Tottenham VS Manchester United Starting XI

Tottenham starting XI: Lloris, Trippier, Sánchez, Vertonghen, Davies, Dier, Dembélé, Eriksen, Dele, Son, Kane. Manchester United starting XI: De Gea, Valencia, Jones, Smalling, Young, Matić, Pogba, Sánchez, Lingard, Martial, Lukaku.

Leaked photo of Olivier Giroud holding a Chelsea shirt

Leaked photo of Olivier Giroud holding a Chelsea shirt. He'll wear the number 18. (Source: Various)

Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil has signed a new three-and-a-half-year deal to stay at the club until 2021.

Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil has signed a new three-and-a-half-year deal to stay at the club until 2021.

Ozil, 29, becomes the highest-paid player in the club's history - earning about £350,000 a week before tax.

The deal, signed on Wednesday, follows months of speculation about the future of the Germany international, whose previous contract was due to expire at the end of the season.

He joined the Gunners from Real Madrid in 2013 for a then club record £42.4m.

Ozil could have left Arsenal as a free agent in the summer and had been able to discuss a move with foreign clubs since 1 January.

The playmaker has made 21 appearances this term, scoring four goals and recording six assists, and his new deal commits him to the Premier League club until he is 32. (Source BBC)

confirmation of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's £55m move to Arsenal

Photo confirmation of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's £55m move to Arsenal from Dortmund. He's signed on a long-term contract.
Source Arsenal

Arsenal have accidentally confirmed the signing of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Arsenal have accidentally confirmed the signing of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang after inadvertently posting a video of Arséne Wenger confirming his arrival on their own website. That club literally can’t do anything right.

Mesut Özil is set to sign a new contract at Arsenal

Mesut Özil is set to sign a new contract at Arsenal, after he was convinced by the signing of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Mesut Özil’s new Arsenal contract will see him earn £305,000-a-week, making him the second highest paid player in the Premier League, behind Alexis Sánchez. (Source: BILD)

Arsenal's club shop are already selling Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang no.14 shirts.

Arsenal's club shop are already selling Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang no.14 shirts.

Fresh from landing AymericLaporte, ManCity appear to be at it again, launching an audacious £60m bid for Leicester forward Riyad Mahrez

Manchester City have launched an audacious £60 million (Dh311.5m) move to sign Riyad Mahrez from Leicester City before Wednesday’s transfer deadline, according to Goal.

Mahrez’s name was first reported by British media on Tuesday lunchtime and City are said to be working hard to strike a shock deal for the Algerian.

City insiders believe that any possible move will be extremely difficult to conclude, but feel their chances would be boosted significantly if Mahrez forces the issue and demands that the Foxes sell him.

Mahrez has been determined to join a top European club for some time and it is understood he will soon hold talks with Leicester to make the case that they should let him join City this month.

Sources close to the player say a £60m bid was lodged on Tuesday.

(Source Sport36)

Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud is close to signing for Chelsea.

BREAKING: Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud is close to signing for Chelsea. Talks progressing well between the two clubs. 

(Source :Gianluca Di Marzio)

Quetta Gladiators pick Jofra Archer in PSL replacement draft

Quetta Gladiators picked Sussex's rising sensation Jofra Archer as a replacement for allrounder Carlos Brathwaite who will miss the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and will instead play for West Indies in the World Cup qualifiers in March. Archer's Sussex team-mate Tymal Mills was roped in by Karachi Kings in place of former Australia quick Mitchell Johnson, who had pulled out of the tournament, citing personal reasons.

In a replacement draft held in Lahore on Monday, all six franchises tweaked their roster, replacing players unavailable for various reasons ahead of the third edition of the league, scheduled to be played from February 22. Only five players who had been originally drafted in will miss the tournament in its entirety - Johnson, Brathwaite, Luke Wright, Angelo Mathews and Colin Munro. The other replacement players have been brought in as cover for players who are partially available.

