Sportsday - rolling sports news

1. Harry Kane set to start for England v Italy (19:45 BST)
2. FA scraps plans for GB teams at Rio Olympics
3. Ex-England captain Kevin Sinfield announces switch from rugby league to union
4. Birmingham Bears sign NZ captain Brendon McCullum for T20 Blast
5. Andy Murray on brink of 500th career victory
6. GET INVOLVED: Your miserable PE lessons

Farewell

And that is where we leave you for today, many thanks for being with us. Tom Rostance has begun his live text and he will take you through all the evening action. Sportsday will return at 08:00 BST on Wednesday.

5 live Sport

BBC Radio 5 live

A reminder about tonight's 5 live Sport with Mark Chapman from 19:00 BST, which comes from Turin where there is live commentary of the Italy v England match with John Murray and Alan Green, while former England international Danny Mills provides the summaries. There is also your chance to air your views in the 5 live Social from 22:00 BST.

Impressive Italian defence

BBC

Bardsley accepts FA charge

England and Manchester City Ladies goalkeeper Karen Bardsley has accepted her FA charge of violent conduct and will serve a three-match ban.

Selby and Trump through in China

World number one Mark Selby booked his place in the second round of the China Open after beating Mark Joyce 5-3 despite suffering from neck pain.

Judd Trump won the last two frames to see off Andrew Higginson 5-3, while there were also wins for John Higgins and Mark Williams, who ousted two Chinese players in Yu Delu and Zhao Xintong, respectively.

Rio Olympic tickets go on sale

The first phase of ticket sales for the Rio Olympics in 2016 began on Tuesday despite uncertainty about the football tournament.

Nearly 7.5 million tickets are available to fans, but none for football games in Sao Paulo because the city and local Olympic organisers were not able to reach a deal ahead of the opening of the sales.

About 70% of the tickets are reserved for Brazilians.

Cardiff temporarily close new stand

Cardiff City Stadium's new £12m Ninian Stand extension will be temporarily closed for club matches next season - less than a year after it was built.

Poor season ticket sales after a disappointing Championship campaign have contributed to the decision.

Fans who have bought seats in that area will be offered a move elsewhere.

England in Turin

BBC

Gillingham offer new deals to seven

Gillingham have offered midfielder Michael Freiter and keeper Tom Hadler one-year extensions to their contracts.

Hadler, 18, and Freiter, 19, are yet to feature for the first team. The club have also offered Greg Cundle, Mitchell Dickenson and Callum Emptage one-year professional deals.

Josh Hare and Aaron Millbank have been offered six-month extensions but Dan Bent, Aidan Blanchard, Devante McKain, Mahlon Romeo, Josh Staunton and Charlie Webster are being released.

Get involved

Following Victoria Pendleton's plea to make PE lessons for appealing for girls, we are asking for your memories of miserable PE lessons. Keep them coming in please to #bbcsportsday

Chris Brenton: Loved playing hockey at school. Scored lots till Mrs H started calling offside. Have now found there is no offside in hockey.

Pippa Jeffcock: We used very old changing rooms with a very small hot water tank. Invariably we had ice cold showers in midwinter after hockey.

Ben Rabinovich: Forgot my swimming trunks once, and had to swim in my white P.E. shorts...

I miss football to death - Cassano

Getty Images

Former Italy forward Antonio Cassano says he is desperately missing soccer.

Cassano ripped up his contract with Serie A club Parma in January.

"I feel sick without football," the 32-year-old told Italian magazine Chi. "I miss it to death. I miss the atmosphere in the locker room, practice. But most of all I miss the adrenaline rush.

Spurs purchase clears way for new stadium

Tottenham have agreed the purchase of the Archway Sheet Metal company on the Paxton Road next to their White Hart Lane ground, that had been delaying the development of the club's new stadium behind the existing site.

A Spurs statement said: "In order to allow Archway to relocate its business appropriately, the Club will not take possession of the land until later this year."

Scene set for Italy v England

Phil McNulty

BBC chief football writer in Turin

"A few fans are already milling around the superb Juventus Stadium ahead of England's friendly with Italy - although plenty of visiting supporters are still in the city centre enjoying the sights and piazzas of Turin on a gloriously warm evening.

"There is just enough breeze to make it a perfect evening for Roy Hodgson's side to measure how far they have come since the disappointment of the World Cup in Brazil.

"England's line-up may have an experimental look but there will still be plenty for Hodgson and his staff to learn and observe against opponents who are never less than organised, battle-hardened and tough to beat."

ECB boss elect Graves ponders four-day Tests

New England and Wales Cricket Board chairman Colin Graves, whose five-year tenure will officially begin in May, has confirmed the shortening of Test matches to four days is on his agenda.

