Rafa Benitez's future at Chelsea could be decided on Saturday against Wigan Athletic. The Daily Express says owner Roman Abramovich is furious at recent performances, which have seen Chelsea throw away leads against Reading and Newcastle. Chelsea face Wigan at Stamford Bridge, then go to Sparta Prague and face Brentford in an FA Cup fourth-round replay.

Former Blues manager Avram Grant would be the front-runner to succeed Benitez. But it is far from certain that he would accept the post, knowing it would only be another stop-gap appointment.