Ballack, Owen, Rosicky = Free ?

Eighteen Premier League clubs could be in line to lose some of their stars this summer should they not tie them down to new contracts over the next few weeks. Michael Owen, Michael Ballack, Tomas Rosicky and Ryan Giggs are amongst the more notable players whose contracts expire in six months' time...

Portsmouth stand to be amongst the biggest losers of 2009. After already selling key players such as Lassana Diarra and Jermain Defoe during the winter window, they could possibly lose TEN players on free transfers in the summer, including rock-solid centre half Sol Campbell.

Manchester City could lose six players, the most notable of whom is highly-rated young striker Daniel Sturridge, who will no doubt have an endless list of admirers.

Elsewhere, Chelsea's midfield could be considerably depleted with the potential departures of John Obi Mikel, Michael Ballack (who could be set to sign a performance-based pay-as-you-play deal), Carlo Cudicini and Mineiro.

Arsenal are dangerously close to losing perma-crocked Czech Republic international Tomas Rosicky, and boo-boy Emmanuel Eboue.

Bolton Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspur are the only two clubs who stand to lose zero prominent first-teamers or squad players.

Below is a list of players whose contracts expire this summer. Which players does your club stand to lose should they not tie them down to new contracts over the coming weeks?

ARSENAL: Tomas Rosicky, Emmanuel Eboue

ASTON VILLA: Stuart Taylor.

BLACKBURN: Tugay, Andre Ooijer.

BOLTON: None.

CHELSEA: Michael Ballack, John Obi Mikel, Carlo Cudicini, Mineiro.

EVERTON: Andy van der Meyde, Nuno Valente.

FULHAM: Danny Murphy.

HULL: Ian Ashbee, Nick Barmby, Dean Windass, Sam Ricketts.

LIVERPOOL: Sami Hyypia.

MAN CITY: Michael Ball, Glauber Berti, Dietmar Hamann, Danny Mills, Daniel Sturridge, Darius Vassell.

MAN UTD: Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville.

MIDDLESBROUGH: Ross Turnbull, Brad Jones.

NEWCASTLE: Michael Owen, Steve Harper, Nicky Butt,
Mark Viduka.

PORTSMOUTH: Sol Campbell, Sean Davis, Kanu, Lauren, Noe Pamarot, Herman Hreidarsson, Richard Hughes, Djimi Traore, Richard Duffy, Linvoy Primus.

STOKE: Amdy Faye, Vincent Pericard, Salif Diao.

SUNDERLAND: Dwight Yorke.

TOTTENHAM: None.

WEST BROM: Dean Kiely.

WEST HAM: Lucas Neill.

WIGAN: Emile Heskey, Kevin Kilbane, Ryan Taylor, Henri Camara.

Carling Cup Action

Tottenham Hotspur remain on course for another Carling Cup final appearance after a devastating second-half display secured a 4-1 win over Burnley at White Hart Lane.

The Championship club were looking to claim the scalp of a fourth Premier League club this season after already knocking out Fulham, Chelsea and Arsenal en route to the semi-finals.

But the half-time introduction of Jamie O'Hara swung the first-leg tie back in Spurs' favour after the club had paraded new signing Jermain Defoe before kick-off.

Burnley had taken a 15th minute lead when Chris Eagles cut between two Spurs players before rolling the ball across the face of goal for Martin Paterson to tap in at the far post.

Such was the impressive nature of Burnley's performance that Spurs were booed off at half-time, only for a substitution to spark the holders into life.

Within 90 seconds of replacing David Bentley, O'Hara fired in a corner from the right which was headed home at the far post by Michael Dawson. And just five minutes later O'Hara had put Spurs in front when his crisp left-footed volley squirmed underneath Burnley keeper Brian Jensen.

The Clarets were slowly capitulating and Roman Pavlyuchenko continued his record of scoring in every round on 65 minutes with a fine finish after skipping past Clarke Carlisle.

Burnley's misery was compounded two minutes later when O'Hara's free-kick from the right was headed past his own keeper by Michael Duff.