Sportsday - rolling sports news

1. Build-up to Europa League matches
2. F1 testing news from Barcelona
3. Lewis Hamilton out of testing with illness
4. Luis Figo launches Fifa presidency manifesto
5. GET INVOLVED: What is your worst sporting kit? #myworstkit

Thursday's football

It's a busy night in the Europa League with Everton, Celtic, Liverpool and Spurs all in action.

Everton kick things off in Switzerland at 18:05 GMT against Young Boys with Celtic taking on Inter Milan, Liverpool facing Besiktas and Spurs hosting Fiorentina.

You can follow the latest on the BBC Sport website. and Sportsday Live will be back on Friday morning at 08:00 GMT.

Andrew Benson

BBC Sport chief F1 writer

"Despite their collision earlier in the afternoon, both Susie Wolff and Felipe Nasr managed to get out on track again for some laps before the end of the day's in testing in Barcelona.

"Wolff completed nearly 90 laps, a total beaten only by Toro Rosso's Max Verstappen, ending up 10th quickest, while Nasr was fifth overall. The day finished with Pastor Maldonado's Lotus fastest, after a run on the 'soft' tyres.

"But the most eye-catching performance was again from Ferrari, with Kimi Raikkonen only 0.156secs adrift on the slower 'medium' tyre. Are Ferrari back?"

NFL 'ahead of rugby' on concussion

Rugby Players' Association chairman Christian Day has said rugby union can learn from the NFL when it comes to understanding concussions.

The Northampton lock wants to see independent doctors employed to look out for head injuries during games.

"I think in terms of a sport to be analysed and replicated, the NFL is amazing," Day, 31, told BBC Look East.

"It has huge resources, huge money put into it. They're ahead of us in terms of concussion and awareness."

Reading Women removed from FA Cup

Women's Super League 2 side Reading have been disqualified from the FA Cup for fielding ineligible players.

The side that beat Crystal Palace 3-0 in the third round earlier in February contained two unregistered players because of an administrative error.

They were due to play Charlton on 8 March but the FA has reinstated Palace.

BBC Radio 5 live

On Thursday evening, there is a 5live Boxing special looking back at the biggest upset in sporting history in 1990, when James 'Buster' Douglas knocked out the previously unbeaten, undisputed heavyweight world champion Mike Tyson having gone into the fight as a 42-1 underdog.

From 20:00 GMT on 5live Boxing with Mike Costello and Steve Bunce you can hear how it all happened from Douglas himself.

Men's pursuit team reach final

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After the GB women's team pursuit team reached their final at the World Track Cycling Championships in France earlier, the men's team have also booked their place in their decider which takes place on Thursday evening.

Ed Clancy, Steven Burke, Owain Doull and Andy Tennant beat Germany and will face New Zealand for gold.

But Jason Kenny is out of the keirin after failing to progress from the repechage.

Roche's American dream

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Fifa Goal of the Year runner-up Stephanie Roche has been signed by US women's football side Houston Dash.

The Dublin-born player made headlines last year after becoming the first woman to be nominated for the prestigious best goal award and was beaten only by Colombia's 2014 World Cup star James Rodriguez.

The terms of the contract were not disclosed but we suspect it will be rather more than the 800 euros (£590) per month the 25-year-old earned last season at French Ligue 1 side ASPTT Albi.

BBC Wales Sport: Alex Cuthbert will be spoken to by Wales management about his conduct after a video emerges of him throwing a man's mobile phone.

Forest statement to clarify manager position

After reports earlier that manager Dougie Freedman only had a three-month contract at Nottingham Forest, the club's chairman and owner Fawaz Al Hasawi has issued a statement to supporters.

On the length of the contract, Al Hasawi said: "When Dougie and I discussed the role we mutually agreed an 18-month deal, which is what is currently in place. Within that deal we agreed a clause which presents both parties with the opportunity to review their position in the summer.

"This is merely a formality and it is something which is very common in sport.

"I hope Dougie will be with us for many years and we will continue to work together in our attempts to bring success back to this great club."

Al Hasawi added: "I am saddened by the way my interview has been portrayed and as a result I have decided to restrict my interviews to the club's website only from now on."

It's not all about driving, driving and more driving at the F1 testing sessions in Barcelona, as Force India's Nico Hulkenburg proves in this selfie tweet...

Twitter

Pape given 10-week ban

Reuters

France lock Pascal Pape has been banned for 10 weeks for kneeing Ireland's Jamie Heaslip during last Saturday's Six Nations game.

Heaslip was left with three broken vertebrae in his back and will miss the next month.

Get involved - final selection...

Right then, thanks a bunch everyone for your brilliant worst kit ideas throughout the course of the day. Here's a few to wrap things up - be warned, what follows ain't pretty.

David W Poole: There's no excuse for this sartorial nightmare from golfer Brian Barnes.

Twitter

Joel Atkin: I own this; it's not to everybody's taste. Real Betis, probably mid 90s like most awful kits.

Twitter

Spencer Dunn: What about cricket? New Zealand's 'Beige Brigade' during the 80's.

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Martin Watson: Got to be the ones designed by Jorge Campos the Mexican keeper...

Twitter

Dan Gray: Blimey, you easily forget how many dreadful ones we've seen over the years

Couldn't have put it better ourselves, Dan. It's been a truly horrific day. If you can stand to look at any more sporting wardrobe disasters, head here now.

Sean Dyche news conference

A final quote or two from Sean Dyche about Danny Ings.

Asked if the striker should - if he leaves Burnley - stay in England, Dyche replies: "I can't speak for the others but Danny has certainly put himself on the map.

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"His progress in the Premier League shows that, and I can only imagine that the powers-that-be in the England set-up will take that seriously.

"I think he is a valuable player in the future for England and I would imagine they are at least keeping tabs on what Danny is doing at full international level.

"He is progressing, there is no two ways about that. He works hard and is a great lad to work with ... I have no reason to doubt his thoughts about Burnley Football Club and what we're doing. You tell that by his performances."

Is Europa League a hindrance?

Hull City goalkeeper Steve Harper feels moving Premier League fixtures in the aftermath of Europa League matches would be a fair measure.

The move has been proposed by Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino and in a BBC Sport study of the competition's impact on league form, West Brom manager Tony Pulis also backed it.

"I think the Monday night's a key point," Harper told BBC Radio 5 live. "That would certainly benefit the teams. If teams are qualifying for Europe the FA and Premier League would want them to do well."

Harper played for Newcastle when they fell 11 league places alongside Europa commitments in 2012-13. The average drop for sides in the competition is two league places.

Read the full feature here and a reminder that you can follow all of tonight's Europa League action from 17:00 GMT on the BBC Sport website.

