Ex-England skipper Michael Vaughan believes uncapped Test rookie Sam Billings should replace under-fire Gary Ballance in India November 1, 2016 Former England skipper Michael Vaughan has urged selectors to axe out-of-form batsman Gary Ballance and replace him with uncapped Kent rookie Sam Billings for their daunting five-Test showdown with India. Ballance scored a paltry 24 runs in four innings as England slumped to a 1-1 draw during last month’s series with Bangladesh, while he averages [...]
Mauricio Pochettino urges Gareth Southgate not to select Tottenham striker Harry Kane for England despite expected return in north London derby November 1, 2016 Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino has urged interim England manager Gareth Southgate to adopt a similarly cautious approach to Harry Kane’s fitness after confirming the striker will not feature against Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday. Despite being ruled out of the crucial Champions League showdown at Wembley Stadium, Kane is expected to return from an ankle injury in [...]
Future looks bright for Leicester as Foxes show signs of balancing European and domestic concerns November 1, 2016 Leicester have had to swallow a dose of reality this season following their fairytale title success, with domestic results not matching their fantastic European performances, but I think there is every reason for the Foxes to look forward with excitement to what is coming next. First, they have a chance to clinch a place in [...]
Anthony Joshua ready for an “all out war” against next opponent Eric Molina on December 10 November 1, 2016 Anthony Joshua has predicted "all out war" in his upcoming IBF world heavyweight title defence against American Eric Molina. The 34-year-old Molina, who has won 25 of 28 his career bouts, was unveiled as Joshua's opponent for his December 10 date at the Manchester Arena after hopes for a meeting with boxing icon Wladimir Klitschko [...]
Semi-finalists Manchester City earned more Champions League prize money than winners Real Madrid November 1, 2016 Manchester City earned more prize money for their run to the Champions League semi-finals last season than Real Madrid did for lifting the trophy. City received €83.9m from governing body Uefa for their best ever run in the competition – the highest payment of any club, including Real, who banked €80.1m for winning the title for a [...]
Jose Mourinho facing touchline ban after being charged with misconduct November 1, 2016 Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho faces a likely touchline ban after he was charged with misconduct by the Football Association for the second time in five days. Mourinho's latest charge relates to an alleged confrontation with referee Mark Clattenburg at half-time of United's 0-0 draw at home to Burnley on Sunday, which saw him sent to the [...]
Louis Smith banned by British Gymnastics over Islam-mocking video November 1, 2016 British Gymnastics has banned Olympic silver medallist Louis Smith over a video in which he appeared to mock Islam. Smith – one of the stars of Team GB's historic success at the Rio 2016 Games earlier this year – received a two-month suspension after admitting to breaching British Gymnastics' standards of conduct. Fellow gymnast Luke [...]
QPR provide fleet of coaches to collect child refugees from Calais November 1, 2016 Queens Park Rangers chiefs have pledged to provide a fleet of coaches to bring more than 1,000 child refugees from Calais into the UK. The Championship club has volunteered to assist Lord Alf Dubs's plans to rescue children eligible to come into the UK who have been left stranded by the recent destruction of the [...]
Eddie Jones warns George Ford a move to Toulon will cost him his England spot November 1, 2016 England head coach Eddie Jones has warned George Ford that he will be banished from the national team should he choose to play for Toulon in France. The Bath fly-half is a wanted man by Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal who has previously coaxed Chris Ashton and Steffon Armitage to forego their international careers for a lucrative move [...]
FA discussing possibility of England wearing poppies on shirts with Fifa ahead of Armistice Day friendly vs Scotland November 1, 2016 England and Scotland's football associations are negotiating with Fifa over whether their players will be allowed to wear poppies on their shirts when the two sides play each other on 11 November. The World Cup qualifier at Wembley falls on Armistice Day and both the FA and the Scottish FA are keen for their players to honour the UK's war [...]