FOOTBALL SHORTS

■ MANCHESTER CITY expect Kevin De Bruyne to prove his fitness for tomorrow’s clash with Tottenham after the midfielder missed training yesterday with an injury scare. Manager Pep Guardiola is confident De Bruyne will be fit, and in another boost for City, John Stones and Ruben Dias have both trained this week after fitness problems. City are expected to open talks with Julian Alvarez’s representatives over an extension to the forward’s contract at the end of the season.

JACK GAUGHAN

■ NEWCASTLE have made a fresh enquiry for Bayer Leverkusen star Moussa Diaby. The Premier League highfliers are long-term admirers of French winger Diaby, 23, but have previously been put off by Leverkusen’s demands. Despite this they retain an interest in Diaby, who is also wanted by Arsenal after they lost out on Ukraine winger Mykhailo Mudryk to Chelsea.

ADRIAN KAJUMBA

■ LORIS KARIUS is expected to extend his stay at Newcastle United, meaning fellow goalkeeper Karl Darlow will be allowed to leave on loan this month at the 11th hour. Nick Pope is Eddie Howe’s No 1 but the situation is complicated by Martin Dubravka being cup-tied for the Carabao Cup and Karius having not yet agreed a new deal. Darlow has been told the Magpies will consider offers at the end of the window and there is interest from Championship clubs. Huddersfield Town have asked about the 32-year-old.

The future of Karius, 29, must be sorted first and Newcastle will also wait to make sure Pope and Dubravka remain injury-free.