Carl Frampton on Twitter: Finished my last sparring session of camp with lightweight Yvan Mendy bringing the total of sparring rounds to 205.

Frampton, Twitter

Frampton defends his IBF super-bantamweight title against Mexican Chris Avalos on 28 February.

Pulis keen to keep Ideye

AFP

West Brom boss Tony Pulis claims he has "not even thought" about the possibility in-form striker Brown Ideye could still leave the club this summer.

The Nigerian international, who signed for a record £10m, was reportedly close to leaving The Hawthorns earlier this month after a difficult start at the club, but has scored four times in his last three games.

"He has certainly looked a player the last couple of weeks. It is just confidence," said Pulis in the build-up to Saturday's game at Sunderland. "He has scored a couple of goals and the weight of pressure and expectation on his shoulders, with the fee and coming into a new country, a new football club - it has taken all that weight off him. We're delighted."

Golovkin targets win over Murray

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Ahead of Martin Murray's bid to win the WBA middleweight crown on Saturday in Monte Carlo, BBC Sport's Ben Dirs meets his opponent, the defending champion Gennady Golovkin, whose 90% knockout ratio is the highest of any middleweight world champion in history.

Castleford move closer to getting new stadium

Castleford's plans for a new stadium have moved closer after local councillors gave the go-ahead for a major retail development.

Members of Wakefield Council's planning committee approved the outline application for a £135million project for a Five Towns Park on land just off the M62 motorway at junction 32.

The development includes a 10,000-capacity stadium for the Tigers as well as a new food store, shops and a country park and the proposal will now go before Eric Pickles, the Secretary of State for Local Government, who has the power to order a public inquiry.

Get involved - #myworstkits

We're asking what is your nomination for worst sporting kit of all time? Keep them coming to #myworstkit or the BBC Sport Facebook page.

Fraser Macrae: Surely this shocker has to be in the mix! England rugby 7s what were you thinking?

Twitter

Rock Steady: Arsenal away kit 92/93 season. We've seen nothing like it before or since (thankfully).

Matt Mosey: Scunthorpe United away kit circa 1994... speaks (very loudly) for itself!

Twitter

Andrew Shade: Whilst we're all laughing at these awful kits, some retro scene kids are using this as a shopping list.

And you can find some more sartorial nightmares on the BBC Sport website.

Pennell hoping for Six Nations call

PA

Worcester Warriors full-back Chris Pennellis hopeful of a return to the England squad as Mike Brown continues his recovery from concussion.

"Andy Farrell's been down here coaching and talking over a few things, feeding back on things they were looking for," Warriors director of rugby Dean Ryan told BBC Hereford & Worcester. "It has kept Chris believing that his chance will come."

Having already beaten Wales and Italy, England resume their Six Nations campaign when they face Ireland in Dublin on 1 March.

McLaren tweet from Barcelona: A few snaps from Jenson's running this morning in #Barcelona. His lid looks awesome alongside the MP4-30's livery.

McLaren Twitter

McCarthy back and happy

Everton midfielder James McCarthy feels "well looked after" by the club and is optimistic his hamstring troubles are now behind him.

Prior to his return in the Merseyside derby this month, McCarthy's hamstring issue had restricted him to only two appearances since November.

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The 24-year-old has travelled to Switzerland with his team-mates for tonight's Europa League last-32 first leg against Young Boys.

"It is just good to back, training with the lads and involved in the games," he said. "I think I have been well looked after off the pitch."

Williams confirm on Twitter that driver Susie Wolff is OK after her earlier collision: Susie is back in the garage & ok after Sauber contact ended her run. We are now assessing damage.

Howard plays down MLS speculation

Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard has distanced himself from speculation linking him with a move back to the MLS this summer.

AP

"There seems to be a lot getting said about my return and two weeks ago some things popped up on Twitter and I was getting all sorts of phone calls," said the 35-year-old, who has just returned from a calf injury.

"I had to call my agent to find out what was going on because I didn't know anything about it and nor did he.

"I've got three years left at Everton and at the end of that I want to be done playing so what happens in between that I have no idea. It is a business, but I'm happy where I am. I don't know anything about those rumours, I have to be honest."

Lotus F1 team: After a full service and oil change, Pastor Maldonado is ready to head back out.

Twitter

Andrew Benson

BBC Sport chief F1 writer

"Sauber driver Felipe Nasr has been talking to the media following his collision with Williams test driver Susie Wolff on the first day of the second pre-season test in Barcelona.

"The Brazilian said he saw Wolff moving off the racing line and assumed she had seen him and passed her.

"But as he moved right to take the normal line into Turn Five he was hit in the right rear and went off.

"He said that Wolff came up and said sorry she had not seen him. Wolff has yet to speak to the media about the incident."

GB women reach pursuit final

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At the World Track Cycling Championships in France, Great Britain's women's team pursuit team will ride for gold later this evening after beating Canada in their quarter-final.

The team of Joanna Rowsell, Laura Trott, Katie Archibald and Elinor Barker set a time of four minutes 16.989 seconds - just missing out on the world record - and will face Australia later this evening.

Selby shocked

World number one Mark Selby has lost 4-3 to world 66 Luca Brecel in the last 16 of the Welsh Open snooker in Cardiff.

BBC Wales Sport: Mike Phillips and Luke Charteris named in Racing Metro squad to face Clermont Auvergne on Saturday, who could select Jonathan Davies to play

Sean Dyche news conference

There's more about Danny Ings, with Sean Dyche asked about the frontman's recent trip to Spain where it is believed he had talks with David Moyes' Real Sociedad.

I'm not sure Dyche took the question very seriously, or at least not judging by his answer.

"You know the hats and the donkeys you used to get back the 70s, which my folks used to bring back and tell me they were fantastic - he brought me one of them, which I thought was a nice gesture," says the boss, deadpan.

Sean Dyche news conference

Sean Dyche is the next Premier League boss to share his pearls of wisdom with us and first up is the topic of Danny Ings, where the striker's future may lie, and whether all the speculation may affect the form of the Clarets top-scorer.

"There is no concern from me. I have said all along, his performances make it quite obvious he is enjoying his football," said the boss.

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"He looks relaxed. One of the biggest things I have said to him for the last two years I have been here, other than tactical pointers, is smile and enjoy your football and there's no reason why he shouldn't do that.

"That's when he's at his best I feel and I think he's doing that now."

Get involved #myworstkit

We're asking what is your nomination for worst sporting kit of all time? Keep them coming to #myworstkit or the BBC Sport Facebook page.

*Warning: viewers of a more sensitive nature may want to look away now...

