Football news  

Funds-free January on cards for Benitez

Liverpool manager will not be given proceeds from player sales during the transfer window to reinvest in new signings

• Torres putting in extra hours to remain fit

• Liverpool facing fight to land Rodríguez

Mancini takes aim at mocking United banner

New manager says that United supporters’ fun at expense of City 34-year trophy drought must end at earliest opportunity

• Vidic: new passenger for gravy train to Madrid

• Benjani’s strike helps Mancini keep cool

Wenger considers making Gallas an exception

One-year limit for over-30s at Arsenal could be set aside such has been the France defender’s influence at the Emirates

• Eduardo and Ramsey lead Arsenal fightback

• Fàbregas and ITV blows hit Arsenal

Portsmouth keep players waiting for pay

South Coast club unlikely to have transfer embargo lifted by Premier League even if they succeed in clearing debt to other clubs

• Prince to the rescue for Portsmouth’s paupers

• Portsmouth hampered by two-team rule

Cricket news  

England feel the heat after Smith’s century

South Africa v England: left-hander leads from the front in temperatures nudging 40C to leave draw only hope for tourists

• South Africa raise concerns of ball tampering

• South Africa v England: follow it with Hawk-Eye

Cook relying on ‘batting buddy’

England opener praises home side’s bowling while hoping James Anderson can make the tail wag on the third day of third Test

• Seam holds sway after Anderson ignites battle

• Anderson in no doubt about captain’s decision

Ntini set to quit as South Africa bite bullet

Dropped against England, the first black cricketer to play for South Africa is expected to announce his retirement from Tests this week

• Middlesex line up Kolpak deal for Ntini

• Anderson in no doubt about captain’s decision

Middlesex line up Kolpak deal for Ntini

South Africa bowler expected to announce Test retirement and join the MCC-funded Adam Gilchrist at Lord’s

• Ntini set to quit as South Africa bite bullet

• Anderson in no doubt about captain’s decision

Rugby news  

Venter to face charge over referee attack

Saracens director of rugby’s scathing comments deemed by RFU to have broken protocol in criticising refereeing standards

Right time to leave Glasgow, says Parks

Change also makes sense for the Scottish club with Ruaridh Jackson seen as long-term future by Sean Lineen

Gopperth’s boot enables Falcons to take wing

London Wasps 6 Newcastle Falcons 12: fly half kicks all the points as side get first win in eight visits to Adams Park

Booth joins in the official debate

Northampton 24 London Irish 22: exiles head coach questions decision-making of referee for Chris Ashton's matchwinning try

More sport  

Robson and Murray enjoy mixed fortunes

Britain’s pair of rising stars need a champions tie-break to overcome Kazakhstan in opening tie of Hopman Cup in Perth

Making realms of privileged few open to all

Can way be found to make the affluent pursuits of golf, tennis and rowing more accessible to fresh faces?

Wiggins target with Sky is Tour win

New British road-racing team confident of reaching the pinnacle of cycling in their debut season on European circuit

O'Sullivan experiments with purple cue

The 34-year-old is trying out the unconventional cue ahead of the defence of his Masters title at Wembley

Racing and Betting News  

Reform group initiates trial of decimal odds

Experiment is one of the first ten of a series of measures designed to deliver positive change for the sport and its customers

Farrelly is busy making up for lost time

Jockey did not ride until he was 16 but is now attached to yard of David Pipe and on the brink of riding out his claim

Twiston-Davies hits back at doubters

Trainer insists the statistics do not add up and reckons that his horses are running better than the bare figures imply

Roy prepared for challenges in pivotal year

Chairman of the British Horseracing Authority reveals that he is fed up with "people telling me what a mess we are in”.