Image source, PA

Tiger Woods is taking an indefinite break from golf, saying his game is "unacceptable for tournament play".

Woods, 39, withdrew injured from last week's event at Torrey Pines after just 12 holes, having missed the cut at the Phoenix Open the week before.

"I need a lot of work on my game and to spend time with people that are important to me," said the American. "I enter a tournament to compete at the highest level. When I think I'm ready, I'll be back."

Image source, Marca

Over in Spain, the man making the front page of sports paper Marca is Porto right-back Danilo Luiz da Silva.

The 23-year-old Brazilian is stalling on signing a new contract with the Portuguese club in order to force a summer move to Real Madrid,, external according to the paper.

But Real look like they will have to stump up a fee of 20m euros to secure his signature.

A few more thoughts from Aston Villa fans on #bbcsportsday, external on who should succeed Paul Lambert as manager.

Christopher Phillips: Lerner should beg for Martin O'Neill to return!

Gillen Reid: Zdenek Zeman would put the cat amongst the pigeons. He is known to work well with youngsters, which is what Lambert tried.

Image source, Getty Images

James Kay: I'd like an interim manager with Premier League experience, one who can focus on keeping us in the league. Maybe a return for Houllier?

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard will have a scan on Thursday after suffering a hamstring injury in the 3-2 win over Tottenham.

It means the 34-year-old midfielder is likely to be a major doubt for Saturday's FA Cup fifth round tie at Crystal Palace and his side's Europa League games against Besiktas.

Image source, L'Equipe

Time to take a look at what's making sporting headlines on the continent now and in France, national coach Didier Deschamps is the main story in L'Equipe.

The former Chelsea midfielder and 1998 World Cup winner has extended his contract in charge of Les Blues until the end of the 2018 World Cup.

Image source, Getty Images

More from Paul Lambert, external after his sacking as Aston Villa manager:

"I'd like to thank Randy Lerner for not only providing me with the opportunity to manage one of the most illustrious clubs in world football but also for the support and friendship he offered me throughout my time at the club.

"To the players, my sincere thanks to each and every one of them. They are a fantastic group of players and I wish them every success for the rest of their playing careers. I hope to see many of them achieve great things in the game.

"Finally, I pay tribute to the supporters who are among the most passionate I have ever encountered. They rightly hold huge expectations for their beloved football club and I sincerely hope they are rewarded with the success they deserve. I completely understand their frustrations and always shared their view that the football club is too big not to be competing at the top end of the table. I hope that can happen."

Image source, Getty Images

League One side Barnsley have sacked manager Danny Wilson., external

Assistant manager Chris Hutchings will also leave the club with immediate effect.

Wilson recently passed the 1,000 game landmark as a league manager.

Academy head coach Mark Burton will take charge of the side alongside Paul Heckingbottom for Saturday's match at Crawley.

Image source, Getty Images

Paul Lambert, who was sacked as Aston Villa manager on Wednesday night, has released a statement through the League Managers Association paying tribute to the club and its supporters.

"I'm extremely proud to have managed Aston Villa," he said. "When I came on board the club's owner, Randy Lerner, warned me that I was embarking on the toughest challenge of my working life and he was not wrong.

"But I have never stepped away from hard work and I put my heart and soul into the job from my first day until my last.

"You never stop learning in football management and I certainly believe the invaluable experience from my time as Villa manager will prove hugely beneficial in the next stage of my managerial career."

Image source, Getty Images

Rounding off the Premier League action from Wednesday where West Brom moved four points clear of the relegation zone as goals from Brown Ideye and Saido Berahino secured victory against Swansea.

Swansea manager Garry Monk said his side lacked intensity but his opposite number Tony Pulis said it was his side's best performance since he took over as manager.

Image source, PA

More reaction to Wednesday's Premier League matches and Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew earned a point in his first match against former club Newcastle as Fraizer Campbell's goal secured a draw.

But Pardew believed his side should have won at Selhurst Park.

Newcastle manager John Carver said afterwards Newcastle captain Fabricio Coloccini could have been blinded when he was struck by a coin during the game but the Magpies boss admitted that he had been 'brave' to play two strikers in the game.

Image source, AP

Back to Wednesday night's Premier league action and West Ham had goalkeeper Adrian sent off but frustrated Southampton by holding on for a goalless draw at St Mary's.

But striker Andy Carroll faces several weeks out after suffering a recurrence of a knee injury.

