Football rumours from today's newspapers

• Liverpool's new owners are ready to back manager Roy Hodgson in the race for £10m Ipswich teenage star Connor Wickham.
  (Daily Mail)


• Striker Craig Bellamy has been linked with a move to Dutch side Feyenoord. The deal is certain to go through if Cardiff, where the 31-year-old is currently on loan from Manchester City, are promoted.
  (imscouting)


• Liverpool are also preparing to challenge Tottenham Hotspur for the signature of West Ham captain Scott Parker.
  (footylatest)


• But they may be too late with midfielder Parker on the brink of a £7m switch to Spurs.
  (Daily Express)


• Palermo playmaker Josip Ilicic may be another option for Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson who is ready to battle Bayern Munich for the Slovenian.
  (imscouting)


• Arsenal are poised to compete with Manchester United for the signature of 22-year-old Ajax defender Gregory van der Wiel.
  (footylatest)


• Crystal Palace will reluctantly sell star right-back Nathaniel Clyne after the full-back rejected several offers to extend his contract. Birmingham, Aston Villa, Fulham and Everton are all interested.
  (The Mirror)


• West Ham may recruit Manchester City left-back Wayne Bridge on loan in January although Blackburn are also keen to secure a temporary deal for the 30-year-old.
  (Daily Mail)


• Manchester United have reignited their interest in defender Ryan Shawcross who is in the frame for a return to the club he left in 2007 to join Stoke.
  (Daily Mail)


• Aston Villa boss Gerard Houllier will fight Arsenal for goalkeeper Jason Steele if Middlesbrough decide to cash in on the England under-21 keeper.
  (The Mirror)


• Fulham are in the hunt for Freiburg forward Papiss Cisse, but the Cottagers will have to see off Juventus, Torino and Villarreal if they are to land the 25-year-old Senegalese.
  (imscouting)


• Kilmarnock loan star Alexei Eremenko has his agents working on a January transfer to England or the Old Firm.
  (Daily Express)


• Celtic are keen to take Aston Villa outcast Stephen Ireland on loan in January.
  (Daily Mail)

• Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez wants more respect from manager Roberto Mancini after the Argentine was substituted late in his side's win over Bolton on Saturday.
  (The Mirror)


• Former Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier has claimed he brought the Anfield club into the 21st century by nurturing talents like Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher.
  (The Mirror)


• Former Liverpool captain Phil Thompson, who was Houllier's assistant during his time on Merseyside, has called on the Kop to remember the Frenchman's legacy when the Reds take on his Aston Villa side on Monday.
  (The Guardian)


• Prospective owner Craig Whyte would approve a move upstairs for Rangers manager Walter Smith with Ally McCoist lined up to replace him as boss.
  (Daily Record)

• Manchester City players showed their spots on Saturday night by wearing a wide range of polka dot fancy dress outfits for their Christmas party.
  (Manchester Evening News)