Sportsday - rolling football news

1. COMING UP: Aston Villa & Watford news conferences
2. Celtic v Molde, Rubin Kazan v Liverpool (both 18:00 GMT)
3. Tottenham v Anderlecht (20:05)
4. Bonfire Night XI debate #bbcsportsday

Good night

And so a busy day on Sportsday comes to an end.

Hope you all have a great Bonfire night and remember we have live coverage of Celtic, Tottenham and Liverpool in the Europa League on the BBC Sport website right NOW.

Watford news conference

Geoff Doyle

BBC Three Counties Radio sport

Watford boss Quique Flores has been discussing the threat of the Premier League's top goalscorer Jamie Vardy ahead of the Hornets trip to Leicester on Saturday. 

Watford striker Odion Ighalo is fit to play despite suffering a dead leg last weekend. 

The Hornets could be unchanged and Flores is aware of the threat of Vardy: "It's very difficult to think about Leicester if you're not including Vardy but it's not possible to think of Leicester just in Vardy. For me it's like a collective. It's very important to know the moves of this player. But the moves depend on the collective moves of Leicester. He is helped by his teammates."

Watford news conference

Geoff Doyle

BBC Three Counties Radio sport

Watford boss Quique Flores had to again field questions about Emmanuel Adebayor today. 

The forgotten striker at Tottenham continues to be linked to Watford. In what would seem an unlikely alliance Flores didn't dismiss the reports: "I don't like to talk about players who don't belong to the Watford team.

"But we would welcome every good player. No names but I love players with category, soul, talent - but no names. I respect the players I have in my squad. They are in my mind. I know him. He's very good. He's a good person."

Getty Images

'Sorry Andy!'

This is a picture of the ball girl who hit Britain's Andy Murray with a stray ball during his demolition of David Goffin at the Paris Masters.

Murray failed to see the funny side but replied to the tweet...

Happy memories

John Southall

BBC Radio Five Live football reporter

This fixture will rekindle some magical memories for Tottenham fans. No doubt grainy images of Tony Parks diving to his right to save Arnor Gudjohnsen’s penalty to win the UEFA Cup will be beamed around White Hart Lane pre match. 

It was a famous night 31 years ago when Graham Roberts lifted the trophy but where does the now named Europa League sit in the current Tottenham’s priority list? With fourth place in the Premier League up for grabs that must be the number one target and Sunday’s game against Arsenal will be at the forefront of Mauricio Pochettino’s mind.

Getty Images

His team selection will reflect that. I’d expect Harry Kane, among others, to be rested and Son Heung-Min may well return after injury but there’ll be no Andros Townsend. He’s been sent to the naughty step after his very public altercation with the fitness coach Nathan Gardner after Monday's win against Aston Villa.   

You can follow live coverage of the match on the BBC Sport website.

Isner beats Federer

America's John Isner has beaten Switzerland's Roger Federer at the Paris Masters.

Federer, a 17-time grand slam winner, was beaten 7-6(3) 3-6 7-6(5).

Last chance?

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Celtic manager Ronny Deila has asked his players to rise to the occasion and revive their Europa League hopes, as the teamk sit bottom of their group.

You can follow live coverage of the match here.

Pulis fined by FA

West Brom manager Tony Pulis has been fined £8,000 by the Football Association after admitting a charge of improper conduct.

The charge related to an incident in the tunnel area after the Baggies were beaten 3-2 by Leicester on Saturday.

Big night for Delia

Alasdair Lamont

BBC Sport Scotland

SNS

Celtic's European fate could become clearer on a sodden evening in Glasgow, as Molde prepare to try to inflict another damaging defeat on Ronny Deila's side. 

The Scottish champions' response to that humbling in Norway two weeks ago has been excellent - three comfortable victories on the domestic front. But as Deila has come to discover, domestic dominance is increasingly taken as a given for Celtic. Europe is the benchmark for many of Deila's judges. 

