The Screamer... it's the talk of football

Pascal homes in on Europe

Pascal Chimbonda believes Tottenham's home form will put them in contention for European qualification.

Spurs, who will be without Jermaine Jenas against Middlesbrough at White Hart Lane tonight after he picked up an ankle injury, have not won away in the Premiership this season.

But Chimbonda said: "We take a lot of points at home, we play very well so I think even though we are struggling away we can still finish in the top six and qualify for Europe."

Edgar Davids is ruled out with an eye problem, while Mido (groin) and Anthony Gardner (knee) are doubtful again and Hossam Ghaly suspended. Full back Paul Stalteri returns after his knee injury.

Brown favourite

Phil Brown is favourite to become Hull's new manager after Phil Parkinson was sacked.

Parkinson was fired after Hull lost 4-2 at home to Southampton, just five days after a 5-1 thrashing at Colchester, his former club. Brown and Colin Murphy have been put in temporary control, but Brown, like Murphy a former Derby boss, wants the job permanently.

Brown said: "t would be an opportunity.

"However, I don't want to overstep the mark until I've spoken to the chairman, Adam Pearson. I'm bitterly disappointed for Phil. Hopefully he will get back into football as soon as possible."

Pearson paid Colchester £400,000 for Parkinson in the summer, but he won just five of 24 games in charge.

'Mad Dog' now calming down

Austrian Emanuel Pogatetz has been praised by Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate for curbing his aggressive streak.

Pogatetz, 23, once dubbed 'Mad Dog,' arrived at Boro with a 24-week ban hanging over him from the Russian FA after breaking a player's leg in two places.

He picked up four yellow cards and a sending off in his first four months, but Southgate said: "Manny has been an absolute revelation for us. He is a strong lad and an aggressive player, but he has shown control this year and has been very impressive."

Hysen keen to stay

Swedish winger Tobias Hysen is determined to prove he has a future at Sunderland.

Hysen, son of former Liverpool defender Glenn, was signed for £1.7m by Niall Quinn, but has hardly featured since Roy Keane took over.

Gothenburg have shown an interest, but he said: "I've only been here three months and I'd be disappointed to be sent back."

Dyer sidelined

Kieron Dyer and Titus Bramble have joined Newcastle's growing injury list and will not play against Reading tomorrow night.

Boss Glenn Roeder will be without nine senior players after Bramble picked up a calf injury in the UEFA Cup draw with Eintracht Frankfurt and Dyer has still to recover from a gashed leg.

Lauren feared for his future

Arsenal defender Lauren has admitted he thought he would never play again.

The Cameroon star, 29, has been out for 10 months after undergoing surgery on a troublesome knee injury and has suffered repeated setbacks.

But he will appear in a behind-closed-doors friendly next week, with a full return pencilled in for the Carling Cup quarter-final at Liverpool in a fortnight.

He said: "I seriously thought I wouldn't play again."

Sullivan asks fans to return

Birmingham City's co-owner David Sullivan has accused fans of deserting Steve Bruce's Championship leaders, saying they no longer have any passion.

Sullivan cut prices for Saturday's 3-0 win over Plymouth which took Bruce's side top and has again reduced the entrance fee for Preston's visit this weekend.

He said: "Last Saturday we cut the price to £15 - cheaper than any other club in our division - and there were still many empty seats. If you add this to the fact that, before Wednesday's game at Southampton, we'd won six of the last seven, Iwonder what can be done to get the public of Birmingham behind the club.

"Without the fans there would be no club, but we need the support of the missing fans too."

Mowbray ready to rock Albion

Tony Mowbray is ready to make big changes at West Bromwich Albion in order to reignite the club's promotion push.

The manager, who has had a difficult start at The Hawthorns, said: "There is plenty that needs to change. There's lots I need to sort out. It's a big, big job. Bigger than I expected when I came.

"It has not been great to be a Baggies fan in the past few weeks. The team have to find a unity and togetherness. This league is very tough and we have to be as well."