That is us finished for the day. Thanks for sticking with us and see you all soon.

If you've not quite had your football fix yet, here are a few more bits to keep you going:

• Man City boss Guardiola and Burnley manager Dyche test positive for Covid
• Everything you need to know about the Africa Cup of Nations
• Aubameyang tests positive for Covid-19 four days before Afcon
• Arnold to replace Woodward as Man Utd chief
• Inter's game off amid farcical scenes at Bologna
• Leeds to ban fans whose children run on the pitch

The first major football tournament of 2022 kicks off on Sunday, with the Africa Cup of Nations taking centre stage.

A host of Premier League and European stars will descend on Cameroon, with the hosts facing Burkina Faso in the opening game.

First scheduled to start in June 2021 but subsequently brought forward to January last year to avoid Cameroon's rainy season, the tournament has been delayed to 2022 because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Confederation of African Football (Caf) has faced criticism over the timing of its continental showpiece, and last month had to address rumours the tournament would be further delayed or moved following the emergence of the Omicron variant of Covid-19.

So what's the format and when are the games? Who are the main contenders? And what other issues are there around the tournament?

We have you covered here.

As expected, Manchester United full-back Ethan Laird has been recalled from his loan spell at Swansea City and joins Championship leaders Bournemouth until the end of the season.

Laird, 20, is the Cherries’ second new addition of the January transfer window and will wear the number three shirt.

BBC Radio 5 Live

Remember you can always listen to those special FA Cup moments on the radio...

BBC Radio 5 Live has commentary of Swindon-Manchester City on Friday (20:00) as well as three lives commentaries on Saturday - Millwall-Crystal Palace (12:45), Newcastle v Cambridge (15:00) and Hull v Everton (17:30).

On Sunday, 5 Live will have commentary of Tottenham-Morecambe (14:00) and Nottingham Forest-Arsenal (17:10).

BBC 5 Live Sports Extra will have commentary of Liverpool's home tie with Shrewsbury Town on Sunday (14:00).

How could we forget...

Fans of League One clubs Morecambe and Shrewsbury Town will be hoping their teams can cause major upsets against Premier League teams on Sunday.

Shrewsbury are at Liverpool, who have won the cup seven times, and Morecambe are at eight-time winners Tottenham - both ties kick off at 14:00.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

FA Cup Third-round weekend always throws up a surprise or two.

Last season non-league Chorley overcame Derby County, League Two Crawley Town beat Leeds United and League One Blackpool knocked out Premier League West Brom.

As well as Swindon, there are several other League Two clubs hosting Premier League and Championship sides this weekend.

Port Vale,sixth in the fourth tier of English football, host Brentford on Saturday (15:00), while Mansfield Town entertain Championship side Middlesbrough on the same day (12:15).

Also on Saturday, Blackpool - 12th in the Championship - travel to Hartlepool United,15th in League Two (12:30).

League Two Barrow, Bristol Rovers, Harrogate Town and Leyton Orient are at Championship clubs Barnsley, Peterborough United, Luton Town and Stoke City respectively.

Charlton Athletic,13th in League One, host the Premier League's bottom side Norwich City on Sunday (14:00) and Cambridge United,16th in League One, are at top-flight strugglers Newcastle United on Saturday (15:00).

Brighton & Hove Albion

And finally what about this transfer window for Brighton? Here's more from Seagulls boss Graham Potter:

"January is difficult. We always have an idea of what we want to do as a club.

"You've always got to be aware of what's out there, but we've got a strategy."

Brighton & Hove Albion

Graham Potter provided a update on what he has available to him going into the game at the Hawthorns:

"Danny Welbeck coming back is important and Evan Ferguson has been training with us for the last few weeks.

"As it stands, I'm happy with what we've got."

Potter also spoke about new signing Kacper Kozlowski:

"Kacper is a very, very talented young player. He's got a lot of experience for someone so young.

"It's important for him to carry on playing this season. He's a modern-day midfield player, really good with the ball."

Brighton & Hove Albion

Let's hear from Brighton boss Graham Potter now prior to his side's trip to the Midlands on Saturday to face West Brom.

"We'll have a good go at trying to beat West Brom. We're in a good moment but I'm sure they'll want to progress too.

"We're going there to go through and we'll try our best.

"West Brom are in a transitional period.

"How their style develops will take a bit of time but they're moving in the right direction."

Image source, Getty Images

According to Jack Pitt-Brooke at the Athletic , externalTottenham are considering a fresh move for Adama Traore this month, so that they can convert him into a right wing-back.

Victor Moses, Mark II?

