Three in the Premier League spotlight this weekend

By Sian Cowper, Reporter | 03 April 2015

Sports Mole looks at three people who will find themselves in the spotlight when the Premier League resumes following the international break.

Following a two-week international break, the Premier League is back this weekend, with plenty still to play for at both ends of the table.

All 20 sides will be in action over the next three days as the race for Champions League places and the relegation battle head into the final weeks.

Here, Sports Mole highlights three of the men who will find themselves being closely watched as the top flight returns.

1. Raheem Sterling

The Liverpool midfielder has been making headlines in the last couple of days after confirming that he has turned down a £100,000-per-week contract extension with the club, fuelling rumours that he could be keen to move away from the club at the end of the season.

Brendan Rodgers and Raheem Sterling on February 26, 2015 © Getty Images

The England international has done nothing to quash speculation that he could be on his way out of Anfield this summer, admitting that he was flattered by reports that Arsenal are interested in signing him, while saying that he would take time to think about his future and what he wants from his career before penning a new deal.

Manager Brendan Rodgers has insisted that the 20-year-old is going nowhere this summer, and that he will be fully focused on playing football when the Reds travel to Arsenal this weekend.

Getting back on the pitch may well be a welcome distraction for Sterling, who has made 43 appearances and scored 10 goals for his club so far this season and scored his first international goal during England's 4-0 win over Lithuania during the international break.

2. Chris Ramsey

Queens Park Rangers' hopes of Premier League survival were dealt a blow just before the international break when they let in a late goal to hand Everton a 2-1 win at Loftus Road, leaving the London side 19th in the table and four points from safety heading into their final eight matches of the campaign.

Chris Ramsey manager of QPR looks on prior to the Barclays Premier League match between Queens Park Rangers and Tottenham Hotspur at Loftus Road on March 7, 2015 © Getty Images

Since Chris Ramsey took charge of the team following Harry Redknapp's resignation in February, the team have picked up just one victory - a 2-0 win over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light - and have lost their last five in a row.

Chairman Tony Fernandes has previously said that Ramsey would remain in charge of the side beyond the end of the season should he help QPR avoid the drop, but with the team having only avoided defeat once away from home this season, and with a trip to The Hawthorns on the cards this weekend, the chances of cutting the gap to 17th-placed Sunderland this weekend seem slim.

With matches against Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City still to come before the end of the season, and a potential relegation decider with Leicester City on the final day of the season, the pressure is really on Ramsey and his side to start picking up points, and with director of football Les Ferdinand serving a ban, the focus will be even more on Ramsey than usual.

3. Harry Kane

Fresh from his England debut, all eyes will be on Harry Kane when he returns to club action with Tottenham Hotspur for their trip to Burnley on Sunday.

Harry Kane of England celebrates after scoring on his debut during the EURO 2016 Qualifier match between England and Lithuania at Wembley Stadium on March 27, 2015 © Getty Images

The 21-year-old found the back of the net just over a minute after coming off the bench to make his first appearance in an England shirt, making his first start just a few days later in a friendly against Italy.

When West Bromwich Albion's Saido Berahino was called up to the senior side for the first time by Roy Hodgson earlier in the season, his club form suffered a dip in form once he returned to action with the Baggies. Mauricio Pochettino will be hoping that his top scorer can avoid similar struggles.

In 43 appearances for Spurs in all competitions this season, Kane has scored 28 goals, including a hat-trick during his side's 4-3 win over Leicester in their last outings, and with five goals in their last three outings, Spurs will be looking to Kane to continue his momentum.

So far, Kane seems to be taking his meteoric rise from occasional Spurs substitute to joint-top scorer in the league and England international in his stride, and there has been little to suggest that will change at Turf Moor.