Derby County will know that they realistically need to beat Fulham at the Pride Park Stadium on Tuesday night if they are to keep their chances of securing a Championship play-off spot alive.

The Rams stayed in contention to secure an unlikely top six finish as they beat Queens Park Rangers 1-0 at home on Friday night, with Matej Vydra scoring the goal that separated the two teams.

Fulham moved into the play-offs as they picked up a 1-0 victory away at Rotherham United, while the team that began the weekend in sixth – Sheffield Wednesday – were held to a 1-1 draw by Barnsley at Oakwell.

It means that Gary Rowett’s men are eight points adrift of the top six with just seven matches left to play, but they could close the gap on the Cottagers to just five points with a win against Slavisa Jokanovic’s in-form side in midweek, although they would also need to hope that the Owls slip up against already-relegated Rotherham too.

Here are three reasons Derby will secure that win to keep their play-off dream alive…

Unbeaten under Gary Rowett

Ok, so it’s only been two games but Rowett will be relatively pleased with the start he has made since taking over the Rams.

While the first half in the local derby may not have been too impressive, Rowett’s men bounced back with an impressive second half display and they brought that into their clash against QPR on Friday night.

They should have scored against Ian Holloway’s side long before they finally did in the 70th minute, and they will be in buoyant mood as they face Fulham in front of a bumper crowd.

Record against promotion-chasing sides

While Derby’s form has fallen away in recent weeks – one win in nine saw Steve McClaren sacked last month – the Rams have enjoyed some impressive results at home against the teams fighting towards the top end of the Championship table.

County beat Leeds United 1-0, Sheffield Wednesday 2-0, Norwich City 1-0 and Reading 3-2 earlier in the campaign, and if they raise their game to similar levels when Fulham visit on Tuesday night, they should get the three points once again.

They have a striker in form

With Darren Bent suffering from injury in recent weeks and David Nugent struggling to make much of a goalscoring impact following a January transfer window move from Leicester City, the Rams needed someone to step up and find the net – enter Matej Vydra.

The Czech striker was a big-money arrival when Nigel Pearson brought him to the club last summer, but when Pearson was sacked the 24-year-old fell out of favour under Steve McClaren.

However, he has hit back in recent weeks and has scored three goals in his last four matches, and that form could be crucial to his side’s hopes of claiming an unlikely play-off spot.

Do you agree, Derby fans? Let us know below.

Tottenham Hotspur fans have begged Danny Rose to return to fitness in time of Sunday’s North London derby against Arsenal.

The England international has not played since the end of January when he suffered a knee injury during Spurs’ goalless draw with Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

Ben Davies has taken the left-back spot on a temporary basis, and even though Rose is expected to slot back into the first-team fold when he is fit, the Welshman has coped.

Without Rose, Spurs have become the closest challengers to Premier League leaders Chelsea as they currently sit four points adrift with six games left to play.

However, after losing 4-2 to the Blues in last weekend’s FA Cup semi-final at Wembley, confidence may have waned slightly, and now fans are desperate for Rose to be back when they host arch rivals Arsenal in the Premier League.

Tottenham provided an update on Rose’s recovery via Twitter, and in typical Spurs fashion, they have not given a date for his return.

There’s barely been a week gone by this season when Celtic players have not been linked with moves away from the club to more illustrious leagues than the Scottish Premiership.

The lure of more competitive leagues with huge scope for high earnings is undoubtedly strong, any Celtic fan would admit that. However, Celtic Park has become a great place to ply your trade and develop as a player. We’ve seen plenty of occasions recently of young players arriving in Glasgow, emerging into bigger stars and moving on for big money and big wages.

The balance for the club is judging when to let these starlets go and when to keep them around for the benefit of everyone.

Brendan Rodgers has some big decisions to make. With big, cash rich clubs circling, who should he sell and who should he keep on to progress in Europe next season?