The presence of his countryman Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the opposing dugout adds another layer of intrigue to a fascinating contest.

Europa League

Our dedicated live coverage of Liverpool's visit to Rubin Kazan.

You can follow it here with kick-off in Russia at 18:00 GMT.

Mourinho loses FA appeal

Jose Mourinho has failed with an appeal against his suspended stadium ban and £50,000 fine for comments made after Chelsea's match against Southampton, the Football Association has announced. 

Mourniho was given the suspended ban, along with a fine, for comments about the referee after his side's defeat to Southampton on 3 October.

Aston Villa news conference

Remi Garde: "When I met the players I wanted to give them confidence. They have a game on Sunday, we focus on that and then it is the international break which will give me more time to look around and discover things and the issues I need to address." 

Aston Villa news conference

More from new manager Remi Garde: "It was a tough game (against Tottenham on Monday).

"I was happy with the way the players answered to this game, they had a very good spirit even when they were 2-0 down they did not give up. There is a lot to do but I am not disappointed.

"Football is about scoring goals and not conceding, I need to find the right balance and need to improve in both areas."

Aston Villa news conference

Mark Regan

BBC WM Sport

Remi Garde says he's used to working with sporting directors and CEO's when it comes to signing new players. He insists that he has the final say over any moves in or out.

Aston Villa news conference

Remi Garde has described the Aston Villa job as "a very difficulty mission."

Aston Villa news conference

New Aston Villa manager Remi Garde is in place and ready for his first press conference.

Djokovic makes it 26 sets in a row

World number one Novak Djokovic (seen here entering the Paris Masters like James Bond) extended his latest winning streak to 19 matches, and 26 consecutive sets, with a 6-3 7-5 win over Frenchman Gilles Simon.

EPA

The Serb, 28, did not have it all his own way and was broken when serving for the match, but he closed it out at the second attempt and will next face Tomas Berdych or Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.  

We are not here to sightsee

Liverpool have had three successive 1-1 draws in Europe this season.

They trail group leaders Sion by three points and are ahead of Kazan by only a point with Bordeaux to follow in their final home game ahead of a trip to Switzerland in December.

Manager Jurgen Klopp said his side are going to Russia to win.

"We are not here for a visit. I hope you will see that. We are here to do our best and if we need to work hard for 95, 96 minutes then we shall do this."

Aston Villa news conference

We are less than 10 minutes away from Remi Garde's first press conference as Aston Villa manager...

Sam Burgess quits Rugby Union

We understand that Bath won't confirm Burgess' departure until tomorrow. Meanwhile, this has been the only thing on the club's official Twitter feed. 

At least he wasn't used in the promotional picture...

Klopp plays a strong hand

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has picked a strong team to face Russia's Rubin Kazan in the Europa League.

Liverpool: Mignolet, Clyne, Sakho, Lovren, Moreno, Can, Allen, Milner, Ibe, Firmino, Benteke.  

Substitutes: Bogdan, Coutinho, Lallana, Lucas, Origi, Brannagan, Skrtel.

AFP

Perkins extends Wigan contract

Wigan Athletic have taken up the option on David Perkins' contract, meaning he will stay at the club until 2017.

The 33-year-old midfielder joined in the summer after being released by Blackpool and has played every minute of the Latics' League One campaign.

Burgess quits rugby union

A bit more on Sam Burgess' return to Australia... 

BBC Sport understands a transfer fee has been agreed between South Sydney Rabbitohs and Bath, who aren't expected to confirm his departure until tomorrow.

Bath paid about £270,000 (500,000 Australian dollars) for Burgess back in February 2014 

Mascot quiz

Know who this pair are? Think you know your mascots?

Have a go at CBBC's football mascot quiz here.

BBC

Premier League predictor

Remi Garde could have an easier first game in charge, but will it be Aston Villa's eighth consecutive defeat? Or can bottom beat top? 

