Newcastle owner Ashley backs Pardew
Van Gaal eyes Premier League title
Celtic's Tonev in racial slur probe
Plus latest breaking news
Leeds Rhinos prop Jamie Peacock has been named in the Super League Dream Team for the 10th time, extending his own record.
The former England captain, 36, is one of five Challenge Cup-winning Rhinos in the squad, along with Ryan Hall, Kallum Watkins, Zak Hardaker and Carl Ablett.
Image source, Getty ImagesLiverpool manager Brendan Rodgers says his players deserve to be in the Champions League. Liverpool's squad seemed happy at the prospect of facing FC Ludogorets on Tuesday night in their first game in Europe's premier club competition for five years.
Image source, Getty ImagesFormer figure skating world champion Carolina Kostner will appear before Italian Olympic Committee officials investigating whether she was complicit in doping by her former boyfriend and Olympic race walking champion Alex Schwazer.
Schwazer, who won the 50km walk at the 2008 Beijing Games, was excluded from the 2012 London Olympics after testing positive for EPO before the games.
Earlier today Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil posted a picture of himself with American actor Samuel L Jackson (see 13:10), who had come to watch Saturday's 2-2 draw with Manchester City.
Karthik:, external Ozil should have probably done some research before posting that. Samuel L Jackson is a well known supporter of Liverpool...
Ian Jones:, external Aww thanks Mesut, didn't know you cared! Mr Jackson is a Liverpool fan, and was happily tweeting while we hammered Arsenal 5-1.
Keep your thoughts coming on Twitter using #bbcsportsday,, external leave a message on the BBC Sport Facebook,, external or Google+, external page, or send us a text on 81111.
Image source, Getty ImagesLeeds full-back Zak Hardaker has called for an end to the uncertainty over his immediate future for the sake of his family.
The 22-year-old England international is being investigated for an alleged homophobic comment during a match against St Helens.
Hardaker, who served a five-match ban in the summer after being found guilty of directing homophobic comments at referee James Child, has yet to be notified if he faces another charge, 17 days after the offence is alleged to have taken place.
"I've not got a clue what is happening," Hardaker said. "I was investigated last week and that's about as much as I've heard.
"I would just rather it be sorted and be over and done with because it's no good for anyone."
Image source, BBC SportHow does Alan Pardew's record compare to previous managers at Newcastle United? This nifty little BBC graphic might help.
We are asking whether Newcastle owner Mike Ashley is right to give manager Alan Pardew more time in charge of the club. Here are some of your opinions:
Jonny Lonn, via text: Pardew deserves backing. Newcastle gave him a long contract, he should be allowed to prove himself over again.
Tom, via Twitter:, external Of course Ashley isn't right to stand by Pardew but he will. Jermaine Jenas said it last night, we've lost our identity.
Matt Chicken, via Twitter:, external We're stuck with Pardew. Ashley knows he can't get Pulis/Bruce/Moyes as they've got backbones and would stand up to him.
Keep your thoughts coming on Twitter using #bbcsportsday,, external leave a message on the BBC Sport Facebook,, external or Google+, external page, or send us a text on 81111.
Image source, TwitterArsenal new boy Danny Welbeck gets comfortable , externalfor the Gunners' flight to Germany to take on Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League tomorrow.
Image source, Getty ImagesDejan Lovren is sure that Liverpool are capable of qualifying from the group stage of the Champions League.
Talking at a press conference for tomorrow's game against Ludogorets, the centre-back said: "It's a pleasure to be back in the Champions League for everyone, after five years.
"We want success in the Champions League. I would not say we have an easy group but I'm sure that we can pass through it.
"The most important thing is to win the first game, then it will be much easier."
Liverpool also have Real Madrid and FC Basel in their qualifying group.
An update on the race row ongoing in Scotland.
The Scottish Football Association has now received referee Bobby Madden's report on Saturday's match between Celtic and Aberdeen, during which Aberdeen claim Shay Logan was racially abused.
Logan complained to Madden during the game that Celtic's Aleksandar Tonev had made a racist remark to him, although the Bulgarian winger insists the allegation is not true.
SFA compliance officer Vincent Lunny must now decide if there is sufficient evidence to issue a complaint.
Image source, Getty ImagesSt Helens forward Alex Walmsley's participation in the Super League play-offs is under threat after he was charged with a grade C offence.
