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Oldham Athletic owner Simon Corney is preparing to sell the club in the wake of the failed bid to sign Ched Evans, the Oldham Chronicle reports., external

Latics pulled the plug on a possible deal with convicted rapist Evans last week after a storm of opposition.

"I've had enough and it's no secret," Corney told the Chronicle. "I've been here for 12 years and I just don't have the same interest any more. I love the club and love the game but enough is enough."

On the Evans saga, he added: "I'm completely over it. It came and it went, that was it. I was over here when it was all going on and it grew to be a lot bigger than I thought. But once the answer became a no, that was that. I still think the right thing would have been to take him, I really do. But in the end it wasn't to be. We underestimated the attention and fury."

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Sergio Busquets has reassured Barcelona fans that Lionel Messi has no intention of leaving the club.

Recent reports have suggested Messi had fallen out with Barca boss Luis Enrique and the Ballon d'Or runner-up added to the speculation last night by admitting he did not know where he would be playing next season.

But Barca midfielder Busquets told his club's official website: "He controls his future and he has said he has no intention of leaving - and that's very important for us. All he was saying yesterday was the typical cliche that you never know what might happen in the future."

Preston have signed Manchester United goalkeeper Sam Johnstone , externalon loan for the rest of the season. The 21-year-old is the son of former Preston goalkeeper Glenn Johnstone.

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So it seems there is more to newly-crowned BDO world darts champion Scott Mitchell than meets the eye.

Mitchell has been mixing with Johnny Depp, Amber Heard, Billy Bob Thornton and others on the set of an upcoming film, and also knows a thing or two about tractors.

Read Phil Cartwright's feature here.

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Burnley manager Sean Dyche has said striker Danny Ings will not be sold during the January transfer window.

Ings, 22, is out of contract in the summer and has reportedly attracted the interest of Tottenham, Newcastle and Chelsea.

But Dyche said: "We are quite secure. The good side of not spending millions and millions of pounds - although we spent a few quid by Burnley's standards - is that we are in a good position financially. We are not under any questions of any of our players going out of the building."

Southampton will be without Toby Alderweireld for Wednesday's FA Cup third-round replay against Ipswich at Portman Road after the defender was ruled out for up to four weeks by a hamstring strain.

Alderweireld sustained the problem in the Saints' 1-0 Premier League victory at Manchester United on Sunday and was forced off in the first half.

Midfielder Jack Cork, who has been out of first-team action for nine matches because of an ankle injury, could make his return after featuring for the Under-21s on Monday.

Tottenham head coach Mauricio Pochettino is likely to make changes for the tie with Burnley.

The replay is the fourth match of a hectic January for Spurs, with in-form striker Harry Kane one of those in line to be rested at White Hart Lane.

Erik Lamela (calf) and Ryan Mason (hamstring) remain doubtful, while Nabil Bentaleb is at the Africa Cup of Nations with Algeria. DeAndre Yedlin is ineligible.

Burnley captain Jason Shackell is a doubt for Wednesday's FA Cup third-round replay against Tottenham at White Hart Lane.

The centre-back returned from a calf problem in Saturday's 2-1 win over QPR but felt the injury towards the end of the match and did not train on Tuesday.

If he is unavailable, Michael Duff could return after almost two months out with his own calf injury. Kevin Long (knee), Stephen Ward (ankle) and Matt Taylor (Achilles) are all sidelined.

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I say, you there... yes you. There's no need to be so glum. Improve your day with some Masters snooker.

Ronnie O'Sullivan is in first-round action right now against Ricky Walden, with Ali Carter against Barry Hawkins to come later. You can watch all the action here.

There, now isn't that better?

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Could Jay Rodriguez be on his way out of Southampton?

According to the Daily Mail,, external Manchester City are considering a move for the England striker despite closing in on a deal for Wilfried Bony.

Blackpool chairman Karl Oyston has been asked by the Football Association for his version of events over allegations he called a supporter "a retard" during a text message exchange.

He has admitted sending the "unacceptable" texts in response to "a barrage of abuse" he received after his mobile number was put on social media.

Oyston has also apologised "unreservedly" for the messages. He has until Thursday, 15 January to respond to the FA request.

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Former England batsman Kevin Pietersen claims new one-day captain Eoin Morgan would "love" to have him in the side.

England ended the international career of Pietersen in February 2014.

"I know that the current captain would love to have me in the England team," said Pietersen while co-commentating on the Australian Big Bash Twenty20. "I want to play for England. I honestly believe I am batting as well as I have ever batted at the moment."

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Team Sky boss Sir Dave Brailsford says it will be difficult to replace Sir Bradley Wiggins when the 2012 Tour de France winner leaves the squad in April.

Wiggins, who has been with Sky since their launch five years ago, will begin work with his own cycling team in a bid to secure a fifth Olympic gold on the track at Rio 2016.

"As soon as you think about trying to replace someone like Bradley, you back yourself into a corner," Brailsford said. "His contribution to this team has been phenomenal, absolutely remarkable. We set out to win the Tour with a clean, British rider and that's what he did."

Image source, Jack Brockway

Here's a nice tale you may have missed yesterday.

Four-time Olympic sailing champion Sir Ben Ainslie and wife Georgie Thompson have been rescued by Sir Richard Branson - while on their honeymoon.

The couple, who were sailing around Branson's Necker Island, got into trouble when their boat developed a problem with the sail.

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Hull boss Steve Bruce has received mixed news on the injury front ahead of Sunday's Barclays Premier League trip to West Ham.

Gaston Ramirez and Sone Aluko could both be back in contention after making quicker than expected progress from their respective complaints.

But both Nikica Jelavic and Abel Hernandez face being ruled out for up to six weeks after pulling up with problems in Saturday's 1-0 defeat at West Brom.

After BBC Sport's Chris Jones brought us news earlier in the day Brian Smith was set to leave his role as director of rugby at London Irish, the Premiership club have confirmed he has left on compassionate grounds.

The 48-year-old, who was England's attack coach between 2008 and 2011, was expected to depart at the end of the season to return to his native Australia but has left early.

"My family has to be my priority right now which is why I have asked to be released from my contract early," said Smith in a statement.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed my 10-year association with London Irish and will look back on my time with fond memories."

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Ronnie O'Sullivan believes Snooker has "a place" for new, quicker versions, to excite fans and get them more involved.

The five-time world champion believes innovative events could exist alongside major tournaments such as the Masters and World Championship.

He told BBC Sport's Jamie Broughton: "The only way to get crowd participation is to tweak rules."

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Could Angel di Maria be on his way to Paris St-Germain?

The Daily Star , externalsays the Argentine, who moved to Manchester United for a British record £59.9m last summer, will be the Parisian club's main transfer target in the next window.

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West Ham manager Sam Allardyce says Everton striker Romelu Lukaku is the Toffees' main danger man.

The Belgian scored a last-minute equaliser to earn his team an FA Cup replay against the Hammers.

Allardyce said: "We're going to have to score two at least aren't we! He always scores one against us, so we need to make sure we get two at least if he continues what he's done over the last few seasons.

"Apart from that I thought we managed him very well up at Everton and I hope we can do the same again this time around and obviously get through."

The trainer of retired sprinter Black Caviar is "devastated" after one of his horses failed a drug test and he was placed under investigation.

Lidari, trained by Australian Peter Moody, tested positive for an elevated cobalt level following a race at Flemington, Melbourne, on 4 October.

"I've no knowledge or understanding as to how this could occur," said Moody, whose mare Black Caviar enjoyed a record 25 consecutive wins, including the 2012 Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.