Briefs

A round-up of today's other stories in brief

Anderson set to start against West Ham

Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson has indicated midfielder Anderson will start against West Ham tomorrow.

The Brazilian made a big impression after coming on as a substitute in Saturday’s defeat of QPR, helping the team recover from a 1-0 deficit to win 3-1. The 24-year-old has not started a Premier League game since August .

“I thought Ando won the game for us, “ said Ferguson. “ His performance was outstanding. He took the game by the scruff of the neck and he was so positive and determined in his play that he picks himself on Wednesday.”

Nani remains sidelined with a hamstring injury while Antonio Valencia is doubtful with a hip problem. Paul Scholes is suspended

'Surprised' O'Neill denies resignation rumours

Martin O’Neill has insisted he is going nowhere after the club was forced to dismiss claims he had offered his resignation.

Wearside was buzzing on Saturday evening, hours after the Sunderland’s 4-2 home defeat by West Brom, as rumours of the Ulsterman’s departure spread like wildfire on Twitter.

But O’Neill admitted he was as surprised as anyone as club officials spent the evening denying the speculation. Asked if he was planning to go anywhere, the 60-year-old, who will celebrate 12 months at the Stadium of Light next month, said emphatically: “Absolutely not.”

Sunderland’s hopes of securing a morale-boosting victory against QPR tonight are not being helped by injuries to defender John O’Shea and midfielder Lee Cattermole, both of whom are fighting against the clock to recover.

Tabb urges Reading to start turning leads into wins

Jay Tabb has demanded Reading regroup immediately from their frustrating defeat at Wigan when they travel to Aston Villa tonight.

Reading slumped to a 3-2 injury-time loss at the DW Stadium on Saturday having led 1-0 and later pegging Wigan back to 2-2. Another relegation battle looms at Villa Park and Tabb believes victory is within their grasp.

“We’ve just got to forget about Wigan and go and win the next game,” the 28-year-old Irish midfielder said.

“We were looking to get four or six points out of the two matches, but we’ll try to take maximum points tomorrow. We certainly feel we’re capable of winning against any team this season, but we’ve got to turn these leads into wins.”

Reading midfielder Jimmy Kebe will miss the game with a groin problem. Goalkeeper Alex McCarthy and midfielders Danny Guthrie and Jem Karacan remain in the treatment room.

Aston Villa captain Ron Vlaar is a doubt. The central defender suffered a calf injury and was substituted early in the second half of the draw against Arsenal.

If he is ruled out, then Matt Lowton is likely to partner Ciarán Clark at the heart of the defence with Eric Lichaj being recalled at right-back.