David Butler: Southend United 1995 Goalkeeper Kit

Twitter

Words fail us, David.

John Dixon: Scotland away shirt 91-92. Looked like there was a painting accident.

Iain Hepburn: Dundee United's marble effect kit from the early 1990s has to rank as one of the most gruesome.

Billy Mander: Take your pick from either of these two.

BBC Sport

Andrew Benson

BBC Sport chief F1 writer

"While much of the interest in Barcelona is suddenly focusing on the Wolff-Nasr collision, Kimi Raikkonen has set another fastest lap in the Ferrari - this time quicker than Lewis Hamilton's pole time from the Spanish Grand Prix last May.

"That does not necessarily mean anything in itself - winter testing times are often quicker than those from a grand prix because the cooler conditions are more suitable for fast times.

"But the regularity with which the Ferrari is setting these times is certainly catching people's attention.

"The big unknown, though, is how much fuel the car has on board - and Ferrari are not doing especially long runs. Until they do, no firm conclusions can be drawn."

Poyet's letter to Sunderland fans

An open letter to all Sunderland fans from manager Gus Poyet has been posted on the Sunderland website - and it's a plea for supporters to stay united.

Poyet, writing a few days after the FA Cup defeat at League One Bradford, writes: "During my career as a player, coach or manager, I have always had a fantastic relationship with the fans.

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"Of course I went through good and bad times, successful and not so good ones, winning or losing finals, but I left every single club having a recognition from the fans for my honesty, passion and professional work.

"So let's make sure that we don't let anyone to break our relationship, I promise you that I care and want to win as much as you do.

"I invite all of you to stay positive, to be strong, closer to each other and keep believing in what we started together last year, working harder to make it better this season."

Interesting stuff, Sunderland host West Brom at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.

Andrew Benson

BBC Sport chief F1 writer

"An update on the collision between the Williams of Susie Wolff and the Sauber of Felipe Nasr earlier this afternoon.

"The word from the Williams camp is that Wolff was on an 'out lap' - the first out of the pits and therefore not going at racing speed - and found herself punted off the track.

"The team is not worrying too much about what happened and instead focusing on repairing the car. The word from Sauber is merely that the two drivers collided.

"However, the stewards have summoned the Sauber folks to the control tower, and they are reviewing the incident."

Get involved - #myworstkit

We're asking what is your nomination for worst sporting kit of all time? Keep them coming to #myworstkit or the BBC Sport Facebook page.

Jack Rogan: This is the Ryder Cup's worst, maybe the worst ever. 1999 USA Sunday shirts.

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Indeed. Bet that bloke in the background was about to shut his window in sartorial disgust.

Emma Sanders: Don't think Liverpool thought this one through...

Twitter

Rowett hopes for no points deduction

Birmingham City manager Gary Rowett says he hopes the club will not have points deducted after its parent company went into receivership, blaming "fractious and inharmonious relations within the management".

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The Championship side could lose 10 points if the Football League decides it was an "insolvency event".

"That's something we're hoping won't happen," he told BBC WM 95.6.

"I just hope people see it might be a way of moving forward - it doesn't mean the club suddenly haven't got the money to continue."

Herd returns to Villa for surgery

Midfielder Chris Herd has returned to Aston Villa from his loan spell at Wigan Athletic to have surgery on a medial ligament injury.

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The 25-year-old was taken off on a stretcher in the Latics' 1-0 win at Reading on Tuesday.

"He's been a terrific servant since coming into the club and desperate to play football," said boss Malky Mackay.

"Unfortunately he fell on his knee and his medial ligament has snapped and he's going to need surgery."

Ince feels 'settled' at Derby

Winger Tom Ince says he feels settled at Derby County after an impressive start to his loan spell with the Championship promotion hopefuls.

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The deadline day signing from Hull City has scored five goals in his first three matches for the Rams.

"I've really found my feet and I'm feeling confident in this team," the 23-year-old told BBC Radio Derby. "I can't let up now. I have to keep my head down and maintain that standard. I've come here to get promoted."

Get involved - #myworstkit

We're asking what is your nomination for worst sporting kit of all time? Keep them coming to #myworstkit or the BBC Sport Facebook page.

Kawaiifex: The infamous 92-93 Norwich "bird poo" home kit.

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Not as bad as some we've had today, but take your point.

Garry Monk news conference

And a final word too from Garry Monk, who was reminded about Swansea's opening day win at Manchester United (the Swans beat United 2-1 in Louis van Gaal's first Premier League match).

"That feels like a long time ago," said Monk. "But it was a fantastic day and the pleasing thing for me is that we won the game on merit.

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"We put in a great performance and it was a superb start to the season for us. But they [Man United] have changed a lot since then.

"They have climbed the table and are in a good position. They have world-class players and I'm sure they are going to go from strength to strength as the season progresses.

"They can mix it up and change their style of play accordingly. It is a massive challenge for us but we'll relish it."

Alan Pardew news conference

And back to south London for a final snippet from Alan Pardew, who is asked what the key has been to turning around Crystal Palace's fortunes.

"By just putting some verve in the team," he says. "Also some structure about how we are going to try and achieve our goals.

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"There is no point saying we need a certain amount of wins, we need a process to try and find a way to win and that's what we're aiming to do."

Palace have won three out of five games since Pardew was appointed.

Garry Monk news conference

Apart from centre-back Kyle Bartley - who is to undergo a knee operation which will rule him out for up to six weeks - Garry Monk reports a clean bill of health for the United game.

Garry Monk news conference

There's a wry smile from Monk as he's asked for his view on Sam Allardyce's recent comments about Man United being a 'long-ball' team.

"Variation in their play is one of their qualities," says Monk. If only big Sam had been that diplomatic.

Alan Pardew news conference

Back at Selhurst Park, Alan Pardew is discussing how one-time Arsenal striker Marouane Chamakh has developed as a player since he joined the Eagles.

"Cham has grown in confidence and sometimes only games can do that for you," says Pardew.

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"Arsenal is a difficult club to break into. For players like Cham sometimes it is best to move away and find yourself and he has done that. He is a big asset for us."

Pardew is also glowing about Gunners' winger Alexis Sanchez in anticipation of Saturday's big game. "He has been a great [player] for the Premier League," he says.

"You want to see a focus and a determination from players who come here from abroad and he has done that. You have to admire the way he has attacked the Premier League."

Garry Monk news conference

Over to south Wales, where our colleagues at BBC Wales Sport are keeping us abreast of what Garry Monk is telling the media.

BBC Sport

"We probably haven't been as consistent with our standards as we'd like," says the Swans boss, whose team have won only one of their last six matches (though it was a pretty impressive win - 1-0 at Southampton).

