Former Spain and Barcelona midfielder Xavi says England do not have the belief that they can win a major tournament. 

Roy Hodgson's men face European champions Spain in Alicante on Friday before meeting Euro 2016 hosts France at Wembley next Tuesday.

"They have [Raheem] Sterling, [Ross] Barkley, [Jack] Wilshere, who has had bad luck with injury," Xavi told ESPN. , external

"Young players, very talented. England are like the Spain of old. They have players; they don't have the confidence, the belief, to win tournaments. When they break this barrier, like we did, they can win. There's a lot of pressure on them because they haven't won."

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Former British athlete Dianne Modahl, once accused of a doping offence but later fully exonerated following an appeal, has been speaking on The Victoria Derbyshire Show about the doping scandal in athletics. 

"I think we have to move away from this shock and horror approach," she says. 

"We've always had our suspicions, we've always known that times athletes run have been a little bit dubious. Is it devastating for athletics and sport generally? absolutely. Is it surprising? Of course it isn't surprising.

"This gives us an opportunity to follow the evidence. If it's taking place at a strategic level, that's where the sanctions have to hit, and has to hit them hard." 

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Former British Athletics head coach Peter Eriksson speaking to the Victoria Derbyshire programme on BBC Two: "It's a lot of things that are wrong here. The lack of will to change, and also you can say incompetence is a problem at all levels. 

"Economics is another issue that's part of this problem, and apathy as well. We can ban Russia as much as we want but first and foremost we have to look at the victims."

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Wales centre Jonathan Davies has returned to Scarlets from French side Clermont Auvergne on a national dual contract.

The 27-year-old signed for the Top 14 side in 2014, but says that now is the right time to return home.

“I have immensely enjoyed my time in France and would like to thank Clermont Auvergne for the opportunity," he said.

“I believe the time is right to return to Wales and signing a NDC is the best decision for me rugby wise.”

Tail-ender Gillespie scored 201 not out against Bangladesh in 2006. Warner's previous best Test total was 180 against India in 2012.

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Everyone's favourite Australian, David Warner, is in fine form at the moment. Not only has he hit his third consecutive Test century... but he's made it a double hundred. 

You can hear commentary of the match on BBC Radio 5 live Sports Extra, or have a look at the scorecard. 

Nick Hughes: Unluckiest, given it's the Brazilian GP, Rubens Barrichello never winning with 8 straight DNFs (11 total) with 3 poles  

Chris Andrews: Has to be Herman Hriedarsson - he's a bad luck charm causing five of his teams to get relegated from the Premier League

Mustang Speirsy: Steven Gerrard - so close to winning the league. One of the best players never to have won the league  

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Sergio Garcia has slipped back to joint second at the BMW Masters in Shanghai after a one-under second round 71.

After a superb opening round 64, the Spaniard, 35, compiled three birdies on his front nine to get to 11-under and extend his overnight lead. 

But he threw the good work away with a bogey and double bogey midway through his inward half.

He lies three shots off Lucas Bjerregaard of Denmark who carded a second successive 66 in windy and cold conditions at Lake Malaren.

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton really gets two-time Super Bowl winner Osi Umenyiora's punditry juices flowing with his ability to beat a team with "his arm or his feet".

Watch him set the touchscreen alight...

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Today's the day not to break any mirrors or walk under a ladder. 

Given today's date, we're asking... 'Who are the unluckiest people in sport?'

Colin Montgomery for never winning a major? 

Darren 'Sicknote' Anderton? 

Jimmy White for his six-time runner-up record at the Crucible? 

Get in touch with your thoughts using #bbcsportsday

The Daily Telegraph's rugby union coverage focuses on England's diminishing options in their hunt for a new head coach as Graham Henry, Eddie Jones and Wayne Smith rule themselves out of the running., external

They also have an exclusive interview with Andy Murray in which he says that he and his brother have a mutually supportive relationship rather than any jealousy.

Image source, Daily Telegraph

Image source, Getty Images

England winger Jack Nowell says he is sad to see Stuart Lancaster leave his role as England coach.

The 22-year-old Exeter player won 10 caps under Lancaster, and scored a hat-trick of tries in his last appearance against Uruguay at the World Cup.

"Stuart was the one that gave me my first chance, so I'm a bit disappointed to see him go," he told BBC Sport. "He's the guy that got me started, got me going, gave me my chance and had a bit of trust in me."

Image source, EPA

Chelsea winger Juan Cuadrado, currently on loan at Juventus, could be left in limbo over his long-term future until the end of the season.

It had been expected that the 27-year-old would make his move back to Italy permanent sooner rather than later, but Calcio Mercato, external report that Juve will only take a decision at the end of the season.

Sport Witness, external suggest the latest report could be a negotiating tactic from the Italian champions however.

Wayne Rooney gives his reaction to news that he'll start on the bench for England later on Friday against Spain, plus Shay Given looks ahead to Ireland's playoff against Bosnia. 

You can hear all of that and more by downloading the 5 live Football Daily.

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As the Rugby Football Union begin their hunt for a new England head coach in the wake of a dismal World Cup campaign and Stuart Lancaster's departure, there is a warning from Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter., external

"Before the RFU jump into this perceived need to find a southern hemisphere coach, I think they need to slow down a bit. I don’t think you can underestimate the cultural differences," he tells the Guardian.

Image source, Guardian

Image source, Getty Images

You may have only just digested your cornflakes, but there is already some live sport to tuck into on the BBC.

After a walloping great win in the first Test, Australia are steaming along in fine style on the first day of the second against New Zealand in Perth.

David Warner has just cantered past the 150-run mark as the hosts march on to 293-1 in their first innings. 

You can listen to live coverage on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra.

England will head down under to defend the Ashes at the back end of 2017 by the way.

Image source, Marca

Over in Spain, Marca are ignoring Spain's match tonight against England and are building up to El Clasico on 21 November.

They also cover reports that Real Madrid lynchpin Cristiano Ronaldo has bought a £13m private jet for tootling about the globe., external

The Daily Mirror , externalgives prominence to former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba's comments that Jose Mourinho struggles to get his message through to his players once he has been at a club for three years.

Chelsea have lost seven of the first 12 games of their Premier League title defence this season.

Image source, Daily Mirror

There is smorgasbord of sporting stories on the back of the Sun, external this morning.

The lead is England striker Wayne Rooney facing up to competition for his international starting spot, while Lewis Hamilton crashing his million-pound plus sportscar into a stationary car in Monaco and Manchester United's confidence that they can re-sign Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid also feature.

Image source, The Sun