O'Sullevan reaction and rolling news

1. Former BBC racing commentator Sir Peter O'Sullevan dies aged 97
2. Arsenal's Szczesny moves to Roma
3. Everton reject Chelsea's second Stones bid - reports
4. Celtic v Qarabag (19:45 BST)
5. GET INVOLVED #bbcracing

Good evening

And that is all from Sportsday this evening.

Remember there will be a live text commentary on the BBC Sport website of Celtic v Qarabag in the first leg of their Champions league third qualifying round.

We will be back bright and early tomorrow morning.

Champions League qualifiers

Getty Images

"In the Europa League last season, Qarabag went to Kiev and beat Dnipro, the eventual Europa League finalists. They drew twice with Saint Etienne and once with Inter Milan. They don't win many matches in Europe, but they don't lose too may either. They're nuggety - the type of team that Celtic could have a real problem with."

BBC Scotland's Tom English attempts to answer the question we are all asking... who are Qarabag?

Leicester announce stadium plans

Jason Bourne

BBC Radio Leicester

Getty Images

Leicestershire County Cricket Club are considering building a new stand at Grace Road and plans to bring in floodlights for the 2016 season.

It's part of a five-year business strategy announced by the club with the aim of making the Foxes the leading non-international cricket club in the country by 2019.

As part of the proposals made possible by a £1m grant from the ECB, Leicestershire have announced they will not be building 14 flats on the Milligan Road side of the ground.

Turn the lights on

Now here's a novel idea - golf, at night.

That's what Scotland's Richie Ramsay believes the European Tour should be considering, urging the organisation - and incoming chief executive Keith Pelley - to be more "forward-thinking".

Getty Images

"I'm just thinking of sports off the top of my head. I'm thinking of F1. Putting on a night race, suddenly people want to watch that. And then you've got a day/night race," said the former US Amateur champion.

"We've got courses now in Turkey which are floodlit that you can play at night... I think the people we have coming in will be very open to that."

Play abandoned for the day

BBC

Rain at Edgbaston

Tributes to O'Sullevan

Barbara Slater, Director BBC Sport: "Sir Peter O'Sullevan was one of the broadcasting greats and for over 50 years he was the voice of racing. Synonymous with the sport his distinctive commentary graced many of racing's historic moments - from Red Rum's Grand National victories to Desert Orchid's extraordinary Gold Cup triumph. Peter was a legendary commentator and will be greatly missed."

Ashes podcast

Enjoying the cricket?

You can still listen to the Ashes Preview show here and Freddie Flintoff's Alternative Ashes Legends here.

WICKET

After racing to his half century, Ian Bell is out on his home pitch for 53.

Bell fell to a Nathan Lyon delivery as David Warner took a towering catch.

England are 132-3 and trail by four runs.

Live coverage here.

Tributes to O'Sullevan

Tributes to O'Sullevan

Former jockey Willie Carson: "His voice was velvet, absolutely velvet, on the days of myself winning classics we'd go back and listen to the 9 o'clock news and those velvet tones of Peter O'Sullevan calling a horse that I had ridden home was just magical, absolutely magical.

Getty Images

Platini to stand for Fifa presidency

FA chairman Greg Dyke has been speaking about Michel Platini's decision to stand for the Fifa presidency.

Tributes to O'Sullevan

Frank Keogh

BBC Sport

"Meeting your heroes normally comes with a warning, but there was no need to worry with Sir Peter O'Sullevan.

"His honeyed tones were the rhythmic racing backdrop to my upbringing, the comforting BBC voice in the corner calling home thoroughbreds."

Tributes to O'Sullevan

Tributes to O'Sullevan

Tributes to O'Sullevan

Getty Images

Former jockey Jimmy Lindley said: "He doesn't just compare with the great people in racing, but in life in general.

"He always liked to give the underdog a blow up on TV to make them feel better. If they felt up against it he just had a knack of saying the right thing.

"As a commentator no-one else could give you the same feeling watching a race, he made it feel as if you were riding in it, you felt like you were on the horse yourself."

Tributes to O'Sullevan

There will be a special programme on Sir Peter O'Sullevan tonight on BBC Radio 5 live from 20:30 BST and you can listen live here.

Tributes to O'Sullevan

Getty Images

Nigel Payne, chief executive of the Sir Peter O'Sullevan Charitable Trust, said: "Sir Peter died earlier this afternoon, very peacefully, at home.

"Sir Peter was one of the greatest men I've ever known. Only last week he was talking about what he wanted me to do for the trust in the future. He was still very alert. It's a sad day."

Get Involved

Was O'Sullevan's voice the soundtrack to your favourite racing moments?

Tweet us your memories #bbcracing.

Man Utd tour

Simon Stone

BBC Sport in Chicago

Manchester United will collect their first silverware of the season if they beat Paris St-Germain.

With a 100% record from three games, United will retain the International Champions Cup by leapfrogging New York Red Bulls, who are presently top of the standings with 10 points, one more than Louis van Gaal's men.

Not that Van Gaal will be reading too much into it.

Twelve months ago United accounted for Real Madrid before beating Liverpool to win the same prize.

They promptly lost their first Premier League game at home to Swansea.

"I have kept saying, my focus is Tottenham on 8 August," said Van Gaal.

Man Utd tour

Simon Stone

BBC Sport in Chicago

Manchester United

It will be the end of an era for Manchester United when they complete their pre-season programme against Paris St-Germain overnight (0200BST).

The game at Chicago's Soldier Field will be the last time United wear a Nike kit.

Most famously worn in the 2008 Champions League final win against Chelsea, United also won six Premier League titles over the course of their 13-year association with Nike.

Adidas have paid £750m to make the Old Trafford club's kit for the next 10 years.

