Good news for Middlesex fans! Brendon McCullum has agreed to play for the club, external in next summer’s NatWest T20 Blast and the Royal London One-Day Cup. 

Big-hitting McCullum announced his retirement from international cricket this week and he will be available to play for Middlesex from the moment his commitments at the Indian Premier League finish through to 25 June.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Bolton assistant manager Steve Walford says Neil Lennon is "very sorry" after Wanderers cleared him to stay on as manager following an internal investigation.

It follows allegations made about Lennon's private life in a Sunday newspaper.

"The situation with the manager now has been cleared up regarding the staff and the players; he's spoken to them and they're all behind him," Walford said.

"He's obviously down and very sorry for his actions. I've known Neil a long time and he'll bounce back, no danger.

"The players and the club are all behind him now. As far as I'm concerned, I think the matter's closed." 

He's certainly a good talker, is Guus. He looks as if he's enjoying this exchange with reporters. Give it a few weeks and that will all change...

This press conference is coming to a close now.

"Two more questions now," says Chelsea's press officer.

First is about the fans, the second about the youth team and giving more youngsters a chance.

"I want to analyse them and then we will decide," the boss says. "First I must be convinced of their quality, so at the moment it is a little too eagerly to say. But if they show they are competitive I am not against using them."

A reporter jumps in with a cheeky last question about his future. Guus doesn't look happy. He gives it short shrift, and that's it. He's off.

Well then Chelsea fans, what did you make of those comments?

Chelsea interim manager Guus Hiddink on staying at Chelsea beyond this season: "What we said was 'Let's go to May'. Then we will see."

On the Chelsea fans: "I hope the fans will support the team, as they did briefly during the last game. The fans must also think and express themselves about the recent past. The team has to take the initiative. What I know of Chelsea is that the fans back up the team, but the team has to show it first."

Hiddink, dressed, by the way, in a very shiny looking Chelsea tracksuit and trademark round specs, is asked about the form of Eden Hazard.

"He had a terrific season last year and it is normal that you get a little bit of a setback after that," Hiddink says.

"I think he can be a key player as captain of a national team for Belgium. And he can be a key player here .

"It's the same with him, he has to be eager to perform."

Chelsea interim manager Guus Hiddink: "It is a different group of players [to when he was at Chelsea last]. The players at that time were also big players and were leaders.We now have big players but it is difficult to compare."

On Jose Mourinho: "If you look at his record over the years it is amazing. There were many, many titles. But nevertheless things happen in football. People take decisions that they have taken and I come on when I am asked."

On Watford: "I have a lot of respect for Watford. they are disciplined and have strong strikers: Ighalo and Deeney. They are very dangerous."

Here's what Chelsea fans want to know. 'Can the team make the top four?', Hiddink is asked.

"Mathematically it is possible," the boss says.

"If you can add up then it is possible but this league is very strong, which has been especially proven this year with all respect to the clubs at the top - Leicester, Crystal Palace, Watford... it is amazing and refreshing.

"It means that all the teams can kill each other."

Hiddink says he "doesn't have a single complaint" about the players' attitude in training since he took over.

"I want to have my own judgment about performances on the pitch and in training," he adds.

"I don't want to have much information (about what went before). They have to show me now what they are capable of.

"I've been working with them a couple of days, two sessions, I cannot see that players - the key players - have a lack of ambition or desire. So I cannot complain."

Hiddink is asked to give a message to Chelsea fans.

"No manager can guarantee three points every week but we have to show to ourselves and to the club, and especially the fans, that the team has big desire to wash away the last half a year and to go up to the next games."

Hiddink is asked about the crowd booing some of the club's players last week, like Diego Costa, Cesc Fabregas and Eden Hazard.

"I talked to the squad yesterday and we talked about the past a little - why I am here, the reason why we are down," he says.

"But I also told them things happen in football and I want everyone to look themselves in the mirror, for not just a second but for a long time, to see what anyone from now on can contribute to the way up.

"I emphasized that. And not to look back too much.

"We cannot ignore what has happened in the recent past but I have asked them to be professionals and see if they can give themselves the best of the team. So I like to look forward."

Chelsea interim manager Guus Hiddink on Didier Drogba potentially being added to his staff: "I worked with him five or six years ago. I was delighted to have such a professional in the squad. He is a legend already in this squad and outside this club. The only thing is that he is playing in Montreal at this moment."

On potential January transfers: "Let's go into the next few games and we will see. That is always open but first I would like to get through the first few games."

Hiddink is as eloquent as ever and talking a good game.

He's asked about last week's game with Sunderland and how well Chelsea played.

"I was in the stand and saw the game and they were playing in a way that showed they enjoyed it very much and sometimes they even went a bit over the top and didn't kill it off," the new boss says.

"It was good to see how they can play. the quality is there."

Chelsea interim manager Guus Hiddink: "I shouldn't be here halfway through the season. It means things are not going well. But anyhow, I am glad to be back. It is a few years ago I was here in a similar situation. 

"If you look back a bit to last season when there was this year of success, then you go into next season with targets and wins, which are the same: winning the title again. It is not easy after a championship. You relax as a team and get a wake-up call. It is not easy to say that I am here and the problem is solved."

No Guus Hiddink yet but we have the next best thing. A shot of his empty chair. Great isn't it? Think of it as an early Christmas present from us to you.

Image source, Chelsea TV

Kevin Laister: Favourite Christmas football memory. Grimsby beating Derby County away on boxing day. Guiseley away this year!

Andrew Banks: I remember Roque Santa Cruz celebrating his hat-trick away at Wigan.

Image source, Getty Images

Sam Lockwood: Boxing Day game for Cambridge against Braintree at Braintree. Poor weather and poor pitch. Still managed to win 3-1.

There is one empty chair and a mob of journalists at Chelsea right now.

They're waiting for Guus Hiddink, the man replacing Jose Mourinho, well, at least until the end of the season.

Fret ye not, we are poised to bring you full coverage of the press conference. It's due to start any minute now...

Image source, Getty Images

British and Irish Lion Adam Jones has re-signed for Harlequins.

Jones, one of the most recognisable front row forwards in the game, who won 95 caps for Wales, first joined Quins after retiring from international rugby and has made six appearances for the club so far.

“Since Adam arrived over the summer, his impact on the group cannot be understated," said Harlequins director of rugby Conor O’Shea.

"He is still a competitor who wants to win things and we are delighted he has committed for another year.” 

As for Jones himself, he said: “I’m chuffed to bits to have re-signed for such a prestigious club. I’m really enjoying my rugby here." 

Jurgen Klopp has made his first significant move in the transfer market as Liverpool boss. The Reds have agreed a £5.1m deal to buy Red Star Belgrade's Marko Grujic. The 19-year-old midfielder will stay with Red Star until the summer and join Liverpool for next season.

Image source, Getty Images

Just found this pic in our library, possibly the saddest Christmas snap we've seen.

Image source, Getty Images

Does this sum up the feelings of Man United fans everywhere?

Louis van Gaal is talking to the media at 15:30 GMT don't forget. We'll bring it to you.