Sport

Wigan’s 77-year-old chairman feels hard done by and has accused a Guardian journalist of misunderstanding him despite apologising profusely for any upset he may have caused.

Swansea are flying high in fifth place, just three points behind City, and they head to the Etihad looking to better the 3-0 defeat they suffered there last season.

Johnson’s side have responded well after losing their 13-game unbeaten run to Bristol City two weeks ago, with a win over Leyton Orient and a hard-earned point at home to Crawley Town as they prepare to face Sheffield United.

Bury have suffered four defeats in the last five on the road, as well as two consecutive defeats going into Saturday’s home game against Newport County.

With the Opal series two thirds complete and the third installment set for Teesside this weekend, third-placed Titans will seek to book their spot at the national championship in December 6 in Nottingham, to which only the country’s four best sides are invited.

The Warriors issued a statement on their website explaining Flower had been found guilty of gross misconduct due to violent conduct, bringing into disrepute the Wigan club and the game of rugby league.

Welbeck, who came through the prestigious youth ranks at Old Trafford, moved to The Emirates in a £16million deal on deadline day in the last transfer window and has so far bagged five goals for Arsenal.

Sale, without an away win all season, go into round eight looking to get back on track after throwing away leads in two of their last five matches in all competitions.

The former Cardiff City manager, appointed Wigan manager on Wednesday, is currently under investigation by the FA after allegedly sending racist, sexist and homophobic texts during his time in Wales.

Ex-Manchester United first-team coach Mike Phelan has joined Championship outfit Norwich City in the same role.

The 28-year-old Portuguese is currently on loan at Sporting Lisbon after struggling to make an impact at Old Trafford in recent seasons.