Have a go at the BBC Sport Predictor with your thoughts on that and the rest of the weekend's games 

Class of 92: Out of Their League

Who will be the new Salford City manager? Will top striker Gareth Seddon keep scoring? Will the club get promoted? Will the fans take to the Class of 92?  

Answers to these questions and more will hopefully be answered in the concluding episode of Class of 92: Out of Their League at 21:00 GMT on BBC One.

You can also watch the first episode on the BBC iPlayer here.

BBC

Aston Villa news conference

There's a healthy contingent of French media at Villa Park for the Remi Garde press conference.

National and International interest surrounds one of the most important managerial appointments Villa have made in recent years. If this doesn't work.... Well it's almost unthinkable. But Garde has a huge task ahead.

And this is his very grand seat the new Villa boss will be sitting in at 17:00 BST to give his first press conference.

BBC

Burgess quits Rugby Union

In light of Sam Burgess'decision to return to rugby leagueand the South Sydney Rabbitohs,5 live Sportwill have a special programme tonight from 7pm. Guests include former England rugby union centreJeremy Guscott. 

If you can't listen live, it'll be available to download afterwards as a podcastvia the 5 live website. 

BBC Sport

Michu on his way out?

Getty

Swansea City manager Garry Monkhas confirmed that an agreement to release Spanish strikerMichuis getting closer. Recent reports suggest his contract could be cancelled having fallen out of favour at the club and struggled with injuries. 

Michu scored 22 goals in 2012/13 for Swansea, but hasn't scored since October 2013, during which time he's also been out to Napoli on loan. 

Graeme Souness: the winning gene

Getty Images

Who is the best British midfielder of all time? This fella certainly has a strong claim...

He's also a hugely engaging raconteur, asthis fascinating interviewproves.

Cristiano Ronaldo interview

Dan Roan

BBC Sports editor

Coming up across BBC Sport at 17:00 GMT, I speak toCristiano Ronaldoabout a possible return to Manchester United, Lionel Messi and Jose Mourinho.

BBC

Test of knowledge

A Question of Sport Teaser

Earlier we asked you who are the four Top 20 players to have beaten Andy Murray in a completed singles match in 2015?

The answers are: Kevin Anderson, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Gilles Simon.

Courtois' comeback trail

Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has posted a video of his rehabilitation, as he recover from a knee injury.

The Belgian damaged his medial ligaments in September and underwent knee surgery.

You can watch a video of his training here, as he does shooting and movement exercises.

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Gatland 'to leave Wales in 2019'

Getty Images

Warren Gatland has confirmed he is likely to stand down as Wales coach in 2019.

The 52-year-old said he intends to return to his native New Zealand to coach.

"I'm here until 2019 and the plan for me then is definitely to come home for a period," Gatland told New Zealand broadcaster Radio Sport.

"If I was involved in provincial rugby or Super Rugby that would be great but, if I'm not, I may have to go to the beach for six months or 12 months, put my feet up and take a bit of a break. I've been away for long enough."

'Unassuming Yorkshireman turned Australian celebrity'

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How big a star in rugby league is Sam Burgess? 

Ahead of his cross-code switch in February 2014, BBC Sport's George Riley wrote this profile piece on Sam Burgess. 

It tells how the death of his father at a young age affected him and his family, and how film star Russell Crowe made him break down in tears ahead of his debut with the South Sydney Rabbitohs. 

Burgess leaves Bath for Sydney

England rugby union World Cup winner Will Greenwood isn't impressed....

Memorable farewell

Getty Images

In his last game of rugby league, Sam Burgess broke his cheekbone in the opening seconds of the match as the South Sydney Rabbitohs beat the Canterbury Bulldogs in the NRL Grand Final.

Despite the injury, Burgess carried on to lead the Rabbitohs to their first NRL title in 43 years while becoming the first non-Australian to win the Clive Churchill medal for the man of the match.

