The Premier League has announced the contenders for September's Player of the Month award.

They are:

• Patrick Bamford
• Dominic Calvert-Lewin
• Timothy Castagne
• Harry Kane
• Tariq Lamptey
• Sadio Mane
• James Rodriguez
• Jamie Vardy

Image source, Getty Images

Newcastle United

Burnley have yet to pick up a point this season (albeit from a game less than most sides) but Steve Bruce is backing Clarets boss to turn things around.

"We know what's coming. Dyche has his identity and I'm a big admirer of his," said the Newcastle boss.

"He plays two up top, they're direct, ask you the question constantly and have been very successful at it.

"Let's hope we can get a result which will probably take us into the top six."

Image source, Getty Images

Leicester defender Jonny Evans has returned to the Northern Ireland squad for games against Bosnia & Herzegovina, Austria and Norway.

Fellow defender Tom Flanagan also returned after missing September’s games for personal reasons, but Matthew Kennedy is out with injury

Newcastle United

Newcastle boss Steve Bruce has a number of injury issues to contend with in his defence, with Jamaal Lascelles and Emil Krafth doubtful, while Ciaran Clark and Paul Dummett are still a few week's away from a return.

"Lascelles and Krafth are a bit of a problem [with injury]," said Bruce. "Fabian Schär is OK and he's really ahead of schedule but we're a bit light defensively. Clark and Dummett could be back soon - we're expecting them to be training a week on Monday."

Tony K: With #EFC, if the Godfrey transfer comes off, I do not think we need to sign anyone else this window. The business we have done has been amazing. Just need to offload some deadwood.

Andrew Neil: #Nufc in desperate need of a ball winning midfielder, another striker and ideally cover for left back. Oh and a new manager if possible.....

Sheffield United

Here are Chris Wilder's full comments on Rhian Brewster, with a deal agreed with Liverpool for the striker.

"I can't confirm that it's all been done but we have been in negotiations with Liverpool for a while and he has been on our radar for a while and discussions between the player and the club are still ongoing," he said.

"There's nothing to announce at this minute but we are down the line.

"Obviously when it happens I can confirm that but as we are at this particular time we are not over the line. I don't think you can guarantee anything until it gets over the line.

"We are always trying to bring better players into the football club and ones that can improve the group, and it is an area we need to improve, and that's not being disrespectful to the strikers we already have here, we need competition in the group.

"We need different options for different games. I've said consistently that we need to bring someone in and we have worked hard to identify players. Bringing better players into the group will improve us and help bring us better results."

Newcastle United

Steve Bruce has played down expectations of any late transfer activity at St James' Park, with the window closing on Monday evening.

“I don’t expect anybody in, unless there’s something that changes, (and that would be) on loan," he said.

"We still have one or two that, unfortunately, we have to move on, which is the difficult part with the financial world the way it is.”

Liverpool's Curtis Jones and Tottenham's Japhet Tanganga have been called up to the England U21 squad for the first time.

There is no place for Phil Foden or Mason Greenwood, though.

The Young Lions travel to Andorra on Wednesday 7 October before taking on Turkey at Molineux on Tuesday 13 October.

Newcastle United

Steve Bruce is hopeful Allan Saint-Maximin will be fit for Saturday's clash Burnley.

The winger has been sidelined since 20 September with an ankle problem.

"Allan looks as if he'll be fit. It's a big day for him today, but he's trained all week," said Bruce.

"We decided not to risk him against Newport. He's got over his ankle injury and we're glad to see him back."

Simon Stone
BBC Sport

Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is trying to ignore all the noise around the club at the moment as fans continue to demand new signings.

Solskjaer is adamant he has a good squad.

"There is competition for places," he said.

"Some players have not played as much as we like.

"We need results. That is the only way of affecting the mood at the club. All the rest is short term."

Sheffield United

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder was asked about Rhian Brewster after news broke earlier this morning about the Blades agreeing a club-record £23.5m fee with Liverpool for the striker.

"Negotiations have been going on for a while, he has been on our radar," said Wilder.

"When that happens I can confirm that, but at this time, nothing over the line."

