Lancashire

More stories

Weatherfor Preston

Sport

Watch & Listen

Latest Updates

  2. Swans in talks with Burnley over Benson future

    Manuel Benson leaves the field after a Swansea game Huw Evans Agency

    Swansea City are in talks with Burnley over the future of Manuel Benson. but there is no guarantee that the winger's loan spell with the Championship club will be cut short this month.

    Benson has been on the fringes at Swansea after joining in September on a deal for the remainder of the season.

    The Swans are interested in bring Benson's loan to an early conclusion during the January transfer window, but that will only happen if all parties agree on the idea.

    Benson has made eight appearances for the Swans, including just one league start.

    "At the moment we are finding the best solution for all of us in terms of the future," said Swansea head coach Vitor Matos.

    "Everything can change in football so quickly. We are talking to find the best solution."

    Benson has played only once under Matos, as a second-half substitute when Swansea were beaten at home by Derby in the Portuguese's first game in charge in November.

    The Angola international went away to the Africa Cup of Nations in last month and has not featured since for Swansea even though his country's involvement at the tournament ended on 29 December.

  3. A woman wearing a purple coat stands with a solemn look on her face in front of metal railings and a green leafy bush.

  4. Lancashire County Council sign, with the red rose emblem, on the side of a tall, brick building. The photograph was taken on a sunny day with clear blue skies.

  5. Lenny Scott, who is bald and has a ginger beard, poses with his arms around his young sons. Their faces have been blurred.

  6. Young man, with dark hair and trimmed moustache poses looking away from camera. He wears a white t-shirt, chain necklace and dark hoodie. He stands in front of a window and a small green plant is positioned to the right of him.

  7. Police custody shot of Antony Farren with a brown beard and hair wearing a grey t-shirt.

  8. Side view of Benjamin Molloy standing on a drive at a property. He has his hands on his hips and is wearing a navy and grey long-sleeved top and navy trousers

  9. Central Pier in Blackpool, a pier with a theme park on and a big wheel.

  10. 'Parker should throw everything at the FA Cup'

    Natalie Bromley
    Fan writer

    Burnley fan's voice banner
    Ashley Barnes of Burnley celebratesGetty Images

    There are players who become so synonymous with their clubs that they achieve icon status.

    Steven Gerrard, Jamie Vardy, Dean Windass - and Ashley Barnes.

    Barnes was never meant to come back for a final spell. But come back he did. And he delivered an FA Cup third-round performance of such impressive magnitude on Saturday afternoon that Burnley and their supporters were able to forget about their league woes for a few glorious hours while watching our Ashley prove why he is still capable of the clinical finishing that made him a club favourite.

    There were other moments to be cheerful about too, particularly the impressive displays of youngsters Max Weiss and Jaydon Banel. And the confidence the Clarets showed, right from the whistle.

    Perhaps this game proved once more the gulf in quality between the Championship and the Premier League. Or perhaps it's an important opportunity for Scott Parker to see what happens when you play with freedom and go out to win a game.

    Or maybe that is harsh of me.

    But either way, Parker should be throwing everything at the FA Cup. Because, quite frankly, we have nothing left to cheer about. The season feels gone, the league performances have been uninspiring and insipid, and Parker's technical application has been questionable.

    The club wants the fans to lift their spirits and get behind the team. But we are only human and struggle to find that uplift when there is little to get enthusiastic about. A cup run and, dare I dream it, a trip to Wembley would do just that.

    For now, we are in that hat for the fourth-round draw and nothing can dampen my excitement for that.

    Other than a draw away at the Etihad...

    Find more from Natalie Bromley at No Nay Never podcast

  11. Lenny Scott, who is bald and has a ginger beard, poses with his arms around his young sons. Their faces have been blurred.

  12. A generic image of a triangular red and white roadworks sign, as typically seen in the UK

  13. A view of the top gallery tier at Blackpool's Grand Theatre with rows of blue seats stretching off towards the stage below.

  14. Claire Nutter with shoulder length blond hair wearing a leopard print black and gold top and red lipstick. She is smiling.

  15. FA Cup fourth-round draw made

    General view of FA Cup bag and numbered ballsGetty Images

    The draw for the FA Cup fourth round has been made. Here is a list of all the ties involving Premier League teams in the order they were drawn.

    The matches will be played over the weekend of 14 February.

    • Liverpool/Barnsley v Brighton

    • Stoke City v Fulham

    • Oxford United v Sunderland

    • Arsenal v Wigan Athletic

    • Hull City v Chelsea

    • Burton Albion v West Ham

    • Burnley v Mansfield Town

    • Grimsby Town v Wolves

    • Aston Villa v Newcastle

    • Manchester City v Salford City/Swindon Town

    • Macclesfield v Brentford

    • Birmingham City v Leeds

    See the full draw

  16. A police car is parked facing a road. It has a sticker on the back window which reads Lancashire Constabulary. A blue sky and some trees can be seen in the distance over a road.

  17. Police custody image of Ryan Gee who has blond hair and is wearing a grey top.

  18. Stefan Thordarson in action for Preston North End

  19. Man wearing suit, has short hair, balding, with grey/black beard. Wears a black suit with tie and white shirt

    • UK
    The Manxman, a large white and navy ferry, it is making a journey across a calm sea.

  21. Burnley 5-1 Millwall - the fans' verdict

    Your Burnley opinions banner

    We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's 5-1 win over Millwall in the third round of the FA Cup.

    Here are some of your comments:

    Dave: Perhaps Scott Parker should make this his first 11. They appear to want to play for Burnley, unlike some of the squad.

    Graham: The Twilight Zone! Too good for The Championship, but not good enough for the Premier League. This was an excellent team performance against a very good Championship side. A more balanced team, tactical change (playing out from the back, and through midfield), and a return to form for Jaidon Anthony in a more assertive attack, all made Burnley the dominant side. Positive change but can this be carried forward in the Premier League? That's the burning question!

    Dylan: Pleased to see much needed minutes for Loum Tchaouna and Jaydon Banel, with both getting a goal to boost their confidence. Hjalmar Ekdal was sublime at the back and it was great to see Ashley Barnes back scoring two. He's got the instinct to know when to shoot and when not to try.

    Ron: Start Anthony and Barnes next game!