Graham McGarry
Crewe Alexandra commentator, BBC Radio Stoke

Crewe Alexandra are back in action tonight in the EFL Trophy.

Under new rules the Alex, who won the competition under the old format in 2012, have to play three group games before getting to the knockout stages - starting tonight at Accrington.

Image source, Getty Images

Manager Steve Davis says the increased prize money on offer for the winners makes up for the extra games they have to play.

Ros Chimes
Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke

There are fears over the future of a community hospital in the Staffordshire Moorlands, external. 

The Leek Moorlands Hospital currently provides care over two wards with 44 beds. 

Concerns have been raised by people in the Moorlands after it was announced neighbouring Cheadle Hospital faces ward and bed closures.

The Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Partnership Trust that runs the hospital, external denies the hospital is under threat.

Former nurse and Leek councillor Pam Wood told BBC Radio Stoke it - Leek Moorlands Hospital - "plays a huge role in the local community."

BBC Radio Stoke Sport

Port Vale's manager Bruno Ribeiro plans to make five or six changes to his team for their EFL Trophy match against Derby County's Under 23s side tonight. 

Although he is duty-bound to play his strongest side, Ribeiro has told BBC Radio Stoke he'll make use of his large squad.

Tim Wedgwood
BBC Local LIve

Tributes to Thomas Jackson, the Congleton man who was fatally injured trying to save a fellow backpacker, continue to come in. 

The head of his former college told BBC Radio Stoke: “This is very sad news following Thomas’s heroic intervention, external where he was trying to protect somebody else.

Image source, South Cheshire College

Thomas was a Level 2 and 3 Sport student who left in 2005.

BBC Radio Stoke Sport

Stoke City's Development Coach Glyn Hodges says the club's Under 23 team will benefit from playing in this year's EFL Trophy. , external

It's the first time Premier League clubs have taken part in the competition, which also includes teams from Leagues One and Two.

Image source, Getty Images

Tim Wedgwood
BBC Local LIve

Here are this morning's top stories:

- The father of a Cheshire backpacker who died after an attack in Australia has paid tribute to his son

- Health bosses in Cheshire want to save more4 than £1m a year by encouraging people to order their own repeat prescriptions

- Stoke City's under 23 squad in action for first time, external in EFL Trophy

Police have described the actions of Cheshire backpacker Thomas Jackson as "selfless".

The 30-year-old suffered fatal stab wounds as he tried to save fellow backpacker Mia Ayliffe-Chung, 21, when she was stabbed in a knife attack at Shelley's Backpackers in Home Hill last week. 

Smail Ayad, 29, is alleged to have stabbed Ms Ayliffe-Chung and to have caused the injuries which led to Mr Jackson's death, as well as harming 12 police officers. 

Police previously said they were investigating whether Ayad had an "obsession" with Ms Ayliffe-Chung. 

Mr Jackson suffered critical head injuries as he went to her aid and police described his actions as "selfless". 

Image source, ABC

Image source, Mykah Powell/PA Wire

Tim Wedgwood
BBC Local LIve

A woman who died after being found collapsed in an alleyway in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, at the weekend has been named. 

Victoria Williams, of no fixed address, was 40 and discovered at lunchtime on Saturday, external off Gitana Street.

Police have appealed for anyone with information to get in touch - her death remains unexplained.  

BBC Weather Watchers

You've been out snapping this morning.

Thanks to Airhawk (Alsager) and Dodger (Stowe) for these two.

Image source, Airhawk/Dodger

Rebecca Woods
BBC News Online

A man from Cheshire who was injured trying to save a fellow backpacker as she was stabbed to death in Australia has died, Queensland Police has said.

Thomas Jackson, 30, of Congleton, was injured when he tried to help Mia Ayliffe-Chung, 21, in the attack at a hostel last week.

Frenchman Smail Ayad, 29, has been charged with murdering Ms Ayliffe-Chung and attempting to murder Mr Jackson.

Police said this charge would be changed to murder.

Image source, Facebook

Rebecca Woods
BBC News Online, Journalist

Thousands of people took to the streets of Stone, in Staffordshire, to see their Olympic hero Joe Clarke's victory parade.

Clarke, a member of Stafford and Stone Canoe Club, won the kayak K1 gold as Great Britain claimed six medals on day five of the Rio Olympics.

He was given a hero's welcome as he paraded through the town on Sunday. 

Express and Star

 A multimillion-pound retail development in Cannock town centre is starting to take shape and will open in a matter of weeks, external, it has been confirmed.

Developer Fred Pritchard's Newhall development will open at High Green next month.

BBC Travel

There's heavy traffic on the A50 westbound after an accident at the Meir Tunnel Interchange. 

The crash happened near the A520 Sandon Road.

Emma Thomas
Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke

Youth unemployment in Stoke-on-Trent is higher than the average for the UK, according to skills charity EY Foundation. 

It says 17% of 18-24 year olds are unemployed in the town, compared to 14% nationally.

The manufacturing industry is the sector with the largest decline, with 109,000 fewer people employed than a decade ago. 

BBC Weather

What does the weather have in store for us today?

We'll bring you the latest news, sport, travel and weather updates from across Stoke and Staffordshire throughout the day.