Sir Peter O'Sullevan 1918-2015

BBC Sport

Get Involved

For those who only paid attention to horse racing once a year, Sir Peter O'Sullevan was the man who guided them through the chaos of the Grand National.

You can relive some of his greatest moments here.

And we want to hear your memories. Was O'Sullevan's voice the soundtrack to your favourite racing moments?

Send your memories to #BBCRacing.

Sir Peter O'Sullevan 1918-2015

O'Sullevan commentated on 50 Grand Nationals and was the BBC's leading horse racing commentator from 1948 to 1997.

The Irish-born journalist was also a successful racehorse owner and was knighted in 1997, the year in which he set up his charitable trust to raise money for animal and racing-related charities.

Sir Peter O'Sullevan 1918-2015

And now we pause to bring you some sad news.

Former BBC racing commentator Sir Peter O'Sullevan has died at the age of 97.

As a horse-racing commentator on BBC TV for half a century, O'Sullevan had one of the best-known voices in broadcasting, and was known throughout racing as 'The Voice'.

He died at home in London after a long illness.

BBC Sport

Fifa fine Zimbabwe women

FIFA has fined Zimbabwe and awarded Ivory Coast a 3-0 win after the Zimbabweans failed to show up for a women's Olympic qualifying game.

Zimbabwe withdrew before the second leg, which was meant to be played this weekend.

The country's football association Zifa couldn't raise the money to send the women's under-23 team to Ivory Coast.

FIFA fined Zifa £6,640 for missing the first leg on July 19.

Ajax youngster signs for Arsenal

Bongarts

Ajax say it is "unfortunate" that youngster Donyell Malen has moved to Arsenal.

The 16-year-old Dutch international has come up through the Ajax youth academy.

In a statement on Ajax's website, Wim Jonk, head of the academy said: "We have made ​​him an excellent offer and presented a clear development plan.

"If the player still makes another choice, which is disappointing. The potential is clear and the opportunities will come with Ajax. We are continuing with the guys who do believe in it."

WICKET

First English wicket falls.

Adam Lyth is out for 10, bowled Hazlewood, caught Voges.

Pity really as Lyth looked as though he had weathered the early Australian storm and was getting into his stride.

To the crease comes Ian Bell. No pressure at all Ian, whatsoever...

It's 19-1, in reply to the Aussie's 110 all out. You'll find live text coverage here.

Platini standing for Fifa presidency

Gordon extends Celtic deal

Getty Images

Goalkeeper Craig Gordon has signed a news contract with Celtic to take him through to the summer of 2018.

The 32-year-old Scottish international joined the club last summer after two years out of the game because of injuries.

"I have enjoyed my first year immensely at Celtic," Gordon said. "It has been great to enjoy success already and I'm looking forward to giving everything to bring more good times to our supporters."

Brit success

British number two Aljaz Bedene beat third seed Roberto Bautista Agut in straight sets to reach the quarter-finals of the Hamburg Open.

World number 67 Bedene beat the Spaniard 7-6 (7-2) 7-6 (9-7).

Getty Images

The Slovenian-born Briton, who reached the second round of Wimbledon, beat Spain's Daniel Gimeno-Traver - also in straight sets - in the first round.

Bedene, 26, next faces either Italian eighth seed Fabio Fognini or Spain's Albert Ramos-Vinolas in the last eight.

The state of play

BBC

GAME ON

The latest of these pesky showers has relented and the players are back out at Edgbaston.

England are 7-0 in reply to Australia's 110 all out.

Live text coverage here.

Champions League qualifiers

SNS

It's not yet August but the entire tenor of Celtic's season could be decided by the outcome of their encounter with Qarabag on Wednesday.

The Azerbaijani champions arrive in Glasgow on Champions League third qualifying round duty, with Celtic determined not to replicate last season's defeat against Legia Warsaw at this stage.

"It's a totally different situation. We've good togetherness in the team," said manager Ronny Deila.

Get Involved

Getty Images

Tim Stubbs: I remember '84 LA Olympics. Zola Budd & Mary Decker. A rivalry that had bare feet, blood, injury & no medals. A proper spat.

And another one bites the dust

It's not only Rory McIlroy out of next week's Bridgestone Invitational.

Tournament officials have also announced four-time PGA Tour winner Chris Kirk will not compete after failing to recover from the broken hand he suffered while playing with his children before the Open Championship.

Back home

RAIN

Alastair Cook is trudging back to the pavilion .. but it's not bad news.

He hasn't been dismissed, it's started to rain, so the England skip and opening partner Adam Lyth are racing off to the sanctuary of the dressing room.

They probably won't be too unhappy about it. The Aussies, still smarting from being skittled out for a miserable 110, were giving it their all in the field, with the Mitchells Johnson and Starc making life very uncomfortable for the batsmen.

Judging by how short the other rain-breaks have been, they probably won't be off for too long.

Roma sign Szczesny

Getty Images

Szczesny, who joined Arsenal in 2009, said: "I came here to win matches and trophies with AS Roma and I think the team is strong enough to do it. I think there's great potential. I know the faces and the names of my new team-mates, so I hope to get acclimatised quickly. "

Roma sign Szczesny

AS Roma

Szczesny, 25, passed a medical on Monday and on Wednesday signed a year-long loan deal with Roma until 30 June 2016.

The Polish goalkeeper made 29 appearances for Arsenal last season but leaves following the arrival of former Chelsea keeper Petr Cech.

BreakingSecond Stones bid rejected

Sky Sports are reporting that Everton have rejected a £25m bid from Chelsea for defender John Stones.

Reigning Premier League champions Chelsea tabled a £20m bid for the 21-year-old last week.

