Arsenal blow as injured Cech struggles to be fit for derby

ARSENAL goalkeeper Petr Cech is in a race to be fit to face north London rivals Tottenham on Saturday after limping out of the 5-1 win over Everton with a calf injury. He was assessed yesterday and Arsene Wenger will give him every chance to prove his fitness. Meanwhile, Aaron Ramsey’s contract talks with Arsenal are proving difficult. The midfielder, who earns £110,000 a week and is out of contract next year, wants a rise to reflect his importance to the team. Mesut Ozil’s deal is worth up to £350,000 a week, while new signings Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are on £200,000.

CRYSTAL PALACE fear Wilfried Zaha could miss important Premier League games after he sustained a knee injury in Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Newcastle. The forward had a scan yesterday and is due to see a specialist today.

FORMER Everton boss Ronald Koeman is expected to be named Holland manager today, succeeding Dick Advocaat.

BRADFORD have sacked boss Stuart McCall following six successive defeats. The club have dropped to sixth in the League One table.

WEST HAM co-owner David Sullivan has told fans their protests and chants against him will achieve nothing — and pleaded for unity at the club. The Hammers are three points above the drop zone and Sullivan fears a disappointing campaign could soon turn ‘disastrous’. Fans sang ‘sack the board’ during Saturday’s 3-1 loss at Brighton.