Southampton boss Ronald Koeman has been asked about the future of midfielder Sadio Mane.

The Senegalese winger was dropped for the game against Norwich after turning up late for a meeting and has since been linked with a move to Manchester United.

"It's too easy to say after mistakes that players are showing they would like to move," said Koeman before their FA Cup tie with Crystal Palace. 

"The players know their positions within the club, and what we think about them. There's no reason to doubt them. 

"If there is any player thinking if his behaviour isn't good, it makes it easier for the player, then I'll put the player in the stands until the end of their contract. That's not how you do your job as a footballer."

Image source, Rex

Manchester United striker Ashley Fletcher has joined League One side Barnsley on a month's loan.

The 20-year-old, who has yet to play a first-team game for United, could make his debut in Saturday's Johnstone's Paint Trophy area final first leg against Fleetwood. 

Southampton boss Ronald Koeman has been speaking to the press before Saturday's FA Cup third-round tie with Crystal Palace.

The Dutchman says he doesn't intend to rotate his squad, and also spoke about the fitness of goalkeeper Fraser Forster, who's been out with a long-term knee problem.

Former England midfielder Jermaine Jenas formally announced his retirement from professional football today (although, to be fair, he's not strapped his boots on in anger for a while). 

His first club, Nottingham Forest, have wished him all the best, complete with a photo of Jenas and the great Brian Clough. Worth a share.

Championship promotion contenders Brighton & Hove Albion are set to hold talks with Standard Liege winger Anthony Knockaert.

Standard say they have reached an agreement with the Seagulls for the 24-year-old former Leicester player.

Knockaert spent three years with the Foxes before moving to Belgium last summer.

Image source, Getty Images

After the club's heaviest defeat for almost 52 years, Tyrone Barnett has become the second player to leave Shrewsbury following Saturday's 7-1 loss to Chesterfield.

The 30-year-old striker has joined League One rivals Southend United on loan for the rest of the season.

Here he is doing the obligatory 'Holding the Shirt' picture with Shrimpers boss Phil Brown.

Image source, BBC Essex

Think Rugby League is only enjoyed in the north of England? Think again.

Super League general manager Blake Solly is aiming to bring more games to London and the south east.

The Challenge Cup final traditionally takes place at Wembley and last year Wigan played against Catalans at Millwall's ground.

"We've realised that we've got some great showpieces to take to London," Solly told BBC Radio Merseyside.

"We know there's a market in London and the south east for big rugby league events but we've got to serve them up."

Image source, get

Kidderminster Harriers have parted company with head coach Dave Hockaday after just three months in charge. 

Harriers chief executive Colin Gordon, who picked the team prior to Hockaday's arrival in October, is expected to take on more responsibility. 

Harriers lie bottom of the National League, 12 points adrift of safety, having won just twice all season. 

"We've talked at length and both agree that this is the right move forward," said Harriers chairman Rod Brown.

Image source, Empics

BBC Radio Solent's Chris Wise is in position at a rather empty-looking Southampton news conference.

Has he got the right day?

And finally, some team-related news from Alan Pardew...

"Dwight Gayle and Connor Wickham should be available for Aston Villa [Tuesday 12 January]. Bakary Sako will be fit for Saturday. So that's great news for us.

"Sako's important because he can get a goal out of nothing. He's a weapon I haven't had for 5 or 6 games. He's got a shot in both feet that has more venom than 95% of the Premier League."

Image source, Getty Images

Everton are up and running in the window...

Alan Pardew was also asked about potential Palace transfers this January, and had this to say...

"I've seen all the names that ave been linked with us and not one of them is true. Perhaps someone is giving out false information. We are looking at one or two, but not them.

"We all know the prize of staying in the Premier League this summer, so all the clubs will make a move who need to. There's less pressure on us.  

"[Chairman] Steve Parish and myself are in contact every day talking about the issues we have. This market will be very very difficult. Not just for me, but for all Premier League teams.

"I just want them to be good enough to play for CPFC. What's the point in bringing in strikers that aren't better than the ones I've got?"

Image source, Getty Images

Lord Coe has been reacting to the life bans handed out to three IAAF members, including Lamine Diack's son. 

“I’d like to thank the independent IAAF Ethics Board for their diligent and detailed investigation. 

"The life bans announced today could not send a stronger message that those who attempt to corrupt or subvert the sport of athletics will be brought to justice. 

"We continue to work with the French authorities’ investigation and the WADA’s Independent Commission.”

Image source, Getty Images

Crystal Palace travel to Southampton this weekend for the FA Cup third round. Tough tie. However, if the Palace players need inspiration they need only turn to their manager Alan Pardew, who helped the club reach the 1990 final with a semi-final winner against Liverpool.

Pardew has been speaking today at his news conference...

"It's a massive competition for myself, growing up with the FA Cup," he said. "It's the trophy of the utmost importance to me. It's massive for me, massive for our fans and our players.

"We're going to try for a cup run. We'd have liked an easier draw, but there's not much we can do about that. We'll have 5,000 fans down there, so we have to do them proud."

Image source, PA

Geoff Doyle
BBC Three Counties Radio sport

Image source, Getty Images

Watford boss Quique Sanchez Flores will make a number of changes to his starting eleven for the FA Cup tie against fellow Premier League team Newcastle this weekend. 

Flores has kept a very settled side all season and with his objective to stay in the top flight and with a midweek league fixture to come after the cup tie he will now rest some players.

"We need to manage the situation", he said.  "Three days after we have another challenge. 

"I don't think we are going to change 7 or 8 players because I want to recognise the team so maybe 4 or 5 players may come in. We don't want to change the personality of the team."

Geoff Doyle
BBC Three Counties Radio sport

Watford boss Quique Sanchez Flores has seen it all before and so laughed off what seemed like very fanciful newspaper reports linking his striker and captain Troy Deeney to Arsenal in a January transfer move. 

"I think it's completely impossible," he said. "His next step should be the national team. Why not? He is a reference of England with his style of English football. He is a passionate player." 

So Deeney not leaving in January and neither for that matter any of Flores's other top rated players including top scorer Odion Ighalo and dynamic midfielder Etienne Capoue

"I think the confidence of these players with Watford is very clear so I am completely sure these players keep here with Watford and after that I'm not sure."

Image source, Getty Images

United States Paralympic T44 athlete and double World Champion, Richard Browne Jr. has sustained broken ribs and a heavy concussion following a road traffic accident whilst in Florida.

Richard's manager, Ian Byers, said: "Richard is badly shaken up and in a lot of pain at the moment, but he was very lucky. Doctors have advised that he should rest for 3 weeks, which will impact on his winter training and may mean that we have to review his early season race plans. 

"However, Richard has overcome far greater adversity in his life and I am confident that he will be in top shape and ready to challenge for a place on the US Olympic team over 200m and to contend for two individual gold medals at the Rio Paralympic Games.”

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty

ParalympicsGB men's team captain Paul Blake believes sponsors are more interested in supporting "athletes with a disability you can see".

The 25-year-old, who won silver and bronze medals at London 2012, has cerebral palsy and is struggling to find backers to supplement his funding for the Rio Paralympics.

"I can only do so much in keeping on handing out begging letters, I've got to focus on training as well," he said at the launch of Supercharge ParalympicsGB, a campaign to encourage the public to generate funds for the team.