Monk welcomes Gylfi Sigurdsson back from suspension to face Man United: "He's been an important player for us this season," adds the boss.

BBC Radio Manchester: Breaking - BBC Radio Manchester understands the Oldham manager Lee Johnson has been linked with the managerial vacancy at Barnsley.

Southampton boss Ronald Koeman has taken to Twitter. Some may call his post a tad gloating, we call it being a winner.

Twitter

Alan Pardew news conference

Alan Pardew and Arsene Wenger have had their moments over the years.

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But those hoping for a juicy quote - you know, something along the lines of 'I hate his flippin' guts' - were disappointed.

"Arsene has been a Premier League manager for more years than he can remember. He's a winner and so am I, so we are bound to clash at times. But it ends there," says Pardew.

"I am very thankful to him for loaning us Yaya Sanogo, and it's just a shame Yaya can't feature in this game.

"But Arsene and I are professional football managers. We want to win and on the sidelines on Saturday it will be exactly the same."

Alan Pardew news conference

Alan Pardew has arrived and it's straight into talk about how he plans to get the better of high-flying Arsenal at Selhurst Park.

"The key to beating Arsenal is to be patient, to have enough attacking threat and to control some of the game, something we struggled with against Liverpool," says the Crystal Palace boss.

"They are in great form, but we're in decent form ourselves and it is at our place.

"Cazorla is probably their player of the season. He is pulling the strings and we need to take care of him.

"But Walcott, Welbeck, Sanchez - there are a number of options they have, so they are a difficult proposition.

"They've got a fight for the Champions League as much as we are fighting to stay up, and we will push them as much as they push us."

Lallana ready for tough reception

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Liverpool midfielder Adam Lallana says he expects a mixed reaction on Sunday when he returns to Southampton for the first time since leaving St Mary's in a £25m move to Anfield last July.

"I'm not stupid enough to think the way I left didn't leave a sour taste in a few people's mouths," he told BBC Radio Solent.

"I regret the way I left. I regret bits and pieces of how it happened and it got nasty. It was sad the way it happened."

Kristoff wins Tour of Oman stage

Norway's in-form Alexander Kristoff continued to impress in winning Thursday's third stage of the Tour of Oman in a bunch sprint.

The Katusha rider, who won three stages last week in Qatar, was followed home by Italian duo Andrea Guardini and Matteo Pelucchi at the end of the 158.5km ride around Al Mussanah Sports City.

Switzerland's Fabian Cancellara retained the lead in the overall standings four seconds clear of Spain's Alejandro Valverde.

Andrew Benson

BBC Sport chief F1 writer

"There has been a red flag in Barcelona, and two damaged cars are in the gravel at the same place, Turn Five - the Sauber of Felipe Nasr and Susie Wolff's Williams. It appears they may have collided somehow, but there is no news on that yet. We'll keep you updated."

Ferrari impress in Barcelona

Andrew Benson

BBC Sport chief F1 writer

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"Ferrari's impressive pre-season testing form continues. The Italian team, fresh from their worst season for 21 years, set the pace on three of the four days of the first test in Jerez earlier this month and Kimi Raikkonen is again doing the business in Barcelona.

"Half an hour into the afternoon session on the first day, and the Finn was 1.29 seconds clear of the field, led by Sergio Perez's 2014 Force India. The big question is whether this is genuinely indicative of Ferrari's form, or of them running a different programme to the others.

"Ferrari do tend to run lighter on fuel in testing than their rivals, making them look artificially fast, and it seems hard to believe they could have made quite such a dramatic step forward. But be that as it may, these are eye-catching times."

Sherwood changes Villa backroom staff

New Aston Villa manager Tim Sherwood has made two new appointments to his backroom staff.

Former Norwich coach Mark Robson comes in as first-team coach while Seamus Brady joins as performance analyst.

Carver hopeful of surprising Manchester City

AFP

Newcastle manager John Carver believes his side can cause a shock when they travel to Manchester City for Saturday's Premier League match.

"Man City have still got a chance [of the title] and they'll be looking for three points from this. But I would like to surprise them," he said.

"We went there in the League Cup and won 2-0 and thoroughly deserved the win. We will go there with confidence and won't park the bus. We have a game plan."

Figo launches Fifa manifesto

The former Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon has given his backing to Luis Figo's efforts to unseat Sepp Blatter as Fifa president.

"He is very clever, very talented, he's been involved in football for many years and I see him as a good President," said Calderon. "He is a person who could be a very, very good President of Fifa, no doubt".

Get involved - #myworstkit

We're asking what is your nomination for worst sporting kit of all time? Keep them coming to #myworstkit or the BBC Sport Facebook page.

Gavin Vargas: Newcastle United away kit, 97/98. Awful. Even the sponsor was off to the side. As difficult to understand as a Dalglish interview.

Alex Ray: Anyone remember this? 96/97, David Seaman.

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No wonder he looks miserable.

The team who forgot how to win

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Having a bad day at work? Spare a thought for London Welsh.

Justin Burnell's Exiles are currently bottom of the Premiership table and, following 24 defeats from 24 matches in all competitions, they are on course - statistically speaking - to go down as the worst team in the history of English rugby's top flight.

Check out our piece looking at their nightmare season and how their players are coping with the pressure of a losing run.

Jimenez disappointed at missing out on Ryder Cup captaincy

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Miguel Angel Jimenez has expressed his disappointment at missing out to Darren Clarke on the Ryder Cup captaincy for 2016 and hinted his chance of the job may have gone.

"I am very happy for Darren," said the 51-year-old after his opening round in the Hero Indian Open. "He deserves to be the Ryder Cup captain as much as I do but I think it's a little disappointing not to be captain.

"I sent him a text last night just to say well done and that I know he will do a great job. If he needs anything from me when he is captain then all he has to do is call me."

Mixed fortunes for Mercedes

Andrew Benson

BBC Sport chief F1 writer

"It's turning into quite a day for Mercedes at the second pre-season test in Barcelona. First, Lewis Hamilton has to abandon his running today because of a fever, and now it has emerged that the reason team-mate Nico Rosberg is not driving in his place is because the German has an inflamed nerve in his neck, which he has to rest.

"This, of course, puts Rosberg's planned participation in Friday's running in doubt. Reserve driver Pascal Wehrlein is driving on Thursday afternoon, but he is very inexperienced and Mercedes are unlikely to be keen on him doing the whole test if their race drivers do not recover."

England set to face New Zealand

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Ahead of England's next World Cup game against New Zealand which gets underway at 01:00 GMT on Friday, BBC cricket correspondent Jonathan Agnew believes England will alter their tactics to face the Kiwis.