After that opening bid was rejected, Blues boss Jose Mourinho said: "We made a bid because we like the player", and hinted that he would return with an improved offer.

BreakingRoma sign Szczesny

Roma have announced the signing of Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny on a year-long loan.

Warne's prediction

Bit optimistic this Shane.

Though maybe we shouldn't speak too soon...

On this day...

Getty Images

In 2010, Britain's Phillips Idowu won the gold medal in the triple jump at the European Championships in Barcelona.

Loan ranger

Chelsea's Egypt midfielder Mohamed Salah, 23, is set to complete a loan move to Italian side Roma, reports the Daily Mail.

Getty Images

Salah spent the second half of last season on loan at Fiorentina.

Stat time

WICKET

And that's it. England have bowled out Australia for 136 in just 36.4 overs.

James Anderson gets the final wicket - his sixth of the innings - bowling Nathan Lyon.

Getty Images

What a performance by England, and especially Anderson.

Just the simple task of facing a fired-up Mitchell Johnson now...

What time's kick-off?

You know you're a big club when you can tweet stuff like this.

Get Involved

Getty Images

James Bain: What about Keown v Van Nistelrooy in 2003 at Old Trafford.

BreakingMcIlroy misses Bridgestone

World number one Rory McIlroy will not defend his WGC-Bridgestone Invitational title next week.

It will be the second straight tournament that McIlroy will miss as the defending champion.

Getty Images

The Northern Irishman injured his left ankle while playing soccer with friends in the first weekend in July. He was not able to defend his title in the Open at St Andrews.

McIlroy did not indicate if he would be able to play the PGA Championship on 13-16 Aug at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin. He won the PGA Championship last year for his fourth career major.

Solow effort

Jamie Lillywhite

BBC Sport

BBC

Clear favourite Solow at 2-5 powers to victory by half a length from Arod in the million pound Sussex Stakes, the big race of the week over a mile at the Qatar Goodwood Festival.

The Freddy Head-trained grey colt has now triumphed in eight successive races and is the first French winner of the Sussex showpiece since 1993. Makes up a bit for Chris Froome and Le Tour perhaps?

The wind has picked up again here, a few panamas and elaborate assorted headgear are in danger of becoming detached from their owners.

Some well-to-do mature gentlemen in the Richmond Enclosure are revelling at the score in the Test match.

They must be following our live text commentary then, which you can find here.

WICKET

Would you Adam and Eve it?

Nine down now, Mitchell Starc caught Jos Buttler, bowled Broad for 11, and the Aussies are in all sorts of trouble at 119-9.

Getty Images

Grown men in the crowd can be seen pinching themselves. Australia, by the way, won the toss and chose to bat. It's not proving to be the wisest of decisions.

Appeal in

When European 10,000-metres silver medallist Andy Vernon was left out of the GB squad for the World Championships yesterday, he tweeted this.

And it seems he's refusing to take the decision without a fight, back on Twitter moments ago to post the following

WICKET

A massive moment at the Third Test.

Chris Rogers, the one Australian batsmen putting up any resistance at Edgbaston, has just departed for a battling 52 off 89 balls, lbw to Stuart Broad.

The Aussies are 110-8 and England are celebrating wildly. Live text coverage continues here.

Extra gear says Rooney

Wayne Rooney says Man United's summer signings will give the club "an extra gear" and help the clubs mount a title challenge next season.

Getty Images

The Reds have signed full-back Matteo Darmian, midfielders Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin and forward Memphis Depay, as well as keeper Sergio Romero.

Rooney told MUTV: "We've had new players come in, quality players, and we feel they can give us an extra gear to what we had last season. We fully understand what the manager wants and now we've added a few players it's exciting.

"I feel we have the right squad in terms of hoping to be successful in the new season and I think it's an exciting time for the team."

Gloucester pair sign new deals

England wing Charlie Sharples and forward Tom Savage have agreed new long-term contracts with Gloucester.

"I've been with Gloucester my whole career and didn't have any intention of looking elsewhere," said 25-year-old Sharples, who has scored 64 tries in 173 games for the club.

Count on Caulker

Caulker has signed for Southampton on a year's loan from QPR.

Knocked back

Getty Images

Newcastle have had a £4.8m bid for AC Milan's 20-year-old French striker M'Baye Niang turned down by the Italian club, claim the Evening Chronicle.

West Ham news conference

Nick Godwin

BBC London sports reporter

BBC Sport

A couple more snippets from manager Slaven Bilic ahead of the Europa League third qualifying round tie...

On being ready: "Some of the players we've signed or who've had a slightly longer summer break have trained together for the first time a couple of days ago. That is not ideal but I'm very optimistic that we're going to be ready for the start of the Premier League."

On transfer activity: "As I said before, we're not panicking. If we can find a player - maximum a couple of them - who can make us better then we definitely want to do it."

This is your captain speaking

Former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba is on his way to join his Major League Soccer side Montreal Impact.

Where did it all go wrong?

He was British football's most expensive signing, a World Cup finalist and regarded as one of the best players in the world at the peak of his powers.

His capture was supposed to be a show of power from Manchester United that they could still compete with Europe's elite for the best players.

Getty Images

But with Angel Di Maria looks set to leave Old Trafford for French champions Paris St-Germain after a single year in the Premier League, BBC Sport's Simon Stone looks at why the £59.7m Argentina international has failed on the stage which seemed ready-made for his talents.

Full story here.

WICKET

And that's five wickets for James Anderson as Mitchell Johnson is caught in the slips by Ben Stokes.

Australia 94-7.

Live coverage here.

