As we head into the new year I take a look at the top 5 most anticipated game releases of 2018.

While dates are subject to change, I think you will agree the spring is looking hugely exciting!

1) Red Dead Redemption 2: No surprises here given that the original Red Dead Redemption is one of the best games of all time. This is Rockstar’s next project following the world-dominating Grand Theft Auto V. And it is actually a prequel rather than a sequel, making it a pretty ideal starting point even if you didn’t play the brilliant Red Dead (which you should fix ASAP). Out: Spring.

2) A Way Out: EA’s surprise reveal at E3, A Way Out is a prison escape game that must be played in split-screen co-op, whether your ally is online or next to you on the couch.

It looks unreal although the fact there seems to be no single-player version with an A.I. partner is a concern. A slick-looking action game which could be a real hit if EA get it right. Out: March 23.

3) Days Gone: Bikers vs zombies in an open world? What’s not to love?.

Days Gone is one of Sony’s most exciting new original IPs and has earned comparisons to Naughty Dog’s brilliant The Last of Us. A third-person shooter starring grizzled, regret-filled heroes, Days Gone sometimes pits you against hundreds of frantic, pursuing zombies. And the most compelling twist is the ability to tackle encounters and problems in many different ways, using the open world to your advantage. Apparently the game never plays the same way twice. Intriguing. Out: TBC.

4) Crackdown 3: It’s been eight long years since the underwhelming Crackdown 2, but we still have so much love for the original Xbox 360 game which gives us hope for Crackdown 3 .

It certainly looks set to amplify the original’s approach thanks to a vast open world and massively destructible cities. Out: Slated for spring.

5) Far Cry 5: It’s been a few years since the last mainline Far Cry game so I can’t wait to get my hands on Far Cry 5. And Ubisoft seems unafraid to wade into some potential controversy with the plot, which centers on a cult of violent, religious fundamentalists in rural Montana in the US. Out: March 27.

The average Brit will consume a staggering 3.5 MILLION calories over a lifetime - in BOOZE alone, a study has found.

Research revealed in a typical month, they will enjoy eight pints of lager or beer, nine glasses of wine and three glasses of bubbly, racking up 4,918 calories in the process.

That means they will consume the equivalent of 12 roast dinners or nine Big Macs in alcohol alone.

Gary Conway, co-founder of Skinny Brands, said: “With the festive season very much upon us, Brits are most likely indulging in glasses of fizz and plenty of pints meaning their calorie count is quickly adding up.

“It’s so easy to have one after another and quickly forget what each drink really contains, which is why we thought it’s time to find out.”

The study also found Brits favour a glass of red wine over anything else, and as the most calorific wine choice over white and rose. It’s no wonder the tally is totting up.

Beer closely followed as the second favourite followed by white wine, lager and cider in third, fourth and fifth position.

Stereotypes reign true as the study also revealed four in ten men don’t believe they could give up alcohol for good compared to a third of women.

Over half of men admitted they couldn’t ditch the drink because they love the taste too much with 57 per cent agreeing they enjoy socialising with a pint.

An equal number of women favour a little tipple because it helps them to relax, with just under half confessing they couldn’t lose the booze as they enjoy the taste too much.

The research, conducted via OnePoll.com, also revealed 85 per cent admit to being clueless around the calories they consume from booze, with millions of Brits thinking a pint has less than half the calories it actually contains.

On average, adults believe a pint has 17 calories fewer than it does and think a glass of wine has 28 fewer than the actual number.

This underestimation is the equivalent of 4,656 calories a year - the same as eating 35 bags of ready salted crisps.

Just over one quarter of the nation will go as far as to limit their eating habits to make up for what they expect to indulge in during their weekly drinking habits.

And over a third will find themselves opting for diet drinks as a result of being conscious about the calories in their booze.

Gary Conway added: “We’ve seen incredible demand for drinks that don’t compromise on flavour or alcohol content, but have less calories even though most people don’t really know how many are in a standard pint or bottle.

“Whilst some people will opt for cutting down the calories in January, we’ve had some great messages from customers who are simply going to choose Skinny Brands Lager this Christmas and get a head start for the new year.”

Calories consumed in a month for each drink:

Beer (180 per pint) is 1,440 calories per month

Cider (210 per pint) is 630 calories

Wine (160 per 175ml glass) is 1,440 calories

Sparkling wine/prosecco (89 per glass) is 267 calories

Single shot with no mixer (50 per 25ml) is 200 calories

Single shot with mixer (106 per glass) is 530 calories

Cocktail (120 per glass) is 240 calories

Alcopop (171 per glass) is 171 calories

Top ten favourite drinks:

1. Red wine

2. Beer

3. White wine

4. Lager

5. Cider

6. Prosecco

7. Cocktails

8. Rose wine

9. Whiskey

10. Vodka

The Wanderers finished their fantastic year with another big win as Worcester Cavaliers were beaten 39-12 at Franklin's Gardens on New Year's Eve.

Tries from Tom Stephenson, Reece Marshall, Nafi Tuitavake, Ben Nutley and Mitch Eadie made it eight bonus-point wins in as many Prem Rugby A League matches this season.

The Wanderers won the title at the Gardens earlier this year and they have been unstoppable in 2017, winning all 11 of their matches.

James Grayson got the scoring started on New Year's Eve as he landed a penalty before Worcester responded with a try from Ben Howard.

Grayson put Saints back in front with another three-pointer, with Worcester hit by a couple of sin-binnings.

That opened the door and Stephenson scored before Marshall made the most of a direct attack from his team, diving over the line.

Ted Hill brought Worcester back into it with a try and Jamie Shillcock converted to leave the score at 20-12 at the break.

But the Wanderers marched on and Tuitavake dived onto a Grayson cross-field kick to grab his team's third try.

Nutley bagged the bonus point as he barged over from close range and Eadie added the finishing touches after picking up the pieces from a maul.

Christian Day was yellow carded before the end, but it didn't matter as the Wanderers cruised to yet another victory.

Wanderers: Emery (Dingwall 61); Pisi, Tuitavake, Stephenson (Strachan 61), Estelles; Grayson, Mitchell; Beesley (Trinder 61), Marshall (Clare 61), Painter; Day, Ribbans (Craig 46); Nutley, Ludlam, Eadie.

