More from boss Roberto Martinez, talking about the future of star striker Romelu Lukaku.

Martinez says: "Romelu wants to take real responsibility and we are not hiding from the fact that we're trying to get into the Champions League. But that will not happen overnight and our squad shows that, there are many young players in it.

"Romelu has a big role in the team and we need to become better but it's part of a journey we're involved in. We want to get into the top four and be involved in the latter stages of every competition.

"The last three performances have been very consistent and it's down to whether we can maintain this. Everything you do is about accumulating points for the final third and whether you can build on it. How many points can we get from now until the end of the season and how can we make Goodison Park a fortress?"

Image source, Getty Images

There are rumours of a takeover at Everton, well apparently.

"There is nothing to announce," says boss Roberto Martinez. "We are in a position of having a really exciting future. We have an incredible chairman who cares and loves the football club.

"I can guarantee every fan that the future is strong and very exciting. At the moment it is just speculation and nothing we can comment on."

Everton captain Phil Jagielka has been linked with a move, external to the free-spending Chinese Super League, but Toffees boss Roberto Martinez has dismissed the rumours.

"We are not in a situation to lose any players and Phil Jagielka is our club captain," says Martinez. "He has been at a good level and there is no substance in that rumour."

Image source, Getty Images

Former Bolton full-back Marcos Alonso is the latest player to pay tribute to former Bolton chairman Phil Gartside.

This is the scene at Bolton today, following the death of Bolton chairman Phil Gartside, who died yesterday aged 63 following a battle with cancer.

A few Premier League news conferences to get through this morning with Roberto Martinez of Everton due shortly and no doubt a beaming Slaven Bilic from 09:30 GMT following West Ham's last gasp FA Cup fourth round replay win over Liverpool. Stay tuned.

Mike Hughes
Reporter, BBC Radio Merseyside Sport

"Everton have finally found a bit of consistency. They've won back-to-back Premier League games for the first time this season and three consecutive 3-0 wins will be a confidence booster as they move towards the final third of the season.

"Roberto Martinez faces a difficult decision though. The three consecutive clean sheets have been achieved without both Tim Howard and John Stones.

"In their absence Joel Robles has looked safe and secure in goal and Ramiro Funes Mori has forged a real understanding with Phil Jagielka at the heart of the Everton defence.

"Struggling West Brom come to Goodison on Saturday and it will be interesting to see which way the Everton manager goes regarding team selection."

Want more gossip? Of course, you do. Here's your helping from Formula One:

• Engine performance is Red Bull's only question mark going into the 2016 Formula 1 season, according to Daniel Ricciardo. (AutoSport), external
• Red Bull's Dr Helmut Marko says F1 drivers are overpaid. (SportBild - German), external
• Renault's new racing director Fredric Vasseur says the position of his team in the Constructors' Championship this year is "not important".(ESPN), external

Read the gossip column in full here

At least it wasn't a defeat, well actually it was...

Barcelona reached the Copa del Rey final as they beat Gary Neville's Valencia 8-1 on aggregate after a 1-1 draw at the Mestalla Stadium.

Image source, Getty Images

Trailing 7-0 from the first leg, the home side went in front on the night when Alvaro Negredo rolled home.

And Neville was on course to celebrate a rare victory as Valencia coach before Barca substitute Wilfrid Kaptoum side-footed in a late equaliser.

Read the match report here

Olympic gold medallist Anna Watkins has withdrawn from the British programme for this year's Games in Rio.

The 32-year-old, who also won two World Championships, returned to training in 2015 after a three-year absence, during which she had two children.

Image source, Getty Images

But, after recent tests, Watkins felt she was not at the required level.

"This is not a decision that I've taken lightly," she said. "I guess I would have always wondered about what might have been if I hadn't given it a go."

Read the full piece here

Looking good in Test matches after recent series wins over Australia and South Africa, while smashing the ball all over the park in their new ODI style.

So, how will England get on in the World T20 tournament which takes place in India next month?

Image source, Getty Images

Test captain Alastair Cook feels they can go all the way "because of how dangerous they are".

But uncapped all-rounder Liam Dawson has been picked despite head coach Trevor Bayliss never seeing him play. That one could go horribly wrong.

Bolton Wanderers chairman Phil Gartside has died aged 63 following a battle with cancer.

He was chairman for 16 years, during which time the club enjoyed an 11-year stint in the Premier League and two Uefa Cup campaigns.

Image source, Getty Images

"This is a very sad day for everyone," said Brett Warburton, vice-chairman of the Championship club.

"Phil has been a personal friend for more than 30 years. We send our deepest condolences to all Phil's family."

Read the full piece here

The fifth-round draw for the FA Cup was complete following the replay's from the previous round.

Premier League side West Brom were the last team through, needing penalties to beat League One Peterborough on Wednesday. This is how the last-16 line up:

• Chelsea v Manchester City
• Reading v West Brom
• Watford v Leeds United
• Shrewsbury Town v Manchester United
• Blackburn v West Ham
• Tottenham v Crystal Palace
• Arsenal v Hull
• Bournemouth v Everton

A victory for the man on the terrace...

Liverpool's owners have scrapped their controversial £77 ticket and apologised for the "distress caused" by last week's pricing announcement.

Thousands of fans left 77 minutes into Saturday's draw with Sunderland at Anfield in protest at the planned top-price £77 ticket in the new main stand.

Image source, Getty Images

In reversing their decision, club owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG) told disgruntled fans, external "Message received."

Liverpool's dearest matchday ticket will now stay at £59 and the highest season-ticket price is also frozen.

Read the piece in full here

Here is the perfect thing to listen to while on your way to work - BBC Radio 5 live's Football Daily Podcast, although it could be painful listening for Peterborough fans.

What's the goss on this chilly Thursday morning? Well, Paddy's in a bit of trouble in Emmerdale, eh?

Anyway, here is what we have football wise:

• Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone, 45, is on the shortlist for the Chelsea job, but Blues owner Roman Abramovich has serious misgivings about his playing style. (Daily Mail), external
• Inter Milan boss Roberto Mancini wants to be reunited with Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure, 32, and defender Pablo Zabaleta, 31. (Daily Mirror), external
• Manchester United had a £23m bid for Argentine winger Nicolas Gaitan, 27, rejected by Benfica in January. (Talksport), external

Read the rest of the gossip column here

The Daily Star

Billed as an exclusive, the Daily Star claim Jose Mourinho will be given a staggering £300m to spend when he becomes Manchester United manager.

His appointment is increasingly looking like a case of when, not if.

Image source, Daily Star

The Times

Another mention of Liverpool's ticket price u-turn in the Times, while also questioning if Sunderland's Adam Johnson will ever play football again. 

The winger pleaded guilty to one count of sexual activity with a child and one charge of grooming at Bradford Crown Court on Wednesday.

Read the full story here

Image source, The Times

Daily Mirror

And indeed, the Daily Mirror back page leads with the story of Liverpool backing down from their proposed hike in ticket prices at Anfield.

There's also a story claiming Jose Mourinho will land a three-year £15m-a-year deal to become Manchester United manager. Tasty.

Image source, Mirror

Image source, Getty Images

Football club these days have too much power, they said.

Walking out of a football match would make no impact, they thought.

Well done to Liverpool fans for making a stand and bringing the game back to those it belongs to...and they got an apology too.

More on that later this hour, but first, the back pages...