Football news 

Ronaldinho 'so close' to joining City

Brazil star admits he was tempted to help Mark Hughes's team realise their ambitions after their massive influx of money

• City must sign the best, urges Robinho

• AC Milan aim to cash in on Beckham glitz

Carragher stays upbeat despite goalless draw

Liverpool defender says there is no cause for alarm over West Ham match and points to his team's position at the summit

• Benitez needs brave hearts to cope with pressure

• Liverpool struggle to top of Premier League

Scolari says his stars must stay put

Chelsea manager offers some home truths to his players amid bickering over wages and receives support from John Terry

• Scolari told: there's no money to spend

• Scolari slams officials after defeat

Ellington sends Derby through with last kick

Stoke City 0 Derby County 1: a penalty deep in injury time sends Derby into last four for the first time in 40 years

• Burnley hungry for more as Wembley looms

• Lampard Sr a foe for Redknapp

Cricket News  

England 'should not go back to India'

A counter-terrorism expert tells The Times that the Test squad could get caught up in another general attack

• England edge towards return

• Terror attacks hit the sponsors hard

MacLaurin says England should scrap tour

The former England and Wales Cricket Board chairman believes the security of players cannot be guaranteed in India

Terror attacks hit sponsors and "Brand India"

Loss of exposure may lead cricket's sponsors to claim from their insurers or even re-think their advertising deals

England edge towards return to India

Confidence grows that two-Test series will go ahead despite terror attacks in Mumbai, with Mohali offered as new venue

Rugby Union news  

Meyer: England are unfit for purpose

Long season and style of rugby played in the Guinness Premiership hurt the national team, says Leicester head coach

Barbarians target famous victory

Richie McCaw, Joe Rokocoko and Bakkies Botha are among the big-name players hoping to bring down Australia at Wembley

Johnson's role open to question

England avoid the Tri-Nations teams but will face tricky encounters against Argentina and Scotland at the 2011 finals

England flanker Lipman is cited

Bath forward faces a possible suspension if he is found guilty of stamping during England's defeat by the All Blacks

More Sport news 

Gavin pulls no punches over weight

Boxer says that pressure to fight at lightweight in Olympics proved a nightmare and could have put his health at risk

Ballesteros back in intensive care

Legendary Spanish golfer is "stable" in a Madrid hospital after surgeons perform a fourth brain operation in two months

Green Dragon team hope for better fortune

Ian Walker is frustrated by a broken boom and drop from third place to seventh in the second leg of the Volvo Ocean Race

DeGale's dream of second gold medal ends

Decision to turn professional influenced by £1.5million contract and lack of ABA offer to represent UK in London Olympics

Racing and Betting News 

Thomas loses big-race ride at Sandown

Under-pressure jockey will not be aboard Master Minded in the Tingle Creek Chase on Saturday. Tony McCoy takes over on the odds-on favourite

Johnson happy to tackle best in Tingle Creek

Co Durham trainer prepares to pitch Tidal Bay against the outstanding Master Minded in Sandown feature

Henderson offers threat to Nicholls

Lambourn trainer is rolling back the years and has strength in depth to sustain purple patch