Sportsday - rolling sports news

Did you read a story online today allegedly revealing the winner of the 2015 Ballon D'Or? If so, that piece was not true and the victor has not yet been revealed.

Fifa, themselves, took to Twitter to clear up the confusion...

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

One semi-final up and running, the other starts later.

Everton host Man City in what, on paper, looks like it will be a juicy attack-fest between two sides who love to play on the front foot.

The game kicks off at 20:00 GMT and we will, naturally, have live text commentary on this very website.

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Harry Redknapp won't be taking charge of Slovenian side NK Olimpija Ljubljana. President Milan Mandaric, whom he worked under at Portsmouth, believes it would be too much of a risk. 

"We cannot afford the slightest error because there is too much at stake," said Mandaric. "We need someone for whom the Slovenian football environment is not foreign.

"I know that it has recently been written and spoken about the arrival of my good friend and former colleague at Portsmouth, Harry Redknapp. I can assure you that (it will not be him) because we cannot afford too many risks."

Former Celtic defender Darren O'Dea is close to joining Dundee.

The Republic of Ireland international has been playing in India with Mumbai City following spells with Blackpool, Leeds United and Ipswich Town.

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

O'Dea, 28, is expected to have a medical with a view to joining the Dens Park club until the end of the season.

As well as England, India and Scotland, the defender has also played in Canada and Ukraine and has been capped 20 times at senior level.

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Nick Humby, the new Independent Chair of the British Basketball Federation, says he has started a dialogue with Luol Deng and hopes the NBA star will play for Great Britain again this year.

Watch the interview here

BBCCopyright: BBC

Liverpool edged ahead in the first leg of the League Cup semi-final against Stoke on Tuesday, so how will Merseyside rivals Everton fare against Manchester City tonight?

Dan Walker is joined by Kevin Kilbane and Mark Lawrenson for Focus Forum to preview the match.

Watch the video here

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

The Daily Telegraph is reporting that Cristiano Ronaldo will leave Real Madrid at the end of the season, despite the appointment of Zinedine Zidane.

It suggests the club are prepared to off-load Ronaldo in an attempt to "create a more team-orientated philosophy at the club".

England women's coach Mark Robinson has named his first squad, keeping faith with the players that lost the 2015 Ashes for the tour of South Africa.

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Kent's Tammy Beaumont is the only player in the 16-player group not to have been part of last summer's 10-6 series defeat to Australia.

Nine of the squad - including captain Charlotte Edwards - will join up with their team-mates a little over a week before the first one-day international because of their Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) duties in Australia.

England will play three ODIs, starting with a meeting in Benoni on 7 February, before three Twenty20 matches against the South African counterparts.

There will be commentary of every game live on the BBC. 

See the squad in full here

New Leeds Rhinos signing Brett Ferres says he had offers from the NRL, but felt he could not turn down the opportunity to join the treble winners.

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

The Super League champions agreed a deal to sign the Huddersfield man for an undisclosed fee.

Ferres, 29, had been placed on the transfer list by the Giants last month after an internal investigation.

Listen to the interview here

Blackpool have extended the loan of defender Hayden White from Championship side Bolton Wanderers until the end of the season.

White, 20, has made 11 appearances at right-back for the Seasiders after joining on an initial loan in October.

"I've shown a bit of what I'm about and the manager knows that there's more to come," White told the club website. 

"He's a player I'd monitored for some time and I'm delighted he's now staying with us," manager Neil McDonald added.

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Remember Craig David 'classic' Seven Days? Wycombe Wanderers defender Jason McCarthyseems to have his own version of it. 

On Saturday: McCarthy ended the 2-0 defeat to Morecambe by going in goal after keeper Matt Ingram was sent off. 

On Monday: He extended his loan deal from Southampton by a month. 

On Tuesday: He was nominated for Player of the Month. 

This coming Saturday: He's facing Aston Villa in the third round of the FA Cup. 

Rex FeaturesCopyright: Rex Features

Worcester Warriors have signed Samoa international prop James Johnston following his release by Wasps.

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Johnston, 29, joined Wasps last summer, but has not been able to fully train or play a first-team game in five months at the club after being injured for Samoa in the build-up to the World Cup.

"The scrum is an area where we've lacked a bit of experience," said Warriors director of rugby Dean Ryan.

"He has a wealth of top-class game-time and adds great depth to our front row."

Ireland have agreed to take Australia's place at the Under-19 World Cup in Bangladesh after the Aussies pulled out because of security fears.

Cricket Ireland chief executive Warren Deutrom said they had made the decision after investigating the safety and security situation in Bangladesh.

The ICC asked the Irish to participate in the 16-team competition after the Australians withdrew on Tuesday.

The tournament takes place from 27 January-14 February.

