Morning:
9°c
With a single dessert and just two glasses of wine our bill was kept in check - but the effort of doing so was not much fun
EXCLUSIVE: David Cameron reveals his faith in God, his fear of failure and his dread that another of his children could die
More...
Window Shopper Screamer Special ... It's the talk of football
Last updated at 08:37am on 03.01.07David Moyes is ready to offer Barry Ferguson a way out of Rangers by trying to sign him on loan for the rest of the season.
The Everton manager has been scouring the transfer market for a commanding midfielder and has been alerted to Ferguson's likely availability following a bustup with Ibrox boss Paul le Guen.
Although Ferguson, 28, had an unhappy spell at Blackburn, he is prepared to consider a return to the Premiership after being stripped of the Rangers captaincy and told he will not play for them again while Le Guen is in charge.
A loan is viewed as the most convenient answer to the bitter stand-off and Moyes is keen after struggling to identify any other suitable midfield candidates.
Despite a 1-0 win at Motherwell, Rangers fans protested against Le Guen, who is believed to have taken exception to Ferguson's attitude towards some of the foreign players at Ibrox.
"It remains to be seen what will happen," said the former Lyon coach. "It depends on my own situation as well, but I have to think of the team above any individual and it will be complicated for him to play again after what has happened."
West Ham are also sure to show an interest if Ferguson is loaned out.
Duke may return to Premiership
Nathan Ellington is on the brink of a return to Wigan after the Premiership club tabled a £1.2million offer to West Bromwich Albion.
Striker Ellington, 25, joined Albion in August 2005 straight after scoring 24 goals to help Wigan into the top flight.
Albion controversially bid £1 over the £3million escape clause in Ellington's contract but he has struggled for goals and a regular start at The Hawthorns.
Coleman considers American
Chris Coleman is on the verge of beefing up Fulham's defence by signing rugged USA centre back Oguchi Onyewu from Standard Liege in a deal worth £1million.
Onyewu, 24, who played in all three USA games at the World Cup, was attracting interest from Manchester City as well but is keen to link up with international team-mate Clint Dempsey, who is due to sign for Fulham this week.
They will be joined by another forward, Roma's former Italy striker Vincenzo Montella.
Edwards heads changes
Sunderland have signed Carlos Edwards from Luton for £1.4million. Edwards, 28, joins up with Trinidad and Tobago team-mate Dwight Yorke and has agreed a three-and-a-half-year deal.
Sunderland also sold Liam Lawrence to Stoke for an initial £500,000 and keeper Ben Alnwick to Spurs for an initial £900,000, with Marton Fulop moving the other way for £500,000.
Robbie Elliott has joined Leeds on a free transfer. Spurs, meanwhile, have confirmed a loan deal for French midfielder Adel Taarabt, 17, from Lens.
Peter Crouch has insisted he will fight to the last to salvage his Liverpool career despite being linked with a move to Newcastle after spending plenty of time on the bench in recent weeks.
The England striker said: "I've heard all the speculation, but I am happy here and love playing for Liverpool. It is a fantastic club and I would not want to leave. I see my future here and as long as the manager doesn't want me to leave, I won't be going anywhere."
... and have you heard?
One of the more bizarre transfer rumours gaining credence is Thierry Henry joining Liverpool from Arsenal.
Bookmakers BetFred reported big money being placed at 33-1 on the deal going ahead and they have even offered Henry at 125-1 to score the first goal for Liverpool when they meet Arsenal in the FA Cup third round on Saturday.
Cardiff and Norwich are trailing Shrewsbury's Wales Under 21 midfielder Michael Edwards after he turned down the League Two club's latest contract offer.
