You can listen now...

Manchester City

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini says that he hopes that striker Sergio Aguero will be fit to play Borussia Monchengladbach in the Champions League next week.

City are already qualified for the last 16

"Sergio Aguero still feels pain in his heel so it's not easy for him to work. I hope he will be back on Tuesday," said Pellegrini.  

Nice touch.

Manchester City

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini begins his news conference with a gloomy injury update.

Sergio Aguero, Vincent Kompany, Yaya Toure, Samir Nasri, Pablo Zabaleta and Patrick Roberts are all still out.

However, goalkeeper Joe Hart is in the squad for Saturday's visit to Stoke.

"Joe worked yesterday and today without any problems so he's in the squad list," said the Chilean.

Aston Villa

Aston Villa manager Remi Garde says his players need to work harder to pull themselves out of relegation danger.

Villa are bottom of the league after nine defeats in their last 10 games. They have just five points - less than than the Derby side who were relegated with a record-low total of 11 in 2007-08 had at the same stage.

"I'm not saying that everything is perfect with the tactics but if you look at the goals we concede, the desire to win the ball must be stronger," said the Frenchman. 

Bill Rice
BBC Radio Manchester

"The Dutchman has also lost Argentinian defender Marcos Rojo who suffered a dislocated shoulder in training this week, leaving United short defensively with Phil Jones and Luke Shaw still out. 

"They may still have enough at home against a West Ham side out of form in recent weeks, but it is Tuesday’s trip to Germany and their Champions League fate which is hanging in the balance – and now they go to Wolfsburg almost certainly needing a win without their most experienced player."

Bill Rice
BBC Radio Manchester

"A couple of months ago Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal commented how they were coping much better this year after a raft on injuries last season.

"However, recent weeks have been unkind, with today’s news captain Wayne Rooney will miss tomorrow’s game with West Ham and Tuesday’s vital Champions League group game away at Wolfsburg the latest blow. 

"With the England captain out of sorts for his club this season it could be seen as a blessing in disguise, if not for his natural replacement in the team Ander Herrera also being out with a hamstring problem."

Jimmy Floyd Haselbaink has been appointed as QPR boss after an impressive 13 months at Burton, where he guided them to League One promotion and taking them top of the league this season.

He told www.qpr.co.uk, external: “It was not an easy decision to leave Burton, but when you get the opportunity to come somewhere like QPR, with the club where it is and the squad we have at our disposal, it was something I couldn’t turn down.

“I feel that this is a club on the up – it has an exciting feeling about it. And I want to keep that feeling going by taking more positive strides forward."

It's official...

Image source, Getty Images

Wayne Mullins: 40 yard Maradona dribble/winning goal in mock WC 98 Final when working at camp in USA. Never did anything that skilful again!  

Rob: Noticed #bbcsportsday talking about the Emley lad who is on 50 goals. No mention for @batts_9,, external top scorer in Top 10 Divs last year? (71?) 

There is now Rob... (Mark Battersby is a striker for Atherton Collieries, in case you didn't know)

We want to know your tales of goalscoring exploits. Tweet #bbcsportsday,, external text 81111 or post on BBC Sport Facebook.

Muhammad Ali beat the undefeated George Foreman in a seminal heavyweight clash in Zaire in 1974 organised by the country's dictator Mobutu Sese Seko.

It has since been recounted in film - the Oscar-winning When We Were Kings - and books - Norman Mailer's The Fight.

A group of Leeds United supporters are planning to temporarily walk out after 17 minutes of Saturday's home game against Hull in protest against a 'pie tax'.

Ticket prices in the South Stand have been increased by £5 to incorporate a meal deal voucher - and fans' group SS5 intend to leave their seats for 17 minutes, a number disliked by owner Massimo Cellino.

"We want to make it very clear to Cellino that he is not wanted. The way he runs the club is outrageous and we want our club back," organiser John Bond said.

Bill Rice
BBC Radio Manchester

"As well as the injuries to Wayne Rooney and Marcos Rojo, Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has confirmed Jesse Lingard is coming back but Phil Jones and Ander Herrera are still injured."

Chelsea

Image source, Getty Images

Jose Mourinho on the difference between managing in the Premier League and Portugal:

"When I was coaching in Porto, I could look ahead and think about other competitions because the winning percentage is so high. Here in the Premier League you have to concentrate on the next game.

On Nemanja Matic's fitness:

"Nemanja Matic has a double fracture to his face, his nose and his cheekbone, but he has been to get the mask and he can head the ball. The vision is good even in the mask so he is ready to play."

On the possibility of John Terry and Branislav Ivanovic following fellow defender Gary Cahill in signing new contracts with the club:

"It is too early for them."

Manchester United

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal had some words for Valencia's new head coach Gary Neville:

"Valencia is a very big club in Spain with a lot of history, lot of titles so it’s a big step for him a big challenge," says van Gaal.

"I’m very happy but also curious how he shall do that, I don’t think it’s easy in a foreign country, but still it’s a big challenge for him and I wish him a lot of luck.

"You have also culture dimensions, difficult to understand. I have to adapt as a manager to the culture of England, and these dimensions are not always fitting in your way of thinking, but you have to do it."

Manchester United

Image source, Getty Images

Some more quotes from Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal on injured captain Wayne Rooney.

He was asked if the break was a good thing for Rooney?

Van Gaal replies: "No, when you see training it was very fresh and all the players were happy to have that two days off so I don’t think that rest was now an issue. 

"In December we have lots of weeks where we play once a week, at Christmas busy, but before that once a week.

"Wayne is a very senior player and can cope with that pressure I think."

Manchester United

Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney will miss tomorrow's game with West Ham and is a doubt for Tuesday's crunch Champions League game at Wolfsburg because of an ankle injury. 

Manager Louis van Gaal said: "He shall not play his 500th (Man Utd) game because he is more injured than I thought, we have to wait for that game. 

"The problem is when you see our injuries they are always contact injuries and you cannot afford that.

"Shaw, Rojo – Wayne – we have a lot of contact injuries and also long-lasting injuring so that is our problem, we are looking but it is not that easy to buy players and in January it is more difficult."

Chelsea

Jose Mourinho on his side's recent form:

"We can try and build from three positive performances last week. If we can get a good result tomorrow that will be four in a row and it has been a while for us.

On his goalkeeping situation:

"To miss Thibaut Courtois for a couple of matches we knew we had good protection, but to lose him for three months - for 19 matches - without the best goalkeeper in the world, is tough for us. 

"Now we are back to a situation with the best and one very good. Sooner or later, he will be my number one. If he does not play against Bournemouth he will play against Porto."