Bath head coach Mike Ford says playing European Champions Cup holders Toulon does not intimidate his misfiring side.

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Ford's team have endured an inconsistent season, with the weekend loss to Newcastle the latest low point.

However, he says his side can recover to reassert themselves in Europe, having also previously lost to English-rivals Wasps in the group stage.

"The excitement of playing the best team in Europe in a hostile environment is why you play the game," Ford said.

Read the full piece here

Fifa presidential candidate Prince Ali of Jordan insists that he is tough enough to lead the necessary reform at the heart of football's governing body. 

Speaking to the BBC, Prince Ali insisted "Of course I am tough enough and I come from a background in my own country of working in crisis management, something that we need in Fifa right now."

Read the full piece here

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Matthew Hobden's family have spoken for the first time since the 22-year-old Sussex player's death.

Hobden, a promising bowler, died near Inverness on Saturday, 2 January.

In a brief statement released to the media through Police Scotland, his family said: "We are deeply saddened by the sudden death of Matthew who had been celebrating the New Year with friends in the Forres area.

"We now ask that we are left alone to deal with the tragic circumstances that have unfolded and are allowed to grieve in private at this difficult time."

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Cian Healy faces a race against time to be fit to start Ireland's Six Nations title defence after undergoing a minor knee operation.

The British and Irish Lions prop opted to go under the knife to coincide with a two-week suspension, and will now fight to be fit for Ireland's Six Nations opener against Wales on 7 February.

Wigan Athletic have signed goalkeeper Dan Lavercombe from Torquay, but will loan him back to the National League side until the end of the season.

Lavercombe, 19, who has featured 11 times for the Gulls this season, joins the Latics on a two-and-a-half year deal for an undisclosed fee.

"Dan has lots of potential. He's impressed us during the time he's been with us," manager Gary Caldwell said. 

"He'll go back to Torquay to play, but he's a real find for the future."

It is likely to be a golfing year like no other in living memory. The return of the sport to the Olympics means a crowded schedule and new narrative.

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Furthermore, 2016 is a Ryder Cup year with the United States probably boasting a side emblematic of a new generation less haunted by so many recent defeats.

September's running of the biennial clash between Europe and America is one of the big highlights in what promises to be an enticing year.

Head here for my month-by-month guide

Gareth Bale seems to have enjoyed his first training session with Zidane. 

Well, he would say that, wouldn't he? 

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

England captain Alastair Cook on Hashim Amla's resignation: "You're under pressure as a captain for a lot of the time.

"He'll have his reasons and I wish him all the best - he's a really nice guy.

"I did ask if he planned to have a couple of Tests off, but unfortunately he's still planning on batting against us.

"It's always sad when someone steps down, because to captain your country is a huge honour and a real privilege."

This year's Hillsborough Memorial Service at Anfield will be the last one, after the Hillsborough Family Support Group unanimously agreed to stop the annual service at the ground. 

Chair of the HFSG, Margaret Aspinall, said: “The 96 will never be forgotten. It is likely that the inquests will be concluded before the anniversary so this final memorial service will provide the families with some closure.

“We would also like to extend our thanks to Liverpool Football Club for their continued support over the past 27 years and for hosting the service each year at Anfield.

“We hope that the public and fans respect the decision of the HFSG and will continue to remember the 96 in their own perhaps more private way.”

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Leyton Orient president Francesco Becchetti has admitted part of a Football Association misconduct charge. 

Television pictures appeared to show him aiming a kick at O's assistant boss Andy Hessenthaler after Orient's 3-2 win against Portsmouth on Boxing Day. 

A club statement said Becchetti accepted his actions on the touchline were 'improper conduct.' 

However, it added Becchetti "strongly denied" it was violent conduct and had requested a personal FA hearing.

At the time of the incident, Orient described the exchange between Becchetti and Hessenthaler as being "in very good humour".

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Earlier we asked you the nine other England players (other than Stokes) to have scored a Test double century since 2000.... 

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Great entertainment in Perth but it's the Aussies and not the British fans who are cheering loudest at the end of it.

They were 5-2 and then 8-5 ahead in the first to 10 tie-break but Andy Murray and Heather Watson fought back to make it 9-9.

You have to win by two clear points, so on they went ... but not for much longer.

Nick Kyrgios and Daria Gavrilova won 11-9 to the delight of the crowd and Murray and Watson trudged off looking thoroughly cheesed off with life.

It was a late finish, just gone midnight in Western Australia.

Andy Murray - presumably tweeting before he stepped on curt to play the doubles with Heather Watson at the Hopman Cup - has given his support to fellow Brit Naomi Broady.

For those who missed it, Broady was involved in a stormy racquet-throwing encounter this morning which you can read all about here.