But for Saints they have been nothing short of a pantomime this season.

Two games, two defeats and a whopping 105 points conceded.

If the opening-day 55-24 shocker against Saracens was bad, this was arguably far worse.

Because while Saracens are double European champions and perennial title contenders, Quins came into Saturday's game on a run of five defeats from six matches.

They, like Saints, could claim to be shorn of confidence.

They, like Saints, were having troubles that left them in the lower reaches of the Aviva Premiership table.

But, unlike Saints, they actually produced a performance at Twickenham.

Once again, after a try was conceded, the men wearing the badge of Northampton were made to suffer.

Score after score came, with Quins racking up a ruthless seven on yet another agonising afternoon.

For those Saints supporters who headed to the capital buoyed by their Christmas break, this was an experience that brought them firmly back down to earth.

Not even myriad alcoholic beverages could mask the hurt here.

It was a shambolic showing that had very few redeeming features.

After a run of 11 defeats in their previous 12 matches, seven of which have seen Saints concede 30 or more points, you could have been forgiven for thinking it couldn't get any worse.

But it did.

This was probably the lowest point of a year that has plumbed the depths of despair.

And the only good thing about the game was that it did eventually end after what felt like 12 months packed into 80 minutes.

Saints will now hope that a new year brings a new start.

They desperately need to wipe the slate clean after a 2017 that has seen them win just 14 of their 35 matches.

Compare that to 2014, which encompassed a Premiership and Challenge Cup double, and it is easy to see just how much they have slipped.

They won 28 of their 36 games in that superb 12 months, but they have not been the same side since.

Now they face a huge rebuilding process that will initially be led by experienced Australian Alan Gaffney, who arrives at Franklin's Gardens on Monday.

Rather than crying, some Saints supporters sought solace in laughter, with gallows humour the order of the day at Twickenham.

Some suggested Gaffney's plane would be doing a U-turn after the performance, or lack of, that was put on.

But he is very much still coming to town and he will need to bring the sort of cheer Santa provides on Christmas Day if things are to change as quickly as they need to.

Saints badly need a boost, something to turn their season around.

Because right now, they are in free-fall.

They have lost seven successive league matches and if their fans are giving thanks for anything at the turn of the year, it will be the presence of London Irish.

The men from the Madejski Stadium prop up the Premiership, still sitting 13 points behind Saints and needing some sort of miracle to survive.

As poor as Saints have been of late, they surely won't get sucked into a battle at the very bottom.

But whether they can finish any higher than 10th or 11th will very much depend on what sort of impact Gaffney is able to have.

You could say that it will take more than one man to turn it around, and that is of course true, but he can have a huge say.

Saints need some direction and a shake-up, and Gaffney has more than enough experience of the game to provide those things.

It will be up to the players to respond and they will be desperate to sort this mess out.

But with desperation must come composure and Gaffney's wisdom could be crucial as he tries to unpick the problems that have become so striking during the past three months.

It is a huge ask, but the names on the teamsheet simply have to start translating into the performances expected of them.

And somehow they need to shed the anxiety that has built up during the plethora of recent defeats.

Otherwise, there will be many more days like the penultimate one in December, 2017.

And if only for the sake of Saints' pride and their supporters' sanity, that can't be allowed to happen.

How they rated...

HARRY MALLINDER
The young full-back has been a bright spark for Saints in recent times, but this was a horrible day for him as Quins rang rings around their beleaguered opponents... 2

AHSEE TUALA
Made a bright start with a brilliant break, but he wasn't able to contribute after that and was forced off early with an injury... 2

ROB HORNE
Did manage to write his name on the scoresheet, but defensively it was a very difficult day for all Saints players... 3

LUTHER BURRELL
Can be so effective when he's full of belief but, like many of his team-mates, he appears to be lacking that right now and it was a tough day... 2

BEN FODEN
Nothing went right for the wing, with a bouncing ball causing him problems in the build-up to one Quins try and he showed his frustration after dropping the ball late on... 2

PIERS FRANCIS
Hasn't managed to really command the team at 10 as even when he gets rare possession, decisions haven't been paying off and he suffered another injury blow here... 2

NIC GROOM
Grabbed a try as he tried to get Saints playing with some tempo early in the second period, but it wasn't easy for the half-backs... 3

CAMPESE MA'AFU
The prop was impressive against Exeter a week earlier, but he wasn't able to have an influence on this game as Quins ran Saints around... 3

DYLAN HARTLEY
Was unable to have the influence that he typically has on the Twickenham turf and he was unable to stop the Quins surge during the first half... 2

JAMAL FORD-ROBINSON
Has had a baptism of fire at Saints, coming into the team when it was struggling and not being able to garner any belief... 2

API RATUNIYARAWA
The Fijian lock is so strong when he gets front-foot ball, but there was little of that and Quins made Saints' big men toil... 3

COURTNEY LAWES
His performance levels are always among the best in the side, but even he couldn't turn the tide here... 5

TOM WOOD
Always gives it his all, but Saints were all over the place and he wasn't able to have a say in this game... 3

JAMIE GIBSON
Saints' best performer on the day as he made a few key tackles and at least had some impact on the game... 6

TEIMANA HARRISON
Battled on as always, frantically trying to give some life to his team, but that was not an easy task... 5

Replacements (who played more than 20 minutes)

GEORGE NORTH (for Tuala 25)
Came into the game when it had pretty much gone and immediately picked up a knock that eventually forced him off... 4

STEPHEN MYLER (for Francis 38)
Was accurate as ever with the tee and at least he was able to provide a slightly steadying influence, showing he is still very important to this team... 6

MIKE HAYWOOD (for Hartley 59)
The hooker grabbed his sixth try of the season in a cameo that was one of the few good things for Saints... 6

BEN NUTLEY (for Harrison 59)
Dropped the ball at a crucial moment after coming on, but it was not an easy situation to come into... 4

CHRON STAR MAN - Marcus Smith (Harlequins)

Brüssow was signed to fill the void left by Louis Picamoles, who was sold to Montpellier at the end of last season.

But the new man has to complete his commitments with Japanese club Docomo Red Hurricanes before moving to Northampton.

