INOFF: ROY KEANE ON TONGE

SUNDERLAND boss Roy Keane is ready to battle old pal Mark Hughes for the signature of Sheffield United midfielder Michael Tonge.

The 25-year-old is a loyal servant at Bramall Lane but might finally be tempted to take the step up to the Premier League.

Both Hughes' Blackburn and Keane's Sunderland will bid £2million for the former Manchester United youth player.

Sammy will be Benitez' No.2 LEE LIVERPOOL RETURN By CHRIS BASCOMBE

SAMMY LEE will be Liverpool's new assistant manager. The ex-Bolton boss and former Anfield coach will make an emotional return after finalising his contract dispute with the Reebok club.

Lee left Liverpool in 2004 to work full-time for England before being tempted to Bolton by Sam Allardyce.

But the Scouser was dumped by the Trotters in October just six months after taking over as boss from Big Sam.

Kop chief Rafa Benitez immediately targeted Lee as a replacement for Pako Ayesteran.

The formalities are now close to being completed, with Lee returning to the club he helped to three league titles as a player.

Lee has spent the last few days watching training at Melwood.

Ayesteran quit Anfield in September after a bust-up with Benitez — and the Kop boss is still bitter over his former pal's departure.

Benitez said: "Because it was pre-season, I was surprised to hear he was in contact with other clubs. He was my friend and someone I trusted for many years."

Carlisle O Leeds 2
Zenit 2 Rangers 0
Hull 4 Watford 1
Bristol 2 Crystal Palace 1
Wigan 0 Man Utd 2
Chelsea 1 Bolton 1
Portsmouth 0 Fulham 1
Derby 0 Reading 4
Birmingham 4 B'burn 1
Everton 3 Newcastle 1
West Ham 2 A Villa 2
Tottenham 0 L'pool 2
M'boro 8 Man City 1
Sunderland 0 Arsenal 1
Newcastle 0 Chelsea 2
Liverpool 1 Man City 0
Arsenal 1 Everton 0
Aston Villa 0 Wigan 2
Blackburn 3 Derby 1
Bolton 2 Sunderland 0
Fulham 2 Birmingham 0