Graves told the MCC's website, lords.org: "Personally, I think we should look at four-day Test cricket and play 105 overs a day starting at 10.30am in the morning, and finish when you finish as all the grounds now have lights."

Pyrenees retreat for Scots ahead of World Cup

Scotland, who lost all five of their Six Nations matches this year, will prepare for the World Cup at the Font Romeu camp, a high-altitude training base in the French Pyrenees used by world-record marathon runner Paula Radcliffe.

England protect unbeaten friendly run

BBC

Get involved

Following Victoria Pendleton's plea to make PE lessons for appealing for girls, we are asking for your memories of miserable PE lessons. Keep them coming in please to #bbcsportsday

Iain Small: At my kids' primary the people running PE were so out of shape they couldn't even run! Kids need good role models.

Tony Stewart: Got a relay baton stuck on my finger, three hours in A and E, had to dislocate my finger to get it off. Good times!

Ryan Rossi: I ripped my trousers open playing football.

5 live Sport

BBC Radio 5 live

Tonight's 5 live Sport with Mark Chapman from 19:00 BST comes from Turin where England face Italy. There is live commentary of the match with John Murray and Alan Green, while former England international Danny Mills provides the summaries. There is also your chance to air your views in the 5 live Social from 22:00 BST.

Get involved

So for the last part of this edition of Sportsday, we would like to know if you have any particularly horrific PE tales from your childhood? Please let us know at #bbcsportsday.

Changes needed for PE lessons - Pendleton

Olympic and World cycling champion Victoria Pendleton believes this is because physical education lessons are not designed with girls in mind and has called for changes to be made.

"I remember absolutely hating communal showers. I think every teenage girl does," she said. "This shouldn't be too hard to fix - a few shower curtains, a bit of space to get dressed, some mirrors and working hairdryers - and if it means getting more girls into the habit of sport it's got to be a good thing."

Swedish prosecutors seek Deveaux after attack

Getty Images

Swedish prosecutors have issued a warrant for the arrest of Canadian former NHL player Andre Deveaux after he attacked an opponent on-ice before a promotion playoff, the TT news agency reported on Tuesday.

Deveaux, who played for the Toronto Maple Leafs and New York Rangers, was sacked after the incident in which he lunged at Per Helmersson from behind during a warm-up, hitting him in the back of the leg with his stick before clubbing him to the ice, described as the worst in the history of the domestic league.

Messi likely to miss Argentina friendly in US

AP

Lionel Messi looks set to miss a second consecutive match because of a foot problem when Argentina meet Ecuador in a friendly in New Jersey on Tuesday.

The captain remained on the bench throughout the 2-0 win over El Salvador in Washington on Saturday and coach Gerardo Martino said: "There are more chances that he won't play than he'll be on the field."

Want to be a sports reporter?

Attention - calling all budding sports reporters.

The BBC Kick Off Trainee Sports Reporter scheme is now open. The scheme gives people from a diverse range of backgrounds the opportunity to learn and develop sports reporting skills at the BBC.

There is no upper age limit, and no previous journalism experience is required. Think you've got what it takes? Then apply via bbc.co.uk/kickoff. Good luck!

Campese signs new deal with Hull KR

Hull KR captain Terry Campese, only seven games into a one-year deal, has agreed a new longer term contract through to the end of 2017.

SA refute text interference claims

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South Africa's cricket chief has refuted claims that he forced coach Russell Domingo to pick a player of colour for the World Cup semi-final.

"This report is false," said Cricket SA CEO Haroon Lorgat. "There was no SMS sent by me to the coach."

Vernon Philander replaced Kyle Abbott for the match against New Zealand, which South Africa lost. Abbott had the best average and economy rate of any South African bowler in the tournament when he was dropped.

South Africa have not had an official quota system since 2007, but normally field at least four players of colour in their XI.

Fabianski happy at Swansea

Reuters

Swansea goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski insists he is happy in the Premier League despite being linked with Italian giants Roma.

"I think that the Premier League, despite the failure of English teams in European competitions this season, is still the most attractive place to play, that's why I'd rather not move anywhere," said the 29-year-old former Arsenal stopper, who has played in the Premier League since leaving Legia Warsaw in 2007.

Get involved

After Joey Barton told Radio 5 live he would have won 100 caps if he'd played for Scotland or Wales, we're asking you who should have won more international caps...

Matthew Lowe: Matt Le Tissier should have a lot more England caps.

Simon Daplyn: Undoubtedly if he had proper knees there would have been a long reigning King of England - Sir Ledley.