Cisak's predictions

Leyton Orient goalkeeper and Australian Alex Cisask is back with his Ashes predictions...(see 12:52)

QoS teaser answer

A Question of Sport Teaser

BBC

Earlier we asked you who were the five players with five letters surnames the last time an Ashes Test was played at Edgbaston.

And the answers are: Stuart Broad, Graham Manou, Marcus North, Matt Prior and Graeme Swann.

WICKET

Getty Images

The Burnley Express is having a field day at Edgbaston.

James Anderson takes his fourth wicket as Peter Nevill leaves one which nips back in and smashes into his stumps.

Australia are 90-6. Anderson has taken 3-3 in 12 balls.

Live coverage here.

Get Involved

Stuart Wood: It has to be Ian Botham and Ian Chappell. Real life feud that turned into a fist fight and is still ongoing.

David Wragg: Have to point to Formula 1. So many. Senna v Prost, Hunt v Lauda, Schumacher v Hill, Hamilton v Alonso and so on.

Paul Thame: Not exactly a spat but Temuri Ketsbaia's bust-up with the advertising boards when scoring for Newcastle could count, right?

Absolutely, Paul...

Southampton news conference

Now Southampton captain Jose Fonte has been giving his thoughts on the signing of his new centre-back partner Steven Caulker, as well as the Europa League tie...

Southampton news conference

Southampton manager Ronald Koeman has been speaking ahead of his side's Europa League third qualifying round trip to the Netherlands and after it was confirmed that Steven Caulker had joined the Saints...

WICKET

The rain has not stopped England's momentum as James Anderson gets two quick wickets.

Adam Voges edges to Buttler for 16 before Mitchell Marsh is out for a duck.

Australia rocking at 82-5.

Live coverage here.

'I did nothing wrong'

Getty Images

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has hit back at the NFL after his four-game ban was upheld over the 'deflate-gate' scandal.

The Patriots deflated balls to give themselves an advantage in a key game. An NFL investigation found Brady damaged "the integrity" of American football with the part he played.

"I did nothing wrong, and no-one in the Patriots organisation did," Brady said.

'We have been tracking him for years'

Southampton executive director of football Les Reed said: "We have tracked Steven for a number of years, and so we are very happy to have finally brought him to the club.

Southampton

"Although still young, he has played several seasons in the top flight, as well as representing England at senior level and featuring for Great Britain at the 2012 Olympic Games.

"He is a player with a good blend of both experience and potential who is determined to grow, to develop and to prove himself during his time with the club."

The Ashes

.

Play is back underway at Edgbaston. Follow all the action here.

Hull's Brady moves to Norwich

NCFC

Norwich manager Alex Neil is understandably happy to get his man...

"As everyone's aware, we've been chasing him for quite a while," he said. "He'll be an absolutely perfect fit for us. Hopefully he can go on and show everything that we think he's capable of.

"He's dynamic, he's got good energy to get up and down the pitch, and he's got a fantastic left foot which makes him a real danger at set-pieces. He's got a lot of things in his locker."

'Style of football is outstanding'

Steven Caulker said: "I am very pleased and very excited. This club has done fantastically well, especially over the last two years and last season they were fantastic.

AFP

"As soon as I got the call from Les Ferdinand that a deal had been a agreed I was delighted. I get the opportunity to play under a great manager and the style of football they play is outstanding.

"They have been rewarded with a chance to get into the Europa League tomorrow and hopefully they can kick-start their campaign and get the ball rolling."

BreakingHull's Brady moves to Norwich

Norwich City have completed the signing of Hull City midfielder Robbie Brady.

The Republic of Ireland international has agreed a three-year deal and becomes the club's third signing of the summer after Graham Dorrans and Youssouf Mulumbu.

Get Involved

Getty Images

George Gray: Roy Keane and Alf Inge Haaland - 2001. That tackle.

BreakingCaulker misses Vitesse tie

Southampton have now confirmed that centre-back Steven Caulker has signed on loan from QPR.

It has also been confirmed that the England international will not be eligible for the Europa League third qualifying round tie with Vitesse Arnhem on Thursday as he has not been registered in time.

West Ham news conference

Captain James Collins has now taken the microphone...

West Ham news conference

Manager Slaven Bilic has been giving his thoughts ahead of the the Europa League third qualifying round tie...

England to play Bosnia

AFP

England Womenwill play Bosnia and Herzegovina in their first home game since their third place finish at the World Cup.

Manager Mark Sampson will return to Bristol, where he used to manage Bristol Academy, for the match on Sunday 29 November at Ashton Gate.

The match will be England's second Women's Euro 2017 qualifier. The Lionesses will travel to Estonia for their opening match on Monday 21 September.

Telles London bound?

Getty Images

The Sun: Chelsea are targeting Galatasaray's 22-year-old Brazilian defender Alex Telles as a replacement for Filipe Luis, who has left to re-join Atletico Madrid.

Platini stands for Fifa presidency

West Ham news conference

BBC London's Nick Godwin is in place as West Ham preview their Europa League third qualifying round tie...

Platini's competition

Getty Images

Michel Platini will face former footballers and royalty in his quest to be Fifa president.

Those intending to stand for the presidency are:

• Liberia FA chairman Musa Bility
• Prince Ali Bin al-Hussein of Jordan
• Former Brazil player Zico
• Ex-France winger David Ginola
• Former-Argentina midfielder Diego Maradona
• Former Fifa vice-president, South Korean Chung Mong-joon

Get Involved

Getty Images

Colin Quartermain: Keegan and Bremner 1974 Charity Shield - not very charitable.

Glorious at Goodwood

Jamie Lillywhite

BBC Sport at Goodwood

Day two and the weather is back on script, far more warm sunshine in evidence and those gusting winds have eased. The big race is the Group One Sussex Stakes at 15:10 BST, which this year is worth £1m thanks to the new Qatar sponsors.

