Summary

  • Carabao Cup: Liverpool v Arsenal (19:45 GMT, first leg)

  • Lucas Digne joins Aston Villa from Everton

  • Newcastle sign Chris Wood from Burnley

  • Get Involved: #bbcfootball or text 81111 (UK only - texts will be charged at your standard message rate)

  1. 'Never say never'published at 13:15 GMT 13 January 2022

    Newcastle v Watford (Sat, 15:00 GMT)

    Watford

    Watford have signed three new players in January but manager Claudio Ranieri has not ruled out any further activity in the window.

    "Never say never," said Ranieri.

    "But I'm very happy because the three new signings have strong qualities."

    Asked whether new signings Edo Kayembe, Hassane Kamara and Samir would feature at Newcastle, Ranieri said: Look, of course not everybody is 100%, but I can choose between them.

    "Now, I have to see them tomorrow if they travel with us and then I'll see."

  2. 'I believe in this team'published at 13:10 GMT 13 January 2022

    Newcastle v Watford (Sat, 15:00 GMT)

    Watford

    Watford are two points above the Premier League relegation zone in 17th place and manager Claudio Ranieri says he is "sure" his side will avoid the drop.

    "I believe in this team and I'm sure at the end we will be safe, but of course, we have to change our [league] position," said Ranieri.

    "This is a big match for us, and for them, but also in this week we play three times against teams who are in the relegation fight.

    "And then it's very important to be solid, strong, because also the opponent will be strong and solid."

  3. Claudio incomingpublished at 13:07 GMT 13 January 2022

    Newcastle v Watford (Sat, 15:00 BST)

    Now then, time to hear from Watford manager Claudio Ranieri...

  4. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 12:58 GMT 13 January 2022

    #bbcfootball or text 81111 (UK only - standard rates apply)

    Andrew: As a completely impartial Liverpool fan, I reckon Digne would make a better striker than Chris Wood. Don’t understand the signing

  5. Houghton signs new Man City contractpublished at 12:53 GMT 13 January 2022

    Manchester City

    Steph HoughtonImage source, Getty Images

    Manchester City captain Steph Houghton has signed a new contract with the Women's Super League club.

    The England captain and defender, 33, returned from injury in City's 6-0 win over Brighton on Sunday.

    The length of the contract has not been disclosed but City boss Gareth Taylor said he was "thrilled".

    "Her contributions and dedication to the team are so important," he said.

  6. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 12:45 GMT 13 January 2022

    #bbcfootball or text 81111 (UK only - standard message rates apply)

    £25m for Chris Wood? They can have me for a £1m signing-on fee and £5k a week. I'll be the water boy. Bargain!

    Marc, Villa fan (haven't played for 10 years)

  7. Watford injury newspublished at 12:38 GMT 13 January 2022

    Newcastle v Watford (Sat, 15:00 GMT)

    Watford

    Some injury news to bring you from the Watford camp ahead of their six-pointer with Newcastle on Saturday.

    Goalkeeper Ben Foster has returned to full training and could be available to make his first appearance since November after recovering from a groin issue.

    Emmanuel Dennis, Kiko Femenía and Christian Kabasele have also returned to training and will all be assessed ahead of the trip to St James' Park.

  8. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 12:33 GMT 13 January 2022

    #bbcfootball or text 81111 (UK only - standard message rates apply)

    Happy so far with Newcastle getting in early (new feeling) paying for players we need, not thinking of resale value but current impact. Hoping for those defensive signings soon.

    Mike (Looking forward to welcoming Chris to the pitch on Saturday)

  9. What’s behind Rashford’s struggling form?published at 12:26 GMT 13 January 2022

    Simon Stone
    BBC Sport

    Marcus RashfordImage source, Getty Images

    Speak to people who know Marcus Rashford, and they accept the Manchester United striker is suffering from a lack of confidence.

    It comes from the drip feed of little doubts that have crept into his game over the past couple of seasons, which, currently, are not being eased by a regular flow of goals.

    His disappointing performance as United beat Aston Villa 1-0 in the FA Cup on Monday had experienced top-level professionals scratching their heads.

    "I don't want to single Marcus Rashford out because we don't know what's going on with him," said Alan Shearer during Monday's TV coverage on Match of the Day. "But everything looks a real effort for him. He looks very flat."

