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Happy birthday Paul Scholes - 41 today. 

The 11-time Premier League winner hasn't lost it just yet either as we saw when he headed in - a trademark finish - during a charity match at Old Trafford on Friday.

If you haven't seen it,take a look by clicking here.It was a David Beckham cross too, just like the old days.

Former Barcelona captain Xavi admits he initially thought Louis van Gaal was an "idiot" but changed his mind after a week working with him. 

The former Spain international, now playing for Qatari club Al Sadd, was a youngster breaking through at the Nou Camp when Van Gaal was in charge at Barca.

"After two days of training under him I thought, 'Who is this idiot?' After a week, I thought, 'He's right.' He'll always be in my heart, Louis van Gaal," Xavi told ESPN FC.

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In light of the Focus Forum's debate on who should start up front for England at Euro 2016 we are putting the question to you.

You can also watch the Focus Forum by clicking here.

The deadly attacks on Paris will not hurt the French capital's chances of hosting the 2024 Olympic Games, according to International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach.

Friday's atrocities have raised security fears over future events to be held in France, including Euro 2016, but Bach said these will not be a factor when the 2024 Games host city is chosen at a vote in Peru in 2017.

"We are talking about the Olympic Games that will be held in nine years and terrorism is global, it is not just about a country or a city," Bach told French sports daily L'Equipe.

"It does not only concern sports but all the big events and the whole society. You cannot concede victory to the terrorists. We must be united and firm, especially with the Olympic Games."

David Ornstein
BBC Sport

"England's players observed a minute's silence before training started this morning."

As France and Europe comes together at 11:00 GMT to pay its respects to those lost in the Paris attacks, we will also be observing a minute's silence. We will be back shortly. 

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Tottenham are just one of a number of clubs set to observe a minute of silence shortly...

David Ornstein
BBC Sport

"The media are here at Tottenham's Enfield training ground awaiting the arrival of Roy Hodgson and his England players. The squad will observe a minute's silence in memory of the victims of Friday's attacks in Paris, and then proceed with training as normal ahead of their friendly against France at Wembley on Tuesday evening. Following that, a news conference with Hodgson and captain Wayne Rooney will take place at a hotel in Watford at 14:00 GMT.

"France will train and hold a news conference at Wembley this evening."

Persistent rain has forced the second Test between India and South Africa in Bangalore to be abandoned for a second successive day. 

Play was officially called off at 1130 (local time), after downpours left some parts of the ground under water. India, who are 1-0 up in the four-match Test series, are 80 without loss after bowling out South Africa out for 214 on the first day.   

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Leeds Rhinos loose forward Stevie Ward has been given the club's iconic number 13 squad number from next season.   The 21-year-old is the first player to be awarded his squad number for 2016, which will see him inherit the number vacated by former captain Kevin Sinfield after 15 years.

Ward has also agreed a new five-year contract with the Super League champions.

Blackburn are currently 16th in the Championship table under the stewardship of previous boss Gary Bowyer. But can they make the play-offs? They are currently 11 points adrift. 

New Blackburn boss Paul Lambert: "They are still a lot of games to be played. We are wee bit off it, but we have to win games. If we can get the fans to come here and support us, we have a chance. It will take time to asses everybody in terms of how they perform."

On his time at Villa, Lambert added: "Villa are a great club, they’ve moved on and I’ve moved on."

Image source, Rex Features

Lambert had the look of a man freshened by a spell out of the game. The glasses he usually wore were missing and he traded question and answer swiftly with journalists - addressing some by their first name.

The 46-year-old's record at Aston Villa read just 25 wins from 101 games. That win ratio will have to improve quickly if Blackburn are to climb the league to reach any position of meaning this season.

Lambert is Blackburn's seventh manager in seven years. He follows Paul Ince, Sam Allardyce, Steve Kean, Henning Berg, Michael Appleton and Gary Bowyer.

The Scot joins a club 16th in the Championship who were £79.8m in debt in January.

Ross Taylor hit the highest Test score by a visiting batsman in Australia after the New Zealander ended his first innings on 290 in the second Test at the Waca.

But there is a bit of a storm brewing as Australian apparently failed to applaud him after he left the field . 

The Kiwis ended day four on 624 all out, but the runs continue to flow as the hosts replied in their second innings with 258-2. Steve Smith and Adam Voges have both scored unbeaten centuries. Australia lead by 193 runs.

Image source, Reuters

Paul Lambert on Blackburn's top scorer Jordan Rhodes: "His goalscoring is incredible, he will be every bit as important as Christian Benteke and Grant Holt while I was at Aston Villa and Norwich. If he can keep his goalscoring form going, he will be a big help to us." 

New Blackburn boss Paul Lambert: "The challenge is to try and get out of the league. It's a massive opportunity for myself and the backroom staff. We're raring to go, so let's see what happens.

"There were things in the nine months where I spoke to other clubs and didn't think it was right at the time. 

"I think the more you talk about lack of money it can have a negative effect. It can be used as an excuse. We need the fans behind us, it may take time, but if we get the players entertaining, they may come out and back us."

Image source, Blackburn Rovers

New Blackburn boss Paul Lambert is addressing the media for the first time since his appointment: "I've had nine months off, I really enjoyed my time, I've seen different teams train. The opportunity came up and I can't wait to get started, I feel refreshed and I'm looking forward to Saturday's game (away at Preston)."

Jerome Champagne also praised the England Football Association for agreeing to go ahead with tomorrow's friendly against France.

"This is exactly what we need now and it’s also exactly what football is all about, these solidarity values are the ones we need in the world today," he told BBC Radio 5 live Breakfast.

"It's why we need to love football even more because in this world that is so divided and troubled we need this communion around the values of the game."

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Fifa presidential candidate and former French diplomat Jerome Champagne has backed calls not to cancel next year's European Championships in France in the light of Friday's attacks.

Speaking to BBC 5 Live Breakfast, Champagne said France had all the necessary resources to secure the event but would not change their democratic values.

"We cannot cave in to these attacks and that’s why we need to of course take all the security measures but Euro 2016 has to take place in France because we should preserve our lifestyle, we should preserve our values and that’s why we have to fight," he said.

"We need to protect the players, to protect the fans but we need to play."

Who should play up front for England at Euro 2016?

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Henry Hunt:, external Sturridge - the best out and out striker out of the lot.

Adam Lunnon:, external Jamie Vardy and Harry Kane. Rooney isn't as effective up front as these two right now.

See what the Football Focus Forum pundits think by watching a video by clicking here.