BBC Sport

No Duel on the Downs after Gleneagles withdrew on Monday, so will it be a Cruise on the Chalk for Freddy Head's colt Solow, the overwhelming favourite, seeking an eighth straight victory?

There are some French voices in the press room in anticipation of a first Gallic winner of the Sussex since 1993 and Head is bidding to emulate his father Alec, who trained Venture to win in 1960.

There are seven races today, between 14:00 and 17:25 BST and you can follow the results here.

Platini stands for Fifa presidency

Someone else who is not convinced about Michael Platini's candidature is French journalist Philippe Auclair, as this fascinating piece for The Blizzard - which has subsequently been reproduced by the Mirror - explains.

'Platini is not good for Fifa'

Getty Images

Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein, who was beaten by Sepp Blatter in the most recent Fifa presidential election, is not convinced by Michel Platini as a candidate...

"Platini is not good for FIFA," he said. "FIFA is engulfed in scandal. We must stop doing business as usual. The practice of back-room, under-the-table deals must end. I believe that the voices of the individual football federations must be heard."

Caulker on the move

Getty Images

As we suggested earlier, BBC Sport can now confirm that QPR defender Steven Caulker will join Southampton on a season-long loan.

The move is expected to go through later on Wednesday.

LUNCH

It's lunch at Edgbaston and Australia have fought back after the rockiest of starts.

After losing David Warner (2), Steve Smith (7), and skipper Michael Clarke (10), the ever-dependable Chris Rogers and Adam Voges have steadied the ship.

Getty Images

Smith is 35 not out while Voges is unbeaten on 12. It's 72-3, the teams are due back out - weather permitting - at 13:40 BST.

Live coverage here.

Get Involved

Getty Images

Klaus Feldam: Rudi Voller v Frank Rijkaard. Sporting spat of the 20th century.

New career for Alaba?

Looks like Bayern Munich's David Alaba fancies a role in a Hollywood film...

Oops

Leyton Orient's Australian goalkeeper Alex Cisak was expecting big things this morning from his countrymen in the Ashes.

He tweeted 'Big score hopefully here for Australia' when play began. But just a few minutes later following the wicket of David Warner, he wrote 'jinxed it.'

Alex Cisak

Caulker a Saint?

Southampton are set to complete the loan signing of QPR defender Steven Caulker, Press Association is reporting.

Toby Alderweireld's departure to Tottenham and a serious knee injury sustained by Florin Gardos has heightened the need to bring in defensive reinforcements at St Mary's.

Here he is taking out - sorry, tackling - James Milner.

Getty Images

Adebayor and Berbatov at Villa?

Mark Regan

BBC WM Sport

Getty Images

The rebuilding at Villa continues apace. Today it's Emmanuel Adebayor who is set to sign. The Tottenham striker is in Birmingham undergoing a medical.

Could he be joined by Dimitar Berbatov? Whether those rumours are true or not, time will tell but manager Tim Sherwood is not finished just yet. A big change was needed but now the challenge is to get the new players to gel sooner rather than later.

Looking nice

If you want an idea of what the weather is like at Edgbaston, this should give you an idea...

Getty Images

No need for any suntan cream me thinks.

Play resumes

The rain has stopped and play has resumed at Edgbaston, Stuart Broad beating the outside edge of Chris Rogers bat as a big 'oooohhhh' goes up from the England team.

Getty Images

The Aussies, remember, are wobbling at 38-3. Live coverage here.

Get Involved

Getty Images

AFC Harry: Keane and Vieira in the tunnel at Highbury.

Platini stands for Fifa presidency

Berbatov to Villa?

Aston Villa are discussing personal terms with former Tottenham, Manchester United and Fulham striker Dimitar Berbatov, says the Daily Express.

Getty Images

The 34-year-old Bulgarian is available on a free transfer after leaving Monaco.

Platini stands for Fifa presidency

BBC Sport

Eagles swoop too late

Getty Images

Crystal Palace have shown late interest in signing Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor from Spurs but the 31-year-old will instead join Aston Villa on a season-long loan deal, reports the Daily Telegraph.

Platini stands for Fifa presidency

Polling for the Fifa presidency election takes place on 26 February, after Sepp Blatter stood down as a result of a corruption crisis at world football's governing body.

The 79-year-old Swiss has been in charge of Fifa since 1998.

The election will be held in Zurich at an emergency congress attended by the Fifa member associations. Candidates have until 26 October to be nominated.

Platini stands for Fifa presidency

Getty Images

Former France midfielder Platini wrote a letter to the presidents and general secretaries of the 209 member associations of the world football's governing body.

He said: "There are times in life when you have to take your destiny into your own hands.

"I am at one of those decisive moments, at a juncture in my life and in events that are shaping the future of FIFA."

Platini stands for Fifa presidency

BBC sports editor Dan Roan and BBC Radio 5 live sports news correspondent Richard Conway have been following the Fifa story for months...

Platini stands for Fifa presidency

BBC Sport

BreakingBREAKING NEWS

Uefa president Michel Platini has announced he will stand as a candidate for the Fifa presidency.

RAIN

Just when England had the Aussies on the ropes, it's started hammering it down in Birmingham. The covers are on and the players off.

Still, the forecast says the rain won't stay for too long and think of that nice damp pitch, with the ball swinging everywhere, when play resumes. The Aussies are 38-3.

MK Dons sign Saints striker

MK Dons have signed 19-year-old Southampton striker Sam Gallagher on a season-long loan.

Getty Images

The Championship club fought off competition from several clubs to sign the 6ft 4in forward.

