The agent of the Schalke midfielder Lewis Holtby has suggested his client could be in line for a move to the Premier League, following a “very interesting proposal” from an English club.

Although Markus Noack did not name the club in question, the news follows a recent Goal.com exclusive, revealing Liverpool’s recent pursuit of the 22-year-old, whose contract expires at the end of the season.

“Lewis is very good at Schalke but above all there is an English club which has made a very interesting proposal,” Noack told Calciomercato.com.

“We are talking with Schalke about a possible extension for another three years. Talks are going well at the moment but the situation has definitely changed in the last period because several offers from Spain and England came in.”

A big decision awaits the German, who has begun the season in fine form having netted three goals in Schalke’s opening nine league games. His agent was, however, keen to dismiss rumours linking Holtby with Inter Milan, claiming that a move to Italy would be unlikely.

“My client will have to decide whether to continue to grow in Germany or to try a new experience at the end of this season.

“Inter Milan? We have not received any proposals from Italy and he would prefer [to play in] the Premier League and La Liga”

For the home side, Luis Suarez is likely to be given a break considering his position of being the only ‘senior’ striker available in their ranks. This Capital One Cup clash gives manager Brendan Rodgers an opportunity to rest his Uruguayan forward, meaning Samed Yesil could start up front, as he did in the last round against West Brom. Raheem Sterling, Joe Allen and Steven Gerrard are all likely to be rested.

In goal, Pepe Reina’s inclusion on the bench for Sunday’s Merseyside derby means he may well now be fit enough to start in this one. Stewart Downing should start on the left wing, following his strike in last week’s Europa League tie with Anzhi. However, Glen Johnson (muscle spasm), Lucas Leiva (thigh), Fabio Borini (foot) and Martin Kelly (knee) are all still out.

For the visitors, the major news concerns Michel Vorm, who has been ruled out for eight weeks with the groin injury which saw him replaced at Manchester City on Saturday, so German keeper Gerhard Tremmel will deputise.

Garry Monk – club captain and goalscoring hero in the last round against Crawley Town – may get another chance in this competition alongside Ashley s, while Michu could drop back into midfield to accommodate striker Danny Graham. Kyle Bartley (thigh) and Neil Taylor (ankle) are long-term absentees, but the rest of the line-up should be strong as the Swans look to knock out last season’s cup winners.

• The last time these two sides met in a cup match, Liverpool won 8-0 at Anfield in the FA Cup 3rd round in January 1990. Division Three side Swansea initially held a the Reds to a 0-0 draw, but were heavily beaten in the replay.
   
• Swansea haven’t scored a goal at Anfield since a 2-2 draw in October 1981.

• Danny Graham’s (pictured) winner in the 1-0 victory in May was his 100th career goal. He has added three more this season, two of which have come in the Capital One Cup.

• Liverpool forward Fabio Borini scored six goals in nine league games whilst playing on-loan for Championship side Swansea in 2010-11.
• Swansea have never advanced past the fourth round of this competition.
• The Reds have kept clean sheets in their last three games at Anfield in all competitions.

Jack Wilshere’s performance on his return from injury in the Premier League was enough to earn the Arsenal midfielder a place in this week’s TOTW.

The 20-year-old had been out of action for over 14 months but starred as the Gunners edged past QPR with a 1-0 victory at the Emirates Stadium.

Juan Mata, meanwhile, makes his fifth appearance of the season already after his beautiful free-kick pulled Chelsea back into the clash with Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.

However, the Old Trafford club secured a 3-2 victory late on in controversial circumstances, with Robin van Persie and Antonio Valencia among the top performers to also feature in our TOTW.

Chelsea remain top of the table, but Manchester City are only a point adrift after a narrow win against Swansea at the Etihad Stadium.

The reigning champions had Joe Hart to thank in no small part after he twice denied Michu in a tight encounter.

Elsewhere, Luis Suarez earns a place for his double – which might have been a hat-trick had a late winner not been disallowed – in the Merseyside derby against Everton, while Tottenham duo Jan Vertonghen and Gareth Bale are included for their part in a 2-1 win against Southampton.

Fabricio Coloccini makes his third appearance in our TOTW and is joined at the back by two debutants – Mikele Leigertwood and Ivan Ramis, who scored spectacular goals and performed well for Reading and Wigan respectively.