Sturridge could be City saver

The Manchester City boss Mark Hughes may have unearthed his best signing of the January transfer window already after Daniel Sturridge's heroics rescued an unlikely point at Blackburn. The England U-19 striker hauled City back into the game on Sunday at Ewood Park. With his side 2-0 down, following goals from Rovers front pair Benni McCarthy and Jason Roberts, Sturridge scored with a well-taken effort three minutes from time before setting up Robinho for an equaliser with virtually the last kick of the match to save a 2-2 draw.

After attracting the interest of Chelsea last summer, Hughes is now trying to persuade Sturridge to commit his long-term future to the Eastlands outfit. "I want to keep Daniel at the club because this is the best place for him to learn," said Hughes. "For some reason Daniel has been allowed to get in the last year of his contract, which swings the situation back towards the player. If I'd been here, I would not have allowed it to happen."

The Stoke City manager Tony Pulis described Ricardo Fuller as a "volatile player and person" after the striker was sent off for fighting with teammate Andy Griffin in the 2-1 defeat to West Ham. After West Ham equalised early in the second half, Fuller was sent off for throwing a punch at the defender. "Ric is a volatile player and a volatile person and what he's done will be dealt with. The game is passionate and it's nothing I haven't seen before."

Bolton's Oman international goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi has signed a new four-year contract that will keep him at the Reebok Stadium until 2013. * PA Sport