Summary

  • Champions League: Build-up to Man City's trip to Barcelona

  • City only English team left after Arsenal's exit at Monaco

  • Trott, Rashid, Lyth and M Wood in England Test squad for Windies tour

  • Sam Vokes returns to Wales squad for Israel qualifier

  • GET INVOLVED: What is your team's most annoying habit?

  1. Bale is a big boy - Colemanpublished at 12:48 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2015

    Real Madrid forward Gareth BaleImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Bale has scored several crucial goals for Real, including in last season's Champions League final 4-1 win over Atletico Madrid

    Gareth Bale will be fine in coping with the high demands of the Real Madrid supporters, says Wales boss Chris Coleman.

    Bale responded to recent criticism over his form by covering his ears as he celebrated scored two goals in the weekend's 2-0 win over Levante.

    "Gareth is a big boy and he'll come through all this," says Coleman. "When you play for Madrid you have to win and entertain every time you go on to the pitch.

    "Winning and not playing well is not acceptable. The stakes are high. But he got a couple of goals last weekend - he'll be fine."

  2. Pietersen return 'very unlikely' - Cookpublished at 12:42 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2015

    Alastair Cook (left) and Kevin PietersenImage source, Getty Images

    England captain Alastair Cook says it is "very unlikely" that former team-mate Kevin Pietersen will ever return to the international set-up.

    Speaking to Dubai-based Gulf News, Cook said: "I think it's very unlikely. There's been a hell of a lot of stuff happened, his book and all that kind of stuff. It's quite a long way back for him."

    Pietersen has suggested he is keen to return to playing for England after incoming ECB chairman Colin Graves indicated the door was not closed on the 34-year-old.

  3. Postpublished at 12:41 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2015

    Fernando TorresImage source, AP

    Atletico Madrid striker Fernando Torres:, external What a great morning for all of us Atleticos!! Now focused on the Getafe match #GoAtleti

    Last season's beaten finalists reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League by beating Bayer Leverkusen on penalties last night.

  4. City win changes nothing - Duffpublished at 12:30 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2015

    Michael DuffImage source, Getty Images

    Burnley defender Michael Duff says the Clarets' surprise victory over Manchester City changes nothing in the Premier League relegation battle.

    He told the club's website:, external "It maybe sucked a few other teams closer to us, but it's just one game.

    "Nothing has changed since day one and it won't change in the next nine games, but there is definitely a belief that we can achieve something this year."

  5. Wildcats bring in forward Griffinpublished at 12:21 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2015

    Wakefield Trinity Wildcats have signed Salford Red Devils forward George Griffin in a one-month loan deal.

    The 22-year-old joined Salford from relegated London Broncos for this season, but is yet to feature for them.

    "He is able to play good minutes which will help us as we are extremely short of props leading into a busy Easter period," Wildcats coach James Webster said.

  6. Wilson's goal should have stood - Howepublished at 12:12 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2015

    Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe was unhappy with the decision to disallow a Callum Wilson goal as his side were held to a 1-1 draw at Cardiff on Tuesday.

    A clearance from Cardiff goalkeeper Simon Moore cannoned into Wilson and then off the crossbar, with the striker following the ball into an empty net.

    Referee Lee Mason ruled the effort out and then booked Wilson.

    Howe told BBC Radio Solent: "Callum did that all night. He didn't move, didn't follow the keeper, he held his ground and by the laws of the game that is perfectly acceptable. It's a goal that should have stood."

  7. Kittel and Storey announce Yorkshire planspublished at 12:04 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2015

    Dame Sarah StoreyImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Storey will return to the road after missing out on the women's hour record on the track earlier this month

    German sprinter Marcel Kittel and Dame Sarah Storey will join Sir Bradley Wiggins at the first Tour de Yorkshire, which takes place in May.

    Kittel returns to Yorkshire a year after wearing the first yellow jersey in Harrogate at the Tour de France. Storey will compete in the women's race on day two of the Tour de Yorkshire.

  8. Get involvedpublished at 11:56 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2015

    King Brenny: England don't pick Ben Stokes for the World Cup but they do for Tests? Incredible. They really have lost the plot.

  9. Full England Test squad for W Indies tourpublished at 11:50 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2015

    Here is the full 16-man squad named by the England selectors for the three-match Test series in the West Indies in April and May.

    Alastair Cook (capt), Jonathan Trott, Adam Lyth, Gary Ballance, Ian Bell, Joe Root, Jos Buttler (wk), Jonny Bairstow (wk), Ben Stokes, Adil Rashid, James Tredwell, Liam Plunkett, Stuart Broad, Chris Jordan, James Anderson, Mark Wood.

  10. BREAKING NEWSpublished at 11:47 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2015

    Jonathan Trott has been recalled to the England Test squad for the upcoming tour of the West Indies. Trott has not played for England since leaving the last Ashes tour with a stress-related illness.

    The Yorkshire duo of spinner Adil Rashid and opener Adam Lyth have also been included, along with Durham bowler Mark Wood.

    All-rounders Chris Woakes and Moeen Ali miss out with injury, while opener Sam Robson is dropped.

  11. Tranmere have 'nine cup finals' left - Powerpublished at 11:40 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2015

    Tranmere Rovers have "nine cup finals left" to maintain their Football League status, says midfielder Max Power.

    Despite having captain Steve Jennings sent off late on, Rovers won 2-1 at Cambridge to move out of the League Two relegation places on goal difference.

    "We're not getting carried away," Power, who scored the opening goal, told BBC Radio Merseyside.

    "We're still in a sticky situation but we've got nine more cup finals - if we replicate what we did tonight, I'm sure it will be enough to see us over the line."

