Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme is backing plans to expand the Tour de Yorkshire into a four-day race and believes the event already ranks alongside some of cycling's major races because of the huge crowds it has attracted.

"You have to have the hills, that is the essence of the race, but it means you can have only one stage for the sprinters and then two for the attackers to try to win the general classification.

"With four stages, you would have more balance in the race and I hope we can do it in 2017." 

Here's a quick round-up of the biggest stories of the day so far as you tuck into your fish finger sandwiches.  

Football:

Leicester winger Riyad Mahrez says the Premier League leaders cannot win the title.

West Ham have suffered an injury setback with Winston Reid and Victor Moses facing up to six weeks on the sidelines with hamstring problems.

Formula 1: 

Nico Rosberg says he does not know how he managed to turn the tables on Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton and end the season with a run of success.  

Cricket:

AB de Villiers will keep wicket for South Africa in the first two Tests of the home series against England.

Image source, Reuters

BBC Sport Scotland have caught up with Everton striker Steven Naismith today. 

Asked about his future with the Toffees he said: "If something comes up in January and the manager thinks it's best for me to move on then that's something for me to think about.

"But it’s got to be the right thing to do. Everything I've done in my career so far has felt right, so it’s got to be the same feeling."

Image source, Getty Images

Leicester winger Riyad Mahrez has dismissed his team's chances of winning the Premier League, despite being top.

The Foxes narrowly avoided relegation last season but are two points clear at the summit after 15 games.

But Mahrez, who took his goal tally to 11 with Saturday's treble at Swansea, is more concerned at getting the eight more points needed to reach 40, a total usually enough for survival.

"I don't think we can win the league," the 24-year-old told BBC World Service.

"We just need to get the 40 points and then after that we will see."

Image source, Reuters

Image source, QPR

This is brilliant.

QPR may not be having the best of seasons in the Championship, but their Christmas efforts are absolute top notch.

If you want to see a bunch of footballers miming badly, dressed in shocking jumpers and dancing around - this is for you., external

Earlier we asked if any of you out there knew why Belgian club Gent are known as the Buffalos.

Quite a few of you have sent us in this information from Wikipedia:, external

Image source, Getty Images

That's one explanation then, but we'd really like an expert on Native American - Belgian relations to send us in some more detail. If that's you, you know what to do.

Image source, .

Olivier Giroud's treble forArsenalagainstOlympiakoslast night saw him join a select group of Champions League hat-trick scorers from the Premier League.

We are taking a look at a few throughout the day...

Not one to let things lie, Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho delivered a parting shot to Porto keeper Iker Casillas after his side's 2-0 win which dumped the  Portuguese side into the Europa League.

The coach dropped Casillas during his time at Real Madrid, and there followed reports of a feud.

Mourinho told Spanish television there was "no problem" regarding his relationship with the keeper.

He added: "I've done my job and he has done his, and he has done well.

"Now Casillas can win the only trophy he hasn't won. The Europa League." 

Image source, EPA

Have you perused this morning's gossip column already?

Scotland midfielder Steven Naismith, 29, says he may have to leave Everton if he cannot force his way back into Roberto Martinez's team. (Liverpool Echo) , external

Southampton manager Ronald Koeman is keen on signing Porto's French midfielder Giannelli Imbula, 23, with the future of Kenya international Victor Wanyama, 24, still undecided. (Daily Mirror) , external

Image source, Getty Images

Is your Sunday League home pitch a nightmare of divots and dips? Or are the preconceptions outdated and you play on a turfy green dream?   

Good or bad, send in your photos and share your stories using #bbcsportsday, external on Twitter.

You can also text us on 81111 (UK only - please include a name) or post a comment on the BBC Sport Facebook page, external and we will publish them right here. 

A Question of Sport Teaser

Olivier Giroud became the fourth player to score a Champions League hat-trick for Arsenal in last night's 3-0 victory over Olympiakos. 

Name the other three.

The answer will appear on this very page later on.

Image source, Getty Images

France's football federation will announce later today whether Real Madrid strikerKarim Benzemais to be suspended by the national team over his involvement in asex-tape blackmail scandal.

Federation president Noel le Graet is to hold a press conference at15:00 GMT, amid calls for a tough line to be taken on the case involving a tape of France team-mate Mathieu Valbuena.

Image source, L'Equipe

Is your Sunday League home pitch a nightmare of divots and dips? Or are the preconceptions outdated and you play on a turfy green dream?   

Good or bad, send in your photos and share your stories using #bbcsportsday, external on Twitter.

You can also text us on 81111 (UK only - please include a name) or post a comment on the BBC Sport Facebook page, external and we will publish them right here.

Aston Villa

Aston Villa manager Remi Garde:

"I played for Arsenal. Everything has probably changed there - except one. It’s a very good football club."

On Sunday's match:

"We need the collective spirit - this attitude - on Sunday to have an opportunity to get points."

Image source, Instagram/rorymcilroy

Irish golfer Rory McIlroy posted the above picture on Instagram,, external after undergoing eye surgery...

QPR's new manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink says he always wanted to manager the Hoops...

Aston Villa

Manager Remi Garde says right-back Leandro Bacuna and forward Rudy Gestede are fit to face Arsenal.

There are doubts over defender Micah Richards, who has a sore knee.

Image source, Reuters