Tuesday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Fulham boss Roy Hodgson is considering a £3m move for Aston Villa's 25-year-old midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker in the January transfer window. (Daily Mirror) 
Sporting Lisbon goalkeeper Rui Patricio, 21, is a target of Manchester United, according to the player's agent. United are keen to recruit a new keeper, with Edwin van der Sar set to retire at the end of the season. (The Sun) 
Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce is resigned to losing Franco Di Santo in January. The 20-year-old Argentine striker is on loan at Ewood Park from Chelsea and Allardyce expects the Blues, who have been hit with a transfer ban, to recall their player. (Daily Star) 
Arsenal's Mexican striker Carlos Vela is a shock transfer target for Spanish side Xerez. The 20-year-old fears he could miss next year's World Cup unless he earns a regular starting place. (The Sun) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole is ready to return to Champions League action for the Blues against Apoel Nicosia in Cyprus on Wednesday. Fellow midfielders Michael Ballack and Jon Mikel Obi are out injured, so Cole is set to make only his second start in 10 months after a knee injury. (The Sun) 
Roy Keane has conceded that he will be sacked as Ipswich manager if he does not improve results on the pitch. Town are second from bottom in the Championship and are without a win in their opening nine league games - the worst start to a season in the club's history.(The Sun) 
Fulham winger Damien Duff's calf injury is not as bad as first feared. The 30-year-old limped out of Saturday's 1-0 home defeat by Arsenal after only nine minutes and will miss Thursday's Europa League match with Basel. However, he is expected to be fit for the visit of Roma on 22 October. (Daily Express)

AND FINALLY

Burnley fan Jason Taylor is being forced to travel 50 miles to watch his team play Blackburn next month, despite living round the corner from Rovers' Ewood Park ground. Clarets fans have been told that they must report to Turf Moor four hours before kick-off and travel the 13 miles to Blackburn by coach. After the game, the transport then returns them to Turf Moor. The move comes in the wake of recent crowd trouble at the derby game between West Ham and Millwall at Upton Park. (The Sun)
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