Man City boss Pep Guardiola to miss third-round tie at Swindon on Friday after positive Covid test
Burnley boss Sean Dyche also records positive Covid test
England full-back Kieran Trippier set to seal Newcastle switch
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Image source, Getty ImagesEverton's trip to Aston Villa in the Women's Super League has been postponed this weekend because of a Covid-19 outbreak in the visitors' squad.
It is the third WSL game to be called off this weekend because of Covid-19 cases, after Chelsea's London derby with Tottenham and West Ham's home game against Manchester United were also postponed.
Arsenal
Arsenal have been fined £20,000 after accepting a Football Association charge for failing to ensure their players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion during Saturday's Premier League home defeat to Manchester City.
The incident came in the 59th minute after Gunners defender Gabriel was sent off for receiving a second yellow card.
BBC Radio 5 Live
More chat from Gus Poyet on Tottenham and transfers on BBC Radio 5 Live: "I think, and [Antonio] Conte won’t say it, if he needs a specific player he needs to get them now, as soon as possible. Time flies. You could play four or five games before the end of the transfer window and there are important results in there.
"I don’t know what he is looking for though. With the system he plays, he needs specific defenders. But lets remember that Tottenham have got a player in [Cristian] Romero who is not there yet. I cannot see him changing one of the front three either."
Image source, Getty ImagesManchester City and England captain Steph Houghton has returned to training after a four-month lay-off.
The 33-year-old defender, who had been sidelined by an ankle problem suffered while on Lionesses duty, took part in City training on Wednesday.
City have been hampered by injuries this season, particularly in defence, with the 2021 Women's Super League runners-up currently sixth.
Chelsea 2-0 Tottenham
BBC Radio 5 Live
Former Chelsea and Tottenham midfielder Gus Poyet has given his assessment of last night's Carabao Cup semi-final first leg between his former clubs on BBC Radio 5 Live.
"The first half was very interesting from Chelsea. Thomas Tuchel changed the system he has been playing lately and it worked very well and they really controlled the first half in an incredible manner," Poyet said.
"[Antonio] Conte reacted quite well and changed to a back four and it looked like they were getting control back.
"Something was missing for Tottenham. I don’t know if it was [Eric] Dier at the back. From the outside he looks like a leader and they looked like they were without some organisation. Also Conte played with two right-footed wing backs so there were a few things that influenced the game.
"Unless Tottenham score an early goal in the second leg it will be very difficult."
Image source, BBC SportLet's take another delve into the rumour mill and see what the latest is:
This and much more can be found in today's gossip column.
Image source, Getty ImagesWhat a Three Lions team he had.
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The Sun
Image source, Getty ImagesAccording to The Sun,, external Newcastle are on the look out for a new member of staff to do jobs for the millionaire stars they hope to attract.
The Premier League club’s player liaison officer will sort out banking facilities as well as go house-hunting and help buy flash cars for arrivals.
Can remember seeing one of these jobs at another Premier League club, which seemed well pretty good money for doing very simple things.
The only condition it appears is that you'll have to go to every home game. Perfect for any Newcastle fans who like doing the odd airport drop-off we'd have thought.
Just in case you missed this one yesterday.
Arsenal midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles is set to complete a loan move to Roma for the rest of the season.
The 24-year-old England international will travel to Italy for a medical after the Gunners agreed a deal with the Serie A side, managed by Jose Mourinho.
Maitland-Niles has made 11 appearances this season, but has only started two Premier League games.
Image source, Getty Images
BBC Sounds
Image source, BBC SportIs Wolves and Portugal midfielder Ruben Neves on his way to Manchester? Jamie Jackson from the Guardian joins Maisie Adam to discuss on the Transfer Gossip Daily.
Plus could Steven Gerrard's personal call see a Barcelona star land at Villa? and we just can't get enough of Newcastle but will they be able to convince an Everton left-back to head to St James Park?
From Spain to Italy now with with Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri confirming that Aaron Ramsey will leave the club, describing the Wales midfielder as an "outgoing player".
Reports on Tuesday claimed Ramsey had rejected a formal approach by Burnley, external as he wanted to join a more high-profile Premier League side.
"Aaron Ramsey returned today after his leave to work in England, but he is an outgoing player," said Allegri.
The 31-year-old signed for Juventus on a free transfer in 2019. Ramsey has scored six goals in 69 games during his time in Turin but has played less than 100 minutes for Juventus, who sit fifth in Serie A, this season.
He has also been linked with a return to former club Arsenal and relegation-threatened Newcastle in the January transfer window.
Image source, Getty ImagesAlcoyano 1-3 Real Madrid
Image source, Getty ImagesReal Madrid were also made to work hard in their Copa del Rey game by minnows Alcoyano for the second year in a row, but this time the Spanish giants got the win in the last 32 tie.
Last year, third-tier Alcoyano stunned Real with a 2-1 extra-time win.
On this occasion, Eder Militao headed Carlo Ancelotti's side into the lead before Dani Vega's fine solo goal levelled for Alcoyano.
Marco Asensio scored from Eden Hazard's pass and an own goal from 42-year-old keeper Juan Jose sealed the win.
Linares 1-2 Barcelona
Image source, Getty ImagesBarcelona survived a Copa del Rey scare against third-tier Linares as Dani Alves marked his first Barca appearance in more than five years with a victory.
Alves, 38, made his long-awaited second debut, having had to wait for the January registration window to open following his signing in November.
The Spanish minnows took a shock half-time lead through Hugo Diaz.
But goals from Ousmane Dembele and Ferran Jutgla spared Barca the embarrassment of a third-round exit.
Right-back Alves left the Nou Camp in 2016, having won six La Liga titles and the Champions League three times.
Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer
Image source, Getty ImagesAston Villa are one of a number of Premier League clubs watching Philippe Coutinho's situation as the Barcelona outcast seeks to leave the Nou Camp.
Barca are desperate to move the 29-year-old Brazil playmaker on after agreeing a deal to sign Ferran Torres from Manchester City for £55m.
Villa manager Steven Gerrard is a huge admirer of Coutinho, who he played with at Liverpool.
He has also been linked with Arsenal, Everton, Newcastle United and Spurs.
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On the pitch it's turning out to be a very mediocre season by Manchester United's standards but things are not looking great off it either if reports are to be believed.
The Mail reckon, external that 17 players are unhappy with life at Old Trafford and are seeking a way out before next season.
Anthony Martial, Paul Pogba, Edinson Cavani and Donny van de Beek are among those who could be on on their way.
Interim boss Ralf Rangnick is aware of the divide in the dressing room and has according to various newspaper reports tasked Mike Phelan with restoring harmony.
It could be an interesting to see what develops at Old Trafford.
Image source, Getty Images
Brighton & Hove Albion
Image source, Getty ImagesJurgen Locadia has left Brighton permanently to Bochum in the Bundesliga.
The Dutch forward made 34 Premier League appearance in four years for the Seagulls scoring three times after a £14m move from PSV Eindhoven.
Fair to say a signing that didn't really work out.
Image source, BBC SportTime to take a look at what the latest transfer rumours are.
That's just a couple, find out what else is doing the rounds in today's gossip column.
Image source, Getty ImagesQuite a few stories dotted about in the newspapers to touch on including a sprinkling of transfer bits.
Thursday's back pages
The Guardian
Image source, The Guardian