Transfer news as it happens
Defoe passes medical and agrees personal terms at Sunderland
Arsenal's Arteta & Debuchy out for three months after operations
Southgate signs new one-year deal as England U-21 boss
O'Sullivan breaks two records at The Masters snooker
GET INVOLVED: Is computer gaming really sport?
And that's where we leave you for today, don't forget to join Gary Rose for his Spanish football live text, and the live cricket is available for those of you who like an early start, or some company under the covers. Remember, coverage begins at 03:00 GMT.
Sportsday will be back with you at 08:00 GMT on Friday. Wherever you are, stay safe. Cheerio now.
BBC Radio 5 live
Join Eleanor Oldroyd in literally just a minute for tonight's 5 live Sport, which will feature that item we have just been debating on esports, the mysterious world of competitive computer gaming.
There is also a look ahead to the cricket World Cup with former England wicketkeeper Paul Nixon, a report from the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship and the latest news ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations.
BBC Radio 5 live sports extra
The opening match of that competition sees Australia take on England in Sydney tomorrow (Friday 16 January). You can listen to live commentary on 5 live sports extra from 03:00 GMT.
Image source, AFPIan Bell appears to have cemented his place as England's opener for the forthcoming triangular series with Australia and India after his 187 from 145 balls against the Prime Minister's XI, but coach Peter Moores said it was a difficult to omit powerful Twenty20 opener Alex Hales.
"It was always going to be a tight decision because Alex is a really good player," said Moores.
"We said all along we've got good players so all those decisions are going to be tight and of course you always feel for the guy that misses out.
"We had to pick what we thought was the best opening partnership, Moeen and Belly got that, and the order was picked."
We told you earlier about Jose Mourinho being named Portuguese manager of the century at the gala evening to celebrate 100 years of football in Portugal. Not surprisingly the player of the century, like the Ballon d'Or, went to the Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo., external
On the subject of European football, Gary Rose is underway with his live text on tonight's Copa del Rey proceedings from Spain as holders Real Madrid face Atletico Madrid and Barcelona travel to Elche.
Age is just a number, and former Chelsea and Leicester defender Frank Sinclair says he is happy to just fully focus on playing again while he mulls over his next management move.
The 43-year resigned as boss Colwyn Bay last week and is playing for Conference North rivals Brackley Town.
Sinclair, who made his debut in a 1-0 win over Harrogate on Saturday, told BBC Sport: "I was aching a bit on Sunday but I really enjoyed it.
"I have decisions to make and a few offers but am in no rush."
Burnley boss Sean Dyche believes traditional British values are helping the club in their battle to avoid relegation.
Aside from third-choice goalkeeper Alex Cisak, Dyche's squad is entirely made up of players from the British Isles and he says: "Good manners is a fundamental of my group. I don't think you'll find many stepping out of line, and if they do they will have to answer to me.
"They are part of the British culture and I think there was a time when that softened in some areas and we lost sight of using that wisely. I think it's still a powerful force."
On this day in 2006, the News of the World newspaper published details of their 'sting' on Sven-Goran Eriksson.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe England coach told 'fake sheikh' Mazher Mahmood he would resign if his team won the World Cup and would be interested in managing Aston Villa as part of a hypothetical takeover.
Not Sven's finest hour.
The final segment from our media round-up courtesy of BBC Monitoring, and Ghana's Joy FM website, myjoyonline, reported the arrival of the country's squad in Malabo. Ghanaweb.com news portal carried an article noting that former Sunderland striker Asamoah Gyan was injured during training, leading to the cancellation of a preparatory match as a precautionary measure.
The Football League is investigating whether Carson Yeung is still wielding significant influence at Birmingham from his prison cell.
Yeung has been barred as a director of the club and is serving a six-year prison sentence in Hong Kong for money-laundering.
Image source, Getty ImagesHowever, Birmingham's parent company Birmingham International Holdings Limited (BIHL) says it is "very concerned about the concerted efforts" of Yeung and his associates.
The Football League has now contacted Birmingham for clarification about Yeung's involvement.
BBC Sport's Ben Smith with more on a story we brought you earlier about Liverpool recalling teenage winger Jordan Ibe from his loan spell at Derby County with immediate effect.
"The 19-year-old returns to Anfield to bolster Brendan Rodgers' attacking options as his side attempt to push for Champions League qualification.
"Ibe has impressed at the Championship side, scoring five goals in 24 appearances. The youngster signed a season-long loan with Derby with an option to review the deal this month."
We're not buying them a cake - it costs way too much money and times are hard - but we do send all these sportsman our best birthday wishes.
Tim Curtis (cricket) - former England and Worcestershire batsman, born 1960.
Martin Petrov (soccer) - former Wolfsburg, Manchester City, Bolton and Bulgaria winger, born 1979.
Image source, Getty ImagesEl Hadji Diouf (soccer) - controversial former Liverpool, Bolton and Senegal forward, now with Sabah FA in Malaysia, born 1981.
Jermaine Pennant (soccer) - former Liverpool, Arsenal and Stoke winger, now at Pune City of the Indian Super League, born 1983.
Eric Dier (soccer) - Tottenham and England Under-21 defender, born 1994.
Leicester Tigers club captain Ed Slater is on course to return from a long-term knee injury before the end of the season.
The 26-year-old second-rower damaged ligaments playing for England on last year's tour of New Zealand and was expected to be out until the summer.
But Slater told BBC Radio Leicester: "It's going really well. The physios don't like me putting a date on my return because anything could happen. But I like to have a target and I'd like to be back by the end of March."
Continuing the aqua theme, BBC Wales Sport, external say Wrexham have signed centre-back Luke Waterfall from Scunthorpe on a contract until the end of next season.
Image source, Luke Shaw TwitterManchester United's Luke Shaw on Twitter, external: Ice bath after a tough training session preparing for Saturday's game! Let's get back on the winning run.
You have been voting in large numbers and the overwhelming decision is that the answer is no, computer gaming should not be considered sport. The vote details; 65.16% of you thought no, 30.63% said yes and 4.21% were not sure.
More from our friends at BBC Monitoring. Algeria's Arabic language daily Al-Fadjr carried a report quoting former Egyptian international player Ahmad Hussam Mido as praising the national team, popularly known as the Desert Foxes. The headline read: "Algerian national team is a strong side and I wish it is crowned AFCON champions".
Image source, Getty ImagesRonny Deila has revealed that Celtic are trying to sign Gary Mackay-Steven from Dundee United on a pre-contract agreement.
The 24-year-old winger's current deal at Tannadice ends in the summer.
The Hoops boss refused to confirm that United are looking for £250,000 for the player to move to Parkhead in the current transfer window.
Music to the ears of Arsenal fans - Arsene Wenger has confirmed he will be making singings this month.
"Yes, we are more [in the market now]," he told Arsenal.com, external.
Image source, Getty Images"We have Chambers and we have Bellerin, who is coming on well, and I want to give them a chance as well, but of course we are in the market like many other clubs.
"We work really hard morning until late night to try to get one or two players in."
Image source, Getty ImagesAndrew 'Freddie' Flintoff may not have had the best time with the ball on his return to action in the Australian Twenty20 Big Bash League, but the former England all-rounder caused something of a sensation with a rendition of Elvis Presley's classic "In the Ghetto" during his team Brisbane Heat's victory over Hobart Hurricanes at The Gabba.
His former England captain Michael Vaughan tweeted:, external "T20 is about entertainment... This is brilliant by Flintoff" while the BBL tweeted a link, external to the vocal masterclass, adding: "Love your work Freddie. Here it is. Crank up the volume!"