Apparently Matt Doherty could return to Wolves as part of the deal, though Nelson Semedo would represent a fairly hefty obstacle to him getting more first-team opportunities.

Image source, Getty Images

Time for a bit of WSL transfer news.

West Ham have signed young Denmark midfielder Emma Snerle on a two-and-a-half-year deal, subject to work permit approval.

The 20-year-old, who joins from Fortuna Hjorring, has already made 22 appearances for the Denmark national team.

Snerle scored 13 goals in 14 matches in the Danish Elitedivisionen this season.

She is West Ham's first signing in January, external and could make her debut against Tottenham next Sunday.

Aston Villa

As per our post from 14:22 GMT Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard was asked what plans he had for recruitment during the January window.

“We came to the club in November and we’ve had to learn on the job, to analyse on the job, within games and within training," he said.

“We’ve been here for around about eight weeks, so we have a much better idea of what we feel we need not just in this window but in the summer window.

“For me, it’s about making the right decisions – not rushed decisions that are going to be forced. It’s important that we identify the areas first and foremost and then work together as a club to see when they (transfers) can happen.”

Rezaa: Arsenal need to bring in Denis Zakaria to make up for the loss of Thomas Partey. Contract due to expire, would be perfect, affordable and very similar to Partey.

Aston Villa

More from Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard: "We’ve been given a really tough draw - to go to Old Trafford in our opening round. There were certainly kinder draws out there for us, but you get what you’re given.

“You have to prepare your team in the best possible way. Any time you go to Old Trafford with the level of player they’ve got, you know you’re going to be in for a really tough game.

“We’ll go there with the strongest possible team we’ve got available to try and get the best result we can.

“Whatever team Manchester United put out, it will be a challenge for us because they’ve got top-class players throughout the squad."

Aston Villa

Image source, Getty Images

Now for some Aston Villa team news from Steven Gerrard: “Ollie Watkins is due back with the group on Saturday, so that will be a welcome addition. Tyrone Mings comes back from suspension.

“Ashley Young’s got an outside chance. He’s got a frustrating one where he’s still got a little bit of discomfort in his fractured toe, but he’s doing everything he can to get back as quick as he can.

“The rest is as it was. We’ve come through Brentford with no major injuries. Kortney Hause has had a bit of tightness after the game, but that’s settled down and he trained today.

“Assuming the last couple of COVID tests go well, we should be in good shape.”

Asked about Leon Bailey, he added: “He’s good, he’s working hard. We’re four and a bit weeks post-injury and he’s progressing well, stepping up his rehab as the days go by. He’s focused on getting back in the best possible way.

“It was an injury in a similar area to the first one, so we have to be careful and respect that, and make sure that when he is fit he is ready to play.”

Aston Villa

Image source, Getty Images

Continuing with the claret and blue theme...

Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard has been up in front of the media this afternoon.

He was happy to talk glowingly about Philippe Coutinho, who he played with at Liverpool but less forthcoming on rumours that the Brazilian could be heading to Villa Park.

"He won two leagues, two league titles for Barcelona. He won two Copa del Reys," Gerrard said.

"I think if you look at his Wiki page I think you will see a serial winner wherever he has been so I have nothing but positive things to say about the player. I don't think you get a nickname of 'The Magician' if you're not a special footballer."

"He's a friend of mine - so if I'm asked the questions I can speak for as long as you want but if you're trying to link it to any speculation or looking to catch me out you're in for a long afternoon."

Burnley

Finally from Ian Woan he spoke about Burnley's performances of late:

"I think the performances have been good - we need to keep continuing what we're doing and not lose faith.

"The lads need to keep the confidence and the level of training up - we're just in an ugly place at the moment."

Burnley

Ian Woan provided an injury update ahead of Huddersfield's visit on Saturday:

"Connor Roberts is back on the grass.

"We also have a number of cases, so it's difficult to pick a team with another round of testing coming up.

"Nick Pope didn't train today, and Josh Brownhill is a possibility for Saturday.

"A number of other players are out also - we've had about 4 new positive cases.

"We're a no excuse environment - it's just not the way we're made.

"We want to play and there's no discussion there, as long as we've got the numbers."

Burnley

Here is Burnley assistant manager Ian Woan who is taking the questions from the media.

Woan is sitting in for manager Sean Dyche who tested positive with Covid and confirmed that coach Steve Stone has also tested positive.

"I've been in constant dialect with him [Dyche] - we'll have a good chat about team selection when the latest round of Covid-19 results are in.

"Steve Stone has tested positive so we're low on the coaching bench - the office was lonely this morning.

"It's different not having the gaffer around as he's a huge presence here."

Image source, Getty Images