Brüssow's arrival will be a big boost for Saints, who have lost 12 of their past 13 matches in all competitions.

The 31-year-old Springboks flanker, who has won 23 caps for his country, will bring a wealth of experience.

Darbon said: "He should be here by mid-January at the latest.

"It's just reaching the end of the season in Japan so we're just working through the exit timings.

"It will be by mid-January at the latest, but potentially before that."

Sam Dickinson had returned to Saints on a short-term contract as cover before Brüssow's arrival, but his contract reached its conclusion on December 31.

Dickinson is yet to finalise his next destination having made a total of 96 appearances during his two spells at Northampton.

Do our four-legged friends leave workers feline so much better?

An estimated 1.7 million British businesses have adopted a pet-friendly policy, however, new data has revealed that two thirds of employees claim office dogs are bad for business.

More than half of staff think that our furry friends are a major distraction, making for poor productivity.

And having cuddly canines in the office sends stress levels through the roof for one in five workers, while one in four lose the will to work altogether.

Despite the debate over how welcome woofers are at work, employees agreed that having a company canine can ease anxious environments.

Of the 2,000 office workers surveyed by www.AnimalFriends.co.uk, over half said that having pets in the workplace helped to relieve stress and improve their enthusiasm for the job.

The same number claim pets are a great way to boost morale because they give them an excuse to talk to colleagues about non-work matters.

The new data also revealed that those who are not allowed to bring their furry friends to the office, can’t help but check up on them.

One in four workers go home to check on their pets during work hours and 40% ask someone else to, while 11% pay dog sitters and 16% even set up a web cam to monitor their furry friends.

And with the average canine left alone for four hours of the average working day, 9% of owners admitted they have changed job to better look after their pet!

Cleanliness was the real bugbear for 10% of offices which don’t allow pets but 9% said there was a legal issue why they couldn’t be allowed to roam.

A number of pet-friendly offices have created rules for the company canines including that staff can’t bring a dog into the office on a day when anyone with allergies is in (27%), while 36% keep animals in a different part of the office.

But despite this, 16% of offices that allow dogs employ someone who is allergic to animals.

Other well-established rules that would need to be made for respondents to consider a dog, would be that they were small, well behaved, toilet-trained and kept in another part of the office.

And a limit of one dog at any time, would top the criteria.

Westley Pearson, Managing Director of Animalfriends.co.uk said: “Animal Friends is a team of animal lovers and 9 out of 10 staff members are pet owners themselves. As a company we have made provisions to help employees give their furry friends the top level of care, including bringing pets to work with them when necessary.

“There are a number of benefits to being able to bring pets to work with you, but it’s important that everyone in the office is happy with the decision and to be aware of others’ allergies or reasons why it might be uncomfortable for those who aren’t as fond of dogs.

“In addition, if you take your pet to work, they may think they can nuzzle up with you at any time – even when you’re really busy, so you should be aware of that!”

Some of the UK’s pet-friendly offices are:

Ben & Jerry’s

Next Model Management

Build-a-Bear Workshop

Nestlé

Firebox

Amazon

Google

Airbnb

Etsy

CTJT

More information on the study is available at; https://www.animalfriends.co.uk/blog/do-office-pets-bring-benefits/

As we enter a new year, data from MoneySuperMarket reveals that the average Brit will have over two thousand pounds (£2,172) of debt hanging over their heads.

Despite 55 per cent of Brits feeling confident that they would stay within budget over Christmas, the leading price comparison website reveals that eight in 10 would expect presents for family and friends to be the cost that tips them over budget, followed by spending too much on food (36 per cent).

MoneySuperMarket’s findings also show that a quarter of Brits expected to pay an average of £151 more overall this Christmas, compared to last year. In fact, the festive season is set to drive Brits to put nearly £300 on their credit cards, equivalent to a third of their total Christmas spending.

Seaneen James, money expert at MoneySuperMarket, said: “There’s no doubt that Christmas is an expensive time of year but there are easy ways to keep costs down to avoid putting yourself in unnecessary debt.

“With the average amount of credit card debt standing at over two thousand pounds, it’s likely that many won’t have paid it off by this time next year. Shopping around for the right credit cards deals can help make substantial savings, meaning you could end next year a little more comfortably.”

For those using credit cards to manage their Christmas debt, MoneySuperMarket offers the following top tips to avoid credit card charges:

· Always pay off your balance - You should always aim to pay off the balance of your credit card in full each month to avoid paying interest.

· If you can’t pay in full, at least pay the minimum - If you don’t, you’ll get charged a late payment fee, usually £12, and get a negative mark on your credit file. The best way to avoid this is by setting up a direct debit to ensure your credit card payments are always made on time.

· Don’t use your credit card to withdraw cash - We’re well accustomed to withdrawing cash from an ATM with our debit cards and not having to pay a fee, but don’t get caught out by assuming the same rules apply to your credit card, as you will usually be hit with a charge of around 3 per cent of the amount you take out (often with a minimum £3 charge). On top of this, you’ll also be charged interest, typically at an annual percentage rate (APR) of between 20 - 30 per cent, depending on the card - and this will be levied from the moment you make the withdrawal.

· Don’t go over your credit limit - If you do, you’ll get charged. If you’ve always managed to keep within the limit and only exceed it accidentally by a few pounds, contact your credit card provider as soon as possible and ask them to waive the fee.

To work out how to clear your balance using different monthly payment amounts, or alternatively how to clear the balance by a certain date, visit MoneySuperMarket’s Credit Card Calculator.

Rob Horne is happy to welcome Alan Gaffney to Saints - but the Australian centre has warned there is 'no magic formula' at Franklin's Gardens.

Instead, Horne believes daily hard work is the only way for he and his team-mates to arrest the current slide.

Saints were thrashed 50-21 by Harlequins on Saturday, shipping seven tries on a sobering day at Twickenham.

It was a seventh successive league loss for the green, black and gold and a 12th defeat in the past 13 matches in all competitions.

Gaffney begins work at the Gardens today, having been drafted in as coaching consultant.

He will spearhead the coaching staff until the end of the season and the 70-year-old is a man Horne knows well, having worked with him at Super Rugby side the Waratahs.

And when asked about Gaffney's appointment, Horne said: "It's good to get clarity around that position for everyone involved, but there's no magic formula.

