Sportsday - Cyprus v Wales build-up

1. Arsenal's Welbeck out for 'period of months'
2. Cyprus v Wales (19:45 BST)
3. Joe Ledley ruled out with hamstring injury
4. US Open: Murray v Mannarino (20:00 BST approx)
5. Wales v England debate #bbcsportsday

Sportsday Live

There is plenty of sport on Thursday evening. As well as Cyprus v Wales, you can follow England's reply against Australia in the first ODI in Southampton and the latest from the US Open.

Sportsday will resume on Friday at 08:00 BST.

GB win four Para-rowing medals

Great Britain's mixed coxed four have won gold in the Para-rowing events at the World Championships in France.

The crew of Grace Clough, Pam Relph, Dan Brown, James Fox and cox Oliver James edged out USA to keep up GB's unbeaten record in the event.

There were also silvers for single scullers Tom Aggar and Rachel Morris and the mixed double of Laurence Whiteley and Lauren Rowles.

Wales target Cyprus success

There will be live commentary of the game from Nicosia on BBC Radio 5 live, BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru.

You can also follow it all via the BBC Sport website.

Confidence high for Wales

However, confidence is high among Coleman's men, who have lost only once in the past 11 matches and are top of Group B.

They have not conceded a goal in the three matches since beating Cyprus 2-1 in Cardiff last October.

Cyprus remain in contention to qualify with nine points from their six games, having started the campaign with a notable away win over top seeds Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Reuters

Wales set for Cyprus test

A reminder that it is Wales's turn in the spotlight on Thursday night when they take on Cyprus in Nicosia knowing a victory would put them on the brink of Euro 2016 qualification.

Chris Coleman's side would then need to beat Israel at home on Sunday to guarantee their place in the finals in France next summer.

But Wales' previous two visits to Cyprus - both during John Toshack's tenure - ended in ignominious defeats.

Reuters

Get Involved

Lots of you are having your say on the news Danny Welbeck will be out until Christmas 

Alstallio:  You're not a true Arsenal player until you have had a complete year on the sidelines  

Lingabao: Re:Welbeck. Arsenal will still finish top 4 ... which is exactly the problem - Years of CL football with no real progress.  

Craig Kennedy:  Those who think Welbeck's injury will hinder Arsenal's top 4 efforts are as deluded as Wenger himself - Not good enough.

Not mincing your words there Craig. Not a Wenger fan we take it....?

American Pharoah to race at Breeders' Cup

Triple Crown hero American Pharoah will race in next month's Breeders' Cup Classic despite his shock defeat at Saratoga last weekend. 

Bob Baffert's three-year-old became the first horse since 1978 to win the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes earlier this summer and will be retired at the end of the year. 

AP

But owner-breeder Ahmed Zayat is keen to see his charge sign off in what he describes as "the sport's premier year-end event" where he could face Aidan O'Brien's dual 2000 Guineas winner Gleneagles.   

Son shines for South Korea

New Spurs signing Son Heung-Min scored a hat-trick as South Korea swept aside Laos 8-0 in their World Cup qualifier in Hwaseong.

Son, who joined in a deal worth £22m from Bayer Leverkusen, struck in the 17th minute to make it 2-0, slotting in after the ball was pulled back.

The 23-year-old made it 5-0 in the 74th minute with a powerful strike and he completed his first international treble a minute from time.

AP

England resplendent in red

England will wear their second choice red strip in the opening match of the Rugby World Cup after their opponents Fiji won the toss for the choice of playing kit and changing room.

Fiji’s first choice shirts are white, so England will have to wear red to avoid a colour clash. 

Fiji will also use the “home” changing room at Twickenham for the Pool A match which opens the tournament on 18 September.

PA

Kane seeks advice from Rooney

PA

Harry Kane has sought advice from England team-mate Wayne Rooney after his failure to score this season.

Tottenham striker Kane, 22, was the second highest Premier League scorer in 2014-15 with 21 goals but is goalless in four games this campaign.

 "As a striker you always go through spells when you're on fire and sometimes it doesn't go your way but I'm full of self-belief that I've got goals in me," he said. 

Southend close to first win - Brown

Empics

Southend manager Phil Brown is not worried by his side's slow start to the League One season and believes they are close to recording their first win of the campaign.

The Shrimpers, promoted via the play-offs last term, are 20th in the table with three points from five matches.

Speaking to BBC Essex, Brown said: "I think there's a win around the corner. The players are well equipped to this level and it's a matter of time."

