FOOTBALL

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo will be "100%" fit to face Barcelona in the the first El Clasico of La Liga.

Everton boss Sam Allardyce has effectively ruled out a move for Sunderland defender Lamine Kone in January.

Zaha's spellbinding form for the resurgent Eagles has attracted interest from what Hodgson calls "so-called bigger clubs".

Arsene Wenger is still weighing up whether to use three or four at the back when Arsenal host Liverpool on Friday.

Jonny Evans will be allowed to leave West Brom for the right price in January with a return to Manchester United said to be the likeliest option.

Gabriel Jesus and Kylian Mbappe have shown their qualities at Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) respectively.

Arsenal were smashed 4-0 by the Reds in the reverse fixture at Anfield in August, which they will be looking to remedy.

Everton's director of football Steve Walsh and the club's new chief scout Martyn Glover flew to France on Wednesday (20 December) to watch Soumaoro as Lille drew 1-1 with Nice.

The Belgian will have only a year left on his current deal after the season and would need a sumptuous offer to put pen to paper.

West Bromwich Albion are willing to allow Jonny Evans leave the club in the January transfer window if they receive a bid of around £30m. He has 18 months left on his contract.

Neymar has warned Real Madrid that PSG are capable of beating them as they intend on making history by winning the Champions League for the first time.

Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino claims the club have missed a player like Victor Wanyama who has not featured for the north London club since their home defeat to Chelsea.

Gary McAllister has heaped praise on Mohamed Salah and has backed the Egypt international winger to surpass a tally of 30 goals in all competitions for Liverpool this season.

English football is braced for another festive period but when with the sport realise it is hurting the chances of its own national team?

Daniele Rugani has seen his first team opportunities being limited, which has made him to consider the option of leaving Juventus.

Zinedine Zidane is expected to deploy his strongest side when Real Madrid take on Barcelona on Saturday [23 December] for the first El Clasico of the La Liga season.

Antonio Conte is at a loss to explain Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata's yellow card, which rules him out of the Premier League trip to Everton.

Ernesto Valverde is expected to deploy a strong eleven when Barcelona visit Real Madrid for the first El Clasico of La Liga.

Nemanja Matic is likely to return to partner Paul Pogba in midfield for Manchester United against Leicester City but Antonio Valencia is a doubt.

The 25-year-old defender has emerged as an instrumental figure of Sean Dyche's side so far this season.

Antonio Conte is hopeful his Chelsea squad will be strengthened during the January window but would not discuss the potential exits of David Luiz and Kenedy.

Cristiano Ronaldo has missed training for the third day in a row as Los Blancos continue their preparations for the visit of Barcelona

Thomas Lemar and Ross Barkley are on Chelsea manager Antonio Conte's wishlist for the January transfer window, reports claim.

Arsenal have made enquiries over Mainz defender Abdou Diallo but are likely to have to wait until the summer before they can do a deal.

Barcelona left-back Jordi Alba and Gerard Deulofeu returned to training two days before the first El Clasico in La Liga at Real Madrid on Saturday [23 December].

James Tarkowski will miss Burnley's devilishly difficult festive schedule against Tottenham, Manchester United and Huddersfield after being handed a three-game ban.

Chamberlain joined Liverpool in a £35m deal on transfer deadline day after turning down a deal worth up to £180,000 a week to stay at the Emirates Stadium.

Bottom of the table Swansea sacked Paul Clement on Wednesday after he won just three games all season.

Jermain Defoe was forced off injured during Bournemouth's Carabao Cup defeat to Chelsea with Eddie Howe fearing the striker has suffered ankle ligament damage.