Lampard admits his debt to Mourinho

Pogba finally returns to United squad

Paul Pogba is on the verge of a long-awaited comeback for Manchester United after being named in the matchday squad to face bottom club Watford at Vicarage Road today. The France midfielder has been out of action for almost three months after a serious ankle injury. But, having returned to full training this week following a bout of illness, Pogba was among the party that travelled to London yesterday for the Watford game as manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer welcomed United’s record £89 million back into his squad. Pogba has not featured for United since the 1-1 draw against Arsenal at the end of September.

Pochettino ready to listen to job offers

Mauricio Pochettino says he is ready to return to management quickly after being sacked by Tottenham Hotspur last month. The

Argentine said he did not rule out a return to Spurs at some stage in his career and added that there was no club that he would not talk to – even Arsenal. In his first interview since leaving Spurs, Pochettino said: “After five and a half years in Tottenham it is a weird time for us but at the same time very relaxed, very happy when you look backwards, yet in life you need to move on.” He added that he was “ready if something arrives and [I am] open to listen”.

Frank Lampard admits he is attempting to forge the same kind of bond with his Chelsea youngsters that the Portuguese shared with players during his first spell in charge at Stamford Bridge.

The Chelsea head coach, who will take on his former manager at Tottenham today, said: “When you say is there anything I take from Jose, he was the first manager that day-to-day made me feel really close to him. We worked on the mental side without working on it; it was just this confidence that he gave me which forms a bond.

“He did form a bond with me. Working with the younger players that we have here now it is my duty to try and form my bond with them.”

Blind diagnosed with heart condition

Daley Blind, the Ajax defender, has had a defibrillator fitted after being diagnosed with a heart condition. The former Manchester United player’s “heart muscle inflammation” emerged after he felt dizzy in a Champions League match against Valencia this month. He had a subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator fitted, which is designed to regulate abnormal heart rhythms, and has missed the past two matches as part of his rehabilitation.