Here are three stars he simply must keep a hold of next season…

Jozo Simunovic

Still just 22 years of age, Jozo Simunovic has emerged as the first choice centre-back this season, despite being on the verge of a move to Torino last summer. The big Croatian even had a medical in Italy before the move fell through.

He worked hard to force himself into Brendan Rodgers’ plans and hasn’t looked back since.

Hard hitting tackles, aggressive headers, confident dribbles up the pitch, the young defender has it all and only appears to be getting better by the week.

The Hoops were found wanting defensively in Europe this season and it’s an area they need stability and strength in next season. After an extended run in the team over the last few months, Simunovic is much more ready for those challenges ahead than he was earlier in the season.

Despite reported interest from Newcastle, this is one player that should be at the heart of Rodgers’ starting XI next season.

Stuart Armstrong

Last season at Celtic, Stuart Armstrong’s career at the club looked to be petering out before it really got going. Ronny Deila failed to get the best out of the Scotland international, often utilising him on the left hand side of a trio of attacking midfielders.

Now Brendan Rodgers is in charge, he’s been moved to a more central area and has looked vastly more effective as a result both in forward positions and a more defensive role.

With 14 goals to his name across the campaign, he’s been in lethal form and it’s form that’s been enough to attract reported interested from the likes of Brighton & Hove Albion who will be a Premier League side next season.

At 25 years of age, he’s seen by supporters as the future of the Celtic midfield. With passion, skill, strength and pace, he has dominated most domestic opposition this season.

Now all that remains is for him to up his game in Europe. We’ve seen glimpses of him being able to do that in the past, most notably against Inter Milan not long after he signed.

His potential is such that, far from cashing in on him, Rodgers should be building the entire side around him.

Moussa Dembele

Of course the crown jewel at Celtic right now is Moussa Dembele and despite an exceptional season, you get the impression he is just scratching the surface of his potential as an elite striker.

Already making waves in the UEFA Champions League for the Hoops this season, he will be absolutely key to those ambitions again next season at Celtic.

That means that Brendan Rodgers must resist all temptation of massive transfer money in the summer. Just this week there were French reports that Juventus are casting a serious glance towards his direction.

Most Celtic fans would concede that one day the young Frenchman will leave the club but there’s no rush and Brendan Rodgers likely knows that better than anyone. He must stay if they are to qualify for Europe’s biggest club competition and compete in the group stages.

The Rangers squad requires a significant reshuffle this summer, there’s no doubt about it. Pedro Caixinha has a big task on his hand if he is to build a core squad worthy of putting up a sustained fight vs Celtic in next season’s Scottish Premiership.

Players don’t need to just come in, but some deserve to be axed given their woeful displays for the majority of the season. Some ruthless fans would quite happily see none of them return to Ibrox next season.

The reality of football is though, the entire squad is not going to be replaced. Some players will be here for the new campaign whether they deserve to be or not.

It’s not all doom and gloom though. There are some players at the club who have tried their best for the Gers throughout the season. Players who have given everything and while sometimes they’ve come up short, have at least shown the spirit and determination it takes to be a Rangers player.

These are the three players we think could have a big season under Caixinha after the summer…

Clint Hill

Despite being 38 years of age, Clint Hill has undoubtedly been Rangers’ star performer in defence this season. The wealth of knowledge and experience he has brought to Ibrox has been vital at times, often the last line of defence when the rest of the team have let themselves down.

He’s shown little sign of slowing down either and deserves the chance to show what he can do heading into next season. His current one year deal runs out this summer and Pedro Caixinha should rely on the stability he brings to the Gers backline. He will need a new first team defender beside him and he of course has no long-term future at the club. However, another season to help transition to a new centre-back pairing could be just the ticket.

Barrie McKay

Barrie McKay is a very skilful player but his ability to turn it on consistently for the Gers is something that is most definitely in question. On his day he can punish every team in the Scottish Premiership, including Celtic but has gone through bouts where he looks disinterested and uninvolved in matches.

