Sportsday - Sports Personality, latest sports news and gossip

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Despite a home defeat to Blackburn on Saturday, Newcastle are two points clear at the top of the Championship this season.

Manager Rafael Benitez said the EFL Cup quarter-final against Hull "is a motivation for us to play against a Premier League team". 

"They play at home, so they have a little bit of an advantage," he added.

"We approach every game with confidence. We know we will have the right motivation and the concentration to do well."

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Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez is another manager hinting at changes in tonight's EFL Cup quarter-finals.

"When you play two games a week, the next game is a chance to change things," he said.

Jesus Gamez out with a collarbone injury but fellow defender Grant Hanley returns from a shin injury and midfielder Jack Colback is back from an eye problem.

Benitez made seven changes in the previous round against Preston one of which was Mo Diame, and the midfielder could again come in to play against the club he left in the summer.

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Richard Ashworth: And in any other year, (well, any year before the last decade) a @TheMasters champion would be an automatic winner @Danny_Willett

Puppyfeat: @Danny_Willett For the money you won me when I backed you for the Masters, you're my #SPOTY mate!

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Hull look set for a Premier League relegation battle this season with just one win since August but manager Mike Phelan says the club want to go "as far as possible" in the EFL Cup.

"We have progressed in this cup and now we get to this stage it is important we maintain momentum," he said.

"If we get through this one there are two more games to be added to your calendar, when they come in January, after a busy Christmas.

"But all the players are looking forward to it. If you are in a cup competition and get that far, then you want to go as far as you possibly can."

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Hull will be without midfielders Ryan Mason (illness) and the suspended Sam Clucas for tonight's EFL Cup quarter-final against Newcastle.

Defender Andrew Robertson and striker Adama Diomande could start after coming on against West Brom following injury and suspension respectively.

Goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic, defender Harry Maguire and midfielders Tom Huddlestone and David Meyler could also all come in.

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Willett claimed a shock Masters win to become the first Briton to triumph at Augusta in 20 years.

Willett, from Sheffield, had been a doubtful starter, with wife Nicole due to give birth on the final day, but he played after the early arrival of baby Zachariah.

He won the Dubai Desert Classic in February, finished second in the European Tour's Race for Dubai title, and made his Ryder Cup debut.

Sports Personality record: First nomination. Two golfers have won - Dai Rees (1957) and Nick Faldo (1989) - while the runners-up have included Rory McIlroy in 2014.

We are profiling every SPOTY contender throughout today.

If you think Danny Willett should win SPOTY get in touch and tell us why using the hashtag #spoty on Twitter.

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In comparison, Leeds manager Garry Monk has no new injuries from Saturday's 2-1 win at Rotherham but he has not said whether he will make changes like in previous rounds.

"It's a historic fixture in English football and we have to respect that," said Monk.

"We're under no illusions. It's a very difficult game for us. 

"It's a great challenge, that's how we have to look at it. Our young players have a bit of freedom to go there.

"We're under no pressure. The odds are against us, but we have good belief in ourselves."

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Matt Alcock: Whitlock should be on that podium without a doubt!! Never won a gold in gymnastics and he wins 2 in a matter of hours. 

James Richards: Max Whitlock. His achievement is by far a Miracle and deserves to win this year. We have nether won a gold at gymnastics and he gets two in one night when bronze was meant to be best for us. Sorry Andy move over.

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On potential changes to his team in the EFL Cup, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said: "It is about having a line-up which can stand the intensity of the game because Leeds are in a really good moment.

"They are a football-playing side and they will force us into a lot of things so we need to work hard in these games. The players need to be fit for this.

"We don't want to rest somebody who doesn't need a rest. It is possible we will make a few changes; it is possible we will play nearly the same team."

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Rachel Armitage: Max Whitlock for #SPOTY, two Olympic golds! And what he's done for men's gymnastics is incredible.

