Regional paper talk

A round-up of the football stories making the back pages of this afternoon's regional papers.

MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS

Manchester United have been handed a boost in their bid to keep David De Gea after Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti insisted Iker Casillas still has a future at the club.

United will give Michael Carrick every chance to confirm his fitness and be ready to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday tea-time.

Vincent Kompany could have played his last game for Manchester City this season after injuring himself in the Manchester derby.

LONDON EVENING STANDARD

Arsenal may have to offer James Milner a four-year contract if they are to sign the England midfielder as a free agent from Manchester City.

Ghana star Andre Ayew admits that it would be an 'honour' to move to the Premier League, before revealing that he is a Liverpool fan since childhood.

Chelsea are set to complete the £4.5m signing of Brazil starlet Nathan today, but fans face a long wait to see him in action at Stamford Bridge because he won't get a work permit to play in the country.

LIVERPOOL ECHO

Everton will back Roberto Martinez in the transfer window once again this summer as he looks to add quality rather than quantity to his squad, with Tom Cleverley, Aaron Lennon and a centre-back his main targets.

Bryan Oviedo will step up his recovery from a hamstring tear this week - and then target a return to the Everton side in May.

NEWCASTLE CHRONICLE

Remy Cabella has defended Newcastle's under-fire players against accusations they have signed off for the season - insisting he "understands" the frustrations of United's support.

John Carver has insisted he will not quit his role at Newcastle United.

Moussa Sissoko has apologised for his sending off on social media - and pledged to work hard to turn the situation around in the next six games.

SUNDERLAND ECHO

Anthony Reveillere is expected to be handed a contract extension by Sunderland after talks over his future.

Sunderland have agreed deals to bring in two youngsters from Manchester City. Keeper Cameron McCulloch and striker Josh Maja will join the Black Cats.

BIRMINGHAM MAIL

Kieran Richardson reckons Aston Villa can take heart from their recent performances against Liverpool when they go head-to-head on Sunday.

Captain Darren Fletcher insists West Bromwich Albion have plenty of 'leaders' in the dressing room as they look to bounce back at Crystal Palace this weekend.

EXPRESS & STAR

Striker Carlton Cole has admitted he lost his cool when his deadline-day move to West Brom broke down.

THE SENTINEL

Asmir Begovic has dropped an encouraging hint that he will be tempted into signing a new contract after all this summer.

Stoke are in a bundle of European clubs hoping to sign versatile Denmark international Daniel Wass, according to reports.

Stoke are set to go shopping in Barcelona again this summer by signing Moha el Ouriachi, says the player's agent

THE DAILY ECHO

Ronald Koeman has urged Saints to stay focused on this weekend's game at Stoke as the excitement grows ahead of Mauricio Pochettino's return to St Mary's.

HULL DAILY MAIL

Sone Aluko insists Hull City will fear no opponent during a formidable run-in that will ultimately decide their Premier League fate.

The Football Association have begun the consultation process over Hull City's revived bid to change the club's name to Hull Tigers ahead of the 2015-16 season.

LEICESTER MERCURY

Nigel Pearson has issued a rallying cry to the Leicester City fans to turn the King Power Stadium into an intimidating fortress.

Kasper Schmeichel has urged his Leicester City team-mates to "remain in control of their emotions" as they edge closer to Premier League survival.

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST

Swansea City have been touted as favourites to land Austria captain Christian Fuchs as Garry Monk's summer transfer plans start to take shape.

DERBY TELEGRAPH

Derby County defender Zak Whitbread was delighted to mark his first start in almost six months with a win and a clean sheet.

NOTTINGHAM POST

Michail Antonio says he does not crave a summer move out of Nottingham Forest - and is looking forward to helping Dougie Freedman build a promotion push next season.

EVENING GAZETTE

The financial importance of Boro's promotion push was highlighted today as the club revealed further multi-million pound losses.

WALES ONLINE

Cardiff City centre-half Ben Turner is on target for a first team Bluebirds return later this month.

Swansea City have offered a bumper package to Marseille striker Andre Ayew in a bid to lure the out-of-contract Ghanaian star to the Liberty Stadium this summer, according to reports in France.

THE BOLTON NEWS

Assistant manager Johan Mjallby says the Bolton coaching staff are already planning for a summer rebuild but declined to comment on potential targets.

BLACKPOOL GAZETTE

Andrea Orlandi says he's happy to be staying at Blackpool for next season but he wants to see changes.

THE ARGUS

Brighton look like facing the rest of their Championship survival fight without their top league scorer Joao Teixeira.

EVENING TIMES

Ronny Deila plans to reduce his squad by up to six senior players this summer in an attempt to clear the path for young talent to burst through.