Summary

  • Breaking football news as it happens

  • Rangers chief executive Llambias dismisses McDowall claim

  • Bony replaces Jovetic in Man City's Champions League squad

  • Alexis Sanchez ruled out of north London derby

  • Phelan becomes assistant boss at Hull

  • Six Nations news ahead of Friday's opener

  1. Postpublished at 15:23 Greenwich Mean Time 5 February 2015

    Football Focus wants to hear from you after Aaron Lennon's unhappy signing-on pic at Everton. When have you seen a footballer more miserable? Send us your photos at #bbcfootball

    And in case you didn't see the Lennon pic, here you go. Looks flippin' delighted to be at Goodison Park doesn't he...

    Aaron LennonImage source, Everton Football Club
  2. Postpublished at 15:17 Greenwich Mean Time 5 February 2015

    Joey Barton, external as Twitter: "Interesting developments at Glasgow Rangers. As I said on @bbc5live Mike Ashley wants a say in team selection at Newcastle and Rangers. Makes it difficult to hold head coach/manager totally accountable if things don't go to play. This is creeping into the modern game nowadays."

  3. Kilmarnock boss to quitpublished at 15:12 Greenwich Mean Time 5 February 2015

    Kilmarnock manager Allan Johnston has made a surprise announcement that he will leave his post in the summer.

    The 41-year-old "just made my mind up before I came in" to a press conference ahead of Saturday's game with Hamilton. He said the sale of Robbie Muirhead to Dundee United for £150,000 on Monday was a factor behind his decision.

    "I never found out Robbie was away until five past 12 [on deadline day]. Stuff like that, it is not the way things are done," said Johnston.

  4. Paul Lambert news conferencepublished at 15:10 Greenwich Mean Time 5 February 2015

    Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert reflects on a January transfer window, where a bid for Liverpool striker Rickie Lambert proved unsuccessful. Villa have only scored 11 times in 23 Premier League games this season and face leaders Chelsea on Saturday.

    "I don't want to talk about other clubs' players, but I tried to bring in one or two players," says Paul Lambert. "But until someone walks in your door, you're never sure it will happen. We have to get that last third of the game right, as that's where you win games. It's an area in the pitch we have to improve."

  5. Southampton news conferencepublished at 15:07 Greenwich Mean Time 5 February 2015

    'With 15 games to go, where do you hope to end up in the table?' is the final question to Ronald Koeman.

    "If keep all fit that is a key question then we can fight for first six or seven placings and qualify for Europe," the Saints boss said.

    "We have had problems the last few weeks, not in results, but because e don't have the number of players. The last two weeks we've had a bench of only under 21 players.

    "Still, we are fourth. It is amazing what we are doing. But it is difficult to keep that up. Fitness or players is more important than the position in the table."

    And with that, he's off. One press conference to go, over at Aston Villa - and there's news from that coming right up...

  6. Southampton news conferencepublished at 15:04 Greenwich Mean Time 5 February 2015

    Harry RedknappImage source, Getty Images

    Asked if he was surprised to see Harry Redknapp leave QPR, Ronald Koeman replied: "I was surprised. It is strange they have good results at home but 11 defeats in a row away. I like Harry and he's an experienced coach, but that is QPR's problem.

    "The most difficult time is to know the right moment to go. If you still have feeling and spirit with players you can continue, if not it is difficult for the coach."

  7. Southampton news conferencepublished at 15:02 Greenwich Mean Time 5 February 2015

    Ronald Koeman is in his usual good form and gives a good response to a question about Tottenham boss Maurico Pochettino's comments on a Spanish radio station that the reason Southampton are doing well is because he left a good team when he departed the south coast club in the summer.

    SpursImage source, Getty Images

    "Thanks to Mauirico I've got an easy job. It was the reason I came here to have a little holiday," said Koeman, before adding - just so everyone was sure: "I'm joking now."

    Koeman went on to say: "It is feeling more like my side now because we had to make a lot of changes in the team. The way the club is doing, the structure and organisation makes it easier for the manager."

  8. Yorkshire's grand aimpublished at 14:57 Greenwich Mean Time 5 February 2015

    Yorkshire hopes to capitalise on its success as Tour de France hosts by staging the UCI Road World Championships.

    The region will already host the Tour de Yorkshire, a three-day annual race, which first takes place in May this year, after hosting a Grand Depart, widely regarded as the best yet, last July.

  9. Southampton news conferencepublished at 14:52 Greenwich Mean Time 5 February 2015

    On the Saints transfer window dealings, Ronald Koeman said: "I was very pleased because I said after last week's game that we expect one player to come in and finally we got Filip Djuricic (pictured) on loan to the end of the season.

    SaintsImage source, Getty Images

    "We also kept everybody at the club. There were a lot of rumours that maybe some players would leave.

    "I'm happy with the squad. Nobody was close to going. There were no serious offers. That said I was not afraid to lose one or two in the transfer window.

  10. Alan Pardew news conferencepublished at 14:51 Greenwich Mean Time 5 February 2015

    Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew has been giving his thoughts on the January transfer window. He says: "It helps people in the game that probably do not need helping - football agents in particular. It lands them in great, powerful positions with the players and leaves us financially stuck at times.

    "Maybe there is a system out there that is better, but we still have to have some kind of window. Some teams lose players through injury and there needs to be a period where teams can turn their seasons around with two or three signings."