Hammers boss Sam Allardyce was unhappy about Adrian's dismissal, which he claimed cost them victory while Southampton boss Ronald Koeman said his front line lacked sharpness.

Here's who some of you believe should replace Paul Lambert as manager at Aston Villa following his dismissal on Wednesday.

Nate Jones: Cesare Prandelli. Worked wonders with Fiorentina. Would work with Director of Football. Has reputation to rebuild.

Image source, AP

Anthony Walker: What's Sir Alex doing at the moment?

Plum Paul: Only three managers available and big enough for such a tough task - Hoddle, Klinsmann or Curbishley.

Keep your comments coming via #bbcsportsday, external on Twitter, by text to 81111 or leave a comment on the BBC Sport Facebook, external page.

Pat Murphy
BBC Radio 5 live

"The new Aston Villa manager will be recommended by the chief executive Tom Fox, with the owner Randy Lerner prepared to rubberstamp his decision. Lerner will not be part of the interview process.

"Lerner operates out of New York and is hardly ever in Birmingham, as he comes to rely more and more on the advice of his fellow-American whom he appointed as CEO last September. It was Fox who recommended Lambert should be sacked after Tuesday night's defeat at Hull.

"Fox will take soundings from Villa's director of recruitment Paddy Reilly and an inner circle of trusted colleagues before moving in on a target. Coaching expertise will be essential - Villa were short in that area during Lambert's tenure - and they won't be put off if their preferred candidate is with another club.

"Although time is on Villa's side in that their next Premier League game is not until a week on Saturday when they are at home to Stoke City, Fox will want a swift appointment."

Image source, AFP

Back to football and here are some of the stories from Thursday's gossip column.

West Ham are considering a move for 26-year-old Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez - who is on loan at Real Madrid - according to Spanish paper AS, reports the Daily Star., external

The Daily Mirror, external reports that Southampton striker Dani Osvaldo has ended his Premier League nightmare by signing for boyhood club Boca Juniors in Argentina - his fourth different club in 13 months.

And also in the Mirror,, external Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud has been crowned the hottest player in the Premier League following a poll of American women. Burnley topped the overall league of attractiveness, with the hottest team overall.

England head coach Stuart Lancaster on his team selection: "It's always good to be able to name an unchanged team and to build some consistency. We did the same last year after France heading into the Scotland game.

"Italy are going to be fired up, they always are when they come to Twickenham, especially after last week's loss to Ireland. We know what's coming at us but we have prepared well and are looking forward to getting back home and playing in front of our fantastic supporters."

Image source, Getty Images

England have named an unchanged side to face Italy in Saturday's Six Nations game.

It means Bath's Jonathan Joseph and George Kruis of Saracens will make their first Twickenham starts after playing in last Friday's 21-16 win over Wales in Cardiff.

Ireland have completed their World Cup preparations with a confidence-boosting four-wicket win over Bangladesh in Sydney.

Andy Balbirnie's unbeaten 63 steered Ireland home after new-ball pair John Mooney and Max Sorensen claimed three wickets each to bowl out the Tigers for 189.

It was Ireland's first win since they arrived in Australia last week and provided a much-needed lift ahead of their opening group game against West Indies in Nelson on 16 February.

Image source, Getty Images

Scotland fell just short of a memorable win in their final World Cup warm-up match against the West Indies.

Chasing 314 to win in Sydney, 96 from opener Kyle Coetzer and 66 from Richie Berrington looked to have put them on course.

But, the Scots fell three runs short after slumping from 300-5 to 310-9 in the closing overs.

Scotland's opening match of the World Cup is against New Zealand in Dunedin on Tuesday.

Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport in Melbourne

Image source, Getty Images

"England captain Eoin Morgan says his team will not be intimidated when they meet Australia on the opening day of the World Cup on Saturday.

"England have lost 13 of their last 15 one-day internationals against Australia down under.

"They will take on the co-hosts in front of a crowd estimated at 90,000 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

"We have guys with a huge amount of experience that have beaten Australia before,' said Morgan.

Image source, Getty Images

Away from football for a moment and Australia captain Michael Clarke has been ruled out of their opening World Cup match against England on Saturday.

The 33-year-old is likely to be fit enough to play in Australia's second game, against Bangladesh in Brisbane on 21 February.

He made a half century on Wednesday, captaining Australia for the first time in two months as they won their final World Cup warm-up game against the United Arab Emirates.

Clarke has been continuing his recovery from a hamstring strain sustained in a Test match against India in December.