The top stories from papers and websites - 18 December 2012

• Neil Warnock claims Rafa Benitez threatened to sue him at the height of their row over Sheffield United's relegation from the Premier League.


• Manchester City fear they will be stuck with Mario Balotelli even though they want to get rid of him.


• QPR's Adel Taarabt says their great escape is on.


• Stoke striker Michael Owen will make his comeback bid behind closed doors today.


• Honduras midfielder Roger Espinoza will join Wigan in January after being granted a work permit.


• Liverpool target Arda Turan wants to leave Atletico Madrid at the end of the season.

• Marouane Fellaini has escaped with a three-match ban for his headbutt on Stoke's Ryan Shawcross.


• Brendan Rodgers has warned Liverpool their problems won't be solved in one transfer window.


• Frank Lampard has told Chelsea their season is on the line - starting at Leeds on Wednesday in the Capital One Cup.


• Jan Vertonghen has urged Tottenham to sign his former Ajax team-mate Christian Eriksen.


• Harry Redknapp wants Nicolas Anelka to blast QPR to Premier League safety.


• Arsenal have yet to approach the New York Red Bulls about signing Thierry Henry next month.


• Stoke and Aston Villa head a 30-club race to sign Crewe's latest midfield starlet Luke Murphy.


• Fulham are set to make a surprise move for QPR striker Jamie Mackie.


• Wolves have confirmed that Ronald Zubar and Eggert Jonsson are likely to be sold in the new year.


• Leeds want to sign Michael Tonge and Alan Tate in Janaury.


• Barcelona's brilliance is making La Liga 'boring' says Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone.

• Newcastle United are making contingency plans in case Demba Ba's £7.5m get-out clause is activated next month.


• Marouane Fellaini has been banned for three matches after accepting a charge of violent conduct for his clash with Stoke's Ryan Shawcross.


• QPR are closer to signing Nicolas Anelka after he began negotiations to secure a release from Shanghai Shenhua.


• A Zenit St Petersburg fans group has urged the club not to sign gay, black or South American players.


• Tottenham have indicated they are prepared to sell Danny Rose next month.


• Benoit Assou-Ekotto hopes to return to Tottenham's side on Saturday against Stoke after three months out with a knee injury.

• Harry Redknapp will meet QPR owner Tony Fernandes this week to discuss transfer window plans. Joe Cole and Nicolas Anelka are targets.


• Newcastle have cancelled their Christmas party in a bid to end a run of poor results.


• Blackburn manager Henning Berg wants former Aston Villa coach Kevin MacDonald to join his staff.


• Nottingham Forest will give Stephen McLaughlin a medical today and Derry team-mate Barry McNamee will follow ahead of a proposed £200,000 double deal in January.


• Liverpool are among a number of clubs monitoring France U21 centre-back Nicolas Isimat-Mirin.


• Leeds are tabling a £275,000 offer for Swansea defender Alan Tate.


• Wigan have confirmed Roger Espinoza will join from Sporting Kansas City next month.


• Fulham and QPR are both watching France Under 21 international Yacouba Sylla.


• Claudio Ranieri wants to take Frank Lampard to French second division side Monaco.


• Rio Ferdinand will weigh up moves to the United States and the Middle East in the new year.

• Marouane Fellaini has escaped with just a three-match ban for his headbutt on Ryan Shawcross.


• Demba Ba admits he is interested in a move to Arsenal next month.


• Defender Kirk Broadfoot admits Blackpool expect to lose Thomas Ince next month.


• Steve Bruce has been given the go-ahead by Hull to launch a £7m swoop for Sunderland striker Fraizer Campbell.


• Brighton are preparing a £4m bid for Burnley striker Charlie Austin.


• Stoke striker Michael Owen will play in a friendly with Blackpool today.


• Wayne Routledge is set to sign a new four-year deal with Swansea.


• John Ward has re-joined Bristol Rovers after turning down a director's role at Plymouth.


• Liverpool are lining up January moves for Daniel Sturridge and Thomas Ince.


• Hull are lining up a £7m bid for Sunderland striker Fraizer Campbell.

• Newcastle are close to signing Marseille striker Loic Rémy

• Chelsea and Liverpool target Bafetimbi Gomis is considering leaving Lyon in January.

• Chelsea will bid more than £20m for Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini.