One of the most talented players to be developed in this country over the past 15 years has finally ended the transfer riddle of the summer, by agreeing a four-year contract with Liverpool.

The fans at Anfield will be buoyant over a signing who has that magical spark, the ability to create something out of nothing, with the only other England player capable of that genius ability being an Evertonian in Wayne Rooney. But the choice of Joe Cole’s move to Merseyside will leave people questioning the player’s ambition to join a team competing in next season's Europa League. Why reject the opportunity to play in the Champions League?

After a torrid season last time around Liverpool went from one step forward to about five steps back, from runners-up in 08/09 to an appalling seventh place. Roy Hodgson, who did a remarkable job in his tenure at Fulham, has been given the task of resurrecting a ship which has been off target since the Premier League was constructed. On paper the signing of Joe Cole to replace Yossi Benayoun makes sense. Firstly he is English, which helps with the regulations in England and Europe with a minimum amount of National players needing to be in the squads. He is arguably more gifted than Benayoun and there is also the fact he is a marquee signing. Somebody who will ensure Hodgson has accumulated invaluable brownie points from the Kop.

Harry Redknapp, Cole’s former manager at West Ham, made it clear he was in for the player, and it would have been wise to presume he would reunite with his former manager at Tottenham Hotspurs - not only a team which will be competing in the Champions League this season, but one which would have meant Cole could stay in London. The likes of Arsenal, Manchester United and even AC Milan were all linked with him, so whatever happened it looked as if he was going to join a title contending team.

The move to Liverpool however still raises questions as to whether Cole is good enough to warrant a first team place, however. One of the reasons he left Chelsea was because of lack of first team action, yet looking at The Reds' squad he will have just as much competition. He has continually stated his wish to play in his preferred role, in the ‘hole’, yet at Liverpool captain marvel Steven Gerrard automatically adopts this position. The wings seem the likely answer, yet on the left they have Ryan Babel, Milan Jovanavic and for now Albert Riera. You look to the right and there is Dirk Kuyt and Maxi Rodriguez. Decent options and bar Riera, players you would expect to stay at the club. If one was to guess then Jovanovic or even Kuyt might be told they will be first reserve to Fernando Torres in the forward department, a role they would see playing time in with the Spaniard so frequently in the treatment room.

Former manager Carlo Ancelotti said the reason for Cole’s departure was economical, and this leads to the interesting motive in his transfer. He wanted to be on par with the likes of John Terry and Frank Lampard recuperating over £100k for a weekly salary, yet Chelsea smartly looked at their financial situation and decided it needed trimming and wouldn’t budge on their offer of a small increase. Figures being thrown about have said the likes of Tottenham and Arsenal were asking Cole to stick to his current wages, but with the promise of first team action. Yet he has ended up at Liverpool on wages we understand in the figure of £90k a week and slight uncertainty as to his role.

Ashley Cole departed Arsenal in similar circumstances over contract issues, and look at the way he is ridiculed by opposition fans. Will Joe have the same kind of reception? It’s unlikely, as he comes across in a far more likeable manner than Ashley. Whether the transfer was simply for financial reasons we will not know, but for both Liverpool and even Cole, the move could be what both parties have been seeking. Cole is one of those players you just cannot hate, and England fans will be hoping he can rediscover form and fitness at Anfield so not only the country can reap the rewards at international level, but also to prove some doubters wrong that he has lived up to the high billing tagged on him as a teenager.

KNYSNA, South Africa — A French Football Federation official says striker Nicolas Anelka has been thrown off the nation's World Cup squad after reportedly insulting coach Raymond Domenech.

Federation vice president Noel Le Graet told France's RTL radio that the decision was made on Saturday.

Le Graet says "the decision has just been taken ... It's shocking, because if anyone has protected Anelka, it's Domenech."

The Chelsea striker reportedly made obscene comments to Domenech at halftime during France's 2-0 loss to Mexico on Thursday.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

KNYSNA, South Africa (AP) – Nicolas Anelka was not at France's training session Saturday, hours after reports of his expletive-filled tirade at coach Raymond Domenech exposed mounting tension within the French World Cup squad.

The reported outburst could lead to him being kicked off France's squad.

French sports daily L'Equipe reported that Anelka insulted Domenech at halftime during France's 2-0 loss to Mexico on Thursday when the coach offered him some tactical advice.

L'Equipe said Domenech was upset after being insulted by Anelka, who was then replaced by Andre-Pierre Gignac.

French federation vice president Christian Teinturier thinks Anelka should have either apologized or been sent home already.

"If, effectively, the words I'm hearing are true, he shouldn't be there anymore," Teinturier said on France Info radio. "If those exact words were said, I can't understand why he was at training on Friday.

"He should have been thrown out straight away or apologized, otherwise he shouldn't turn up again wearing a France training top."

French sports minister Roselyne Bachelot says the "huge pressure" on the French players because of the team's poor results is not an excuse for poor behavior.

"The players must keep in mind that they are wearing France's colors and are considered to be role models by many youngsters," Bachelot said in a statement. "This obliges them to show restraint and dignity."

Anelka was snubbed by Domenech four years ago when he did not make the World Cup squad, even when striker Djibril Cisse was injured on the eve of the team's departure to Germany. Domenech took Sidney Govou instead in 2006.

But the Chelsea striker was a starter in all the warmup matches before this World Cup, and he also started France's opening match, which finished 0-0 against Uruguay.

The latest reports of a rift follow newspaper allegations that midfielder Yoann Gourcuff is an unpopular figure on the squad and that defender William Gallas is upset with Domenech for giving the captain's armband to Patrice Evra.

Calls to the France team's press officer seeking comment on the reports were not immediately returned.

Only a handful of French players spoke to the media after the Mexico defeat left France staring at elimination four years after losing to Italy in the World Cup final.

France needs to beat South Africa convincingly Tuesday, and hope Mexico and Uruguay don't draw their final game, to have any chance of qualifying for the second round.

"We deserve the criticism," France midfielder Jeremy Toulalan said Friday. "Despite what was said, I think there were a lot of supporters who had hope. We owe it to ourselves to fight for these people."

Gallas is refusing to speak to reporters for the duration of the competition, while Franck Ribery, Anelka and Thierry Henry – all mainstays of the team – have also not spoken so far.

Toulalan, one of only a few players to speak after the Mexico match, fears the team is now a collection of individual talents with no camaraderie whatsoever.

Toulalan added that "everyone has to do their own self-analysis" and that things will only improve if "everyone is honest (with themselves) and understands what they did or did not do."

Toulalan would not talk about squabbles within the squad.

Some reports have alleged that Gourcuff sometimes eats alone at the dinner table, and that Ribery and Anelka do not like him and pressured Domenech to drop him against Mexico.

Gourcuff was replaced by Florent Malouda, and did not play in the match.

In the opening game against Uruguay, Anelka had a clear chance to pass to the unguarded Gourcuff during the first half but chose not to. Gourcuff threw his arms up in the air.

Toulalan, a close friend of Gourcuff, said players should always behave professionally, no matter what their differences.

"We can't all be the best friends in the world," Toulalan said. "But there's no way I'm going to go out on the pitch with the idea that I'm not going to pass to this player or that player."

Gourcuff said after the Mexico defeat he was being made a scapegoat for the team's inability to score goals.

"It has been a collective failure over the two games. Football is hard when you can't play together," Gourcuff said. "Perhaps I have paid the price, I don't know. I've not had any explanations."

Following the sad news of the sudden death of Siphiwo Ntshebe who was due to perform at the Opening Ceremony of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ on 11 June, FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter has today sent a message of condolence to the singer's family, courtesy of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee South Africa.

Barcelona's influential captain Carles Puyol will miss tonight's epic Champions League semi-final with Inter Milan as he serves a one match ban.

Gabriel Milito should take his place in the starting line up. Eric Abidal and Andres Iniesta are also missing for the European champions, who have a groin tear and a thigh injury respectively.

Meanwhile, Inter Milan will be without Goran Pandev, who also has a thigh complaint, but the Nerazzurri should have Wesley Sneijder fit.

The Dutch playmaker hobbled off on Saturday during his team’s 3-1 Serie 'A' win over Atalanta. But Inter fans can breathe a sigh of relief as he is set to start this evening. Barca coach Pep Guardiola has ordered the pitch at Camp Nou to be watered ahead of tonight's clash, to help his side's slick passing football.

Guardiola said: "We are going to put water on the field. We want to move the ball quicker and are going to try to win. "We are going to see a good game." The main threat to Inter's 3-1 advantage will again be Lionel Messi. Last week, Mourinho's tactics succeeded in keeping the Argentine magician quiet.

However, on his own patch Messi could be a different prospect entirely, with close to 100,000 Barca fanatics roaring him on. Inter captain Lucio is confident that his team can repeat the trick of marking Messi out of the game. "Messi is a player of the highest quality," the Brazilian said.

"In the first leg we managed to mark him very well. We defended well and everyone was helping out, covering for their team-mates, and that was the key to our performance."

Bayern Munich await the winner in the final on 22 May, after thrashing Lyon 4-0 on aggregate in the other semi final.

Team news and squad sheets for the weekend games will appear below as soon as the managers have posted them around the country. In the meantime, watch our video previews above.

All games 3pm unless stated

Saturday

Arsenal v Wolverhampton Wanderers

Arsenal will have Gael Clichy (back) and Denilson (groin) available for tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League match against Wolves. However, Cesc Fabregas will miss the rest of the season with a broken leg. William Gallas (calf), too, is not expected to feature again this season. Andrey Arshavin (calf) also picked up an injury during the midweek 2-2 Champions League quarter-final first leg against Barcelona, but should be back within three weeks. Mikael Silvestre and Sol Campbell are in contention, while Thomas Vermaelen is available after serving a one-match domestic ban. Theo Walcott is pressing to start after making an impact from the bench against Barcelona. Robin van Persie (ankle) is back in training, but is still a couple of weeks away from a return.

Wolves are set to be without Sylvan Ebanks-Blake. The forward, who was due to be on the bench, has a virus. He is expected to be replaced among the substitutes by Sam Vokes. Mick McCarthy, the Wolves manager, is poised to retain the starting XI which began last weekend’s goalless draw against Everton.

Arsenal (from): Almunia, Sagna, Vermaelen, Campbell, Clichy, Rosicky, Denilson, Nasri, Eboue, Walcott, Bendtner, Fabianski, Silvestre, Traore, Vela, Eduardo, Eastmond, Merida.

Wolverhampton Wanderers (from): Hahnemann, Zubar, Craddock, Berra, Ward, Elokobi, Foley, Mancienne, Guedioura, Henry, Jones, Jarvis, Doyle, Keogh, Castillo, Bia, Milijas, Vokes, Iwelumo, Edwards, Hennessey.

Bolton Wanderers v Aston Villa

Johan Elmander, the forward, is fit to face Villa at the Reebok Stadium despite requiring six stitches in a head wound sustained in last week’s 4-0 defeat to Manchester United. The Bolton defence is strengthened by the return of Gretar Steinsson from a one-match ban, while Paul Robinson faces a late fitness test on an ankle injury. Owen Coyle, the Bolton manager, is still without long-term injury victims Stuart Holden, Chris Basham, Gavin McCann, Sean Davis and Joey O’Brien.

Martin O’Neill, the Villa manager, will check on the fitness of several key players before finalising his side. James Milner, Richard Dunne and the three forwards, Emile Heskey, Gabriel Agbonlahor and John Carew, will all be assessed ahead of the trip to the Reebok Stadium. The possible absence of all, or part of, O’Neill’s strike-force could mean a rare start for Nathan Delfouneso, the England Under-19 international.

Bolton Wanderers (from): Jaaskelainen, Knight, Ricketts, Cahill, Robinson, Muamba, Lee, Gardner, M Davies, Taylor, Wilshere, Cohen, K Davies, Elmander, Klasnic, Weiss, Al Habsi, Samuel, A O’Brien, Steinsson, Riga.

Aston Villa (from): Friedel, Luke Young, Cuellar, Dunne, Collins, Davies, Warnock, Downing, Milner, Petrov, Sidwell, Ashley Young, Carew, Agbonlahor, Heskey, Delfouneso, Guzan, Albrighton, Beye, Clark.

Burnley v Manchester City, 5.30pm

Steven Caldwell returns to the squad to face City after a four-month absence with a groin injury. The Burnley captain is in the frame after coming through a reserve match this week without any reaction. Stephen Jordan, the full back, is expected to recover from a knee problem in time but Chris McCann remains sidelined with a similar injury.

Pablo Zabaleta starts a two-match ban so will miss the trip. The Argentina defender picked up his tenth booking of the season against Wigan Athletic on Monday and will also sit out next week’s home home match against Birmingham City, with Micah Richards likely to deputise. Stephen Ireland (ankle) is also sidelined for City’s first visit to Turf Moor since 2001.

Burnley (from): Jensen, Mears, Jordan, Duff, Cort, Caldwell, Alexander, Elliott, McDonald, Nugent, Fletcher, Blake, Paterson, Eagles, Thompson, Bikey, Cork, Edgar, Carlisle, Fox, Weaver.

Manchester City (from): Given, Taylor, Richards, Toure, Boyata, Kompany, Garrido, Sylvinho, Onuoha, Wright-Phillips, Bellamy, Barry, Vieira, De Jong, Johnson, Tevez, Adebayor, Santa Cruz, Ibrahim.

Manchester United v Chelsea, 12.45pm

Owen Hargreaves and John O'Shea are in contention to make their comebacks in tomorrow's top-of-the-table match at Old Trafford.

Hargreaves has been out of action for nearly 18 months following major surgery on both knees, whilst O'Shea has not played a game since suffering complications in his recovery from a dead leg sustained in the Republic of Ireland's World Cup play-off defeat by France in November.

Sir Alex Ferguson, the United manager, said: "Getting them into the frame of first-team selection would be a big step forward. It would give them the confidence of being involved again and we have that in our minds.”

Wayne Rooney (ankle) is out, so Dimitar Berbatov is set to lead the United forward line.

Didier Drogba has recovered from a training knock and will spearhead Chelsea's attack. The striker sat out last weekend's 7-1 victory over Aston Villa and missed two training sessions after collecting a minor leg injury in training.

Michael Essien (knee); Ashley Cole (ankle); Ricardo Carvalho (ankle) and Jose Bosingwa (knee) are all sidelined along with Branislav Ivanovic (knee).

Manchester United (from): Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Foster, Neville, Rafael, De Laet, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evans, Evra, O'Shea, Park, Valencia, Carrick, Hargreaves, Scholes, Fletcher, Gibson, Obertan, Giggs, Nani, Berbatov, Macheda, Diouf.

Chelsea (from): Cech, Hilario, Turnbull, Kalou, Alex, Drogba, Malouda, Terry, Borini, Lampard, Obi, Deco, Anelka, Zhirkov, J Cole, Belletti, Ballack, Kakuta, Sturridge, Ferreira, Bruma, Van Aanholt.

Portsmouth v Blackburn Rovers

Avram Grant has just 13 fit first-team players going into Portmouth’s match against Blackburn at Fratton Park. Hermann Hreidarsson and Danny Webber have both been ruled out for six months after suffering Achilles and knee injuries respectively against Tottenham last Saturday. Quincy Owusu-Abeyie’s loan deal from Spartak Moscow has been cancelled, while Aruna Dindane’s future also remains in the balance. David James (calf), Kevin-Prince Boateng (ankle), Hassan Yebda (knee), Tal Ben-Haim (groin), Nadir Belhadj and Marc Wilson (both leg) are all injured.

