What you need to know . . .

* Orlando Pirates have six players on the injury list as they head into their weekend clash with Maritzburg United. Mthokozisi Dube, Brilliant Khuzwayo, Ben Motshwari, Luvuyo Memela, Ntsikelelo Nyauza and Gladwin Shitolo are all unavailable with a week to go before the Telkom Knockout final against Baroka FC in Port Elizabeth.

* Manchester City will go into the weekend clash against Bournemouth without Gabriel Jesus and Ilkay Gundogan, who have slight knocks, and Benjamin Mendy and Kevin de Bruyne, who are only due to make their return next month.

* AC Milan believe they are close to snapping up Cesc Fabregas and are confident of getting him in January. The Spanish midfielder will be a free agent at the end of the season, but the Italian side have already made contact with him over a mid-season transfer as Fabregas has fallen down the pecking order at Chelsea. He has featured in only three Premier League matches this season and in each as a substitute.

* Aston Villa are among the favourites to become Ashley Cole’s next permanent club. Derby are also in the market for the 37-year-old former England full-back, who is also possibly going to stay in the USA or go to China. He has been released by Los Angeles Galaxy.

* Juventus may have assembled an impressive squad, but they’re not resting on their laurels. In the January transfer window they are set to swoop for Valencia’s 21-year-old central midfielder Carlos Soler and Goncalo Guedes, who represented Portugal at the World Cup in Russia. Both have caught the attention of coach Massimiliano Allegri recently.