Brazilian international Gilberto Silva says he will consider leaving Arsenal at the end of the season if he fails to break back into the first team.

The midfielder has struggled to hold down a regular place this season with Arsene Wenger often preferring Mathieu Flamini ahead of the Brazilian. “I will wait until the end of the season and then make my decision, If a good opportunity comes along then I don’t see any other option.” – Said Gilberto.

Gilberto also lost the club captaincy to William Gallas at the start of the season and Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has given the Brazilian just seven league starts all season. Back in November Gilberto said he was happy to stay and fight for his place, but it now appears he wants to leave at the end of the current campaign.

“I love the club and Arsene Wenger is a good man and a good manager, but there are only two months to go and I haven’t played much. I’m trying to adjust to the situation, but I confess it’s not been easy.”

Liverpool’s chances of winning the UEFA Champions League, and finishing 4th in the English Premier League have taken a blow after Daniel Agger was ruled out for the rest of the season.

The Danish international has only featured six times this season, and now manager Rafa Benitez has decided to operate on the injury. Agger has suffered the dreaded metatarsel injury which will see him ruled out for the rest of the season, although Benitez hopes to have Agger back for pre-season.

Agger’s place in the Liverpool back line has been taken by new £6 million signing Martin Skrtel, who arrived at the club in January.

Rafa Benitez told the club’s official website : “It’s a blow for Daniel but we want to get his problem sorted. We have defensive cover and Martin Skrtel is playing very well, Daniel will be back for next season.”

Sunderland captain Dean Whitehead is hoping the club can avoid relegation from the Premier League this season and finally ditch the ‘yo-yo team’ tag.

The midfielder was part of the side relegated from the top flight in 2006 and is keen to avoid repeating the experience this term.

“I’ve only been here a short while and I’ve had a few ups and downs. We can end up mid-table this season and that’s what we’re looking towards.”

Many players strive to play in the Premier League but Whitehead admits he is looking forward to the day he can go out and enjoy football – away from relegation fears.

“I haven’t had time to enjoy my football in the Premier League at Sunderland really,” he rued. I do think this club will be in the Premier League for many years and hopefully I can be here as well.”

Birmingham City boss Alex McLeish has said his side’s recent performances bode well for their relegation fight.

Wednesday’s 4-2 defeat at Portsmouth was Blues’ first loss in five matches and McLeish thinks they can view the run-in with renewed hope.

“It’s tough and we knew we were going to be in a fight. Most people expected Birmingham to be one of the teams involved but we’ve gathered a few points recently. And there’s still plenty to play for.”

Blues are just a point clear of the relegation zone following their defeat at Fratton Park and face a crucial match against struggling Newcastle United at St Andrew’s on Monday. McLeish acknowledges the enormity of the game and admits they have to take their opportunity to drag Kevin Keegan’s side into the battle to stay up.

“We have home advantage and we know we can go above them. It’s a huge game for both teams but I think my players can again bounce back and show the tremendous character they showed in the first half [against Portsmouth].”

Chelsea manager Avram Grant is “almost sure” Frank Lampard will still be a Chelsea player next season. Lampard, 29, is out of contract in May 2009 and says he does not want to wait until the summer to agree a new deal.

“We plan for next season and I can tell you that Frank will stay at Chelsea. The club wants Frank,” said Grant.

“If we wait and nothing happens then I have got a year left, which is not a position I want to be in,” said the England midfielder.

Newspaper reports suggest Chelsea are lining up a £25m bid for Werder Bremen’s Brazilian midfielder Diego, placing Lampard’s future in doubt.

But Grant said: “Lampard has scored more than 100 goals and I think he will score 150 for Chelsea, I am sure of that. Any player who plays like this is not easy to replace. He is a very important player for the team. He can score and he can also defend. The situation with Frank has not changed.”

Lampard, who scored four goals in Chelsea’s 6-1 demolition of Derby on Wednesday, has been linked with a move to Juventus, who are managed by former Blues boss Claudio Ranieri.

Manchester United captain Gary Neville made his longest competitive outing since being injured nearly a year ago in a reserve team match on Wednesday.

The full-back’s 73 minutes in the 1-0 defeat by Sunderland marks his latest stride towards a first-team return. Neville, 33, now appears to have finally recovered from a combination of ankle and groin problems.

He even had a chance to notch a rare goal but was thwarted from close range by Black Cats goalkeeper Marton Fulop.

Neville, who has made over 500 appearances for United, suffered ankle ligament damage just 11 minutes into the match against Bolton at Old Trafford in March 2007.

Since then he has not played first-team football and has made a number of comebacks since, only to suffer further setbacks.

He last played at the end of February, lasting 60 minutes for the club’s reserve team in a 2-0 defeat by Liverpool’s second string. The defender is also back training with the first-team squad.