All the top stories from today's back pages...
THE GUARDIAN: The leaders of England's bid for the 2018 World Cup yesterday attempted to regain the initiative, taking the fight to rivals such as Spain by inviting comparisons with its record on tackling racism. Also: Wayne Rooney is hoping that Por
tugal and his former team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo do not qualify for next year's World Cup.
THE SUN: Wayne Rooney wants Cristiano Ronaldo to crash out of the World Cup. Also: Michael Owen will not lose any sleep if he does not reclaim his England place.
DAILY STAR: Wayne Rooney would just love it if Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal failed to qualify for the World Cup. Also: A top Arabian football official last night said he had never heard of Portsmouth's new owner Ali Al Faraj.
THE TIMES: The futures of four English clubs were still in the balance last night while football's governing bodies demanded more information from their owners. Also: Gary Cahill does his best to say the right thing about Martin O'Neill, but cannot resist the opportunity to express his true feelings.
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Sources close to Steve Harmison believe that he will retire from international cricket in the next few days after he was left out of England's touring squad to South Africa. Also: Michael Owen has claimed there is "more to life" than being recalled to the England squad.
DAILY MIRROR: Wayne Rooney last night wound up pal Cristiano Ronaldo by telling his former Manchester United team-mate: "I don't care if you miss the World Cup." Also: A dozen Saudi Arabian investors could buy English clubs, the head of the oil-rich country's football league claimed yesterday.
DAILY MAIL: A further 10 English clubs are being lined up for takeovers by oil-rich Saudi businessmen, according to one of the Middle East game's most influential figures. Also: England fans were last night officially warned to be wary of race attacks ahead of tomorrow's World Cup qualifier against Ukraine in Dnipropetrovsk.
THE INDEPENDENT: The Football Association has gone on the offensive in an attempt to force the Government to deliver on their promise to support the World Cup 2018 bid. Also: Steve Harmison may have played his last Test match after he was left out of England's squad to tour South Africa this winter.
DAILY EXPRESS: Wayne Rooney has revealed his ruthless streak by saying he hopes Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal do not qualify for the World Cup finals - and added that he will not care if Lionel Messi and Argentina miss out, too. Also: FA chairman Lord Triesman turned up the heat on the Government yesterday and implored then to release £5million promised to the fighting fund for England's 2018 World Cup bid.
