Ex-Sunderland striker Darren Bent belives a defeat this weekend in the FA Cup would doom Newcastle United Manager Eddie Howe. Howe watched his fortunes at the St. James’ Park club transformed within weeks.  He was heroic last season, leading the team to fourth position and the Carabao Cup final. But he must now find a way to defeat local rivals and Championship side Sunderland in the cup. “I don’t even think it would be from the supporters,” Bent told talkSPORT of Howe, whose team are in ninth place in the Premier League and out of Europe entirely. “I think the supporters understand they’re ahead of schedule and the job that he’s done has been fantastic. “But I think the owners have now had a taste of European football and they want to invest money into the squad – you can invest more money in the squad if you’re in the Champions League. “But if they start to drift away from Europe – which at the minute, they are – I think the owners might panic and go: ‘Enough’s enough, get someone else in.’ Related Champions League News: Hull City make transfer breakthrough, mystery player to join in January window.

Hull City is ready to onboard its first new arrival ahead of the January transfer window opening on Monday week. Hull has been working diligently behind the scenes to provide Liam Rosenior with the resources he needs to add to his squad and capitalise on their well-earned place inside the Championship’s top six. And the new arrival will boost their ranks and add valuable experience to a mostly youthful squad. There is an ongoing talk in Hull City’s dressing that promotion is a realistic proposition for this group of players and that with a few tweaks, they can maintain their attack on the play-off positions in the second half of the campaign beyond their holiday fixtures against Bristol City, Sunderland, Blackburn Rovers and Sheffield Wednesday. The identity of the player that will be joining City is a closely guarded secret. But sources involved in the discussions have disclosed the person’s name to Hull Live, and it is a perfect signing for this stage of the season, with the player expressing a desire to be part of what Rosenior hopes will be a promotion-winning team. Rosenior remains enthusiastic about adding to his attacking ranks in January and will want to add at least one winger to provide competition and cover to Jade Philogene and Jason Lokilo. Forward options are also at the top of his wish list, as he wants to reduce the burden on Lima Delap and Aaron Connolly. Having Delap on the team has been a revelation this season and he delivered his latest assist on Saturday, teeing up Connolly’s first strike in 11 matches in the emphatic 3-0 victory over Cardiff on Saturday, while the Irishman has battled with an ongoing toe issue. Keinan Davis was close to signing for Hull City in the ending days of the summer window before joining the Italian club Udinese, but the transfer has not worked out yet and he is said to be keen on returning to England. Related Champions League News: UEFA confirm duration of Marcus Rashford’s Champions League ban.

UEFA has announced whether they will take any further disciplinary action against Marcus Rashford after he was sent off in Manchester United’s Champions League loss to Copenhagen. United is on the brink of being eliminated at the group stage after they lost 4-2 in Denmark before the international break, securing only three points from their opening four matches. The Red Devils seemed to be coasting toward a second European victory of the season when an early brace from Rasmus Hojlund put them two up at Parken Stadium, but the game flipped on a controversial red card just before half-time. Rashford surprisingly received marching orders after a long VAR check for a challenge on Elias Jelert, catching the Dane on his ankle when he tried to shield the ball. Copenhagen delivered twice in first-half stoppage time to level the scores before prevailing 4-3 at the end of an equally challenging second half. Getting a red card in European tournament automatically comes with a one-match suspension, although the UEFA reserves the right to extend bands if they deem further punishment necessary. But the presiding body confirmed on Friday that Rashford’s actions did not warrant a lengthy ban and the Manchester player will be suspended for just one game. United’s next Champions League match is fixed for Wednesday 29 November with a trip to Galatasaray. The Turkish champions won 3-2 in the reverse matchup at Old Trafford. If the Red Devils are defeated, they will be knocked out of the Champions League with one group game to spare. Manchester United will also be eliminated if Copenhagen wins on the road at Bayern Munich on the same night. Bayern Munich, which journeys to Old Trafford on matchday six, have already secured qualification to the knockout rounds in all four matches so far. Copenhagen and Galatasaray are both one point ahead of United entering into the final two group fixtures. Related News: Monaco players on Man Utd radar.

Former Everton and Chelsea manager Frank Lampard may have found his next job. The ex-England midfielder has been unemployed since he managed the Blues last season. But, he may be due for a shocking return to the dugout at Championship side Bristol City. According to the Bristol Post, Lampard is a strong contender for a job at the drowning club, who are in 15th position.  Bristol City have won just five of their 14 league games so far thus season, which lead to the firing of Nigel Pearson. Lampard has experience in the Championship, having managed Derby County in the past. Related Champions League News: Analyst Smith exits Bournemouth for Stockport.