Football news  

Chelsea forced to wait on Essien return

Midfielder takes part in full training session after recovering from injury but will now head to the African Cup of Nations

• Sturridge double impresses Ancelotti

• Chelsea’s Essien out until February

Neville to discuss future at Old Trafford

Injury-plagued full back will hold talks with Manchester United at the end of this month to resolve his future as a player

• Butt and Newcastle aim to put record straight

• Butt prepares for relegation battle

Prospects for the weekend’s football

After a ring round the grounds, here is early indication of whether your favourite side will be in action at the weekend

• How weather has hit the weekend’s sport

• Bolton fans furious at Arsenal’s late call

Burnley put Davis in charge of first team

Coach takes temporary control of side as club seek to agree compensation package with Bolton for Owen Coyle

• Coyle out in cold over battle for compensation

• Coyle on brink of joining Bolton Wanderers

Cricket news  

Smith’s boldness leaves England on the brink

South Africa captain rubs salt into the wounds with the bat before inspired field settings reap instant reward

• England feel the heat after Smith’s century

• Seam holds sway after Anderson ignites battle

England will not face ball-tampering charge

A.B. de Villiers, the South Africa batsman, would like to see formal complaint made after ICC dismisses possible inquiry

• Smith’s boldness leaves England on the brink

• South Africa have done themselves a disservice

IPL spurns English players for new auction

The hopes of Eoin Morgan and Jonathan Trott are hit by their unavailability for the full six weeks of the tournament

• Smith’s boldness leaves England on the brink

• Morgan and Trott chase cut of IPL riches

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

Rugby news  

Bath plan £50m move from Rec

Club finally give up on developing spiritual home and will build new stadium holding 20,000 in the heart of the city

O'Driscoll named player of the decade

Ireland captain is voted Rugby World magazine's player of the decade, while three of England's World Cup winners are selected in XV

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

More sport  

FIA considers appeal after Briatore ban lifted

Court overturns suspensions handed to Renault principal and Pat Symonds for roles in “Crashgate”

Robson warms to the fun of partnering Murray

The 15-year-old holds her own alongside the British No 1 in their victory over Germany in the Hyundai Hopman Cup

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

Racing and Betting News  

Virtual racing generates real profits for bookies

White-out of British horse racing fails to stop punters from parting with their hard-earned cash on other forms of betting

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

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