That's all from Sam Allardyce for the morning.

He finishes by saying he hopes his side can maintain their current strong Premier League form and praises Sunday's opposition Swansea as well as Southampton for surprising people for what they've achieved so far this season.

Image source, AFP

Welsh golfer Jamie Donaldson has withdrawn from the Nedbank Challenge at Sun City, South Africa.

The 39-year-old Ryder Cup hero completed his first round with a two over par 74 but went straight to the medical centre afterwards suffering from an extreme migraine and has withdrawn from the elite 30-man field.

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce on his side's recent form: "After the disappointment of Everton and bouncing back with two victories, we've got to maintain that level of performances and results.

"We've come through very well with our worst injury list at the moment and let's hope that they continue to stay fit in this period.

"A consistent level of performance is what's going to make us a really good side."

Sam Allardyce begins with an update on the fitness of injury worries Diafra Sakho and Alex Song.

He said: "Sakho and Song have been training all this week so the opportunity for them to join the squad this weekend is good."

Sam Allardyce has arrived for his news conference at West Ham's Chadwell Heath training ground.

Team news ahead of their match against Swansea on Sunday to come shortly.

Staying with Rugby Union and Ireland will bid to host the 2023 World Cup,, external the Irish and Northern Irish governments have confirmed in the last few minutes.

The bid would see games played on both sides of an Irish border.

Image source, PA

While we wait to hear from West Ham manager Sam Allardyce, some breaking Rugby Union news...

Saracens' England international lock Mouritz Botha is to leave the Premiership club and join South African Super Rugby franchise The Sharks, external from 1 January.

The South African-born 32-year-old joined Saracens from Bedford in 2009, and has so far made 142 first team appearances.

Having qualified for England on residency, he made his Test debut as a replacement against 2011 World Cup warm-up opponents Wales at Twickenham before going on to start every game of England's 2012 Six Nations campaign.

Arsene Wenger closes his news conference by revealing he is still to decide who will travel to Galatasaray for the Champions League group match on Tuesday.

"Offensively I won't have a problem, but it'll be more difficult defensively"

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger on the challenge of facing Stoke: "It's always a tough and committed place to go but we dictate the way we want to play at that level of commitment.

"Stoke don't lose many games at home and have good records against many good teams."

Arsene Wenger on the other injury problems in his squad: "Wojcech Szczesny should be in full training today.

"Matthew Debuchy is also back in training, but it's too early for him.

"Theo Walcott has an injection today, so he will not play. Galatasaray is also too early for him in midweek.

"Abou Diaby is on the brink of returning to training. If he's fully fit, he'll have a new deal"

Image source, Getty Images

Hull City have been dealt an injury blow with midfielder Mohamed Diame ruled out for two to three weeks with a knee problem.

Diame limped out of Wednesday's 1-1 draw against Everton with an ongoing tendon problem.

Arsene Wenger begins his news conference by confirming defender Nacho Monreal is out of the trip to Stoke.

He hopes Kieran Gibbs will be fit to return in his place.

Everton manager Roberto Martinez hopes his side's luck can change against Manchester City on Saturday after just one win in their last five games.

"The truth is this season has been intense - it has good in the way we have been tested over the first part of the season and I believe that will help us in the second half of the campaign," said the Spaniard.

"Have we got the points we deserved? Probably not but we need to address that. We are disappointed to have had draws where we should have won and we feel if we do the right things we will get the rewards.

"We need to be a bit more aware of the performances and at certain moments of the game we need to control the ball better and sharpen up our performance and once we do that it will help us get those wins."

Image source, @Arsenal

Arsene Wenger is talking to reporters ahead of Arsenal's trip to Stoke in the Premier League tomorrow.

We'll hear from him shortly.

Image source, Getty Images

Everton manager Roberto Martinez, whose side face Manchester City on Saturday on the danger presented by City striker Sergio Aguero. "He is a phenomenal talent and can single-handedly win a game," says Martinez. "We will have to be very aware because City are playing their best football.

"They have got a good feeling from the Bayern Munich game. You saw a real change in their confidence and they playing with flair and swagger and could be one of the hardest teams to face in the Premier League at the moment, as well as Chelsea."

BBC Radio 5 live

In case you missed 5 live Sport on Thursday evening, there are two tennis podcasts for you to download and listen to at your leisure.

The man known as the great entertainer - Mansour Bahrami - speaks to Eleanor Oldroyd about his life, from learning to play the game with a piece of wood in an empty swimming pool in Iran to captivating crowds all over the world with his unique tennis skills.

Plus, Russell Fuller is joined by Andy Roddick, Tim Henman and Pat Cash at the Masters Tennis tournament at the Royal Albert Hall as they talk winning Grand Slams and how they'd improve the game.

Image source, @OfficialBWFC

Championship side Bolton Wanderers have completed the signing of free agent Eidur Gudjohnsen, 36, on a deal until the end of the season.

The club now require international clearance in order for the Icelandic international to play at Reading this weekend.

Jimmy Adams, James Tomlinson and Danny Briggs have all signed new contracts, external which will keep them at Hampshire until the end of the 2016 season, the county have announced.

The deals for all three were due to expire at the end of next season, but they have all elected to extend their deals with the south coast county.

Hull KR have signed former Canberra Raiders half-back Terry Campese on a one-year deal.

The 30-year-old ex-Australia player left the NRL side at the end of last season after three years as captain.

Nobody plays snooker quite like Ronnie O'Sullivan and despite a broken ankle, the five-time world champion made a 147 break to reach the UK Championship quarter-finals in York on Thursday.

You can watch all of O'Sullivan's 13th career maximum on the BBC Sport website.