BBC Sport understands that Jermain Defoe has passed his medical and agreed personal terms with Sunderland.

However, the deal is thought to involve a straight player swap, with Jozy Altidore going to Toronto and no transfer fees being exchanged.

Sunderland are now awaiting news from Toronto and are hopeful that the deal will go through in time for Defoe to be registered for the match against his former club, Tottenham, on Saturday.

Villa boss Paul Lambert continued: "Everybody involved with Aston Villa is frustrated at what has happened over the last five or six years since Martin O'Neill left and the team was in the top six.

"Martin had this club buzzing at that time, vying for Europe, going great, and what's happened has happened.

"I understand the fans' frustrations, but we'll have a better chance of winning a game of football if they don't protest, if they stick with the lads, no matter how hard it gets at times.

"Whoever has planned it, I hope the guy next to them tries to keep them on their seat."

Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert has urged frustrated fans to call off a planned protest at the start of Saturday's clash at home to Liverpool.

Three unofficial fans' websites - Villa Blog, My Old Man Said and A Villa Fan - have called on fellow supporters to boycott the opening eight minutes of the game.

Image source, Getty Images

One local newspaper conducted a poll this week asking whether the Scot should be axed or given more time, with 67 per cent demanding he go.

"I understand the frustration, and nobody is more frustrated than myself," said Lambert.

BBC Radio 5 live

The subject of computer gaming, or esports, will be addressed in tonight's 5 live Sport with Eleanor Oldroyd from 19:00 BST, "The Rise of the Cyber Athletes". Tune in to find out more.

Our next vote beginning now is whether electronic sports - the umbrella term for organised, competitive computer gaming - can be termed sports.

Former England defender Danny Mills was in no doubt on 5 live as to whether gamers can be considered athletes. "Are we having a laugh? To call it a sport you have to wear specific footwear - and that includes no footwear before I get swimmers and gymnasts tweeting about it."

Vote either 'yes' 'no' or 'not sure' on the right-hand side of your page. The vote will close at 18:00 GMT and terms and conditions can be found here.

Exeter City have signed former Republic of Ireland striker Clinton Morrison until the end of the season, with the 35-year-old already having made six appearances for League Two club after joining on non-contract terms in November.

Image source, AFP

At the ceremony in Casino do Estoril on the outskirts of Lisbon last night to celebrate 100 years of Portuguese football we told you about earlier, Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho was honoured as manager of the century, and is pictured looking very suave. A new James Bond perhaps? Or would he play an anti-establishment Bond villain?

Mark Hughes with an injury update on Victor Moses, who has not featured for the Potters since suffering a thigh injury against Burnley at the end of November: "He's benefited from another week's training. If we can get him and Bojan firing at the same time we'll be in very good shape."

Stoke boss Mark Hughes on Saturday's opponents Leicester, bottom of the table and two points behind nearest rivals QPR and Hull: "They have found a bit of form, because at one point it looked as though they may well find themselves cut adrift.

"They will think that this is a game they can win, but we feel the same way too. We'll see how the game pans out."

More from Mark Hughes on possible new signings: "We have irons in the fire. Our cards are being played close to our chest so that's as much as I can say at the moment."

Boss Mark Hughes explains that he wants to loan out defender Robert Huth, who has suffered a succession of injuries this season and has only featured in three matches: "He needs games and we know that. I've had a good chat with Robert. It's difficult to put him straight in after a long period away.

"We're trying to find him the right club. We want to get him out there, give him games and then try and get him back here to us."

Ronnie O'Sullivan on BBC Two after completing another record, his 43rd win at the Masters: "I knew it was going to be a tough match and I had to be on my game but I was pleased I was able to not get frustrated and try and drain out every bit of fluid from those first few frames."

David Howell, external: Scrambling today at the Abu Dhabi championship. 72 never a bad score, short game is on track at least. Better tomorrow with any luck.

Ronnie O'Sullivan races to a 6-1 quarter-final victory over Marco Fu at the Alexandra Palace and now awaits the winner of tonight's match between Ali Carter and Neil Robertson.

Brendan Rodgers insists Mario Balotelli won't be sold in January following reports linking the striker with a move back to Italy, reports BBC Merseyside Sport, external.

Injury news from Nigel Pearson ahead of the weekend: "We'll wait and see on (Dean) Hammond. (Esteban) Cambiasso hasn't trained fully but (Danny) Drinkwater is in contention."

Quizzed on Adam Lallana's progress, Brendan Rodgers revealed the midfielder is doing 'better than anticipated' after his injury.

Image source, Getty Images

Lallana damaged his calf at the start of the month but Rodgers said: "He's ahead of schedule in terms of his rehabilitation. We're hoping he can join the group tomorrow to train.

"If he's not available for the weekend, then certainly for Chelsea he will be.

"He's a wonderful technician. He's linked up with players when he's played and he will only get better as his time progresses here at the club."

More from Nigel Pearson, whose side are two points adrift at the foot of the Premier League table ahead of Saturday's match with 11th-placed Stoke: "We know it'll be a tough game as Stoke have some good players. They're strong, but that doesn't give the full picture.

"As a club, Stoke are very well managed. They're established and are a Premier League success story."

Foxes boss Nigel Pearson has been addressing the media ahead of Saturday's home match with Stoke: "We feel that we've been performing well for a long while. We've made progress but we've lots of work to do.

"We know our form from now has to be good, but we take encouragement from our performances."

BBC WM Sport, external say Walsall boss Dean Smith wants to extend Michael Cain's loan until end of the season but that talks between him and parent club Leicester are ongoing.