The Screamer... it's the talk of football

Everton won't rule Andy Johnson out of Saturday's visit of Manchester United after a scan showed he didn't suffer serious damage to his ankle in the 1-0 defeat at West Ham.

"It seems to confirm our diagnosis that he just sprained his ankle," said physio Mick Rathbone.

Butt is puzzled by hit-and-miss form

Nicky Butt has admitted the fans' frustration over Newcastle's inconsistency this season is shared by the players.

Butt, who captained the side which drew 0-0 draw with Chelsea on Sunday, said: "We decided from the word go we would get right among Chelsea and not really let them get out of the blocks. We got in their faces, which was stressed in our team talk, and it paid dividends.

"But the fans would be justified in wondering why we can't play like that every week.

"It's the same question that we are asking ourselves as players.

"We have done well against the big teams but we've let ourselves down on occasions as well.

"When we produce performances like we have done against the top four teams here at St James' Park, it makes you feel even worse because maybe there is a reason why we have not been doing that on a consistent basis.

"But when we do put our heads together and play as a team we can compete with the best.

"Having a consistent team would definitely help but that has been difficult this season with all our injuries."

'Missing' McClaren slammed by James

David James has taken a swipe at Steve McClaren by claiming the England boss missed seeing him set a new Premiership clean sheet record to watch a programme on the Discovery Channel instead.

England outcast James, 36, finally overtook David Seaman by keeping his 142nd shut-out in Portsmouth's 0-0 draw at Aston Villa on Sunday.

McClaren was not among the crowd and James said: "I don't think Steve was watching me. I think there was a documentary on the Discovery Channel.

"But I will keep plugging away. Steve has said the door is not yet shut and I would love to be among the squad for Euro 2008 - if we get there."

James had been stuck on 141 clean sheets since Pompey's 0-0 stalemate at Reading on March 17.

Chelsea stars meet McClaren

Chelsea's England players Frank Lampard, John Terry and Shaun Wright-Phillips interrupted their build-up to the Champions League semi-final with Liverpool for a private get-together with coach Steve McClaren.

The meeting, at the exclusive Chelsea Harbour Club, is one of a series of sessions McClaren is holding in an attempt to galvanise his squad before the crucial Euro Championship qualifier against Estonia on June 6.

Fabregas hints at Arsenal exit

Cesc Fabregas has hinted he could quit Arsenal if manager Arsene Wenger opts not to renew his own contract beyond next summer in the wake of David Dein's departure.

The Spain midfielder said: "One of the reasons I am at Arsenal is Wenger. He said he's going to see out his contract and I trust what he says."

Taylor woe for Wigan

Ryan Taylor has joined Wigan's lengthy injury list with a foot injury caused by a freak clash with Liverpool defender John Arne Riise.

The Norwegian stood on Taylor's foot in 2-0 defeat at Anfield on Saturday, putting him out of the six-pointer with West Ham this weekend.

Fitz Hall is already out for the season and Lee McCulloch has a foot injury.