You can watch highlights here

Scrums or Sydney?

SoSam Burgesshas opted to move back to Sydney with the Rabbitohs.

Did our quiz help him decide?

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Burgess leaves Bath

Alastair Eykyn

BBC Sport

Sam Burgesshas reached an agreement to return to South Sydney Rabbitohs.  

Burgess leaves Bath

Alastair Eykyn

BBC Sport

Getty Images

Sam Burgess had been given time off by coach Mike Ford, who felt he needed a break after returning to training last week from England's World Cup squad.

He was a surprise inclusion at centre for the hosts during their doomed campaign, which saw them exit the tournament at the group stages.

He has been linked with a move back to Rugby League with South Sydney Rabbitohs and Leeds Rhinos both interested in the player.

Bath had been playing Burgess in the back-row and had been adamant in recent weeks that he would be staying at the club.

Burgess leaves Bath

Alastair Eykyn

BBC Sport

Sam Burgess has left Bath Rugby with immediate effect, the Premiership club have announced.

The rugby league convert, 26, had two years left on a three-year deal.

Get Involved - Bonfire Night XI

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And if you're having problems seeing the team, you can have a look here

Get Involved - Bonfire Night XI

So, we asked your for your Bonfire Night XI and here are the best of them.

Enjoy...

sharemytactics

Premier League predictor

Can Sunderland recover from their 6-2 defeat to Everton? Have a shot at our predictor for that and the rest of this weekend's Premier League fixtures 

BBC Sport

Sunderland news conference

Fabio Borini, Ola Toivonen, Younes Kaboul and John O’Shea have recovered from their injuries and are all in contention for Saturday’s match at the Stadium of Light, but Lee Cattermole misses out with a groin injury.

Manager Sam Allardyce said: "The good news is Ola, Fabio, Younes and John all trained today. With no reaction from their first training session back in the squad they will be available for selection on Saturday which is important.”

“I don’t think it’s that serious but Lee certainly won’t be fit for the weekend. I think after the international break I will expect him to be fit when all the players get back."

5 Live Sport special...

5 Live

Jamie Vardy’s rise from Stocksbridge Park Steels to the top of the Premier league scoring charts and international honours has given hope to all non-league footballers.

5 live Sport will look at the untapped talent in non-league football, whether there are players who could cut it at the highest level and what the top clubs are doing to identify the next Vardy, Chris Smalling or Charlie Austin.

We will speak to scouts and managers, plus players who have made it to the big league and those that could be the next big thing.

We will also be revealing our greatest non league XI of all time.

BreakingWood to miss ODIs & T20s

England bowler Mark Wood is going back to the UK to see an ankle specialist, and will miss the four ODIs and three T20s against Pakistan in the UAE. 

Wood missed the final Test against Pakistan due to the chronic ankle problem.

Liam Plunkett has been added to the squads as his replacement. 

Reuters

Premier League predictor

Will it be five consecutive Premier League defeats for Norwich this Saturday? Put your prediction skills to the test

Long lost bros?

Matt Sandoz

Stoke City commentator, BBC Radio Stoke

BBC Radio Stoke's Matt Sandoz's asked a few moments ago....

The answer was of course Stoke's Philipp Wollscheid.

But we liked Richard's response below...

Swansea City news conference

Simon Davies

BBC Wales

Swansea manager Garry Monk has been giving his view on the row between Chris Coleman and Arsene Wenger over Aaron Ramsey's fitness. 

He's also hinted that he'd prefer his Wales internationals, Ashley Williams and Neil Taylor, to not play a full 90 minutes in next weeks international against the Netherlands in Cardiff.

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"You can't stop a player from wanting to do that, but you'd like to think common sense would be used"  

"I know Chris very well but I'm not going to ring him every time an international comes up. All you do hope, is that common sense is used in friendly games and you hope that common sense is used for minutes for players."

