And that's where we leave for you today. Many thanks for being with us. The Sportsday ship will set sail again on Friday at 08:00 BST so please join us then. Cheerio now.

BBC Radio 5 Live

Tonight's 5 live Sport with Eleanor Oldroyd from 19:00 BST features a comprehensive round-up of the day's sports news, including the latest from the US Open at Flushing Meadows. At 21:00 BST there is anoter Matt Dawson Rugby Show and he is joined by former internationals Bryan Redpath and Peter Stringer.

Image source, Getty Images

Australian Wade Ormsby fired six birdies in the last seven holes for a 61 to share the KLM first day lead at nine under with former Open champion Paul Lawrie at the Kennemer Golf and Country Club on the Dutch North Sea coast.

Lawrie, 46, began his round from the 10th and had an eagle and seven birdies.

Nottingham Forest have signed Crystal Palace midfielder Jonathan Williams on a loan deal until 16 January.

The 21-year-old Wales international was expected to join the Championship side before the end of the transfer window, but the deal was not finalised in time.

Despite being booed when he plays for his country Spanish defender Gerard Pique has no plans to change his stance on Real Madrid. 

"I always wish Real Madrid to do badly," said the Barcelona star and added he would not stop playing for the national team. 

It was reported that England's friendly in Spain on 13 November was moved from Real's Bernabeu Stadium to Alicante , external because of concerns over the possible negative reaction to Pique's involvement.  

Image source, Getty Images

Graham McGarry
BBC Radio Stoke

Stoke City captain Ryan Shawcross has told BBC Radio Stoke Sport that his rehabilitation is going well after his back operation.

Image source, Getty Images

The central defender would not commit himself when asked if he had a date in mind for his return.

"I will leave it down to the medical staff to tell me when to start playing you can`t rush spinal injuries," he said.

It's not football - in fact, it's not even sport - but it's a nice image...

Image source, AFP

And speaking of the Mohawk-favouring forward, Balotelli is expected to make his second AC Milan debut on Sunday, adding extra spice to what is already set to be a heated derby match against Inter Milan. 

Balotelli returned to his boyhood club on loan last month, just a year after joining Liverpool from Milan for £16m.

The 25-year-old made headlines off the pitch as he had his driving license suspended for speeding last week. 

As Palace celebrate their 110th anniversary, they are taking a somewhat random look back over their history.   

They don't make cars like that anymore. Can't imagine Mario Balotelli in that.

Colchester United have signed former Burnley striker Marvin Sordell on a contract to the end of the season.

The ex-England Under-21 international, 24, was released by the Championship side earlier this month, having scored once in 20 appearances since joining from Bolton in the summer of 2014.

American Lexi Thompson picked up five shots in four holes in a five-under 66 to claim a share of the lead with Mi Hyang Lee after the opening round of the Evian Championship at Evian Les Bains above Lake Geneva. 

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Preston striker Jermaine Beckford will be out for "a number of months" after undergoing surgery on a knee injury.

Beckford joined the Championship club in June after a successful loan spell, but has made just two appearances so far this season.

Image source, Getty Images

Wasps have signed All Blacks utility back Charles Piutau from Auckland Blues for the 2015-16 season.

The 23-year-old, who has won 17 international caps, has already signed for Ulster for the following season. 

France Under-20 World C up winner Mario Lemina has pledged his international allegiance to Gabon, just months after rejecting a call-up for the Africa Cup of Nations. 

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

England leg-spinner Adil Rashid hails the impact of new coach Trevor Bayliss and says: "Trev has been really encouraging, personally encouraging me to spin the ball, look to take wickets and be positive and that is the same throughout the whole squad."

Rashid has taken seven wickets in the first three one-day internationals with Australia. The penultimate match takes place on Friday at Headingley as England seek a second successive victory to set up a decider on Sunday.

Live commentary begins on 5 live sports extra at 10:15 BST.

The Daily Mail are reporting, external that  David de Gea's agent Jorge Mendes was at Manchester United's training ground on Thursday...

The running shoes worn by Sir Roger Bannister when he became the first man to break the four-minute mile in 1954 have sold at auction to an anonymous buyer for £266,500.

Image source, Getty Images

Staying with Liverpool and former Reds midfielder John Barnesbelieves the club must adapt their style of play to accommodate new signing Christian Benteke. 

With two wins from their opening four games the former Celtic manager is also "optimistic"about the Reds chances this season.

Image source, Getty Images

Sportsday has, frankly, no idea what Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge is tweeting here. But he and team-mate Jordon Ibe seem to be enjoying themselves...