According to The Times, contingency plans to bring the beautiful game back to life is becoming a reality, with government ministers recognising that an injection of positivity and hope is sorely needed.

A handful of Premier League clubs have re-opened their training grounds this week to allow players to come and complete fitness work while observing strict social distancing rules.

Kevin De Bruyne has warned Thierry Henry that he is ready to break his 17-year-old Premier League assist record when the season resumes. The Belgian is only four short of Henry's total of 20.

Guardiola is still on the lookout for a new assistant to replace Mikel Arteta, who left to become Arsenal head coach in December last year, with Alonso a leading candidate for the position.

The Brazil international's current contract is set to run until the summer of 2021, and another one year deal would take him to the age of 37. Fernandinho has been at City since 2013. 

The concept of finishing the Premier League abroad has now been suggested several times, and Gary Neville feels certain places within Europe would have the capacity to do so.

The Premier League held a virtual meeting on Friday to finalise plans for 'Project Restart' with clubs determined to finish the 2019-2020 campaign but Laporte insists football must listen to the experts.

The Argentine's contract at the Etihad Stadium runs until June next year having signed a one-year extension in 2018, but it means he is close to entering the final 12 months of his deal.

Kevin De Bruyne remains confident that Manchester City will overturn their two-year Champions League ban but says if they don't he will have to consider his future and 'make a final decision' .

The Argentine has revealed how his diet did not agree with his body, with regular barbecues and steaks leading to the striker putting on weight and suffering dizzy bouts during games.

The Manchester City forward, who would become Puma's highest-paid footballer should the deal go through, is also being pursued by rivals Adidas, New Balance and Under Armour.

Amid unhappiness amongst relegation-threatened clubs on home advantage being lost, the Premier League made it clear last Friday that all 20 grounds could be used next season.

EXCLUSIVE: Etihad has a large cargo operation, but has been forced to repurpose 22 of its passenger planes as freighters during the coronavirus pandemic, including the Man City jet.

Adebayor, who is currently isolating in his native Togo, refused to give money to help battle the deadly virus before expressing his desire to be able to do as he pleases with his wealth.

Premier League clubs fear that fans will break coronavirus social distancing guidelines even if football returns at neutral grounds. Some clubs believe viewing parties will also threaten guidelines

The midfielder, who will be 29 next month, admitted at the weekend that he might have to consider his future if City's two-year Champions League ban is upheld.

It's likely that the remaining 92 Premier League matches will be played at 'neutral' venues if the season can resume. But which of the top-flight stadiums is best equipped to stage the games?

Top-flight officials are considering a number of measures to improve the safety of players and staff amid the coronavirus crisis, including neutral venues and extra substitutes in every game.

Manchester United's top-four hopes would be bolstered, while Newcastle's fight against relegation would be worse if Premier League matches were shortened from the start this season.

West Ham attacking midfielder Lanzini has become the latest top-flight star to publicly voice concerns about resuming playing, joining the likes of Aguero and Rudiger.

The 24-year-old Manchester City playmaker makes history as the 150th professional footballer to pledge a minimum of one per cent from her salary to the organisation.

Manchester City will face a High Court trial over damages claims from eight men who were sexually abused by paedophile football coach Barry Bennell.

EXCLUSIVE: Premier League clubs could offer an app to fans which would send virtual cheers or jeers from their homes to stadiums, in an attempt to generate an atmosphere for matches.

Reports in Argentina have claimed that Martinez, who has been capped by Argentina and has made 64 appearances for River since his debut in 2016, is a target for City manager Pep Guardiola.

The worrying projection comes with leagues across Europe grappling with how to restart their campaigns, with France's Ligue 1 having already been forced to cancel.

He's already broken the 20-goal mark for the third consecutive campaign but that is not enough these days. Scoring every other game is not deemed prolific enough and Sterling wants more.

