The explosive Aston Villa centre forward Marlon Harewood has joined Championship front runners Newcastle United on a three month loan deal. There was a hot pursuit for the experienced striker with clubs like West Brom and Middlesbrough thought to be chasing the striker. It was even rumoured that League Two side Notts County were set to sign Harewood as their new owners try to continue to sign big name players. The jury is still out amongst many footballing pundits as to whether Marlon is a good signing or not for the promotion favourites. Harewood did have a short spell in the Championship last season with Premiership new boys Wolverhampton Wanderers and having failing to impress at Molineux found himself back at Aston Villa for the start of the season.

For the unsuspecting football supporter, the prospect of a European away trip to Italy is usually accompanied by a detailed health warning. As Mirror columnist Brian Reade noted recently: “Spend a night as a football fan in Italy and there’s a good chance you’ll end up eating hospital food. Usually after being stabbed in the buttocks by a youth wearing a crash helmet who does you from behind and then scarpers.” Given their history with Italian clubs, the threat is particularly evident for Liverpool supporters.