Aguero starts again

Manchester City line-up tonight v Newcastle has a front 3 of Sterling, Aguero and Bernardo Silva (with Sane and Jesus on the bench). David Silva is still missing from the squad.

Southampton agree to sell Van Dijk for £75m to Liverpool on 1 January 2018

The sale announced today follows Southampton boss Mauricio Pellegrino saying he will continue to do what he thinks is right for his team, having left Virgil van Dijk out of the side in in recent weeks.

Van Dijk had not featured in the last fortnight, sitting out the games against Chelsea and Huddersfield Town, as well as the 5-2 Boxing Day mauling at Tottenham. Pellegrino remained adamant that he is doing the right thing by utilising other options. Not surprisingly a deal to sell him was being discussed.

Leicester’s Danny Simpson hamstring injury

Full-back Danny Simpson will miss the match against Liverpool this weekend after injuring a hamstring during the 2-2 draw with Manchester United. The muscle strain is likely to keep Simpson out for a few weeks.

Arsenal have 3 injuries

Arsene Wenger lists just Monreal, Giroud and Ramsey on the Arsenal treatment table.

West Brom striker Saloman Rondon an injury worry

Struggling West Brom are hoping that the injury sustained by striker Salomon Rondon in the goalless draw with Everton on Boxing Day proves to not be too serious.

The 28-year-old Venezuela International had to be replaced early in the 2nd half of the Hawthorns clash with the Toffees, having grabbed his hamstring after lashing a shot high and wide of target.

Southampton Striker suffers injury and 3 match ban

Charlie Austin is to miss Southampton’s Christmas fixtures because of a hamstring injury and he has also been hit with a 3 match ban after a violent conduct charge.

Benteke is a force to be reckoned with

Roy Hodgson is delighted to have Christian Benteke back for Thursday’s visit of Arsenal because he adds a ‘physical presence’ to his side.

The Eagles chief has masterminded a major turnaround in fortunes for the club since taking charge from the sacked Frank de Boer in September with the side bottom of the table on zero points and without a goal at the time.