From the back pages, February 24: Everton’s Leighton Baines is Chelsea target

EVERTON’S Leighton Baines has emerged as a shock Chelsea target – despite the Stamford Bridge club persuading Ashley Cole to stay on for another year, writes the Sunday People. The prospect of England’s two leading left-backs playing for the same club would appear unlikely – but insiders suggest that highly-rated Baines may initially be employed as a left midfielder before dropping back when Cole quits.

LEWIS HAMILTON has dismissed claims from his rivals that he will be in the hunt for this season’s world title. The Brit finished top of the standings in his Mercedes at the end of a wet second pre-season test in Barcelona. (Daily Star)

DARREN BENT will be offered an escape from his Aston Villa hell by Galatasaray. The Turkish giants have failed to lure the England hitman in the past and are expected to launch a new bid this summer. Galatasaray signed Didier Drogba on an 18-month deal last month but expect an appeal from Shanghai Shenhua over his truncated spell with the Chinese. (The Sun)

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REAL Madrid are ­monitoring Javier ­Hernandez’s growing ­frustration at Manchester United. The Mexican striker feels he does not play enough big games for the Premier League leaders, with Sir Alex Ferguson regarding Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney as his top strikers. (Daily Mirror)