Image source, Steve Porter TMS

Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes was in the crowd as champions Manchester Thunder opened Netball's 2015 Superleague campaign with a 55-52 win over Surrey Storm.

Surrey finished unbeaten at the top of the table last year but the silverware went to Thunder after they scored a last-minute winner in the Grand Final.

Tracey Neville's side went in 29-21 ahead at half-time on Monday and raced 11 points clear in the third quarter.

Surrey pulled back the deficit to five going into the last 15 minutes but were unable to catch the hosts.

Northampton boss Chris Wilder has told BBC Northampton that on loan Portsmouth striker Ricky Holmes is set to join the club permanently very soon.

The news that Fifa is looking into Real Madrid's transfer activities, coupled with Barcelona's transfer ban, got us thinking...

Which player do you wish your team had been prevented from signing?

Let us know via #bbcsportsday, text 81111 (UK users only) or post on BBC Sport Facebook.

African countries will vote overwhelmingly for Sepp Blatter in this year's Fifa elections, senior officials have told Reuters.

"Africa is solidly behind Blatter. You will find he is very popular on the continent," said Kwesi Nyantakyi, the president of the Ghana Football Association and a Confederation of African Football executive committee member.

Former South African Football Association president Molefi Oliphant, who still serves on the CAF executive said of Blatter: "The continent is united behind him."

Harlequins tighthead prop Will Collier will miss the rest of the season after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in the European Rugby Champions Cup Pool match against Castres Olympique on Saturday.

On the subject of Real Madrid transfers, The Daily Express, external report that the Spanish giants are confidently preparing a £26m summer bid for Liverpool's England international winger Raheem Sterling, who has rejected a second contract offer at Anfield.

Image source, Reuters

Fifa is investigating Real Madrid's youth transfer policy and has asked the club for information on 51 players.

Club director Emilio Butragueno confirmed Fifa had asked the Spanish Federation for documents relating to transfers over the last five years. Butragueno said the club was "absolutely calm" about its behaviour.

Image source, Grab

If you missed it on Monday, you can catch up with BBC sport editor Dan Roan's exclusive interview with cyclist Lance Armstrong.

Read the news story, watch the video, read the comment piece and pour over an abridged transcript.

And don't forget today's story in which the shamed cyclist criticises International Cycling Union chief Brian Cookson.

Ross County have signed Lithuania international Darvydas Sernas.

The midfielder, whose last club was Polish outfit Wigry Suwalki, has 35 caps and scored against Spain in 2010.

The Daily Express, external say Manchester City are hoping to win the Premier League race for Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba in the summer by offering Stevan Jovetic as part of the deal.

Image source, Getty Images

Australia have beaten the United Arab Emirates 2-0 to set up an Asian Cup final against South Korea.

Goals inside the opening 14 minutes by Trent Sainsbury and Jason Davidson earned the hosts a place in Saturday's Sydney showpiece.

Image source, Graphic

Italian sports daily Corriere dello Sport has a couple of interesting snippets on its front page... the suggestion that Pep Guardiola is "to bid farewell to Bayern" and that "all the top clubs" are in for Juventus' French midfielder Paul Pogba.

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft has denied any wrongdoing by his team as NFL's 'deflate-gate' rumbles on.

The Super Bowl finalists are under investigation after being found to have used under-inflated balls in their 45-7 victory over the Indianapolis Colts.

Kraft believes "unconditionally" that the Patriots have "done nothing inappropriate" or violated NFL rules. He also wants the NFL to apologise if his side, who face the Seattle Seahawks in Sunday's Super Bowl, are cleared.

Image source, EPA

Andy Murray has just won his Australian Open quarter-final with Nick Kyrgios 6-3 7-6 6-3. The Scot will play Tomas Berdych on Thursday for a place in the final.

For all the reaction, follow Lawrence Barretto's live text commentary.

BBC Derby Sport:, external QPR have turned down an initial approach from Derby for either Matt Phillips or Junior Hoilett on loan.

Image source, Getty Images

Steve Smith swept the board at Australia's seasonal awards in Sydney, claiming the coveted Allan Border Medal as well as being named both Test and one-day player of the year.

Smith, who set a new runs record for a four-Test series, with 769 runs at an average of more than 128 against India, received 243 votes, with David Warner second on 175 and Mitchell Johnson completing the top three with 126.

The Birmingham Mail, external report that West Brom still hope to recruit Scotland international midfielder Darren Fletcher, who will be granted a free transfer by Manchester United and is expected to join West Ham.

Image source, Getty Images

West Brom's DR Congo captain Youssouf Mulumbu has said he will miss Saturday's Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final against neighbours Congo Brazzaville with a hamstring injury.

BBC Radio 5 live

On 5 live today from 12:30 GMT there will be a discussion about the many young footballers who are released by clubs every year after failing to get a professional contract.

There will be an interview with Michael Kinsella, a promising goalkeeper who played in the Liverpool youth team with Jamie Carragher but was released and ended up in jail for drug offences.

The Premier League told 5 live Daily that 76% of scholars aged 16-19 get a pro contract after finishing their apprenticeship, 10% go into further education, 5% get jobs, 2% are foreign players and return home, 7% try and get a contract with another club.

Want to know more? Read this feature on the BBC website from last year...

Scotland will be without David Denton and Sean Maitland for the start of the Six Nations after the pair suffered injuries last weekend.

Denton tore a calf in Edinburgh Rugby's win over Bordeaux and Glasgow Warriors back Maitland damaged a shoulder in Glasgow's defeat in Bath.