Two days after being picked up by Rajasthan Royals for USD 1.125 million in the IPL auction, Archer grabbed the spotlight again. A 22-year old allrounder from Barbados who plies his trade at Sussex, Archer extended his county form into the Bangladesh Premier League and then the Big Bash League. He claimed a double-wicket maiden on BBL debut for Hobart Hurricanes and continued to impress with his rapid pace. In addition, he has a strike-rate of 143.93 with the bat, which makes him an exciting prospect.

England opener Luke Wright, meanwhile, pulled out of the PSL because of fitness concerns. Wright had played for Quetta in the first two seasons, before being selected by Karachi this season. They replaced him with another England opener in Joe Denly who was the top scorer in the Natwest T20 Blast in 2017 and later went on to play for Dhaka Dynamites in the BPL and the Hurricanes in the BBL.

"Sadly I've had to pull out of the PSL this year," Wright tweeted. "I've been carrying niggles all winter and they aren't getting better so, to be fair to both Karachi Kings and Sussex, I respectfully have to miss it. Great tournament. Hope to play in it next year."

SLC denied a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to Mathews, forcing Lahore Qalandars to pick New Zealand's Anton Devcichinstead. Lahore also drafted in West Indies wicketkeeper-batsman Denesh Ramdin to replace Bangladesh's Mustafizur Rahman, who will be available for a few games before joining the Bangladesh side. Islamabad United brought in Sri Lanka allrounder Asela Gunaratne, England quick Steven Finn and West Indies batsman Chadwick Walton to replace JP Duminy, David Willey and Alex Hales.

"We brought in an extra keeper (Ramdin) as back up for Umar Akmal, in case we want to play Umar as batsman only," a Lahore Qalandars spokesperson told ESPNcricinfo. "We had originally picked Mitchell McClenaghan to fill in for Mustafizur's absence, so we have an extra fast bowler if we need one."

Bangladesh's Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan - who are both part of defending champions Peshawar Zalmi's squad - will also only be available for the first four games of the tournament. They will then join the national team for a tri-series that also involves Sri Lanka and India. Quetta's Mahmudullah, also unavailable for the same reason, was replaced by Australia fast bowler John Hastings. Peshawar also brought in Dwayne Smith and Liam Dawson as cover.

Tottenham have agreed a £25m fee with Paris Saint-Germain for Lucas Moura

Tottenham have agreed a £25m fee with Paris Saint-Germain for Lucas Moura. He still needs a medical and to agree personal terms. (Source: Sky Sports)

Zlatan Ibrahimović is on the verge of a move to the MLS with LA Galaxy.

BREAKING: Zlatan Ibrahimović is on the verge of a move to the MLS with LA Galaxy..

Full-time: Chelsea 3-0 Newcastle!

Full-time: Chelsea 3-0 Newcastle! Two goals from Michy Batshuayi and another brilliant free-kick from Marcos Alonso
secure the Blues a place in the fifth round of the FA Cup!

Harry Kane has more goals then Messi Neymar and Ronaldo

Harry Kane has scored more goals for club and country this season (34), than Leo Messi (29), Neymar (23) and Cristiano Ronaldo (22).

Pakistan clinch series 2-1, claim No. 1 T20I spot

Pakistan 181 for 6 (Zaman 46, Sarfraz 29, Santner 2-24) beat New Zealand163 for 6 (Guptill 59, Taylor 25, Shadab 2-19) by 18 runs

They may remember this as a difficult tour, but Pakistan have had the last laugh on it. In a high-pressure, series-deciding, tour-shaping, third and final T20I, Pakistan overpowered New Zealand, setting them a daunting 182 to win and then constricting them in the field. This might have shaped up to be the cracker this series hasn't yet had, but true to form, a close finish was never really on the cards. However, it was Sarfraz Ahmed's men who were responsible for that this time, showing the sort of form that, had it arrived a few games early, could have rendered this series a classic.

Pakistan won the toss and batted first again, looking to maintain the template of the previous T20I game. They did get off to a similarly positive start, with Ahmed Shehzad timing the ball beautifully. A crisp on-drive followed by a glorious cover drive in the third over off Tim Southee set Pakistan on their way.

