Lancashire

Latest Updates

  1. Jackson on Hannibal, mood and 'thriving' at the Emiratespublished at 15:19 BST

    Melissa Edwards
    BBC Sport journalist

    Media caption,

    Burnley interim boss Mike Jackson has been speaking to the media before Monday's Premier League game against Arsenal at Emirates Stadium (kick-off 20:00 BST).

    Here are the key lines from his news conference:

    • Hannibal Mejbri could be fit for the trip to north London. Jackson said they will make "a call closer to the time" after the 23-year-old was withdrawn early in the 2-2 draw with Aston Villa last week as a precaution. He added: "Virtually everyone is fit for selection again, apart from Connor [Roberts], who will be with the under-21s and playing some game time in that."

    • On the morale after picking up a point last Sunday: "The mood after the game was really good. As the week goes on, you still get dips because, ultimately, we've not been what we wanted or set out to achieve. It's the job of the coaching staff to try to keep the intensity and we still have to work towards the games in the competition we're in."

    • Burnley were relegated after a 1-0 defeat by Manchester City in April, but the interim coach believes there's still a lot for his players to play for in the last two games. He said: "Let's not beat around the bush, there's going to be players that will leave, people that will stay and other people that will come in. That's just a normal thing in football. But for them, every time you get a chance to go and perform, you go and show them what you can do. It's very simple, to be honest, and we dress it up too much. When you get the chance to perform in the Premier League, do your best and go and perform."

    • Jackson said he didn't like seeing what happened to former boss and "close friend" Scott Parker, but that it has been a "privilege" trying to help the club and players since he took charge last month.

    • When asked about his own future, he said: "I had one conversation with the chairman after what happened with Scott. Since then, I haven't had any communication regarding all that - that's gone on in the background."

    • It is expected to be an intense meeting at the Emirates, as Arsenal chase the league title, and Jackson wants to see his players "thrive" in the environment. He said: "You look at a game like that and the importance of it to everyone in the competition but, from our point of view, you have to look at it as an opportunity. One - to be involved in a game like that; two - to be excited about that as a platform to go and perform. We can't influence everything that's going on around it and all the noise about this game, but what we can do is make sure, like we did against Villa last week, that we're still taking this competition really seriously. That's what we'll do."

    • Jackson added: "The outcome is already decided in everyone else's eyes, but we've got to go there with some belief and have a go. Go and thrive in that environment. You've worked your whole career to get in that sort of environment - then go and do it."

    Got a question about Burnley? Get in touch here and we'll seek answers from our experts

    Ask Me Anything green banner
  2. Would a corner rule change work?published at 11:18 BST 13 May

    Media caption,

    Former Premier League assistant referee Darren Cann has outlined his idea to improve how corners are officiated in future.

    In the aftermath of weekend controversy over players grappling in the penalty area, he has told BBC Sport a rule whereby attacking players cannot enter the six-yard box until a corner has been taken would be his preference.

    Ex-Premier League defender Nedum Onuoha backed the idea and thinks it will add "creativity" to corner kicks and the move would force "people to think in a different way".

    You can watch a clip of the debate above, with Onuoha stating:"Twenty players standing in the six-yard box, you have to ask yourself, is that what you want to see? And is that the best version of the game?"

  3. Wales confident of retaining Bellamypublished at 16:06 BST 12 May

    Dafydd Pritchard
    BBC Sport Wales

    Craig Bellamy applauds Wales fansImage source, Getty Images

    Football Association of Wales (FAW) bosses are "very confident" Craig Bellamy will remain head coach of the men's national team despite interest from Burnley.

    Bellamy is among the candidates for the managerial vacancy at Turf Moor after Scott Parker left by mutual consent following the Clarets' relegation from the Premier League.

    Although the Clarets have not made an official approach to the FAW, it is believed they have informally sounded Bellamy out about the possibility of taking over.

    But following lengthy discussions with the ex-Wales captain, senior sources at the FAW have told BBC Sport Wales they are convinced he will stay until his contract expires in 2028.

    One of the main reasons is Bellamy's desire to lead his country at Euro 2028, which Wales will co-host alongside England, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland.

    While Bellamy relishes his job, the former Liverpool and Manchester City forward has made no secret of the fact that he wants to manage at the highest level of club football.

    The FAW is aware of interest in him from clubs other than Burnley but has some security in the form of a release clause which would require any potential suitor to pay at least £700,000 to buy Bellamy out of his contract.