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And on the night before Christmas Eve, Sportsday was brought to a close.

That's it from us for today. Thanks, as ever, for your company and wherever you are, have a great Christmas!

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Burnley would not be drawn on whether the Football Association charge against Joey Barton in relation to alleged historic betting would endanger his proposed return to the squad.

"The club will be discussing the matter with Joey and his legal representatives and will be making no further comment on the matter at this time," read a statement.

Earlier in the day manager Sean Dyche emphasised that Barton, whose short Rangers spell came to an end earlier this season, had not yet completed his return to Turf Moor.

 "He's not a contracted player at Burnley Football Club," Dyche said. "We've just had a chat with him and agreed in principle the idea of it going forward." 

Manchester City

Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has posted an update on his recovery after undergoing knee surgery. 

He posted a picture of himself on his hospital bed on Instagram and wrote: "Hi guys! I'm doing well and today's surgery went fine. Now it's another road to recovery."

Gundogan is out for the rest of the season after picking up the injury against Watford earlier this month.

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Former Arsenal striker Eduardo is leaving Shakhtar Donetsk after scoring 57 goals in 173 games.

There is no word on the 33-year-old's next club.

Brazil international Eduardo moved from Arsenal for a reported £6m in July 2010, and spent a year with Flamengo before returning to the Ukraine.

Near the halfway stage of the 2016-17 season, BBC Sport's Jeremy Guscott assesses the sides vying to be Premiership champions.

Has it really been five years?

It was on Christmas Eve Eve back in 2011 that Diego Simeone first became Atletico Madrid manager. Since then he has led the Spanish side to title wins in La Liga, Copa del Rey, the Europa League and two runners-up finishes in the Champions League.

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Tiger Woods is planning to play golf with American president-elect Donald Trump at his Florida golf resort according to the real estate mogul's transition team. 

Fourteen-time Major winner Woods, who returned to the golf circuit earlier this month after a 15-month injury layoff, played a fourball with Trump's predecessor Barack Obama in February 2013.

Arsenal

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Arsenal are considering a move for Sunderland goalkeeper Jordan Pickgord, according to the London Standard., external

The newspaper reports that the Gunners have made contact to enquire about the possibility of signing the 22-year-old next month but immediately loaning him back to Sunderland for the rest of the season.

Today's advent calendar includes highlights as Great Britain's women win their first Olympic hockey gold medal by beating the Netherlands in a dramatic penalty shootout. 

You can find out how to get (back) into hockey with our special guide.

West Bromwich Albion

Will Manchester United midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin choose Everton or West Brom in the January transfer window? 

This is what BBC Sport's men in the know think.

Benfica defender Victor Lindelof has apparently been pictured signing a Manchester United shirt at a fan event back in his native Sweden.

The pictures have appeared via Portuguese football expert Jan Hagen (@PortuBall) on Twitter.

United are reportedly close to landing the 22-year-old centre-back on a January deal and are confident that they will not have to match his £37.8m release fee.

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Image source, Rex Features

Joey Barton has been charged for misconduct in relation to betting, the Football Association announces., external

It is alleged that between 26 March 2006 and 13 May 2016, the midfielder placed 1,260 bets on the result, progress, conduct or any other aspect of, or occurrence in, football matches or competitions in breach of FA Rule E8.

He has until 5 January 2017 to respond to the charge.

Crystal Palace

Sam Allardyce has arrived at Selhurst Park.

The former England manager sounds pretty confident of crossing the is and crossing the ts on a deal to take over at Crystal Palace in a meeting with chairman Steve Parish.

"I'm just here to talk to Steve and assuming it all goes all right, it should be okay," Allardyce told Sky Sports. 

 Asked about whether it was the right job to re-launch his career, he added: "Fantastic." 

Tottenham Hotspur

Manager Mauricio Pochettino does not believe any of his Tottenham players would move to China as they value quality of competition over money. 

"My players like to play football and like to compete with the best in the world and the Premier League is a place to be competitive. 

 "It would be strange for me if one of my players decided to move in that direction but it is different circumstances and I respect all opinions." 

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Mike Rigg has left his position as chief football officer at Fulham after agreeing to "cordially part ways" with the Championship club.

Rigg joined the Craven Cottage side at the start of 2015 following a two-year spell with the Football Association.

He previously worked at Manchester City and QPR as a technical director.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Newport Gwent Dragons prop Brok Harris has signed a contract extension at the Welsh region.

Harris, 31, joined from South African Super Rugby side Stormers in August 2014.

The tight-head, who can also play loose-head, has made over 60 appearances for the Dragons.

Image source, Rex Features

Chris Ashton will make his first appearance since completing his latest suspension when Saracens host Newcastle in the Aviva Premiership on Christmas Eve. 

Ashton has served a 13-week ban for biting the arm of Northampton prop Alex Waller incurred in September and takes his place on the bench for the visit for the Falcons to Allianz Park. 

The 29-year-old England wing, who has agreed to join Toulon at the end of the season, returns to a team captained by Owen Farrell in the injury-enforced absence of Brad Barritt. 

Manchester City

Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has undergone surgery after suffering a serious knee injury. Gundogan, who joined City from Borussia Dortmund for £20m in June, limped off in tears in his side's 2-0 win over Watford on 14 December. He is likely to be out of action for several months.

Image source, @IlkayGuendogan

Burnley

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Burnley boss Sean Dyche has been talking about re-signing midfielder Joey Barton on a short-term deal until the end of the season, subject to international clearance.

"We had a chat with Joey about taking it forward. He is familiar around these parts and we'll see how it goes," said Dyche.

Barton, 34, helped Burnley win promotion to the Premier League last season before leaving to join Rangers.