But this was an improved New Zealand bowling performance, with Pakistan not able to cut loose in the way they did in Auckland. Colin de Grandhomme struck in the fourth over to remove Shehzad, and the run rate slowed. Fakhar Zaman kept Pakistan ticking, but at the halfway mark Pakistan were 72 for 2, largely due to a disciplined New Zealand that keeping them on a leash.

Mitchell Santner was New Zealand's best bowling option, chipping in with two wickets and driving the run rate down. He took the all-important wicket of Zaman, who was controversially given out caught on the boundary, with several replays unable to deliver a conclusive verdict. A lovely flighted delivery took care of Sarfraz after he was beginning to look dangerous, and Pakistan were in danger of falling away.

The turning point in the match, though, was Ish Sodhi's final over. Umar Amin took him to task, plundering the legspinner for three sixes in an over that brought 21. Even though he holed out to long-on off the last ball, the tempo for the death overs had been set.

New Zealand became sloppy in the field and Pakistan's middle order took full advantage. Even as Kane Williamson brought Southee and Trent Boult back on to close out the innings, they couldn't keep Pakistan from surging above 180, with 58 runs conceded off the last four overs.

The momentum carried through to the second innings, where New Zealand made a solid start without being allowed to take proper advantage of the Powerplay. Martin Guptill was in good touch, but Williamson, opening in the absence of the injured Colin Munro, couldn't help him get the start New Zealand required.

Faheem Ashraf removed the captain with his first ball in the attack. Williamson looked to slash him over point, the shot carrying straight to the fielder to end a 14-ball struggle in which he had managed just 9.

It was a quick three-over spell, just after the Powerplay, that, in hindsight, took the game out of New Zealand's hands once and for all. Seven runs came off the three overs as Guptill's momentum was stalled, and suddenly even rotating the strike became a challenge, even with the fielders pushed back. As perhaps anyone sitting through this series might have expected, Shadab Khan bowled two of them, showing immense control with his flight and pace, the batsmen unable to get a read of his length, or which way the ball would turn. The asking rate was suddenly pushing 12, and New Zealand's reliance on Guptill's explosiveness increased exponentially.

New Zealand suddenly looked like they were lacking the power hitting that is such a hallmark of their game, and scoreboard pressure took its toll. Anaru Kitchen was dismissed after charging Shadab and hopelessly missing, leaving Sarfraz to execute a simple stumping. Guptill and de Grandhomme then fell within four balls of each other, each attempting big heaves that were neither on nor well timed.

The final overs provided a pang of nostalgia as Ross Taylor unsheathed his slog sweep after years of disuse. The most optimistic home fans may even have momentarily dreamed of a miracle win as Taylor smashed three sixes in a 11-ball 25, but there was an ephemeral nature to the innings, and when he edged behind to Sarfraz off Mohammad Amir, New Zealand needed a steep 54 from 21 balls.

From thereon, the game just went through the motions as Pakistan ended the series with a swagger. It may have been a difficult, at times an embarrassing tour for Pakistan. But an 18-run win to close it, a T20I series win and the world No. 1 ranking in the format is decent reward for a tour that may generally be regarded as a disappointment. (Source : Cricinfo)

Roger Federer does it again!

Roger Federer does it again! The Swiss maestro beats Marin Cilic 6-2, 6-7, 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 in the AusOpen final to claim his 20th Grand Slam title. (Source SSC)

ENGLAND WIN BY 12 RUNS

ENGLAND WIN BY 12 RUNS! Tom Curran bowls Tim Paine to complete his five-wicket haul as England win the series 4-1 (source SSC)

ENGLAND 259 ALL OUT

ENGLAND 259 ALL OUT! Jake Ball is the last man out, Tye gets his five-for and Australia complete a good fightback after England had made a blistering start. (Source SSC)

Man City plot £150 million move for Chelsea star Eden Hazard

The transfer window is heating up and we have our daily transfer gossip column to keep you in the loop. Here, we look at the top headlines doing the rounds in Europe’s media on Sunday.

