaniard said: "I think stats are there to be broken. We are the type of football club that keep doing that, season after season."

He added: "We know exactly what we have got to do.

"We have got our own targets and that is what we base our success on. In many ways, the more stats against us the better.

"I don't think we need any more motivation - football itself is a real challenge. The bigger the challenge, the bigger the response at our football club and that will always be the case.

"We have always had that in our DNA. We are a fighting club. We need to defy the odds and the players know that."

Martinez still has time before the closure of the January transfer window to make changes to his squad for the remainder of the season.

He is keen to act but insists he only needs to make minor adjustments, and added: "It is not about finding a super player that can come in and save our season. That is not the way we are or the way we work.

"With any window, we need to take it to our advantage as much as we can. It is not just a window to bring players in just for the sake of it."

nPower launches whats your goal 2012

TODAY, Robbie Savage hangs up his ‘Strictly’ dancing shoes to join The Apprentice star and West Ham Vice Chairman Karren Brady in leading a ‘Dream Team’ of eleven high profile football experts to launch npower’s What’s Your Goal? 2012.

What’s Your Goal is a nationwide work experience scheme designed to inspire young people to explore the vast and varied careers found in our national sport.

Working in partnership with The Football League Trust, npower is seeking to support young people’s employment opportunities for the future, by showcasing the wide range of job opportunities available within football and demonstrating that you don’t have to be the star player on the field to make your mark within the industry.

What’s Your Goal? 2012 will see npower work with all 72 clubs in The Football League to offer over 300 valuable work experience placements to school children in Years 10 – 11 in their local areas.

What’s Your Goal? 2012 will see npower work with all 72 clubs in The Football League to offer over 300 valuable work experience placements to school children in Years 10 – 11 in their local areas. In addition to these exciting placements, npower is also offering the nation’s young people the chance to win the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spend a day being mentored by the WYG ‘Dream Team’. Children in Years 7 – 11 are invited to apply for the chance to gain first-hand experience of working life by spending time with high profile experts such as Karren Brady and Robbie Savage and trying out their coverted jobs for themselves!

Having proved their worth after submitting a CV and video evidence demonstrating their enthusiam, 11 young people will be chosen to take on roles such as, being a pundit with Robbie Savage at the npower Championship Play Offs; helping Karren Brady make boardroom decisions at West Ham and putting a team of professional players through their paces working as first team coach with Paul Trollope at Birmingham City Football Club.

Footballing titans such as Sir John Madejski, owner of Reading FC, Malky MacKay, manager of Cardiff City FC and Sasa Ihringova, The Football League’s most senior female referee, have also come on board to offer their time to support the initiative.

Making up the rest of the Dream Team is Liam Sweeting, match analyst at Blackpool FC; Paul Redman, TV producer for The Football League Show; Paul Trollope, first team coach at Birmingham City FC; John Sibley, match photographer; Clare Tomlinson, TV presenter for Sky Sports and Simon Boynton, website publisher at Digital Sports Group.

Karren Brady said:

“npower’s What’s Your Goal 2012 is a fantastic way to show young people that you don’t need to score goals to shoot to the top in the football industry. Whether you’re passionate about business, photography, presenting or refereeing the nation’s favourite sport, this scheme offers young people a great way to learn skills from the best in the business.”

“I’ve never played professional football but I’ve managed to create a successful career by working hard and taking my chances when they arose. This industry is full of opportunities, as long as you work hard.”

Robbie Savage adds:

“I’ve worked within the football industry for over 20 years and I’ve loved every minute of it. A lot of people look at football and don’t see how much effort goes into each and every match but we’re here to show young people just how many opportunities there are – and not all of them mean you have to be able to kick a ball!

“It’s not an easy career, but if young people are ambitious and passionate about the game, they’ll find a career in football incredibly rewarding. I hope that I can inspire teenagers out there to apply for one of the many roles offered by npower’s What’s Your Goal 2012? so that they can kick-start a career in football today!”

Clare McDougall, npower’s head of education and community, said:

“It’s really hard out there for young people at the moment and this campaign can help get young people thinking ‘what is my goal? We’re challenging them to take their futures into their own hands, try out amazing jobs and build skills that will help them to conquer the working world.

“With mentors like Karren Brady, Robbie Savage and Sir John Madejski, we really are giving young people the opportunity of a lifetime – to shadow people who are the top of their game, who know the football business better than anyone.

“What’s Your Goal? 2012 is bigger and better than ever before and we hope it will give even more young people the inspiration to start thinking about careers within the football industry.”

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Poyet relieved after shootout win

Brighton manager Gus Poyet admitted his side rode their luck to beat non-league Wrexham on penalties in a thrilling third round replay which he believed showcased the qualities of the FA Cup.

