FOOTBALL DIGEST

LEICESTER are fighting to keep hold of transfer guru Eduardo Macia. Sportsmail can reveal Macia has admirers at Manchester United, who may create a technical director role. AC Milan and Aston Villa are also interested. FIFA plan to limit the number of players clubs can send out on loan to discourage teams from stockpiling talent. They have proposed a limit of six. Chelsea have 40 players out on loan this season.

RAFA CHARGED OVER REF TALK

RAFA BENITEZ has been charged by the FA over comments he made about referee Andre Marriner. Responding to Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha’s call for greater protection before the game on Saturday, the Newcastle boss said: ‘(Marriner’s) record with our players is not the best in terms of red cards, but I am quite confident.’ UNAI EMERY has hinted that Reiss Nelson can be part of his first-team plans next season. Other Arsenal youngsters will be given a runout against Brentford in the Carabao Cup tonight, but Emery has not forgotten

NELSON EXCITES GUNNERS BOSS

Nelson, 18, who is on loan at Hoffenheim. ‘He is interesting to me,’ said Emery. ‘We decided it’s better for Reiss (left) to get experience of games with a good level in Germany.’ STEVEN CAULKER is training with Wigan ahead of a potential deal with the Championship club. The former Tottenham, Cardiff and QPR centre back, 26, is a free agent after leaving Dundee in the summer. BAKARY SAKO is finalising terms with West Bromwich and could be in the team to face Preston on Saturday. The 30-year-old winger left Crystal Palace in June.

ASHWORTH QUITS FA FOR BRIGHTON

DAN ASHWORTH is leaving his role as the FA’s director of elite development to become Brighton’s technical director.

Sportsmail revealed in July that Ashworth, a key ally of Gareth Southgate, was a target for Brighton and the move will be confirmed this morning.