From the back pages, January 23: Battling Bradford reach Capital One Cup final

An 89th-minute goal by Andreas Weimann meant Villa won 2-1 on the night but it was not enough to prevent Bradford from becoming the first team from the fourth tier of English football to reach the League Cup final in 51 years.

Robin Van Persie says his sensational scoring record should be even better. The Manchester United hitman has already notched 22 goals this term — with 10 in his last 10 games. But the £22million summer signing from Arsenal declared: “It should have been 10 games, 14 or 15 goals. At least four or five I shouldn’t have missed. (The Sun)

The 2012 Tour de France winner, Sir Bradley Wiggins, has changed tack again over whether he will set out to defend his title, claiming he is happy to work for his Sky team-mate Chris Froome in the race and make the Giro d’Italia his main focus. (The Guardian)

England’s back-row resources have been further stretched ahead of their RBS Six Nations opener against Scotland after it was confirmed that Northampton flanker Calum Clark requires an operation to a shoulder injury and will be sidelined “for the foreseeable future”. (The Telegraph)

After a series of knockbacks, Newcastle have completed the actual signing of an actual footballer - Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa from Montpellier, according to reports. (The Mirror)

Rafa Benitez has accused Marco Materazzi of being ‘a liar’ after the former Inter Milan defender claimed the Chelsea coach ‘could not be trusted’. The furious Chelsea boss launched a tirade ahead of his club’s Capital One Cup semi-final against Swansea at the Liberty Stadium tomorrow night. (Daily Mail)

Jose Mourinho has sent text messages to Roman Abramovich to pave the way for a return to Chelsea. Mourinho, set to leave Real Madrid after huge fall-outs with the club hierarchy and key players, is favourite to return as manager in the summer after Pep Guardiola joined Bayern Munich. (The Express)