England v Australia latest

Australia have made 305-6 in their 50 overs against England in the first ODI at the Ageas Bowl.

How will England fare in their reply? Follow it all via the BBC Sport website.

AFP

Konta takes opening set

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Britain's Johanna Konta has won the opening set of her match against Spain's ninth seed Garbine Muguruza on a tie-break.

Follow the latest from Flushing Meadows via the BBC Sport website.

Oviedo out of Costa Rica squad

Everton defender Bryan Oviedo has withdrawn from the Costa Rica squad for their friendlies against Brazil and Uruguay because of a knee injury. The 25-year-old suffered a knock against Barnsley in the Capital One Cup last week and reported further discomfort following the trip to Spurs so will remain on Merseyside for treatment.

He is expected to be out for around 10 days.

PA

BreakingLedley to miss Wales qualifier

Joe Ledley will miss Wales' crucial Euro 2016 qualifying match with Cyprus which kicks off at 19:45 BST.

BBC Sport has learned the Crystal Palace midfielder has a hamstring injury.

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Barnsley sign striker Jackson

The transfer window may have ended, but the signings keep coming. League One side Barnsley have signed former Norwich and Coventry striker Simeon Jackson on a deal until January.

Celtic's Fletcher bid faltered

Celtic failed to sign Sunderland and Scotland striker Steven Fletcher on loan before the transfer window closed, BBC Scotland has learned.

Bradley withdraws licence application

BBC horse racing correspondent Cornelius Lysaght with the latest news on Graham Bradley's licence application

England v Australia latest

Adil Rashid has taken four wickets for England against Australia in the first ODI at the Ageas Bowl.

It leaves the visitors on 228-6 after 42 overs and you can follow the latest via the BBC Sport website.

Say cheese...

Tottenham's Argentine forward Erik Lamela seems to be enjoying himself on international duty...

Team news

Three hours until kick off so here is some team news:

West Brom defender James Chester is unlikely to play because of a hamstring injury, but could return in time for Sunday's match with Israel in Cardiff.

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However, Hal Robson-Kanu will be fit, and James Collins, Ben Davies and David Edwards are back rafter missing June's 1-0 win over Belgium through injury.

Midfielders Joe Allen, Emyr Huws and Jonathan Williams as well as defender Adam Matthews are out injured, with David Vaughan also unavailable for family reasons.

On your bike...

If this doesn't give you nightmares about flying over handlebars, it will hopefully inspire you to get out on your bike this weekend...

Have a sneak peek at the Rio 2016 Olympics mountain bike course, courtesy of course designer Nick Floores' helmet camera.  

BBC Sport

Konta v Muguruza - LIVE

Listen to BBC Radio 5 live's coverage of Jo Konta v Wimbledon finalist Garbine Muguruza. (online only)

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Atapattu resigns as Sri Lanka coach

Sri Lanka coach Marvan Atapattu has resigned after less than a year in full charge. 

No reasons have been given by Sri Lanka Cricket, but it comes after a Test series loss to India.

WSL player retires to become referee

Yeovil Town midfielder Stacey Pearson has retired from playing to focus her attention on reaching the Women's World Cup as a referee.

The FA/Stacey Pearson

Pearson, 28, has been officiating men's and women's games while playing for the WSL 2 side.

"If I want to go higher in refereeing then I need to put more effort into it and get more experience," she told BBC Sport.

Deflategate - a final twist?

A US judge has overturned a four-game suspension against National Football League (NFL) quarterback Tom Brady, calling the league's disciplinary process "fundamentally unfair".

The NFL imposed the punishment following the 'deflategate' scandal.

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NFL officials found that Brady had colluded with New England Patriots team members to deflate footballs below the allowable limit during a playoff game.

Brady can now play on 10 September against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Hants chase modest target

BBC Solent's Kevan James at Chester-le-Street:

"Play did not get underway until 13:10 BST but the rain stayed away through the afternoon, so Hampshire, who need another 116, could wrap up victory with a day to spare.

"Jimmy Adams looked out of form before he was bowled by Chris Rushworth, and Graham Onions may consider himself unlucky not to have picked up a wicket as yet.

"The pitch is still offering help to the seam bowlers, but Michael Carberry (28 not out) is steering Hampshire towards their target." 

Wright makes Worcestershire suffer

BBC Sussex's Adrian Harms at New Road:

"A wonderful career-best innings of 226 from Luke Wright, including 28 fours and seven sixes, has put Sussex in a strong position.

"Having taken 23 balls to get off the mark, Wright flayed the Worcestershire attack to all parts, together with Ben Brown (103) and Chris Nash (90) before Sussex declared on 510-5.