"It's interesting that England have made some quite significant changes to their planning, at a very late stage, in terms of personnel and tactics," he said.

"Clearly they are going to change their tactics at the end of an innings and bowl yorkers. They have been out on the pitch with a scaffold pole and a couple of bricks bowling yorker after yorker. That was not the plan to start with."

The game will be live on 5 live sports extra from 00:45 GMT and on the BBC Sport website.

Football

BBC sports news correspondent Richard Conway on Twitter at the launch of Luis Figo's Fifa presidential manifesto: "Redistribution of Fifa wealth high up on Figo priorities - strategy becoming clear here for him to appeal to smaller nations in Fifa. He also proposes expanding World Cup from 32 teams to 48. Importantly drawn from non-Euro nations. Tanks being parked on Blatter's lawn here."

Football

Ipswich Town are closing in on a deal to sign Blackburn Rovers striker Luke Varney on loan.

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BBC Radio Suffolk understands that the 32-year-old (on the left of this photo, embroiled in what is clearly some sort of leaning competition), who has not started a Championship game this season, could be signed before Saturday's home game against Reading.

GB target pursuit medals

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The action continues at the Track Cycling World Championships in Paris today with the women's and men's team pursuit teams in first round action.

Both teams finished second in Wednesday's night's qualifying with the women suffering their first defeat for four years and they will next face Canada with the men taking on Germany.

But both the men's and women's team sprint teams failed to win medals.

BBC Wales Sport: Scarlets sign Canada international wing DTH van der Merwe from Glasgow for 2015-16 season.

Reid & Hull challenge in Australia

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English duo Melissa Reid and Charley Hull are three shots off the lead after the first round of the Women's Australian Open at Royal Melbourne.

The former Solheim Cup winners both carded two-under-par 71s, albeit in contrasting fashion, with Reid recording three birdies and just the one bogey, while Hull - who had been four under with four holes to go - had a much more mixed round with six birdies, two bogeys and a double-bogey six.

South Korea's Ilhee Lee is setting the pace on five under after a blemish-free 68, with Thailand's Ariya Jutanugarn (69) second ahead of a trio of players on three under.

Get involved - #myworstkit

Oh my goodness, these are getting worse. Stoke's Mark Prudhoe in goal against Bolton in 1996. Was it a ploy to keep attackers away from him?

PA

England thrash Kiwis

Don Miles/ECB

England bowler Danni Hazell says Thursday's eight-wicket win over New Zealand in Whangarei in the first of three Twenty20 matches takes the pressure off the side.

"We were disappointed with how the one-dayers went so it was nice to get out today and put in a good performance," she told BBC Sport.

"T20 is a format we enjoy and love and it was a good pitch and our bowlers got the balls in the right areas."

World's best left-back?

There is a Q&A going on at Arsenal's Twitter page at the moment, with defender Kieran Gibbs answering questions from punters.

Good to see the lad isn't suffering from any lack of self-confidence.

Arsenal Twitter

Arsenal Twitter

Andrew Benson

BBC Sport chief F1 writer

"Bad news for McLaren. After a promising start, their running for the day is now over after Honda discovered a faulty seal in the energy recovery system, which requires a complete engine change. Even worse, the Japanese company need to redesign the part to prevent a repeat and this new bit will not be available until Saturday. So although Fernando Alonso will have a new engine when he drives tomorrow, the same problem could well hit him."

Get involved - #myworstkit

We're asking what is your nomination for worst sporting kit of all time? Keep them coming to #myworstkit or the BBC Sport Facebook page.

Dale Bradley: Norwich's home kit in '93 was pretty terrible. It looked like a really cheap, poor Hawaiian shirt.

Latex Zebra: Arsenal's current 'fitted' shirts. Fine on young fit players... Me. I look like a jelly wrapped in cling film.

Robert Worsfold: Worst kit ever was the Hull City mid 90s tiger stripes abomination.

GeeC: Go Colorado Caribous! NASL 1978. Lasted one year.

BBC Sport

Can't think why Gee...

'Punish those fans' - Chelsea racism victim

The man prevented from boarding a Paris Metro train by Chelsea football fans chanting racist slogans has called for them to be punished.

The 33-year-old, named as Souleymane S, told France's Le Parisien: "These people, these English fans... should be locked up."

The Guardian

A video shows him trying to get on a Metro carriage but being pushed off.

A group of people can be heard singing: "We're racist, we're racist and that's the way we like it."

The footage was obtained by the Guardian, which reported that the incident happened at Richelieu-Drouot station in the centre of the French capital on Tuesday ahead of a Champions League match.

Andrew Benson

BBC Sport chief F1 writer

"Finally the Red Bull has got going after a difficult morning in the pits dealing with what the team said were 'teething problems' and on his first proper run Daniel Ricciardo put the car second fastest to Sauber's Felipe Nasr.

"Ricciardo was displaced shortly afterwards by Lotus's Pastor Maldonado, who had his own problems this morning, causing the session to be stopped twice when the car broken down on circuit.

"It bears repeating that headline times are virtually meaningless, but for Ricciardo to go that fast that quickly is a good sign. Not that you'd expect the Red Bull to be anything but a good car."

The day the boxing world shook

A final few words from James Buster Douglas: "One thing my father always said was 'you've got to let your hands go, you can't sit around and wait, and you seize the opportunity,' and that's what I did.

"I didn't wait and wait to get hit, and wait for this dynamic champion to do something. I just went after him and attacked him and let my hands go."

AP

On winning and shaking the boxing world... "It was a dream come true. It was like I'd achieved the ultimate goal, was becoming the heavyweight champion of the world.

"It was an awesome experience. It's something I will always live with for the rest of my life, a great accomplishment."

Catch the documentary on BBC Radio 5live tonight from 20:00 GMT.

The day the boxing world shook

A sneak preview of some of what James Buster Douglas talks about in tonight's BBC Radio 5live special (starting at 20:00 GMT) about his remarkable knockout of Mike Tyson back in 1990.

"My wife and I were going through some things. We were separated, and then the biggest thing was my mum passed 21 days prior to the fight," he says.

"My dad and I weren't really seeing eye-to-eye with my decisions in my career. There were a lot of things swarming around, but do you know what? I was able to see beyond that, and say 'Man, with all of these things going on in my life, this has to be my time.'

"It really made me focus and buckle down even more, because I just felt that I'd seen beyond it, that there was something bigger on the horizon for me giving me the title shot at this time."

The day the boxing world shook

Get set for a BBC Radio 5live boxing special tonight looking back at one of the biggest upsets in sporting history, when James 'Buster' Douglas knocked out the previously unbeaten, undisputed heavyweight world champion Mike Tyson. Douglas went into the fight a 42-1 underdog.

