Walsall sign utility player Shaun Donnellan on a six-month loan deal from West Bromwich Albion.

Birmingham Mail

A drunk man was spotted walking along the M6, external - then sprinted across all six lanes when police arrived to arrest him.

Mike Taylor
BBC WM

Birmingham City manager Harry Redknapp says he's still interested in signing Bristol City's defender Aden Flint.

Image source, Getty Images

The 28-year-old is unlikely to play when the two teams meet at St Andrew's tomorrow.

But Redknapp says he's ready to battle to bring the player to his club.

Birmingham Mail

A law student has revealed, external how his mother feared she had been sprayed with acid during an attempted carjacking at a Birmingham supermarket.

A group of men who've been removing rubbish that's built up during Birmingham's bin strike says their efforts have been called a "scabby operation".

The so-called Bearded Broz say they have also received positive feedback amid the criticism.

Refuse collectors in the city continue to strike over council plans to restructure the operation.

BBC Sport

Wolves have been drawn away at last year's losing finalists Southampton in the second round of the League Cup.

In a slightly confusing regionalised draw, Wolves are actually in the southern section.

Fellow "southerners" Blues were drawn to Bournemouth at home, while Albion - classed as Northern - have Accrington Stanley away. Villa will host Wigan.

West Brom manager Tony Pulis signs a one-year contract extension that keeps him at The Hawthorns until 2019.

The West Midlands "Metro Mayor" has described Birmingham's ongoing bin strikes as "a very serious situation".

Andy Street says if he had any influence he'd commit himself to ending the dispute between the council and bin workers.

Today refuse collectors in the city are changing their strike pattern to three separate, hourly walkouts a day as they continue to oppose restructuring plans.

Warwickshire's Chris Woakes is back in the England squad in time for the first day-night Test to be held in England - it's against the West Indies at Edgbaston and begins on Thursday at 14:00.

National selector James Whitaker said: "[Woakes] was impressive in his return game at Lord's this week and if selected in the final line-up, he will be relishing the prospect of playing on his home ground."

Image source, getty

The 28-year-old - who has recovered from a side strain - has played 17 Tests, taking 48 wickets at an average of 29.33 and scoring two half-centuries.

He will compete with Toby Roland-Jones for the third seamer's spot, but may also provide England another all-round option, potentially replacing Malan, with Ben Stokes or Jonny Bairstow moving up the batting order.

A group of MPs are calling on Highways England, external to rethink lane restrictions in the roadworks on the M5 between Worcester and the M42 junction.

Lane closures along the motorway approaching the Oldbury viaduct are causing long delays for commuters.

It follows years of disruption for smart motorways to be implemented.

Sajad Hussain, who was fatally stabbed, is described by his family as a "devoted dad".

Birmingham Mail

Children waiting for an adoption in the Midlands have to wait more than four and a half months for a judge to approve , externaltheir adoption application.

A man has been charged with the murder of Moseley man Sajad Hussain.

The father of one, 40, was stabbed in Tenby Road on Sunday.

Image source, Family handout

The accused - Haroon Rafiq, 23, from Tenby Road - was arrested on Wednesday and is due to appear before magistrates in Birmingham today.

Mr Hussain's family have paid tribute to him in a statement which said: "Sajad was a loving son, brother, uncle and a devoted dad to his daughter.

"His sudden loss has left our family shattered. There are no words that express our pain right now. He is deeply missed by everyone who knew him."

BBC WM Sport

Here are the top stories we're covering this morning:

• Wolves have been drawn away at last year's losing finalists Southampton in the second round of the League Cup
• Harry Redknapp says he's prepared to fight for Bristol City defender Aden Flint
• Villa's trip to Cardiff is the featured game on BBC WM tomorrow, with Albion's season opener against Bournemouth and Wolves trip to Derby on DAB
• Warwickshire's Chris Woakes is back in the England squad in time for the day-night test against the West Indies at Edgbaston

After a dry start with sunny spells, expect some outbreaks of rain this afternoon with top temperatures of 18C (63F).

Good morning.

We'll be bringing you the latest news, sport, travel and weather updates for Birmingham and the Black Country between now and 18:00.

If you'd like to get in touch, you can reach us on Facebook , externalor tweet @BBCWM, external.

Last season's beaten finalists Southampton will host Wolves in the second round of the EFL Cup.

Justice4the21 want to challenge rulings not to name the Birmingham bombing suspects.

We'll be back with our usual mix of news, sport, travel and weather from 08:00 on Friday.

Keep an eye out here for more updates and breaking news before then.

BBC Midlands Today

A summer festival with a difference came to Birmingham today.

It may not be Glastonbury or V, but the Festival of Quilts, external, at the NEC, promises to be a feast for the eyes.

Thousands of visitors from around the world are expected at the four-day event.

The organisers say quilting is more popular than ever - it's seen as an antidote for the stresses of modern living.

Our reporter Bob Hockenhull has been to take a look and will have more on BBC One from 18:30.