"We need to work hard, get better and he's got a vast amount of experience.

"He's seen it all so it's nothing new to him to come to a new group of players and try to get the most out of them."

Horne scored against Harlequins last Saturday, with Nic Groom and Mike Haywood also dotting down.

But it was too little, too late as Saints were well beaten.

"It was difficult," Horne said.

"On the big stage, you want to be at your best and we weren't on Saturday.

"We were made to pay for it.

"Being 30-odd points down, you give yourselves an uphill battle.

"We did put ourselves in a position to get that four-try bonus point but we didn't get that either due to execution.

"It's disappointing.

"As players we want to play well on that kind of stage and we didn't play well on Saturday."

Saints will host Gloucester on Saturday in the final Premiership game before the Champions Cup returns.

And Horne added: "We're just working every day to improve.

"We need to work hard every single day.

"We've got to be proud of what we do and work on every little skill so that when it comes under pressure in the game, it's second nature.

"Every day, we want to get better and better and hopefully on Saturday we can put in a performance we can be proud of.

"It's disappointing because I know our supporters filled Franklin's Gardens against Exeter and they travelled down to Twickenham last weekend.

"We'll get there and we've got the players to do it."

No points and no goals, on the face of it Northampton started 2018 the way they ended 2017 but delve beyond the scoreline of this 1-0 defeat to Wigan Athletic and there’s encouragement to be found.

Admittedly, performances such as this one will mean very little if the Cobblers still find themselves occupying a bottom four spot in May because the only currency that matters is points – something which they need to start collecting sooner rather than later.

But while the same problems still exist – chief among which is the creative void in attack – the fact they went toe-to-toe with Wigan, a team now unbeaten in 10 and well on course for promotion straight back to the Championship, is proof they can mix it with the finest this level has to offer.

It would be a little premature to suggest they’ve turned a corner for the new year but if Town can match and repeat the level of performance they reached here on a consistent basis, and if they can add a sprinkling of stardust in the final third in January, they will give themselves a fighting chance of staying up.

Consistency is the key word. One thing they must do is ensure this is not another false dawn like Blackburn was 10 days earlier and that is the headache Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has to solve: how can his side hold their own against two big clubs and in-form sides like Wigan and Blackburn but then be so flaky in defeat against two supposedly weaker teams in-between?

Performances, more often than not, are a better gauge of a team’s long-term future because a team which is consistently performing well will eventually be rewarded, but though the Cobblers have produced a number of decent displays this season, it’s that lack of consistency which remains the main reason for their current predicament.

Over the past 10 days, they’ve been more than a match for two of the top three and could have taken a point off both but, in the intervening time, they’ve fallen well short of the required standard in being outplayed by two sides further down. Therein lies the problem for Hasselbaink.

Against the division’s meanest defence, one which had kept four clean sheets in a row, Northampton could ill-afford to go a goal behind but it required only five minutes for Wigan to unlock the home side; Gavin Massey afforded to much room to cross and Nick Powell, his run untracked by any home defender, thumped in the header.

At this point, Town could have crumbled as Oxford did when conceding seven in Wigan’s last away game but, to their credit, they did not.

While the Latics did threaten more goals, Chey Dunkley hit the bar and Brendan Moloney brilliantly nicked the ball off Will Grigg’s toes just as he was poised to pounce, the Cobblers were not without their moments.

They were able to manufacture three or four breakaway opportunities that began with them winning the ball deep and then drive through midfield. One led to a chance for Shaun McWilliams, saved by Christian Walton just prior to Powell’s opener, while another saw Daniel Powell flash a cross-cum-shot across the six-yard box.

The second-half was a ding-dong battle but, unable to conjure up more quality in the final third, Northampton’s undoing all season, clear chances were at a premium and you always felt Wigan had another gear if required.

McWilliams and Powell both brought something different. McWilliams had the energy and Powell had the power but that was still not enough to give Chris Long the service he needs to thrive.

Further back, neither Matt Grimes, in one of his worst games of the club, nor Matt Crooks grabbed the game by the scruff off the neck but there was promise in defence where Town gave up few chances and George Smith, on a rare outing at left-back, grew into the game.

So there were reasons to be encouraged but until Hasselbaink finds the solution to Town’s ultimate nemesis this season – creating chances, scoring goals and inconsistency – relegation will continue to loom large.

How they rated...

Matt Ingram - Surprisingly quiet afternoon once Powell’s header flew past him. Flapped at one corner but was otherwise commanding as he encountered little trouble in coming out to collect and punch crosses... 6

Brendan Moloney - His forays into Wigan territory had mixed results, producing both good and bad crosses. Passing was iffy but didn’t let much past him at the other end, pulling off one goal-saving tackle on Grigg... 7

Regan Poole - More composed than he was at Portsmouth, stepping out to see off the danger and also doing well to nullify Grigg. Still seems better suited to a midfield role... 6

Ash Taylor - Type of performance we’ve become accustomed to this season, though will perhaps be disappointed that the winner came from another cross. Showed his quality on the ball with a wonderful raking pass which nearly got Foley in... 7

George Smith - Has seldom featured in his natural left-back position since signing but did so here. Needed a helping hand at times, not least for Massey’s cross that led to Powell’s goal, but was decent going forward... 6

Matt Grimes - Moved further back to defensive midfield and had a troubling afternoon. Didn’t do enough with the ball when he got it, too often sloppy in possession, and his set-pieces were disappointing throughout as he rarely beat the first man... 5

Matt Crooks - Involved in one fine move through the middle of the pitch but contributed little else. Having now played in central midfield, further forward and on the left this season, he needs to nail down a settled position... 6

Shaun McWilliams - His energy and athleticism were a real feature of the game, putting him at the heart of Town’s two best moments . Early break into the box brought a decent stop from Walton and slipped in Powell for another chance later in the half... 7 CHRON STAR MAN

Sam Foley - Lacked the quality to really hurt Wigan when it came to the final third but can’t fault his work-rate or endeavour. Might be one player who misses out once Hasselbaink makes his move in the transfer market... 6

Daniel Powell - Adds a whole new dimension to the team because he has three attributes which his team-mates lack: power, pace and directness. Little rusty and decision-making was off but Town are, for now, a better team with him in it... 7

Chris Long - Didn’t let the lack of quality service or clear chances affect his work ethic. Supply him with quality and he’ll bag goals, however he was restricted to just the one long-range attempt here... 6

Substitutes

John-Joe O’Toole - 6

Sam Hoskins - 6

Marc Richards - 6

The Cobblers are reportedly closing in on completing the signing of Southend United midfielder Jack Bridge.

