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.

Norwich make complaint over racist Bassong tweets

Norwich have made a formal complaint to police over alleged racist tweets directed at defender Sebastien Bassong.

The Canaries confirmed they had passed on evidence to Norfolk Constabulary which was supplied to them by supporters in the wake of Saturday's Premier League draw at Everton.

It is understood Norwich have sent police screen-grabs of tweets that have since been deleted from Twitter accounts that no longer exist.

Manager Chris Hughton told a press conference yesterday it was "hugely disappointing" to learn of the alleged abuse of Bassong, who scored a stoppage-time equaliser in the 1-1 draw at Goodison Park.

He added of the tweets: "We have taken the appropriate action and passed them on to police."

Mulgrew has few fears over Lennon leaving

Celtic defender Charlie Mulgrew has few fears about Neil Lennon quitting despite the manager making such a threat after Saturday's 1-0 defeat by Inverness.

Lennon said he would "do the honourable thing" and go if fans were not happy with him. The comments came after heated arguments with fans during and immediately after the Premier League loss at Parkhead.

But Mulgrew believes the remonstrations and Lennon's subsequent threat only show how much the club means to him and the supporters.

Mulgrew, whose side take on Hearts at Tynecastle tomorrow night, said: "I think it is heat of the moment. But I don't think the manager will be leaving, he is right behind the cause here."

Yeung to stand trial on five charges of money laundering

Birmingham City president, and the club's single largest shareholder, will stand trial in Hong Kong tomorrow in relation to five charges of money laundering totalling £59 million (€73m).

Having failed in an attempt to postpone the trial until June next year, Carson Yeung (52) will fight to clear his name in the face of the allegations that first surfaced in June 2011, when he was arrested by Hong Kong police.