"However, bad light has now set in and Sussex will be hoping their efforts to win this match are not thwarted by the weather."

Taylor treble boosts Leicestershire

Rob Taylor took three wickets in successive overs to leave Leicestershire looking good for a first-innings lead against Gloucestershire at Grace Road.

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He ended a stand of 120 between Chris Dent (73) and Peter Handscomb (53) by dismissing both and also picked up the wicket of Hamish Marshall.

Benny Howell was caught behind off Clint McKay before the tea interval, which the visitors reached still 208 in arrears.

Croft props up Lancashire

Skipper Steven Croft made an unbeaten 67 to give Lancashire hope of avoiding the follow-on against Kent at Canterbury.

Having begun their innings needing to score 350 to earn four bonus points that would make certain of promotion, their focus has now switched to trying to avoid defeat.

Jordan Clark (44) helped add 91 for the sixth wicket but was caught at slip, and Tom Bailey followed when he was bowled by spinner James Tredwell.  

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Stuart Rowson

Editor, BBC Sport online

We've asked a few of BBC Sport's best and brightest to come up with a combined England and Wales dream team since 1985. We had to cap it somewhere...

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Testing...?

Carroll a welcome sight for Gold

Heading in the right direction

West Brom defender Gareth McAuley is joined by Baggies colleague Chris Brunt and Kyle Lafferty of Norwich City as the Northern Ireland squad fly out to the Faroe Islands for their Euro 2016 qualifier.

What the managers said

Wales is not Gareth Bale, they are a very good team in general and we will focus on the whole team and not on Bale.

Charalampos ChristodoulouCyprus coach

What the managers said

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They'll make it difficult for us again, but why should they make it easy? It's notoriously tough when we come here and it's not as if Cyprus have got nothing to play for. The heat is on, the pressure is on, and this is where you find things out about yourself. We're good enough and strong enough to handle it.

Chris ColemanWales manager

England v Australia latest

Australia have made a solid start in the first ODI against England in Southampton and are 118-1 after 24 overs.

Follow all the action via the BBC Sport website.

PA

Rooney has 'a little way to go'

World Cup winner Sir Geoff Hurst says England captain Wayne Rooney is "terrific" but not on current record goalscorer Sir Bobby Charlton's level.

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Rooney, 29, is on 48 goals, one short of Charlton and can overtake him in the forthcoming Euro 2016 qualifiers against San Marino and Switzerland.

"Rooney's a true great," said Hurst, who scored a hat-trick in the 1966 World Cup final win over Germany.

"But there is a little way to go, when you make comparisons as players."

Get Involved

Simon Stone

BBC Sport

We've asked a few of BBC Sport's best and brightest to come up with a combined England and Wales dream team since 1985. We had to cap it somewhere...

BBC Sport

How they stand

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Almost there...

Wales know a victory against Cyprus in Nicosia later on Thursday would put them on the brink of Euro 2016 qualification.

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Chris Coleman's side would then need to beat Israel at home on Sunday to guarantee their place in the finals in France next summer.

Wales' previous two visits to Cyprus - both during John Toshack's tenure - ended in ignominious defeats. But confidence is high among Coleman's men, who have lost only once in the past 11 matches and are top of Group B.

...*embarrassed face emoji*...

The awkward moment you have to apologise for calling your new team by the wrong name...

Here is the original interview in case you missed it...  

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Tom Rostance

BBC Sport live text commentator

We've asked a few of BBC Sport's best and brightest to come up with a combined England and Wales dream team since 1985. We had to cap it somewhere...

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US Open - Thursday's order of play

Here is today's order of play for the two biggest courts at the US Open in New York. 

Follow the live text commentary of Andy Murray's second round match this evening/tonight. 

BBC Sport

Jo's on a roll...

Will it continue?

BBC Sport

Welbeck undergoes knee surgery

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You have been reacting to the news that Arsenal striker Danny Welbeck will be out for " a period of months" after knee surgery...

Amos Kemp: So Arsenal fail to buy a new striker and now Welbeck is out for months. Karma.

Lewis Malone: Why is it that Arsenal seem to have such a high injury rate? Always have players on the side lines. JW, OX, DW, TW, LK, MD...

Shane Daly: On the Welbeck news, LVG was right. Also, Arsenal are in trouble now, Will they even finish in the top 5??

Murray faces 'tricky' opponent

Andy Murray will take on Frenchman Adrian Mannarino as three Britons attempt to reach the third round of the US Open on Thursday.