EDEN HAZARD

Manchester City are ready to launch a £150 million bid for Chelsea’s Eden Hazard, according to the Daily Mirror.

Hazard has reportedly rejected a new long-term contract from the Blues, as he wants to wait until the end of the season to see if Real Madrid or City table a bid for his services.

The 26-year-old is said to be one of City’s prime summer transfer targets, and although they refused to pay big money for Alexis Sanchez, they believe Hazard represents significant value.

While Hazard is happy under Antonio Conte at Chelsea, it is believed he is ready for a change after nearly six seasons at Stamford Bridge. (Source Sport360)

Indian team for T20I series vs SA

Indian team for T20I series vs SA: Virat (Captain) Rohit (vc), Shikhar, KL Rahul, Raina, MSD (wk), Dinesh Karthik, Hardik, Manish, Axar, Chahal, Kuldeep, Bhuvneshwar, Bumrah, Unadkat, Shardul Thakur

Pakistan win toss and bat in the series decider. They will be without the injured Hasan Ali today

Pakistan win toss and bat in the series decider. They will be without the injured Hasan Ali today

New Zealand XI: Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson, Anaru Kitchen, Tom Bruce, Ross Taylor, Colin de Grandhomme, Tom Blundell, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Trent Boult

Pakistan XI: Fakhar Zaman, Ahmed Shehzad, Babar Azam, Sarfraz Ahmed, Haris Sohail, Umer Amin, Shadab Khan, Aamir Yamin, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Amir, Rumman Raees

Pakistan have suffered a setback ahead of today's winner-takes-all T20I clash against New Zealand with Hasan Ali ruled out due to a football injury.

Pakistan have suffered a setback ahead of today's winner-takes-all T20I clash against New Zealand with Hasan Ali ruled out due to a football injury. (Source ICC &PCB)

Newport County are heading to Wembley

F/T: 1-1 Newport County are heading to Wembley...As Harry Kane's late goal spares Spurs' blushes. "The place is rocking. The fans are showing their appreciation for their team who have been outstanding"
(Source BBC)

A dominant performance from PSG

FULL TIME: A dominant performance from PSG, who put four goals past Montpellier en route to a 4-0 win!!
(Source PSG)

India win after South Africa collapse

JOHANNESBURG: Ishant Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah sparked a dramatic collapse as India beat South Africa by 63 runs on the fourth day of the third and final Test at the Wanderers Stadium on Saturday.

Dean Elgar and Hashim Amla shared a century second-wicket partnership which took South Africa more than halfway towards their target of 241 before Amla’s dismissal for 52 started a collapse in which nine wickets fell for 53 runs.

Sharma and Bumrah claimed two wickets each to start the slide before Mohammed Shami ripped through the lower order, taking five for 28.

Elgar was left to fight alone, carrying his bat for 86 off 240 balls.

FINAL Valencia 1 RealMadrid 4

FINAL Valencia 1 RealMadrid 4 El Real Madrid takes the 3 points with goals from Cristiano (2), Marcelo and Kroos Mestalla!

Youssoufa Moukoko for Dortmund in the under 17

Youssoufa Moukoko for Dortmund in the under 17 Bundesliga: Games: 15 Goals: 27 Assists: 4 He's 13 years old.

Entertainment from start to finish. What an afternoon!

Australian Open: Roger Federer targets 20th Grand Slam title against Marin Cilic

Roger Federer must overcome the powerful game of an in-form Marin Cilic if he is to win a 20th Grand Slam title at the Australian Open on Sunday.

The pair meet in the final at 08:30 GMT, with live coverage on BBC Radio 5 live and the BBC Sport website.

Federer, 36, is through to a record seventh Australian Open final and trying to win it for the sixth time.

Cilic, 29, is bidding to win his second major title and become the first Croatian to win the Australian Open.

