Simon Stone
BBC Sport

West Brom boss Slaven Bilic holds his pre-match press conference at 11am.

The Baggies have a tough trip to Manchester United, who have still to win a Premier League game at Old Trafford this season.

It will be interesting to hear what the situation is with Callum Robinson, who recorded a positive COVID test just before the international break, and also Branislav Ivanovic and Matheus Pereira, who missed the Tottenham defeat on 8 October for the same reason.

Bilic might also have a view on whether five substitutes should return.

Jose Mourinho wanted Raphael Varane when he was the Manchester United boss.

Crikey, if there's anything in that one it has taken a while to move on.

Chelsea's Spain goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, 26, will go on loan and take a pay cut to help revive his career.

Meanwhile Manchester United have an opportunity to sign France centre-back Raphael Varane, 27, from Real Madrid

You can read about both of those stories by heading over to gossip.

Image source, BBC Sport

According to a piece that first featured in German publication Bild, Liverpool and Manchester United have received a boost over the possible signing of RB Leipzig's 22-year-old France centre-back Dayot Upamecano.

Apparently a decision over his future will be made in January with Bayern Munich not being able to afford to sign him.

It's all in the gossip.

Aston Villa manager Dean Smith has been doing his press duties this morning.

But before we get to what he had to say does anyone fancy a bit of transfer gossip?

Tom Garry
BBC Sport

Fifa could impose transfer bans on any clubs that fail to meet new minimum standards for maternity cover.

Football's international governing body has for the first time proposed worldwide maternity regulations for female players and coaches.

Under the reforms, players would be entitled to a minimum of 14 weeks of maternity cover, on at least two thirds of their contracted salary.

The proposed regulations will require Fifa Council approval in December.

Some breaking news...

West Ham United Women head coach Matt Beard has left the Women's Super League club by mutual consent.

Beard, 42, joined the Hammers in June 2018 before their first season as a fully-professional club.

He guided the club to an FA Cup final against Manchester City in 2019, but leaves after overseeing just one win in seven league games this campaign.

Goalkeeping coach Billy Stewart and first-team coach Paul McHugh will take temporary charge of the team.

Aston Villa playmaker Jack Grealish says he is not worthy of comparison to Paul Gascoigne until he stars at a major tournament but thrives off being mentioned in the same breath.

Grealish shone against the Republic of Ireland, Belgium and Iceland in the recent international break with his ability to collect the ball and run past opponents reminiscent of the former Tottenham, Lazio and Rangers midfielder Gascoigne.

Gascoigne became an England icon after 1990 World Cup and Euro 96 but Grealish says it is too early for him to be put in that bracket.

"I thrive off those kind of comparisons. I love Gazza," Grealish said.

"I've watched his documentary on Netflix about a million times. I love his character on the pitch and off the pitch. I loved the way he played football with such freedom and such joy.

"When people say to me: 'It is just a joy to watch you', it makes me happy because that is what I want to do. But I also want to be effective on the pitch, just like Gazza was. But those comparisons, I think are obviously far away yet because I have not even played at a tournament, like he did."

Image source, Getty Images

La Liga returns with a bang this weekend as unbeaten Atletico Madrid - in third place, three points behind leaders Real Sociedad but with two games in hand - host an inconsistent Barcelona looking to escape from mid-table mediocrity.

Luis Suarez was set to hog the headlines in his first game against his former club, but the Uruguay striker has been ruled out after contracting Covid-19 during the international break.

Atletico, though, still have plenty more attacking weapons to provide a major test to Barca's unreliable defence on Saturday (20:00 GMT), including a young talent who is looking increasingly capable of living up to his status as the third most expensive transfer in history.

If you're in any doubt as to who we are talking about this piece from Spanish football writer Andy West should set you straight.

I'll definitely be getting salt and vinegar on my chips when I head for my weekly takeaway on Friday evening but salt and pepper on Insta...

That's a Jose thing.

And the Tottenham Hotspur manager Jose Mourinho has explained to MOTDx's Jermaine Jenas why he's back on Instagram in a big way and likes to put his "own salt and pepper" on his social media posts.

You can watch more from Jose Mourinho on MOTDx on Thursday, 19 November at 19:00 on BBC Two and iPlayer.

Next post up is without doubt one with the weekend's Premier League games in mind.

Conor: Where's the love for Gibraltar? Getting promotion in the Nations League. It's a tremendous achievement in such a short time.

Of course with domestic football returning at the weekend, there are also some Premier League news conferences taking place later today.

And we’ll bring you the latest from West Brom (11:00) , Brighton (13:15), Burnley (13:30), Crystal Palace (13:30) and Chelsea (13:30).

All those times are GMT and very much approximate.

Image source, Getty Images

Thought this was worth a mention.

Italy are unbeaten in their last 22 games under Roberto Mancini.

It's the best run for the Italian National team since July 2006, under Marcello Lippi, when they went 25 matches without defeat.

Seem to remember that their failure to reach the 2018 World Cup was called "the end" by La Gazzetta dello Sport and likened to the "apocalypse" by Corriere dello Sport.

Elsewhere around Europe...

Romelu Lukaku scored twice as Belgium secured their place at the Nations League finals with victory against Denmark.

Liverpool's Georginio Wijnaldum scored a late winner against Poland but it was not enough to send the Netherlands into the Nations League finals.

However, Italy's 2-0 against Bosnia-Herzegovina meant the Azzurri finished as Group A1 winners.

Oh and Serbia thrashed Russia 5-0.

Image source, Getty Images

Assistant coach Robert Page was beaming as he spoke of his - and manager Ryan Giggs' - pride after Wales beat Finland to secure Nations League promotion.

Page oversaw Wednesday's 3-1 triumph as Giggs had agreed with the Football Association of Wales he would not be involved in this month's matches.

Giggs, who has denied an allegation of assault made against him, gave Page a bell after the game to congratulate him.

"I am extremely proud of that group of players, as is Ryan," said Page.

"He is extremely proud of the players and how they've gone about their business and how they've handled the camp.

"To show the resilience which they've shown and to win the group in the manner in which they've done, he is a very, very proud man."

Image source, Getty/EPA/PA/Reuters

Now then before you know it England will be kicking off their postponed Euro 2020 campaign.

But after failing to qualify for the Nations League finals, what issues are facing manager Gareth Southgate? And how does he build on reaching the 2018 World Cup semi-final in Russia with the opportunity of a potential final on home soil?

Your guess is as good as mine.

Thankfully our chief football writer Phil McNulty has tackled the some of the main talking points here.

By the way, four goals and not one for Harry Kane.

Can anyone believe that Wednesday is the only day of the week that Kane has not scored for England?

Image source, Getty Images

England boss Gareth Southgate took a slightly more relaxed tone with the media on Thursday evening. But then after a 4-0 win well I'd expect nothing less.

"For the last three days the mentality has been outstanding" Southgate said.

"It was a very difficult game.

"If all they're hearing are messages it's meaningless and there's nothing to play for... whenever you play for England there is something to play for. There are big opportunities for young players, especially, and also for older players.

"We are trying to build and improve all the time. There was some lovely football. It was good to watch and for the young players to get the goals was very special for them."

On Phil Foden:"I am really pleased for him. He is such an exciting player. It was a big week for him to come back in and, of course, not easy to walk through the door when you left how you did previously.

"But for us, it was done. We knew what he is capable of and it was good to get him into the game against Ireland and to get the two goals today was a glimpse for everyone of what he is capable of."

Fancy a bit more of Scotland head coach Steve Clarke?

Here you go.