Gallagher has made 20 appearances and scored two goals for Saints and has represented England Under-19s

WICKET

England, battered last time out at Lords, have the Aussies reeling and it's stand-in man Steve Finn coming up with he goods.

He has just bowled a beauty of a yorker to dismiss skipper Michael Clarke for 10.

The Aussies are 34-3 and in big trouble. Live coverage here.

Get Involved

Getty Images

Whizzle kicks: Roy Keane v Mick McCarthy 2002 World Cup. At least Roy's dog got plenty of walks.

Ranieri closes in on signings

Ian Stringer

BBC Radio Leicester

Getty Images

Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri tells BBC Radio Leicester that "I hope some new players will arrive at the end of the week".

But who might those players be? Listen to this for more...

WICKET

Hold on to your hats, a big, big wicket has fallen at Edgbaston.

Steve Smith, ranked the number one Test batsman in the world, has just walked.

Steve Finn is the man who's got the wicket, with Alastair Cook taking a low catch at first slip.

Australia are 18-2 and skipper Michael Clarke is at the wicket a damn sight earlier than he'd have wanted. Live text coverage here.

Smith is now back in the pavilion with David Warner, who was trapped lbw by James Anderson in the third over of the day.

Getty Images

Zidane plays...rugby

He was good with a round ball and it seems Zinedine Zidane is also a natural with the egg-shaped variety.

Toulon

The former France and Real Madrid star took part in a charity half-football, half-rugby match between Toulon RFC and France's 1998 World Cup winning football team at Toulon.

Zidane showed his rugby prowess and scored a try.

Slow surface

Here's a close-up of the Edgbaston wicket.

Warning: if you don't like cricket this could well be the most boring picture you will ever look at.

It didn't look that slow when Jimmy Anderson trapped David Warner lbw early doors.

The score is now 14-1. Live text coverage here.

Get Involved

Getty Images

John McEnerney: McEnroe & Connors a spat for the ages, no love lost there only hatred. We need something like that nowadays.

No need to fret

What's the last thing you want in a pre-season friendly? An injury to your star striker perhaps?

That's what Everton fans have been fretting about since Romelu Lukaku limped off after 32 minutes of a 2-0 win over Dundee on Tuesday grasping his hamstring.

Getty Images

However, good news for Toffees supporters - according to manager Roberto Martinez there is no need to fret.

"After the first 25 minutes, he was feeling his legs were a little bit too heavy and we didn't want to take any risks," Martinez explained. "It's not a problem at all."

Too high

Getty Images

Sampdoria president Massimo Ferrero thinks Liverpool's £7.1m valuation of striker Mario Balotelli is too high and wants it lowered if the Italian club are to sign the 24-year-old, reports the Daily Mail.

Get Involved

SNS

Ross Brown: Ally McCoist and Neil Lennon.

Ah yes, an incident so incendiary that it sparked a Scottish Government summit...

Legend

WICKET

David Warner goes, lbw to James Anderson.

They review but to no avail. Great start for England.

The Aussies - who won the toss and chose to bat remember -are 7-1.

Live commentary here.

Question time

A Question of Sport Teaser

BBC

The Third Test at Edgbaston has just begun - live coverage here - and in keeping with that, here's today's teaser from our Question of Sport colleagues.

The last time an Ashes Test was played at Edgbaston who were the five players with five letter surnames?

It's a tricky one - answers later this afternoon.

Injury blow

Barcelona full-back Douglas has suffered a hamstring injury that is likely to keep him out for two months.

Getty Images

The Brazilian went off in the first half of Barca's penalty shoot-out defeat by Chelsea.

Happy birthday

Getty Images

Among those sporting luminaries celebrating today are Britain's 1992 Olympic gold-medal winning 400m hurdler Sally Gunnell (49), Chilean tennis player Fernando Gonzalez (35) and two-time Formula One champion Fernando Alonso (34).

Diaby completes Marseille move

Former Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby has signed for Marseille after rejecting a contract at West Brom.

Finn in

Steven Finn has been named in place of Mark Wood in the England side to face Australia in the third Investec Ashes Test against Australia at Edgbaston.

Getty Images

Wood has been ruled out with an ankle problem.

Live text commentary here - play starts at 11:00 BST.

'He has the Manchester United stamp'

West Brom head coach Tony Pulis on James Chester: "He's young, a strong character, a good defender, he has good feet and he has the Manchester United stamp all over him, just like [Stoke City's] Ryan Shawcross and Darren Fletcher. They're wonderful lads and I'm told James is as well.

Manchester United

"From the people I spoke to, like Steve Bruce and people in the Welsh party...they speak very highly of him. Steve especially gave him a great mention and there is no better accolade than Steve Bruce giving a defender a good drum roll."

West Brom sign Chester

A few more facts about West Brom's new signing James Chester:

• Spent four years at his first club Manchester United, where he captained the reserve team and made an appearance as a substitute for Gary Neville in a League Cup semi-final.
• Had loan spells at Peterborough. Plymouth Argyle and Carlisle.
• Moved to Hull for £300,000 in 2011.
• He scored in the 2014 FA Cup Final as Hull lost 3-2 to Arsenal.
• Has won six caps for Wales.

Get Involved

Getty Images

Boycey: Big Duncan Ferguson v Freund, Ince, Scharner, McStay, burglars, off-duty police and anyone else on or off the football field.

Advantage Aussies

Play starts at 11:00 BST. You can follow live text commentary here.

West Brom sign Chester

West Brom

Chester, 26, has moved to West Brom for a fee of £8m.

The Wales international had played 156 league games for Hull, who were relegated from the Premier League in May.

BreakingWest Brom sign Chester

West Brom have confirmed the signing of Hull City defender James Chester on a four-year deal.

