Championship side Blackpool have signed French striker Saer Sene following his release by Major League Soccer side New York Red Bulls.

The 28-year-old, who has previously played for New England Revolution and Bayern Munich's reserve team, has agreed a deal to the end of the season.

"It's a pleasure for me to be here and bring my best and help the team stay in the league," he told the club website., external

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City defender Matija Nastasic, 21, and winger Scott Sinclair, 25, have been linked with moves away from the club but boss Manuel Pellegrini , as usual, is playing his cards close to his chest.

"They are working with us, Nastasic and Sinclair, without any problem," he says.

"They are part of the squad. We will see if there are good offers for them and for the club. If not, they stay here."

Jockey Aidan Coleman is to face a British Horseracing Authority inquiry over claims he breached whip rules when winning last month's Welsh National.

No action was taken on the day against Coleman by stewards at Chepstow Racecourse after he won aboard Emperor's Choice, trained by Venetia Williams.

Reacting to news that the BHA would hold an inquiry on 16 January, Professional Jockeys' Association chief executive Paul Struthers said: "We are shocked by this decision.

"We have asked the BHA for a formal explanation as to why this is happening."

Image source, PA

You can always rely on Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini to give nothing away. He's been asked about the potential transfer of striker Wilfried Bony from Swansea to City.

"I will answer this question when I know more about that because I don't talk about rumours," he says. "We are going to replace Alvaro Negredo because it was the decision that we took in the moment we sold him.

"We decided to see in December if we needed another striker. We need another striker so we are going to find which is the best player to bring in."

Well, that clears that up then.

Crawley Town have signed Swindon Town centre-back Darren Ward on loan until the end of the season.

The 36-year-old made 45 appearances for the Robins in 2013-14 but has not featured so far this season.

Meanwhile, Mansfield Town have signed Leicester City goalkeeper Adam Smith on a month's loan.

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Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini reacts to talk of him moving to Barcelona by claiming he is "very happy" in his current role.

"I have a contract for this year and next year," he adds.

Head coach Denis Betts has signed a one-year contract extension to keep him with Widnes Vikings until 2017.

The ex-Great Britain forward took over in 2010 and has helped the club progress year-on-year since they returned to Super League in 2012.

Betts, 45, led Widnes to their first-ever Super League play-offs last season, where they lost to Warrington.

"I am committed to the club and my belief is that we are growing something that's really special," said Betts.

"Although we've done a great deal of work I feel that we've got so much more to do.

Image source, EPA

Real Madrid had their 22-game winning streak ended by back-to-back defeats in the past week but the club's manager Carlo Ancelotti is remaining his cool and composed self.

"Criticism is normal because we won 22 games and now it is normal to seek explanations," he says in the build up to his side's game against Espanyol on Saturday.

"But I do not see a serious problem and I am not worried, because I know the team well and I know the commitment they have.

"After the (winning) streak and the holidays, we have not been in a good mental conditions, but physically we are in excellent shape.

"The group is now eager to recover. After the holidays we have dropped but we are keen to win again."

Good luck Espanyol then!!

Could Cardiff be about to reveal they are switching from red shirts back to wearing their traditional blue? They have called a news conference for 14:00 GMT.

Who is your fantasy signing, we asked. Here's what you're telling us...

Nathan Maxwell:, external I would love to see Everton sign back Rooney. Welcomed back with open arms and may actually stick a few much needed goals away.

Jake Toll:, external Akinfenwa to United, engage Beast Mode on the Prem.

Tim Tack:, external My fantasy transfer for Newcastle United would be Jurgen Klopp.

Kev:, external A striker who can score goals for Sunderland.

Keep them coming at #myfantasytransfer or on the BBC Sport Facebook page.

Watford have confirmed the signing of Mexico international Miguel Layun on a four-and-a-half year contract.

The 26-year-old full-back moves to Vicarage Road from Spanish club Granada, who are also owned by the Pozzo family.

He played in all four of Mexico's games at last year's World Cup in Brazil.

Newcastle's Papiss Cisse won't be involved when Chelsea host Newcastle on Saturday - the striker is on Africa Cup of Nations duty with Senegal.

Asked if that was a bonus for the Blues, Steve Holland said: "We've been on the flipside of that situation in the past, with players like Drogba and Mikel.

Image source, Getty Images

"If you have players from that part of the world, that's the risk you run. I'm quite sure Newcastle will have been aware of that well before now. and will have factored that into their planning.

"They have a good squad and I'm sure whoever plays in that position at the weekend will be a good player.

"But for us it's obviously good for us if the club we're playing are without their best players. The same could happen next week with Swansea and Bony, and Manchester City and Yaya Toure."

"There has been really good focus from the players this week," says Holland.

"Everybody trained today and we are in good shape physically. There is a strong determination to win the game against Newcastle. We remember we lost there recently and don't want a repeat."

What about those reports linking Lionel Messi with Chelsea?

"Jose Mourinho has made it quite clear that nobody comes or goes," says Chelsea assistant coach Steve Holland.

Image source, Getty Images

"I recall he said something similar last year but a couple of things happened which meant we had to be reactive. The hope and expectation is that nobody comes or goes."

In terms of Messi, he adds: "When you look at some of the numbers mentioned around the Messi deal, you would think it is almost impossible for any club working within the Financial Fair Play rules."

Steve Holland, explaining how big the pressure is: "The pressure is equal. If you look at the league table, 20 matches in, the two teams at the top of the table aren't even separated by goal difference. Their records are identical. So just over the halfway mark, the difference between success and failure is so small.

"And in a game like Southampton, when clearly a penalty should have been given, it would have been a good situation for us and we might have gone on to win the game.

"So when managers speak immediately after a match, they are going to be frustrated."

Jose Mourinho leaves his news conference duties to assistant Steve Holland having been charged by the Football Association for claiming there is a "campaign" to influence referees' decisions against the Blues.

"He's focused on the game against Newcastle tomorrow," says Holland. "We lost the away game recently and we are very determined to put that right.

"There is a frustration with all of us, not just Jose, at the accumulation of events. We are all together in this but we all have to move on."

Steve Holland has arrived and is facing the media. First question is about Jose Mourinho and where he is, obviously.

Two big news conferences coming up shortly, at Chelsea and Manchester City, the clubs locked together at the top of the Premier League.

Image source, Getty Images

Only one manager will be facing the media though, with Jose Mourinho sending in his number two Steve Holland to answer questions - the Chelsea boss apparently upset about his FA charge for suggesting refs have it in for his side.

Chelsea's conference is due to begin at 12:30 GMT, with City boss Manuel Pellegrini up at 12:45.

Image source, Phil Cartwright

BBC Sport's Phil Cartwright at Lakeside Country Club:

"These were the queues outside the Lakeside Country Club around an hour before the scheduled start of play.

"The first two men's semi-finalists at the BDO World Championships will be confirmed this afternoon. Brian Dawson takes on the number four seed Scott Mitchell, followed by Ross Montgomery v Martin Adams.

"Montgomery will hope to repeat the outstanding form that saw him knock out Scott Waites last night against Adams, the three-time winner here at Frimley Green. Coverage starts at 13:00 GMT on BBC Two and online."

BBC Sport football writer Simon Stone

Image source, BBC Sport

"Maybe the most impressive aspect is the terrace behind one of the goals, which saved the club £150,000.

"Bought from Northwich Victoria when they hit financial difficulties, the structure was formerly the Dane Bank end of Drill Field.

"It was taken down and kept in various locations in the Manchester area before being rebuilt again.

"However, as the markings show, the pieces have not been put together in the right order.

"Not that anyone will know once the sandblasters have been in."