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Townsend pens new deal

Andros Townsend has signed a long-term deal at Luton after impressing for the Premier League newbies so far this season.

The winger's contract was due to expire shortly but the club have moved to tie him down to fresh terms.

The England international has played 11 matches for Town, scoring once and assisting twice.

He said: "Obviously I'm delighted. Three months ago I thought my career was over. So from going to begging around the world just for a trial to being offered a longer contract is a dream come true.

"It's a special, special football club. I think we can really achieve something special this season. It's only half-way done, we've got six months — 19 games — to pull off the unthinkable."

Rob Edwards' men lie 18th in the table, a point from safety after two wins from their last three outings.

Not the end

Carlo Ancelotti has revealed he could stay at Real Madrid beyond the end of his new contract, which lasts until 2026.

The Italian coach penned new terms with the LaLiga club despite rumours linking him with the Brazil national team job and does not necessarily view the next chapter as his last hurrah.

He said: "My contract was up on June 30. The club has decided to do it now because they're happy with our work.

"I don't know if it will be my last spell as a coach. I don't know what will happen once I finish here. I might still be here in 2026, depending on how successful I am.

"I'd like to be Madrid coach until 2026 and hopefully I can continue to be here in 2027 and 2028 because I want to stay here."

Major blow

Roy Hodgson has revealed Michael Olise suffered a new hamstring issue in Saturday's victory over Brentford and will miss Thursday's FA Cup clash with Everton.

The attacking midfielder was superb against the Bees, scoring twice, but is now out for an unspecified period.

Hodgson said: "Michael Olise had to come off right at the end as he felt his hamstring with the last sprint he made in the game.

"He won't take part tomorrow. 

"The next question will be how long is he out but I can't answer that one. 

"We're hoping this one won't be as bad as the one that put him out for six months. We don't think and hope it won't be like that."

No dollar for Dyche

Sean Dyche believes Everton are unlikely to be able to afford new signings in January.

The Toffees have suffered from injuries over the festive period but their boss does not expect to be able to beef up the numbers in the transfer market.

Dyche said: "To do any deal, there has to be finance. The club has to be in the situation to do the deals.

"We had to work very hard to construct deals that could be worked into the way the club was in the summer. 

"We managed to do that and we had to lose some players as well.

"You never know how deals will present themselves but at this stage it's very likely to be quiet."

Sarmiento joins Ipswich

Jeremy Sarmiento has signed for Ipswich on loan from Brighton.

The attacking midfielder spent the first half of the campaign at West Brom but was recalled by his parent club at the beginning of the month and has immediately been sent to East Anglia.

He joins a Tractor Boys side sitting second in the Championship and in the driving seat for automatic promotion.

Sarmiento said: "I'm very excited to be joining Ipswich at a time when they have been on a great run since winning promotion to the Championship.

"Ipswich were always there after interest in the summer which didn't quite work out but I'm here now and I'm ready to do my best.

"I've enjoyed my conversations with the manager, which made it clear this is where I should play, so I'm excited to try and show him what I can do and earn minutes in a team which plays a style I think will suit me."

Work in progress

Brendan Rodgers believes his Celtic side are improving after backing up Saturday's Old Firm victory with a 3-0 win at St Mirren.

The Hoops have moved eight points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership — albeit having played two more matches than Rangers — and have won four league games in a row since losing consecutive matches in December.

Rodgers said: "These games are so important and I think as we work together more the players understand more the mentality that is required and the demands.

"I think you can see that it is getting better and improving. 

"Those results against Kilmarnock and Hearts, it was about learning from those. I think you can see the difference in the team and how they are working.

"Sometimes you need that. To have success you need to have that bit of adversity. How the players have responded to that has been fantastic."

Dream come true

Alfie Gilchrist has thanked Mauricio Pochettino after making his first-team debut for Chelsea against Crystal Palace last week.

The 20-year-old defender followed that appearance with another against Luton on New Year's Day and described it as a dream come true.

He said: "I can't be thankful enough to the manager for giving me the opportunity.

"He was happy for me and told me to do the same again next time. To just keep going.

"The moment I came on was amazing. My first touch was a good tackle and my second was just a smash. That's what you've got to do, make sure the first thing you do is positive and from there, you hope, it will take care of itself.

"As soon as I put the big challenge in I just heard the whole crowd erupt so I just got up and went again to try and get it."