Valdes still smiling

For someone that has fallen out with their manager and been told they are to be sold, Victor Valdes seems to be taking things well...

Victor Valdes

Too much information KJT!

Britain's Katarina Johnson-Thompson works up a sweat ahead of the World Athletics Championships, where she will compete against Jessica Ennis-Hill in the heptathlon.

Spurs in for Young?

Getty Images

Tottenham will try to sign Manchester United winger Ashley Young after being put off by Crystal Palace's £25m asking price for Yannick Bolasie, reports The Mirror.

The Ashes

Mourinho v Benitez

Benitez on Mourinho's tactics: "It's true that I get on better with some coaches than others and I align myself with those that don't value winning at any cost."

Mourinho on Benitez at Real Madrid: "One thing is for certain. Benitez won't do better than me."

I doubt they send each other Christmas cards.

Keep on sending your favourite bust-ups to #sportingspats or the BBC Sport Facebook page.

Mourinho v Benitez

No doubt what the story of the day is so far - Jose Mourinho v Rafa Benitez's wife (full story here - it's a belter).

It's not the first time Jose and Rafa have had words to say about each other...

Benitez: "Me and Jose were really good friends until Liverpool started beating them. Since then, he seems to have changed his mind."

Getty Images

Mourinho: "How many championships has Benítez won since he joined Liverpool? None.

European papers

Sport

You can't beat a player mocked-up in another teams shirt.

Spanish sports newspaper Sport have given the treatment to Barcelona striker Pedro. They say Louis van Gaal has offered £17m for the 28-year-old but Barcelona want close to £21m.

Benzema's mystery tour

Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema sent the rumour mill into overdrive yesterday when he posted a picture on Instagram on a plane with the hashtag  "directionturfu" - French slang for "direction: future". 

Was he heading to England to sign for a Premier League team? 

No, because today Benzema has posted this picture of him in Real Madrid shirt, in Shanghai.

What a tease.

Get Involved

Getty Images

Michael Vine: Who can forget Kieron Dyer v Lee Bowyer?

'Sorry Casey'

Honda Racing has apologised to Casey Stoner for a throttle malfunction which left the former MotoGP world champion with two broken bones at the Suzuka 8 Hour endurance race last weekend.

Getty Images

In his first competitive outing since he retired from world championship racing at the end of 2012, the Australian came off his Honda bike at the Japanese circuit on Sunday, fracturing his shoulder blade and breaking his tibia.

Stoner, 29, who won the MotoGP world title in 2007 and 2011, blamed a stuck throttle for the high speed crash.

In a statement Honda apologised to Stoner and said it would "cease using this throttle specification".

United resist PSG bid

Paris St-Germain have bid £28.5m for Manchester United's 27-year-old Argentina winger Angel Di Maria, who signed for the Old Trafford club for £59.7m last summer, reports The Guardian.

Getty Images

But with the fee less than half the British record £59.7m United paid for the winger, Reds executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward is holding out for more.

Get Involved

Getty Images

Sam Wilkinson: One of my favourites has to be Joe Jordan v Gattuso after Spurs beat Milan. Joe even took of his glasses, very old school.

Big Joe would have had wee Rino that night had Harry Redknapp not intervened...

On this day...

Getty Images

In 1989, Cuban high jumper Javier Sotomayor became the first man to clear eight feet (2.44m) at San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Begovic aims to be number one

Could be a bit of a pipe-dream this but Chelsea signing Asmir Begovic insists he has no desire to play second fiddle to first-choice goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

Getty Images

Begovic, who joined the Blues from Premier League rivals Stoke on a four-year deal earlier this month, said: "I want to test myself against Thibaut.

"He's one of the best keepers in the world but I believe in myself. I want to try and get as many games as I can.

"I'll back myself, absolutely. I'll be keeping my head down and working hard to see how I can help this team in the future."

Face hit chest

Warrington forward Ben Westwood will miss Saturday's Challenge Cup semi-final against Hull KR after receiving a two-match ban for a shoulder charge.

Getty Images

Castleford half-back Luke Gale was taken to hospital for overnight observation following the incident during Sunday's game, which Wire won 44-6.

Speaking prior to the hearing, Wolves head coach Tony Smith had expressed disappointment that action had been taken against Westwood and delivered this memorable quote: "We feel that Benny's chest was the thing that came into contact with Luke Gale's face."

Westwood, who pleaded not guilty, was also fined £300.

Happy journey home

King compo

Blackburn Rovers will receive an initial £1.5m for striker Josh King, after reaching an agreement with Bournemouth over compensation for the striker.

The Lancashire Evening Telegraph also report that Rovers will announce the signing of South Korea international Kim Bo-Kyung as soon as they receive a work permit for the 25-year-old.

So long, farewell...

Manchester City attacker Stevan Jovetic is edging ever closer to leaving the club for Internazionale...

Get involved - Sporting Spats

Right then, your turn to get involved please.

Our debate today is about great sporting spats.

Very much inspired by Jose Morinho's verbals with Rafa Benitez (or, to be more accurate, Rafa's wife), we want you to tell us your favourite bust-ups.

Getty Images

Get in touch now on Twitter at #sportingspats or at the BBC Sport Facebook page.

England team news

Jonny Bairstow is certainly in better form than under-pressure Ian Bell, who has averaged 10.63 in his last six Tests and desperately needs a big score.

Getty Images

"Belly has got to remember his 7,000 runs and 22 hundreds," said Cook, who added, slightly ominously: "When you go through a tough time, you start looking over your shoulder. You're always playing for your place."

Can't say he hasn't been warned.

Play starts at 11:00 BST - there will be a live text on the BBC Sport website and Test Match Special commentary on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra.