A number of stars, such as Liverpool's Adam Lallana, Manchester City's David Silva and Chelsea's Willian are out of contract on June 30 and will be free to negotiate with new clubs if no deal is offered.

City Football Group, who are majority owned by Abu Dhabi United and have involvement from China Media Capital, CITIC Capital and Silver Lake, will wipe out Lommel's debts of £1.75million.

Jurgen Klopp's starting XI in Liverpool's last nine games could be the deciding factor in the Premier League European qualification and relegation battles this season, a club executive claims.  

MATT HUGHES - AHEAD OF THE GAME: The Premier League may let TV cameras into dressing rooms and allow broadcasters to conduct interviews at halftime if the season is resumed.

A number of Premier League players have already spoken publicly about their concerns upon returning to training and then match action due to fears that come with the coronavirus pandemic.

Wayne Rooney impressed on his Derby County debut as he provided a stunning assist in a 2-1 win over Barnsley at Pride Park. Rooney was handed the captain's armband for his first appearance for club.

The FA Cup third round continues on Sunday with 11 ties taking place - including four Premier League teams. Stay up to date with those matches with Sportsmail HERE.

Crystal Palace captain Luka Milivojevic clashed with Derby midfielder Tom Huddlestone and not only kicked out at him, but also moved his head towards the former Tottenham man.

SIMON JONES: Derby County are the latest club to ask for Tottenham winger Jack Clarke on loan with Millwall and QPR still in the frame.

Derby are facing a 21-point deduction that could relegate them to League One after they were charged by the EFL with a breach of spending regulations.

Phillip Cocu's side are facing a 21-point deduction after being charged with breaking profit and sustainability (P&S) rules for the three-year period ending June 2018.

EXCLUSIVE BY MATT HUGHES: Derby County are being investigated by the Charity Commission over links between the club's community programme and main sponsor 32Red.

THE SECRET SCOUT: This week Sportsmail gets a low-down on 18-year-old Derby County midfielder LOUIE SIBLEY, who is valued at £600,000 and is the latest young talent to emerge at Pride Park.

With fewer than 48 hours until the deadline, teams across the continent are in frantic negotiations as they look to get their deals complete. Follow our live transfer blog here.

Wayne Rooney scored a stunning free-kick as Derby County put Stoke City to the sword in a thumping 4-0 win at Pride Park on Friday night that leaves Philip Cocu's side in 13th place.

Newcastle United survived a stunning Oxford United comeback as Allan Saint-Maximin struck an extra-time winner, while Liverpool's kids set up a fifth round tie at Chelsea after beating Shrewsbury.

IAN HERBERT AT PRIDE PARK: Wayne Rooney's appetite for the warm-up in a half empty stadium told you how much he wanted a swansong against Manchester United in the FA Cup fifth round.

The former Scotland international, who enjoyed three spells at Rangers but also played for fierce Glasgow rivals Celtic, scored 285 goals for club and country and played in Turkey and the MLS.

The BBC have axed a commentator after his racist stereotype-filled rant in which he criticised 'all the young black lads' at Derby and claimed they need 'pulling down a peg or two.'

EXCLUSIVE: The BBC have drafted in one of their senior executives as they continue their investigation into the racist comments about Derby's young black players that led to one of their pundits being sacked.

Phillip Cocu has slammed former Derby County player Craig Ramage for his criticism of the 'young black lads' in the side - with the Rams boss saying they made him 'very angry'.

TOM COLLOMOSSE AT PRIDE PARK: Wayne Rooney is still breaking new ground even after 500 games in English league football with the first 'Panenka' penalty of his career.

MIKE KEEGAN - SPORTS AGENDA: Fed-up West Ham fans will stage a protest against the club's owners at Anfield on Monday night - although they will be fewer in number than hoped for.

Thursday's home tie against the Red Devils is a massive opportunity for Cocu's side and the Dutchman reckons Rooney's Old Trafford pedigree will be a major factor.