Bill Rice
BBC Radio Manchester

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has a decision to make about who starts up front on Sunday. It’s likely to be his captain Wayne Rooney, who has scored more goals than anyone else in the Manchester derby.

The England striker – who turns 30 on Saturday – was an isolated figure and managed just 40 touches in their 1-1 draw with CSKA Moscow this week, but did score on his return to his old club Everton last weekend in United’s best performance of the season so far.

That would mean September’s player of the month Anthony Martial starting on the left, unless Van Gaal instead opts for Ashley Young, who has missed the last two games with a calf injury.

Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce fears that his former club Bolton Wanderers will struggle to make it back to the Premier League if they are relegated from the Championship this season.

Neil Lennon's side are bottom of the table with one win from 12 games and Allardyce, who managed Bolton between 1999 and 2007, believes the club's financial situation has had an effect on their on-field fortunes.

Image source, Getty Images

The 61-year-old told BBC Radio Manchester: "There is a depression that lies over the club that Neil has to try to lift from the players particularly to get more out of them.

"It is a difficult situation for him, they don't have any money but his job is to extract the most out of those players and make sure they don't get relegated this year."

A debate has started in the Sportsday office...

Is Conkers a sport? Your thoughts on this please using #bbcsportsday

Geoff Doyle
BBC Three Counties Radio sport

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So just what qualities does Watford head coach Quique Flores possess? Quite a lot according to midfielder Ben Watson... 

"You're learning every day," he told BBC Three Counties Radio. "You're learning things you never knew about in terms of football. 

"Tactically I've probably learnt more this year than I ever have done throughout my career. Managers like this - they are a pleasure to work under."

Hang in there Luke. Don't give up just yet pal...

Nick Barnes
BBC Newcastle's Sunderland commentator

Image source, BBC Sport

Prep fully developed bar a few tweaks...  

Image source, Reuters

Manuel Pellegrinihas dismissed suggestions he is punishing his Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany for playing for Belgium. 

Kompany has been on the bench for both City games since the manager expressed frustration that the defender played for his country in a Euro 2016 qualifier last week, having missed the previous five games with a calf injury.

The Chilean said: "I'm not punishing Vincent and I don't have any problems in the relationship with Vincent. It's important to work some days before he returns to the team." 

There are lucky escapes and then there's this guy...

One Lokomotiv Moscow fan managed to out-smart the security guards at their recent match. 

Watch the video here., external

His escape was one Houdini would be proud of. Thank goodness he was only a lightweight chap.

We don't condone trespassing on your club's ground. 

But this guy...

Image source, The Daily Record

BBC Radio Stoke

Manager Mark Hughes also confirmed that forward Jon Walters and goalkeeper Shay Given should be involved after returning to training. 

Striker Mame Biram Diouf has trained, too, but Hughes said: "We have to be mindful of where he is physically and mentally. He hasn't trained a great deal."

BBC Radio Stoke

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Stoke captain Ryan Shawcross is also in contention to make his first appearance of the season after a back problem.

"He is very much in my thoughts," manager Mark Hughes said. "He feels he's ready but we don't want to rush him.  

"With three games in a week I'm sure he'll play at some point but Tuesday [against Chelsea] is more likely. The defence have done well and there's no reason to change it." 

BBC Radio Stoke

Image source, Getty Images

Mark Hughes also had assurances for former England striker Peter Crouch, 34, who has struggled for minutes of late...

"Peter still has a future here. There will be games where he is the right option for us. Other players also need game time."

When asked if all the focus being all on Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp relieved any pressure on Southampton, manager Ronald Koeman responded saying they were confident and have prepared the same way they do for all games. 

"Liverpool is a big team with a big history, they will always get more attention than Southampton."

BBC Radio Stoke

Mark Hughes has been speaking to the media...

The Stoke boss celebrates his 100th match in charge of the Potters this weekend and says of his tenure: "I wasn't told I needed to change the style, it was my view. I saw potential in the group to play a different way.

"It's relatively unusual to have this sort of longevity in this day and age. It's a nice landmark to reach."

Image source, Getty Images

Many of the questions at Ronald Koeman's news conference are Jurgen Klopp-based. He is asked what he thinks of the media hype surrounding the new Liverpool manager and what he thinks of his style of play.

"There has been a lot of attention in the press but it isn't easy because as a new manager you need time. 

"I was surprised at the performance against Tottenham last week. It looked like a different Liverpool. It was good high pressing. Yesterday was very different but as a new manager, you need time to put everything together as you would like". 

When asked if Klopp's style will change the Premier League: "His style is not new so I don't see there being a big difference". 

Image source, @wallabies

David Pocock and Israel Folau return to the Australia XV after missing the quarter-final win over Scotland. 

Australia XV: Folau, Ashley-Cooper, Kuridrani, Giteau, Mitchell, Foley, Genia; Slipper, Moore, Kepu, Douglas, Simmons, Fardy, Hooper, Pocock

Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce: "Fabio Borini picked up a knock against West Brom and hasn't trained with the team. He has a fitness test tomorrow.

"Our suspensions are back. Ola Toivonen is also back."  

Image source, PA

Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce is speaking ahead of Sunday's duel at noon against Newcastle.

He said: "Hopefully we can evolve as a backroom team and help the players on the pitch. My job is to remind the players of the importance of the game and control their emotions.

"Hopefully they can achieve what they have before - an outstanding victory."