Rangers' proposed move for Aston Villa's Joleon Lescott is off after the defender failed his medical, BBC Scotland understands.

The 34-year-old ex-England centre-half had been offered a two-year contract at Ibrox.

Rangers may now decide to offer Philippe Senderos a contract - the 31-year-old Swiss defender has been training at Murray Park after leaving Grasshoppers in his homeland.

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Manchester City

There's a few other things to tidy up from Guardiola. Firstly it sounds like Yaya Toure won't be playing against Stoke tomorrow. He's already been left out of the two City squads Pep has named so far. 

"Yaya is trying," Guardiola says. "He loves to play. I have spoken to him about the situation. I have a lot of respect for him. When he increases his intensity without the ball, he will be involved."

And there's a fitness update on Vincent Kompany, Leroy Sane, and Ilkay Gundogan. 

"Leroy Sane did part of the training session today. That is the first step. He has had a muscle problem. After the international break he will be ready."

Gundogan will be back "hopefully in the next two weeks" and Kompany is back in "non-aggressive" training, but still needs "a few tests" on his muscle injury.

Manchester City

So it sounds like the ball's in Joe's court (not net, that would confuse the metaphor. It's not ideal but lets run with the tennis one).

To listen to his manager, the message seems to be: You can stay if you want to, but you're not going to be my number one.

Manchester City

The Manchester City manager is asked whether Hart would be allowed to leave if he wants to.

The reply: "Of course. I want happiness for the players. I don't want players to stay here if they don't want. 

"All the players here have a contract. If they decide they want to stay they are going to stay. I spoke with them all. They all know exactly what the situation is. 

"If they want to stay, stay and we will fight together. I want to stay with the players who want to stay. That is no doubt."

Manchester City

The consensus seems to be that England goalkeeper Joe Hart is not the kind of stopper Pep likes between the sticks - and Barcelona's Claudio Bravo has been strongly linked. But could be end up staying?

Here's Pep with the latest. It's interesting stuff: 

"I want to play the way I like and the way I grew up," Guardiola says. "Until 31 August everything is open. If Joe stays here he will fight with the other keepers and will convince me to play. That is the way it is. 

"I said in the first moment, if he stays he will improve. He understands what we want from our goalkeeper. If Joe stays here I want to help him. It doesn't mean he won't play. I have a lot of respect. It wasn't an easy decision. I don't have time to create something. People want results now. I know his quality."

Manchester City

Right then. It's all happening now. But don't worry - we haven't forgotten about Señor/Senyor Guardiola.

Naturally, the Manchester City manager's been fielding questions on the future of goalkeeper Joe Hart... 

England's first game under the new regime is not far away. They play in a World Cup 2018 qualifier away to Slovakia on 4 September.

So Sam Allardyce has got the men he wanted alongside him. Sammy Lee is already in as assistant, and now Craig Shakespeare joins the team. 

“Craig will be a tremendous asset to England, and I am grateful to Leicester for their help in making this happen," Allardyce said.

“Sammy and I know him well and he will bring his own insight to what we are trying to do with the squad. Players respect him and his achievement this past season means we will be getting someone who has a strong winning mentality."

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The Football Association says Shakespeare will keep his role as Leicester assistant - combining it with his England duties. 

"This is a huge honour for me," the 52-year-old said.

"Anyone involved in football knows that representing your country is something special and this caps off a brilliant year."

Premier League champions to the international set-up... World Cup 2018 here we come?..

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England have appointed Leicester assistant Craig Shakespeare as first-team coach under manager Sam Allardyce.

Sunderland

Steven Pienaar - who played under David Moyes at Everton - had been on trial at the club since being released by the Toffees. The Sunderland boss clearly thinks he's still got it.

What do you make of that Black Cats fans?

Sunderland

Sunderland have completed the signing of 34-year-old former Everton midfielder Steven Pienaar on a one-year deal.

Sunderland

Sunday's match against local rivals Middlesbrough will be a home debut for Sunderland's manager David Moyes. 

"We have to take advantage. The only thing I'm interested in is winning," the ex-Manchester United boss says.

"We don't want to be playing catch up so the earlier we get the wins the better. Hopefully that starts on Sunday.

"I'm really looking forward to getting to the Stadium of Light. With it being a derby it makes it even more interesting. There's a lot of really good things here. We haven't lost many games in 2016 and we need to use our home ground to our advantage."  

Sunderland

Bit of team news up first from the Sunderland boss - defender Lamine Kone is out of Sunday's game against Middlesbrough. He's been linked with a transfer to Everton but is out with a back injury.

But recent arrival from Chelsea Papy Djilobodji will be in the squad.

Sunderland

Perhaps Sunderland boss David Moyes can fill us in on the reasons behind Kaboul's proposed move?.. 

Image source, @SunderlandAFC

Image source, Getty Images

Interesting stat this.

Sunderland have kept seven clean sheets in the league since August 2015. The only player to appear every time? Younes Kaboul.

David Moyes clearly doesn't fancy him though - the French defender is set for a move to Watford - where he'll be joined by Juventus midfielder Roberto Pereyra.

Here's the latest on that double move.

West Ham United

Sunday's game will be West Ham's third at their new home - the stadium formerly known as Olympic. That's if we're counting the friendly against Juventus.

Billic: "What we need to settle is to win. Hopefully that will come on Sunday. Our stadium is not intimidating until we make it with the quality of our game. We felt the atmosphere was great there in the two games.

"If it's packed and we play good football, it will guarantee the atmosphere will be great." 

West Ham United

Last season the Hammers and the Cherries played out a seven-goal thriller, edged 4-3 by Eddie Howe's side. To somebody less involved in this strange game the beginning of that sentence must sound ridiculous.

"I don't expect as many goals this season against Bournemouth as last," Bilic says. "We analysed that game and we were disappointed to concede some. I expect us to be more solid.

"They did great last season and they have had a year of great experience as a team, club, manager and fans. I expect them to be better too. 

"Bournemouth have done clever deals in the transfer window. They buy young players. They are good as a unit and have pace."  

West Ham United

West Ham's Croatian manager is also asked about the injury suffered by Andre Ayew. Yesterday co-chairman David Gold said the club's record signing is facing four months out.

"For Andre Ayew, there are two solutions, one with surgery and one without. We are going to decide which one soon," Bilic says. 

"He could be out for two and a half months or up to four. It shouldn't be more. He could be back this year, and we just have to hope.

"I spoke to Andre five minutes ago, and he's good. He's very optimistic and up for everything and is professional." 

West Ham United

Here's Slaven. West Ham don't play until Sunday because of last night's Europa League adventure in Romania - they were pegged back with a late goal by league champions Astra Giurgiu to draw 1-1. 

"We got home at 05:00 last night but we have a big game in two days so the focus is on that. It's tough but we knew the situation," Bilic says. 

"We want to be in a position to qualify and we are. Hopefully we are going to make it next Thursday."