Jose Fonte’s departure from Southampton has opened the door to Florin Gardos and boss Claude Puel has challenged the centre half to take full advantage.

The Romanian defender has been with the Saints for over two years but through a combination of form and fitness has only played 11 games for the club.

A serious knee injury has slowed his progress but he has featured for the Under-23s of late and was on the bench against Norwich in the FA Cup in midweek.

With Fonte departed, Virgil van Dijk will partner Maya Yoshida at centre back but Gardos and Jack Stephens could also come into contention.

Saints boss Puel said: “It’s a long time with a lot injuries for Gardos, but he came back for the under-23s before this game (Norwich) with a good level and we will see if we just have Jack (Stephens) and Florin (Gardos) or you might see another player.

(Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

“Florin comes back in at an interesting level. We know he’s had different injuries and we will see in the reflection to see if Florin can participate with the squad at a good level. We will see this.

“It’s other qualities than Jose, but I think I’m happy with the situation and with Yoshida and Van Dijk.

“It’s a strong defence – a strong central defence, with technical and with good quality in the duels. Sometimes, with injury or a player with a red card, it’s important to consider if it’s enough with Jack and Florin to give a solution.”

Having an old friend by your side can make adapting to life in a different country slightly easier – at least that’s what Hull City’s new signing Omar Elabdellaoui is hoping.

The Norwegian right-back has joined Hull on-loan until the end of the season from Greek giants Olympiakos.

He trained with his new side for the first time on Friday and one of his team-mates is childhood friend, and fellow Norway international, Adama Diomande.

Another of his countryman, Markus Henriksen, is also with the Tigers and Elabdellaoui is convinced the duo can help him settle into life in East Yorkshire.

“I know them both well, but especially Adama because we grew up in the same city,” explained Elabdellaoui.

“We played football together when we were younger. I spoke to him before coming here and obviously I’ve spoken to both he and Markus since arriving.

“It’s always nice to have familiar faces around when you go somewhere new.”

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These days you can hardly move for Hull players praising the work already done by new manager Marco Silva and Elabdellaoui has joined the fawning crowd.

The 25-year-old worked with the Portuguese during his time in charge at Olympiakos and claims the 39-year-old was a big reason he now finds himself at the KCOM Stadium.

“I’m really looking forward to playing under Marco Silva again,” added Elabdellaoui.

“We had a really big season together last year with Olympiakos and I know the type of coach that he is. He is a big reason why I wanted to come here.

“I have learnt a lot from him in the past and I know that I will improve and learn a lot more from him in the next few months here.

“Finishing the season with him here is something I am really looking forward to. This is a big move for me and one that I am really happy to make.”

Often labelled a 12^th man at the Riverside, Patrick Bamford insists the fans are to thank for securing a permanent deal with Middlesbrough.

The forward has put pen to paper on a £5.5m switch from Chelsea, returning to the North East 18 months after a loan spell with Aitor Karanka’s side.

The intermittent period has not always been kind to the 23-year-old however, with loan spells at Crystal Palace, Norwich and Burnley bringing about just a smattering of first-team appearances.

It was with that in mind that Bamford leapt at the chance to return to Boro, now hoping to put the past season behind him, with regular Premier League football at the forefront of his mind.

(Photo by Chris Brunskill/Getty Images)

“When I was here 18 months ago I connected with the fans and everyone around the place,” he said. “It left an imprint on my heart. It meant a lot to me that the Boro fans were still in touch when I was with other clubs and it wasn’t going that well.

“There have been times over the last 18 months where I’ve been more upset than people think. There were numerous times where I would ring my family on the way home from training and say look this isn’t working, this is getting to me, it’s really hard, I’m doing my best.

“I think I have to take some responsibility for that, I could have done things differently, but I still don’t think I was given a chance.

“I’m leaving all that in the past, this is a fresh start.

“What the last 18 months has done is make me strong. It has made me determined to fight for my shirt and when I get it never let it go.

“It has toughened my resolve, it made me not want to feel the way I have again.

“I’m absolutely delighted to be back to be honest, it’s something I have pushed for and I’m delighted it’s over the line.”

Tottenham have to step up in the absence of centre-back Jan Vertonghen according to his compatriot Toby Alderweireld.

Vertonghen has been ruled out for an extended period with an ankle injury, leaving Spurs short at the back, just as they were when Alderweireld missed a couple of months before Christmas.

During that period, Mauricio Pochettino’s side fell off the pace, but having won six straight in the league ahead of a trip to Manchester City this weekend, Alderweireld has urged the team to stay positive and make up for Vertonghen’s absence.

(Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

He said: “We have to cope as a team and the guy who’s coming in for Jan has to bring his level, but we have a very good squad.

“Not only the 11 who are always playing – even the guys who come in always make a difference so that’s important, to have a good squad, and I’m very confident in whoever is going to play there.

“You don’t have to be very smart to know that he’s sad about it but I think he’s put the switch on now (in his head) and said ‘okay, I have to be back as quickly as possible’ so he’s training hard to come back. I feel bad for Jan but now as a team we have to help and make sure we fill that spot in.”

Burnley boss Sean Dyche is confident Steven Defour is starting to find his feet in the Clarets camp – insisting it’s only a matter of time until the midfielder hits top form in the Premier League.

The Belgium international was a £7.5million arrival at Turf Moor from Anderlecht in the summer, but has scored just one goal for his new club, coming back in September.

He has played a full 90 minutes on only two occasions, coming in both their FA Cup clashes with Sunderland, as he struggled to adapt to the pace and physicality of English football.