Harry Adams: Obviously heavily blighted by injury but I felt when fit, Jermaine Jenas deserved more game time.

Keep them coming in on Twitter at #bbcsportsday and via the BBC Sport Facebook page.

Cross shaves beard for charity

Scotland prop Geoff Cross - last seen looking a little something like this...

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Now the beard is no more. Cross has shaved off his impressive face fur for charity, after raising £10,000 for charity with his year-long effort. Here's what he looks like now...

Ben Coles

Portsmouth announce operating profit

League Two Portsmouth have announced an operating profit of £118,000 in its first year of trading after emerging from administration.

The published accounts cover the period straight after the club left administration and end in June 2014.

They include a turnover of £6.6 million and gate receipts of £3.4 million.

"These set of accounts give us a fantastic base on which to build on," Pompey's Chief executive, Mark Catlin, told the club website.

Yankey retains World Cup ambitions

Arsenal winger Rachel Yankey believes she is capable of performing for England at this summer's World Cup.

The 35-year-old, who is England's second-most capped senior player with 129 appearances, has not played for her country since Mark Sampson became head coach in December 2013.

"I am still available," said Yankey. "At this moment I'm not being picked. I've made it clear that I want to play for England. I still think I'm good enough, but that's up to the manager."

I nearly went for sixth gold - Redgrave

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Five-time Olympic champion Steve Redgrave has revealed that he came close to trying for a sixth gold medal.

Redgrave told the Daily Telegraph: "After a couple of years out, I wondered how close I could get to being in a final. I phoned up [GB rowing coach] Jurgen [Grobler] and said: 'I'm thinking of making a comeback.'"

Redgrave says Grobler eventually dissuaded him. He concedes the decision to remain retired was "probably right".

'It's like apples and oranges'

Bristol Academy boss Dave Edmondson says the difference between the Women's Super League side and Frankfurt is like comparing "apples and oranges".

Frankfurt beat the Women's Super League side 12-0 on aggregate to reach the semi-finals of the Champions League.

"It's like playing with your legs tied together or one arm behind your back," Edmondson told BBC Radio Bristol.

"We were playing fully-paid, full-time professionals and senior international women."

Wasps plan Launchbury return

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England lock Joe Launchbury could be back for Wasps in the Premiership match with Exeter at the end of April, according to Director of Rugby Dai Young.

The 23-year-old has not played since October because of a neck injury that required surgery but Young told BBC 5 live: "He's well down the track now. He's coming to the end stage of his rehab.

"Around the Exeter or Leicester game really, that's what we are hoping."

Get involved

With Joey Barton telling Radio 5 live he would have won 100 caps if he'd played for Scotland or Wales, we're asking you who should have won more international caps...

Haris Hameed: Paul Scholes should have won more than 100 caps for England. The most underrated midfielder of all time.

Aran Ryan Nicol: Mark Noble - currently on 0 caps.

Robert Watt: Kevin Phillips! European golden shoe and he has eight caps!

Keep them coming in on Twitter at #bbcsportsday and via the BBC Sport Facebook page.

Challandes quits as Armenia boss

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All over for Armenia coach Bernard Challandes. He has resigned after a dismal start to Euro 2016 qualifying which has seen the team collect just one point from the first four matches to slip to the bottom of Group I.

The 63-year-old Swiss took over in July 2014, but Armenia's 2-1 defeat to Albania on Sunday proved the final straw.

I'd fight Froch in UK - Ward

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WBA super-middleweight champion Andre Ward says he would be willing to fight Carl Froch in the UK.

The two previously fought in the final of the Super Six competition in 2011, with Ward inflicting only the second defeat of Froch's career.

Ward told Sky Sports he would be amenable to a rematch with Froch - but not in his home-town.

"I'm not willing to come to Nottingham, I don't think I should have to, but Wembley stadium, the UK as a whole - I would love to come," Ward said.

Tunisia fine remains

The Confederation of African Football has rejected an appeal by Tunisia against a $50,000 fine for violent conduct by its players at the African Cup of Nations.

However, they were not banned from the 2017 tournament despite demands for the Tunisian Football Federation to make "a formal apology" for accusing the African soccer body of bias.

The case relates to an African Cup quarter-final match on 31 January, when a disputed penalty helped host Equatorial Guinea eliminate Tunisia.

Five interested in Birmingham bid

Five offers have been made for an interest in either Birmingham or parent company Birmingham International Holdings Limited, receivers have confirmed.

Technology to be used at Women's World Cup

British-based company Hawk-Eye will provide goal-line technology system for the women's World Cup in Canada this June.

