Simon Stone
BBC Sport

This season has been one of surprises but it's a fair bet that one shock won't be happening.

No matter how many times he is asked, or in how many ways, Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini won't be revealing his next club.

I was told earlier this week he has had discussions now he knows Pep Guardiola will be replacing him at City, and there have been a lot of expressions of interest - but who and where they have come from remains a mystery.

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Ahead of Friday night's FA Cup quarter-final against Crystal Palace, which you can see live on BBC One from 19:30 GMT, Reading goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi talks of his pride at winning the FA Cup in 2013 with Wigan.

The 34-year-old Oman international also explains how his faith has helped him during his career.

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Norwich are in action in the early game on Saturday, but it is a tough task for them as Manchester City visit Carrow Road.

But Canaries boss Alex Neil believes his side could cause an upset.

"We've played well against the top teams so far this season - it's not out of our capabilities to get a result," he says.

"We can take a lot of heart from our performance against Manchester City at the Etihad earlier in the season."  

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Bill Rice
BBC Radio Manchester

Former Manchester United striker Dion Dublin has told BBC Radio Manchester that songs about the Hillsborough disaster are “disgusting” and fans who sang them at Anfield last night should be “embarrassed”.

“I just think it’s disgusting. It leaves a bad taste in your mouth; it’s nothing to do with the game that was played last night," says former United striker Dublin.

"It’s not in good taste, and the people that were actually singing it should feel embarrassed."

Some team news from Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini before his side's game at Norwich on Saturday.

"Yaya Toure has a problem in his heel - he is out tomorrow," says the Chilean. "We don't know about Kiev on Tuesday."

But there is good news for City fans as Kevin de Bruyne, Samir Nasri and Fabian Delph could be fit to play after the international break.

"They will be fresh but it is important for them to have minutes because they are not 100%." 

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Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini is only going to be at the club until the end of the season but he says he remains focused on the club's performances.

"I am thinking about Norwich. When I finish in May I will think about the future," says Pellegrini. "In this profession you never know where you will be next year. Maybe for you that is not good. For me it is not a problem."

After Saturday's game at Norwich, they play the second leg of their last-16 Champions League tie against Dynamo Kiev before the Manchester derby against United at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

"It is a very important week," adds the City boss. "If we win the two league games, the pressure will be on the other teams. Reaching the Champions League quarter-final for the first time would be an important achievement. I hope we will do it."

Image source, Getty Images

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It is that time of the week to test how closely you have been following this week's sporting news. Can you strike gold like Wiggo and Cavendish did this week click here to find out?

BBC News has put together this video describing Steve McClaren's time in charge at Newcastle.

Click on the play button to watch, it is well worth looking at.

Anthony Crolla will make the first defence of his WBA lightweight title against Venezuelan Ismael Barroso at the Manchester Arena on 7 May. 

Crolla became world champion at the same venue with a fifth-round knockout of Darleys Perez last November, which followed a controversial draw between the pair earlier in 2015. 

Barroso claimed the interim title with an impressive fifth-round stoppage of Crolla's former Matchroom stablemate Kevin Mitchell in December, which led to the Londoner's retirement.

"I am under no illusion that this is a tough task but there was no way I was not going to take the fight," said Crolla. "People said I was going to duck him - if I don't fight him I lose my belt, simple. Of course I am going to fight him, I've worked too hard to become world champion to give it away."

Image source, Getty Images

Simon Stone
BBC Sport

It’s the start of a big week for Manchester City.

Saturday's trip to Norwich is followed by the Champions League return against Dynamo Kiev and then the Manchester derby clash with United on 20 March.

If Manuel Pellegrini’s men can come through those three games unscathed, they will have reached the Champions League quarter-finals and start to think they can challenge for the Premier League title.

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It's certainly not an easy task for Newcastle to close out their season. But three of their next six games are against sides around them in the Premier League. Relegation six-pointers aplenty!

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Scotland have brought Glasgow number eight Josh Strauss into their side in one of two changes to face France at Murrayfield on Sunday.

Strauss takes over from club-mate Ryan Wilson, a late replacement for the injured David Denton in the win over Italy. Wilson drops to the bench, with Denton out of the match-day 23.

The other change sees Alex Dunbar take over from fellow Glasgow centre Mark Bennett, with Duncan Taylor moving from inside to outside centre.

Dunbar, 25, won the last of his 14 caps against Italy in last year's Six Nations before rupturing his knee ligaments in training.

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Former Newcastle striker Michael Owen is confident his former club could survive, with or without Rafael Benitez, one of his former bosses at Liverpool.

Ieuan G Care:, external Poor Steve McLaren. The Newcastle job was a bad idea from the get go. Ashley needs to buck his ideas up. Any hunger for silverware?

Mark Wilkins:, external I can't work Steve McClaren out, he does a good job with Derby and FC Twente & is then shocking for England and the Geordies?

Jordan Hawkins:, external With or without McClaren I think Newcastle will still go down. Still think Big Sam is the difference in who stays up.

Send us your thoughts on Newcastle's decision to sack Steve McClaren. Tweet us using #bbcsportsday or leave a message on the Match of the Day Facebook page., external

BBC Radio 5 Live

Is former Liverpool and Chelsea boss Rafael Benitez the man to save Newcastle from relegation? He has not been confirmed as the club's new manager yet, but ex-Newcastle defender Steve Howey thinks the Spaniard could be a success at St James' Park.

"Benitez could be a fans’ favourite straight away," Howey told BBC Radio 5 live.

"Sunderland seem to have done it in the last couple of seasons, changing their manager and getting a positive result. He’s got a fantastic track record, but it’s a big contrast for him.

"It’s not that long since he was manager of Real Madrid and if things don’t go well he could be playing on a horrible, windy, wet, midweek game down at MK Dons."

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Steve McClaren, maybe surprisingly, is not the worst manager in the history of the club (with a minimum of 10 games). In fact, he ranks fourth - behind John Carver, Ossie Ardiles, and Joe Kinnear. 

The number of games the managers had is on the left, the win percentage is on the right. 

Image source, .

BBC Radio 5 Live

Some more quotes from Steve Howey's interview with BBC Radio 5 live.

"I would have thought it’s 99.9% that Rafael Benitez will be coming in," adds the former Newcastle defender.

"You assume he’s going to get what he’s asked for. Newcastle threw a bit of money at it in the last couple of transfer markets but it’s not been enough.

"Some of what has been said about McClaren has been justified in some respects but a lot of the fans understand he’s been massively let down by the players.

"There is no doubt there are good players but they haven’t performed to their capabilities for the last couple of seasons and it’s cost another man his job."

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If Rafael Benitez does take over at St James' Park, as is widely tipped, his first game will be Monday's trip to Premier League leaders Leicester.

Newcastle's next home game will be the Tyne-Wear derby against neighbours Sunderland on 20 March with both clubs battling to remain in the top flight.

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BBC Radio 5 Live

Former Newcastle defender Steve Howey has just been talking to BBC Radio 5 live and it's fair to say he is not impressed with how the decision to sack Steve McClaren has been handled.

"It's been pretty shambolic and that seems to sum Newcastle up at the moment," said Howey.

"Everyone thought after the defeat by Bournemouth there would be discussions straight after the game with the board – which Steve is on – and a decision could be made before the new week started.

"It dragged on and, to be fair to Steve, he’s shown superb professionalism. He’s carried on [training] knowing all along that he was going to be leaving. But it sums Newcastle up – shambles from start to finish."

Image source, Reuters