He was at his best in the opening stages of the season and if Pedro Caixinha can tap into that in the new campaign then he could well play a huge role in their ambitions.

With pace, trickery and an eye for goal, Rangers need his kind of ability in the final third next season despite a drop off in his form and it’d be a shame for his potential for the club to be wasted if they decide to move him on the summer. There’s every chance that would be a decision they come to regret.

Myles Beerman

Yes, Myles Beerman has been given the run around by Patrick Roberts twice in the last few weeks but there aren’t many players in Scotland this season who haven’t. Roberts is an exceptional talent who is heading back to compete for places at Manchester City in the summer and there’s no shame in not being able to handle him.

In other matches Beerman has looked assured and able to take on the task at hand. He’s been especially impressive when you consider he was thrown in at the deep end with little warning after an injury to Lee Wallace.

He has heart and passion to play at Ibrox and improvements in other areas can made. He needs to gain better decision making and the confidence to roam forward more. If Pedro Caixinha can continue to work with and improve him, the Gers may have a fine young left-back on their hands.

Chelsea secured the 2016/17 Premier League title on Friday night as they beat West Bromwich Albion 1-0 at the Hawthorns.

The Blues knew going into the match that only three points would be enough to guarantee that they would lift the trophy, but the game looked to be heading for a goalless draw before substitute Michy Batshuayi popped up with a late winning goal.

It sparked mass celebrations among the fans and the players in the dressing room after the final whistle, with the Belgian’s teammate Diego Costa one of the individuals particularly enjoying the moment as he posted a video via social media.

The Spaniard has been heavily linked with a move to the Chinese Super League this summer, but after another successful campaign in front of goal – he has netted 20 top flight goals – Chelsea supporters are hopeful that he will be staying at Stamford Bridge.

Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…

As reported by The Mirror, Manchester United Wayne Rooney is the subject of shock interest from Stoke City this summer as they plot an ambitious move to keep the Old Trafford legend in the English Premier League.

What’s the story?

After a decade starring for Manchester United, during which time he became their all-time leading goalscorer, Wayne Rooney could be set for a summer exit from Old Trafford, with the star expected to have a number of tempting offers on the table.

The Mirror reckon that one such offer could come from Stoke City, who are said to be plotting an ambitious £45m package to lure the England star to the Britannia.

The paper says that he will also have offers from China and the USA but that Stoke could easily afford to bankroll an alternative for the attacker.

There are complications, including any potential transfer fee, but with Rooney unlikely to be a major United player in years to come, will first team football elsewhere mean he favours an emotional exit?

United or abroad

Having just lifted the UEFA Europa League with the club, Rooney is hardly wanting for success at United but may feel that he’s still good enough to be playing regularly at the highest level. However, The Mirror also report that Rooney would not want to play for an English club apart from United or Everton and there’s been no approach from his boyhood heroes.

That may mean his future lies abroad but surely he still has too much quality to be playing in China or Major League Soccer, two nations that hardly represent the prestige of Manchester United nor Europe’s biggest leagues?

Regardless, big money is likely coming his way given his £300,000 contract still has a year left to run and if he was to leave United, it was probably have to be matched at least.

Everton announced on Thursday afternoon that they had completed a club-record five-year deal to sign Sunderland goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

Toffees manager Ronald Koeman had been keen to bring in a new stopper to provide competition for Joel Robles and Maarten Stekelenburg and he has got his man.

Pickford, who is currently in Poland taking part in the European Under-21 Championships with England, only made his Premier League debut in January 2016 but established himself as the Black Cats’ first choice stopper last season by making 29 top flight appearances.

Even though he couldn’t prevent them being relegated to the Championship, the 23-year-old impressed between the sticks and he will link up with his new club after the international tournament.

Everton supporters were quick to have their say on their first summer signing via social media, and they were understandably delighted about signing a player with so much potential, as well as getting their transfer business done early.

Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…

According to reports in The Sun, Southampton are ready to battle with AS Roma for the signing of £18m-rated Sassuolo forward Gregoire Defrel this summer, but they could also face competition from Premier League rivals West Ham United, Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester City according to Tuttomercatoweb.

What’s the word, then?

Well, The Sun says Saints are looking for potential replacements for Jay Rodriguez – who looks set to leave the club this summer – and they believe the pacey left-footed attacker could fill the potential void.

The 26-year-old impressed for Sassuolo in Serie A last season having played the whole of his career in Italy, but now he could be tempted by a move to the Premier League.

However, The Sun says that Roma are eyeing the Frenchman as a possible replacement for Mohamed Salah after the forward joined Liverpool last week, while Tuttomercatoweb says a number of Southampton’s Premier League rivals are interested too.

How did Defrel do last season?

He did very well.

The striker scored 16 goals and provided a further five assists in 38 appearances for the unfashionable Serie A outfit, and it is a total that will have impressed potential suitors.

Would he be a good signing for Southampton?

He certainly would be, if Rodriguez goes.

Saints will look at the impact Manolo Gabbiadini made when he made the move from Serie A during the January transfer window and hope that Defrel could do the same, and with his pace and finishing ability he certainly has a chance of doing that.

The south coast outfit currently have the likes of Gabbiadini, Charlie Austin and Shane Long as their options up top, but Defrel could bring a different dimension to the frontline.

Can Saints win the race?

Well, if they are willing to pay £18m and the player wants to come to the Premier League then they should do.

The fee would be a club-record following on from the £16m purchase of Sofiane Boufal from Lille last summer, and the south coast outfit would be confident that they could see off competition from their fellow English sides.

What’s the verdict, then?

Well, it seems as though Southampton are in the market for an attacker this summer and preferably one that they can buy, develop and potentially sell on for a bigger fee in the future, and Defrel fits the bill.

Newcastle United fans have given mixed reactions to reports that the club are interested in Liverpool youngster Sheyi Ojo.

Rafael Benitez is shaping his squad for the Premier League season after guiding the club to promotion from the Championship at the first time of asking.

It seems as though the Spaniard has decided to turn to his former club to help boost his options on the wing.

The Shields Gazette reports that Newcastle have made an enquiry about the 20-year-old, but Liverpool have no plans to let him leave on loan this season.

The England Under-20 international has been at the Merseyside outfit since 2011 when he joined from MK Dons.

Since making his debut in 2015, Ojo has had loan spells at Wigan Athletic and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Last season, the winger made just two appearances for Liverpool, and both were in the FA Cup.

Newcastle’s reported interested in Ojo has got fans talking, with some believing that the club should be aiming higher, while others would be willing to give the youngster a chance.

Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet has said that there is healthy competition for the number one position for the Reds in the coming season.

Mignolet held off the challenge of German stopper Loris Karius to finish last season as Liverpool’s first-choice goalkeeper, but the return of Danny Ward from a loan spell at Huddersfield Town has placed more pressure on the Belgium international.

Mignolet, however, has insisted that increased competition for the number one position will only improve his own game as the 29-year-old prepares to battle Karius and Ward for the gloves.

Mignolet told the Liverpool Echo:

“It’s nice to see Danny back and there’s Loris also. We have three senior keepers here and then there’s Kamil Grabara, a really exciting young prospect.

“Together with John [Achterberg], we all work hard in training to push each other on and get ourselves ready for the new season. Having more competition can only help you get better as an individual.

“I know I need to push myself as far as I can go to be ready for the new season. You look at yourself in the mirror every day and ask what can you do better and what can you improve? The other boys on the training field help to push you forward.”

Mignolet played the whole 90 minutes as Liverpool continued their pre-season preparations with a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace in the Premier League Asia Trophy in Hong Kong on Wednesday.

Next up for the Reds is the final of that particular competition, with Leicester City their opposition this weekend after the Foxes came through their semi-final with West Bromwich Albion.