And for fans of Murray, he and Watson are having a much better time of it in the second set of their Hopman Cup encounter with Nick Kyrgios and Daria Gavrilova.

They are a break up at 4-2 in the second set, afetr losing the opener 2-6.

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

They lost the first set, but Andy Murray and Heather Watson gave hit back.

They edged a mighty tense second set it on a tie-break.

There is not third set, which means it's winner-takes-all special tiebreak - first to 10 points - to decide things ... kind of like a penalty shoot-out but without the goalkeeper and with a much smaller ball. Sort of.

The game is being played in good spirits, lots of laughing and smiling from Nick Kyrgios, unlike hie feisty singles encounter with Murray earlier.

AB de Villiers, who had previously said that he was looking to 'manage his workload', will replace Amla for the rest of the series. 

“I’ve said this before that it is an incredible honour to captain South Africa in any format. The captaincy has obviously come at short notice and is the realisation of a lifelong dream,” said De Villiers.

“At the moment my priority and focus is placed on leading this team to what can be a memorable series win against England. This Test squad is motivated and determined to turn our performances around and I’m looking forward to taking up that challenge as captain.”

Follow this in more detail with our colleagues on the live cricket page. 

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Andy Farrell, recently sacked as England defence coach after four years, is to join Ireland after the Six Nations. 

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt said: "It's great to have Andy coming into our coaching team. The quality of his delivery and breadth of his experience as well as the positive impact he had when coaching a number of our senior players during the 2013 Lions tour will add real value for us.” 

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Cardiff-based Idris Evans has been appointed Wales Rugby League's new national development manager.

Evans, 35, who spent 10 years with Cardiff Demons as a player, coach and chairman, will be responsible for growth in the domestic game. 

Wycombe Wanderers have made utility man Michael Harriman's loan spell from QPR permanent. 

The 23-year-old, who is equally capable in defence or midfield, has scored six goals in 25 games since initially joining Wycombe on loan in July and has now signed a three-and-a-half-year deal for an undisclosed fee. 

Harriman's first game since signing the deal will be against Aston Villa in the FA Cup third round on Saturday. 

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

This is not going to plan.

Andy Murray and Heather Watson, aiming to beat Australia and keep alive Britain's chances in the Hopman Cup, have lost the first set of their doubles encounter against Kyrgios and Gavrilova.

They lost it heavily too, 6-2. It's going with serve early in the second set, the GB pair 2-1 ahead.

We'll keep you posted.

Looks like world champ Lewis Hamilton is working hard ahead of the new season.

Either that or he's just posed for this picture, then gone for a bacon butty and a lie down...

An interesting point made by one of our Sportsday readers...

Heather Watson, Naomi Broady and Aljaz Bedene have all played and won .. yet Murray was put to the sword.

A are occurrence to say the least.

Why, it's almost enough to make a grown man want to pull his shirt off in anger...

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Heather Watson won the last four games to beat Daria Gavrilova in the Hopman Cup and keep alive Great Britain's chance of victory. 

Earlier Andy Murray lost to Nick Kyrgios in straight sets, but Watson's 6-7 6-2 victory means it's all down to the doubles. 

Murray and Watson vs Gavrilova and Kyrgios is already underway - we'll keep you updated with the latest. 

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce is closing in on his first January signing after Bayern Munich defender Jan Kirchhoff arrived in to the north east.

The 25-year-old headed for England to hold talks and undergo a medical after being left out of the Bayern squad which flew to Qatar for a mid-season training camp earlier today.

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Liverpool midfielder Adam Lallana says Jurgen Klopp's training regime is not to blame for a spate of hamstring injuries.

Playmaker Philippe Coutinho and defender Dejan Lovren both limped off against Stoke, which led to TV pundit Graeme Souness suggesting it was time for the manager to consider modifying training.

"I don't think these injuries have got anything to do with any changes to our training," said Lallana.

"Sometimes you are just unlucky with injuries and we've had a lot of bad luck recently. At Liverpool we've got a world-class medical team here. We certainly can't point the finger at anyone."

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Newcastle insist theyhave not made a formal bid for Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette after learning he is not for sale.

Reports from France claimed the Magpies tabled an £18.3million bid for Lacazette.

However, according to PA Sport, Newcastle say they have not bid because they have been told the player is not available.

Steve McClaren's side have struggled for goals so far this season, with summer signing Aleksandar Mitrovic yet to find his feet.

European Ryder Cup hero Christy O'Connor Jnr has died suddenly in Spain at the age of 67.

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

The Irishman helped Europe retain the Ryder Cup at the Belfry in 1989 when his two-iron approach at the last sealed a singles win over Fred Couples.

O'Connor won four European Tour titles including his Irish Open triumph at Woodbrook in 1975.