The prop faces possible suspension after he was sent off for a shoulder charge during Saints' 17-16 defeat at Huddersfield in their final match of the regular season last Friday, and has been charged by the Rugby Football League's match-review panel.
Saints face a qualifying play-off tie against Castleford on Friday.
A little more team news on Liverpool's return to the Champions League after a five-year absence.
Midfielder Joe Allen will miss tomorrow's group game at Anfield against Ludogorets as he continues his recovery from a knee injury.
But forward Raheem Sterling will start after being dropped to the bench for Saturday's Premier League defeat at home to Aston Villa.
BBC Radio 5 live's tennis correspondent Russell Fuller: "Great Britain could face an away tie in Serbia, or a home tie with this year's finalists France or Switzerland, when the draw for the 2015 Davis Cup is made on Thursday.
"The seedings for next year's competition have just been confirmed and although GB are unseeded, they are guaranteed a home tie against six of their eight potential opponents."
The draw takes place in Dubai at 16:00 BST on Thursday.
More from Brendan Rodgers' press conference, with the Liverpool manager suggesting the number of new players was the reason behind the Reds' weekend defeat at the hands of Aston Villa.
"We were disappointed at the weekend," said Rodgers. "When you dominate with the ball but don't score you at least want to get a point from the game, so we were disappointed with the goal conceded at the corner.
"Five players were making their Anfield debut and getting that cohesion does take a bit of time. At Spurs we mostly had players who had been working with us for a while.
"Our emphasis will always be positive, but for sure we need to tighten up in some areas."
Image source, Getty ImagesSteve Bruce and Sam Allardyce are looking forward to doing battle again in tonight's Premier League clash between Hull and West Ham (20:00 BST kick-off).
The pair have met 15 times as managers, Bruce racking up seven wins to Allardyce's five.
It is the first game for Hull since owner Assem Allam announced the club is on the market.
Bruce said: "I urge the supporters to get behind the team. If we are to get bigger and better, we need them. We need to make our place a fortress."
It's West Ham's first outing since a 3-1 home defeat by Southampton and Allardyce said: "I didn't see that performance coming. It was perhaps one of those early-season results you get. We have to make sure our results from here on in become more consistent."
England will wear symbols of the Victoria Cross for the first time this autumn after rubber grip areas inspired by the military medal were added to the national side's new kit.
"The new shirts have a 'ball-deadening' rubber grip area on the chest, enhancing ball control and retention," a Rugby Football Union spokesman said. "The grip shape takes inspiration from the Victoria Cross."
England are expected to launch new kits in time for the 2015 World Cup, which starts next September .
If your knowledge of Ludogorets, Liverpool's opponents tomorrow, is a little sketchy, then we can help.
BBC Sport's Sam Sheringham describes how the Bulgarians have gone from amateurs to Champions League in the space of four years.
"When Liverpool last appeared in the Champions League in 2009 Ludogorets had only been in existence for eight years and were still playing as amateurs in the third tier of Bulgarian football."
Image source, APMore from Brendan Rodgers' press conference ahead of Liverpool's Champions League clash with Ludogorets at Anfield on Tuesday.
Talking about what he expects from their Bulgarian opponents, Rodgers said: "Their emphasis is on attacking football but I only worry about ourselves.
"We're used to starting games quickly but it's important that if we don't get an early goal, we know how to avoid conceding, go forward, invent and penetrate.
"Ludogorets signed a goalkeeper last night. We've got our guys working on who could play against us. We're prepared."
Image source, Getty ImagesLiverpool boss Brendan Rodgers confirms Martin Skrtel has resumed training but says Tuesday's Champions League tie with Ludogorets will come too soon for the centre-back.
The Slovakian sustained an injury during the clash with Manchester City on 25 August and missed the matches with Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa.
Image source, Getty ImagesDon't forget, the Match of the Day Goal of the Month, external vote is still running until 5pm today.
There are some crackers to choose from, including superb strikes from Aiden McGeady, Lee Cattermole and Mame Biram Diouf.
You can vote via the football index of the BBC Sport website or by tweeting the hashtag of your favourite goal to @bbcmotd - Mark Chapman will be announcing the result on the Monday Night club on BBC 5 live from 7pm.
You'll also find the result on Twitter and the BBC Sport website where you'll also find full terms and conditions., external