Murray, seeded third, will play the world number 35 in the third match on Arthur Ashe at around 20:00 BST.

BBC Sport

British number two Aljaz Bedene plays American Donald Young in the second match on court 17 at around 18:00.

They follow Jo Konta, the British women's number two, against Wimbledon finalist Garbine Muguruza from 16:00.

Follow live commentary of the US Open on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra from 18:00 BST

Stop hogging all the heat New York...

Get Involved

Ben Smith

BBC Sport

We've asked a few of BBC Sport's best and brightest to come up with a combined England and Wales dream team since 1985. We had to cap it somewhere...

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The Not-So-Happy One

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho looks over the moon with their new digital and IT partners.

Or maybe he is unhappy to be pictured in socks and sandals...

There is no excuse for that, Jose... Even if they are those "footballer sandals..." No excuse.

Chelsea FC

Trainer Brittain to retire

Cornelius Lysaght

BBC Sport horse racing correspondent

This is hugely significant for any flat racing fan of the last 40-plus years.

As well as training some outstanding horses – the brilliant fillies Pebbles and User Friendly and Jupiter Island stand out – Brittain is one of the sport’s most colourful and best-loved characters.

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Famously approachable – “Call me Clive” is his standard response to any query to “Mr Brittain” – he’s been renowned for getting his horses on the Newmarket gallops earlier than anyone else and victories were often accompanied by a trademark jig in the winners’ circle.  

Get Involved

John Murray

BBC Radio 5 live commentator

We've asked a few of BBC Sport's best and brightest to come up with a combined England and Wales dream team since 1985. We had to cap it somewhere...

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Scotland news conference

Scotland were beaten 2-0 by Georgia in their Euro 2008 qualification campaign.

Scotland news conference

Scotland news conference

Scotland captain Scott Brown has been speaking. 

Wonder how familiar the Georgian translator is with the Fife dialect? 

Scotland news conference

Chris McLaughlin

BBC Sport Scotland

Bayern to help Syrian refugees

Bayern Munich are to open a training camp to provide Syrian refugee children with training facilities, meals and German language classes. 

The club also pledged to donate 1m euros (£730,000) to 'refugee projects'. 

AP

Football fans from across Germany have been giving their support to refugees

Club chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said: "Bayern sees it as our social responsibility to help the refugees, needy children, women and men, to help them and to accompany them in Germany."

At Bayern's next home game, each player will walk onto the pitch holding the hand of one German child and one refugee child each. 

Ireland name XV to play England

Ireland coach Joe Schmidt has named his side to face England in their World Cup warm-up on Saturday at Twickenham...

BBC Sport

De Gea set to fight for United place

Manchester United insist goalkeeper David de Gea will not be frozen out of the team even if he refuses to sign a new contract. 

PA

Reports in Spain have claimed De Gea is worried about being left out of the side after his move to Real Madrid collapsed on transfer deadline day, leaving the 24-year-old at Old Trafford at least until January and probably until next summer. 

But a United spokesman told Press Association Sport: "Those reports are absolute rubbish, the team will always be picked solely on merit." 

Trainer Brittain to retire

Multiple Classic-winning trainer Clive Brittain has announced his intention to retire at the end of the season.

The 81-year-old has won every British Classic at least once, apart from the Epsom Derby.

"I'm retiring with some regret, as I've had some fantastic owners over the years and still have, as well as great staff," he said. "I've lived a charmed life."

BreakingWelbeck undergoes knee surgery

Arsenal striker Danny Welbeck faces a further spell on the sidelines after undergoing surgery on his left knee.

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The England international has been working throughout the summer to recover from the injury sustained at the end of April.

The club says he is now expected to be out "for a period of months".

A period of months? What does that actually mean? 

England set for Aussie test

England are back in action in the first One-Day international against Australia at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton on Thursday afternoon.

The Aussies have won the toss and opted to bat and you can follow all the latest as play gets underway at 14:00 via the BBC Sport website.

Leicestershire make double breakthrough

Leicestershire struck twice in quick succession after a solid start by Gloucestershire on day three in reply to the home side's big first-innings total. Will Tavare and Chris Dent put on 51 for the first wicket, but Tavare was then caught behind off Ben Raine, and Wayne White bowled Gareth Roderick in the next over.

Surrey set for Oval lead

Surrey are poised to take a first-innings lead, thanks to half centuries by Gary Wilson and Zafar Ansari on day three against Derbyshire.

