“Steven Gerrard has revealed that he is ready to sign a contract extension with Liverpool. The Reds skipper is looking to cap an amazing fortnight by helping England overcome Slovakia in a friendly at Wembley on Saturday before the crucial World Cup qualifier against the Ukraine on April 1 as Fabio Capello’s team look to maintain their 100% start to Group Six.” (ESPN, (1))

Dicey away duels for former Africa champions (CAF)
“Four former Africa champions; Algeria, Cameroon, Nigeria and Tunisia will be involved in dicey duels away from home as the opening matches of the final round of the 2010 World Cup/Africa Cup of Nations take centre stage this weekend.”

Spaniard Almunia sets sights on World Cup spot with England after plotting passport plan (MailOnline)
“Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia is ready to apply for a British passport – and hopes to be contention for an England spot in time for the World Cup finals.”

10 Crazy Fans Who Shook The Footballing World (SoccerLens)
“Being a football fan isn’t all champagne and skittles you know. Whilst some may see the glory, the celebrations, the bunking in, and the excitement as the perfect life, there are some drawbacks.”

Zakazaka relishing Drogba date (FIFA)
“The unknown Jimmy Zakazaka will be on the pitch against world superstar Didier Drogba on Sunday, and he believes lining up against the Chelsea player will be the biggest day in his footballing career. However, he insists Malawi will not be intimidated against Côte d’Ivoire as the final phase of African Zone qualifying for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa begins.”

Riera wary of ‘aggressive’ Turkey (FIFA)
“Albert Riera has warned his Spain team-mates that 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa qualifying opponents Turkey are a ‘very aggressive’ team that ‘plays as one.'”

‘The matches before Paraguay and Chile are fundamental’ (CONMEBOL)
“Diego Forl疣, forward of the National Team of Uruguay, assured that the next matches against Paraguay and Chile are ‘fundamental’ and ‘key’ in the South American Qualifiers for South Africa 2010, in which he says that his team has ‘good possibilities’ to be qualified for the World Cup.”

Nike Football – Brazil Vs. Portugal (metacafe)
“Nike Football advert to date with Brazil Vs Portugal going head to head in unusual circumstances.”

Brian Glanville on the ugly side of Italian football (WorldSoccer)
“Not just Rome, alas; Turin all too horribly as well. We know all too dismally well what happened recently to Arsenal supporters in Rome before the Roma-Arsenal game at the Olimpico, what previously happened to Manchester United fans before Roma played them, what brutally happened to supporters of Middlesbrough, viciously and gratuitously attacked by Roma thugs in the beautiful, central Camp dei Fiori.”