Shrimpers boss Phil Brown has stated that ‘it looks like Jack will be going to Northampton’, but also stated that, whatever happens, he won’t be playing for the Cobblers when they host Southend in Sky Bet League One on Saturday.

Bridge spent time training with Town last month, having struggled to break into the first team at Roots Hall.

He is well known to Cobblers assistant boss Dean Austin, who worked with the player when he was on the coaching staff at Roots Hall last season and rates him highly.

There has been no comment from the Cobblers, but following Southend’s New Year’s Day defeat at AFC Wimbledon, Brown said: “There’s a deal to be done and it does look like Jack will be going to Northampton.

“I’m not sure when the deal will be completed but he won’t be playing for Northampton against us at the weekend whatever happens.”

Bridge is a Southend boy and worked his way through the ranks at the Essex club.

A midfielder who can play either centrally or out wide, Bridge has made just two appearances for Southend this season, once as a late substitute in a 1-0 defeat at Shrewsbury in Septmeber, and once as a starter in a 1-0 Checkatrade Trophy win over Reading Under-21s in October.

In all, Bridge has played 11 times for Southend, and he has also had separate loan spells at non-League Chelmsford.

The following people were sentenced at Northampton Magistrates’ Court:

November 8

Edward-Cristian Toma, aged 22, of Leslie Road, Northampton, no insurance; fined £660, ordered to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £66 and costs of £85, banned from driving for two years. Driving not in accordance with a licence; fined £220.

Simon Turay, aged 39, of Park Drive, Kings Heath, Northampton, failed to stop when required to do so by a police officer; fined £440. Failed to give information relating

to the identity of a driver; fined £660, ordered to pay a surcharge of £66, banned from driving for six months. Failed to give information relating to the identity of a driver; banned from driving for six months.

NOVEMBER 9

Reece Minards, aged 18, of Kingsland Avenue, Northampton, destroyed glass panel in a door at Honeymoon Chinese takeaway; conditional discharge for 12 months, ordered to pay compensation of £300, a surcharge of £20 and costs of £85.

Darrell Taylor, aged 44, of Nene Way, Kislingbury, stole a Bosch Combi drill worth £87 belonging to B&Q; no separate penalty. Committed fraud by stealing goods from the counter at Shell Service Station and then trying to claim a refund for goods; no separate penalty. Failed to surrender to custody; jailed for two weeks. Stole four electric fans and tea bags worth £492; jailed for six weeks, ordered to pay a surcharge of £115. Stole wine from Tesco; no separate penalty. Made off without paying for diesel worth £10; no separate penalty. Stole two bottles of wine at Tesco; no separate penalty. Commission of a further offence while on a conditional discharge for theft, criminal damage and threatening behaviour; no action taken on breach. Driving while banned; jailed for four weeks. No insurance; no separate penalty. Driving while banned; jailed for four weeks consecutive, banned from driving for 18 months. No insurance; no separate penalty. Stole a 32-inch Bush TV from Sainsbury’s; jailed for four weeks. Dishonestly made off with petrol worth £17.99; no separate penalty. Stole one litre of motor oil worth £17.99 belonging to Euro Garages; no separate penalty. Fraud by attempting to gain refund for five litres of motor oil worth £59.95; jailed for six weeks consecutive. Stole five litres of motor oil worth £59.95 belonging to Euro Garages; no separate penalty. Received stolen goods, namely a bank card; no separate penalty. Possession of stolen bank card in connection with fraud; no separate penalty. Stole a Karcher pressure washer worth £249 belonging to Homebase; jailed for four weeks consecutive. Committed fraud by trying to get a refund for a stolen pressure washer; no separate penalty. Failed to surrender to custody; jailed for two weeks consecutive. Overall length of sentence 32 weeks.

Daniel Binns, aged 33, of no fixed abode, failed to comply with a supervision order; jailed for 14 days, ordered to pay costs of £60.

Louise Chamberlain, aged 45, of Booth Park, Northampton, failed to comply with a community order; no adjudication, dealt with original offence. Stole fragrances worth £44 belonging to John Lewis; community order made. Stole fragrances worth £185 belonging to John Lewis; community order made.

Gary Collins, aged 53, of Great Meadow, Northampton, driving while disqualified; community order made to carry out 60 hours of unpaid work, ordered to pay a surcharge of £85 and costs of £85, licence endorsed with eight points. No insurance; no separate penalty.

Phillip Dennis, aged 36, of Lasham Court, Northampton, stole perfume and a suitcase worth £729 belonging to Wilko; community order made to carry out 50 hours of unpaid work, ordered to pay compensation of £729.

Rebecca Jones-Crozier, aged 26, of North Holme Court, Northampton, failed to notify authorities of changes to Jobseekers Allowance; community order made, ordered to pay a surcharge of £85 and costs of £85. Similar offence relating to employment support allowance; community order made. Similar offence relating to Housing Benefit; community order made.

Addeell Qureshi, aged 23, of Worcester Close, Northampton, obstructed a police officer; fined £120, ordered to pay a surcharge of £30 and costs of £85. Driving not in accordance with a licence; no separate penalty. No insurance; fined £120, licence endorsed with eight points.

Thomas Lynch, aged 44, of Motspur Drive, Northampton, harassment; community order made, ordered to pay a surcharge of £85 and costs of £500.

NOVEMBER 10

Carl Ward, aged 37, c/o Highlands Avenue, Northampton, failed to comply with a supervision order; jailed for 14 days.

NOVEMBER 11

Benjamin Shortland,

aged 23, of Bouverie Road, Hardingstone, breach of a court order; jailed for 12 weeks suspended for 12 months, ordered to pay a surcharge of £115 and costs of £85. Commission of a further offence while on a suspended sentence; fined £50.

Mark Spearing, aged 36, of Carey Court, Moulton, breach of a court order; jailed for six weeks.