That victory helped secure a Ryder Cup spot that year and he played in the competition again 14 years later.

"Get on with the game! Get on with the game."

Those words have landed England bowler Stuart Broad in trouble after telling umpire Aleem Dar to do just that in the second Test against South Africa.

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Broad has been fine 30% of his match fee for his actions on the fourth day.

The incident occured in the 195th over of the Proteas' marathon first innings in Cape Town, when England captain Alastair Cook was warned about Broad damaging the pitch by kicking it in frustration. 

Read the full piece here

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Irish striker Roy O'Donovan has been given an eight-week ban for head-butting, one of the longest suspensions ever handed out by Australia's A-League.

The 30-year-old, who plays for Central Coast Mariners, was cited for his attack on Wellington Phoenix player Manny Muscat over the New Year period.

Only former Mariners goalkeeper Danny Vukovic has received a bigger suspension in the A-League with a nine-month ban for striking a referee in 2008.

O'Donovan pleaded guilty to violent conduct. Muscat was earlier banned for two matches for his part in the confrontation. 

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Former Barcelona captain Xavi says isn't surprised his former coach Pep Guardiola is planning a move to England.

The 35-year-old midfielder - now at Al Sadd in Qatar - told The Mirror: "When I was at Barcelona we would always be talking about the Premier League, and our respect for the quality of the teams, the players, and the pace the game was played at.

"Even when he was at Barcelona, you could see it was his dream to one day manage in England.

"I don't think it is even a question if he will be a success in England or not. Of course he will be, like he is a success everywhere."

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

More on the news that Liverpool have signed Serbian midfielder Marko Grugic.

The 19-year-old has agreed a deal until the end of the 2020 season, but will return to Red Star Belgrade on loan until the end of this season.

“I was thinking about my progress in my next period and decided it was good for me to come to Liverpool and try to be the best I can," he said.

“I want to play in front of one of the loudest set of fans in Europe at Anfield."

Good news for England who are looking to save the second Test against South Africa as bad light has stopped play in Cape Town.

England are 159-6 in their second innings in the afternoon session.

Follow live text and radio coverage here

Heather Watson has given not just 110% but about 195% in her Hopman Cup match against Daria Gavrilova.

And what an effort she's just made with the score 3-5 in the deciding set, to break her opponent's serve.

If she can hold in her next service game it will be all square again.

It's been a quite brilliant match so far with both players giving their all, and it's still anyone's guess who will emerge on top.

Nigerian football official Ibrahim Abubakar has been shot dead by armed robbers at his house in Abuja on Wednesday.

Abubakar was head of protocol for the country's football federation.

Former Arsenal striker Nwankwo Kanu has described Abubakar's death as "bad and sad news" on social media.

Local media have reported that Abubakar is survived by his wife and three children. He will be buried in Kaduna in the north-west of the country.

Hot weather and lots of money, who could turn that down?

Cardiff City striker Kenwyne Jones has decided to leave Wales and join Middle East side Al Jazira on loan until the end of the season.

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

The 31-year-old striker joined Cardiff from Stoke in January 2014 and is one of the club's highest earners.

Cardiff will receive a loan fee from Al Jazira for the duration of the loan, and the Abu Dhabi-based club will pay all his wages.

Read the full piece here

If you want to rebuild some trust, what's the best way to do it? 

Yep, throw more money at it.

That's the plan of IAAF president Lord Coe who will double the world governing body's anti-doping budget.

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Since Coe was elected, Russia has been barred from world athletics for alleged involvement in widespread doping.

Coe's predecessor Lamine Diack is the subject of a police investigation, while IAAF official Nick Davies has stepped aside over a separate matter.

"My vision is to have a sport that attracts more young people," he said.  

Read the full piece here

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Hats off to heather Watson.

The Brit is showing plenty of grit and has reacted to losing the opening set against world number 36 Gavrilova in spectacualr style - taking the second 6-2 in very comfortable fashion.

She's also just broken her opponent in the first game of the decider.

Wowzers, at the risk of tempting fate, could be a big victory this.

Rex FeaturesCopyright: Rex Features

This Lakeside stage has been a graveyard for leading seeds over the past couple of days.

On Monday we lost the number three seed Jeffrey De Graaf, while the number two seed Martin Adams was knocked out yesterday.

Middlesbrough's Glen Durrant, the world number one, will hope that pattern doesn't continue today - Durrant faces Larry Butler of the USA in the first match of the second round.

Watch live coverage on BBC Two and online now.

What happened on the evening when then Bolton midfielder Fabrice Muamba suffered a cardiac arrest while playing in the FA Cup against Tottenham?

Who does he owe his life to?

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

The former footballer reflects on the night his heart stopped for 78 minutes.

Head here to read the piece

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Big, big let-off at the cricket.