"It's a big motivation for me to play the final and obviously to win," said Cilic, who beat top seed Rafael Nadal in the quarter-final and Britain's Kyle Edmund in the semi-final.

"I'm feeling really good with my game, so hopefully I can have a great match and also great energy on the court." (source BBC sports)

Cristiano Ronaldo has been told he'll be sold by Real Madrid

Cristiano Ronaldo has been told he'll be sold by Real Madrid in the summer but he insists he wants to stay. (Source: Daily Star)

Two penalties, both netted by Cristiano Ronaldo

LaLiga - HALFTIME: Two penalties, both netted by Cristiano Ronaldo, gives Real Madrid the lead at the break. (Source supersport)

Sri Lanka storm to the title with another thumping victory!

After opening the tournament with two defeats, Sri Lanka storm to the title with another thumping victory! (Source : cricinfo)

Breakthrough for India!

A fantastic innings from Hashim Amla comes to an end. The Proteas are 124/2, needing 117 runs for victory. (Source Super sport)

Donald Trump has signed for Arsenal

DEAL DONE: Donald Trump has signed for Arsenal. He'll wear the number 45 shirt. (Source: PiersMorgan)

The first of day of the IPL auction has come to a close.

The first of day of the IPL auction has come to a close. It will resume on Sunday at 03:30 GMT with Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow and Sam Billings still available . Source (sky Sports)

Ben Stokes tops IPL auction but Joe Root and Chris Gayle unsold

England Test captain Joe Root went unsold at the IPL Player Auction but Ben Stokes’ pending court case did little to affect his market value as the Rajasthan Royals forked out almost £1.4million (Dh7.2m) for the all-rounder.

Stokes last year made history as the most expensive overseas player in the competition’s history when he signed a £1.7million (Dh8.86m) deal with Rising Pune Supergiant before going on to claim the competition’s most valuable player award.

Again listed as one of the 16 marquee players this time around despite being due to appear at Bristol Magistrates’ Court on February 13 having been charged with affray, the IPL had guaranteed he can be replaced but only if he is ruled out for the whole tournament.

Rajasthan chief executive Ranjit Barthakur said on the Royals’ official Facebook page: “Ben Stokes is just our kind of guy.

“(He is) a fantastic performer, a cricketer of today and a cricketer of the future.”

Other unsold players were Australia’s James Faulkner, India’s Murali Vijay and perhaps most surprisingly New Zealand’s Martin Guptill who was in superb form in the recent five-match ODI series against Pakistan scoring 310 runs at an average of 77.50.

The top ten players from the auction featured just two England players (Stokes and Chris Woakes), four from India (KL Rahul, Manish Pandey, Kedar Jadhav and Ravi Ashwin), one from the West Indies (Dwayne Bravo) and three from Australia (Chris Lynn, Mitchell Starc and Glenn Maxwell).

Maxwell, who had the sixth highest bid of Rs 9 crore (Dh5.19m), has been on the outer recently with Australian selectors but clearly is still in demand in India,

There were 24 English players listed in the auction, and all-rounder Woakes who saw his value increase from last year’s competition as the Royal Challengers Bangalore forked out over £800,000 (Dh4.17m) for his services, no doubt helped by his timely 78 off 82 balls for England in the fourth ODI against Australia in Adelaide yesterday.

England opener Jason Roy joined the Delhi Daredevils for his £166,630 (Dh868,000) base price, while Moeen Ali will join Woakes in Bangalore after selling for almost £190,000 (Dh990,000).

Moeen, who struggled for form during England’s Ashes defeat, had said prior to the auction: “I’ve put my name in but at the moment I’m thinking I’m not going to get in.”