PA

It happened 25 years ago last week, and from 20:00 GMT on 5live Boxing with Mike Costello and Steve Bunce we will get to hear how it happened from Douglas himself.

Andrew Benson

BBC Sport chief F1 writer

"Susie Wolff is having a very solid morning's running with Williams at the pre-season test in Barcelona.

"The Scot, Williams's test driver, has completed more laps than anyone so far - more than 50 already.

"Williams have concentrated on low-key test work, including a decent long run from Wolff. She's bottom of the timesheets for now, but that is meaningless given the programme the team are running."

Is Europa League a hindrance?

Hull City goalkeeper Steve Harper has been recalling his experience of Europa League competition with Newcastle United following BBC Sport's study of the competition's impact on a club's Premier League position.

Figures show a club falls an average 2.3 places in the league when they compete in the Europa League.

BBC

"The good things are it does give you the chance to use your players, youngsters as well," Harper tells BBC Radio 5 live Breakfast.

"It certainly affects league form. The constant Thursday-Sunday travelling. When you have a small squad it an get exposed."

Read the full feature on the BBC website here.

Morris set to extend Leicester stay

Leicester Tigers chief executive Simon Cohen expects utility back Niall Morris to stay at the Premiership club beyond the end of the season, while contract talks with flanker Julian Salvi are ongoing.

Morris, 26, is out of contract in the summer and the Irishman has been linked with a return to former club Leinster.

"Everything's pretty much agreed with Niall. I'd be surprised if he was going," Cohen told BBC Radio Leicester.

Get involved - #myworstkit

We're asking what is your nomination for worst sporting kit of all time? Keep them coming to #myworstkit or the BBC Sport Facebook page.

Mark Harris: United's green top all those years ago was the worst, shocking

Matty Smith: Every Blackpool home kit since the birth of time... tangerine for a kit - who thought that would be a good idea?

Josh More: Dunfermline Athletic circa mid 90s. I owned this at one point in my life.

Twitter

Blimey Charlie Josh, see what you mean.

Figo launches Fifa manifesto

Richard Conway

BBC Radio 5 live sports news correspondent

Richard Conway/Twitter

"Luis Figo on Fifa presidency: "I passionately believe that there is far too much at stake to sit on the sidelines"

Yarnold targets world title

Olympic skeleton champion Lizzy Yarnold will be bidding for another major title after being selected in the British team for the World Championships in Winterburg, Germany later this month.

"I think it is our best team ever," she told BBC Breakfast. "It is the one competition I am desperate to win. It has been a good season and mentally I feel prepared and motivated. I just have to go in and do the best I can do and hope that it is enough."

Figo launches Fifa presidency manifesto

Former Portuguese international and World Footballer of the Year Luis Figo is launching his Fifa presidency manifesto in London.

Figo is hoping to take over from Sepp Blatter with the election due to take place in May.

Among his proposals are:

• Introducing sin-bins for unsporting behaviour

• Revert to old definition of offside rule

• Start debate on use of technology in football

• Launch talks on World Cup restructuring

BBC Bristol Sport: Yeovil Town have signed defender Byron Webster on loan from Millwall.

Webster is a familiar face to Yeovil fans - he helped the club win promotion to the Championship in 2013 before joining Millwall last summer.

'I like Balotelli' - Sturridge

Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge says it is "easy" playing with controversial team-mate Mario Balotelli.

Sturridge is likely to lead the line at home to Besiktas as Brendan Rodgers' side kick-off their Europa League programme tonight.

Getty Images

Much has been made of Balotelli's problems in his debut season at Anfield but Sturridge said: "For me it's easy to play with Mario. I enjoy it. He's a great guy. I get along with him, and I feel we can have a successful partnership.

"It's down to the manager and who he selects but from my point of view, I feel I can play with him or any player in the team because I get along with everybody."

Get involved - #myworstkit

Want some inspiration for worst kits of all time? Take a look at this. What the heck were Spanish B side Cultural Leonesa thinking of?

BBC Sport

That said, suppose the players wouldn't have to get changed to gain entry into the nearest nightclub. Handy.

Send your nominations to #myworstkit or the BBC Sport Facebook page.

Thursday's back pages

The Guardian

Among a busy back page of The Guardian is a nice story by Daniel Taylor about how Sir Alex Ferguson and Roy Keane found themselves on the same flight from Paris to Manchester following Chelsea's Champions League draw with PSG.

Apparently the atmosphere throughout the flight was distinctly icy between the two men, who have fallen out in recent years, not least because of what Keane claimed were "lies, basic lies" within Ferguson's book.

"Keane was off the plane first while Ferguson hung back this time and, more than anything, it felt slightly strange to see the former manager and the former captain, two of the people who have been most prominently involved in the United success story, reduced to giving each other the silent treatment," wrote Taylor.

Wales' first female ref

Charlotte Carpenter is set to join an elite band of officials after becoming the first Fifa-accredited female football referee from Wales.

BBC Sport

The 26-year-old from Abercynon is usually seen in the Welsh League, but she is now on the list of international referees and is working her way up the officiating ladder. She could eventually referee at the Women's World Cup and Women's Champions League.

BBC Sport Wales have produced this video, after their cameras followed her for the day as she took charge of the Swansea City Ladies v Cardiff Met LFC FAW Women's Cup quarter-final.

Get involved

We're asking what is your nomination for worst sporting kit of all time? Keep them coming to #myworstkit or the BBC Sport Facebook page.

Tom Oakley: Russian side FC Arsenal Tula's kit is about as bad as it gets.

The Pommy Gooner: Those horrid magic eye, 80's looking disasters that were the Liverpool kits recently were seizure-inducing.

Ryan Marshall: Chelsea's Tangerine and Graphite away kit from years ago.

What, you mean this bad boy Ryan?

Getty Images

See what you mean. Ruud, what were you thinking of?

Andrew Benson

BBC Sport chief F1 writer

Getty Images

"One of the features of pre-season testing so far has been the pace of the Sauber car, and the Swiss team are at it again in Barcelona on Thursday.

"Their rookie Brazilian driver Felipe Nasr topped the times two and a half hours into the morning session, 0.542 seconds quicker than Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen, who had McLaren's Jenson Button just behind.

"This is the big problem with testing - headline times are virtually meaningless. Not even Sauber expect to be quicker than Ferrari and McLaren this year, let alone world champions Mercedes.

"The car is almost certainly running lighter than the big teams, for whatever reason Sauber have. Cynics will say it is because they are keen to attract some much-needed financial backing."

