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BBC reporting that all 20 clubs have agreed to explore a proposal in which season would be extended to 39 games and the extra game would be played abroad. The English Premier League is considering playing some matches overseas, BBC Sport has learned. At a meeting in London on Thursday, all 20 clubs agreed to explore a proposal to extend the season to 39 games. Those 10 extra games would be played at venues around the world, with cities bidding for the right to stage them. It is understood the additional fixtures could be determined by a draw but that the top-five teams could be seeded to avoid playing each other. It is unlikely that any decision will be taken before the Premier League's annual summer meeting in June. Should the proposal get the go-ahead, cities in Asia, Middle East and North America are likely to show a strong interest in hosting the extra games. BBC Sport believes there would be five venues, with two games - on a Saturday and Sunday - taking place at each one. BBC sports editor Mihir Bose says the Premier League's decision to explore such a move is a "logical" one. "The growth of the Premier League has been impressive in the last 15 years thanks to the sale of television rights in this country," he said. "But now the market in the United Kingdom is becoming saturated and it is the overseas market which is now the big target area." A number of top-flight clubs already play matches around the world as they seek to capitalise on the huge global interest in the English game. Manchester United are regular visitors to Asia, Middle East and America while other clubs are beginning to follow their lead. "This is a chance for the Premier league to showcase their product around the world," added Bose. "Some fans may feel aggrieved, but their concerns will be outweighed by the advantages. "Clubs will see this as a chance to make more money so they can invest in new facilities and better players." Just which cities "It will be like cities bidding for the Olympic Games or the World Cup." http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7232390.stm

Enough pre-Keegan staff there to let him know that Beye is a way better player than Carr, he also showed great dedication with how fast he got back here from the A.C.O.N. He will have had a full week in training too so I think he will start ahead ofr Carr. Great dedication? How come Diouf was back and able to play on the bench for Bolton yet a day later Habib wasn't available for selection. Only takes 6 hours on a plane, not exactly great dedication.

Only created the goal today.

Martins, Beye and Faye back for next week. Woop Woop.

Won't play. Hasn't got his UK visa yet so can't play. Smokescreen? Doubt it. It's not that simple getting the visa even if it's fasttracked. If it's true that he didn't have a visa on Thursday then I'd say there's no way he'll have one for tomorow.

Want Sunderland to win. Will be much better for football in general if the dominance of the Big 4 is broken.

Won't play. Hasn't got his UK visa yet so can't play.

Rozehnal has left permanently. It's one of those deals where a fee has been agreed and Lazio have agreed to pay up in the summer but couldn't get the new contract with Roz agreed in time so just took him on loan for to make sure they got him before the window closed.

Lets just hope it he finds his feet after our game at the weekend.

Doing really well at Villareal now.

We've done the right thing and written off this season. It would have been nice to get a signing but as long as we get the people we need in the summer then I'll be happy.

Hope not.

Beye and Faye are back now.

Sounds like we could have had a lucky escape here.

To be honest fringe players is something Villa do lack. Live 30 mins away from Brum and have some mates who are Villa season ticket holders and they keep saying they lack any strength in depth.

Nope. Suspended for Villa because of the 7-day rule.

I don't get that logic at all. If a player you want is available, go for it. You never know if the opportunity is still going to be there in a few months' time. Barnes's arrival being dependent on other arrivals doesn't make any sense. If we're short of players, all the more reason to bring him in. I know he's the Messiah, but this is a bit of a bullshit statement. I wonder if, with his self-imposed exile from football, he hasn't actually seen Barnes play, and wants a bit of time to make his mind up. The new DOF may have already reached a conclusion and wants to move more quickly. I expect Keegan's actually being fairly clever. If we sign Barnes everybody will expect him to be starting immediatly and with him being our only signing people will have high expectations. I expect Keegan wants to ease him in gradually and devlop him.

We had a poll like this just last month and we already have a Milner thread.

The last time we had such a negative reaction was when we signed Sibierski. That didn't turn out too bad so I'm keeping hope Alvaro will do OK

Fucking hell if were not willing to pay £3m for Barnes then it's a fucking tragedy.

Well I suppose with the reports on here so far he can't realy fail to live up to the expectations we have of him. Just hope he turns out to be a decent player.

Game over.

Because he has nothing to do with the First team squad.

Today's games kick-off in 30 mins. Hopefully Mali or Benin will get something and Oba will be coming home.