The pair added 109 for the sixth wicket before Wilson was caught behind off Mark Footitt for 72. Partner Ansari was unbeaten on 53 at the interval, with Surrey, who will seal promotion if they win the game, just seven runs behind. 

Old wounds

Match of the Day presenter Gary was, of course, substituted by Graham Taylor in his final England appearance - a 2-1 defeat by hosts Sweden at Euro 92.

Test of knowledge

A Question of Sport Teaser

Earlier on, we asked which five teams currently have more points than Wales in Euro 2016 qualifying?

The answer? Austria, England, Iceland, Slovakia & Spain.

All five are below the Welsh in the latest world rankings, incidentally...

Northants close in on Essex first innings

Northants have shown plenty of lower order spirit to reduce their first innings deficit to less than 100 behind Essex at Chelmsford with four wickets in hand at lunch. South African Rory Kleinveldt is closing in on a half-century while Olly Stone is also unbeaten. 

Click here to see the latest scorecard.

Ireland lock O'Callaghan joins Warriors

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Irelandand Munster lock forward Donncha O'CallaghanhasjoinedWorcester Warriors.

The 36-year-old, who has won 94 caps for his country, leaves Munster after 270 competitive appearances in 17 seasons for the Irish province. 

O'Callaghan, who also made four appearances for the British & Irish Lions in 2009, has played in three consecutive World Cups for Ireland and helped to win the Six Nations Grand Slam in 2009.

Loew confident of German success

Germany manager Joachim Low is confident his side can beat Group D leaders Poland in their Euro 2016 qualifier on Friday.

The Poles, who beat Germany 2-0 last year, lead the group on 14 points, one ahead of the Germans with Scotland third on 11.

"Poland are on a high, they are a bit euphoric," he said. "They are group leaders and they know they can qualify for a big event again. We know we will meet an opponent who is dangerous."

Reuters

If you are going to score an own goal...

...you may as well make it from long distance...

...And here is said replay.

Get Involved

After we picked her up for spelling Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch incorrectly, Nicola has been back in touch...

Wright closes in on career-best for Sussex

BBC Sussex's Adrian Harms at New Road:

"A record breaking morning for Sussex with Luke Wright and Ben Brown adding 282 for the fourth wicket and surpassing the previous record of 226 for any wicket against Worcester set in 1954. In so doing Sussex lead by 170 at lunch with Luke Wright 163 in sight of a career best 189." 

Adams has gone all 'Gladiator' on us...

Scotland announce XV for France

BBC Sport

Scotland play France in their World Cup warm-up on Saturday at the  Kick-off is at 20:00 BST. 

Road to qualification?

The Times' Scottish football correspondent Michael Grant is in Tbilisi with Scotland...

Wales news conference

If you click on the live coverage tab above, you can watch a Wales news conference live...

Lancashire lose early wickets

BBC Manchester's Scott Read at Canterbury:

"The champagne is firmly still on ice and promotion will have to wait a little longer for Lancashire after some excellent bowling from Kent. They needed to add a further 325 runs inside 100 overs to clinch promotion, but as soon as Darren Stevens took two wickets in one over the Red Rose quickly adjusted their thoughts to trying to save the game."

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Craig James: How about rugby union as both wales and Ireland have won the six nation more recently than England.

Alastair McCracken: Northern Ireland have the best supporters. 

Gary Fisk: Tennis that what the Scottish are better at.

Two Grand Slam champions from the same family, Gary, never mind the same country. Dominant.

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Wickets tumble at Edgbaston

BBC WM 95.6's Mike Taylor at Edgbaston:

"Middlesex had much the better of this morning session. When Ollie Rayner was entrusted with the first over, and dismissed William Porterfield in it, spin seemed likely to be the main threat. However, all the other wickets fell to the seamers Toby Roland-Jones and Tim Murtagh, who bowled with great energy and discipline."

Yorkshire close in on title

Yorkshire have all but sealed their second straight County Championship title after thumping Somerset at Headingley.

The hosts took eight wickets before lunch on day three as Somerset slumped from 44-2 to 155 all out with three wickets each from Ryan Sidebottom and Steven Patterson. 

The Tykes will win the Championship at the home of cricket next week if they avoid defeat against second placed Middlesex at Lord's.

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'We failed - they won't' says Hartson

BBC

Former Welsh international John Hartson has been speaking about his nation's chances of qualifying... Something tells us he is feeling confident...

Wales have done brilliantly to be on the brink of qualifying for Euro 2016, and this is why I am 100% confident they will see the job through.  

On this day

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In 1999, former England coach Sir Bobby Robson was unveiled as the new manager of Newcastle at the age of 66.

