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We touched on it earlier but here is the full transcript of what new Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane said about Gareth Bale.

“I understand he’s disappointed by the sacking of Benitez because he was an important coach to him. But I will treat him just as well as Rafael treated him," said Zidane.

"He’s an important player in this squad, a fundamental player for the team, he’s phenomenal.

"I can’t tell you anymore than that. I’m going to give him all the love and all the support he needs to play well.”

The talk is that Bale was so unhappy about Benitez's sacking that he was considering leaving the club.

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Former Chelsea team doctor Eva Carneiro's constructive dismissal case against the club will have its first tribunal hearing tomorrow.

The preliminary hearing will take place at the London South Employment Tribunal in Croydon, and is expected to be in private before an employment judge.

The hearing will fix the timetable for the case, and deal with witness statements and disclosure of documents - including texts and emails - by each side, as well as any legal procedural disputes that current exist between the two parties.

A date for a full hearing could be fixed for some time in June

Six men have appeared in court over the alleged fraudulent acquisition of Rangers.

The Glasgow football club's former owner Craig Whyte, 44, and ex-chief executive Charles Green, 62, were among those who attended the High Court in Edinburgh. 

Gary Withey, 51, David Grier, 54, David Whitehouse, 50, and Paul Clark, 51, also appeared for the preliminary hearing.

At the latest hearing, 15 charges were contained in a 28-page indictment.

After Temba Bavuma became the first black African batsman to score a Test century for South Africa, he's been congratulated by all and sundry.

Test your knowledge on the new Real Madrid manager with this quiz from CBBC... 

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Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

If England had caught most of those chances they would have won the match. As a coach, sometimes say nothing.

They're not bad catchers but they've had a bad day at the office - a really bad day. It's madness. You can't understand why; the players don't know why. It's best not to dwell on it. Move on. 

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Former team-mates paid their respects to ex-Newcastle and Czech Republic goalkeeper Pavel Srnicek at his funeral in Ostrava on Monday.

Ex-Magpies Steve Howey and Steve Harper attended as did his former international colleagues Ludek Miklosko and Juventus legend Pavel Nedved.

Srnicek died on 29 December aged 47, nine days after suffering cardiac arrest.

A memorial service will be held in Newcastle on Wednesday, 13 January.

Sunderland midfielder Liam Bridcutt has extended his loan at Leeds United until the end of the season.

The 26-year old came to Elland Road in November and has since made eight appearances for Steve Evans’ side.

Bath and England forward Dave Attwood will miss the Six Nations after undergoing surgery on a bulging disc in his neck, reports BBC Points West.

The 28-year-old, who has only played four games this season, will be out of action for 10 to 12 weeks.

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Northampton Town have signed striker James Collins on loan from Shrewsbury Town until the end of the season.

The 25-year-old Irishman had started Shrewsbury's last 12 games and frequently skippered the team, scoring seven goals for the League One side this season.

Phil Cartwright
BBC Sport

I've just had a quick chat with Martin Adams and he was in good spirits, despite losing 3-0 to Jeff Smith in the first round of the BDO World Championships earlier today.

In fact, Adams already has eyes on coming back next year - by which time he will have turned 60.

“The one milestone I want to achieve is my 25th consecutive year here, so I’ve got to be here next year for number 24," said the three-time champion, who made his Lakeside debut in 1994. "I’m looking forward to it already.”

Adams won the BDO title in 2007, 2010 and 2011 but Canadian thrower Smith, a semi-finalist last year, produced a clinical display to end his hopes of a fourth Lakeside crown.

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Have you been drinking James?

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Daniel Sturridge will be missing later after suffering a minor setback in training as he recovers from a hamstring injury.

The striker, 26, has been blighted by injuries, making only 19 appearances last season and six this campaign. Reds boss Jurgen Klopp has only one fit striker, Christian Benteke, with Divock Origi and Danny Ings also injured.

Stoke's Geoff Cameron is available despite being sent off on Saturday.

The USA defender's red card in the 2-1 defeat by West Brom wasoverturned on appeal, meaning his three-match ban was withdrawn.

It's Stoke v Liverpool at 20:00 GMT.

We'll preview the game over the next few hours, starting with the stat below ... 

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Defending champion and top-seeded Venus Williams has lost 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-2 to Russian teenager Daria Kasatkina in the first round of the ASB Classic.

The 18-year-old Kasatkina, ranked number 75 and the third-youngest player inside the top 100, was handed a wildcard in recognition of her potential and fulfilled that promise with victory.

Mind you, Williams didn't exactly help herself, making a whopping 73 unforced errors during the match.

(this is including Zidane...)

Answers in an hour.

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Great Britain middle distance runner Jemma Simpson says she will need a "miracle" to make the Rio Olympic Games after rupturing a tendon in her foot.

The 31-year-old 800m and 1500m athlete from Cornwall competed in the 2014 Commonwealth Games and 2008 Olympics.

"I won't be able to run until at least April and then it's qualifying. It's a big ask," she told BBC Radio Cornwall.

"I'm not confident (of selection for the Olympics). It would be a miracle to do that now because I have to run the qualifying time and be ready for the trials, which is in seven months, and I've got three months off."