    "He looks disheartened," added former Manchester United striker Dion Dublin during the same broadcast. "I haven't seen him smile in a long time."

    Read more on this in Simon Stone's piece here.

  10. Gossip - Traore to Spurs and Bissouma to Villa?published at 12:20 GMT 13 January 2022

    GossipImage source, BBC Sport

    We all love a little bit of transfer rumours don't we?

    Let's take a look and see what the latest is:

    This and much more can be found in today's gossip column.

    Adama Traore and Yves BissoumaImage source, Getty Images
  11. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 12:15 GMT 13 January 2022

    #bbcfootball or text 81111 (UK only - standard message rates apply)

    Gumbo74: If Aston Villa's new signings perform to their full potential, added to who they already have, they look very exciting. Newcastle - I can't help think there's one eye on where they will be next year, but lets hope it's in the top flight.

  12. Welcome backpublished at 12:02 GMT 13 January 2022

    Thanks for joining our coverage of this afternoon's Premier League news conferences.

    We'll have updates from around the top flight, as well as reaction to the latest activity in the transfer window...

  13. See you in a tickpublished at 10:54 GMT 13 January 2022

    That's all from us for now.

    But don't worry, we'll be back shortly with coverage of this afternoon's Premier League news conferences...

  14. Watford relying on Dennis to steer away from troublepublished at 10:49 GMT 13 January 2022

    When fighting for survival in the Premier League, having a clinical goalscorer can be the difference between staying up or going down.

    Fortunately for Watford, they have one of the most in-form forwards in the top flight this season - Emmanuel Dennis.

    And even more fortunate for the Hornets, an administrative error means they have not lost the Nigeria international to the Africa Cup of Nations this month.

    That means he will be available for some crucial fixtures against Watford's relegation rivals, including Newcastle on Saturday.

    So just how big a difference could Dennis make in the battle to stay in the Premier League?

    Find out here.

    DennisImage source, Getty Images
  15. Newcastle's fee for Wood is £25mpublished at 10:43 GMT 13 January 2022

    Chris WoodImage source, Getty Images

    Some more details on Chris Wood's signing at Newcastle.

    The Magpies have signed the New Zealand striker for £25m and has agreed a contract at St James' Park until the end of the 2023-24 season.

    It had been thought Burnley would not sell the player to a Premier League relegation rival, but Newcastle triggered the release clause in his Clarets contract.

    Newcastle boss Eddie Howe targeted attacking reinforcements after Callum Wilson was ruled out for eight weeks with a calf injury.

  16. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 10:37 GMT 13 January 2022

    #bbcfootball or text 81111 (UK only - standard message rates apply)

    Chris Wood and Lucas DigneImage source, Getty Images

    Ok if you've just joined us here's what's happened so far this morning.

    Striker Chris Wood has joined Newcastle from Burnley and left-back Lucas Digne has signed for Aston Villa from Everton.

    Newcastle and Villa fans, are you happy with your new recruits?

    Non Newcastle and Villa fans feel free to give us your thoughts on the signings too if you have any or who you'd like your club to sign.

  17. 'A great addition'published at 10:32 GMT 13 January 2022

    Here's Newcastle striker Callum Wilson speaking on The Footballer's Football Podcast...

    "It's going to be good to have new bodies in the building, add competition for places," said Wilson. "A striker's coming in the door which is exciting for me - I like it.

    "I'm going to come back [from injury] with a different mentality, but that's what you need sometimes. You have to have that little boost to get you going again and keep you on your toes.

    "With me being out injured, we need players that are Premier League-ready and I don't think you're going to get a better striker in the bottom half of the league than Chris Wood.

    "He's a different profile than me, so I'm sure the manager has in his plans either to play us together or one at a time. He'll be a great addition."

    WilsonImage source, Getty Images
  18. 'Wood in a group of elite strikers'published at 10:27 GMT 13 January 2022

    Media caption,

    The Football News Show: Will Burnley miss Chris Wood?

  19. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 10:21 GMT 13 January 2022

    #bbcfootball or text 81111 (UK only - standard rates apply)

    Gareth: Chris Wood not quite the marquee signing. One that might help them next year though…

    Robbo: Burnley accepting relegation