Perez staying with Force India..

It's all "stay in your seats" within the F1 teams today...

Sergio Perez says he will be at Force India next season and expects a deal to be announced in the imminent future.

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The former McLaren driver has been linked with a move to Lotus but Perez, 25, has denied holding talks with any other team and is confident he will line up alongside Nico Hulkenberg, who signed a new contract earlier this week, in 2016.

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Steve Wilson

BBC Match of the Day commentator

We've asked a few of BBC Sport's best and brightest to come up with a combined England and Wales dream team since 1985. We had to cap it somewhere...

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Valdes and his large thumb say thanks...

McLaren just can't catch a break...

Live on Thursday

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David Ornstein

BBC Sport

We've asked a few of BBC Sport's best and brightest to come up with a combined England and Wales dream team since 1985. We had to cap it somewhere...

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Striker Hughes joins Worcester

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Veteran striker Lee Hughes, who once cost Coventry City £5m, has joined National League North club Worcester City.

Worcester reached the second round of the FA Cup last season by beating Coventry, but are currently next to bottom in the table.

They are tenants of Kidderminster Harriers at Aggborough, the ground where the 39-year-old began his career 20 years ago.

'You can beat it'

American Mardy Fish brought his career to an end with a stirring five-set contest against 18th seed Feliciano Lopez at the US Open.

The 33-year-old was struggling with fatigue and cramp as he lost 2-6 6-3 1-6 7-5 6-3 in New York.

BBC Sport

Fish, whose ranking has slipped to 581, has played just four matches this year - his first since 2013 after suffering with a severe anxiety disorder.

"You can beat it," said the former US number one after his final match.

'Dad would have killed me'

BBC Sport

Jonjo Shelvey insists that he did not refuse to play for England Under-21s and says "my dad would have killed me" if he had turned down Gareth Southgate's team. 

The 23-year-old has been recalled to the England squad for the Euro 2016 qualifiers against San Marino and Switzerland, having won his only cap against San Marino in 2012.  

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Scott Lovatt:  The Welsh play nicer rugby, are better at singing and are better at being angry. The Scots are better at drinking, deep frying everything and being angry. The Northern Irish ...

Actually, we'll stop you there Scott before it gets even more offensive...

Test of knowledge

A Question of Sport Teaser

Which five nations currently have more points than Wales in Euro 2016 qualifying?  

Do you think Hamilton meant to do this?

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Bit of lemon juice and sunshine?

Wales announce XV for Italy

BBC Sport

Wales play Italy in their World Cup warm-up on Saturday at the Millennium Stadium. Kick-off is at 17:00 BST. 

Coverage: Live on BBC Two Wales, iPlayer, the BBC Sport website, Radio Wales and Radio Cymru  

Rugby day in Cardiff... always eventful. 

How to exploit the rankings system

Beating big teams, peaking at the right time and not playing weak teams in friendles... 

This fascinating piece explains how the likes of  Wales and Romania have risen to the top 10 of the world rankings.

French name side to face Scotland

That French team to face Scotland in full is: Scott Spedding; Yoann Huget, Mathieu Bastareaud, Wesley Fofana, Noa Nakaitaci; Frederic Michalak, Sebastien Tillous-Borde; Louis Picamoles, Damien Chouly, Thierry Dusautoir (capt); Alexandre Flanquart, Pascal Pape; Rabah Slimani, Guilhem Guirado, Eddy Ben Arous.

Replacements: Dimitri Szarzewski, Vincent Debaty, Nicolas Mas, Bernard Le Roux, Yannick Nyanga, Morgan Parra, Remi Tales, Alesandre Dumoulin 

Dusautoir returns for France

Captain Thierry Dusautoir will return to the French side for Saturday's final World Cup warm-up game against Scotland after recovering from a knee injury.

PA

The flanker replaces Bernard Le Roux while in the second row, Alexandre Flanquart comes in for Yoann Maestri. 

Coach Philippe Saint Andre has kept faith with halves Sebastien Tillous Borde and Frederic Michalak after impressing in their win over England.

Chase suspended by Salford

Salford stand-off Rangi Chase has been suspended pending a disciplinary hearing, the Super League side has announced.

PA

Adebayor faces further isolation

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The London Evening Standard reports that Emmanuel Adebayor is set to be left out of Tottenham’s 25-man squad for Premier League matches.

The 31-year-old is out of favour at the club but they could not agree a financial settlement to cancel the final year of his contract.

Good omen?

