Everton boss Roberto Martinez opens by talking about the injury situation at the club.

"Midfielder James McCarthy will be assessed before the game against the Premier League leaders and will return for the festive period," said the Spaniard.

Defender John Stones is fine after injuring his ankle but has had "no effects" since the Norwich game last weekend.

Image source, Getty Images

Does Newcastle goalkeeper Tim Krul understand how brutal and physically demanding an experience Christmas shopping can be? Put your feet up Tim...

Saturday's WBO middleweight title encounter at the MEN Arena will see two Irish travelers meet in a world title contest for the first time.

Champion Andy Lee tells BBC Radio 5 live he always knew there was a chance he would meet Billy Joe Saunders, adding their travelling roots adds an "extra sub-plot" to the contest.

He adds: "People who know will say Billy Joe is a better boxer and I'm a better puncher. For me, I'd like to make the point of boxing him, showing my class and that I can box also." 

Image source, Getty Images

Andy Lee has just been speaking on BBC Radio 5 live ahead of his WBO middleweight defence against Billy Joe Saunders in Manchester on Saturday.

Saunders was supposed to join him in studio but did not make it.

Lee tells 5 live Breakfast: "It's always quite awkward sitting in the room with someone and knowing you will have to fight them. I'm actually quite pleased he is not here.

"When you look at each other you can't really tell much. It's pantomime really. All this stuff is to promote the fight but when the bell goes we will take care of business."

Rob Nothman
BBC Sport waiting at Arsenal's news confernece

"Arsene Wenger described last week as 'perfect'. But after Olympiakos and Aston Villa, came a Champions League draw against Barcelona and now a Monday night home game with Manchester City.

"Will Wenger have any of his long term injuries back and does he see City as Arsenal's biggest title rivals?"

Image source, Getty Images

"Whatever I said, whatever I did I didn't mean it, I just want you back for good."

Take That's hit could provide the soundtrack at the Madejski Stadium today.

The Royals call a news conference for 14:00 GMT amid reports Brian McDermott is set to return as manager.

If you lived in Japan and bought tickets for Barcelona's Club World Cup semi-final to watch the great man, you would probably be pretty gutted now...

Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo lead with a preview of this morning's Club World Cup semi-final between Barcelona and China's Guangzhou Evergrande.

They kick off at around 10:30 GMT. The winners meet River Plate in the final.

Image source, Mundo Deportivo

Image source, Getty Images

Joe Root and Gary Ballance are currently at the crease as England continue to dominate their warm-up match against a South Africa XI.

Root is on 38, Ballance 25, as the tourists build their lead on the final day of the three-day match.

England are currently 135-3 having declared on 470 in their first innings and bowled their hosts out for 188. By my maths that's a lead of 417.

The first of four Tests starts against South Africa on Boxing Day.

Image source, The Independent

The Independent lead with an image of Dylan Hartley being shown a yellow card. The Northampton hooker is set to replace Chris Robshaw as England captain.

New head coach Eddie Jones is thought to want a more confrontational leader and though Hartley has led his club side to the Premiership title, the 29-year-old has been banned for a total of 54 weeks during his career.

Image source, BBC Radio 5 live

"I actually feel sorry for Mourinho".

Those were the words Burnley midfielder Joey Barton used on BBC Radio 5 live on Wednesday. We will bring you some interesting views from that show shortly but if you cannot wait, listen to the podcast by clicking here.

Image source, Daily Telegraph

Jose Mourinho said he felt "betrayed" by his players after defeat by Leicester on Monday and The Daily Telegraph lead on comments the Chelsea boss has now made about his squad on the club's TV channel.

He said: "Some of them need to rethink the way they live Chelsea, they live football, they live their job. I feel frustrated with some players and I feel that some others give absolutely everything."  

Interestingly, the paper does not say the Blues want Pep Guardiola as a long-term replacement but Atletico Madrid's Diego Simeone.

Image source, Getty Images

So what have we got in store for you today?

Premier League news conferences ahead of the weekend fixtures get under way at around 09:00 GMT. First up are Arsenal and Everton, with the likes of Sunderland, Southampton and the soon-to-be champions Leicester City to follow.

We will hear from boxers Billy Joe Saunders and Andy Lee before their world title fight on Saturday. There's also Barcelona in action at 10:30 GMT and of course we will bring you everything else that the sporting world throws up. I dare say Jose Mourinho will feature a bit.

Image source, Daily Express

But the Daily Express claims Jose Mourinho is safe in his job as long as he does not lose against Sunderland on Saturday.

The paper claims a meeting between owner Roman Abramovich and the Chelsea board was only used by the Russian to gauge the mood at the club but adds that a loss to the Black Cats would make Mourinho's position "untenable".

Image source, The Sun

But maybe Pep Guardiola's move to Manchester City this summer is not cut and dry. Could Chelsea be set to gate crash the party?

Sportsday brought you news on their manager Jose Mourinho yesterday when we revealed talks had taken place over his future. The Sun claims Guus Hiddink is the front runner to replace him until the end of the season, with Pep the long-term chosen one.

Image source, Mirror

In the week where a Briton took one step into space, it may not be quite as sensational but as today's Daily Mirror says, Manchester City are one step closer to Pep Guardiola.

The Bayern Munich boss dominates back pages, as you're about to see.

Image source, Getty Images

Like your favourite soap opera on Christmas Day, sport is throwing up tales of joy and woe at this festive time.

While one of football's greatest is probably covering his eyes and wondering when this nightmare will end, one of rugby's naughty boys is getting an unexpected present. 

More on those two later, plus seven Premier League news conferences, the latest as Barcelona play in the Club World Cup and plenty more. Ho Ho Ho.