Former Zimbabwe Test cricketer Mark Vermeulen, who was once banned for making racist comments, has signed to play club cricket for Newquay.

The 36-year-old was also once banned after an altercation with a spectator during a Lancashire League game, but acquitted of an arson charge on the grounds of mental illness after setting fire to Zimbabwe's cricket academy.

"We should embrace his cricketing abilities, embrace the positives and not the negatives," said Newquay's chairman of selectors Godfrey Furse.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has also been discussing transfer targets in what could be a busy window for the Reds.

Goalkeeper Danny Ward is back from his loan at Aberdeen, while Klopp would not be drawn on whether Brazilian forward Alexandre Pato might arriveat Anfield any time soon.

"It was an easy decision to recall Danny Ward," said Klopp.

"We watched his improvement at Aberdeen. It's a moment when we have to make decisions."

Asked about the possibility of signing Pato, the Reds boss said: "We will not talk about any transfer until it is done, that is my private advice to you."

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Jurgen Klopp has turned his attention to Arsenal and Arsene Wenger in light of his team's last game against Premier League opposition - the 1-0 victory over Stoke in the League Cup semi-final.

"Stoke was a good sign of what my team is capable of. We have to show it," he said.

"We shouldn't talk too much about my experiences of playing against Arsenal. We will find a current plan for this game.

"My respect for Arsene Wenger grows day by day. It's really intensive to work in the Premier League and he's done a brilliant job."

Big Sam (there we go again) says he spoke to Steve Bruce about Dame N'Doye, the striker the Black Cats are about to sign and who played under Bruce at Hull last season.

"My old mate Brucey said he brought something they didn’t have last season," said Allardyce.

"He knows and has experienced the Premier league. Hopefully he can score goals for us.

"Let’s hope he can achieve the improvement we are looking for in terms of converting more chances and scoring goals,"

It is thought N'Doye - currently at Turkish club Trabzonspor (where he has yet to score) - will join on loan with a view to a permanent deal.

Well, that is going to become 39 forwards later today, with Lionel Messi, Neymar and Cristiano Ronaldo nominated for the 2016 Ballon d'Or award.

So who was the lone goalkeeper to have won?

Full marks to anyone who said Lev Yeshin of Dynamo Moscow, who was a winner in 1963.

We will have a separate live text on the Ballon d'Or from 17:00 GMT.

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Big Sam (as everybody in the universe obviously has to refer to him) confirms Sunderland are on the verge of signing striker Dame N’Doye from Turkish side Trabzonspor.

If N'Doye sounds familiar, it's because he's already had a taste of the Premier League, with Hull last season, where he scored an impressive five goals in 12 starts."

Hopefully we’ll have clinched the deal by the end of today," says Allardyce.

'What will he bring?' ask the press.

"I think he will bring goals," says Allardyce.

You can't say fairer than that for an answer.

Fit centre-backs may be a problem for Liverpool, but it is not the same for West Ham.

Boss Slaven Bilic says: "It is a nice problem that we have four centre backs who are quality players. It gives us options and that is important.

"You can never have a bad couple of weeks at any time in the season - every game is crucial.

"We are well aware of what we are expecting from Bournemouth and how we will have to play to get a result there." 

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Liverpool's reserves of centre backs have been obliterated by injuries in recent weeks but manager Jurgen Klopp is hopeful the situation is improving - even if Lucas Leiva may have to fill in.

"The situation is better now - Kolo Toure will be available," says Klopp. "Mama Sakho wants to be available and hopefully we can use him.

"Martin Skrtel is still a few weeks away and Dejan Lovren is close but we have to wait.

"So we have to look at Kolo and Mama. Then it's Lucas Leiva - our three centre-backs."

Last question to Steve McClaren and we've finally got round to talking about the game.

Newcastle face Manchester United in what will be an intriguing battle at St James' Park.

McClaren's thoughts on the game? "Man United are a dangerous team with very good players who can hurt you on their day," he says. "We've got to make sure they don't." 

And with that he's off. Cheers Steve, have a nice day.

West Ham boss Slaven Bilic starts off his news conference with some team news.

He says: "We have a couple of doubts for tomorrow's game but we will know after training today. Enner Valencia could be back and all the guys who played on Saturday are fit.

"Victor Moses is training today with us. He has been out since Manchester United, and we'll see how he's progressing." 

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Not only do Liverpool host league leaders Arsenal on Wednesday, they also welcome bitter rivals Manchester United to Anfield on Sunday.

So what does Jurgen Klopp, no fan of the congested fixture list, think about two tough games in quick succession?

"It's always a big challenge to play against clubs like Arsenal or Manchester United," he said.

"It's a good challenge, not easy, but really interesting. We have to make good decisions in the right moment. We are looking forward to these games."  

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So, Newcastle are definitely about to sign Bordeaux winger Henri Saivet. But what about Jonjo Shelvey?

The Magpies, according to plenty of media outlets today, are aiming to tie up a £10m deal for the Swansea midfielder.

"That I can’t discuss," says McClaren. "About 100 names have already been linked with us and it’s that kind of season we are in.

"I don’t know how far any others are away but we can’t comment until they are through the door."

Judging by McClaren's body language and answer, I'd expect Shelvey to make a move to St James' Park pretty soon.

And also Slaven Bilic at West Ham and Sam Allardyce at Sunderland. We will have all the best quotes shortly.

Next up on a frantic day of Premier League news conferences is Liverpool's Jurgen Klopp.

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Newcastle have lost their last four matches, all by a 1-0 scoreline.

"Everybody who's watched us recently, we've controlled games and normally you win those. It's unfortunate but we have to solve it," says McClaren, looking a little fed-up.

"We've been in every game and had a chance of winning them all. But we've not taken our opportunities. It's a fine line." 

As mentioned, Leicester drew 2-2 against Tottenham on Sunday, but Foxes boss Claudio Ranieri is expecting a different type of match on Wednesday.

He says: “I was very pleased with our performance because it’s not easy to change eight players, but we had the same intensity.

“I think this will be a completely different game because I will change some of the players. All players change something.

"Tottenham are very strong in all areas because they've built a good team. Now they're ready to fight for the top four.

“This is a crazy Premier League season and we will fight to achieve the maximum, but we will take it step-by-step.”   

So then, Steve McClaren is perched in front of the media and nattering away.

After confirming Henri Saviet is undergoing a medical and discussing terms - "We are just waiting for the outcome," says McClaren - the Magpies boss gives us an injury update ... starting with club captain Fabricio Coloccini.

"Colo didn't train today but Jack Colback did," says McClaren. "Colo will have a fitness test. Thauvin and Mbabu have knocks."

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Busy, busy, busy.

Now back to Bournemouth, where manager Eddie Howe turns his attention to Tuesday's game against West Ham.

These two sides played out a seven-goal thriller when they met in August, with the Cherries winning 4-3."We have a lot of respect for West Ham. They will provide a real threat, but hopefully we can continue our form," said Howe.

"We've improved a lot since we last played them. But there's no point me sitting here and saying that, we must prove it."  

Newcastle head coach Steve McClaren has confirmed Bordeaux winger Henri Saivet is having a medical at the club.

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Leicester striker Jamie Vardy could be back in contention for the Foxes as they meet Tottenham for the second time in four days on Wednesday.

The two sides drew 2-2 in the FA Cup third round on Sunday and play again at White Hart Lane, this time in the Premier League.

Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri said: "Jamie had a problem for a month-and-a-half but continued to play. Now he’s much better and I’ll see if he’s ready on Wednesday.

"The little problem he had, with a little surgery and a little operation, was done. He can run normally without any problem."