Express and Star

Walsall have beaten off competition from a host of clubs to snap up Celtic defender Eoghan O’Connell on loan, external – with boss Jon Whitney also confident Scott Laird will return to the club.

League One club Walsall sign Celtic defender Eoghan O'Connell on loan until the end of the season.

Alex Homer
BBC Local Live

Here are the top stories on Thursday so far:

- A man has been charged over a New Year's Eve stabbing in Selly Oak

- A spate of break-ins over a week in Brewood are being investigated

- Solihull tennis star Dan Evans knocks out a top 10 player in the Sydney International

BBC Sport

Keep up with the latest football transfer gossip here.

West Bromwich Albion boss Tony Pulis is ready to make a new move for Crystal Palace striker Christian Benteke, 26, and could finance the deal by selling 23-year-old striker Saido Berahino to Stoke. (Sun), external

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Weather

Some tricky driving conditions could be caused by rain turning to snow across the West Midlands this afternoon, evening and into tomorrow morning.

There could be an impact on schools, travel and services.

Keep across your local radio station for updated news.

Stourbridge News

The family of a young Quarry Bank woman who died after she fell from a car bonnet in a Dudley supermarket car park have issued a desperate plea to find out what happened - here's today's front page, external.

Image source, Stourbridge News

BBC Midlands Today

A charity is on the lookout for volunteer otter spotters on Birmingham's famous waterways.

Numbers had been declining since the 1950s because of habitat loss and pesticide use. 

However, improvements in water quality have seen otters making a comeback in Birmingham in recent years. 

Now The Canal & River Trust wants local people to build a better picture of where otters are most active.

Alex Homer
BBC Local Live

A spate of four burglaries and attempted burglaries in the south Staffordshire village of Brewood are being investigated by police.

Image source, Google

• The most recent was an attempted break-in at The Oakley Arms at about 07:00 on Wednesday, which officers believe was interrupted by a resident before anything was taken
• Burglars also entered a garage at a property in Shop Lane on 4 January and stole a MacBook Pro and official documents
• On 5 January, between 16:30 and 20:00, burglars damaged doors to the office and bar of the Jubilee Hall in Bargate Street
• And on 6 January two thieves entered The Bridge Inn, in High Green, (pictured) via a side window and stole two tills, cash, two tablets and charity boxes

Staffordshire Police is appealing for information, external and urging businesses and residents to check security measures they have in place.

BBC WM Sport

Solihull's Dan Evans has knocked out top seed Dominic Thiem in the Sydney International quarter final. Evans won 3-6 6-4 6-1.  

Image source, Getty Images

It's Evans's first win against a top 10 player and a guarantees his place in the semis.  

BBC Travel

National Rail say all the lines have reopened between Tamworth and Nuneaton after the earlier incident attended by emergency services this morning.

The Metropolitan Police has apologised to a DJ from Birmingham after he was pulled over and told it was because he was black and wearing "gangster" clothing.

DMO Deejay was driving his Bentley when the incident happened in central London. 

He says there was no reason why he needed to be stopped. 

The Sun reported, external the DJ was recording a promotional video which captured the moment the officer explained why he had been pulled over.

BBC Travel

There's disruption to London Midland and Virgin Trains services between Tamworth and Nuneaton this morning, due to emergency services dealing with an incident.

BBC WM

The MP for Cannock Chase has urged the government to provide funding to extend railway station platforms on the Chase Line.

Image source, Google

Amanda Milling met the transport secretary to discuss an expected increase in passenger numbers once the line is fully electrified in 2018. 

It will mean faster and longer trains - and more of them - so the Conservative MP thinks extending the platforms will address potential problems.

Louise Hancock
Newsreader, BBC WM

An 18-year-old man has been charged with causing grievous bodily harm and possession of a knife after another man was stabbed on his way home from celebrating New Year's Eve in Selly Oak.

Image source, West Midlands Police

The 27-year old victim stepped out of a taxi on the Bristol Road to use a cash machine outside Seoul Plaza when he was attacked. 

He remains in hospital in a stable condition, but is expected to make a full recovery.

Police want witnesses to come forward, external.

Charlie Slater
BBC Weather presenter

Throughout the morning it will be mainly dry. Highs of 4C (39F).

The question is: Where might the snow fall and when today?

Find out more.

Alex Homer
BBC Local Live

I'm back with the news, sport, travel and weather updates on Thursday.

Comment on our stories and share your pictures over email, tweet @bbcwm, external or visit the BBC WM Facebook page, external.

Relive Saturday's EFL action, as Wolves beat Aston Villa, Brighton's unbeaten run ends and Newcastle go top of the Championship.

A writer who sent her married lover's wife extracts from an erotic novel based on their affair receives a suspended sentence.

A Midlands challenger bids to overthrow a top Jeremy Corbyn ally in a battle for leadership of Britain's biggest trade union.

A blind Birmingham man who had a fear of dogs has won a volunteering award from the Guide Dogs charity.