England team news

England seamer Mark Wood is an injury doubt for the game, with Steven Finn poised to replace him.

A lot of eyes will be on Jonny Bairstow, who comes into the team at number five after Gary Ballance was dropped.

Getty Images

Bairstow has scored 980 runs at an average of 108.88 in Division One of the County Championship this season.

Happy anniversary?

Let's turn our attention to cricket now for the Ashes resumes at Edgbaston today, when England attempt to fight back from a crushing defeat to Australia in the last Test.

The series is locked at 1-1 but the venue holds happy memories for the England team.

It is 10 years since the second Test of the 2005 Ashes at Edgbaston, which England won by two runs (the one where Andrew Flintoff consoled Brett Lee at the end, which led to everyone banging on about how sportsmanship was not dead).

Getty Images

"It's almost a different atmosphere to anywhere else we play," Cook said. "The crowd really get behind us here and I want to make it a fantastic anniversary at the ground."

Prize guys?

Simon Stone

BBC Sport in Chicago

Manchester United will collect their first silverware of the season if they beat Paris St-Germain in Chicago (02:00 BST Thurs)

With a 100% record from three games, United will retain the International Champions Cup by leapfrogging New York Red Bulls, who are presently top of the standings with 10 points, one more than Louis van Gaal's men.

Not that Van Gaal will be reading too much into it. Twelve months ago, United accounted for Real Madrid before beating Liverpool to win the same prize. They then promptly lost their first Premier League game at home to Swansea.

'Integrity damaged'

Remember Deflategate?

Of course you do, it was when the New England Patriots deflated balls to give themselves an advantage during January's win over the Indianapolis Colts, a victory which sent them to the Super Bowl.

Well, the National Football League has ruled that quarterback Tom Brady damaged "the integrity of American Football" and attempted to hide evidence during the investigation into the incident.

Reuters

Brady, 37, was found earlier this year to be "at least generally aware of inappropriate activities" and handed a four-match ban, which has been upheld.

According to reports, 11 of the 12 game balls the Patriots provided were under-inflated by about two pounds per square inch, giving Brady more grip in the cold and wet conditions.

It's a remarkable tale - read the full story here.

Cup winner ... then sacked

Mexico have sacked coach Miguel Herrera less than two days after their Gold Cup win, following allegations that he punched a reporter.

The television journalist says he was hit in the neck and threatened by Herrera at Philadelphia Airport.

Getty Images

Herrera became Mexico manager in October 2013

Incoming Mexican Soccer Federation boss Decio de Maria said the incident was not in keeping with the body's "spirit of fair and respectful competition".

"Our values, our principles, are above any result," De Maria said. "In our profession, our industry, the matches are never over, and as public figures who represent an institution we must be absolutely clear on that."

No time off

Gary Cahill - who you may recall earlier suffered a nasty whack to the nose in the act of scoring against Barca - will definitely face Arsenal in the Community Shield at Wembley on Sunday, no matter what his injury.

Getty Images

"Cahill might have a broken nose," said Jose Mourinho. "If not perfect. If yes, it is broke, then he goes tomorrow to make a mask to be able to play Sunday."

No rest for the wicked.

Mourinho v Benitez (and his wife)

.

Benitez the destroyer

Jose Mourinho was in usual shrinking violet mode after the contest (that's sarcasm).

Asked about comments earlier in the day by the wife of Rafael Benitez - she said her husband was "tidying up" another Mourinho "mess" at Real - Mourinho accused his fellow manager of "destroying the best team in Europe" when the Spaniard replaced him at Inter Milan in 2010.

Getty Images

"The lady is a bit confused," Mourinho. "Her husband went to Chelsea to replace Roberto Di Matteo and he went to Real Madrid and replaced Carlo Ancelotti.

"The only club where her husband replaces me was at Inter Milan, where in six months he destroyed the best team in Europe at the time."

Ouch.

Chelsea off to a flier

So then, Chelsea beat Barcelona overnight. Well, sort of. Their International Champions Cup game finished 2-2, with the Blues winning on penalties.

Eden Hazard gave Jose Mourinho's men an early lead with a splendidly taken goal, adding a little weight to the manager's claims that the Belgian is better than Ronaldo.

Getty Images

Luis Suarez and Sandro Ramirez hit back, but Gary Cahill headed home four minutes from time to send the game to penalties.

The Blues converted all four of their spot-kicks but, for Barca, Alen Halilovic's chip which came back off the bar and Thibaut Courtois saved from Gerard Pique.

Wednesday's papers

Daily Mail

And some cricket to finish, specifically Stuart Broad's buttocks. Way too early for that.

Wednesday's papers

The Mirror

Mourinho v Wenger. Again.

Wednesday's papers

Daily Star

Same picture of the England cricket captain, plus the media's attempts to get a war of words going between Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho before the season's even started.

Wednesday's papers

The Sun

Has Alastair Cook just gone for a walk barefoot and stood on a nail? That's what this photo looks like.

Wednesday's papers

Daily Express

The third potentially crucial Ashes Test starts today at 11:00 BST. Steve Finn looks like replacing Chris Wood, who has an ankle problem ... hence this back page of the Express.

Here we go again

Chelsea are looking ominously good before the season has even started, beating Barcelona on penalties overnight to win in the International Champions Cup (whatever that is).

They didn't, however, win the award for best celebration.

I mean this is how Luis Suarez celebrated his strike.

Getty Images

And here's Gary Cahill after his goal.

Getty Images

Cahill got clattered in the act of scoring and could have broken his nose - not what you want from a pre-season workout really.

More on all that later. First the papers. Oh, and as we've not said it yet, welcome to Sportsday. Enjoy.