Top ten players in IPL Auction

1. Ben Stokes (ENG) – Sold to Rajasthan Royals at Rs 12.50 crore (Dh7.21m)

2. KL Rahul (IND) – Sold to Kings XI Punjab at Rs 11 crore (Dh6.35m)

3. Manish Pandey (IND) – Sold to Sunrisers Hyderabad at Rs 11 crore (Dh6.35m)

4. Chris Lynn (AUS) – Sold to Kolkata Knight Riders at Rs 9.6 crore (Dh5.54m)

5. Mitchell Starc (AUS) – Sold to Kolkata Knight Riders at Rs. 9.4 crore (Dh5.42m)

6. Glenn Maxwell (AUS)– Sold to Delhi Daredevils at Rs 9 crore (Dh5.19m)

7. Kedar Jadhav (IND) – Sold to Chennai Super Kings at Rs 7.8 crore (Dh4.5m)

8. Ravichandran Ashwin (IND) – Sold to Kings XI Punjab at Rs 7.6 crore (Dh4.39m)

9. Chris Woakes (ENG) – Sold to Royal Challengers Bangalore at Rs 7.4 crore (Dh4.2m)

10. Dwayne Bravo (WI) – Retained via RTM at Rs 6.4 crore (Dh3.69m)
 (Source : Sport360)

Alexis Sánchez created 6 chances last night

Alexis Sánchez created 6 chances last night. The same number as every other Manchester United player combined.

Real Madrid are planning a £500m summer raid

Real Madrid are planning a £500m summer raid on the Premier League, with Harry Kane, Eden Hazard and David de Gea all in their sights. (Source: Daily Mail)

Cristiano Ronaldo insists he wants to stay at Real Madrid

Cristiano Ronaldo insists he wants to stay at Real Madrid, saying “I love this club”.

Ronaldo’s future has been the source of widespread speculation once again, with recent reports suggesting he wanted to leave the European champions over a contract dispute.

Former club Manchester United and big-spending Paris St Germain have been touted as possible destinations for the 32-year-old Portugal international, but Ronaldo insists he is happy at the Bernabeu.

Asked if he likes living in Madrid, Ronaldo said: “Of course I like living here. I’ve lived in this city since 2009 and I love the weather and the people.

“It’s close to Portugal and you can get there by car. Spain is a great country, I love it.

Of course I want to stay here, I love this club.”

Looking to the future, Ronaldo – who is under contract at the Bernabeu until 2021 – admits his original aim to continue playing until he is 41 might now be unrealistic after having four children.

Madrid’s all-time record goalscorer also said he does not see himself going into coaching when he does finally hang up his boots.

He told Chinese football app Dongqiudi in quotes reported by the Spanish media: “This feeling is incredible. It’s what I’ve always dreamed of.

“Now, my plan to retire at 41 will probably be a bit more difficult to achieve, and now we live in the moment.”

He added: “Being a coach is not part of my plan, but you also know that people change their minds. For the moment I don’t want to be a coach.” (Source : Sport360)

Manchester United continued our perfect start to 2018 by progressing to the Emirates FA Cup fifth round with a comfortable 4-0 victory over Yeovil Town.

Emirates FA Cup fourth round | Huish Park | Attendance: 9,159 | Scorers: Rashford 41, Herrera 61, Lingard 89, Lukaku 93

Goals from Marcus Rashford, Ander Herrera, Jesse Lingard and Romelu Lukaku saw Jose Mourinho celebrate both his birthday and 100th game at the club with a win, as the Reds recorded a fifth successive triumph without conceding a goal.

Prior to kick-off, Huish Park was united in a minute of applause in memory of former England defender Jimmy Armfield, who passed away this week. Once the game got under way, it was the hosts who were first to try a shot on goal, Jordan Green firing at Sergio Romero who saved his effort.

Debutant Alexis Sanchez played in Scott McTominay, who saw his shot low strike turned behind by Glovers keeper Arthur Krysiak. Alexis, who had been putting up with jeers from the home supporters every time he touched the ball, then had to weather a strong challenge from Nathan Smith. The defender received a booking for going through the back of the Chilean. From the resulting free-kick, Alexis eyed up the bottom right corner, although not with enough power to beat Krysiak.

Four minutes before half time, however, the deadlock was broken. The Yeovil defenders failed to clear the ball and allowed Rashford the opportunity to wriggle through and place a simple finish into the net, making him the fourth United player this season to have netted double figures (after Lukaku, Lingard and Martial). Sanchez had played the through ball to the young forward.

