About 20 minutes to go on the third day of the Second Test in South Africa and it's fair to say the batsmen are on top.

Hashim Amla, by the way, is receiving treatment for cramp. Not surprising really given he's batted all day. He's currently on 157 not out.

A final titbit emerging from the news conference given a short while ago by Stoke boss Mark Hughes.

The Potters have appealed Geoff Cameron's red card following his sending off at West Brom on Saturday and hope to find out Monday evening if the defender will available for selection ahead of the Cup tie.

Image source, Getty Images

"We think he was a little hard done by," said Hughes. " We think the player himself (Yacob) made a meal of it and was hoping there would be a sanction on Geoff.

"Having seen the incident back again we weren't quite sure the referee got a clear view of it because there were people in his way. We'll love it to be rescinded but we'll have to wait and see.

"We'll get an indication by 5 or 6 o'clock this evening hopefully one way or the so that we can start to plan accordingly. Obviously we have things in place for every eventuality but it's not ideal."

John Roberts, who won the double with Arsenal in 1971, has died at the age of 69, the club have announced. 

The Wales defender played for Swansea and Northampton before joining Arsenal in 1969 and spent more than three years in north London.

Roberts featured 18 times in Arsenal's historic 1970-71 campaign when the Gunners became only the second team in the modern era to complete the league and FA Cup double.

Image source, Getty Images

Real Madrid drew 2-2 at Gary Neville's Valencia yesterday despite being reduced to 10-men.

It was a battling performance but, it seems, not enough to keep Benitez in a job.

Just a reminder though - the reports that Benitez has been sacked are coming from the AS news agency and are yet to be confirmed by the BBC.

Image source, Getty Images

Last week Benitez claimed there was a "campaign" against him and Real Madrid.

A number of polls in Spanish media have indicated fans would like to see Benitez, 55, replaced at the Bernabeu.

"Everything that is open to criticism is criticised and that which is not is manipulated," Benitez told reporters.

"What is clear is that there is a campaign against Florentino Perez, against Real Madrid and against the manager."

Image source, Getty Images

Right, it is important to point out that at this stage it's yet to be confirmed, but AS news agency is reporting that Rafael Benitez has been sacked as manager of Real Madrid.

The report adds that Zinedine Zidane will step us as Madrid interim coach, with Santi Solari as his number two.

AS say a press conference has been announced for 16:30 GMT.

Image source, Getty Images

Kyle Edmund has beaten the world number 43 Martin Klizan at the Qatar Open to record only the third tour level victory of his career.

Edmund - who had to come through qualifying in Doha - won 6-2 6-3, and could now face the fifth seed Feliciano Lopez in the last sixteen.

Image source, Getty Images

He's responded to questions about the future of Bojan, now there's a query about another of his players who might be on the wanted list of other clubs - frontman Marko Arnautovic.

"The intention is to get Marko pinned down on a long term deal like Erik Pieters. It's just taking a little longer," says Hughes.

Which won't exactly ease the concerns of Stoke's fans.

And that's it, Hughes has headed off into the sunset, or at the very least into the gloomy Stoke-on-Trent evening.

Remember, the game kicks off at 20:00 GMT tomorrow and you'll find full live text commentary here on the BBC website.

After beating Manchester United and Everton over the Christmas period, Stoke came unstuck at West Brom on Saturday, losing 2-1.

"We're frustrated by the result," says Hughes.

"We went into the game in good form and we just dipped below what we are capable of. 

"We can't be too disappointed. We look back and take it into perspective. We have a big game tomorrow to bounce back with."

"Liverpool will be aiming to bounce back from their defeat. It has everything to be a good semi-final and one we're looking forward to.," says Hughes.

"We don't want to go to Anfield no longer being in the tie. Our home form has been good. If we hit our levels, we can cause real problems "

The boss goes on to say that the fans at the Britannia can make a difference.

"The fans will play an important role," he says. "They raise the noise which can really affect opposing teams."

From BBC Sport's Juliette Ferrington, who's at the news conference.

Image source, Getty Images

Massive game for Stoke tomorrow but it's not the match manager Mark Hughes asked about.

First question concerns Bojan Krkic and rumours that he has a £10m buy-out clause in his contract, which, with January under way, will no doubt put some of his admirers on alert.

"There's a lot of speculation on Bojan. There's a lot of misinformation about and there is no clause in his contract," he says very firmly.

"I take transfer speculation with a pinch of salt. I don't know where the stories come from and a lot come with no substance."

We'll be hearing from Stoke manager Mark Hughes shortly ahead of Tuesday's League Cup semi-final first leg against Liverpool.

Manchester United's style of play has been criticised again - this time by their main sponsor.

The Old Trafford side signed a 10-year £750m sponsorship deal with sportswear giant Adidas last summer but chief executive officer Herbert Hainer has had his say in a German newspaper.

"Business with Man United is going very well, we sell more shirts than expected," he told Suddeutsche Zeintung.

"We are satisfied...even if the current playing style of Man United is not exactly what we want to see."

Image source, Getty

Spanish media are speculating that Rafa Benitez's time as manager of Real Madrid could be at an end with the former Liverpool and Chelsea boss set to meet with club president Florentino Perez later on Monday.

Championship strugglers Charlton Athletic have re-signed defender Roger Johnson on an 18-month deal.

The 32-year-old left the Addicks in the summer and recently had a spell with Indian Premier League side Pune City.

British number three Kyle Edmund has taken the first set 6-2 in his opening round tie at the ATP event in Doha against Slovakia's Martin Klizan.

Klizan is ranked 43 in the world, 59 places above the Briton.

Image source, Getty Images

Here's something you wouldn't expect someone who's just become world champion to say... "I need to get my eyes tested".

No sooner had he beaten Adrian Lewis 7-5 to retain the PDC World Championship title at Alexandra Palace on Sunday, champion Gary Anderson described his eyesight as "getting a bit dodgy".

The Scot, 45, who miscounted three times during the final, told BBC Radio 5 live: "I need to get my eyes tested - I am seeing numbers that aren't there.

"But I would have to change something, to get used to playing in glasses."

Wycombe Wanderers have extended Southampton defender Jason McCarthy's loan spell by a month at Adams Park. 

It means McCarthy, who ended Saturday's 2-0 defeat at home to Morecambe by going in goal after Matt Ingram's red card, will be available to play against Aston Villa in the third round of the FA Cup on Saturday. 

Image source, Rex Features