Neville backs Kane for U-21 tournament

BBC Radio 5 live

Former England defender Phil Neville has been talking to 5 live about whether England striker Harry Kane should play for the U-21 side in the European Championships in the Czech Republic in June.

"Harry Kane's development as a player will only be enhanced by going to the tournament. How many times do we see others nations take their best teams to an U-21 tournament and then two years later go to a major tournament with the full national team and go and win in.

"Spain did it. Germany did it in 2009. It's about time England actually got on the coattails of these nations. We're not punishing players by taking them to a major tournament. Tournament football is the most important part of a player's development."

Middlesex ponder Voges replacement

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Middlesex issue a statement following the inclusion of their 2015 overseas batsman Adam Voges in Australia's squad for the tours to the West Indies and England this summer.

"All of us at Middlesex are naturally delighted for Adam on his deserved inclusion in the squad, however this does leave us with the difficult problem of needing to find a replacement overseas player for the 2015 season with some immediacy.

"Australia have confirmed to us that Adam will still be available to represent Middlesex for the first four Championship matches before he joins up for their tour to the West Indies in June. The club will make a formal announcement of his replacement when contracts are finalised and signed."

Merry King to miss Grand National

Merry King, a stablemate of favourite Shutthefrontdoor, is to miss the Grand National at Aintree on 11 April. The horse, trained by Jonjo O'Neill in Gloucestershire, was rated around a 25-1 chance by bookmakers but has a breathing problem and is out for the rest of the season.

Bournemouth wary over Wilson

BBC Solent Sport on Twitter: Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe says he would be surprised if Callum Wilson is fit for the Easter matches.

Get involved

After Joey Barton told Radio 5 live he would have won 100 caps if he'd played for Scotland or Wales, we're asking you who should have won more international caps...

Paul More: Scholes. Was rarely used properly, shunted out onto the wing so that Lampard and Gerrard could demonstrate that they couldn't play together.

Kevin Rae: Russell Anderson. It's a scandal he didn't get more caps for Scotland considering utter tripe like Steven McManus and Calamity Caldwell were regularly starting. A very under-rated CB.

Keep them coming in on Twitter at #bbcsportsday and via the BBC Sport Facebook page.

On this day

AFP

There have been a few bleak days for English cricket in recent years but on this day a year ago there was a notable malaise, when England lost to the Netherlands by 45 runs in the World Twenty20 tournament in Chittagong.

Europa League given prize money boost

Europa League prize money is set to rise by 65% next season. The 48 clubs in the tournament will share 381 million euros (£276m) and be guaranteed 2.4 million euros (£1.7m). This season, the figures are 232 million euros (£168m) and 1.3 million euros (£944,000).

Injury blow for England's Francis

Stacey Francis is aiming to be fit for the World Cup in August after being ruled for the remainder of the Super League season with a knee injury.

The Team Bath and England player is hopeful of being in contention for England's World Cup warm-up match against Trinidad & Tobago on 6 May.

"I am on crutches for the next two weeks and then have another two weeks of recuperation," the 27-year-old said. "The hope is I will be back fit for the England games."

Oxford keeper on Kiwi bench

BBC Oxford Sport: Oxford Utd keeper Max Crocombe named as substitute for New Zealand's international friendly against South Korea in Seoul.

Rams post £7m loss despite revenue boost

Promotion seeking Derby County lost £7m during the financial year ending June 2014, despite increasing turnover by nearly £5m. But the club's American owners have once again covered the debts by converting the losses into equity.

Chief executive Sam Rush told BBC Radio Derby: "To produce revenues in excess of £20m in the Championship without parachute money is a great effort. We have kept losses at a stable level - losses the ownership group feel comfortable supporting."

Kazakhstan ponder 2026 World Cup bid

Kazakhstan are examining a bid to host the 2026 World Cup, the country's football chief Yerlan Kozhagapanov was quoted as saying in Russia's Sport Express daily Tuesday.

"We're currently consulting with the government and analysing our possibilities," said Kozhagapanov, who is also the deputy mayor of Kazakhstan's capital Astana.

Lancashire plan for Siddle absence

BBC Lancashire Sport: Lancashire say they are seeking a replacement after overseas signing Peter Siddle was called up by Australia for the Ashes tour. Siddle could still feature in up to four matches at the start of the summer but Lancashire but will need permission from Australia.

Rooney hails Shearer influence

Phil McNulty

BBC chief football writer in Turin

PA

"Plenty of talk here in Turin about where Wayne Rooney will play tonight. At his pre-match media briefing England manager Roy Hodgson made a point of clarifying that he had not confirmed he would partner Harry Kane against Italy.

"This throws up various possibilities such as Theo Walcott playing alongside Kane with Rooney at the tip of a midfield diamond, although this is all conjecture until England's line-up is confirmed.

