The Screamer - It's the talk of football

Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard is facing the sack after Julio Baptista's stunning volley handed Real Madrid only their second league victory at the Nou Camp in 24 years.

Rijkaard faces a tense fortnight of criticism in the Spanish press with La Liga shutting down for the winter break.

Should club president Joan Laporta opt to wield the axe after Real's win left them seven points clear of Barcelona at the top of the table, Jose Mourinho is the clear favourite to replace the Dutch boss.

Former Chelsea boss Mourinho worked under Sir Bobby Robson in 1996 at Barcelona and stayed until 2000.

Ronaldinho's future with Barcelona has also been cast into further doubt after Rijkaard's decision to restore him to the starting line-up backfired.

The 27-year-old Brazil forward has been pursued by Chelsea and AC Milan but has suffered a prolonged loss of form and had recently been dropped to the bench.

Blackburn are close to signing midfielder Lance Davids from Swedish club Djurgardens for £500,000.

The 22-year-old South Africa international had trials with Rovers and Newcastle but wants to join compatriots Aaron Mokoena and Benni McCarthy at Ewood Park.

Sheffield Wednesday are embroiled in a racism investigation after an allegation was made against one of the club's directors.

Sheffield Chamber of Commerce have complained to the club over the use of 'a racially derogatory term' in a telephone conversation between one of its officials and a senior Hillsborough representative.

Wednesday have promised to hold an inquiry and a long-serving board member is understood to be at the centre of the probe.

Brian Barwick has revealed an Englishman never stood a chance of being appointed national team boss.

The FA chief executive said he would have preferred to have a home-grown coach but insists none of the current crop is good enough.

Explaining the process that led to Fabio Capello's appointment, Barwick said: "I wrote out a template and put it against our current crop of English managers and not one of them ticked all the boxes.

"It has to be our ambition to have an English boss but we have to be realistic."

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy is considering a fresh approach for Cardiff City midfielder Joe Ledley after his opening bid of £3.5million for the 20-year-old Wales international failed.

Rangers had Lee McCulloch sent off for kicking out at Scott Severin in yesterday's 1-1 draw at Aberdeen in the Clydesdale Bank Scottish Premier League. Tempers flared after Chris Clark's crude tackle on Rangers' Alan Hutton.