TheWattmeister: Max Whitlock. Hard work. Phenomenal success. Inspiration. Already got my #SPOTY vote. Brilliant young man.

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Liverpool host Championship side Leeds for a place in the EFL Cup semi-finals tonight and will be without a number of first-team players.

Philippe Coutinho is out with suspected ankle ligament damage, Roberto Firmino (calf) is unlikely to be risked and Daniel Sturridge is out (also calf).

Simon Mignolet will replace Loris Karius in goal.  

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Whitlock secured two Olympic golds in one memorable day as the gymnast from Hemel Hempstead made history.

He gained Britain's first Olympic gymnastics gold with victory in the men's floor, then 90 minutes later pipped team-mate Louis Smith to triumph in the pommel horse.

Earlier in the Games, Whitlock won Great Britain's first all-around gymnastics Olympics medal in 108 years, taking bronze.

Sports Personality record: Seventh, 2014, Eighth 2015. A gymnast has never won the BBC award, though Beth Tweddle was fifth in 2009.

We are profiling every SPOTY contender throughout today.

If you think Max Whitlock should win SPOTY get in touch and tell us why using the hashtag #spoty on Twitter.

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Lewis Hamilton has pulled out of a test aimed at finalising tyres for next season because he was feeling unwell.

Hamilton, who lost the world title to Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, was scheduled to drive all day at the Yas Marina circuit.

But after a few laps the Briton felt ill, and Pascal Wehrlein took over.

Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari are conducting the test, with modified 2015 cars to simulate the increased downforce of the 2017 new rules.

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Lucas Hutchings on Facebook: Jamie Vardy 100% the best sportsperson this year. World class. 

Neil Richards: Jamie Vardy for me. Football Writers player of the season, Premiership Champion, goalscoring record. All for Leicester City. Amazing.  

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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says his team to face Southampton in the EFL Cup quarter-final on Wednesday will include a "mixture of youth and experience".

Wenger confirmed striker Lucas Perez has recovered from an ankle injury - which he picked up in the previous round against Reading - in time for the tie.

Striker Olivier Giroud is out with a groin injury while Mathieu Debuchy has had a scan on a hamstring injury picked up on Sunday and is also sidelined.

Wenger said the club had not yet received the scan results for the defender who was forced off in the opening stages of the 3-1 against Bournemouth - his first competitive appearance for over a year.

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Aaron Fenton on Facebook: The man helped lead his team to a once in a lifetime victory. Give him the credit he deserves.

Vinnie Smith on Facebook: Got to be Jamie Vardy, what he and Leicester achieved is far more superior to an Olympic Gold medal.  

2015: Great Britain won the Davis Cup for the first time since 1936 as Andy Murray inspired a 3-1 success against Belgium.    

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Barcelona manager Luis Enrique says captain Andres Iniesta is "fully fit" ahead of Saturday's El Clasico against Real Madrid.

Iniesta has been out with a knee injury since October but Enrique said the midfielder would have returned against Hercules in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday if he was not suspended.

"He is fully fit and we are just waiting for him to be given the all-clear by the club's doctors," Enrique added.

Barcelona are second in La Liga, six points behind leaders Real Madrid.

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Vardy's goalscoring exploits helped 5,000-1 outsiders Leicester City to become Premier League champions. The Foxes have gone on to reach the Champions League knockout stage.

Vardy was voted player of the year by the Football Writers' Association as he scored 24 league goals last season, including in a record 11 consecutive matches.

Just four years after signing from then non-league side Fleetwood Town, he made the Ballon d'Or award shortlist for the world's best player.

Sports Personality record: First nomination. The award has been won five times by footballers (Bobby Moore 1966, Paul Gascoigne 1990, Michael Owen 1998, David Beckham 2001, Ryan Giggs 2009).

We are profiling every SPOTY contender throughout today.

If you think Jamie Vardy should win SPOTY get in touch and tell us why using the hashtag #spoty on Twitter.