  11. Southampton news conferencepublished at 14:48 Greenwich Mean Time 5 February 2015

    Down to the south coast... and Ronald Koeman starts with some team news.

    Ronald KoemanImage source, Getty Images

    Victor Wanyama and Morgan Schneiderlin will be available for Saturday's trip to QPR. Toby Alderweireld will not be, but he should be back for the home match against Liverpool the following week.

  12. Leicester news conferencepublished at 14:46 Greenwich Mean Time 5 February 2015

    Nigel Pearson acknowledges that the Foxes have to start picking up more points at home if they are to move off the bottom of the table.

    "Our home form has to improve, no doubt about it," he says. "It has probably gone unnoticed because we've generally played well but we are confident we can change it.

    "Crystal Palace are a good side. Alan Pardew has had a positive return and they have some great attacking options. They are very capable.

    "Where we are in May is most important, but progress in the table would be nice and it is an incentive to know three points can get us out (of the relegation zone altogether)."

  13. Formula 1published at 14:46 Greenwich Mean Time 5 February 2015

    BBC Oxford Sport:, external The adminstrators of Caterham F1 say auctions of their remaining assets, including the 2014 car, have been scheduled but insist the team remains for sale. Administrators say the asset auctions would be called off if a late sale of the team can be made. The auctions are scheduled for March and April.

  14. Liverpool news conferencepublished at 14:43 Greenwich Mean Time 5 February 2015

    Finally, Brendan Rodgers is told that the derby will be his 100th Premier League game in charge at Anfield.

    Without changing facial expression - he isn't the most animated fella in the world - Rodgers says: "I've enjoyed every minute of my time here. To follow in the footsteps of so many tremendous managers is a tremendous honour.

    "At whatever point I leave here hopefully I'll be leaving something people can be proud of.

    "These two and a half years been a great experience and I think the football club has moved forward. We now have to rubber-stamp that by winning some silverware."

    Liverpool fans everywhere will no doubt be nodding in agreement.

  15. Liverpool news conferencepublished at 14:39 Greenwich Mean Time 5 February 2015

    Brendan Rodgers says striker Mario Balotelli and defender Dejan Lovren have a chance of being involved against Everton.

    SturridgeImage source, Getty Images

    He also acknowledges that striker Daniel Sturridge is champing at the bit to start and does not rule out throwing him in.

    "Daniel, like every player, wants to play," he said. "He is coming along very well. We'll analyse whether he starts over the next couple of days."

  16. Leicester news conferencepublished at 14:37 Greenwich Mean Time 5 February 2015

    Over to Leicester where Nigel Pearson is speaking.

    First up the issue of the club's business during the transfer window.

    Nigel PearsonImage source, Getty Images

    "We did business early and late targets were unavailable. I didn't want to add for the sake of adding," he said.

    "I am pleased to add the experience of Schwarzer and Huth. Hopefully [striker and club record signing] Andrej Kramaric can fulfil his potential too. Huth has a lot of know-how."

  17. Gus Poyet news conferencepublished at 14:33 Greenwich Mean Time 5 February 2015

    Sunderland boss Gus Poyet has been telling the media about his side's team news before their game at Swansea on Saturday. Poyet says: "It will be touch and go for Adam Johnson so it is a big decision tomorrow, but we have got a few of them.

    "I think one of them [Jack Rodwell or Connor Wickham] has a chance but the other one doesn't, but we will wait until Friday. It will depend on the other players as well because if Emanuele Giaccherini is all rright then we won't take a risk with one of them."

  18. Liverpool news conferencepublished at 14:32 Greenwich Mean Time 5 February 2015

    Steven GerrardImage source, Getty Images

    Saturday will, unless we are all in for a very big surprise, be Steven Gerrard's last Merseyside derby.

    Asked if Everton fans would be glad to see the back of the Liverpool skipper, Brendan Rodgers replied: "I'm sure they will. He has been incredible for the club and been outstanding in so many derby games. He'll want to win, like he does every time.

    "How will he deal with the emotion of it being his last? Like he has all the others - by being focused on the team getting a result."

    Speaking about the Everton game in general, Rodgers added: "Derby games are very exciting. They are wonderful games to be involved in, full of emotion and they go so fast. The quality of the football is outstanding, which is especially impressive as the players are under intense pressure."

  19. Alan Pardew news conferencepublished at 14:29 Greenwich Mean Time 5 February 2015

    Talking about Saturday's game at Leicester, Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew says: "They're a tough team and have done some business in January. It's a game where we can put a great distance between us and them but they can bring us in really close if they win so it's a crucial game.

    "Our team is experienced and has got good ability and could potentially finish mid-table. But we all know we have a big battle on our hands. Every game is competitive and we have to make sure we stay up."

  20. Liverpool news conferencepublished at 14:26 Greenwich Mean Time 5 February 2015

    Brendan Rodgers is brimming with positivity today, saying "anything is possible" this season.

    "We are in a European competition and in the FA Cup we can get to final ... and we can challenge not just for fourth place but beyond that. Those are the objectives of the forthcoming months," said the Liverpool boss.

    Asked about the pressure he was under earlier in the season, when results weren't as good, Rodgers said: "When you're at one of biggest clubs in world and you're not performing, like we were at the start of season, you are going to come under the spotlight and I accept and expect that. But we are playing very well at the moment."