"It will be another chance for Rooney to show his adaptability after playing alongside the likes of Michael Owen, Emile Heskey, Peter Crouch and Daniel Sturridge in his England career.

"So who would he have loved to play alongside for England but didn't?

"Answer: 'I'd probably say Alan Shearer because I admired him when I was growing up. I loved the way he played and he was a real goalscorer, as his record showed. I would have worked well with him as a strike partner.'"

Bale demonstrates basketball prowess

Wales international Gareth Bale recently took part in the NBA's Half Court challenge, testing his accuracy from the equivalent of half a basketball court, and scored an impressive three out of five baskets.

The 25-year-old laid down the challenge for Real Madrid teammate Luka Modric and Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton.

McCullum signs for Birmingham Bears

Getty Images

More on that news that Brendon McCullum will play for Birmingham Bears in the T20 Blast.

McCullum joins hot on the heels of an impressive showing in the 50-over World Cup, where he scored 328 runs at a tournament-high strike-rate of 188.50.

Birmingham director of cricket Dougie Brown said: "Securing his availability for our last seven games has to make him one of the biggest overseas player signings in the competition's history."

McCullum said: "The Birmingham Bears had a great season last year, including winning the NatWest T20 Blast, and hopefully I can make a big contribution and ensure that we can progress in the tournament."

BreakingMcCullum signs for Birmingham Bears

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum has agreed a deal to play seven matches for Birmingham Bears in the T20 Blast competition. The Bears are the defending champions.

Get involved

After Joey Barton told Radio 5 live he would have won 100 caps if he'd played for Scotland or Wales, we're asking you who should have won more international caps...

Simmo: Laurie Cunningham good enough for Real Madrid yet not much for England.

John Richard Oakley: Billy Bonds.

Rob Labrum: Gordon Cowans & Glen Hoddle. Too many years picking the 'old guard' instead of arguably the two best all-round midfielders of the 80s. Interesting to see how many of that Villa championship/European Cup/Super Cup winning side made the 82 World Cup squad?

Keep them coming in on Twitter at #bbcsportsday and via the BBC Sport Facebook page.

North to see consultant over injury

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BBC Wales Sport on Twitter: George North will see a consultant neurosurgeon within the next 48 hours to help Northampton's medics assess when the Wales wing can return.

North was knocked unconscious by Nathan Hughes while scoring his second try in leaders Northampton's English Premiership win over Wasps on Friday night.

Le Tissier to appear on Countdown

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Yep, you read that right. In what is by far Sportsday's favourite news story of the day, Southampton legend Matt Le Tissier has announced he is going to appear on Channel 4 quiz show Countdown.

"Passed my contestant audition for @C4Countdown," Le Tissier wrote on Twitter. "Be filming in autumn."

Le Tissier becomes the fourth professional footballer to appear on the show, after Adrian Coote, Clarke Carlisle and Neil McKenzie.

Rooney backs Barkley to learn from the bench

Phil McNulty

BBC chief football writer in Turin

"England captain Wayne Rooney hopes Ross Barkley will learn from his substitute appearances.

"Speaking here in Turin, Rooney said: 'I spoke to him after the game on Friday night and the only advice I gave him was to watch the game carefully from the bench, then he will know how to get into the opposition, where the spaces are.

"'That's what Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said to me when I was young, so you know where to be when you come on. If it helps Ross, then great.'"

O'Brien to join Foxes for T20 Blast

AFP

Leicestershire have signed Ireland's big-hitting all-rounder Kevin O'Brien for nine of their T20 Blast fixtures this year.

The 31-year-old hit the fastest century in World Cup history against England in 2011, and also appeared in the recent tournament in Australia and New Zealand.

Sinfield to quit league for union

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More on that news that Kevin Sinfield will end his rugby league career at the end of this season to move to rugby union side Yorkshire Carnegie.

Sinfield, 34, is the all time leading goal and points scorer in Leeds's history and has led the Rhinos to 12 titles in 19 Finals. He has made 26 appearances for England, including captaining his country at the 2013 World Cup, and 24 appearances for Great Britain.

Sinfield said: "This was one of the toughest decisions of my career but I know the time is right for me to finish my time in rugby league and embark on a new challenge with Yorkshire Carnegie.

"I never wanted to play against the Rhinos and throughout my career I have always had an admiration for rugby union and wanted to challenge myself in that code."

BreakingSinfield to quit league for union

Former England rugby league captain Kevin Sinfield has announced he is quitting Leeds Rhinos to move to rugby union with Yorkshire Carnegie.

