Major headlines today

Gareth Bale is set for longer on the sidelines than initially estimated because of an ankle injury, with the Real Madrid forward understood to be facing four months out.

Manchester City target Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk, 25, and Sporting Lisbon midfielder William Carvalho, 24, as they look to find long-term replacements for Vincent Kompany and Yaya Toure.

Southampton manager Claude Puel describes reports linking Van Dijk, with Liverpool in the January transfer window is "speculation and rumour".

Toby Alderweireld's return from injury seems imminent after the 27-year-old completed two double training sessions with the Tottenham squad this week.

Chelsea will hold off until the summer to make a £50m move for Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly because he will be on Senegal duty in the Africa Cup of Nations.

Gareth Southgate is fully deserving of his new role as England manager, according to his former Middlesbrough player Jonathan Woodgate.

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is set to spend heavily in the January transfer window, with strengthening the defence a priority.

Watford boss Walter Mazzarri insists striker Odion Ighalo, 27, remains part of his plans despite his poor start to the season.

England goalkeeper Joe Hart, 29, says he is unlikely to play again for Manchester City once his loan spell at Torino ends.

Liverpool are set to miss out on Wales Under-19 midfielder Ethan Ampadu, with Arsenal favourites to sign the 16-year-old.

Everton are eyeing a new goalkeeper in the January transfer window and have drawn up a three-man shortlist to bolster their options.

Goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, 23, can emulate Victor Valdes' distinguished career at Barcelona, says former Italy international Gianluca Zambrotta.

AC Milan president Silvio Berlusconi says "the money is there" for a takeover of the club, but that they are "waiting for Chinese bureaucracy".