Image source, Getty Images

Sticking with Liverpool and strikers, the Reds are set for a huge boost this afternoon courtesy of the return of one Daniel Sturridge, Esq. The England front man has been out for five months with a thigh injury, five long, largely painful months for Reds fans, who also had to deal with the departure of Luis Suarez and the seeming apathy of Mario Balotelli.

Sturridge has admitted he is "anxious and excited" about his return, three words that pretty much sum up the emotions of the entire Liverpool supporter base.

This morning we are working in tandem with The Danny Baker Show on BBC Radio 5 live and asking the question: When was the exact moment you realised you probably should give up football?

Nick Corper: I quit Sunday League last weekend at the age of 42. I am still waiting on a joint Uefa/Fifa statement on the matter...

There's one way to ensure the Fifa statement comes Nick - get yourself in the running for the presidency, along with everyone else who has ever kicked a ball!

Let us know using #bbcfootball, external on Twitter, text us on 81111 (UK only), or drop us a line on the MOTD Facebook page, external or Google+ page., external

Image source, Sun

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is on the receiving end from another striker in this morning's Sun. Former Reds forward Andy Carroll (now at West Ham, who Rodgers' side face today), who says his former boss lied to him about how involved he was going to be under him at Anfield., external Well, he's likely to be involved today, no doubt making Martin Skrtel's life hell.

Today's Sun also has a cracking pre-deadline day story with the suggestion that Manchester City are prepared to sign Cristiano Ronaldo, external is he ever decides to return to England. If. But. Maybe. Not a chance.

Image source, Daily Star

Yet more Chelsea chat in the Star. But you'll also notice up in the top right that Liverpool's pursuit of Burnley striker Danny Ings, external is apparently over. Reds boss Brendan Rodgers was reportedly keen to recruit the in-form front man to boost his attacking options/replace Mario Balotelli. Ings has scored three in his last four for Burnley. If the Clarets sell him this month, they might as well start planning next year's trips to Forest and Brighton now.

This morning we are working in tandem with The Danny Baker Show on BBC Radio 5 live and asking the question: When was the exact moment you realised you probably should give up football?

Dan Wellington: The moment I hit a stunning 40-yard lob over the 'keeper in a local cup game. Sadly it was over my own keeper and was the winner.

Let us know using #bbcfootball, external on Twitter, text us on 81111 (UK only), or drop us a line on the MOTD Facebook page, external or Google+ page., external

Image source, Daily Mirror

Putting aside the Chelsea-focused main piece on the back page of the Daily Mirror, you can see a couple of juicy transfer stories down the left. OK, mildly juicy transfer stories. Firstly, they report that Harry Redknapp is plotting to take West Ham midfielder Mark Noble from the Hammers to QPR, external (although I'm not sure what is in it for Noble?) and secondly, they claim that in-demand West Brom striker Saido Berahino is going to stay with the Baggies., external

Image source, Getty Images

Let's start with a piece of business that looks nailed on: Chelsea's impending capture of Fiorentina winger Juan Cuadrado. For the non-Serie A followers out there, Cuadrado might be familiar to you as the fleet-footer, dreadlocked fella who played a big role in Colombia's impressive showing at the last World Cup. Here's our South American football expert Tim Vickery with a bit more...

"James Rodriguez was Colombia's undoubted World Cup star - but Juan Guillermo Cuadrado was not far behind. "He is at his best as a wide right-midfielder - especially as over the last couple of seasons he has started scoring more goals. But he can also feature as an attacking right-back, or cut in from the other flank.

"Some three years ago a Premier League giant had a look at Cuadrado but concluded that he was too old - a strange decision given that he is still only 26, and should be looking forward to playing his prime years under Jose Mourinho, who will certainly enjoy the pace on the transitions that his new Colombian acquisition will bring to the side."

You may have noticed that transfer deadline day is looming large on the horizon. The biggest clue is the increasing number of wild and wonderful transfer stories in the press (for us, it is also the look of steely determination in the eyes of our senior football reporters - although that might actually be due to lack of sleep). With the window due to slam shut at 23:00 GMT on Monday, why don't we take a leisurely cruise through some of the best stories being slung at your eyes via the medium of newspaper and website this morning? Yes? Lovely stuff.

BBC Radio 5 live

As usual, we are working in tandem with The Danny Baker Show - which is already under way on BBC Radio 5 live now - and we are asking for you to get involved.

We want to know the exact moment you realized you probably should give up football. I think most of the lads I've ever played a game with would suggest I shouldn't even have bothered starting in the first place. I blame my primary school teacher, whose only piece of constructive advice was "hoof it!" - a lesson I took very much to heart.

Let us know using #bbcfootball, external on Twitter, text us on 81111 (UK only), or drop us a line on the MOTD Facebook page, external or Google+ page., external

Before all the top-of-the-table shenanigans at Stamford Bridge we've got a plethora of football fun on which to report, debate and ultimately reflect. The Premier League action gets under way at 12:45 GMT with a potential belter of a game at the KC Stadium between Hull and Newcastle. There are then six 15:00 GMT top-flight kick-offs, featuring Liverpool v West Ham and Manchester United v Leicester, before we round all things Premier with that clash between the top two at Stamford Bridge.

Mixed in with all that is all the best (and worst) of the Championship, League One and Two. Back of the net.

Image source, Getty Images

There was a lot to talk about this week at Stamford Bridge: Chelsea reaching the Capital One Cup final, the game between the Premier League's top two, the possibility that Cesc Fabregas might miss Saturday's game and the fact that top-scorer Diego Costa definitely would. Unfortunately, all that emerged from the Blues was the sound of silence as they opted to cancel their pre-match news conference on Thursday.

This comes in the wake of an FA violent conduct charge against Blues striker Costa over an alleged stamp on Liverpool's Emre Can during the Capital One Cup semi-final second leg between the sides on Tuesday. It's a shame we didn't get to hear what Jose Mourinho had to say on the matter because I'm sure it would have been very interesting.

Anyway, there's plenty of time and action to go before Chelsea v Manchester City, so more about that later...

Image source, Getty Images

So, tell us Jose, how do you feel about Saturday's game between your table-topping side and second-placed Manchester City? Will it define the rest of this Premier League season? Cesc Fabregas; is he fit? And what about Diego Costa? How big a loss will he be for the next three games...?

Jose? Anyone? Hellooooo?