Southampton have recalled defender Jack Stephens from his loan spell with Middlesbrough. 

Stephens has featured in just five games so far this season, to the frustrations of Saints boss Ronald Koeman. 

"He wasn't playing there and then why is he on loan if he doesn't play? It's better for him to come back."

Before joining Boro, Stephens was given a two-year contract extension to keep him at St Mary's until 2019.

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Former Newcastle keeper Pavel Srnicek died at the age of 47 on 29 December, nine days after suffering cardiac arrest in his native Czech Republic.

Srnicek, who also played for Sheffield Wednesday, Portsmouth and West Ham, was a big favourite with fans during his first spell at St James' Park between 1991 and 1998.

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Leeds Rhinos have agreed to sign Huddersfield Giants prop Brett Ferres for an undisclosed fee, subject to a medical and agreeing personal terms.

The 29-year-old was placed on the transfer list by the Giants last month after an internal investigation.

He helped England to a Test series win over New Zealand in November.

Hashim Amla is still going strong, now on 112 not out, with AB de Villiers not too far from getting a century of his own, on 81.

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We're asking for your predictions for who will take the sporting world by storm in 2016.

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That is, of course, Katarina Johnson-Thompson, who will have high hopes in the heptathlon at the Olympics in Rio this summer.

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Defending champion Scott Mitchell beat qualifier Craig Caldwell in a deciding set in the first round of the BDO World Championships at Lakeside.

Mitchell, 45, from the New Forest, came from 1-0 and 2-1 behind to triumph 3-2 and reach the last 16.

Fellow Englishman Scott Waites, the 2013 champion, is also through after a 3-0 win over Willem Mandigers of the Netherlands.

Two-time BDO champion Ted Hankey was one of four preliminary-round winners.

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It's fair to say Roger Johnson has been around a bit and the experienced defender is on the move again - joining Charlton.

The 32-year-old has signed an 18-month deal at the club where he was on loan last season.

Johnson, who lists Birmingham, West Ham, Wolves and Sheffield Wednesday among his former clubs, had been playing with FC Pune City in the Indian Super League -where he worked under former England international David Platt - in the first half of the season.

A court-appointed committee has urged a shake-up to the administration of the Board of Control for Cricket in India in the wake of a spot-fixing scam and alleged conflicts of interest.

The three-member panel headed by Justice Rajendra Lodha suggested age and term limits for office-bearers, the formation of a players' association and a streamlining of the election process.

The report, which was submitted to the Supreme Court on Monday for ratification, also recommended that ministers and government officials not hold office.

We want your predictions for biggest sporting stars of 2016?

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South Africa are on 213-2, chasing England's mammoth 629.

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Reading manager Brian McDermott says his assistant Terry Burton chose to leave the club after just 14 days to focus on a "new project". 

Former AFC Wimbledon boss Burton left his post at the Royals over Christmas after three games. 

McDermott moved quickly to replace Burton with first-team coach and former Reading academy graduate Chris Davies. 

"I don't really need an old head around me, I've got my own old head," McDermott told BBC Radio Berkshire.

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Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton was sat courtside at the American Airlines Arena as Luol Deng’s Miami Heat defeated the Dallas Mavericks 106-82.

The British driver watched his NBA compatriot pick up nine points during the game to help his side to a convincing victory.

Hamilton also caught up with Deng off-court and was presented with a personalised jersey.

“I’ve been a Heat fan for a while now, and it was really cool to be able to see Luol play for them," Hamilton said. "He is a great role model for young basketball players in the UK and I’m thrilled to see him having such a successful NBA career.”

Image source, NBA

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The Mirror:, external French club Marseille have told 22-year-old Belgium forward Michy Batshuayi he is going nowhere in January, despite interest from Tottenham and Newcastle.

We want your predictions for biggest sporting stars of 2016.

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New year, same old Andy Murray, as the BBC Sports Personality of the Year beats Kenny De Schepper at the Hopman Cup.

And some interesting quotes afterwards too...

...Murray saying he would miss the final of the Australian Open if his wife Kim gave birth around that time.

Image source, Network Ten

And while we're talking cricket... Not many people find fame because of a watermelon. But a 10-year-old lad in Australia has.

Mitchell Schibeci has earned cult status among cricket fans after he was filmed eating a whole watermelon - including the rind - in Melbourne.

Dubbed "watermelon boy", said he devised the stunt to get his face on the game's big screen - and it worked, with the hashtag #watermelonboy trended on social media in Australia.

"It was a lot more hard work than I thought it would be... I just kept on eating and eating it," he sad.

Words fail us.

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Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy is set to be out for one to two weeks in order to have minor groin surgery, according to BBC Radio Leicester.

The England forward has been in superb form this season and his 15 Premier League goals have helped the Foxes to second in the table.

The 28-year-old has made 24 appearances for the club this campaign.

Vardy was also a member of coach Roy Hodgson's England squad that qualified for Euro 2016.

Looks like being a long day for England...

Live text commentary here for those who want it.