Jose’s side started the second period as strong, if not stronger, than they ended the first and Rashford was targeting his second of the evening, but failed to find the target with his shot which ended wide of the left-hand post.

Just after the hour mark, Alexis produced a neat assist, breaking to find Herrera, who expertly hammered home a low left-footed shot, doubling the Reds’ lead. Herrera’s 16th goal in a United shirt providing him with the perfect souvenir from his 150th appearance for the club at a ground where he scored in the past.

Moments later, the travelling supporters were celebrating again as Juan Mata turned in an effort from close range, however the Spaniard’s strike was ruled out for offside.

United continued to control the match as it neared its conclusion and as the clock ticked down there was still time for second-half substitutes Lingard and Lukaku to plunder more goals. Lingard smashed home in style after a penetrative run before Lukaku pounced in injury time from a Marcos Rojo cross, with impressive substitute Angel Gomes, who almost scored with his first involvement, featuring in the build-up.

As well as an effective attacking display, the Reds will no doubt be proud of keeping a sixth consecutive clean sheet in all competitions and can now look forward to Monday's draw.

Cristiano Ronaldo says Champions League is most important trophy for Real Madrid

Cristiano Ronaldo believes a third consecutive Champions League triumph would salvage a dire domestic campaign for Real Madrid.

Los Blancos were dumped out of the Copa del Rey by Leganes on Wednesday to heap yet more pressure on coach Zinedine Zidane.

The 19-point chasm which separates the reigning La Liga champions and league leaders Barcelona means the only realistic source of silverware is in Europe.

And Ronaldo insists the Champions League is a big priority now.

Speaking to Chinese outlet Doonqiudi after being voted their Footballer of the Year, the 32-year-old said: “If we can win the Champions League at the end of the year, it will be an incredible year.

“We haven’t started well in La Liga and we are disappointed, nobody is happy about that.

“But now we must work hard for the Champions League because it’s the most important trophy for us.

“It will be difficult in La Liga, but we can’t give up, even if we have dropped many points since the start of the season. We have to keep working.”

The individual honour from Doonqiudi recognised a stellar 2017 for the Portuguese superstar as he inspired both Spanish and European glory.

However, the troubling 2017/18 campaign for Madrid has been mirrored by Ronaldo’s poor domestic form and it is made all the worse by Barcelona rival Lionel Messi’s sparkling displays in Spain.

Johannesburg Test WILL CONTINUE tomorrow

The Wanderers Test will continue as scheduled on day four. The umpires took the players off 19 minutes before scheduled stumps on day three because of concerns over their safety. The pitch has had exaggerated bounce and seam right from the start of the match, but on day three various batsmen copped blows to their bodies against balls kicking up off a good length.

The ball that finally prompted the umpires to halt play was one from Jasprit Bumrah that hit Dean Elgar in the grille of the helmet. The two captains then met the match referee. India made it clear they wanted to continue playing and South Africa didn't express a preference either way but said they would continue playing if the match referee deemed the pitch safe to play on.

The match officials first had a conversation regarding the pitch with the teams during the tea break on day three when it was expressed to the two managers that the new ball could behave dangerously. The decision to take players off is the umpires'. The match referee is then briefed, and he consults both the captains. If both captains agree to play on, play resumes.

Franchises wary of England players' availability

The IPL franchises are taking a careful look at the availability of England players over the next two seasons before deciding on whether to pick them at all. The franchises' concern is serious because England's Test players will leave the upcoming season on May 17, ten days before the final. Next year, the ECB has told the IPL that the players will need to leave by May 1 to prepare for the 2019 World Cup, which will be played from May 30 in the UK.

