That's your lot for today, folks. Thanks for joining us and for all your messages.

It's been a busy day of Premier League news conferences, while we've also had Jordan Henderson's unveiling as an Ajax player.

Tomorrow we get back to the action on the pitch - it's another reduced schedule in the Premier League because of the winter break but there will be four matches across the weekend, plus another on Monday.

The WSL also returns and, as ever, you'll be able to follow all the men's and women's action via our live texts so stay across the BBC Sport website and app for those.

In the meantime, here are a few stories on the BBC Football page to keep you going until the games begin...

• 'Big dog's back' - Toney's return 'massive' for Brentford
• West Ham interested in Man City midfielder Phillips
• Female punditry debate ridiculous - Sunak
• Iraq stun Japan to seal Asia Cup knockout place

See you again soon!

Before we go, here's a quick recap of the main things Jordan Henderson said at a news conference after he was unveiled as an Ajax player following his move from Saudi Arabia earlier today.

• "Don't believe" reports he did not return to the Premier League for tax reasons and said it was a "football decision" to join Ajax.
• He "would not" discourage former Liverpool team-mate Mohamed Salah from moving to the Saudi Pro League and that it was "competitive" league
• Said he "apologised if he offended anybody" in the LGBTQ+ community or "if people feel I let them down" and was "hurt" after being booed playing for England.
• Stopped short of saying he regretted the decision to leave Liverpool because it was "the right one at the time" but "things change quickly in football"
• He had spoken to England boss Gareth Southgate and Liverpool's Dutch assistant coach Pep Lijnders about the move to Ajax.

Read more on Henderson here.

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Radio 5 Live

Former Aston Villa and Brentford manager Dean Smith looks ahead to the Premier League weekend on BBC Radio 5 Live.

On Brentford striker Ivan Toney: "He's had to serve his punishment and to be fair the lad has come out publicly and said, listen I've done wrong, I got punished. All the noise I hear and speaking to Thomas [Frank], Thomas loves him, he said he's a breath of fresh air around the training ground.

"He's been working extremely hard. He came over to the States to work with one of my former coaches, Alan Russell as well, just to get his finishing right. It will just be a big boost. He's a big presence for Brentford, he keeps the ball around him. His goal scoring record last season was really good."

Image source, Getty Images

Ollie Samuels
BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

Midfielder Ella Toone says that Sarina Wiegman has had "a massive impact" on her career after the England manager extended her contract until 2027.

Toone was part of the Lionesses squad that won the Euros in 2022, coming off the bench to score in the final, and reached last year's World Cup final.

Speaking about Wiegman's new deal, which was announced on Tuesday, Toone said: “She’s had a massive impact on my career so far. She’s believed in me from the start and took me to two major tournaments.

"I’ll be forever grateful for that. As a coach, she’s taught me a lot and she’s won things. You learn from her every single day. As a team we’re obviously delighted with that news.”

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport

Image source, BBC Sport

The Women's Super League is set to return after its winter break - so how have clubs got on so far and are they in a good place to meet their expectations in the second half of the season?

With all 12 sides having played 10 games so far, one short of the halfway point in the campaign, BBC Sport has assess where each club is at.

We also want you to rank how each club has performed so far, and predict how you think the final WSL table will look in May,

Read more here...

Sam Thompson, Philippa Ako, Kae Kurd and Jordan North discuss the performances of Mauricio Pochettino, David Moyes, Erik ten Hag and Vincent Kompany so far this season and answer the key question...

Would they stick with them... or twist?

Image source, BBC Sport

This is a very hard one to call, because both teams are in decent form.

As I've said previously, Brighton are yet to hit the heights of last season but they are still eighth and are still hard to beat. They have only lost one of their past six league games and, since the end of October, have suffered only two defeats in 16 games in all competitions.

Wolves got past Brentford in the FA Cup in midweek and have won three in a row in the league. They are also organised and resilient and carry a goal threat too, which made it difficult to know what to go with here.

The fact Brighton are at home swung it in their favour for me... but I would not be surprised if this ended up a draw too.

Prediction: 2-1

Read the rest of Chris Sutton's predictions for this round of Premier League games here...

Image source, BBC Sport

Crystal Palace went out of the FA Cup against Everton on Wednesday but they definitely had one eye on this game with the substitutions Roy Hodgson made.

You know what Hodgson will do here - he will shut up shop and try to frustrate Arsenal, then hope to get something on the break, a lot like the Eagles did against Manchester City before Christmas.