England news conference

Getty Images

England manager Roy Hodgson had his say on the Chris Coleman and Arsene Wenger's row over Wales midfielder Aaron Ramsey.

"Coleman had his opinion on Wenger's comments. He is entitled to air them. I do believe if players return from international duty fit but get injured in a club game you can not blame the international game.

"I have sympathy with Arsene, he lost three players and one does tend to look for every possible reason there could be for that. There is more of an opportunity for club teams to rest players."

Ramsey came off during the win over Bayern Munich, three days after playing 90 minutes at Watford on 17 October. Wenger was unhappy that he played for Wales against Andorra on 13 October.

Leicester news conference

BBC Leicester Sport

Getty Images

Claudio Ranieri has now turned his attention to Watford and, in particular, their coach Quique Sanchez Flores. The Spaniard replaced him at Valencia in 2005. 

"Big revenge, I want to kill him," the Italian said, we thinking jokingly, before adding. "Watford are like us. They are strong and they play well in counter attack, press a lot."

Premier League predictor

Who do you think will win in Saturday's early kick off? Have a go at our predictor and take on Lawro and your friends. 

There's commentary on Bournemouth v Newcastle on 5 live Sport on Saturday

Leicester news conference

BBC Leicester Sport

Getty Images

Claudio Ranieri has also been speaking about attacker Riyad Mahrez, who has been linked with moves to Manchester United and Paris St-Germain.

"That's good because it means we have very good players. It's only speculation, he's happy with us," the Italian coach said. "We want to grow up and he will stay with us."

England news conference

More from England manager Roy Hodgson on the upcoming friendlies against Spain and France.

"It is November and the European Championships are not till June. We have to be careful not to extract too much information as we will not know who is available until May. 

"It is a great opportunity to look at players that have been with us but have not had much game time. There will be no newcomers, no players out of leftfield."

Leicester news conference

BBC Radio Leicester

Getty Images

Claudio Ranieri has arrived and is asked, first, about Jamie Vardy. The striker, who has scored in his last eight games, has been included in Roy Hodgson's latest England squad. 

"When he's free, he's amazing," said Ranieri, when asked about the best way to use the 28-year-old. "I'm not Roy [Hodgson] - I respect him, his shape, but for me he plays free."

Bournemouth news conference

AFP

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe is speaking to the media ahead of their game against Newcastle on Saturday lunchtime. 

His side lost 2-0 to neighbours Southampton at the weekend. "I've seen a good reaction after Sunday, but I would expect that. The real test of that will be on Saturday."

He's also praised midfielder Harry Arter, who played his first games of the season last week after injury: "He has given everyone a boost. You can see the impact he's had on the team", he said. "He has made a good return so far, but I think there's more to come from him."

England news conference

Roy Hodgson said he will not be swayed on where Leicester and the Premier League's top scorer Jamie Vardy, should play in the team.

His team-mate Kasper Schmeichel believes Vardy should play as a central striker, rather than being stuck out wide.

Hodgson said: "Jamie has only played a handful of games for England, he should be happy to be in the squad and even happier if he makes the team. He has a job to convince us he has the ability to play as a centre forward and not get too hung up about where he plays."

Say cheese...

It's team photo day at Sunderland, apparently. We'll also be hearing from Sam Allardyce at his news conference later today. Presumably he'll have done his hair and everything... 

Southampton news conference

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Thoughts on Southampton's opponents this weekend...

"Sunderland will react to their current form. They play at home. They need points. Normally they are the hardest teams to play against. If we are doing what we are used to doing in the past few games, we are the better side". 

Are we there already?! Talk of January transfer talk is happening...

"Going into the transfer window I am very happy with the team and with the players we have and I can't say 100% because this is football. But normally we don't look for new players in January."

England news conference

Roy Hodgson on England's record goalscorer Wayne Rooney: "It was good to see him score a goal, it has been a difficult time for him, nice to see him score the crucial winner in a Champions League match.

