Football news  

Power struggle over Robinho's future at City

Brazil forward is keen on a return to Spain, but Garry Cook, the City chief executive, denies the club intend to do a deal with Barcelona

• City open talks over £27m Di Maria

• Barcelona plot raid for Fabregas

Dunne seeks last laugh with Domenech

Manchester City and Ireland defender questions credibility of France coach before the two countries’ World Cup play-off

• Trappatoni rations sex

• Wiser Lawrence steps into the real world

2018 team must win over people who matter

There is a worry, from inside the bid team, that chance to host World Cup is slipping away through losing support from Fifa executives

• England’s bid: it’s time for team to get a grip

• Politicians must not miss this chance

Poyet confirmed as Brighton manager

Former Chelsea midfielder agrees a contract until end of next season, with Mauricio Taricco named as assistant manager

• Brighton target Coppell as new manager

• League One round-up

Rugby news  

School reunion on the cards for Doran-Jones

Gloucester player and former Wellington College team-mate James Haskell could play in the same England pack against Argentina

Gatland learns and keeps changes to minimum

Wales coach picks strong side to face Samoa in Cardiff having made mistake of underestimating Italy in Six Nations last year

South Africa determined to restore injured pride

World champions determined to make amends for Leicester defeat and name strong side for match with France on Friday

Carter suspended after high tackle

New Zealand fly half will miss Saturday’s clash with Italy at Milan’s San Siro after going high on Martin Roberts

Cricket news  

Richards: England must look to county game

West Indies great says England should look for homegrown talent rather than rely on players who grew up in South Africa

England must raise their game, says Swann

Bowler says Andrew Strauss’s side must win at least 20 of next 29 ODIs to be legitimate challenger for next World Cup

ECB airs worries over TV plans for Ashes

Return of live Ashes coverage to terrestrial television after 2013 would cost sport at least £120m, says officials

Hoggard signs for Leicestershire

Former England bowler agrees to three-year deal as captain after being 'shocked and disappointed' with release by Yorkshire

Boxing news  

Mitchell has Khan in mind

Undefeated British super-featherweight champion happy to move up to next level to clinch showdown with Bolton rival

Haye no longer fights for right to party

Londoner insists that his clubbing days are over as he adjusts to life as newest heavyweight champion of the world

Booth looms large in making of Haye

Former light-welterweight took an immediate liking to the WBA heavyweight champion after inviting him to spar at age 15

Northern Cyprus cheers Haye's title triumph

Locals have adopted the British world-champion boxer as one of their own after he developed his training facilities there

Racing and Betting News  

Walsh hopes luck holds for Hennessy date with Denman

In-form jockey has first to negotiate Cheltenham meeting that has twice in succession ended with him in hospital

Sundays remain weak link

Alan Lee says that Sunday racing in Britain is lost in a fog of mediocrity and argues that Jimmy Fortune deserved greater loyalty

Zenyatta shows girl power in Classic success

The Europeans enjoyed an excellent time at the Breeders' Cup but it was the American mare who stole the show