Jonny Bairstow is stumped but after about 57 replays, the man from third umpire, he says not out.

It was a mighty close call, but there was - we're guessing - too much uncertainty to give it as out.

Bairstow smacks the next ball to the boundary and the crisis is averted.

England are still struggling though, on 151-6, 153 ahead, with around three hours or so of play remaining.

Watson is not going down without a fight.

After losing that first set in painful circumstances on a tie-break, she's broken Gavrilova in the second and leads 4-2.

It's taking a heck of a lot of effort against an opponent ranked 19 places higher than her in the world. Watson is being made to run for everything and is drenched in sweat.

We'll keep you posted (on the match, not her perspiration).

Serena Williams has withdrawn from the Hopman Cup because of inflammation in her left knee, a setback in her preparations for next month's Australian Open.

Williams has been replaced by Vicky Duval in the US team for their last Group A match against the Czech Republic on Thursday.

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

The US team is 0-2 and cannot reach the final of the international mixed team competition at Perth Arena.

There's tough, and then there's tough.

Let us introduce you to some members of a winter swimming club in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, where temperatures often reach 30 degrees Celsius below zero.

Brace yourselves...

ReutersCopyright: Reuters

ReutersCopyright: Reuters

ReutersCopyright: Reuters

"The moment of immersion is a sensation of delight. Afterwards there's a rush of energy and my entire body feels relaxed," said Mikhail Sashko, 68, chairman of the club. "My wife says I am crazy."

Mikhail, your wife may well be right...  

You're a League Two side on a run of four straight defeats, so how do you go about getting a win?

Face a Premier League side, of course.

Rex FeaturesCopyright: Rex Features

Exeter right-back Christian Ribeiro says their home FA Cup third-round tie against Liverpool is a "bonus".

The club are making their first appearance at this stage of the competition for 11 years.

"This Liverpool game is an amazing distraction and everyone's delighted for it," he told BBC Radio Devon.

Accrington Stanley's Josh Windass and Matt Crooks have agreed outline terms with Rangers with a view to pre-contract deals, BBC Scotland has learned.

The fee for the pair is believed to be £400,000..

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

PA Sport is reporting that the midfield duo are travelling to Glasgow and will have medicals with the Championship leaders later this afternoon.

Both men are out of contract at the end of the season and are free to negotiate pre-contracts with Rangers

Read the full piece here

We're expecting Eva Carneiro to leave court any minute now following the start of her constructive dismissal case against Chelsea, and a separate but connected case for alleged discrimination against Jose Mourinho.

She is expected to make a short statement. If she does, we'll let you know what the former Chelsea club doctor - or more likely her lawyer - says.

Maybe we shouldn't have lavished so much praise on her in that previous entry, for Watson has just been crushed in the tie-breaker.

No mercy from her Aussie opponent, who raced into a 6-0 lead and closed it out 7-2.

Big ask now for Watson to come back and win the next two sets.

With Murray beaten earlier, it looks like Britain's involvement in the Hopman Cup is in danger of coming to a premature end. GB beat France in their opening group game, and would have to beat Germany to keep alive their hopes of progressing in the tournament - should they lose to the Auusies.

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

It's 6-6, we're into a tie-break, and this has been a terrific first set.

After being broken at the start of the set, Watson has played superbly and came within a whisker of winning it - she had set-point during Gavrilova's marathon final service game.

Watson did remarkably well to stay alive in that set. The Aussie is ranked 36th in the world, 19 places higher than her opponent, but Watson fought like a tiger throughout. She's certainly doing her country proud.

We'll let you know how the tie-break goes...

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce's hopes of landing Bayern Munich's Jan Kirchhoff have received a boost after the defender was left out of his club's mid-season trip to Qatar.

The 25-year-old was not among a party of 29 which left for Doha earlier today, with Bayern confirming he had been left behind to push through a move.

A statement on the club's website said: "The travelling party does not include Jan Kirchhoff, who is away with his agent concluding negotiations for a possible transfer."

Having spent nearly all of the Test match in complete control, England are in severe danger of losing this game. 

Ben Stokes and James Taylor have just been dismissed, England are 116-6, a lead of 118, with a session and a half to play. 

Follow it on our live text here - if you can bear it.  

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

We'll bring you the answer later today...

At 4-2 down the signs were not looking encouraging for Heather Watson and the GB team.

But the Brit has hit back. It's now 5-4 Watson in the first set and the 23-year-old from Guernsey is looking increasingly assured the longer the contest goes on.

Remember she needs to win if GB are to stay in the Hopman Cup, following Andy Murray's defeat to Nick Kyrgios in this team competition earlier.

Those who play snooker will know how difficult the sport is and will struggle to score 800 points in their whole life.

