Ben Smith
BBC Sport

Sam Allardyce admitted his team were in trouble and said it could take much of the remaining 30 matches to keep the club in the Premier League.

"It is a big challenge," he said. 

"Even at this early stage of the season it is clear we are in trouble. The fact that we have 30 games will be as important as anything else because it may take the vast majority of them to get safe on the basis that it can take such a long time to catch up."

The Black Cats are second from bottom in the Premier League with three points from eight games.

Image source, Getty

Australia-bound winger Joe Burgess insists he will return to Wigan Warriors before the end of his career with the aim of collecting every trophy in British rugby league. 

Burgess, who scored a try in Wigan's Super League Grand Final loss to Leeds, will join Sydney Roosters next season.

The 20-year-old told BBC Sport: "100 % it is an unfinished chapter at Wigan. Obviously it is new chapter going to the Sydney Roosters, but I will come back and win everything with Wigan."

Ben Smith
BBC Sport

Sunderland's new manager Sam Allardyce, speaking at his first news conference as manager, said he had reservations taking the job because of the high turnover of bosses in recent years.

Ever since owner Ellis Short completed the takeover of the club in 2009, seven people have managed the club, including two 'caretaker' periods.

"It is in my blood," said Allardyce. "The challenge is something I need, part of the challenge. Waking up and coming in here, it's not work really. It is almost an addiction." 

Image source, Reuters

We want to know your opinion. Should Wayne Rooney be an England starter in France next summer and why? Or should he be a squad member and not a guaranteed starter?

Let us know now at #bbcsportsday or BBC Match of the Day Facebook page, external

Wycombe Wanderers have signed teenage Southampton defender Jason McCarthy on an initial one-month loan deal.

The 19-year-old centre-back has made one substitute appearance for the Saints in the Premier League and is captain of the club's under-21 side.

Image source, Getty Images

Daily Star:, external Newcastle will try to sign Manchester United's Spanish goalkeeper Victor Valdes, 33, as a replacement for Tim Krul, who will miss the rest of the season because of a knee injury.

Thomas Simcox: Considering he's the captain, yes he should. He's not our best player though, technically and based on his attributes he's no where near our best player.

Martin Bishop: If he's playing well in May next year then yes. His current form is irrelevant.

We want to know your opinion. Should Wayne Rooney be an England starter in France next summer and why? Or should he be a squad member and not a guaranteed starter?

Let us know now at #bbcsportsday or BBC Match of the Day Facebook page, external

And a long day of toil in the blazing United Arab Emirates sun comes to an end...

But it could, and should, have been better, Bell dropping his second chance of the day towards the end.

From PA Sport tennis journalist Eleanor Crooks...

South Africa will use England's Pennyhill Park training base, in south west London, ahead of their quarter-final against Wales.

Pennyhill is a private hotel which accepts guests, but England's Rugby Football Union have spent a reported £3m on facilities, including installing a state of the art Desso 'hybrid' pitch and the latest gym equipment.

"It's incredible. This media centre is pretty much bigger than my local club back home. It's unbelievable," back-row veteran Schalk Burger said.

"Apparently the guys who do the weights say it's an unbelievable experience."

England were knocked out in the group stage.

Image source, Getty Images

Wealdstone midfielder Scott Davies scores 'one for the scrapbook' in the 90th minute of his side's 5-1 win at Brockenhurst in the FA Cup third qualifying round on Saturday.  

We want to know your opinion. Should Wayne Rooney be an England starter in France next summer and why? Or should he be a squad member and not a guaranteed starter?

Let us know now at #bbcsportsday or BBC Match of the Day Facebook page., external

As you can see on the right of your desktop or the tab on your smaller devices there is a vote - a topical one at that.

Should Wayne Rooney automatically start for England at Euro 2016?

So what do you guys think? Have your say.

Image source, Reuters

You can find the terms and conditions here.

Multiple Grand Slam champion Roger Federer has been defeated by Spaniard world number 70 Albert Ramos-Vinolas in the second round of the Shanghai Masters.

The defending champion lost 7-6 (7-4) 2-6 6-3 to a player who has no career title and has only won three matches in total at the Grand Slam tournaments. 

Image source, Getty Images

Jerry Rice (American football) -  Three-time Super Bowl winner with the San Francisco 49ers, born 1962.

David Haye (boxer) - British former WBA heavyweight champion. He also held WBA, WBO, WBC and The Ring cruiserweight titles, born 1980.

Ian Thorpe (swimmer) - Two-time Olympic gold medal winner from Australia, born 1982.

Cristiano Ronaldo received his record fourth Golden Boot award on Tuesday after leading all scorers in Europe's domestic leagues last season. 

The 30-year-old scored 48 goals in 35 Spanish league games to claim his third Golden Boot playing for Real Madrid. His other award came with Manchester United in 2007-08. No other player has won four.

Image source, AP

VVV-Venlo are in the Dutch second division. Obviously, you hipsters knew that.

We want to know your opinion. Should Wayne Rooney be an England starter in France next summer and why? Or should he be a squad member and not a guaranteed starter?

Let us know now at #bbcsportsday or BBC Match of the Day Facebook page, external

San Marino rider Alex de Angelis looks in far better condition following his crash in practice at the Moto GP Japan Grand Prix at the weekend, judging by the post on his Facebook page., external

The 31-year-old was in "critical condition" with bleeding inside his brain.

De Angelis, who competes for Team e-motion Iodaracing, also fractured five vertebrae and two ribs, and suffered a slight fracture of the sternum and the left collarbone.

Image source, Alex De Angelis