Dafydd Pritchard

BBC Sport Wales

Waca set to be scrapped as Ashes venue

The Waca ground in Perth is set to be scrapped as an Ashes venue under plans unveiled by the Western Australia Cricket Association. 

Under the plans, international matches between Australia and England will be moved to a new 60,000-capacity Perth Stadium, which is being built across the Swan River.

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England have won just one Test at the Waca, in 1978, and have lost on their past seven visits. 

They could still play there in the Ashes Tour in the winter of 2017/18, although the Waca did miss out on hosting Test cricket last winter following concern over its outdated facilities.

Happy birthday

Well done to those of you who divined that the former Aston Villa player who turns 38 on Thursday is Swedish defender Olof Mellberg.

Also celebrating are England under-21 coach Gareth Southgate (45), Derby goalkeeper Scott Carson (30) and Bayern Munich and Germany centre-back Jerome Boateng (27).

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Nicola Jade: Wales beat England at place names - Llannfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch...Dare you to try it..(I can)  

Can't spell it, though, Nicola. Extra 'n' in there...

WHAT DO WE WANT?!......... Guys?

According to the The Independent,Arsenal fans planned to protest on Wednesday evening outside Emirates Stadium over the club's lack of action in the transfer window, but no-one turned up.  

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Injured Reus ruled out of qualifiers

Germany forward Marco Reus will miss his side's Euro 2016 qualifiers against Poland and Scotland after fracturing his toe in a league game against Hertha Berlin last week.

Reus, who missed last year's World Cup through injury, has returned to Borussia Dortmund for treatment.

Reuters

Germany, who are second in Group D, take on leaders Poland in Frankfurt on Friday before travelling to Glasgow to face Scotland three days later. 

Get Involved

Keep your suggestions coming in for what else Wales are better at than England.

Here are some of the ones we are able to publish:

Leigh Riseley:   Rugby! ;) 

Mario PT:  Welsh cakes

Steven:  I reckon they're better at having a country that sounds like aquatic mammals   

Rob:  Consonants  

Keep it clean people... keep it clean...

Bilic happy with new recruits

West Ham manager Slaven Bilic says he is happy after making four new signings before the transfer window closed on Tuesday.

Alex Song, Victor Moses, Nikica Jelavic and Michail Antonio all made their way to the Boleyn Ground with Matt Jarvis departing on loan to Norwich.

"I think we've done a good job," he told the club website. "We knew from the start what we wanted and for a few players we waited until the end because it was impossible to get them done earlier because of their clubs."

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Massa to stay at Williams

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Felipe Massa is staying with Williams for another season. It has been announced he will once again partner Valtteri Bottas. 

Williams are currently third in the constructors championships with Red Bull on their tail. 

Unfortunately for Jenson Button, this somewhat reduces his chances of a move to the Grove based team...

Froome out of Vuelta

Chris Froome's participation in the Vuelta a Espana is over. The British rider hit a barrier at the start of the brutal 11th stage in the Pyrenees on Wednesday.

Heading for peace talks?

Perhaps wisely, West Brom striker Saido Berahino has chosen not to add a caption to this picture.

And whose plane is that he is on?

'How can Wales be above England?'

Plenty of you are asking how the Fifa rankings work. Ready? Concentrate...

fifa.com

Want more detail? You sure? It gets complicated...

fifa.com

So there you go, P = M x I x T x C. Simple.

Wales ahead of England in rankings

This time four years ago, England were ranked eighth in the world and Wales were 90th...

fifa.com

Get Involved

So, Wales are better than England at football, according to the Fifa World Rankings. 

That got us thinking... what other things are Wales better than England at?  And in what areas are Scotland and Northern Ireland the preeminent home nation?

Let us know at #bbcsportsday or on the BBC Sport Facebook page

Wales ahead of England in rankings

The Welsh were 29th in 1993 but hit a low of 112th in 2010 before their recent revival...

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Strewth, mate...

Former cricketer Shane Warne has written an open letter to tennis player Nick Kyrgios, telling his fellow Australian not to waste his talent.

Kyrgios, 20, said on Tuesday he has learned to keep his mouth shut after he was fined and given a suspended ban for remarks he made about opponent Stan Wawrinka's girlfriend last month.

Here is the full Facebook post.

Shane Warne on Facebook

Wales ahead of England in rankings

fifa.com

BreakingWales ahead of England in rankings

As expected, Wales are now above England in the Fifa World Rankings. Chris Coleman's side remain in ninth place but are now officially the top side from the British Isles after Roy Hodgson's team slipped two places to 10th.