NOVEMBER 13

Zaneta Kowalewska, aged 22, of Countess Road, Northampton, drunk and disorderly in a public place; fined £100, ordered to pay a surcharge of £30 and costs of £85.

Nicholas Sheehan, aged 30, of Bouverie Road, Hardingstone, stole two patio furniture sets worth £400 belonging to Dunelm Mill; fined £100, ordered to pay compensation of £220, a surcharge of £30 and costs of £85.

Jamie Davies, aged 39, c/o Campbell Street, Northampton, failed to comply with a community order; order to continue; fined £25. Failed to comply with a supervision order; order to continue; fined £25.

Robert Bates, aged 43, of no fixed abode, breach of a criminal behaviour order; fined £50, ordered to pay a surcharge of £30.

Linda McFarlane, aged 40, of Campbell Street, Northampton, change to suspended sentence relating to wasting police time charges; jailed for 168 days suspended for 24 months.

Purdy Blosse, aged 29, of Woburn Gate, Northampton, drink-driving with a breath test reading of 47mcgs of alcohol in 100mls of breath; fined £325, ordered to pay a surcharge of £32 and costs of £85, banned from driving for 12 months.

Charlotte Dearn, aged 28, of Damselfly Road, Northampton, assault; fined £40, ordered to pay compensation of £50, a surcharge of £30 and costs of £85.

Peter Doherty, aged 43, of no fixed abode, drink and disorderly; fined £40, ordered to pay a surcharge of £30 and costs of £85.

Jonathon Grove, aged 33, of Wycliffe Road, Northampton, drink-driving with a breath test reading of 115mcgs of alcohol in 100mls of breath; community order made to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £85 and costs of £85, banned from driving for 28 months.

David Broomes, aged 38, of Bedford Road, Northampton, assault; fined £1,000, ordered to pay a surcharge of £100 and costs of £85.

Martina Gartland, aged 39, of Brookside Meadows, Northampton, failed to notify authorities of changes relating to Income Support; jailed for 24 weeks suspended for 12 months. ordered to pay a surcharge of £115 and costs of £85. Similar offence relating to Housing Benefit; jailed for 24 weeks concurrent suspended for 12 months. Similar offence relating to Employment Support Allowance; jailed for 24 weeks concurrent suspended for 12 months. Similar offence relating to Job Seeker’s Allowance; jailed for 24 weeks concurrent suspended for 12 months. Similar offence relating to Council Tax Benefit; jailed for 24 weeks concurrent suspended for 12 months.

Kevin Harris, aged 39, of no fixed abode, used threatening or abusive words or behaviour; jailed for eight weeks suspended for 12 months, ordered to pay a surcharge of £85 and costs of £85.

Dean Sargent, aged 36, of Churchill Avenue, Northampton, stole steak worth £58.50 belonging to Sainsbury’s; community order made. Commission of a further offence while on a conditional discharge

order for theft; no adjudication, dealt with original offences as follows. Stole a pair of tracksuit bottoms from Sports Direct worth £32.99; community order made. Stole razor blades worth £80 belonging to Morrisons; community order made.

NOVEMBER 14

Brendon O’Connell, aged 27, c/o HMP Woodhill Prison, assaulted a man at Sainsbury’s in Northampton; jailed for eight weeks, ordered to pay compensation of £50.

Cobblers are expected to bolster their squad with the addition of two new signings this week while manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has also confirmed that several players will leave the club during the January transfer window.

It’s anticipated that Northampton will be busy over the next month as Hasselbaink gets to work in terms of reshaping and remodelling his squad in an attempt to turnaround their ailing fortunes on the pitch.

Hasselbaink has not yet had the chance to bring in his own players – aside from Lewis McGugan and Ryan McGivern on free transfers – having been appointed a week after the summer transfer window closed.

But with the January window opening on Monday, and with funds available, the Town manager is expected to strengthen his squad in several areas, especially at the top end of the pitch where they’re lacking pace and creativity in wide positions as well as goals from strikers.

“I don’t think that we need somebody in the middle of the park,” said Hasselbaink, whose side are now five points adrift of safety following Monday’s 1-0 defeat to Wigan. “It’s obvious that we have to do something and we need to freshen up things in certain areas.

“I think we need a little bit more knowhow and a little bit more experience in some places to help us.

“We’re going to some business, yes, or at least we’re going to try and do some business, but we want to have the right people here and the right people who are going to give everything for the club and can take us forward.

“It’s not going to be easy but we are looking and we’re working very hard behind the scenes. I can’t give you names but hopefully tomorrow (Tuesday) or the day after, we would have signed two players.”

While several are expected to come in, others will depart. The likes of Yaser Kasim and Dean Bowditch have barely featured at all this season despite only signing in the summer – they’ve made just seven league starts between them – and Alex Revell has not even made the matchday squad since being sent off against Bristol Rovers way back on October 7.

Those players will not necessarily leave but Hasselbaink will need to tinker with his squad and get the numbers down given the amount of fringe players who have hardly had a look-in of late.

“There will be some people going out, that’s just how it works and how it is,” he confirmed. “There are other people who won’t be happy because they’re going to sit on the bench and I can understand that.

“We want to have a squad that’s really going to fight and be competitive for every position and at the moment we don’t have that balance.

“We need to get that balance right. Hopefully we’ll have a couple of new faces involved for Saturday.”

And judging by statistics released today by ambulance bosses, all their hard work paid off.

• A total of 1,027 calls were received during the first six hours of 2018. Amazingly, call handlers answered each one within two seconds.

• Over 120 people worked in EMAS's two Emergency Operations Centres to receive and respond to the 999 calls received.

• More than 145 ambulances and 50 fast response cars were manned by EMAS clinicians on duty to respond to emergency calls. Many calls related to illness or injury suffered as a result of too much alcohol.

• Over 25 managers worked on New Year's Eve / New Year's Day, many of them working out on the frontline and hospital A&E departments.

• Several Community First Responder volunteers logged on to help.

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Richard Henderson, EMAS's chief executive, said: “ It has been a challenging time but we’ve delivered the best possible service with the resources available to us. I send my personal thanks to colleagues, volunteers and partner agencies for their continued commitment and dedication to help us to provide quality patient care."