Dragons player-manager Andy Morrell's stunning first-half strike threatened another famous Wrexham giant-killing, 20 years after their win over Arsenal, but Ashley Barnes headed an equaliser with 13 minutes remaining to level the score at 1-1. The non-league side missed several chances, notably when Jay Harris headed against the bar with extra time almost up, but ultimately they were made to pay for Dean Keates' penalty miss.

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"It was a very difficult game," said Poyet. "We knew we did not start well but the cup is about getting through somehow."

The Seagulls will now face Premier League Newcastle in the fourth round but Poyet conceded it was a barely deserved victory.

He said: "We did not adapt well to the conditions in the first half, then we started to play a little bit better. We created the chances and scored at the right time and then it was very open.

"I don't like open games. But that is the cup. Then on the penalties the experience and quality helps a lot. When you come here you have nothing to win and everything to lose. If you win 3-0 that's normal. If you win on penalties you are lucky.

"So it is not easy. Saying that, most of the time it is credit to the opposing team and you can see how much it means for the players. It was a great FA cup tie, I can imagine how Wrexham feel. They were so close to having a great game here, but that's football, sometimes it goes for you and sometimes it goes against."

The 61-place difference between Brighton and the Blue Square Bet Premier leaders was hardly visible and Morrell is hoping to use their performance as a springboard to promotion.

He said: "The lads were absolutely fantastic and they deserve all the credit that they get and on another day we might have nicked it as well. It wasn't to be, but I am so proud. We had the better chances I think, but I am not going to sit here and complain.

"We have got bigger fish to fry with getting out of this league and if we can do that with a good cup run this should kick us on now, rather than hinder us. I think we have a great chance of going up if we can keep the lads fit and together."

Leicester and Millwall progress

Leicester's Jermaine Beckford and Millwall's Darius Henderson both completed hat-tricks to send their respective sides into the fourth round of the FA Cup.

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A George Boateng own-goal and three goals from Beckford inspired the Foxes to a 4-0 humbling of their east midlands rivals Nottingham Forest.

Meanwhile, goals from Henderson and on-loan Harry Kane were enough for the Lions, who finally found their goalscoring touch to see off Dagenham 5-0 in their third-round replay.

Boateng set the tone for a dire night for the Reds, clipping into his own net following a goalmouth scramble, before Leicester took control of their own destiny through the mercurial Beckford.

The summer signing from Everton headed his first goal in 11 outings for the Foxes before sending a heatwave through the bitterly-cold King Power Stadium with two close-range finishes after the break.

Forest were not without their fair share of chances in the opening half, and Robbie Findley's poor miss with the goal gaping summed up a dreadful evening for Steve Cotterill's side.

The victory represents a morale-boosting second home win in six attempts for Nigel Pearson's side, but heaps further pressure on relegation-threatened Forest, who sit 22nd in the npower Championship.

For Millwall, top scorer Henderson found the net for the first time since November and Tottenham loanee Kane grabbed his first goals for the club as they dispatched their League Two opponents at the second attempt.

Victory came as a huge relief to manager Kenny Jackett, who had seen his side score just once in their previous eight outings and thumped 6-0 by Birmingham just three days ago to leave them embroiled in the Championship relegation battle.

It also meant Millwall made it through to the fourth round - and a home tie with Southampton - for only the third time in eight attempts since they lost the 2004 final to Manchester United.

Footballers held over sex attack

A number of Brighton and Hove Albion footballers have been arrested by police investigating a sex attack.

Six men have been held on suspicion of the alleged sexual assault of a woman in Brighton last July, Sussex Police said

Five of the men - aged 18, 19, two aged 20 and one aged 24 - are from Brighton. A sixth man, aged 20, is from Dorset.

The alleged attack was reported to police at the time but the suspects were identified only last Friday.

Four of the men were held in Brighton at 4.20am. A fifth was arrested in the city at about 7.20am and the sixth in Dorset at 10.30am.

There was no comment from the club.

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Odemwingie not for sale - Hodgson

West Brom head coach Roy Hodgson insists striker Peter Odemwingie is not for sale.

Odemwingie was Albion's top scorer last season, his 15 goals helping to preserve the club's Barclays Premier League status.

The Nigeria international has struggled to recapture the same form during the current campaign but remains pivotal to Hodgson's plans, who said: "I'm not aware of any interest in Peter. We don't need to sell him, we don't want to sell him."

He added: "We can't stop clubs making offers. One club rather cheekily early on (in the transfer window) said they'd like to loan him for a few months but I think that was a semi-jocular approach."

Hodgson, who saw an initial bid for Birmingham defender Liam Ridgewell rejected on Tuesday, will not make any panic signings this month.

He said: "I've said all along that if the player isn't there, then there is no desperation or panic on my side.

"You just don't want to bring in extra bodies for the sake of it. I believe in my team and we have players who can get us home this season."

Midfielder Paul Scharner (Achilles) and defender Billy Jones (hamstring) are doubtful for Saturday's match at Stoke.

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