PACopyright: PA

Well, five-time world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan compiled his 800th career century break in the Championship League against Barry Hawkins.

'The Rocket' is the first player to achieve the feat and said "getting to a thousand would be good."

Good? That's a bit of an understatement.

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

West Bromwich Albion keeper Ben Foster is on course to return to the first team on Saturday after spending nearly nine months on the sidelines with a knee injury.

The 32-year-old has been out of action since damaging his cruciate knee ligaments against Stoke last March.

But after watching Foster play 45 minutes for the club's under-21 side on Tuesday, manager Tony Pulis says the keeper could be involved in Saturday's FA Cup third-round tie against Bristol City.

"I will speak with the medical staff but I would like to think he might be involved in Saturday's FA Cup game," Pulis said.

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Eva Carneiro arrived just after 9 o'clock with her husband Jason for the start of this constructive dismissal case against Chelsea, and a separate but connected case for alleged discrimination against Jose Mourinho. She arrived to a scrum of cameras and photographers, and walked past them without saying anything. 

The hearing itself is held in private in front of a senior judge, beginning at 10:00 GMT this morning. Both sides are outlining the evidence they intend to present - that could include text messages and emails. 

If no settlement is reached between the two sides today, then the date for a full tribunal will be set, probably some time after the end of the season. 

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Andy Murray disappeared straight to the dressing room area - probably to pound the wall in frustration - and Nick Kyrgios has also exited the arena after finishing his on-court TV interview.

Which means it's time for the next Aussie-GB battle, Daria Gavrilova against Heather Watson.

This is a team event - two singles matches and a double - so Watson needs to win, then she and Murray can still advance to the next round with victory in the doubles.

The match has just started and Watson, serving first and wearing a very natty tangerine top, has taken the opening game.

We'll let you know how the contest unfolds.

Derby County have paid Reading £2.5m for the services of Nick Blackman, who joins on a three-and-a-half-year contract.

Head coach Paul Clement tells me that - barring injury - that's it for Derby County in this transfer window.

Read the full piece here

PACopyright: PA

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

FA chief Greg Dyke also claimed  England can win the World Cup again "one day soon".

"We owe it to a generation of teenage dreamers to show we can do it again," he added.

"The FA is the richest FA in the world, the most income. The FA has to take some of the blame.

"We should have won a tournament in the last 50 years. We haven't. But we will win in the next 50 years, hopefully long before."

We'll remind him of that in the year 2066...

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Maybe he could have phrased it better but you can't accuse Football Association chairman Greg Dyke of not showing emotion, after he declared "we'll all shoot ourselves" if England fail to progress from their group at Euro 2016.

Roy Hodgson's side have been drawn alongside Wales, Russia and Slovakia for the tournament in France, which starts on 10 June.

"We've got to get out of that group," said Dyke. "If we don't, that really is bad news for English football."

It is the first time in five attempts that Nick Kyrgios has beaten Murray.

"He's a great player in the prime of his career," says Kyrgios, 20.

"I did promise a few of my friends that next time I played Murray I would beat him, and there you go.

"I've put a lot of hard work in over the off-season and it has paid off."

The last time the Australia won the Hopman Cup, by the way, Kyrgios was three-years-old.

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Oh dear. It's game over in Perth where Andy Murray has lost to Nick Kyrgios in straight sets.

The Aussie has taken the tie-break - despite beign pretty grumpy throughout it - to record a 6-4 7-6 victory.

Murray didn't play too badly to be fair, looking in good nick, but Kyrgios' forehand won the day, spanking shots to all corners with unerring precision.

Heather Watson up next in this team event and she needs a win to keep GB's hopes alive.

It's with serve all the way through the second set so, at 6-6, we're into a tie-break which Andy Murray needs to win to keep the contest alive.

Murray might feel a bit demoralised going into it - he missed a couple of set points in the 10th game of the set.

Kyrgios, by the way, has calmed down a bit since his little outburst earlier and the crowd are back with him.

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Rafael Benitez has released a statement, saying it was "an honour and privilege" to manage Real Madrid.

Spaniard Benitez was relieved of his duties following a meeting of the club's board on Monday and replaced by B team coach Zinedine Zidane.

"I want everyone at the club from the board of directors, executives, workers and all of the fans, to know it has been an honour and privilege to be in charge at this club, where I grew up as a person, player and coach from the lowest categories through to the first team," said the 55-year-old

Full story here.

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

It's getting a bit spicy.

Then again, considering it's a match involving Nick Krygios perhaps that's not surprising.

Despite the fact he's playing on home territory in Perth, the fiery young Aussie has just exchanged words with a few spectators and now the crowd have started to side with Andy Murray.

It's still going with serve though, Murray 5-4 ahead after losing the first set 6-4.