"He has just turned 30, equaled Denis Law's record and it has been an autumn of milestones and I rejoice for him.

Hodgson then refused to get involved in the debate surrounding Louis Van Gaal's system at Manchester United and whether it hinders Rooney.

Dier named in England squad

Murray Burnell

BBC London

Spoke to Eric Dier a few months ago about his England chances. He said "that's the aim". Thoroughly deserved.   

Southampton news conference

Ronald Koeman has said reaching a top four spot at the end of the season is difficult but not impossible. 

"While you can be one of the top four, to continue it through the rest of the season is difficult. Normally the biggest clubs, even when they are struggling, don't struggle until the end of the season. They recover, they react. They have quality and we know it's very difficult to beat them right through until the end of the season".  

Sounds as if he thinks Chelsea aren't giving up just yet...

England news conference

Roy Hodgson on Tottenham's Eric Dier, who has been given his first call-up to the England squad.

"He has done very, in the position in the centre of midfield, someone who has more of a defensive bent and there are not many of those players available.

"He has done well for Tottenham, we are giving him a chance to come and see what he can do for us. He deserves his chance, he has been a key figure for Spurs and I am delighted to welcome him."

England news conference

Alastair Yeomans

BBC Radio 5 live

BBC Sport

BBC Radio 5 live's senior football reporter Ian Dennis will conduct a one-on-one interview with Roy Hodgson a little later. As usual, he is working his phone following up stories in the meantime...

Southampton news conference

Southampton manager Ronald Koeman has a little more information saying that with the exception of the missing Wanyama, the team is likely to remain the same. 

When asked is Wanyama going to be a big miss for the squad, Koeman responded with a fairly cutting - 

"It's a miss"...

Ooof. He did go onto explain himself a little more though. 

"He is always starting but that means that he is an important player for the team in that defensive midfield position. He has is one of the key players. But we have enough competition in the squad to replace Wanyama in the squad."

Leicester news conference

And we'll bring you the best of it shortly...

Southampton news conference

Getty Images

Ronald Koeman is speaking in Southampton about his team's current fitness. 

"No Victor Wanyama in the squad for this weekend's match. There are no other injuries but also nobody coming back from injury. 

"Shane Long and Jay Rodriguez are still out. Shane was close to coming back. He trained yesterday with the team but he was not 100% and you need to be 100% to be in the squad."

England under-21 squad announced

Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Preston North End, loan from Sunderland), Christian Walton (Brighton & Hove Albion), Joe Wildsmith (Sheffield Wednesday)

Defenders: Tyias Browning (Everton), Calum Chambers (Arsenal), Brendan Galloway (Everton), Dominic Iorfa (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Jack Stephens (Middlesbrough, loan from Southampton), Matt Targett (Southampton)

Midfielders: Lewis Baker (Vitesse Arnhem, loan from Chelsea), Nathaniel Chalobah (SSC Napoli, loan from Chelsea), Jake Forster-Caskey (Brighton & Hove Albion), Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Chelsea), James Ward-Prowse (Southampton) 

Forwards: Chuba Akpom (Hull City, loan from Arsenal), Jordon Ibe (Liverpool), Solly March (Brighton & Hove Albion), Nathan Redmond (Norwich City), Dominic Solanke (Vitesse Arnhem, loan from Chelsea), Duncan Watmore (Sunderland), Cauley Woodrow (Fulham)

England under-21 squad announced

England Under-21 manager Gareth Southgate has named a 21-man squad for the Euro Qualifiers with Bosnia-Herzegovina and Switzerland.

Everton defender Tyias Browning and Chelsea striker Dominic Solanke, who is currently on loan with Vitesse Arnhem, have both been called-up. Joe Gomez, Kortney Hause and James Wilson miss out due to injury.

England news conference

Alastair Yeomans

BBC Radio 5 live

BBC Sport