Former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Fergusonwill manage a Great Britain and Ireland XI captained by David Beckhamin a charity match next month.

The team will take on a World XI captained by France legend Zinedine Zidane at Old Trafford on 14 November in aid of children's charity Unicef.

Former Chelsea, Real Madrid and AC Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti will manage the World XI, while Italian Pierluigi Collina will referee the match.

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England head coach Trevor Bayliss talks about the make-up of his side ahead of the first Test against Pakistan on 13 October: "We've got an idea who we might play but we don't have a definitive answer. From a bowling point of view, it could get down to a decision about whether we want an extra spinner, an extra pace bowler or an extra batsman. Then, who opens the batting may be a consequence of that."

Sir Trevor Brooking gets a birthday card from Sportsday today - the former West Ham and England midfielder is 67.

Other notable birthday boys and girls include former sprinter Frankie Fredericks, 48, Wimbledon champions Jana Novotna, 47, and Marion Bartoli, 31, and ex-Everton full-back Michael Ball, 36.

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The London Evening Standard reports, external that Chelsea are planning to make a bid for Porto teenager Ruben Neves next year after he helped beat them in the Champions League this week.

The 18-year-old defensive midfielder impressed as the Portuguese side secured a 2-1 victory over Jose Mourinho's side.

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If your knowledge of counter-attacking football is somewhat lacking, then we have a special treat for you this Friday morning.

For the latest Match of the Day analysis, pundit Danny Murphy explains why speed is key to success and why it is a tactic that is working for the likes of West Ham, Leicester and Crystal Palace.

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Adam Bridge
BBC WM

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Breakfast sandwiches all round at Tony Pulis’s morning press conference, and the West Brom head coach was in a jovial mood despite his side’s capitulation against Everton. As always, Pulis stood up throughout but appeared relaxed as he chatted about his return to Selhurst Park – and gave a glowing recommendation of Alan Pardew for England once Roy Hodgson steps aside:

“I like Alan, and when Roy decides it’s time he’s got to come in to contention for the top job. He’s invested very well and you’d expect them to be in the top-half come the end of the season."

On Palace striker Bakary Sako: “We had Sako in twice and couldn’t do the deal for whatever reason and that’s the way football goes. He’s done brilliantly for Palace and they’re doing well so good on him and good on Palace."

On the loss to Everton: “It does hurt but you have to pick yourselves up. I think everyone accepts we’re in a difficult league and you have to fight and scrap all the time – and not throw away commanding positions.”

Wigan made it to their third Grand Final in a row after beating Huddersfield 32-8 at the DW Stadium on Thursday night.

They will face either Leeds or St Helens, who play in the second semi-final on Friday night, in the final on Saturday 10 October.

Ben Flower, who was sent off in the 2014 Grand Final, and John Bateman went over for Wigan's first-half tries before Dom Manfredi, a penalty try and Tony Clubb sealed a comfortable victory for the hosts.

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Mike Taylor
BBC WM

Tim Sherwood was in very bouncy form this morning - "I'm positive, I don't like negative people around" - and he suggested that one good result might see confidence flow back into his team, who are without a league win since the opening day of the season. 

However he is clear that it is a difficult learning process for his younger players, especially those from overseas, in an unforgiving environment. 

"Sherwood also confirmed Roy Hodgson's account that Villa asked for Jack Grealish not to train with England in the forthcoming break, because Villa want to work on topping up his match fitness here. He considers the headlines suggesting they 'blocked' Grealish from going to be a rather harsh way of putting it."

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Mike Taylor
BBC WM

Tim Sherwood tells BBC WM that his young squad are willing learners, keen to get better - but he's having to find out the hard way whether they can take those lessons on to the pitch when it counts.

He says: "They're all ears, they look you in the eye and they want to continue to develop... But it's all right doing it in training. There's a lot of good training ground footballers. When the pressure's on you've got to be able to apply yourself on the pitch when the expectancy of a very big club is on your shoulders. 

"That remains to be seen. I'm going to have to learn about those individuals as we go along. But they need to."

Jack Grealish, who recently opted to play for England over Republic of Ireland, made the decision because he "feels it's the country of his birth and it's right for him", according to Sherwood.

The manager also says striker Rudy Gestede is "crucial" for the team: "He's a player who can score goals in the Premier League. [Scott] Sinclair can score, Gabby's [Agbonlahor] carrying an injury so Rudy is crucial."

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Now it's time to assess his touchline rival on Sunday - Mark Hughes. 

Sherwood says: "Mark Hughes is like all managers - we're all under pressure to get results. He's very experienced, had ups and downs - he will come through the other side of it.

"He's like he was as a player, very tough, knows what he wants and knows how to get it."

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The boss now fields questions about the pressures of his role following a poor start to the season.

He says: "I know the job comes with pressure - that's part and parcel of it. I'll stand up as manager and the players must stand up as players.

"It's my job with the group of players we have to make sure we get up the league." 

Asked, even at this stage about the prospect of relegation, he says: "It's too early to put us in a relegation battle. It's not what we wanted for the return of points. We're a young group, a new group. I'm confident we'll be okay."

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Tim Sherwood confirms that midfielder Idrissa Gana is fit following treatment to his hamstring, however Adama Traore is struggling following his Under-21s action this week.

"We can't take any risks with Adama. We need to make sure he's right."

Tyson Fury has tweeted a new date for his heavyweight title fight against Wladimir Klitschko. It was set for October 24 but an injury to the champion forced it to be postponed.

Tim Sherwood is taking the mic. His news conference is getting under way - we'll bring you the latest as it drops.

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The best player in Europe? Probably Messi or Ronaldo.

What about the best player judged on the last seven days?

The BBC World Service Sport team have analysed the action and deliberated over the data.

Here’s their top ten – The Euro 10 – but do you agree? Join the debate at #euro10, external

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