Hull City are close to reaching an agreement with Blackpool over 22-year-old forward Tom Ince, who left the Seasiders after his contract ran out in the summer. Blackpool are entitled to compensation because he is under 23 – (Sky Sports)
Ecuadorian forward Enner Valencia, 24, says he learnt about West Ham by watching Green Street, a film on football hooliganism – (Daily Mirror)
Everton striker Romelu Lukaku, 21, says he wants to emulate sportsmen he admires like Cristiano Ronaldo, Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan by performing in every game – (Daily Express)
Everton midfielder James McCarthy, 23, says last season’s 4-0 defeat by Liverpool was the lowest point of his career on Merseyside to date, and he is determined to “make amends” in Saturday’s derby at Anfield – (Daily Telegraph)
Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is convinced England winger Raheem Sterling, 19, will sign a new contract at Anfield amid reports Real Madrid are preparing to lure him to Spain – (Liverpool Echo)