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Joining AC Jimbo to round-up the week’s football news are Sean Ingle, Simon Burnton and Jacob Steinberg.

As Manchester City qualify for the Champions League for the first time, the pod wonder why there is still pressure on Roberto Manchini. There’s also a full FA Cup preview as City take on Stoke, but when was the last decent final at Wembley?

Joining in from Scotland, Ewan Murray ponders why Neil Lennon was again the subject of an unpleasant incident and from Holland Rutger Slagter is on hand to preview an exciting Eredivisie climax.

There’s a preview of the weekend’s play-offs and Premier League fixtures, and the pod mull over how Liverpool will fare next season. Will there will be a place for Steven Gerrard in the Reds’ midfield?

Plus Sean gets an award from some boxers …

James RichardsonPeter SaleSean IngleSimon BurntonJacob Steinberg

• Gerrard missed England friendly with groin strain
• ‘We’ll find out nearer the weekend,’ says Dalglish

Kenny Dalglish is hopeful of having his Liverpool captain, Steven Gerrard, available at the weekend despite the midfielder missing England’s friendly victory over Denmark with a groin injury.

The 30-year-old withdrew from Fabio Capello’s squad after Sunday’s win at Chelsea in order to have treatment at Liverpool’s Melwood training ground all week. Dalglish would like to have Gerrard available for Saturday’s visit of Wigan as his side look for a fifth successive victory but he will not make a decision until closer to kick-off.

“It’s only Thursday so we’ll find out when we get nearer the weekend – obviously we hope he will be [fit],” said the Liverpool manager. “At the moment there is no-one on international duty that is coming back with injury problems.

“Martin Skrtel travelled [with Slovakia] and then came back so we’ll have to assess him as well. We are not training until later today so we’ll see when everyone gets in.”

Liverpool are likely to be without the 18-year-old midfielder Jonjo Shelvey at the weekend after he sustained an injury.

“Jonjo Shelvey got a bit of bad news on his knee so we will just wait to get that finally diagnosed and see what has to be done,” said Dalglish. “He has done well so it is a disappointment for everyone.”

Liverpool are still without the services of the club record signing, Andy Carroll, with the £35m striker continuing his rehabilitation from a thigh problem sustained while he was still at Newcastle.

“Andy is progressing very well. We never gave a date and we won’t put a date on it – we just said it would be a few weeks,” said Dalglish. “As long as we are patient and Andy is patient we’ll be okay but we won’t be rushing him back.”

Steven GerrardKenny DalglishLiverpoolguardian.co.uk

• Gerrard set to play against Fulham after month out
• Roy Hodgson says captain must train well this week

Roy Hodgson is hoping Steven Gerrard can train today with a view to making his comeback against Fulham at the weekend. The Liverpool captain has been absent since injuring a hamstring on 17 November in England’s friendly defeat to France.

The game against Fulham was earmarked as a likely date for his return and that remains the case, although Hodgson will insist he gets some training under his belt beforehand. “Steven’s on track for the weekend,” Hodgson told Liverpool’s website.

“He’s worked very hard to get back and Steven and Jamie Carragher are the type who hate not playing. Steven has been determined to get back as quickly as possible and the physios are happy with him and he feels quite good.”

Hodgson will not take any risks with his star man, however. “The big question when a player has a hamstring injury or a slight pull is when do you actually say he is totally fit and give him the go-ahead to play?” he said.

“We have to be careful there is no risk of the injury reoccurring and I am in the hands to some extent of the sports science people as to when he can come back. I take their word for it and I can’t really push the subject because I would be devastated if we brought him back too early, but he still hopes he will be fit to play some part in the game against Fulham and so am I.”

Gerrard will definitely not come into contention for tomorrow night’s Europa League clash against FC Utrecht at Anfield. “We are training on Tuesday, Wednesday is a day off for those who won’t be playing against Utrecht and if he is going to start the game against Fulham I definitely want him back training with us on Thursday, that’s for sure,” he added.

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