Wilmots recommends Schalke to De Bruyne

Belgium boss Marc Wilmots has admitted that he feels Kevin de Bruyne should consider leaving Chelseafor Schalke.
The 22-year-old attacking midfielder, who was withdrawn after 58 minutes in Thursday's 2-0 defeat against Colombia, had impressed in pre-season for the Blues, but, after consecutive starts in the first two league matches of the season, has not featured in the Premier League since September.
Wilmots has previously expressed his desire for De Bruyne to be playing first-team football in a World Cup year, and the 44-year-old coach, who has had three spells in Gelsenkirchen as a player and coach, has now given a potential loan move to the Veltins-Arena his seal of approval.
“If Kevin asked me, I could only tell him good things about Schalke,” said the Belgium boss. “Of course the final decision is up to Chelsea, who have him under contract. But Schalke is definitely a great club.
“Schalke was the best time in my whole career as a player. Unbelievable atmosphere, fantastic fans – the whole club is absolutely unique.”
Die Konigsblauen boss Jens Keller added fuel to the speculation linking De Bruyne with a move to the Veltins-Arena by lauding the young Belgian's ability and admitting the club expect to be active in the January window.
“De Bruyne has enormous quality,” he enthused. “In the winter break, we are more likely to do something rather than let players leave.

Lampard: England have a long way to go

Frank Lampard admits England still have plenty of room for improvement ahead of the 2014 World Cup, after an experimental line-up lost 2-0 against Chile at Wembley on Friday night.
Alexis Sanchez opened the scoring early on before wrapping up the win with a cute finish in stoppage time, ending an unbeaten run for the Three Lions that stretched back to November 2012.
Lampard, who made his 103rd appearance and was presented with his golden cap, has rejected notions that England have been dealt a reality check but conceded there is work to do ahead of next summer's tournament in Brazil.
"We are very aware of the job in hand," the 35-year-old midfielder told the Football Association's official website.
"We are not on the moon and we are not terrible – we are somewhere in between. We have got a long way to go.
“We need to concentrate on what we are doing, we have got another game against top class opposition on Tuesday [against Germany] and we need to improve.

Szczesny signs new long-term Arsenal contract

The Poland international, who joined the club's academy in 2006, has been ever-present this season as the Gunners sit top of the Premier League.
The 23-year-old, whose previous deal was due to expire in 2015, has now established himself as the club's first-choice shot-stopper after briefly losing his place in the side last season.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is delighted to have secured the Pole's long-term future and believes he will continue to play an important role for the club for the foreseeable future.
“We’re very pleased Wojciech has signed a new long-term contract,” the Frenchman told the club's official website. “I have always believed he is an extremely talented player, with excellent reflexes and good mental strength.
“He continues to grow and improve all the time too, so he has the potential to be even better. He can be an important part of Arsenal Football Club for many years to come.”
Szczesny is thrilled to have extended his stay at the Emirates Stadium, having already been at the club for seven years, and is now targeting trophies as the Gunners bid to end their eight-year trophy drought.
“I am very pleased to have signed a new contract," said the Polish keeper. “Arsenal is like my family and I’m so happy to be committing my long-term future here.

Defoe fears lack of Tottenham games will hinder World Cup chances

Jermain Defoe admits his lack of playing time at Tottenham will damage his chances of securing a place inEngland’s World Cup squad.
The 31-year-old has started just one Premier League match this season following Roberto Soldado’s arrival at White Hart Lane in the summer.
Defoe, who has been linked with a January switch to his former club West Ham, was part of England’s 2010 World Cup squad but concedes he may be overlooked by Roy Hodgson for next summer’s tournament in Brazil.
"Getting into a World Cup squad is based on merit and you have to play for your club," said Defoe.
"As a forward, if you are not getting the chances, it will be difficult.
"Frank Lampard got it right when he said the other day that everyone is fighting [for places].
"It's important that everyone goes back to their clubs and plays games to try to impress the manager.

Manchester United in danger of standing still with no signings, warns Phil Neville

Manchester United coach Phil Neville admits the club will be in danger of being ‘left behind’ if they fail to bolster the squad with new signings.
United will make a fresh bid for Everton left-back Leighton Baines in January, although David Moyes has publicly played down expectations of securing a high-profile signing in the upcoming transfer window.
"We have a fantastic squad as it is,” Neville told the BBC's 'Football Focus'.
“In the transfer window early on in the season we were looking for players, that was well documented.
"That search continues. We need to keep reinvesting in the squad because if you stand still in this league you get left behind, as Manchester City found out last season when they didn't strengthen as much and they ended up losing the league [title]."
Neville has praised Wayne Rooney’s performances this season and says the England international, paired alongside Robin van Persie, will keep United in the title race this term.
"His level of performance not just in games but in training has been first class," Neville said. 
"And at the start of the season when we weren't in the best of form, he was a shining light

Jones out of Germany clash with groin injury

Manchester United defender Phil Jones will miss England's friendly against Germany on Tuesday due to a groin injury.
The 21-year-old started alongside Gary Cahill in central defence in England's 2-0 defeat to Chile at Wembley on Friday but was substituted in the 57th minute.
The Football Association announced on Saturday that a scan had confirmed Jones' groin problem and the player has now returned to his club.
Roy Hodgson is hopeful that England captain Steven Gerrard, Liverpool forward Daniel Sturridge, Southampton striker Rickie Lambert and Tottenham right-back Kyle Walker will be available to face Joachim Low's side at Wembley after missing Friday's fixture against Chile.

Mistakes away from home could cost Manchester City the title, warns Aguero

Sergio Aguero has warned that Manchester City’s poor away record could cost them the title this season.
Manuel Pellegrini’s men have secured just one Premier League win on the road this term and sit six points behind leaders Arsenal in the table.
"Manchester City must fight all year for the title. We have the squad to win the Premier League and we need to be consistent," the Argentina international told the club’s official website.
"We must try to stop making mistakes away from home because at the end of the season it could make all the difference.
"At the Etihad Stadium, we are doing well. We are strong but away we must improve."
Aguero is City's leading goalscorer with 13 goals in all competitions and the 25-year-old has praised the form of his fellow striker Alvaro Negredo, who has struck five times in his last six appearances.
"Alvaro arrived in the summer and has adapted very well. We have developed a good partnership together quite quickly,” said Aguero.