Football News: Arsenal Prepare Title Parade Early And 9 Other Stories Of The Day

1. Berahino back in contention
West Bromwich Albion manager Tony Pulis is keen to put his public criticism of last season's top scorer Saido Berahino behind him and says he could well face Pulis's former side Stoke City on Saturday. Pulis said Berahino was lucky to make the bench for the win over Newcastle United, but now seems keen to distance himself from those comments. Pulis told Sky Sports News HQ: "That's all done and dusted, we've moved on from that. The kid came on and did really well for 30 minutes and he's got a great chance of playing on Saturday. It's got nothing to do with anybody apart from me and Saido. That was last week. He's trained well this week, he's been in on time and he's done everything that everyone else has done. He just lapses, its not because he's a bad lad or anything. It's just the way he is, it's just him growing up and recognising it's about the group and about the team." With the January transfer window set to open on the 2nd, it will be interesting to see what happens if Tottenham Hotspur attempt to revive a move for Berahino, who threw his toys out of his pram after a transfer fell through in the summer.

2. Strootman closes in on return
Kevin Strootman is being lined up for a return to action in February, after recovering from another knee operation. Knee troubles have plagued the Netherlands international midfielder and he has played very little for Roma for the last two years because of them. Since March 2014 he has needed three separate knee surgeries after suffering a cruciate ligament injury but is now hoping that he will be able to revive a career that was expected to take him to Manchester United in the summer before a pre-season operation. Strootman will be hoping that he will be able to get himself fit enough to make the Dutch squad for Euro 2016, after his knee problems saw him miss out on the 2014 World Cup.

 

3. Islington Council tempt fate
Arsenal's local council first announced, then retracted, dates for a victory parade if the Gooners win the Premier League. The tweet by the council's official Twitter feed said that 'If Arsenal are to win the Premier League the parade will take place on Sunday 22nd May 2016.' They then deleted the tweet and replaced it with one reading 'Apologies for the error, there is no information about parade dates at this moment in time.' Arsenal are currently sat on top of the league table, but only on goal difference from Leicester City with half of the season still left to play. Still, there is nothing like being prepared for any eventuality.

4. Jagielka set for a return
With Everton's defence struggling in recent weeks, they are delighted that their England international centre back Phil Jagielka is closing in on a return to first team action. The 33 year old club skipper has been out since suffering ligament damage in a match against Arsenal on 24th October. Toffees manager has confirmed that Jagielka is a week or so away from a return to first team action. "The weekend could be too early but he will be involved I would say in the next seven to 10 days," Martinez said. "Medically he's got the green light, now it's making sure he gets a good programme to get him match fit," Martinez explained. "In the dressing room he's a lively character that we've missed immensely, but we need to make sure he's at 100% before he can come back into challenging for a position in the team." Everton have conceded seven goals in their last two fixtures.

 

5. Raiola claims Balotelli is forced to do more because he is black
The agent of Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli, who is currently on loan at AC Milan, has claimed that the forward has to do more because of the colour of his skin. "People judge Mario too much," Mino Raiola told Tuttosport. "He lives in a country that is not ready to have such a strong black player. Italy is light years behind other countries in that aspect. There is racism in football. Some of it is unconscious but black players have to do twice as much as others to prove themselves. Conte should call up Mario because he is the best Italian striker. I am convinced that Mario will win over Conte with his performances and his goals at Milan." The comments came in response to criticism Balotelli has received after being out injured since September. Raiola might have had a point, if it was not for the fact that Balotelli does a lot less than other players, yet still gets big money moves.

6. Ranieri gives Leicester players freedom on New Year's Eve
With Leicester City second in the Premier League, with just goal difference separating them from leaders Arsenal with 2016 about to arrive. Now Claudio Ranieri has confirmed that he has given the Foxes' players a night off to celebrate, so long as they do not overdo things. He said: "They can celebrate, they are very, very good professionals. It's important to celebrate, to enjoy it, because it was a fantastic 2015 but afterwards we have to put our minds on Bournemouth. They are a very dangerous team. Bournemouth lost five in a row but before losing to Arsenal (2-0 on Monday) they made a fantastic positive run. For us it's important to concentrate 100 per cent."

 

7. Spurs lose Dembele for Everton trip
Tottenham Hotspur are set to head to Goodison Park on Sunday to face Everton without midfielder Moussa Dembele. The Belgian has been a regular this season as Spurs have risen to 4th in the table and has been instrumental to the team's good form. Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino has said it is just a small injury and he will be back in a few weeks. He also confirmed that the rest of the squad had a clean bill of health.

8. Koeman confirms he might need to add firepower
Ronald Koeman is facing up to injuries to Graziano Pelle and Jay Rodriguez and admits his Southampton side might need to add a striker in the January window. Koeman was asked about the January window and if he would make any moves to sign players. Koeman said: "At the moment, no. Like I mentioned before, if we need to sign a player, it needs to be a striker. But that also depends on the situation of Jay and what will happen with Graziano. It's too early to make conclusions about that. We still have to wait to see how they recover and how long it takes, and then we'll make a decision about what we have to do."

 

9. Butland pays half to send deaf football team to the World Cup
When Stoke City and England goalkeeper Jack Butland found out that the GB women's deaf football team were trying to raise £10,000 to fund their trip to the 2016 Deaf World Cup, the big hearted keeper donated £5,000 towards the total.

Wow! Thank you so much @JackButland_One for the £5000 donation. We are in shock! Just £1890 to go ⚽️🇬🇧 https://t.co/SiDAfvAHhp

— GBDeafFootball (@GB_DeafFootball) December 31, 2015

The team have since raised the rest of the money needed to ensure they can make the trip.

10. CAS upholds Musa Hassan Bility's ban
Musa Hassan Bility had appealed against a decision made by the FIFA Ad hoc Electoral Committee to block his admission for candidacy to the election process for the FIFA presidential election. Bility had failed to pass checks made by the investigatory chamber of the FIFA Ethics Committee, as so he could not be admitted to the presidential elections to be held in February. The Court of Arbitration for Sport has dismissed his appeal and upheld the FIFA AEC decision.

Written by Tris Burke December 31 2015 15:47:59