Collingwood's new career as a singer

Heard about the one-time England hero belting out the Flower of Scotland instead of the National Anthem?

Paul Collingwood is the man who has switched allegiance ... or at least for the duration of the World Cup.

Getty Images

A part of the Scotland coaching staff during the next few weeks Down Under, here's Collingwood talking to Radio 5 live about learning the Scotland anthem and singing a bit of it for us, just for us.

McCoy announces Gold Cup ride

Retiring jockey AP McCoy has today confirmed he is set to ride Carlingford Lough in next month's Cheltenham Gold Cup.

The 19-time champion McCoy sticks with the Irish Hennessy winner, owned by his boss JP McManus, despite another potential mount - Holywell - being a shorter price with some bookmakers.

Getty Images

"I couldn't be happier to say that Carlingford Lough will be my ride in the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup," the 40-year-old Northern Irishman said in his Cheltenham Racecourse blog.

"Cheltenham this year will probably be a little emotional for me but hopefully I will enjoy it more than I ever have as it will be the last time I will be riding there."

Thursday's back pages

The Sun

Another of today's back pages and here's The Sun, which brings us news of John Terry's plea to Chelsea to give him a contract extension.

The 34-year-old centre-back, whose contact expires at the end of the season, has made 656 appearances in 16 years for the Premier League leaders.

Chris Ramsey news conference

Last line from QPR and - lord, it's a miracle - it's actually a question about the football on Saturday.

"Hull is a big game for us but we just approach it in the same way we did last week at Sunderland and hopefully it will come together the same way it did," said Ramsey.

"We will play on the front foot because we need to gain points as quickly as possible.

"That first away win at Sunderland was great. The players will have belief now - and they should have belief because we have great talent - and another away win would boost the squad even more."

Chris Ramsey news conference

Back to Chris Ramsey at QPR, and he is asked if he was tempted to go to Aston Villa with Tim Sherwood - the pair worked together for several years at Tottenham.

"Not really, because Les Ferdinand has shown a lot of faith in me in giving me this opportunity here," said Ramsey.

Getty Images

"You do get torn because Tim and I worked together for the last five years in developing something at Tottenham and it would have been nice for us to all stay together - but football is not like that, and I'm sure Tim understands I have job in my own right at the moment.

"I just hope he can keep Villa up and I keep QPR up - we'd take that. I really hope things work out for him at Aston Villa."

Get involved - #myworstkit

Benjamin Woolford: Liverpool's last season was woeful. Looked like it was designed on a Commodore 64!

Matthew Buck: Coventry City away 77 - chocolate brown with tram lines through to the shorts.

Chris Ramsey news conference

Chris Ramsey is then asked about the incident at a Paris Metro station when Chelsea fans refused to let a black man get on a train and began singing racist songs.

"I don't believe they are Chelsea fans or fans of football. They are acting in a manner we all think is a thing of the past," says Ramsey, the only balck manager in the Premier League.

"I wouldn't blame Chelsea for that. It would be good to see what the authorities are going to do in order to weed these people out and see what sanctions they are going to enforce to make sure this doesn't happen again in the future.

"Chelsea is a massive club which does great things in the community and I feel sorry they have been tarnished with this brush because you can't control what people do. As much as it's something that has happened in football, these are really social issues that manifest themselves in the football world."

Chris Ramsey news conference

QPR's Chris Ramsey is the first of six Premier League managers to face the media today.

Getty Images

First question is about the much-publicised comments by Rangers owner Tony Fernandes about hiring his 'dream manager'. But then, slightly embarrassingly, that fell through and he hired Ramsey until the end oft he season.

Ramsey, who has made a terrific start - winning at Sunderland last week (the club's first away win of the season) - responds to the question by saying: "I really do have a long way to go to be a dream manager. I am just focusing on the next few games, trying to get the wins to keep us up, and then we can talk about that sort of thing after."

Smart reply.

Hamilton withdraws from testing

Andrew Benson

BBC Sport chief F1 writer

"Lewis Hamilton has withdrawn from Thursday's pre-season testing in Barcelona because he is 'feeling unwell', according to his Mercedes team. The world champions are adjusting the car so that their reserve driver Pascal Wehrlein can drive it in the afternoon session."

Cipriani signs new Sale deal

England fly-half Danny Cipriani has signed a new two-year deal with Premiership side Sale Sharks.

The 27-year-old was out of contract in the summer and had been linked with a move to French Top 14 side Toulon.

Getty Images

However, the former Wasps and Melbourne Rebels number 10, has extended his stay in the north west after scoring a try against Italy in the Six Nations.

"One of the main reasons I signed the was that we've got a tight squad and it embraces new talent," said Cipriani.

Andrew Benson

BBC Sport chief F1 writer

"Just over one hour into the first of four days of pre-season testing in Barcelona to end the week, and it is already good news for McLaren.

"The team, who had a troubled first test earlier this month with their new Honda engine, have been running from the start of the session and after 60 minutes Jenson Button was fourth quickest, behind Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen, Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton and Pascal Wehrlein, Mercedes reserve driver. German rookie Wehrlein impressed in the 2014 Force India, after he was invited to test for the latter for the first two days."

"There has already been one red flag - to recover the Lotus of Pastor Maldonado, stranded by a sensor problem."

Barbarians to face Samoa at Olympic Stadium

The Barbarians will play Samoa in the first ever rugby match at London's Olympic Stadium on 29 August.

The venue is hosting five Rugby World Cup matches later this year, and the game will be part of England Rugby 2015's testing programme.

Amongst the World Cup matches at the Olympic Stadium are Ireland's pool match with Italy, and the Bronze final.

Thursday's back pages

The Mirror

Let's take a quick look at what's in the morning papers, with the Daily Mirror calling on Roman Abramovich to make a stand over the Chelsea fans involved in what appeared to be racist incident at a Metro station in Paris before the Blues Champions League meeting with PSG on Tuesday.

Andrew Benson

BBC Sport chief F1 writer

"Pre-season testing is an intense and time-constrained experience for all teams, but none has a bigger mountain to climb between now and the first race than McLaren.

"Their all-star line-up of Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button managed only 79 laps over four days at the first test as a result of recurring problems with their brand new Honda engine.

"McLaren and especially Honda, which is returning to F1 after a six-year absence, badly need a good, solid next four days in Barcelona to start getting things in order."

Anderson and Van Gerwen meet in Premier League

Getty Images

Premier League Darts returns this evening and the pick of tonight's five round-robin matches in Liverpool sees the world champion go head-to-head with the world number one.

Gary Anderson and Michael van Gerwen have both won their opening two games, but one of them must lose their perfect start tonight.

Dave Chisnall, the only other player with a 100% record in the group stage, faces James Wade.