However, Dr John Stephenson, EMAS associate medical director who was in charge of the New Year's Eve operation, said it was unfortunate that so many people ignored pleas to not drink excessively.

“Despite our appeals too often our emergency ambulance clinicians spent their time caring for people who were unwell after excessively drinking alcohol, either at home or out on the town.

“We do not have an endless supply of ambulances and people reported to be in a life-threatening condition such as cardiac arrest, who are not breathing or are unconscious, remain our priority.”

An EMAS spokeswoman said the next few days will continue to be very busy for them and the rest of the NHS.

People who start to feel unwell are urged to seek early advice from a pharmacist, walk-in or urgent care centre – where no appointment is needed, or by visiting their general practitioner. They are requested not to leave it until they become seriously unwell.

Simple self-care steps can be taken by people suffering from the effects of too much alcohol:

- Ultimately you need to re-hydrate your body - replace lost fluids by drinking bland liquids that are easy on the digestive system, such as water, soda water and isotonic drinks.

-Painkillers can help with headaches and muscle cramps

Visit the NHS Choices website for more hangover advice.

And the CEO believes new coaching consultant Alan Gaffney, who started work at Franklin's Gardens on Monday, can get the best out of the current management team and playing squad.

Gaffney will fill the role until the end of the season, stepping in following director of rugby Jim Mallinder's dismissal last month.

The 70-year-old Australian will oversee the work of interim head coach Alan Dickens, forwards coach Dorian West, defence coach Phil Dowson and assistant coach Mark Hopley.

And when asked whether that structure was now set in stone for the remainder of the 2017/18 campaign, Darbon said: "We don't expect to make any further changes this season, for sure.

"It's not really practical to do that at this stage and we're all keen to get behind our coaches.

"With Alan's guidance, hopefully we can turn things around.

"He's really excited about the role.

"He knows Alan (Dickens) and he's excited to get the chance to work with Alan and help him develop and help the other coaches and our players do the same.

"Based on our conversations he looks at our squad and thinks it's an exciting group of players and feels we should be doing better than what we are.

"He's keen to roll his sleeves up and help us through the back half of the season."

Saints have lost 12 of their past 13 matches in all competitions.

And Gaffney has been briefed about shaking things up at the club.

"I've had a number of conversations with him and he's got deep knowledge of the game of rugby, and he talks really passionately about it," Darbon said.

"He's got a reputation of being a progressive thinker, a real student of the game and that comes through when you talk to him.

"He's a winner and he won't be afraid to call a spade a spade and share his opinions, which is part of the brief to him.

"He's going to want to come in and have an impact and hopefully that will lead to an upturn in fortunes during the second half of the season."

Alan Gaffney says he has total confidence in his fellow Saints coaches.

And the new Northampton coaching consultant has defended forwards coach Dorian West after recent criticism from supporters and pundits.

Gaffney will spearhead the current management staff, which also includes interim head coach Alan Dickens, defence coach Phil Dowson and assistant coach Mark Hopley.

The Australian started work at Franklin's Gardens, filling the void left by director of rugby Jim Mallinder until the end of the current campaign.

Dickens was the man who made initial contact with Gaffney, who explained: "First contact was made in a very light-hearted way by Alan Dickens just after Jim had finished here.

"He just made a comment about whether I'd be interested and I got a phone call the week before Christmas. I got here by New Year's Eve."

And on his relationship with Dickens and the other current Saints coaches, Gaffney said: "I know them very well.

"I coached Dicko at Sarries many years ago and I tried to get Dorian into Sarries going back more than 10 years.

"At that point, his wife didn't want to move from Leicester and he came to Northampton and was successful working with Jim.

"I've been here since Sunday and I went to the Wanderers game on the weekend - I was really happy with what they did.

"They went and played, they played with enthusiasm and it was good.

"They made mistakes and it wasn't perfect.

"It's the same coaches coaching that team and I understand it's a different level but it's still the same voices.

"I've got a lot of confidence in the other coaches.

"Dicko has got an enormous amount of enthusiasm and always has had.

"I've heard certain things have been said about Dorian but I can only speak in the highest manner about him since I've been here.

"I've spent a lot of time with him and he's got a lot to offer, having won competitions with Northampton and what he's done over a long period of time.

"You don't become a bad coach overnight and I've got the utmost confidence in what's there.

"I'd known Phil Dowson as a rugby player but I didn't know him as a person and from what I've seen during the past 48 hours, I think he's going to be an outstanding coach."

On his own role in the Saints set up, Gaffney said: "It's an assisting type role with Alan Dickens, Dorian and Dows.

"I've been round the block a few times and I'll consult with them to see if changes have got to be made.

"It's going to be a process between all of us.

"A lot will be done with Alan and Dorian.

"It's going to take me some time to work out where players are.

"I saw three or four games over the last little while, but it's been more a cursory look at the games.

"Now, since I've been here during the past 48 hours, I've seen more of the games on the computer.

"It's about going through games, finding out where players are at and I think it's all going to turn out in a positive way."

The Cobblers have begun their January transfer window rebuilding with the signing of Portuguese winger Hildeberto Pereira, with the deal subject to international clearance.

The 21-year has signed on at Sixfields on loan until the end of the season from Polish champions Legia Warsaw, and is set to be included in the Town squad for Saturday’s Sky Bet League One clash with Southend United.

A Portugal international at all levels from Under-18 through to Under-20, Pereira has found himself out of the first team picture in Warsaw, the club he joined in the summer from Benfica, and has decided to get game time with a switch to Sixfields.

Pereira has been persuaded to drop to league one by Cobblers boss Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, with the player admitting he is an admirer of the Dutchman as both a player and coach.

Pereira has played just three times for Legia in the Polish League this season, but has been training at Moulton with the Cobblers squad for the past couple of weeks, and is fit and ready to go after putting pen to paper to sign for Town.

Born in Lisbon, Pereira has experience of English football, having spent last season on loan with Nottingham Forest in the Championship.

In all, he played 25 times for the City Ground club, scoring twice, and also managing to pick up three red cards in the space of seven matches in mid-season.

Pereira began his career with Benfica, and although he never made an appearance for the Lisbon club’s first team, he did play close to 50 games for their B team in the Portuguese second division.