Sam Allardyce, the Blackburn manager, has virtually a fully-fit squad. Ryan Nelsen, the captain, and Paul Robinson, the goalkeeper, are back in full training after missing five and three games respectively with knee and calf injuries. Yildiray Basturk, who has yet to figure since his arrival in January, is also available after shaking off a hamstring problem, leaving Keith Andrews (calf) as the only doubt.

Portsmouth (from): Ashdown, Mullins, Piquionne, Finnan, O’Hara, Brown, Diop, Kanu, Basinas, Vanden Borre, Mokoena, Rocha, Smith.

Blackburn Rovers (from): Brown, Dunn, Olsson, Salgado, Pedersen, Nzonzi, Samba, Nelsen, Givet, Jacobsen, Grella, Hoilett, Roberts, Diouf, Kalinic, Chimbonda, Jones, Emerton, Di Santo, Robinson, Basturk.

Stoke City v Hull City

Tony Pulis is concerned about the fitness of three of his players as they prepare to face Hull at the Britannia Stadium. Ryan Shawcross remains doutbful with an ankle injury while Abdoulaye Faye and Dave Kitson both suffered knee problems in the victory against West Ham. Dean Whitehead, the midfield player, is available again after suspension.

Ibrahima Sonko is ineligible for Hull under the terms of his loan agreement from Stoke. The defender's place is likely to be taken by Andy Dawson after he returned to training following a hamstring injury while Caleb Folan (knee) and Bernard Mendy (illness) are also fit. Stephen Hunt is still struggling with a foot problem and is unlikely to feature. Amr Zaki (knee) is still sidelined and Ian Ashbee, Kamil Zayatte (both knee) and Anthony Gardner (ankle) are long-term absentees.

Stoke City (from): Sorensen, Wilkinson, Abdoulaye Faye, Huth, Shawcross, Collins, Lawrence, Pugh, Whelan, Whitehead, Tuncay, Delap, Etherington, Sidibe, Fuller, Kitson, Higginbotham, Begovic, Moult, Amdy Faye.

Hull City (from): Myhill, Duke, Marney, McShane, Mouyokolo, Kilbane, Bullard, Cairney, Garcia, Geovanni, Boateng, Ghilas, Olofinjana, Barmby, Altidore, Fagan, Vennegoor of Hesselink, Folan, Mendy, Dawson.

Sunderland v Tottenham Hotspur

Steve Bruce, the Sunderland manager, will be without Alan Hutton for the Barclays Premier League clash with Tottenham. The Scotland international is ineligible under the terms of his loan deal from Spurs, while John Mensah, the centre back, is rated only 50-50 with a hamstring injury. David Meyler (ankle) could return after missing the trips to Aston Villa and Liverpool, but Andy Reid and George McCartney (both hamstring) remain on the sidelines.

Jermain Defoe is available for Tottenham after sleeping in an altitude chamber to help his recovery from a hamstring problem.Michael Dawson (Achilles), Tom Huddlestone (ankle), Vedran Corluka (ankle), Ledley King (thigh) and Aaron Lennon (groin) are out and Wilson Palacios (groin) is struggling to be fit. Jonathan Woodgate (groin) is out for the season and Carlo Cudicini (wrist/pelvis) is also expected to miss the rest of the campaign but is back training.

Sunderland (from): Gordon, Carson, Bardsley, Turner, Ferdinand, Kilgallon, Da Silva, Cattermole, Cana, Zenden, Richardson, Malbranque, Henderson, Campbell, Bent, Jones, Benjani, Meyler, Liddle.

Tottenham Hotspur (from): Gomes, Alnwick, K Walker, Bale, Assou-Ekotto, Kaboul, Bassong, Dervite, Modric, Kranjcar, Livermore, Bentley, Rose, Townsend, Kane, Gudjohnsen, Crouch, Pavlyuchenko, Defoe.

Sunday

Birmingham City v Liverpool

Alex McLeish expects to have a full squad to choose from for Sunday’s match against Liverpool. The Birmingham manager has no fresh injury worries as his side look to defend an unbeaten home record stretching back seven months and including draws with Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal. The former Scotland manager said: “We have a couple of little niggles but we think everyone will make it.”

