From the Back Pages, January 8: It’s me or KP: England coach Flower set to resign if Pietersen carries on for country

England, reeling from the worst Ashes humiliation in their history, were plunged into new crisis when it emerged that Andy Flower will risk losing his job in an attempt to oust Kevin Pietersen from the team. Such has been the deterioration in the relationship between the two that Flower has told Paul Downton, the new managing director of England, that Pietersen must go before they can properly begin the rebuilding programme from the abject low of their 5-0 thrashing by Australia. (Daily Mail)

Former England spinner Phil Tufnell believes Kevin Pietersen will never be a “great player” due to his poor decision making. (The Mirror)

This is threatening to become a season in hell for David Moyes and his Manchester United side. There is still a second leg to come of this semi-final so they are not dead yet and could still reverse fortune to reach Wembley. (The Guardian)

Newcastle United and Sunderland have launched an extraordinary attack on Northumbria Police over their refusal to allow late afternoon or early evening kick-offs for the North East derby. (The Telegraph)

Theo Walcott insists he will bounce back from the devastating knee injury which has ruled him out of the rest of the season and the World Cup finals. (The Times)

Arsene Wenger’s early Arsenal record can reassure David Moyes that slow and steady can win the race… by next season. Wenger took charge of the Gunners in September 1996 and five months on he had succumbed to seven domestic defeats, just like Moyes. (The Independent)

THIS EVENING’S transfer news sees Manchester United and Arsenal handed a setback in the race for Sporting Lisbon’s William Carvalho, while QPR tell Newcastle they need to hurry for Loic Remy or risk Gunners beating them to the Frenchman. Elsewhere, Arsene Wenger has been backed with money for January spending at the Emirates, as Liverpool, United and Tottenham face competition Russian competition for Basel’s Mohamed Salah. (The Express)