There is a strong English presence in the auction pool - 21 players across both the capped and uncapped categories. Chief among the lot are allrounder Ben Stokes and Test captain Joe Root, both of whom are part of the two sets of marquee players who will come up first for bidding on Saturday. Other prominent England players who will come up for bidding on the first day of the auction include Eoin Morgan, Jason Roy, Jos Buttler, Chris Woakes, Alex Hales, Sam Billings, Moeen Ali and Jonny Bairstow.

Stokes remains a hot pick after his phenomenal IPL debut last season with Rising Pune Supergiant, who finished runners-up. However, Stokes' availability has been clouded by the legal proceedings concerning a charge of affray against him. Stokes is likely to appear for the first hearing of the trial on February 13. The IPL has already assured the franchises that in case Stokes is not available for the entire season, a replacement can be sought. However, that won't be applicable if he's unavailable for only a part of the tournament.

Stokes is one of three England Test players, along with Root and Woakes, that the franchises are likely to be keen on procuring. Unlike Stokes, and Woakes, who played for Kolkata Knight Riders, Root has never featured in the IPL. However, various franchises have said he is a "good" player and will be a part of their auction strategy.

In an e-mail sent to the franchises last week on the availability of players from various countries, the IPL had a special alert on the English contingent's participation for the next two seasons. "If the Player is selected for the 1st Test Match vs Pakistan commencing on 24th May 2018, he will be required to return to UK by 12 noon on Thursday, 17th May 2018," the IPL said. "If not required for England duty as outlined above, the Player will have full availability for IPL 2018 through to 27th May 2018."

In 2019, when the IPL would be played for the first time before the World Cup, the ECB wants England's players to leave by May 1 to prepare for the tournament, as well as the home limited-overs series against Pakistan that precedes it.

Considering it is a World Cup year, the IPL would need to end two weeks prior to the global event, as per the Supreme Court of India judgement. ESPNcricinfo understands that the 2019 IPL is likely to end by May 15, which means England's players would depart two weeks prior to the final. "It is anticipated that any players selected in the England ODI squad will be required to return to UK by 1st May 2019 to participate in 5 ODIs and 1 IT20 vs Pakistan in the lead up to CWC 2019," the IPL said.

On the eve of the two-day auction, there was mixed reaction from the franchises. "Stokes is a tricky one because, from the availability point of view, the English players are a huge challenge," a franchise chief executive officer said. "They have to return well before the tournament is over.

"Next year is going to be a huge challenge too. World Cup starts on May 30. We are told England players have to leave in early May. If that is the case, there is no point picking an English player in your squad because you can't be picking players for less than half the tournament and then start worrying."

The franchise CEO admitted Stokes was on his list of prospective buys, but the trial was another hurdle. "The trial is about to start. We never know where he stands."

One franchise official said he will not "take the risk" to hire a Root in case of partial availability. "If you are leaving 10 days before the final... I wouldn't take that risk. If I take, say, a Root, and he is leaving on May 17, then I need a back-up too."

Incidentally, the ECB recalled England's players last season, too, to prepare for a limited-overs series against South Africa. Stokes, Buttler and Woakes were allowed by the board to play the entire league phase of the IPL only. Hence, a franchise analyst reasoned, the case wasn't any different now. "If he [Stokes] plays 14 matches, then it is fine. He will once again end up as a top-buy if franchises are ready."

A team director at a franchise said Root could be a smart buy and could come handy if he is bought cheap. A good price, he said, would be INR 3 crore (USD 472,000 approx). Root has set his base price at INR 2 crore (USD 315,000 approx). "People could think of buying him because he will come cheap. He is good. Although he has not played too much T20, he is capable. He can bat for sure, and he can be a part-time bowler as he showed recently against Australia in the ODIs."

Riyad Mahrez will not be going anywhere

Leicester boss Claude Puel says winger Riyad Mahrez will not be going anywhere during the transfer window. (Source: Daily Mirror)

Balls have been spitting off the pitch all day

PLAYERS TAKEN OFF! Balls have been spitting off the pitch all day and after Dean Elgar is hit on the grill the match referee tells the umpires to take the players off the field. South Africa are 17-1
South Africa trail India by 223 runs with 9wickets remaining