From the Back Pages, March 2: Alan Pardew fined and warned by Newcastle after clash with David Meyler

Arsenal legend Sol Campbell believes he would have “been England captain for more than 10 years” had he been white. The 73 times-capped defender claims the Football Association and the majority of fans to not want a black England captain. (The Mirror)

Roy Hodgson believes Daniel Sturridge can this week consolidate his position as England’s first-choice striker for the World Cup — and go on to win 100 caps. (Daily Mail)

Arsène Wenger has always regarded trips to the Britannia Stadium with similar levels of disdain reserved for a visit to an unpopular relative.This was yet another agonising afternoon after Jonathan Walters’s late penalty condemned Arsenal to a potentially damaging defeat, leaving them four points behind Chelsea. and providing their doubters with further ammunition that they will fall short in their title challenge. (The Telegraph)

For so long accused of wallowing in their glorious past, Liverpool are now looking to a triumphant future that edges ever nearer. Three points from a dicey assignment at Southampton means a first title in 24 years is a fantasy with an increasing chance of becoming reality. Only Chelsea are above Brendan Rodgers’ swashbuckling side in the Premier League table now. (The Guardian)

The Football Association chairman, Greg Dyke, said the governing body had not ruled out an appeal against the leniency of Nicolas Anelka’s five-match ban for his “quenelle” gesture. (The Independent)

ASHLEY GILES insists Kevin Pietersen and Matt Prior’s public disagreements will have no impact on the well-being of his ICC World Twenty20 squad. (The Express)