He needs this set to keep the match alive.

They couldn't conspire to throw this away, could they? Nick Compton's out for England, they're 87-4 at lunch, a lead of 89. 

It means that Ben Stokes is now in - how will he approach the situation? 

Andy Murray is fighting hard at the Hopman Cup in Perth against Nick Kyrgios.

He's lost the first set 6-4 remember and it all seemed to be going a bit pear-shaped when, at 1-1 in the second, he was 0-30 down on his own serve.

The Scot isn't world number two for nothing though, fighting back to take the game.

It's still going with serve, Murray 3-2 in front and starting to look as though he might just be gaining the upper hand. Then again, maybe we shouldn't speak too soon...

British cyclist Mark Cavendish is hungry for success in 2016.

The 30-year-old is targeting the yellow jersey in the Tour de France, an Olympic medal and victory in the World Road Championships.

PACopyright: PA

He has been training on both road and track this winter before a busy year.

"If I don't win any of them it is not a failure because they are the biggest things you can do in cycling," Cavendish told BBC Sport.

#Greedy

Read the full piece here

Worrying times for Andy Murray. He's lost the first set 6-4 against Australian bad-boy Nick Kyrgios in the Hopman Cup in Perth, Australia.

Murray was then broken in the first game of the second set, despite being 40-0 up, but Murray immediately broke back. Kyrgios then smashed a ball into the crowd in frustration.

We'll keep you updated on that match... 

Rex FeaturesCopyright: Rex Features

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Ireland winger Tommy Bowe has ruled himself out of the Six Nations as he continues his recovery from a cruciate knee ligament injury.

The Ulster player suffered the injury during Ireland's World Cup quarter-final defeat to Argentina but hoped to be back in action early this year.

"Unfortunately it's a slow process and to rule yourself out of the Six Nations is disappointing," said Bowe.

Bowe expects to return for Ulster later this season.

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

British number two Aljaz Bedene has reached the second round of the Chennai Open with a 7-5 7-6 victory over world number 39 Vasek Pospisil.

Slovenia-born Bedene, ranked 45, took one hour and 46 minutes to see off the 2015 Wimbledon quarter-finalist.

He will next face Italy's Luca Vanni, ranked 61 places below him, for a place in the quarter-finals.

Bedene, 26, is preparing for the Australian Open, which starts on 18 January.

January promises to be a key time for Newcastle United - L'Equipe in France are reporting that Newcastle United have put in a £19m bid for Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette. 

And according to Newcastle paper The Chronicle, it'll be a busy transfer window for Steve McClaren. 

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Former Chelsea doctor Eva Carneiro has arrived at a Croydon Employment Tribunal for an initial preliminary hearing into her claim for constructive dismissal against Chelsea. 

Seen here with her husband Jason De Carteret, she also has a separate case against Jose Mourinho for alleged victimisation and discrimination.

PACopyright: PA

Keep them coming to #bbcsportsday

Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher and Robbie Fowler are in Sydney ahead of a Liverpool Legends match in the city, and it seems they're enjoying the sights of the city, although they'd probably have hoped for better weather... 

Steven Gerrard on InstagramCopyright: Steven Gerrard on Instagram

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Back to Liverpool's win at the Britannia Stadium and this was the verdict of Stoke boss Mark Hughes.

"People might want to criticise what we did in the first half but sometimes you have to credit the opposition," he said.

"They restricted what we wanted to do in terms of getting people around the ball and restricting space and they did that to good effect and we had to improve in the second half.

Meanwhile, Liverpool gaffer Jurgen Klopp said: "The only thing we can criticise is our finishing again. We had a good structure, played football good, everything was good but we don't make enough goals."

A hard man to please, clearly.

No get out of jail card this time for Joe Root.

He's just been clean bowled for 29 by Chris Morris and England are three wickets down and looking extremely wobbly.

Could the unthinkable happen? Live text commentary here..

Broady got plenty of support on Twitter.

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

"You'll see on the replay, there's no way it was accidental. She threw the racquet and it hit the ball boy," Broady told the umpire in an on-court exchange.

WTA rules state that "players shall not at any time physically abuse any official, opponent, spectator or other person...for the purposes of this rule, physical abuse is the unauthorized touching of an official, opponent and spectator or other person."

Players can be disqualified for incidents by the umpire and fined up to $10,000 (£6,830) for each violation.

"Jelena commented that my behaviour was terrible, which I thought was a bit out of order considering the events that had gone on in the match," said Broady of the row.

When all the excitement subsides, the Brit will play American Sloane Stephens in the next round.

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

It's not often you get a really good story emerging from the ASB Classic (a tennis tournament in Auckland, in case you're wondering). But today we do.