Freedman on three-month deal at Forest

Nottingham Forest manager Dougie Freedman only has a three-month contract with the Championship side, reports BBC Radio Nottingham.

The Scot, 40, was appointed as Stuart Pearce's successor on a reported 18-month deal in early February.

But Reds owner Fawaz Al Hasawi said: "We signed only for three months and in the end we will decide for both of us if he will continue for next season. To be honest, he wanted it to be like this, that we sign three months."

Andrew Benson

BBC Sport chief F1 writer

"Thursday is the fifth of just 12 pre-season test days before the start of the 2015 Formula 1 world championship iin Melbourne on 13 March.

"After the first test in Jerez in the south of Spain at the beginning of this month, the F1 circus has moved north to Barcelona's Circuit De Catalunya, which will host all the remaining days, this week and then again next.

Getty Images

"To kick things off on Thursday, Mercedes' world champion Lewis Hamilton (pictured out on the track), McLaren's fellow Englishman Jenson Button and Williams's Scottish female test driver Susie Wolff are among the drivers action, with all nine confirmed teams entering this season taking part, starting from 0800 GMT.

"We will bring updates here in Sportsday live throughout the session, which ends at 1700 GMT."

Get involved - sport's worst kits

But thank you to Burnley for they have provided the inspiration for today's Sportsday debate.

There have been some absolute shocking kits and outfits over the years - and not just in football.

I mean, how about this from Peter Wright and the world of darts...

Getty Images

Enough to make you choke on your cornflakes.

Let us know the sporting kits you nominate to join our list at #myworstkit or the BBC Sport Facebook page.

'Our kit is a shocker'

Right, time to get down to the nitty gritty of what Sportsday is all about ... fashion.

Steven Reid has told BBC Radio 5 live that Burnley's away kit - which some, not us though you understand, might suggest looks like something you'd wrap around your turkey before putting it in the oven - as "a shocker".

Getty Images

"To be honest we played in it against Sunderland and we were terrible that day," said Reid.

"Obviously I'm not going to blame the kit for that performance but its is a real shocker. The kit man has been getting all sorts of stick over the last few weeks about who chose it. Hopefully next season it'll be gone."

Shades of Sir Alex Ferguson and that grey kit excuse at Southampton in the 90s. Listen to the full clip with Reid here - it is most entertaining.

Yarnold to lead GB squad

Some breaking news this morning... Olympic champion Lizzy Yarnold will lead a six-strong British Skeleton squad into the skeleton and bobsleigh world championships in Winterberg, Germany.

Getty Images

Yarnold will be seeking aiming to compete a career quadruple - adding the world title to the Olympic, European and last season's overall World Cup titles she has already attained.

The championships - which run from 23 February to 7 March - will also feature 14 British Bobsleigh athletes, including two-time Team GB Olympic sprinter Simeon Williamson.

Murray takes leaked note in good heart

Good to see Andy Murray didn't suffer sense of humour failure loss about the leaking of a set of motivational quotes written before last week's Rotterdam Open quarter-final defeat by Gilles Simon.

It contained tips like "be good to yourself", "try your best" (a given, surely?), and my personal favourite "be intense with your legs" (whatever that means).

The notes were leaked on Twitter, but Murray showed he's a good sport by retweeting much of the subsequent messages sent to him, including things like this...

Twitter

And this...

Twitter

Clarke's Ryder delight

Just in case you slept under a rock yesterday (in which case you must have terrible cramp today - it can't have been comfortable), Darren Clarke was named as Europe's Ryder Cup for next year's event in Minnesota.

BBC Sport

He's been giving interviews about what a "huge honour" it is. "It's up there with anything I've achieved in the professional game," said the 2011 Open champion.

You can see what else the man himself has to say here.

Is the Europa League a hindrance?

Now then - and given it's all about the Europa League later today - may we be so bold as to point you in the direction of a terrific feature written by BBC Sport's Luke Reddy.

It examines the question of whether playing in the competition, and all those pesky extra matches it brings, damages a club's chances of success in the Premier League.

BBC

Reddy speaks to Phil Neville, Preston striker Kevin Davies (who played in two Europa League campaigns for Bolton), West Brom boss Tony Pulis and Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins about the matter.

The results are intriguing - check it out here.

Ronaldo bandwagon rolls on

In Wednesday night's other Champions League action, Cristiano Ronaldoended a three-game goal drought as Real Madrid took control of their Champions League last-16 tie with Schalke in Gelsenkirchen.

Getty Images

The forward's form was questioned before kick-off but he headed in Dani Carvajal's cross to open the scoring.

He also created the second goal which arrived moments after Schalke's Felix Platte had smashed against the bar.

Marcelo capitalised, driving into the top corner, and the holders will take a healthy lead to Madrid on 10 March.

Lively night for Clattenburg

No British clubs in Champions League action last night but a British man did take centre stage in what action there was.

Referee Mark Clattenburg had a lively night in charge of a heated last-16 tie between FC Basel and Porto.

Getty Images

Clattenburg ruled out a Porto goal before awarding a late penalty, and also booked nine players in the round of 16 first-leg match.

The English official disallowed a Casemiro goal after a long delay - but replays showed he was correct as two other Porto players were offside.

Derlis Gonzalez gave Basel a first-half lead, but Danilo equalised from the spot after Walter Samuel handled.

Full report here.

Tonight's action

There are also four British clubs in Europe League action later. Full live text commentary right here on the BBC website.

Here's who is in action - not the early kick off time for Roberto Martinez's Toffees.

BSC Young Boys v Everton (16:00 GMT)

Celtic v Inter Milan (20:05 GMT)

Liverpool v Besiktas (20:05 GMT)

Tottenham v Fiorentina (20:05 GMT)

Manager talk

We mentioned that half a dozen Premier League managers are facing the media today. We'll bring you the best of what they say, here's who is speaking when.

QPR (Chris Ramsey) 09:45 GMT; West Brom (Tony Pulis, standing obviously) 12:00.

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Newcastle (John Carver) 13:00 GMT, Burnley (Sean Dyche) 13:00.

Swansea (Garry Monk) 14:00 GMT, Crystal Palace (Alan Pardew, if he's recovered from the sore throat which laid him low last week) 14:00.

Morning all

Six Premier League managers giving news conferences, Europa League fixtures involving Liverpool, Everton, Tottenham and Celtic, the Cricket World Cup, the Ryder Cup, and several coffee cups - for caffeine is what we'll need to power us through what is going to be one heck of a hectic Sportsday.

Sit back and enjoy the fruits of our labour. Now for a quick sip of coffee - ah, lovely - here's what's coming up...