We're still waiting to hear from Mauricio Pochettino but we'll bring you the best of what the Spurs manager has to say as soon as the carrier pigeon has arrived back at BBC Sport HQ...

Sabian Cullum: Did Barca not appeal and get their ban suspended? I'm sure both Real and Athletico Madrid will do the same.

Palazzo: Madrid transfer ban. Great news for Spurs.  

Ben Garrett: Real Madrid have a transfer ban. Won't be surprised to see them go in heavily for De Gea this month.

Image source, Getty Images

West Ham striker Andy Carroll is facing up to six weeks out of action with a hamstring injury.

The 27-year-old was substituted after just 15 minutes in the Hammers' 3-1 win at Bournemouth. Carroll had scored two goals in four games after returning to action in September 2015, following seven months out for knee surgery.

"He's a positive lad, but of course he is gutted for several reasons," said Hammers boss Slaven Bilic.

Ry: Looks like Real Madridwill have time to fix the fax machine now.

Trev: Massive news De Gea will be devastated, as will Hazard. 

Chris Arkwright: These transfer bans are a bit of a joke, giving them this month to buy any players they might want/need in the next year.

Image source, PA

The Masters tournament is now in full swing as we reach the quarter-final stage at Ally Pally. Thursday's first session (start time 13:00 GMT) sees the first quarter-final as 'The Jester from Leicester' (Mark Selby) faces 'The Rocket' (Ronnie O'Sullivan). 

You can watch all the action here.

Ranee: Arsenal will most definitely win the Premier League, I recently purchased an Arsenal lunchbox.  

Hassan: If LFC can play the way they played last night against Arsenal. They can easily trash Manchester United on Sunday.

Matt: Why can't Leicester win league? Why is it Arsenals to lose? Leicester haven't fallen away yet, last night's game was big. 

Image source, Getty Images

So what do these bans mean? Both clubs can still sign players this month, so will they change their plans and stockpile now?

And what of Real's mooted move for David de Gea? And does this mean Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale will be staying in Madrid?

Let us know what you think at #bbcsportsday

The bans will come into effect after the current window, meaning the two La Liga title challengers will not be able to sign players during this summer's window or next January.

Atletico have been fined 900,000 Swiss Francs (£622,000) and Real 360,000 Swiss Francs (£249,000).

Rob Nothman
BBC Sport

The view awaiting Mauricio Pochettino from the Spurs' top table...

Real Madrid and city rivals Atletico have been banned for signing player for two transfer windows after breaching regulations in relation to the recruitment of young players.

It's been much better from England since the lunch break and they've finally made the breakthrough.

Spinner Moeen Ali has removed Proteas opener Dean Elgar for 46, with wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow taking a sharp catch behind.

You can follow our live text and TMS coverage in Johannesburg here.

Image source, Getty Images

Four Premier League managers have been nominated for December's manager of the month award. 

The nominations are....Crystal Palace's Alan Pardew, Watford's Quique Sanchez Flores, Arsenal's Arsene Wenger and Claudio Ranieri of Leicester City.

Crystal Palace were the only side not to lose in December, Arsenal managed four wins from five and both Leicester and Watford secured three wins apiece.

Rob Nothman
BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

Boof! Alan Shearer could hardly contain his excitement on Match of the Day when speaking about Robert Huth's headed winner against Tottenham, but the defeat was a painful setback for Spurs.  

Mauricio Pochettino urged his side to stay calm, and on Saturday they have the chance to bounce back in the early kick-off against Sunderland, with an in-form Jermain Defoe returning to one of his favourite haunts.  

Once again, expect Pochettino to be quizzed on whether he needs a back-up striker to Harry Kane. He'll be along shortly...

Image source, Getty Images

Bristol back Gavin Henson has signed a one-year contract extension.

Henson, 33, joined the Championship club in 2015 from Bath and is among five players to sign new deals.

Norwich midfielder Gary O'Neil went on Twitter to apologise for his reckless challenge on Ibrahim Afellay that saw him sent off against Stoke.

The Canaries fell to a 3-1 defeat after O'Neil's first-half moment of madness.

And madness is a fair description for the tackle as O'Neil scythed down Afellay from behind the ball rolling harmlessly out for a throw in.

Britain's Heather Watson is having a busy time at the Hobart International in Australia.

The defending champion earlier beat Romania's Monica Niculescu 6-7 (3/7) 6-2 7-6 (7/3)  in a rain-interrupted second round match which lasted three hours and 13 minutes, and stretched over two days.

But there is no rest for the British number one who will be back on court again shortly to face Sweden's Johanna Larsson for a place in the semi-finals.

Image source, Getty Images

Simon Stone
BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

Felipe Anderson will not be joining Manchester United this month.

The 22-year-old Brazilian has been strongly linked with a switch to Old Trafford but it is now thought United do not intend to sign the playmaker despite their present struggles in front of goal.

If United do sign anyone this month, manager Louis van Gaal is more likely to try and fill the left-back berth created by injuries to Marcos Rojo and Luke Shaw.

A Question of Sport Teaser

Time for Thursday's teaser... Who are the seven players to have scored 50 or more Premier League goals for Arsenal?

Image source, Getty Images

And the last word from Leicester's manager, Claudio Ranieri, is on their continuing remarkable story this season: "It’s not normal what Leicester are doing. It’s unbelievable. It’s fantastic and our fans are dreaming. The fans must continue to dream, we must continue to work hard. We are so fast. Sometimes it’s difficult to stop us."

Image source, Getty Images

Jose Riga successfully helped the Addicks stave off relegation in the 2013/14 season before leaving for an ill-fated spell at Blackpool.

The Belgian returns to a club in crisis, with Charlton currently second from bottom and the supporters deeply unhappy with owner Roland Duchatelet.

The club sacked interim head coach Karel Fraeye on Wednesday, with the club having won just one of their last 10 games.