Players

Five high-profile match-ups, all of which could feature at the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil in less than 500 days' time, are among the 30-odd international friendlies on the bill this week.

Raheem Sterling and Asamoah Gyan on the influence of their mothers and plenty of reaction to the FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala feature in this week's round-up of eye-catching quotes.