Hughes full of praise for Portsmouth management pair

Richard Hughes has praised Portsmouth management duo Paul Hart and Brian Kidd for the way they've lifted the team since taking over from Tony Adams.

"Clearly we've been very resilient," said midfielder Hughes. "We've only lost two games under the new manager and those two have been against Manchester United and Chelsea.

"It shows that the spirit goes a long way and that we have a fighting, never-say-die attitude.

"The management have given us belief to go out and get results like this.

"We're a strong bunch of guys, we're a strong unit and we're desperate to stay in this league.

"The manager has us well drilled but we didn't need any extra motivation for that game – we knew it was a massive game for us."

Man Utd boss Ferguson: Brown will play against Middlesbrough

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson says Wes Brown will make his comeback against Middlesbrough this weekend.

After last night's victory over Arsenal, Ferguson said: "Wes has been training with the first team and has played two reserve games.

"He was with the squad today and there is a definite possibility he could play some part of the game on Saturday.

"I actually think it is important. I don't think he will start but he will play some part."

How bitterness disappeared between Arsenal boss Wenger and Man Utd's Ferguson

A Scottish coaching course has been set as the scene for the thawing of the relationship between Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson and his great rival Arsene Wenger, the Arsenal manager.

The Guardian says Wenger's refusal to engage over a bottle of wine with his managerial peers, men he feels he should isolate himself from as competitors, has always rankled with Ferguson. So it came as a surprise to him that Arsenal's manager took the time to travel to a Scottish Premier League elite coaches' forum two years ago.

Wenger went to the Gleneagles event as a guest of the Uefa technical director, Andy Roxburgh, and gave his insights to SPL managers and those Scots who coach at English clubs. From that moment Ferguson's ill will seems to have dissipated and after years of refusing to indulge him by visiting his office for a post-match glass of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Wenger has finally broken bread with his old foe.

Their new bond appears to have been strengthened at a Uefa dinner for 23 elite coaches last September. Both sat at the top table for the social event that preceded the group-phase matches of the Champions League, having been involved in the discussion groups during the conference session. Those present confirm both men got on famously throughout.

Veloso agent confirms Man City talks

Manchester City are in talks with Sporting Lisbon over a £15 million deal for Miguel Veloso.

The Sun says the Portugal international is set to leave his home country and came close to switching to England in January.

Arsenal and Tottenham were also linked with the 22-year-old midfielder but agent Paulo Barbosa says City are showing the most interest.

He said: “We have had some talks with Manchester City.

“I am still in contact with the clubs who were interested in January.

“There is an agreement with Sporting that he will leave this summer but we don’t have an agreement with any other club about a transfer as yet.

“England is his first choice, and he already speaks good English. Everything is possible at the moment.”

Liverpool, Arsenal go for Spurs reject El Hamdaoui

Liverpool and Arsenal are tracking AZ Alkmaar striker Mounir El Hamdaoui.

The Sun says El Hamdaoui, 24, spent a year at Spurs but never made a senior appearance — and played nine times on loan at Derby in 2005.

He has had a remarkable rise since then.

Anfield manager Rafa Benitez wants another centre-forward to shoulder the workload with Fernando Torres.

And Arsenal’s Arsene Wenger is in the market for cover for Emmanuel Adebayor — if he does not go in the summer.