Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho will not be sidelined with a knee injury for as long as initially feared. 

The Frenchman - who has been voted the club's player of the month - has told Liverpoolfc.com:, external “I’m very happy because I think it’s good news. Everyone thought I had a big injury for a long time.

“But, thank God, I think it will be between four and six weeks. We will see the evolution. Now I feel much better, I work and I hope I will come back as soon as possible."

Image source, Getty Images

James Rosson:, external Troy Deeney, 650k, worth 20x that now and a club legend! Worst, Nathan Ellington club record 3m for 5 goals #watfordfc, external

Paul:, external QPR bargain: Charlie Austin. £4m for tons of goals. Worst panic buy? Hard to choose just one. Chris Samba. £10m & £100K a week.

Simon Buckley:, external Has to be Sami Hyypia. A £2.5m unheard of signing from Willem II, played for a decade and became a Liverpool legend.

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Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has revealed his disappointment that his old club did not sign Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli, saying: "He could have played at Anfield for 10 to 15 years.”

The Daily Mirror , externalreports that Liverpool came close to signing of Alli in April 2014 after agreeing a fee of around £3m with MK Dons and personal terms with the player.

However, Liverpool’s transfer committee were not sure he represented good value for money and pulled the plug.

Image source, Getty Images

The board of Woking have issued a statement saying they have "not received a request to agree a transfer of shares from majority shareholder Peter Jordan to any individual or consortium". 

Local businessman Ashley Read is in talks to buy Mr Jordan's 75% and take over the club.

Image source, Getty Images

More from the statement from the board at Woking:

"When the Board first became aware of the possible transfer of shares they invited Mr Ashley Read to a meeting and requested information on members of a possible consortium. The names were not forthcoming at that meeting but the Board agreed to release the simple financial information requested by Mr Read on receipt of a signed non-disclosure agreement as is good business practice.

"It is a private matter for Mr Jordan to agree with Mr Read any transfer of his shares and then pass that information to the Board for approval."  

Aston Villa defender Micah Richards has done an interview with The Daily Telegraph and let's just say he's not too happy with the attitude of some of his team-mates. 

Villa are bottom of the Premier League, having scored just 10 goals - the fewest in the top flight so far - and have shipped 24 goals in 13 matches.

"I'm not going to sugarcoat it, we've got too many nice players and we're too easy to play against," said the centre-back.

"Everybody seems to be - I wouldn't say passing the blame - but they don't want to run that extra mile and take responsibility.

"I'm not big on stats but I think we've run the least in the Premier League - if you're not prepared to run the extra yard for your team mate then obviously you're going to concede chances."

Image source, PA

The Mail on Sunday's chief sports writer Oliver Holt is keeping a close eye on Andy Murray as the British number one prepares for the opening day of the Davis Cup final against Belgium. 

What's the perfect preparation to a potentially historic weekend? A grilling by sporting celebrities. 

Brothers Andy and Jamie Murray have tackled questions from the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson and Tim Henman before Great Britain's Davis Cup final against Belgium in Ghent.

Who would win a wrestling match between the two? Which tennis player would you fight in a boxing match? Click here to watch the Murrays answer some tricky questions. 

Image source, Getty Images

Piers Newbery
BBC Sport at Flanders Expo

"With under two hours until the start of play, fans are streaming into the Flanders Expo after negotiating a polite but thorough security cordon. 

"Whether it will be as civil when the majority of the 13,000 spectators arrive remains to be seen. For now, good spirits prevail - and the number of British fans is already impressive."

Image source, BBC Sport

There is only one day to go before the eagerly-awaited world heavyweight title fight between Wladimir Klitschko and Tyson Fury. Later on we will have details of the weigh-in, which is sure to be a feisty affair.

To get yourself in the mood, listen to this podcast.

Jamie Vardy made a name for himself with his performance in Leicester's 5-3 win over Manchester United last season and Louis van Gaal says the Foxes forward is a "nasty player".

"He was already last year a very nasty player for us. He scores, he provoked a penalty and now he is scoring in a row 10 goals so now you are a great player," says the Dutchman. 

"I only know, for example, Dennis Bergkamp as a player with me did the same with Ajax and that is not so easy."

Asked if he would consider signing Vardy, Van Gaal replies: "That is not your business, I think."

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United play unlikely table toppers Leicester on Saturday and Red Devils boss Louis van Gaal believes the Foxes deserve to be at the Premier League summit.

“I don’t think anybody has expected that [Leicester to be top], even Leicester themselves," he says.

"But they are deserved at number one because points are the most important thing; goals are important, but winning points is more important."

Image source, Getty Images

West Ham may be sixth but have stuttered of late and manager Slven Bilic is looking to get back on track. He has midfielders Alex Song and Pedro Obiang back at his disposal for the game against West Brom. 

"In the last three games we have got only one point and that is not what we want. We have a home game now and our plan is to try to win," says Bilic.

"Alex Song had a long time out, and now we have two players coming back - him and Pedro Obiang.

"Pedro is back in training and looks good. Alex played 10 minutes against Spurs and he looks good in training too.

"His break was much longer than Pedro's so his situation is slightly different. Probably one of them will play because we are without our captain Mark Noble."

You would think being second in the Premier League might mean a break from criticism but not for Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal. 

The Dutchman has taken some stick for his side's lack of flair and United didn't help the issue by failing to break down PSV Eindhoven in their 0-0 Champions League group game on Wednesday.

"If we weren't creating chances I'd be worried, but we are and we don't give too much away - normally our results are good," says Van Gaal.

Image source, EPA

This weekend Leicester striker Jamie Vardy will attempt to become the first player to score in 11 successive Premier League games. 

Our colleagues in the Midlands have started a #goodluckvardy campaign on social media, wishing the England striker well before this Saturday's match against Manchester United. We just thought we'd let you know. 

Bill Rice
BBC Radio Manchester

Image source, Bill Rice

"Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal believes Leicester City could win the Premier League title this season. The Dutchman admits it’s difficult for clubs that start the season well to keep pace with bigger clubs, but says because of the quality and money in the Premier League it is possible.

"The Dutchman also described Jamie Vardy as a “nasty player” for them to face after his starring role in their 5-3 defeat at Leicester last season, but feels his side have improved defensively since then.

"Van Gaal also says the decision to send 19-year-old James Wilson on loan to Championship promotion hopefuls Brighton is a long-term view to helping the player improve, and says they can recall the striker if he is required."

James Hare:, external Cantona was a snip at £1m and worst panic buy has to be Fellaini.

Scott:, external Super Kevin Philips is Sunderland's best, the list is far too long to pick our worst from.

Alex Lillie:, external At Derby County, worst purchase probably Claude Davis for 3 million. Best is 100% Chris Martin on a free transfer.

Image source, Getty Images