Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew says that despite increases in television income and the Premier League's relative financial muscle, clubs still need to be careful to avoid over-spending as transfer fees rise as well.

"We have to be realistic. Some of the figures being banded about for good players, not great players, are massive," he said.

"We mustn't get out-priced. It's difficult for us. West Ham, Everton to pitch in and not expose ourselves. It's important we keep our heads and only do deals that benefit both clubs."

El Mundo also report, external that, while Javier Mascherano admitted defrauding the treasury of 1.5m euros in 2011 and 2012, the Barcelona star has asked the judge if he can pay a further fine rather than serve the one-year prison term.

Spanish newspaper El Mundo, external are suggesting that Barcelona defender Javier Mascherano has been sentenced to a year in prison and an 815,000 euro (£629,000) fine for tax evasion after appearing in court on Thursday.

If Harry Kane was a Crystal Palace player, the Eagles would qualify for the Champions League according to Palace boss Alan Pardew.

"Spurs have the best goalscorer in the Premier League, in my opinion, in Harry Kane," he added.

Kane has 12 Premier League goals to his name this season.

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Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew has said that he will stand by goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey after high-profile mistakes in successive games against Aston Villa and Manchester City.

"Hennessey will play Saturday, but he's battered and bruised. We've not let him hide, you can't bury your head in the sand," said Pardew.

"You have to have the mentality to get back to your best and I have no doubt he will do.  

"Wayne's a laid back character. Not the type to be laying awake at night worrying, but I've made him worry!"

Image source, @werderbremen_en

Chelsea's Senegal international defender Papy Djilobodji, who signed from Nantes last September, has joined Werder Bremen on loan for the rest of the season.

Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew is not shy about his ambitions to bring former Tottenham striker Emmanuel Adebayor to Selhurst Park to bolster his striking options.

"We're after somebody who would fit into our group. It'd be nice to see a big player come in," he said when asked about the 31-year-old.

Adebayor, who left Tottenham in September but is still being paid a reported £100,000 a week, shared photos of himself shopping in London luxury department store Harrods on Tuesday.

Image source, Getty Images

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

Rachel Armitage: Building a bionic manager? I'd definitely include Mick McCarthy's dry wit.

Sara Orchard
BBC Sport

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Pretty quiet at the Palace presser, just a handful of journalists and cameras. The team trained on the Selhurst Park pitch due to the undersoil heating. Manager Alan Pardew due to start at 13:00 GMT.

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Among those celebrating on Thursday are former Chelsea and France defender Frank Leboeuf (48), ex-England, Nottingham Forest, Liverpool and Aston Villa striker Stan Collymore (45), Middlesbrough defender Jonathan Woodgate (36), Newcastle centre-back Fabricio Coloccini (34) and Southampton’s Irish striker Shane Long (29).

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The Guardian are reporting, external that Gareth Bale’s agent has called for an investigation after a confidential document relating to his client’s world record £85m move, external to Real Madrid from Tottenham was leaked.

Rotherham United have re-signed striker Luciano Becchio on a deal until the end of the season.

The 32-year-old Argentine had a spell with the Millers last season, scoring twice in five games before an injury curtailed his loan from Norwich.

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American amateur Bryson Dechambeau is the unexpected leader after day one of the Abu Dhabi Championship.

The 22-year-old dropped a shot at the third but had seven birdies and an eagle in his remaining 15 holes for an eight under 64, one ahead of Sweden's Henrik Stenson.

Rory McIlroy shares third at six under, with world number one Jordan Spieth combining six birdies and two bogeys in a four under 68.

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

Lizzy P: Quique Sanchez Flores’ hair.

Former Sri Lanka bowler Chaminda Vaas will help Ireland's preparations for the forthcoming ICC World Twenty20, which begin in India on 8 March. 

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Newcastle are set to end their interest in Tottenham and England winger Andros Townsend after being put off by Spurs' £14m valuation for the 24-year-old according to the Guardian., external

Newcastle, who had a £10m bid for Townsend turned down last week, will reportedly now turn their attentions to Barcelona's Sandro Ramirez, QPR's Matt Phillips or Aston Villa's Scott Sinclair to fill their winger vacancy.

Blackpool have signed Watford striker Uche Ikpeazu on loan until the end of the season.

He has already spent time on loan in League One this term at Port Vale, for whom he scored six goals in 28 games.

The 20-year-old began his career on the books at Reading before moving to Watford in July 2013.

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

Matt Adams: How about Eddie Howe's eye for emerging talent?

AJPS: The passion of Kevin Keegan with the indifference of Avram Grant...

Marsh: Pardew's headbutt, Phil Brown's half-time team talk, Fergie's boot throwing.  

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Manchester United's out-of-favour goalkeeper Victor Valdes is to escape Old Trafford on a season-long loan to Belgian side Standard Liege according to Derniere Heure, external.

The Spaniard, who fell out with Louis van Gaal in July because, according to the United manager claims, he "failed to play for the club's reserves", has posted a farewell message to the club's fans on social media.

A Question of Sport Teaser

Brian O'Driscoll celebrates his 37th birthday on Thursday, but who are the three other players to have scored more than 20 tries for Ireland?