Alberto Aquilani is a doubt for Liverpool as he is struggling with an ankle problem. The injury, similar to the one which he arrived on Merseyside with last summer after his £17million transfer from Roma, ruled the Italy international out of the Europa League tie against Benfica. Maxi Rodriguez is likely to return to the starting line-up having been ineligible in Europe but Martin Skrtel (foot) and Fabio Aurelio (thigh) are no nearer returning to fitness while Albert Riera remains frozen out after his row with Rafael Benitez, the manager.

Birmingham City (from): Hart, Carr, Parnaby, Johnson, Dann, Ridgewell, Gardner, Larsson, Ferguson, Bowyer, Michel, Fahey, McFadden, Jerome, Benitez, Phillips, Taylor, Tainio.

Liverpool (from): Reina, Johnson, Agger, Carragher, Insua, Lucas, Mascherano, Kuyt, Gerrard, Rodriguez, Torres, Babel, Ngog, Benayoun, Cavalieri, Kyrgiakos, Kelly, Degen, El Zhar, Pacheco.

 Everton v West Ham United, 4pm

Everton are without Dan Gosling for Sunday’s visit of West Ham after the midfield player was ruled out for up to nine months.The England Under-21 international damaged a cruciate ligament in last week’s goalless draw away to Wolves. Mikel Arteta (groin) is also unlikely to return while Joseph Yobo (back) and Victor Anichebe (rib) are hoping to shake off knocks. Tim Howard (thigh) is fit enough to play but another player may again have to take goalkicks.

Gianfranco Zola could have Jack Collison and James Tomkins back. Collison (knee) and Tomkins (ankle) have been out since February but both could return, along with Herita Ilunga who is trying to overcome a knee injury. Kieron Dyer is a doubt after he came off at half-time against Stoke last week while Guillermo Franco is unavailable as he recovers from an Achilles injury.

Everton (from): Howard, Neville, Jagielka, Distin, Baines, Heitinga, Pienaar, Rodwell, Cahill, Osman, Saha, Hibbert, Yobo, Yakubu, Bilyaletdinov, Senderos, Anichebe, Nash.

West Ham United (from): Green, Daprela, Upson, Gabbidon, Collins, Tomkins, Behrami, Parker, Kovac, Faubert, Cole, Diamanti, McCarthy, Stech, Spector, Stanislas, Noble, Ilan, Mido, Da Costa, Dyer.

Fulham v Wigan Athletic

Roy Hodgson is likely to make several changes for Sunday’s Barclays Premier League game against Wigan at Craven Cottage. The Fulham manager will want to rest some of his key players ahead of Thursday’s Europa League quarter-final second leg in Wolfsburg, which means Bobby Zamora, Damien Duff and Aaron Hughes could all miss out. Andrew Johnson and John Pantsil (both knee) are sidelined and Stephen Kelly faces a fitness test after picking up a knock against Tottenham Hotspur.

Gary Caldwell will miss the trip to Fulham as he begins a three-match ban. The Wigan defender was sent off in his side’s 3-0 defeat at Manchester City on Monday and the club have decided not to appeal. Chris Kirkland is back in contention after a virus but Hendry Thomas, the midfield player, is unlikely to feature because of a quad injury. Emmerson Boyce hopes to prove his fitness after back and groin problems and Charles N’Zogbia came through his return from a hip injury unscathed.

Fulham (from): Schwarzer, Konchesky, Baird, Riise, Hughes, Smalling, Etuhu, Duff, Murphy, Gera, Okaka, Davies, Zamora, Dempsey, Zuberbuhler, Greening, Shorey, Kelly, Hangeland, Stoor, Nevland.

Wigan Athletic (from): Kirkland, Bramble, Scharner, Melchiot, Figueroa, Diame, McCarthy, Thomas, N’Zogbia, Rodallega, Moreno, Scotland, Moses, Gohouri, Amaya, Sinclair, Gomez, Boyce, Stojkovic.