BBC Radio 5 live

Over on BBC Radio 5 live on Friday night, former Blackburn Rovers striker Jason Roberts and Benni McCarthy were discussing the pressure of derby day.

The case of Sunderland striker Jozy Altidore, who has not scored a league goal for the club yet this season and goes into Sunday's derby with Newcastle off the back of a glaring miss in last weekend's draw with West Ham came under the microscope.

Former Blackburn Rovers striker Jason Roberts tells BBC Radio 5 live: "You're passionate about what you do. It's not a case of going home and forgetting, this is an issue and it's your passion.

"My way of dealing with it would be not to leave the house. The majority of players I've been with, it means that much to them."

Image source, AP

On to another England hopeful...

Harry Kane took his tally for the season to 14 with a header against Burnley, and the Tottenham striker has impressed former England centre-forward Alan Shearer.

"Harry Kane has been brilliant," Shearer told Match of the Day. "When you look at the money Spurs have spent - some would say wasted - on the players in their team, it's ironic that a kid comes in form the youth team and does so well.

"He is quick, he's bright and he gets into the box where you are going to score your goals. His movement is brilliant. His desire to get into the box - that is what I like about him.

"He is intelligent. The future is bright for him."

It's like 10,000 spoons when all you need is a knife Alan.

Image source, Getty Images

Charlie Austin was on top form for Queens Park Rangers on Saturday, his hat-trick against West Brom earning praise from two former England internationals on Match of the Day.

Former England defender Phil Neville: "Charlie Austin is single-handedly keeping QPR out of the bottom three. His overall goalscoring record is fantastic. He is one of the in-form strikers in the league this season. At the start of the season I had my doubts about whether he could step up to the Premier League, but he has done really well."

Former England striker Alan Shearer: "It helps Charlie having Bobby Zamora up front, who is willing to be a bit of a battering ram. Austin's finishing looks natural and it's an incredible story from where he was to where he is now."

After Rickie Lambert's rise from beetroot factory to England international, it might not be long before former brickie Austin gets a call-up.

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It might be cold and wet out there at this time of year, but that's no excuse for you not to be joining a Sunday League team and strutting your stuff in the middle of a muddy field. If you are thinking of getting involved then head on over to our Get Inspired site, which will give you all the information you need!

You might also want to follow the BBC Get Inspired Twitter feed., external and like the Facebook page., external

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Ahead of Newcastle v Sunderland, we are after the story behind your own local sporting rivalries.

Aly Sherif: CompSci vs Maths in Cardiff Uni. Maths stole our players, we went on bad losing run, beat them 2-1, celebrated like crazy.

I'm imagining an Anchorman-style showdown on the astro.

Get in touch via #getinspired, external or 81111 on text.

Image source, Mail on Sunday

The Mail on Sunday lead on Louis van Gaal getting stroppy with his Manchester United team, external after their six-match winning run came to a halt with a draw away to Aston Villa.

Image source, Independent on Sunday

The Independent on Sunday hail Manchester City's strikerless side after they made light of the absence of Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko to beat Crystal Palace 3-0.

Away from football they lead on an interesting interview with welterweight contender Amir Khan, explaining why he is heading to Pakistan to speak out against the Taliban., external

'Useless Rodgers', Louis van Gaal in title frustrations, Pardew bang up for the derby and a Spanish recruit at Manchester City. The Star Sunday, external back page is bumper this morning.

Image source, Dailly Star

Van Gaal told his news conference following a 1-1 draw at Aston Villa that his side had to win such fixtures if they were to compete for the title.

Their rivals Manchester City are linked with a move for Atletico Madrid's Koke but needed no added firepower to see off Crystal Palace in a 3-0 win on Saturday.

Some of the Premier League's Twitter-loving players have been active since Saturday's results.

Adrian:, external Great 3 points and another clean sheet...It is the best Christmas present for everyone! Happy Hammers Christmas.

The West Ham goalkeeper kept a clean sheet in a 2-0 win over Leicester City.

Shane Long:, externalBig result for us today against a good Everton side. Congrats to Harrison Reed on an immense performance and Dominic Gape on making his debut.

Southampton saw off Everton 3-0 at St Mary's.

The Sunday Express, external leads today on news of a potentially huge acquisition for Manchester United.

Image source, Sunday Express

Bale scored as Real Madrid won the Club World Cup on Saturday evening but is the focus of attention for United boss Louis van Gall who hopes to bring the 25-year-old back to England next summer.

Image source, Getty Images

The Sunday papers have already had their say, so let's take a little skirt around the newsstand.

And, unlike down at the newsagents, there is no danger of someone shouting "this isn't a library" at you do so.

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Adam Howarth: Lancing Rangers vs Thistle Utd. We would lose nearly every week but never against our hometown rival. If you want it enough...

That is the spirit Adam.

Get in touch via #getinspired, external or 81111 on text.

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Image source, Getty Images

The mood in workplaces across the north-east is hanging on the outcome of today's meeting between Sunderland and Newcastle, but every club, be it big or small, has some noisy neighbours to put in their place.

As part of the BBC's Get Inspired scheme - encouraging you to get involved in sport in your local area - we are interested in your own local rivalries.

Tell us which is the grudge match that is the first to look for in your local football team's fixture list and the cauldron of mild resentment that brews up around it.

#getinspired, external on Twitter or 81111 on text is the way to get in touch.

MOTD2 Extra

Yep, as Premier League action goes, today is landing with a one-two punch that Amir Khan would be proud of.

To warm you up, Mark Chapman and guests to hand out a punditry pummelling to Saturday's action on MOTD2 Extra from 12:30 GMT. That is on BBC One, BBC Radio 5 live and at the top of this very page.

Image source, Getty Images

Then it will be time re-run the fun on another of last season's seismic scorelines.

Liverpool's 5-1 hammering of then-leaders Arsenal was pure jaw-drop - a result so shocking that BT Sport based a star-studded advert just on people reacting to the Reds' early flurry of goals., external

Since then Suarez has left, Sanchez has arrived, and the sands have shifted.

Liverpool v Arsenal kicks off at 16:00 GMT to show us what, if anything, remains the same.

Image source, Getty Images

Somewhere in a paddock in Yorkshire, Bud will be getting ready.

The police horse, attacked by a Newcastle fan after their clash with Sunderland in April 2013, was back on duty when the teams next met the following October., external

In the meantime Sunderland fans had adopted horse masks and presented Bud with a pack of 'Paolo' mints in honour of their then-manager.

It has been Newcastle fans with the long faces after the last two derbies at St James' Park though.

Back-to-back 3-0 defeats by the Wearsiders will do that.

Newcastle v Sunderland is the first match on our card this afternoon.