TOURE: Yaya Toure landed the African Footballer of the Year award last night for the third time running. The Manchester City midfielder edged out Nigeria's John Obi Mikel and fellow Ivorian Didier Drogba to make it a hat-trick of wins, emulating Abedi Pele and Samuel Eto’o. Ghanaian Abedi Pele won three in a row between 1991-93 while Cameroon striker Eto'o took the award from 2003-05.

SUNDERLAND: Sunderland boss Gus Poyet has confirmed his club are close to making Estudiantes defender Santiago Vergini their second signing of the January transfer window. Poyet said: “Normally I don’t comment but there have been so many comments from the other side of the Atlantic that they have put me in the position where I have to say we are interested.”

PHILLIPS: Veteran Kevin Phillips, who scored the penalty that secured Crystal Palace’s promotion to the Premier League last season, has left the club, manager Tony Pulis said. Phillips, 40, made five substitute appearances for Palace this season but has not played since their 4-1 defeat against Fulham in October.

CARDIFF: Cardiff have signed Norway midfielder Magnus Wolff Eikrem from Dutch club Heerenveen for an undisclosed fee. The 23-year-old has joined in time for the visit of West Ham tomorrow. Cardiff are also being linked with another Norwegian midfielder, Mats Moller Daehli.

RODGERS: Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has been fined £8,000 and given a warning about his conduct for his criticism of referee Lee Mason. Rodgers admitted an FA misconduct charge after he said following the 2-1 defeat by Man.City that the match should not have been refereed by an official from Greater Manchester – Mason is from Bolton.

KING’S CUP: Last 16, first leg – Real Sociedad vs Villarreal 0-0.