Summary

  • Jones names seven new faces in England squad

  • Build up to Wednesday's Premier League games

  • GET INVOLVED National anthem debate #bbcsportsday

  1. Good evening!published at 18:30

    Right then. That's it for another Sportsday. 

    Head over here for live text coverage of all of tonight's Premier League fixtures - and don't forget there'll also be an individual text commentary for each of the games, too. 

    Sportsday will be back at 08:00 GMT tomorrow morning - until then, be seeing you!

  2. Match of the Daypublished at 18:25

    BBC One, 22:45 GMT (23:15 in Wales & NI)

    BBC One

    Snip

    This is in no way a definitive running order for the show by the way - plus there will also be highlights of yesterday's games.

  3. The tools of the tradepublished at 18:20

    Southampton v Watford (19:45 GMT)

    Alistair Bruce-Ball
    BBC Radio 5 live commentator at St Mary's

    The reporter's tools of the trade.

    Match programme, highlighter pens, stopwatch, headphones, lip mic, fx mic, gloves.

    Match programme, highlighter pens, stopwatch, headphones, lip mic, fx mic, gloves
  4. football

    FA Cup on the BBCpublished at 18:15

    Football

    BBC One

    Looking forward to the fourth round of the FA Cup already? 

    Here's what you can watch on the BBC. 

    Derby v Manchester United on Friday, 29 January, on BBC One. 

    Northampton or MK Dons v Chelsea on Sunday, 31 January, also on BBC One.

    And don't forget that before then, there'll also be live coverage of the replay between Leicester and Tottenham - that's on next Wednesday.

  5. 'Niceties? No chance'published at 18:12

    Liverpool v Arsenal (20:00 GMT)

    Guy Mowbray
    BBC Match of the Day commentator

    Jurgen likes Arsene ("one of the best in the world") , external and Arsene likes Jurgen ("a great manager"). , external

    They're from cities just 66 miles apart across the French-German border, and have formed a mutual admiration over six Champions League games between Arsenal and Dortmund.

    "For now though, the niceties end - with Liverpool v Arsenal games always having an edge.

    Klopp's Reds are battling gamely with brutal January fixture and injury lists, and much of their hopes here rest on what central defensive pairing he can field.

    The Gunners meanwhile have coped with their own injury worries superbly, winning seven of their last eight games in all competitions.

    No Francis Coquelin, no Santi Cazorla, no Alexis Sanchez - no problem...a trip to Southampton aside.

    Klopp and WengerImage source, Getty Images
  6. football

    Another 1-0 to the Albion?published at 18:07

    Chelsea v West Brom (19:45 GMT)

    Rob Gurney
    BBC WM Sport

    West Brom boss Tony Pulis might be in the best position to bring Albion their first win at Chelsea since the late 70s, but he’s not about to let the champions’ lowly league placing affect his mindset.  

    “To say the football is better now than when Jose Mourinho was there is scandalous,” said Pulis, who added he had seen Chelsea "batter teams” when the Portuguese was still in charge.

    He says he needs “at least 10" of his players to be operating at their maximum to get that elusive victory.    

    All three of the Baggies’ away wins so far have been by 1-0, and it might be worth having a small wager on a fourth by the same scoreline...

    Tony PulisImage source, Reuters
  7. Romance in the air...published at 18:03

    Chelsea v West Brom (19:45 GMT)

    And from everyone on Sportsday too, naturally.

  8. Kane & Alli back for Spurs, Vardy to returnpublished at 17:58

    Tottenham v Leicester (19:45 GMT)

    KaneImage source, Getty Images

    Tottenham are expected to restore Dele Alli, Harry Kane, Hugo Lloris, Erik Lamela and Jan Vertonghen to their starting line-up.

    Forward Clinton Njie remains on the sidelines with a knee injury.

    Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri expects leading goalscorer Jamie Vardy to return following minor groin surgery last week.

    N'Golo Kante is fit despite being substituted on Sunday, while Demarai Gray could make his league debut.

    VardyImage source, PA
  9. football

    'We can't underestimate Southampton'published at 17:52

    Southampton v Watford (19:45 GMT)

    Geoff Doyle
    BBC Three Counties Radio sport

    Odion Ighalo, Etienne Capoue, Miguel Britos and Almen Abdi were all rested for the FA Cup win over Newcastle on Saturday but will return for the trip to Southampton.

    The Saints have been inconsistent this season but Watford boss Quique Flores knows how good they can be. "It's very important not to underestimate these types of teams because Southampton two weeks ago won really easily against Arsenal. 

    "They are a good team with good players and our challenge is to be competitive because if not it will be difficult to win."

  10. football

    Bent admits charge of affraypublished at 17:46

    Football

    Former Charlton and Ipswich striker Marcus Bent has admitted a charge of affray after an incident at his home in Surrey last September.

    The 37-year-old striker from Esher has already pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine at Guildford Crown Court.

    He faced charges after an incident in which he was reportedly Tasered by police responding to reports of a break-in at his home in Claremont Lane.