Scotland could play Georgia behind closed doors

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Scotland could face Georgia behind closed doors in their Euro 2016 qualifier in September after crowd trouble in the Georgians' last match.

Georgia's 2-0 defeat to Germany on Sunday in Tbilisi was twice interrupted by supporters invading the Boris Paichadze Stadium pitch.

The Georgian FA has posted a statement on their website admitting they are fearful of a sanction from Uefa.

Get involved

This morning, after Joey Barton told Radio 5 live he would have won 100 caps if he'd played for Scotland or Wales, we're asking you who should have won more international caps...

Martin Perry: Alan Hansen only 26 caps for Scotland is ridiculous for such an accomplished defender and I'm not a Liverpool fan.

Wee Brenny Rodgers: Glenn Hoddle. An absolute genius who made only 53 appearances. Phil Neville has more. Enough said.

Mr A: has to be Michael Carrick, lynch pin for United but only has 32 international caps. Even Downing and Welbeck have more?!

Keep them coming in on Twitter at #bbcsportsday and via the BBC Sport Facebook page.

Kane: better than Ronaldo?

Getty Images

Now look, we don't want to over-hype young Harry Kane. Absolutely not. Wouldn't dream of heaping excessive expectation on his slender shoulders.

However, it is our duty to bring you news of a study which suggests that the Spurs striker is better than Cristiano Ronaldo. The report, by the CIES Football Observatory, has ranked all the strikers in Europe's major leagues, and has Kane sixth, with Ronaldo down in 29th.

Lionel Messi is top, followed by Arjen Robben and Wolfsburg's prolific Dutchman Bas Dost.

Mills leaves Wrexham

BBC Wales Sport on Twitter: Wrexham assistant manager Gary Mills will depart the club following Kevin Wilkin's sacking as manager. Wrexham first team coach Carl Darlington and goalkeeping coach Michael Oakes will prepare the team for tonight's home fixture against Dover.

Can Bubba win again?

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The Masters at Augusta takes place next week, and while all eyes will be on Rory McIlroy, world number three Bubba Watson will be aiming for his third Green Jacket in four years.

So can he do it? Our golf correspondent Iain Carter has been running the rule over Watson's chances.

You can read his piece on "a mature golfer at the height of his powers" here.

Weather set fair for England in Italy

Phil McNulty

BBC chief football writer in Turin

BBC Sport

"Glorious blue skies in Turin and England's fans arriving in the city are taking in the summer weather on the piazza."

Wigan v Saints is 'biggest derby'

St Helens captain Jon Wilkin has described their game at Wigan as the "biggest derby" in the sport.

The two teams meet in their traditional Good Friday fixture for the first time since Saints beat the Warriors in the 2014 Grand Final.

"Wigan and Saints is the biggest derby in rugby league," Wilkin told BBC Radio Merseyside.

"It's the aggression and passion the fans bring to the game and the players show on the field."

GB Rio withdrawal 'massive shame' - Pearce

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Stuart Pearce says it's a "massive shame" that Great Britain will not send football teams to the Rio Olympics next year.

Pearce coached the men's side at London 2012.

"It's a massive shame, not just for the men's game but for the exposure of the women's game," he told Sky Sports. "There's a group of 18 players who are going to miss out badly."

Sporting birthdays

Amongst those blowing out the candles today are:

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Former European 400m champion Roger Black (pictured), who is 49, referee Martin Atkinson is 44, Essex coach Paul Grayson, who played two one-day internationals for England, is also 44 and former Spurs midfielder Stephen Clemence is 37. Happy birthday to all.

Khan wants Brook fight at Wembley

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Amir Khan says he wants to fight his British welterweight rival Kell Brook at Wembley Stadium within 12 months.

Unbeaten IBF champion Brook, 28, demanded a showdown with Khan after beating Jo Jo Dan on Saturday.

And Khan says he's up for the challenge, telling Sky Sports: "It could be his last fight, I would give him that much of a beating."

Get involved

This morning, after Joey Barton told Radio 5 live he would have won 100 caps if he'd played for Scotland or Wales, we're asking you who should have won more international caps...

Victoria Sharkey: David Rocastle. Only 14 full England caps. Should have had many more. RIP Rocky.

Ryan Cropper: Le Tissier no contest snubbed because he didn't play for a "big club" one of the most naturally talented players of his generation.

Kenny Kenstar McFadden: Jimmy Johnstone for Scotland easily one of the worlds best players in the late 60s.

Keep them coming in on Twitter at #bbcsportsday and via the BBC Sport Facebook page.

Falcons fined for fake crowd noise

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Now that's embarrassing. NFL team Atlanta Falcons have been fined $350,000 for pumping fake crowd noise into their home venue the Georgia Dome.

