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The Nigeria international has amassed 28 appearances and three goals since his 1.5-million-pound move from Israel three years ago, and has proved a key figure in the Celtic rearguard since his arrival. 

Celtic boss Neil Lennon revealed on Tuesday that a number of clubs have expressed interest in the defender, with Swansea, Sunderland and Liverpool all reportedly in the hunt for his signature. 

"I am happy to be linked with a club like Liverpool," the defender said.

"My dream is to play across the border.

Five points separate the two rivals ahead of Sunday's Ligue 1 Classique, and the Italian believes that Elie Baup's side have improved a lot over the course of the season.

"OM are a strong team," Ancelotti told reporters.

"They are an aggressive side and they have gained a lot of mental strength (this season).

"The championship of France is a special one, it has a lot of rhythm, speed and intensity and it is not always easy for us."

The Blues captain has been hampered with a knee problem since the start of November and has made just 14 appearances for Rafael Benitez's side this season.

Cahill believes squad depth will be key in the final stages of the club's campaign and maintains he is prepared to compete for a regular role at Stamford Bridge.

"There will always be competition in a big club, with people fighting for spots and a massive number of games to play," Cahill told reporters.

The Frenchman has failed to replicate his form for Wigan which prompted the Villa Park outfit to part with nine million pounds to sign the winger in 2011.

However, a goal and an assist from N'Zogbia in the recent 2-1 win over West Ham pushed Villa out of the Premier League relegation zone, and Westwood has backed the winger to continue to shine for the rest of the season.

"I have been really impressed with Charles," Westwood said.

"You just give him the ball and even if he's got four men around him, you know he's going to do something.

The 21-year-old was making his first Premier League start for the Swans since joining from Arsenal in the summer.

Liverpool put five goals past the hapless Swansea, as Steven Gerrard, Coutinho, Jose Enrique, Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge all netted to give their former manager a convincing win at Anfield.

Bartley had been filling in alongside Swansea stalwart Gary Monk in a weakened Swansea side, and will be hoping for a starting berth at Wembley in light of Chico Flores' ongoing ankle injury.

The Manchester United midfielder, who has represented his country 61 times, has been ruled out for the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery in the hope to resolve his ongoing ulcerative colitis condition.

And while Strachan has sympathy for Fletcher, he is keen to be able to call upon the 29-year-old's services in the near future.

"The quicker he gets back, the better for Manchester United and for me," Strachan told BBC Radio Manchester.

"Any problems on the pitch never affect Darren and he'll deal with the problems he's got just now in the same way.

The north London club were 2-0 down after just 20 minutes against the German outfit on Tuesday night, and are now faced with the difficult task of scoring three unanswered goals in Munich to progress to the quarter-final stage.

"We are very disappointed with the result," the Spaniard told reporters after the match.

"I think for them to be 3-1 up is not good enough from us. We made some mistakes that cost us a lot in the game. That was the difference."