Today in the Premier League

Arsenal

Justin Hoyte may be out for the remainder of the season after suffering a hamstring injury. The defender sustained the injury during the reserve team's 5-1 victory over Derby on Monday. "Justin felt his hamstring tighten up so we decided to take him off," the Gunners coach Neil Banfield said.

Aston Villa

Manager Martin O'Neill has dismissed reports linking Gareth Barry with a move to Liverpool, insisting the club remain keen to tie the midfielder to a new contract. "Gareth is certainly one person we want to sit down to talk about a new contract," the manager said. "We would love to keep him."

Birmingham City

Mehdi Nafti has insisted the Blues will approach Sunday's derby match at Aston Villa as a normal League match as they look for valuable points. "Playing Villa is not the biggest part," the Tunisian international said. "It's about winning a game and staying in the Premier League."

Blackburn Rovers

Stephen Warnock believes a strong finish to the present campaign will help the club carry momentum into next season. "We need as many points as we can get and finish as high as we can," the 26-year-old defender said. "We need to set ourselves a bench mark to beat next year."

Bolton Wanderers

The club has been linked with a move for the Blackburn striker Jason Roberts. The Grenadian international has struggled for first-team action at Ewood Park and could join Wanderers in search of more playing time. The 30-year-old forward, who could cost in the region of £2m, is also attracting interest from Derby and Sunderland.

Chelsea

Reports in Italy have linked the Blues with a possible £10m summer move for the Internazionale striker Mario Balotelli. Stamford Bridge sporting director Frank Arnesen has watched the highly-rated 17-year-old forward on numerous occasions this season and the club scouts watched him score against Fiorentina last weekend.

Derby County

Robert Earnshaw has admitted he is unsure about his future with the Rams. The 27-year-old joined from Norwich for £3.5m last summer, but has struggled to secure a first team place. "I don't really know what's going to happen," the striker said. "The club is going to have a lot of people coming and going."

Everton

The midfielder Mikel Arteta has reaffirmed his desire to remain at Goodison Park, despite being constantly linked with a move to La Liga at the end of the season. "I am not thinking of returning to Spain," the 26-year-old Spaniard said. "I am very happy here and want to stay for more seasons."

Fulham

Manager Roy Hodgson believes the club's 2-0 win at Reading last weekend has caused clubs above them to worry. "We've got a huge gap looking up," Hodgson said. "But there will be a few sides looking over their shoulders now at us as well." Fulham, four points from safety, host Liverpool on Saturday.

Liverpool

The striker Fernando Torres harbours hopes of facing countrymen Barcelona in next month's Champions League final. "We want to get to the final and it would be great to face Barça," the Spanish international said. "We've got to get past the semi-final against Chelsea, which won't be easy."

Manchester City

Micah Richards feels City players featuring in tonight's FA Youth Cup final can progress to the full team. "I think a few of this side will break into our first team," the defender, who played in the City team that lost to Liverpool in the 2006 final, said. "There's no reason why not."

manchester United

The assistant manager Carlos Queiroz has warned Real Madrid off a bid for Old Trafford midfielder Cristiano Ronaldo, labelling him as "priceless". "You can offer all the money in the world," the Portuguese said of his 23-year-old countryman. "But there is no amount that can buy him."

Middlesbrough

The midfielder Gary O'Neil has insisted he has no regrets over joining the club from Portsmouth last summer, despite Harry Redknapp's side reaching the FA Cup final. "I've enjoyed my first season," he said. "For me it was good to get a change and get some new surroundings."

Newcastle United

Manager Kevin Keegan said he will not rush Shay Given back into action as he recovers from groin surgery. The 31-year-old goalkeeper has not featured for the Magpies since 23 February. "I think he'll be fit by the end of the season," Keegan said. "But there's no sense for him to play a match."

Portsmouth

Sean Davis hopes to be given the chance of winning an FA Cup final starting place during the club's remaining League fixtures. "The gaffer has shown his intentions of rotating the squad," the midfielder said. "Everyone has a chance to pull on a shirt for the final – that includes me."

Reading

Defender Glen Little believes the Royals can get a positive result at Arsenal on Saturday. "It can be done," the 32-year-old said. "We have to make sure we're up for it, give as good as we get and try to do the best we can even though we know it's going to be very difficult going there."

Sunderland

Black Cats defender Phil Bardsley has admitted he is relishing the prospect of appearing in Saturday's Tyne-Wear derby with Newcastle. "There's no doubt every one of the players is going to be up for it," the 22-year-old said. "Everyone talks about it and you can't get away from it."

Tottenham Hotspur

Assistant manager Gus Poyet feels the team will struggle to advance if they do not learn to protect a lead. Spurs have lost a lead in four of the last six League matches. "It's difficult," Poyet said. "If you don't score a second, the opposition will always try and get something out of the game."

West Ham United

The midfielder Scott Parker has admitted the club's recent form has been disappointing. "We are struggling and results have not been good," the 27-year-old said. "We are eager to change that. It has come at a bad time for us and we are having a bit of a blip. We need to rally around and pick up points in the next game."

Wigan Athletic

Paul Scharner feels the Latics can build on Monday's 1-1 draw at Chelsea and finish in the top half of the table next season. "We can establish ourselves," he said. "Recently we've shown what we are capable of. Steve Bruce has brought something new. He knows what is needed to stay in this league, maybe we can do better next season."