The Falcons have also been stripped of a fifth-round pick in next year's draft.

"What took place was wrong and nowhere near the standards by which we run our business," Falcons owner Arthur Blank said in a statement.

Hamilton sympathy for Alonso

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World champion Lewis Hamilton admits he spared a thought for Fernando Alonso after the Spaniard's former team Ferrari won the Malaysia Grand Prix.

Alonso left Ferrari to join McLaren at the end of last year and Hamilton said: "I remember when I left McLaren and joined Mercedes, we were better the next year but he's almost done the opposite of what I did. It could have been him winning in Malaysia! It's just strange how things turn out."

England need more Kanes - Shilton

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Former England keeper Peter Shilton is excited by the emergence of Harry Kane and says the national team "need a lot more" in the mould of the young Spurs striker.

"He is a very exciting home grown player," he told BBC Radio 5 Live. "He's what we are looking for and what we need a lot more of. But let's take it steady with him. International football is a big step up."

Kane makes his full international debut tonight in Turin, the venue where Shilton played for England in the 1990 World Cup semi-final.

Rangers in the red

However, Rangers have reported a loss of £2.89m - before "finance costs" - for the second half of last year. The club have reported the figures to the London Stock Exchange, despite trading in their shares being suspended, and despite the club having no auditor.

Saints in the black

Southampton made a £33.4m profit last year - the first since the club went into administration in 2009. The results for the year ending 30 June 2014 showed an increase after a £7.1m loss in 2013.

Get involved

This morning, hot on the heels of Joey Barton telling Radio 5 live he would have won 100 caps if he'd played for Scotland or Wales, we're asking you who should have won more international caps...

Nathan Forde: Jonathon Woodgate should have been capped far more than he was for England. Best centre back of his generation.

Colum Kenny: One player who never won any international caps which always shocked me. Steve Bruce.

Dobs: Joey Barton shouldn't have won any cap at all! Maybe if he was from Gibraltar...yes.

Keep them coming in on Twitter at #bbcsportsday and via theBBC Sport Facebook page.

Vettori announces retirement

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It's time to bid farewell to one of the grand old men of international cricket. New Zealand spinner Daniel Vettori has called time on his 18-year career.

Vettori confirmed that defeat in the World Cup final to Australia was his final game for his country, saying: "It was a lovely way to finish. It would have been great to win, but I'm pretty proud of everyone, the way we've gone about things the last six weeks."

Vettori played 113 Tests for New Zealand and is one of only three men have scored 4000 runs and taken 300 wickets in that format, alongside Kapil Dev and Ian Botham.

Vettel "lucked out" - Button

McLaren's Jenson Button says Sebastian Vettel joined Ferrari at the right time after the team's first Grand Prix triumph for almost two years at last week's Malaysia GP.

"He has definitely lucked into a situation, I would say," Button told reporters. "He did a great job which shows things can turn around over a winter, which is good to see for every team."

Sun shining on England

Phil McNulty

BBC chief football writer in Turin

PA

"It's a gloriously sunny day here in Turin as England prepare to face Italy in tonight's friendly - and with memories still fresh from their last meeting in the heat and humidity of the Amazonian rainforest in Manaus at the World Cup last June.

"Italy won the World Cup qualifier 2-1, with Mario Balotelli scoring the winner. It was the start of a brief and dismal campaign for England in Brazil that ended at the group stage.

"So will Italy see a better England tonight? Wayne Rooney thinks so, with England's captain telling the media here in Turin: 'We've changed the shape a bit and I think we're playing with a lot more energy now, which is suiting the team. We use that energy in the right areas to help us get goals and tire opposing teams.'"

Phil will be providing updates from Turin throughout the day right here in Sportsday.

Get involved

Time for this morning's topic of debate...

You may have seen last night that QPR midfielder Joey Barton, who earned a solitary cap for England, told 5 live's Monday Night Club that he would have won 100 caps if he was Northern Irish, Welsh or Scottish.

So this morning we are asking which players you think should have won more international caps? Please send in your thoughts to #bbcsportsday and the BBC Sport Facebook page.

Netherlands in crisis

AD Sportwereld

One other international fixture that may have caught your attention is the friendly between the Netherlands and Spain - the first meeting between the sides since the Netherlands' 5-1 victory in the World Cup last summer.

However, all is not well with the Dutch. The Netherlands have struggled in their Euro qualifying group, winning just two games out of five, and sports daily AD Sportwereld says: "The Oranje are in crisis".

The front page shows a jolly Guus Hiddink alongside the ironic headline 'Keep Smiling', asking: "Should we not fear revenge for Salvador?"

