Bristol City striker Kieran Agard will miss the start of the Championship season after undergoing knee surgery.

The 25-year-old suffered a torn meniscus while running and is set to be out for between six and eight weeks.

"The surgery was a success and he's on the road to recovery," head physiotherapist Steve Allen told the club's website., external

David Beckham on Instagram, external.

"This day 12 years ago I moved from the mighty Manchester United to the mighty of Real Madrid .. Huge honour to have played with 2 of the biggest clubs in the world .. ⚽️ great memories".

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Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport at Chelmsford

"It might have been a bit different here had Essex held some catches. Shane Watson was dropped on 10 and went on make 52 before playing on off Ryan ten Doeschate.

"The same bowler had Watson's replacement, Mitchell Marsh, dropped at deep square-leg.

"As it is, Australia are 238-4, essentially having a hit in the sunshine - don't go thinking that a few drops has them with any pre-Ashes betting wobbles.

"In fact, in the midst of it all, Adam Voges is the picture of serenity. At 35 and with only two Tests to his name, he already looks likely to be a huge obstacle for England."

In response to an earlier tweet...

Steve Bibby: Dave Sexton was sacked by Manchester United in 1981 after winning all his last seven games, so not Pearson sacking not unique in that aspect.

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Many thanks Steve...

Football reporter John Southall for BBC Sport: "Slaven Bilic didn't, as expected, do his first West Ham presser today ahead of tomorrow's Europa League game.

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"He'll fly back from Ireland tomorrow, where the squad are training, and will watch the game against Lusitans from the stands after being introduced to the crowd on the pitch.

"Terry Westley and James Tomkins did the presser."

Swansea's, external new Portugal international striker Eder says: "I am very happy to have signed with Swansea. It's a big club and I believe I can progress as a footballer here."

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Top seed Novak Djokovic advances to the third round with a comfortable 6-4 6-2 6-3 victory over Jarkko Nieminen of Finland.

Swansea complete the signing of Portugal international striker Eder, 27, from Braga.

England defender Gary Cahill with a message of support for the England team ahead of the Women's World Cup semi-final, which is live tonight on BBC One from 23:10 BST, and will also be on BBC Radio 5 live.

"It's getting serious now! Good luck ladies, you can do it!" Cahill writes on Twitter., external

Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport at Chelmsford

"Shane Watson has had a life in his bid to nail a place in next week's first Ashes Test.

"Battling with Mitchell Marsh for the all-rounder's slot, Watson offered a fairly simple caught and bowled chance to Tom Moore, only for Moore to spill it. That was when Watson had 10, he now has 35. Australia 180-3.

"Essex, meanwhile have given veteran wicketkeeper James Foster some time off. He had the gloves this morning, Saif Imtiaz is behind the stumps this afternoon."

Image source, PA

Southampton terminate the contract, external of Italian international striker Dani Osvaldo, 29, who joined them in a club-record deal of around £15m in 2013 but has not played for the club since January 2014, and has completed a loan spell with Argentinian club Boca Juniors.

Brentford have confirmed that a 24-year-old Scot will be their new head of football operations.

Robert Rowan, who has worked for Celtic as well as both the Scottish and Swedish FAs, only joined the club in October after a stint at Stenhousemuir.

He will work with new co-directors of football Rasmus Ankersen and Phil Giles and with head of football philosophy and player development Flemming Pedersen at the Championship club.

Marinus Dijkhuizen was appointed head coach in May, replacing Mark Warburton, who guided the London club to the play-offs last term.

Laurie Brown (137) and Tim Ambrose (105) extended their unbroken partnership to 236 as Warwickshire reached lunch on 443-5 against Sussex at Edgbaston with the game heading for an inevitable draw.

Nottinghamshire lead Worcestershire by 167 on day three of their match at Trent Bridge, with half-centuries by James Taylor and Riki Wessels guiding them to 210-5 at the interval.

In Division Two, Northants are 31-1 in their second innings, a lead of 161 over Lancashire, who were bowled out for 308 earlier in the morning, adding only 51 to their overnight score for the loss of six wickets.

Middlesex closed to within four points of second-placed Durham after beating Hampshire by nine wickets at Lord's.

They claimed the last three Hampshire wickets in less than an hour and then knocked off the runs in 17.4 overs, with Sam Robson unbeaten on 36.

It was Middlesex's fourth win from nine games this season.

Sky Sports, external sources claim Stoke have agreed a fee of £12m to sign Xherdan Shaqiri, 23, from Inter Milan.

Image source, AP

Tottenham confirm Lewis Holtby has joined Hamburg on a permanent transfer.

The 24-year-old, who moved to Spurs from Schalke in January 2013 and made 41 appearances in all competitions scoring three goals, spent last season on loan at Hamburg.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan, external on Twitter: "Delighted Rashid has been selected."

National selector James Whitaker said of England's 13-man squad for the first Ashes Test next week: "Adil Rashid's inclusion provides Alastair and Trevor with plenty of bowling options and the surface at Cardiff will dictate who makes the final XI.

"Within the squad there are players who have plenty of experience of Ashes cricket and that knowledge will I'm sure be useful for the players who are yet to experience a home Ashes series.

"There has been some very good cricket played so far this summer and we are aware that we will need to build on that over the next seven weeks if we are to win back the Ashes."

New England coach Trevor Bayliss says of last week's four-day training camp in Spain: "It was fantastic from my point of view to get to know the players, the boys worked hard and the time went really quick, which is a good sign I think."

Bayliss said spinner Adil Rashid would provide "good options" and of fast bowler Steven Finn he said: "During the one-day series he looked to be back on song, he'll be there as a back up to the guys who have come off a good series against New Zealand and if something happens to those guys he'll be there."

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Manchester City are planning to replace manager Manuel Pellegrini with Pep Guardiola in 12 months' time, but the Chilean is determined to stay at Etihad Stadium and wants to open talks about a new contract, reports the Daily Star, external.