Scotland rise one spot to 31st, while Northern Ireland are down one to 41st.

Lennon has a change of heart...

Remember when Aaron Lennon signed a loan deal for Everton and it looked like someone had just told him they had just run over his family cat.......

Everton

Well no can can accuse him of looking miserable now. Here he is looking overjoyed to be signing on a permanent basis. 

Maybe they promised him a cookie if he at least tried to appear happy this time. Always works for me...

Happy birthday to who?

On this day

In 2006, Andre Agassi retired from tennis after being knocked out of the US Open by Benjamin Becker.

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#CycleToWorkDay

On this day

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In 1972, Northern Ireland's Mary Peters pipped West Germany's Heidi Rosendahl to the gold medal in the pentathlon at the Munich Olympics. 

The result was confirmed only in the final event, the 200m. Had Peters run 0.1 secs slower she would have had to settle for silver.

Euro 2016 qualifiers

Here is a list of all the Euro 2016 qualifiers coming up later on. (Times all BST)

Wales need to win their next two matches to qualify. If they succeed, it will be their first major tournament since 1958. 

Follow our live text commentary and listen to live commentary of Cyprus v Wales on BBC Radio 5 live from 19:00 BST.

BBC Sport

Only exciting cricket here please...

England one-day captain Eoin Morgan is "not interested in playing dull cricket" as his side face Australia in the first one-day international.  Well we think that is good news because we don't want to watch dull cricket, Eoin.

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England exited the World Cup at the group stages in March, before a change in approach saw them beat New Zealand 3-2 just three months later.

"Previously, we had set targets and restrictions on ourselves but that is not the case now," said Morgan.

Read more here.

No double for Froome... this year

BritonChris Froome'sparticipation in theVuelta a Espanacould be over after he said a stage 12 start was "unlikely"following a crash on Wednesday.

The two-time Tour de France winner, 30, hit a barrier at the start of the brutal 11th stage in the Pyrenees.

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Froome is now seven minutes 30 seconds behind new leader Fabio Aru, and cast doubt on his participation.

"Further scans [on Thursday] morning but start unlikely as I can't walk without crutches," Froome tweeted.

We'd say that's a pretty good sign you should lie down for a few days Froome...

Becks backs Giggs

According to the Manchester Evening News, former England captain, and all-round king of the universe, David Beckham, has backed his former Manchester United team-mate Ryan Giggs, 41, to become the club's next manager when Louis van Gaal leaves. 

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Serena's Grand Slam still on... just

Serena Williams took another step towards her first calendar Grand Slam with victory over Kiki Bertens in the second round of the US Open.

The world number one trailed 4-0 in the opening tie-break but came back to win 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

AP

Top men's seed Novak Djokovic had little trouble overcoming Andreas Haider-Maurer 6-4 6-1 6-2.

But eighth seed Rafael Nadal was tested during his 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 7-5 victory over Diego Sebastian Schwartzman.

The Welsh History Boys?

Wales are set to leapfrog England in the latest Fifa rankings ahead of their Euro2016 qualifier against Cyprus this evening.

Chris Coleman's side will hold on to their best position of ninth, while England are set to drop to 10th.

Beating Cyprus in Nicosia would leave Wales within one victory of qualifying for Euro 2016.

Can they make history and outshine their British neighbours? Only time (and a few football matches) will tell...

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Thursday's back pages

Former QPR boss, Harry Redknapp has an opinion on Liverpool's team this year according to The Mirror. They are apparently the "worst side he has seen in years" and are "lucky to have a point in the Premier League". 

Say what you really think, Harry.

The Mirror

Thursday's back pages

The Sun have once again shown their talents in headline writing. 

Today, they have changed the title of well known movie franchise, "Fast and Furious" to "Farce and Furious" and have cleverly tied it into Manchester United'sbig money transfer of Anthony Martial and the ongoing David De Gea saga, details of which you will find here.

The Sun

Thursday's back pages

The Daily Express says England manager Roy Hodgson delivered an inspiring speech to Wayne Rooney and the rest of the England team, assuring them they have the ability to win the Euros... 

That's the spirit Roy...

Daily Express

Thursday's back pages

The Daily Telegraph has focused on Manchester United's failure to secure the signature of any "world-class players". 

See a full list of Deadline Day transfers here. 

Don't know about you but I have tried and failed to not read this headline in an LVG Dutch accent...

Daily Telegraph

Hello Thursday...

Will this be an important Thursday in sport? 

It could be for Wales... More on that later.

For now, let's take a look at this morning's back pages...