But Dyche insists the 28-year-old has turned a corner, and has been pleased with his progress both on and off the field.

(Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

“We’ve attempted to recruit well since we’ve been here, and more often than not we’ve found characters and players who fit what we’re about, or grow to fit,” he said.

“Steven Defour gave another assured performance [against Sunderland].

“He’s beginning to get how we work, the balance – we can still play but from our shape at times, we don’t always dominate the ball, but he’s learning the role of not dominating the ball and how he works in the team.

“Some players adapt, and some have a feel of how we play anyway and it’s mine and the coaches’ job, and the players’ responsibility, and we guide them towards it.

“We’ve done that pretty well over a period of time here.”

Ademola Lookman may have only played at Goodison Park once since joining Everton, but he says it is incredible to have his name sung by the fans.

The 19-year-old joined the Toffees from League One side Charlton Athletic earlier this month and scored on his debut against Manchester City last weekend.

Everton have a bright future, with 18-year-old midfielder Tom Davies also starring in the win and Lookman says he has fitted in perfectly at the club.

PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images

“Tom and I were talking to each other on the way here today about the amount of love we’ve been getting from the fans and the feeling – how it felt to score at Goodison Park in front of the Gwladys Street,” he said.

“It’s just amazing really and nothing compares to it but Tom can obviously relate to how I’m feeling. Just watching the goal back now gives me goosebumps.

“Even just listening to the commentary, hearing my name – it’s surreal. Seeing the fans, seeing how much passion they have, it’s incredible.”

He suffered a slow start to his Chelsea career, but Spanish winger Pedro is now reaping the rewards after a string of impressive displays has helped fire the Blues to the Premier League summit.

His goals and creativity are an integral part of Antonio Conte’s impressive Premier League leaders, who host struggling Hull City on Sunday.

Conte’s men won 13 league games on the spin before losing to fellow title contenders Tottenham Hotspur on January 4.

Since then, they have beaten Brentford in the third round of the FA Cup, and overpowered reigning champions Leicester.

Photo by Kieran Galvin/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Pedro has bagged sensational strikes in recent weeks against Spurs and Bournemouth, as well as heading in the third in the win at Leicester.

The mercurial forward said scoring all types of goals was an important part of his game.

“I have always scored a lot of goals with both feet,” the 29-year-old said.

“It’s an important quality of mine. It’s good to be able to shoot with one foot or the other foot, it gives you more options.

“The goal against Bournemouth was a very good goal for me and the team and I’m happy to score again. it was a nice moment.

“I think the goal against Tottenham was better but the Bournemouth one was also a good goal.”

Michail Antonio’s form has been a rare bright spot in a stuttering season for West Ham United.

The 26-year-old is the Hammers’ leading scorer in the Premier League with eight goals in 20 appearances.

He has netted 16 times in 46 matches overall for Slaven Bilic’s side after signing from Nottingham Forest in August 2015.

And Bilic is hopeful Antonio will sign a new contract at the London Stadium in the near future.

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“The players have deals, but he is the player who came last season to us and he has improved a lot and came from being a player for the future to one who we gave a chance to be one of our most important players,” Bilic said.

“It’s been long-term, too, and not just the last few games. Last season, since he scored that goal against Southampton, he has basically not stopped.

“He was very good for us last season and he has continued to do it for us this season and when players are playing like that, at a good age as well, then a lot of clubs – at least in the papers – are interested in them and that puts them in a good position for a new deal.

“He definitely deserved it, so it’s a club decision together with my own but for me he has a big-time green light to sign a new deal with us!”

Watford boss Walter Mazzarri heaped praise on their weekend opponents, claiming Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth are one of the most attractive footballing sides in the country.

The Hornets are without a Premier League win in their last six outings, since beating Everton 3-2 more than a month ago.

But despite Watford’s poor run of form, the Italian boss is sure he will turn around his side’s fortunes and get them away from the clutches of the relegation zone.

Still mourning the death of former manager Graham Taylor, Watford drew 0-0 with Middlesbrough last time out at Vicarage Road, and Mazzarri now wants to start picking up points on the road, to help boost their ailing league position.

Photo by Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images

“In my opinion, they [Bournemouth] play some of the best football in the UK,” said the Italian. “They have a lot of experience and they are growing.

“We will play at their stadium this time and I am very curious to see how we will perform against one of the teams that plays the best football.

“It is true in the last few away games, we did have some negative results but I am happy with the overall performance, especially against teams like West Bromwich, Sunderland and Stoke.

“It is very important to understand that if we work like that then the positive results will come.”

It wasn’t even the position in which he started his Manchester United career but, in Antonio Valencia, Jose Mourinho believes he boasts the best right back in the world.

The Ecuadorian has quickly become a major part in Mourinho’s plans since the manager joined in the summer, making 23 starts and also earning the United Player of the Month award, in August.

And with 271 United appearances now to his name, Valencia has signed on at Old Trafford until 2018, looking to add to the six trophies he has already lifted.

But that’s something he’s set to do in a deeper-lying role than which he started his Red Devils career, initially a winger having signed from Wigan Athletic in 2009.

(Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

But despite his change in mentality, it’s a switch which has seemingly fitted like a glove for the 31-year-old – certainly in the opinion of his United manager.

“I don’t think it is a reward, I don’t see it in this perspective,” said Mourinho.

“I just think he is the best right-back you can have. There is no better right-back in football. It is just for us to keep the best. I don’t think it [the contract] is a reward.

“It is a privilege for us to have such a good player and such a good man.

“Antonio is playing better than ever, I think. This season he is playing magnificently.”