1. #NEWCASTLE Former Ireland coach Brian Kerr admitted he was surprised at being linked to an assistant manager’s role to Chris Hughton at Newcastle United, he told the Irish Independent. The Irish Daily Star also insists that the Faroes boss doesn’t see himself as a No 2.

2. #ROYALS Seamus McEnaney moved a step closer to becoming Meath’s first ‘outsider’ manager after a meeting in the county last night which accepted a committee recommendation, the Irish Sun reports.

3. #EUROPA LEAGUE Stephen Gerrard hit a dramatic late hat-trick as Liverpool came behind to beat Napoli 3-1 at Anfield last night. Man City, meanwhile, crashed to their third consecutive defeat – losing 3-1 to Lech Poznan in Poland – but Roberto Mancini remains ‘in denial‘.

4. #SHANGHAI New world No 1 Lee Westwood lies just two shots behind leader Francesco Molinari this morning at the WGC-HSBC Champions tournament in Shanghai.

5. #BALE PAY Spurs are about to make Gareth Bale a new contract offer as Europe’s biggest clubs prepare bids in the wake of the Welshman’s sensational form in the Champions League this year, the Daily Mail reports.

6. #RACING Aidan O’Brien’s four-strong Breeders’ Cup team have arrived in America very much under the radar, according to the Irish Times, but could claim glory for the trainer when the €17.5 million Churchill Downs event gets underway tonight.

7. #NOVEMBER SERIES Ireland can pile the pressure on South Africa boss Peter de Villiers with a win at the new Lansdowne Road tomorrow as the Boks coach is ‘on probation’ during this tour. The visitors – who arrived in Dublin yesterday – named their team to face Declan Kidney’s side last evening. A late decision will be made on former Munster man Jean de Villiers’ inclusion.