Southampton will assess injury doubt Graziano Pelle on Friday before naming their squad for the visit to Old Trafford, boss Ronald Koeman confirms.

Southampton boss Ronald Koeman reiterates that striker Shane Long will not be sold during the January transfer window. "It's the same answer. We brought one player in and nobody will go out. Maybe I have to repeat it 80 times more but if you'd like it I will do it."

Image source, PA

Southampton boss Ronald Koeman is in the building and is talking about the arrival of striker Charlie Austin The Dutchman is hopeful the signing will create competition for places and benefit the team.

"Football players are not stupid," Koeman said. "If you bring in a new player that makes competition for everybody and I like that competition.

"I was worried because Charlie had a hamstring injury before we signed him but he did all the training sessions this week. Comparing to the rest of the team he is really fit so he can be part of the squad this weekend."

If you were building a bionic manager, which attributes would you take from which boss?

Gumbo74: David Pleat's legs (circa 1983) Unbelievable spring & pace. Would have given Usain Bolt a hiding out the blocks.

Tim Stubbs: Kenny Dalglish's skill as a player & then a manager. Rare to go from one to the other. And his charity work. More than bionic.

Fqiren: Arsene Wenger's coat zipper.

Fahad Khan: Paolo Di Canio's goal celebration

BBC Leicester Sport

Claudio Ranieri also confirmed that Riyad Mahrez has trained and that "it is not possible" to rest the Algerian, despite having done just that for the FA Cup third-round replay defeat by Tottenham. 

The Leicester manager also cautioned against inflated expectations, insisting that "Tottenham, Stoke, Crystal Palace. Liverpool. All these are fighting for Europe" along with the Foxes.

If you were building a bionic manager, which attributes would you take from which boss?

Paul White: A cross between Bill Shankly,Brian Clough and Fergie

James Cox: Klopp's passion

Kieren Hawken: Pochettino's everything  

BBC Leicester Sport

Image source, Getty Images

Claudio Ranieri has arrived and begins by confirming that he wants another attacking player to replace striker Andrej Kramaric, who has joined Hoffenheim on loan until the end of the season. 

"He a very good player," Ranieri said of the Croat. "This season is difficult for him to play with me. 

"We have some targets. I'm confident," he said. "We are with our eyes open. If there is a good opportunity for us we are ready."  

BBC Leicester Sport

Claudio Ranieri has arrived. We'll bring you the best of his comments shortly...

Dan Roan
BBC Sports editor

International Paralympic Committee suspends Polish T54 wheelchair racer Tomasz Hamerlak for four years for an Anti-Doping Rule violation.

BBC tennis presenter Sue Barker voiced her sadness at Gerry Williams' death.

"I always admired his style and humour and was thrilled when he asked me to be his co-commentator many times. He was always so helpful and encouraging and I knew I was learning from the very best.

"We remained close friends on and off air - dinners with Gerry were always full of laughter and his love of tennis was infectious. He was a wonderful commentator and broadcaster but above all a great friend."

Russell Fuller
BBC tennis correspondent

I'm sad to report the death, at the age of 86, of Gerald Williams. Who was one of the great BBC tennis voices and personalities.

Gerry and Des Lynam were a fabulous Wimbledon double act: I have a vivid memory of Gerry once donning a ginger wig in tribute to Boris Becker.

Image source, Getty Images

England captain Alastair Cook refused to be drawn into debate regarding the comments from De Villiers about Anderson's pace.

Anderson, 33, had the lowest average speeds of all the specialist seamers in the third Test - measured at 83.35mph across two innings - and took only two wickets. 

But Cook said: "I think he (De Villiers) is obviously trying to wind everything up to make it competitive. 

"I'm sure if Jimmy reads that he'll have a word to say. Some of his speeds have been pretty good in this series and he hasn't quite had the luck, certainly in the last game." 

South Africa captain AB de Villiers hinted that England's record Test wicket-taker James Anderson has lost pace ahead of Friday's final match of the series in Centurion.

De Villiers, whose team trail 2-0, said: "Their bowling is experienced but some of the guys have lost some pace over the years, but they are smart and skilled so there are other angles to cover. 

"The batting is not 100% best-in-the-world material, there are areas we can expose if we start well with the ball, build up dots. We can find cracks. They are not unbeatable, there's no doubt." 

Some more from Barcelona defender Javier Mascherano, after his court appearance...

"After my arrival at Barcelona, I signed up with a prestigious company with an excellent reputation. They made recommendations to me which, I was informed, were procedurally normal, transparent, and accepted by law. 

"I was advised by them from 2010 until 2014, when I decided to change companies, because of the legal process that was opened against me.

"My new advisors recommended to pay the taxes [that were ruled to be outstanding]. Now, finally, and after a bitter wait, we have reached this agreement, which makes me calm about having my financial situation in order once again."

Owain Llyr
BBC Wales

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool have rejected an enquiry from Swansea City about re-signing their former midfielder Joe Allen on loan.

The Welsh international, 25, has 18 months left on the contract he signed when he left the Swans to join Liverpool in a £15m deal in August 2012.

Image source, Getty Images

A little more on that news we brought you about Javier Mascherano...

The Barcelona and Argentina defender has appeared in court in a bid to avoid going to prison over a 1.5m euros (£1.1m) fraud, having previously admitted two counts of tax evasion after failing to declare earnings in 2011 and 2012.

A judge will rule if Mascherano can escape a one-year jail term in exchange for paying an increased fine.

In a statement, the 31-year-old said: "I don’t have a great understanding of taxes and law. To deal with what are for me technical and complicated matters, I have to rely on other people.

"Throughout all my career I have been an honest person, responsible and respectful of the clubs that I have played for and the countries I have lived in."

Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce is up shortly on the news conference conveyor belt.

His team, including new signing Dame N'Doye, have been out training on a chilly Wearside on Thursday...

Image source, AP

Australia's Quade Cooper is the latest big name to put himself up for Rio 2016 sevens consideration.

The 27-year-old fly-half has negotiated a release from club duties with Toulon to appear at the Sydney, Paris and London legs of the Sevens World Series in a bid to secure selection for Rio 2016.

You can read more about Sonny Bill Williams' sevens bid and Great Britain's plans in this feature.

Frank Keogh
BBC Sport

Jockey Ruby Walsh seals his 2,500th career win as Au Quart De Tour completes double at Gowran Park in Kilkenny.

Walsh, 37 in May, is riding as well as ever... 

That is all from Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew ahead of his team's meeting with Tottenham on Saturday.