Simon Stone
BBC Sport

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been reflecting on Gareth Southgate's decision to axe Mason Greenwood from his England squad.

Greenwood has been dropped as a direct result of breaking coronavirus rules by meeting two women with Manchester City's Phil Foden at the team hotel in Iceland last month.

Solskjaer says he has had a 'good chat' with Southgate.

"Mason is one of the top strikers of the future for England," he said. "He will play many games for England.

"This has been a learning curve for him. He needs to reflect."

Simon Stone
BBC Sport

It won't go down well with Manchester United's fans but manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer did not want to talk about the transfer window this morning.

"The transfer window still open," he said. "The club has been working and they know my view. My focus is on Sunday."

United's only signing so far is Dutch midfielder Donny van de Beek from Ajax.

Image source, Getty Images

Simon Stone
BBC Sport

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is due to give his pre-match media briefing shortly.

He must be getting sick of being asked about the lack of transfer activity around United - which is sure to come up today.

He might also be asked about the respective digs between him and predecessor Jose Mourinho. The latter pointed out United beat Brighton after the final whistle on Saturday. In response, Solskjaer said Spurs had reached the EFL Cup fourth round without playing a game.

It's all a bit childish but it adds to the fun.

Holders Manchester City reached the 2019-20 Women's FA Cup final with an impressive display against Arsenal.

Gareth Taylor's side will meet Everton at Wembley in 1 November's showpiece, live on BBC One, after the Toffees beat Birmingham City 3-0 on Wednesday.

Steph Houghton's curling free-kick put City in front before Jordan Nobbs levelled with a fine long-range strike.

But United States midfielder Sam Mewis quickly restored City's lead and they remained on top in the second half.

World Cup-winner Mewis' first goal in English football sent City through to the club's third Women's FA Cup final, all of which have come since 2017.

Image source, Getty Images

Rob Grimwood: Wonder what the odds are of Scott Parker not being Fulham boss when he opens his front door to ‘trick or treaters’

Three straight Premier League defeats for Fulham so far, with Brentford knocking them out of the Carabao Cup last night.

Alistair Magowan
BBC Sport

Landing Liverpool forward Rhian Brewster for a club record £23.5m would be a huge boost to Sheffield United, who are yet to pick up a point or score a goal in three Premier League games this season.

The 20-year-old excelled at Swansea City on loan last season, scoring 11 goals in 22 appearances.

This will certainly be a step up for the England Under-21 player and former Under-17 World Cup winner, but with chances to play at Liverpool in short supply, this could be a good move for all parties, especially as Liverpool have a buy-back option and a 15% sell-on clause.

Three of Sheffield United's four games in October come against Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City.

Image source, Getty Images

We also want to hear from you today.

Who does your team need to sign before the deadline?

Thoughts on the Champions League draw?

Celtic, Rangers and Tottenham fans - who do you want in the Europa League?

Let us know by tweeting #bbcfootball or text 81111 (UK only). Don't forget to leave your name on your texts so we can give you a shoutout.

Manchester United were arguably given the toughest Champions League draw out of the Premier League sides, with the Red Devils having to play Paris St-Germain, RB Leipzig and Istanbul Basaksehir.

Premier League champions Liverpool will have to negotiate a group containing Ajax, Atalanta and Danish side Midtjylland.

Chelsea will play Europa League winners Sevilla, Krasnodar and debutants Rennes.

Manchester City are in Group D with Porto, Olympiakos and Marseille.

There was a blockbuster draw in Group G, where Cristiano Ronaldo's Juventus and Lionel Messi's Barcelona were drawn together, while holders Bayern Munich will face Atletico Madrid in Group A.

Read all the details by heading over here.

Image source, Getty Images

The Old Firm have "raised the bar" for Scottish football in Europe, says Celtic manager Neil Lennon.

Celtic and Rangers reached the Europa League group stage for the third season running with play-off wins on Thursday.

And Scotland's improved coefficient means two Premiership clubs will enter Champions League qualifying next term for the first time since 2011.

"Both teams have done great over the past few years and really raised the bar," Lennon told BBC Scotland.

"It's all positive. I'm so proud of my players, the away record since I've come in is fantastic."

Image source, Getty Images