Juve and Italy at loggerheads

Corriere dello Sport

An intriguing tale on the back page of Italy's Corriere dello Sport. Ahead of tonight's friendly against England at the Juventus Stadium, relations between the Turin club side and the Italian national team have turned decidedly frosty.

Things were already strained after Italy poached Juve coach Antonio Conte, and then this week Juve fans turned on Conte after their midfielder Claudio Marchisio was injured in training.

Now another row has broken out after the Italian FA decided to cover the sign in the stands showing Juve's number of Serie A titles (32). Juventus, it's fair to say, are not happy...

Under-21s show their mettle

Daily Mail

Like all this morning's papers, the Daily Mail leads on England's friendly against Italy, but there's also a nod to the under-21s after their excellent victory against Germany last night.

The Mail's football correspondent Dominic King gives Gareth Southgate's side a rave review. "This 3-2 win was stamped with the qualities of a team that can win a major tournament: quality, technique and spirit coming to the fore," he writes.

There's also a sobering line on concussed Wales wing George North - former Scotland international Rory Lamont warns he could be at risk of dementia.

Philling the holding role

Independent

More insider info on the England line-up on the Independent back page - the paper reports that Roy Hodgson will start Phil Jones in a holding role.

The Independent also carries an interview with Welsh rugby referee Nigel Owens, who talks about being an openly gay man in the world of rugby.

Rooney warns Kane

The Sun

Let's take a look at this morning's papers now. The Sun reports that England skipper Wayne Rooney has warned new boy Harry Kane to be wary of uncompromising Italian tactics.

The paper also suggests that Arsenal forward Theo Walcott will get the nod to partner Kane up front.

Maxwell and Faulkner miss out on Ashes squad

Getty Images

Australia have announced their Test squad for this summer's Ashes series - and there's no place for World Cup all-rounders Glenn Maxwell and James Faulkner.

Unfortunately for England, batting run-machine Steve Smith and ferocious fast bowling duo Mitchell Starc and Mitchell Johnson have very much made the cut.

There are also places for batsman Adam Voges and bowler Fawad Ahmed, who have impressed in Australian domestic cricket.

You can see the full 17-man squad here.

Hamilton deal could be worth £27m a year

EPA

Britain's Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton expects to sign a new Mercedes contract this week - and it could be worth an eye-watering £27m a year.

BBC Sport has learned that Hamilton will earn a basic - or not-so-basic - salary of £21m, and could earn over £6m in win bonuses.

That would take his total earnings to £3,082 per hour, £51.36 per minute, 86p per second or more than £7 in the time it took you to read this sentence.

Thumbs up indeed.

Disgrace if U21 stars withdraw - Lineker

Getty Images

England legend Gary Lineker says it would be a "national disgrace" if England's best youngsters do not play at the Under-21 European Championships this summer.

After the impressive win against Germany last night (we'll stop going on it about it now, promise), Lineker suggested on Twitter that the team could win the tournament with the addition of senior stars such as Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling.

"If clubs try to pull their players out it would be a national disgrace," the former England striker said.

No GB football teams at Rio Games

Getty Images

Before we get on to this morning's papers, we've got some morning news lines to bring you up to date with.

The FA has scrapped plans for Great Britain football teams to participate at the Rio Olympics next year, after failing to gain support from the other home nations.

GB fielded men's and women's teams at London 2012, with both sides knocked out at the quarter-final stage.

Good morning

Hello and welcome to Tuesday's Sportsday - your one-stop shop for all the latest sporting news.

On the menu today - we'll be looking ahead to England's mouthwatering friendly against Italy in Turin this evening, with Harry Kane poised to lead the line alongside Theo Walcott as he bids to continue his dream start to his international career.

We'll reflect on an excellent night for England's Under-21s, who laid down a huge marker ahead of this summer's European Championships by beating Germany 3-2.

We'll be keeping an eye on Andy Murray, who could rack up a landmark 500th career victory when he takes on Kevin Anderson at the Miami Open later today.

And we'll be staying across all the latest sports news from elsewhere, and giving you the chance to have your say on social media.

England upbeat again?

Getty Images

Well that didn't take long, did it? Just nine months after England's humiliating exit from the World Cup sent the country into despair, the old optimism has started to creep back into English football.

Germany may have lifted the trophy in Brazil, and won universal praise for their youth system, but their under-21s were no match for Gareth Southgate's boys on a blustery night at the Riverside - with Southampton's James Ward-Prowse scoring the winner in a thrilling 3-2 victory.

And with young hotshot Harry Kane set to lead the line for a resurgent England against Italy this evening, is the future suddenly bright again for English football?