  12. Get involvedpublished at 11:34 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2015

    This morning, in the wake of Arsenal's fifth consecutive loss at the last 16 stage of the Champions League, we're asking you what your team's most annoying habit is...

    Nicola Jade: Chelsea's annoying habit is always going to sleep after scoring a goal...Always give chances away straight after!

    Ross McKenzie: Northern Ireland beating the likes of Spain and Russia but drawing against the Faroe Islands and losing against Azerbaijan

    Rory Zachilroy: Andy Murray's most annoying habit is getting frustrated on court. Lendl had him stop that, Mauresmo just let it waltz back in.

    Keep them coming in. Remember, it doesn't have to be a football team - we want examples from other sports too (like Rory's above). Get in touch on Twitter at #bbcsportsday or via the BBC Sport Facebook page., external

  13. Boycott wants Trott returnpublished at 11:28 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2015

    Jonathan TrottImage source, Getty Images

    One of the most intriguing subplots of England's upcoming Test squad announcement (in about 15 minutes) surrounds a possible recall for batsman Jonathan Trott.

    Warwickshire batsman Trott, 33, returned home early from the 2013-14 Ashes tour of Australia because of a stress-related condition, and has not played for England since.

    But former batsman Geoffrey Boycott says he'd like to see Trott back in the side following a successful return to county cricket.

    "If he's OK, he's got to play," Boycott said.

  14. Full Wales squad to face Israelpublished at 11:22 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2015

    And here's the full 23-man squad named by Wales boss Chris Coleman for the trip to Israel. Second-placed Wales are a point behind their hosts in Group B.

    Goalkeepers: Wayne Hennessey (Crystal Palace), Owain Fon Williams (Tranmere Rovers), Daniel Ward (Liverpool).

    Defenders: Ashley Williams (Swansea City), James Collins (West Ham United), Ben Davies (Tottenham Hotspur), Chris Gunter (Reading), Neil Taylor (Swansea City), Samuel Ricketts (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Ashley Richards (Swansea City - on loan with Fulham), Adam Henley (Blackburn Rovers).

    Midfielders: Joe Allen (Liverpool), Joe Ledley (Crystal Palace), Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal), David Vaughan (Nottingham Forest), David Edwards (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Shaun MacDonald (AFC Bournemouth), David Cotterill (Birmingham City).

    Forwards: Hal Robson-Kanu (Reading), Tom Lawrence (Leicester City), Gareth Bale (Real Madrid), Simon Church (Charlton Athletic), Sam Vokes (Burnley).

  15. Vokes returns for Walespublished at 11:18 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2015

    Sam VokesImage source, Getty Images

    Sam Vokes has been named in the Wales squad for the first time in more than a year for the forthcoming Euro 2016 qualifier in Israel.

    The Burnley striker, 25, made his first Premier League start of the season in Saturday's 1-0 win over Manchester City after a nine-month absence with a knee injury.

  16. Fitness boost for Vermaelenpublished at 11:12 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2015

    BarcelonaImage source, Getty Images

    Remember Thomas Vermaelen? He might be a familiar face to Premier League fans, but Barcelona supporters are yet to see a glimpse of him in first-team action.

    The Belgium defender is still waiting to make his debut for the Catalan giants since a £15m summer move from Arsenal, having been sidelined for nine months with a hamstring tear.

    But the ex-Gunners skipper hopes to pull on the famous Blaugranes shirt before the end of the season.

    "I've taken a big step forward," Vermaelen writes on his Facebook page. "I'm happy to be back running.

    "It's great to be back training outdoors instead of in the gym. In two weeks I will return stronger."

  17. Boro position unbelievable - Karankapublished at 11:02 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2015

    Aitor KarankaImage source, Getty Images

    Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka says he is finding it hard to believe the position they are in following the win at promotion rivals Derby County.

    The victory was their second in a row following a run of three defeats in the previous five games and put Boro second in the Championship table, with only goal difference separating them and leaders Watford.

    "If someone said we would be in this situation, I would have thought he was crazy," Karanka told BBC Radio Tees.

  18. England Test squad to be named (11:45 GMT)published at 11:00 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2015

    Later this morning, the latest England Test squad for the upcoming tour of the West Indies will be revealed. So stay tuned. In the meantime, here's what one of the UK's leading cricket correspondents thinks the squad might look like...

    Daily Mail cricket correspondent Paul Newman on Twitter:, external "Six Yorkshiremen in all set to be named by England, a reflection of their ability to produce international players and compete for trophies.

    "And of course Jonathan Trott, who makes a welcome return after being forced to leave England's last Ashes tour after the first Test."

    We'll bring you confirmation of the squad in 45 minutes' time.

  19. Is Advocaat the right man?published at 10:54 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2015

    Dick AdvocaatImage source, Getty Images

    Is Dick Advocaat the man to keep Sunderland in the Premier League? Black Cats fans certainly hope so.

    But what can they expect of the 67-year-old Dutchman, who has managed the Netherlands, Belgium and Russia as well as clubs like PSV Eindhoven, Rangers and Zenit St Petersburg?

    The BBC World Service spoke to Dutch journalist Marcel van der Kraan, who has followed his countryman's managerial career.

    What type of character is he? What's his management style like? All the answers and more are here.

  20. Clark to win 100th cap v Scotlandpublished at 10:46 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2015

    Rochelle ClarkImage source, Getty Images

    Prop Rochelle Clark will make her 100th appearance for England in Saturday's Women's Six Nations match against Scotland.

    Clark, one of England 2014 World Cup-winning side, will join former hooker Amy Garnett as the joint most-capped player of all time.

    England coach Nicola Ponsford has made four changes to the side which beat Scotland in their last match.