They have the quality to hurt Arsenal that way, but I still think this game is more about whether the Gunners can find a way through Palace's defence.

Of course there are question marks over Mikel Arteta's side after their recent results, especially in attack where they have not been taking their chances.

They need to find a way of changing that and I suspect they will, but this prediction is really what I'm hoping for more than anything else.

I want to see Arsenal in the title race and challenging Manchester City at the end of the season. For that to happen, they will have to hang on in there during spells like this.

Prediction: 2-0

Read the rest of Chris Sutton's predictions for this round of Premier League games here...

Image source, BBC Sport

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder decided not to take his squad to warmer climes during their winter break, and his message to his players is that only hard graft will get them out of trouble now.

The Blades are bottom of the Premier League and eight points adrift of safety, so they have got a heck of a lot of work to do.

Their schedule last month meant Wilder did not get much time on the training pitch with his players after taking charge at the start of December, so at least he has had a chance to do that in the past couple of weeks.

It will be interesting to see what difference it makes, because their position means they need results quickly.

They are the lowest scorers in the top flight so they also need goals, which is why they have brought in Ben Brereton Diaz on loan from Villarreal, but it's going to be hard for them to break West Ham down.

The Hammers will be smarting after Tuesday's FA Cup defeat to Bristol City but they did make a few changes for that game, and I just don't see them being beaten again here.

Neither side have a possession-based style of play, so they won't particularly want the ball. It is going to be tight, and it's got draw written all over it.

Prediction: 1-1

Read the rest of Chris Sutton's predictions for this round of Premier League games here...

Sheffield United

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder on defender Anel Ahmedhodzic being linked with Napoli: "My take on that, he's a really grounded individual. He loves playing for Sheffield United. Speculation about a good player is a good thing, you want to be spoken about. I haven’t been told from above it’s a potential transfer. The player has to get his head down and carry on. Good players have to deal with speculation."

Sheffield United

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder on transfers: “We’ve worked hard in identifying a couple of new signings. We believe that when the window shuts, there will be a feeling that we are in a better place than when it opened."

Sheffield United

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder on striker Ben Brereton Diaz: "We are delighted to get his signature it over the line quickly. The introduction of him and a couple more players before the window closes will make us stronger.

"Other players coming to the group, signing of younger players. It's a feel good factor regarding that. Ben has livened everyone up and we’re delighted with what he has produced on the training ground."

Ajax

More from Jordan Henderson on whether he will reach out to representatives of the LGBTQ+ community: "All I have ever done in the past is help people who have asked for my help. If any people from that community feel let down I apologise. That was never my intention. I had to what is right for me and my family. But I understand it at the same time."

On being booed while playing for England: "I am not going to sit here and say I haven't been hurt, but at the same time I understand it. I do care. People might think I don't. I do think a lot about football and respect for other people. Of course it hurts, but I respect their opinions and how they view me as a person. I just had to take it on the chin. I have never tried to hurt anyone. Of course it's part and parcel of life and football. It makes you stronger."

On whether going to Saudi Arabia changed his view of the place in light of sportwashing: "I went there with the full commitment of trying to help the league, and the club I was at, Steven Gerrard and my team-mates. That's what I did for six months. Things can change in football. An opportunity like this doesn't come around very often. I will eat, sleep and breathe Ajax to make this club better."

Ajax

Jordan Henderson on whether he would advise Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah not to go join the Saudi Pro League: "No definitely not. Everyone is different. Big players are there now loving every second of it. You might get others that don't settle or something happens in their private life. Things change quickly. I wouldn't speak badly of the league or the clubs or anything like that. I have full respect for the opportunity I was given to go there."

On how he broke the news to Al-Ettifaq manager Steven Gerrard: "I have a really good relationship with Stevie. He was brilliant over the six months I was there. I am delighted for him that he has the contract extension. It's been a tough time over the past month or so but he's been brilliant with me and brilliant for the club,. Our relationship was strong and always will be strong."

On offers from other Premier League clubs: "I don't think it's right for me to talk about who was interested whether it's Premier League or any other club. Today is all about Ajax and them giving me the opportunity to come here."

Bournemouth

Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola on Liverpool: "I'm quite happy with the two games we played against them, especially the second one in the Carabao Cup.

"But even then we were not even able to tie the game. We have to be at our best because they are at the top of the league."