    Judge Stephen Climie told him a custodial sentence would be justified.

    Marcus BentImage source, Getty Images
  11. football

    Charlton part company with interim bosspublished at 17:35
    Breaking

    Football

    Charlton Athletic sack their interim head coach Karel Fraeye.

    First-team coach Wim de Corte, assisted by Jason Euell, will take charge of the for the Hull City match on Saturday. 

    Karel FraeyeImage source, Getty Images

    The 38-year-old had been in charge at The Valley since 25 October, but only won two of his 14 games.

    The Addicks are 23rd in the Championship table and lost 5-0 to Huddersfield on Tuesday.

  12. football

    A 10-pointer?published at 17:31

    Swansea v Sunderland (19:45 GMT)

    Mark Poyser
    BBC Wales football reporter

    Former Swansea and Wales winger Leighton James has billed Wednesday's game as “a 10-pointer”. I’m not sure about that arithmetic but you can see the point he’s making, and he’s not wrong.

    Since beating Manchester United at the end of August the Swans have lost 11 of their 17 games but a win would not only take them clear of the relegation but provide them with a huge psychological boost for the rest of the season.

    The same of course can be said for Sunderland, who will hope to move themselves within striking distance of the Welsh side.

    SwanseaImage source, Reuters
  13. Swansea stars to return, Kirchhoff set for debut?published at 17:26

    Swansea v Sunderland (19:45 GMT)

    Ashley WilliamsImage source, Reuters

    Swansea interim manager Alan Curtis is likely to revert to a more familiar starting XI after rotating his squad for the FA Cup last weekend.

    That should mean recalls for the likes of Ashley Williams, Lukasz Fabianski, Gylfi Sigurdsson and Andre Ayew.

    Sunderland captain John O'Shea faces a fitness test after being taken off at the weekend with a sore calf.

    The Black Cats could give a debut to defender Jan Kirchhoff, who signed from Bayern Munich last week.

    SunderlandImage source, EPA
  14. football

    'It's becoming farcical now'published at 17:21

    Football

    Bolton boss Neil LennonImage source, PA

    Bolton boss Neil Lennon is not a happy man. 

    His club are bottom of the Championship and are trying to sell players in an attempt to avoid going into administration - not entirely successfully.

    After losing 3-2 to Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday, Lennon suggested that Mark Davies' proposed move to the Yorkshire club is in doubt.

    He said: "I don't mind if the deal's done, but nobody's told me anything. And it's the same with Zach Clough. It's becoming farcical now because there's no information."

    Wanderers have accepted a £2m bid for 20-year-old forward Clough from Bristol City but Lennon added: "He has been to Bristol, up and down for talks and nothing's happened from that, so it's become a bit of a pain in the neck to tell the truth."

  15. football

    A crucial double-headerpublished at 17:16

    Stoke City v Norwich City (19:45 GMT)

    Chris Goreham
    BBC Radio Norfolk sport

    It's the start of another pivotal few days in Norwich City's season. Good results at Stoke on Wednesday and, perhaps more pertinently Bournemouth on Saturday would put more daylight between the Canaries and the Premier League relegation zone. 

    Two poor results and the battle for survival will be back on - with games against Liverpool and Tottenham on the horizon.

    Alex NeilImage source, Reuters
  16. football

    Stoke stars back, Jarvis returns for Norwichpublished at 17:12

    Stoke v Norwich (19:45 GMT)

    StokeImage source, PA
    Image caption,

    Shaqiri, Arnautovic... not to mention Bojan... Stoke have some forward line these days

    Stoke defender Geoff Cameron and midfielder Stephen Ireland are doubtful after missing the FA Cup match against Doncaster because of injury.

    Manager Mark Hughes is expected to recall his established players, having made nine changes for Saturday's game.

    Matt Jarvis is in line for his first Norwich appearance since October after recovering from a knee injury.

    New signing Ivo Pinto will not be considered for action while he is being integrated into the squad.

    Matt JarvisImage source, PA
  17. rugby union

    'WRU will allow Gatland to coach Lions again'published at 17:07

    Rugby union

    Nick Webb
    BBC Radio Wales

    Chief executive Martyn Phillips says the Welsh Rugby Union would not stand in Wales coach Warren Gatland's way if the British and Irish Lions job is offered to him for the 2017 tour to New Zealand.

    The Lions were victorious under Gatland in Australia in 2013. A Kiwi himself, Gatland is the leading contender to lead the team again.

    "If they want to select Warren, we'd feel good about that," Phillips said.

    Warren GatlandImage source, Getty Images
  18. football

    Sheridan back as Oldham bosspublished at 17:04

    Football

    Sheridan previously managed Oldham between 2006-2009 - and spent six years at the club as a midfielder. 

    The 51-year-old leaves his post at Newport County to take charge at the League One club, who sacked David Dunn as manager on Tuesday after a run of seven league games without a win.

    SheridImage source, Getty Images
  19. football

    Sheridan back as Oldham bosspublished at 17:01
    Breaking

    Football

    Oldham Athletic announce the appointment of John Sheridan as their new manager.