Providing his international clearance comes through from FIFA this week, Pereira will be available for selection in Saturday’s match with Southend.

Boss Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink believes new signing Hildeberto Pereira will give the Cobblers ‘creativity and a spark’.

The 21-year-old winger has joined Town on loan until the end of the season, swapping life at Polish champions Legia Warsaw for Sixfields.

Pereira began his career at Benfica, and is a Portugal international at Under-18, Under-19 and Under-20 level.

He came to the attention of Hasselbaink while playing for Nottingham Forest on loan from Benfica last season, with the Town boss managing Queens Park Rangers against the City Ground club.

Pereira played 25 times for Forest, and was linked with potential moves to Sheffield United and Wolverhampton Wanderers last summer, before joining Legia Warsaw where he has struggled to hold down a first team place.

But he has clearly made a mark on Hasselbaink, who said: “I have come up against Hildeberto a number of times and have been very impressed.

“I think he will be a big asset to us.

“He is full of pace and energy, he can take players on and he will offer us natural width, creativity and a spark.

“He is lively, unpredictable and he can have the fans on the edge of their seats and I am looking forward to working with him.

“He has the potential to be a real crowd favourite and I am very excited to be able to welcome him to Sixfields.”

Providing Pereira’s international clearance comes through in time from FIFA, he will be available for selection for Saturday’s home Sky Bet League One date with Southend United.

Midfielder Lewis McGugan and central defender Ryan McGivern have both left the Cobblers.

The pair were signed on short-term contracts following the closing of the summer transfer window, and boss Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has decided against extending the Sixfields stay of either player.

“We would like to thank both Lewis and Ryan for their efforts,” said Hasselbaink.

“We wish them both well with their careers moving forward, but we have decided not to extend their contracts at Sixfields.”

Former Nottingham Forest man McGugan joined the club after being released by Sheffield Wednesday, and made his debut in the Checkatrade Trophy clash at Peterborough United at the beginning of October.

He went on to make 10 starts and four substitute appearances, and was a starter as recently as last Saturday at Portsmouth, where he created Town’s goal, scored by Chris Long.

The high point of the 29-year-old’s Cobblers stint was his stunning volleyed goal in the 3-3 Checkatrade Trophy draw with Southampton Under-21s, a strike that won him the club’s goal of the month prize for November.

Northern Ireland international McGivern joined the club as defensive cover in November having been released by Shrewsbury Town, and made just two starts, both in cup competitions, and one substitute appearance in Sky Bet League One.

Boss Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has hit out at the ‘ridiculous’ schedule that allowed Wigan an extra day’s rest ahead of their clash with the Cobblers on New Year’s Day.

Wigan drew 0-0 with Charlton Athletic on Friday evening, while the Cobblers lost 3-1 at Portsmouth on Saturday.

The two clubs then met on Monday and the Latics ran out 1-0 winners thanks to Nick Powell’s fifth minute header as they kept themselves two points clear of Shrewsbury at the top of the Sky Bet League One table.

The short time frame between games meant Hasselbaink felt compelled to freshen his side up and make four changes, bringing in Shaun McWilliams, George Smith, Sam Foley and Daniel Powell while resting usual first-team regulars David Buchanan and John-Joe O’Toole.

The Cobblers produced a much-improved performance compared to the one they served up at Fratton Park 48 hours earlier but that did not stop Hasselbaink from expressing his frustration with the schedule.

“I thought it was a ridiculous decision by the League because Wigan played on Friday and we played on Saturday and to have a game in 48 hours, they have a big advantage because they have 72 hours of rest,” he said.

“And when the games are so close together, that’s a big advantage. I have to make a decision on who can recover as quickly as possible and also who is going to play.

“You’re looking at the previous games and how they have done, and I thought it was time for JJ to influence the game from the bench and I also that with David Buchanan.

“I knew that we were going to play against (Gavin) Massey and he’s a very quick, energetic player and I thought George Smith would cope better with that, and he did.”

Hasselbaink reserved special praise for the performance of McWilliams whose energy and desire in midfield was a feature of the game, with the youngster at the heart of Town’s best two moments of the match before being replaced late on.

His break into the box brought a good save from visiting goalkeeper Christian Walton just prior to Wigan’s opener while he also slipped in Powell for a chance later in the half.

“I didn’t want to change Shaun because I thought he played really, really well. We put him in today for his energy and his commitment,” added Hasselbaink. “I think he led us and that was good but he ran out of steam.

“He’s a young boy and that’s why I had to take him off - but I am ever so proud of him.

“He does the locals really proud and he wears his heart on his sleeve. He goes for it and I’m very happy with his performance.”

Eddie Jones has backed Dylan Hartley following criticism of the England captain's recent form for Saints.

Hartley has not been on the winning side at his club since September - the green, black and gold have slipped to 10th in the Aviva Premiership standings - and on his last two outings his opposite number has been named man of the match.

Former England stars Lawrence Dallaglio and Austin Healey were scathing of the Saints skipper's performance in Saturday's 50-21 defeat to Harlequins, but Jones believes his captain is still indispensable.

"It's been a tough time for him," England boss Jones said.

"When you are captain of a club that is struggling, a club that has just sacked their coach, it becomes a difficult time.

"That has been reflective of his play, but very good players do compartmentalise things and he's done that terrifically well, come in and led with effervescence, trained well - he's been good.

"I don't watch club rugby to assess them on how they play at clubs. I watch club rugby to assess how they are going to play at international level, which is completely different.

"Some guys can be outstanding club players and be poor at international level. Some guys can be poor club players and outstanding international players.

"Dylan's attitude is right, his body is right and he brings something to the table that we need at the moment, which is strong leadership."

Saints' new coaching consultant Alan Gaffney, who began his role on Monday in the wake of Jim Mallinder's departure on December 12, has also given the 31-year-old his full support.

"Dylan has been a figurehead here for a long, long time and has a lot of respect among the players," Gaffney said.

"I have not spoken to Dylan since I've been here - he had gone into camp by the time I arrived on Sunday - but I spoke to Eddie about him and he has got the utmost respect for him. I don't see things changing here.

"Northampton has been his club, always has been his club and his heart lies here. I don't see any changes being made there."