British number three Naomi Broady followed up victory in the opening round over former world number one Ana Ivanovic with a three-set win over Jelena Ostapenko.

But the real story isn't that but the fact that Ostapenko escaped disqualification for throwing a racquet at a ball boy.

The Latvian claimed her racquet slipped from her hand in the second-set tie-break and was let off with a warning.

It led to some unusually spicy exchanges, Broady disagreeing and saying her opponent should be "straight disqualified."

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Oh. My. Word.

What a let-off for England.

Morne Morkel has Joe Root caught. Massive blow. Are England about to implode and lose the Test?

But then, as Root is trudging off, replays show it was a no-ball!

Unbelievable, and possibly a game-changer too.

2016 is nearly a week old, and I'm sure, like Sir Chris, you're struggling to keep your New Year's resolutions. 

So we're asking today - what New Year's resolutions would you suggest for sports stars? 

Perhaps Florentino Perez could learn to be more patient? Jurgen Klopp to give his players' hamstrings a bit of a rest? 

Send us your thoughts using #bbcsportsday on Twitter. 

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Fifa's ethics committee provisionally suspended Jerome Valcke from all football on 8 October for 90 days.

The Frenchman was alleged to be implicated in a scheme to profit from the sale of World Cup tickets.

Valcke, 55, who also faces bribery allegations, denies any wrongdoing.

Some news just emerging... Fia judges extend Jerome Valcke suspension by 45 days.

This hasn't been a particularly good series for the England skipper with the bat thus far...

Now, this couldn't be happening, could it? 

England have lost two early wickets on the final day vs South Africa. Both Cook and Hales have gone cheaply - you can follow the live text on the match here.  

Some pessimistic England fans are already comparing this to England's infamous defeat at Adelaide in 2006... 

It was a huge night at the Britannia Stadium as Stoke's players attempt to write their names alongside those who famously won the League Cup for the Potters against Chelsea at Wembley in 1972.

And anticipation had been elevated by the impressive recent form shown by Mark Hughes' side that arguably had them as favourites before the game.

But it was to be a disappointing 90 minutes for the hosts as Liverpool appeared to stun them from kick-off by pressurising them into mistakes, and they simply never recovered enough to build up a head of steam.

No-one should dismiss Stoke's chances as they have shown so much quality already this season - but they have left themselves a huge task in the return.

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Want to hear Jurgen Klopp bemoaning Liverpool's injury situation?

Well you jolly well can do. Click here to listen to his interview with BBC Radio 5 live.

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Hamstring injuries to Philippe Coutinho and Dejan Lovren might force Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp into the transfer market - especially as Kolo Toure ended the 1-0 victory at Stoke with what appeared to be a similar problem.

Klopp had previously said he would not buy new players in January, but said after game: "This is something we have to think about."

Liverpool have no fit central defenders as Lovren joined Martin Skrtel and Mamadou Sakho on the sidelines, while Toure was clearly struggling at full-time.

"Two weeks ago we had three centre-backs, which is a good situation, and the season started with five - but now it is zero," Klopp added.  

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

So then, Liverpool hold a precious advantage going into the League Cup semi-final second leg after Jordon Ibe's goal gave them victory at Stoke.

It wasn't all good news though. Influential midfielder Philippe Coutinho and defender Dejan Lovren limped off with hamstring injuries before half-time.

With Stoke way below their best, Ibe - on for Coutinho - struck at the far post in the 37th minute to put Jurgen Klopp's men in pole position ahead of the return leg at Anfield on 26 January.

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

'Liverpool and Klopp,

Give one in the chops,

To Stoke, who are down,

But with time to turn things around'.

And there we have, exclusively, my first piece of work as BBC Sport's Poet Laureate  for 2016.

What's that? No I haven't been drinking, though thinking about it, that coffee I've just supped was on the strong side.

Anyway, enough of this - let's take a proper look at what happened in the first League Cup semi-final last night...

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

There is - I'm going to suggest - more chance of Tim Peake popping down from space and into the BBC office for toast and tea than a result in the second Test between South Africa and England.

It was a batter's paradise for the first four days in Cape Town, the hosts amassing 627-7 declared in response to England's first innings total of 629-6.

With Alastair Cook and Alex Hales surviving a brief spell at the wicket to leave England on 16-0, it means there has to be one hell of a turn-up for the books for either side to win.

However, you never know. We'll bring you regular updates on what's going on right here on Sportsday, or alternatively you can follow every ball here on our live text commentary page. 

It's a Wednesday (don't ever say we don't bring you exclusives).

There's football, cricket, tennis and bags of other stuff to talk about.

It can only mean one thing.

(Drum-roll. Then another drum-roll, for extra drama).

That's right, it's another Sportsday. You lucky lucky people.

Let's begin by having a gander at today's back pages shall we?