Manchester United defender Chris Smalling will be assessed on Thursday after hurting his thigh in training, ahead of Saturday’s Premier League match with West Ham at Old Trafford – (Daily Mail)
Liverpool striker Rickie Lambert, 32, says he wasn’t happy with his own performance in the League Cup win over Middlesbrough, which overshadowed the honour of being named captain for the night – (Daily Star)
Everton’s Costa Rican left-back Bryan Oviedo, 24, says it was “very emotional” to make his return to first-team action against Swansea on Tuesday after eight months out with a broken leg – (Daily Mirror)
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says he hopes to “transform” Abou Diaby, 28, into a defensive midfielder to prolong his career after the France international suffered repeated injury problems – (Daily Telegraph)
Everton manager Roberto Martinez says defensive solidity is in the club’s “DNA”, despite the Blues conceding 17 goals in their first seven matches of the season – (Liverpool Echo)