Mark Hughes has some good news for Stoke fans with the return to fitness of right-back Glen Johnson. Unfortunately, there are some fresh injury concerns the club face going into this weekend's match against Watford.

"Geoff Cameron is still unavailable sadly," says Hughes. "We are finding it difficult to progress the injury as quickly as we would like. We all need to be patient because he is keen to return, understandably. It's frustrating for us all. 

"Phil Bardsley will be out for a number of weeks - he has a bit of ligament damage sadly. He opened his knee up and will be out for a while, which is sad because he came in and played well. Thankfully, his injury has coincided with the return of Glen Johnson, who is fit and well. We want to keep him nice and sound now."

Image source, Reuters

The International Cricket Council (ICC) says it is "disappointed" South Africa captain Faf du Plessis has appealed against his fine for ball-tampering.

Television footage appeared to show the 32-year-old licking a finger and shining the ball while eating a sweet in the second Test against Australia.

Du Plessis pleaded not guilty to the charge and denied wrongdoing, claiming he had been made a "scapegoat".

Image source, AP

Former Wales full back Gareth Thomas says the recent string of poor performances have created "a national crisis". 

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Here's some of the latest football gossip:

The Daily Mirror, external reports that Manchester City want to sign Ajax and Denmark forward Kasper Dolberg. The 19-year-old has scored 12 goals in the Dutch league this season.

Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany's latest injury has put the 30-year-old Belgium defender's future in doubt, according to the Guardian, external, with the club ready to sanction the signing of a centre-back in the January transfer window.

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho is set to go back to former club Chelsea to try to sign Brazil forward Willian, 28, claims the Daily Star., external

Image source, Getty Images

Former England captain Steven Gerrard announced his retirement from playing on Thursday and you can relive the best moments of his career with this BBC Radio 5 live clip.

Friday's Premier League news conferences are getting underway shortly with Mark Hughes (Stoke) Tony Pulis (West Brom), Eddie Howe (Bournemouth) and Alan Pardew (Crystal Palace) among the early starters.

We'll have the latest from them all as we we get it.

Later we'll hear from the likes of Pep Guardiola (Man City), Antonio Conte (Chelsea) and Arsene Wenger (Arsenal).

Jos Buttler will replace Ben Duckett for the third Test against India, which begins on Saturday in Mohali.

England captain Alastair Cook has confirmed that the Lancashire wicketkeeper, who has played just one first-class game in 13 months, will bat at number seven.

Stuart Broad and Zafar Ansari have both been ruled out, with Chris Woakes set to come into the side.

Image source, Getty Images

Back to Thursday night's action and Zlatan Ibrahimovic says his Manchester United team-mate Wayne Rooney is "the perfect player" and deserves more respect.

As we mentioned earlier, the England captain broke the club's European goalscoring record in a 4-0 win over Feyenoord.

Image source, Getty Images

Southampton's Europa League fate will go down to the final group game after they lost 1-0 away to Sparta Prague.  

The Saints will join Sparta if they manage a goalless draw or a win against Hapoel Be'er Sheva in their final group game at St Mary's Stadium on 8 December.  

Image source, Getty Images

Daily Mirror

Although you will find Rooney on the back page of the Daily Mirror,, external they lead on Jurgen Klopp inviting the newly-retired Steven Gerrard to come to Liverpool.

Image source, Daily Mirror

The Times

The Times, external, like many of Friday's other papers, has a celebrating Wayne Rooney and the latest on the football sex abuse claims.

Image source, The Times

The Daily Mail

The Daily Mail, external reports that Manchester City have launched an investigation into the club's links with the convicted paedophile at the centre of the football sex abuse claims.

Image source, Daily Mail

The Daily Telegraph

The Daily Telegraph, external also features a happy Rooney who scored his 39th European goal for the club to help them to a 4-0 win.

It also has the latest on the football sex abuse scandal.

Image source, Daily Telegraph

The Guardian

Rooney is also in the Guardian, external and thanks to his strike, United know that a draw or win at Zorya Luhansk in the final Group A game on Thursday, 8 December would take the Old Trafford side into the last 32 of the Europa League.

Image source, The Guardian

The Sun

Yes, it's Manchester United's Wayne Rooney who is on the back of the Sun after he became his side's record European goalscorer in their victory over Feyenoord which keeps their Europa League fate in their hands.

Image source, The Sun

It's Friday and another busy day at the BBC Sport Centre. As it's Friday, we'll be hearing from plenty of Premier League managers as the day goes on, plus the rest of the latest news.

But first, here's a look at the sports pages, with many featuring a man who was supposed to be finished two weeks ago...