Not so long ago we brought you word of an Indian squash player who had put his kidney up for sale in a bid to raise funds to compete at next month's South Asian Games...

Well, following a change of hear he has since backtracked on the plans.

Ravi Dixit, ranked 211 in the world, had said he would sell his kidney for 800,000 rupees (£8,230).

But the 23-year-old later explained he "never intended" to sell it, and apologised for having said he would "at the spur of the moment". 

Indian law forbids selling a kidney and Dixit's parents were against the idea.

"Together, we will figure out a way to deal with this crisis," said his father.

Image source, Getty Images

Another quick one on AndyMurray - here he is at a photocall ahead of the Australian Open, with all the ballboys and girls ... or ballkids, as they call them down under.

Image source, Getty Images

Thank goodness he didn't turn up wearing green or we'd never have spotted him.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Stoke have announced teenage midfielder Ollie Shenton has signed a new four-and-a-half-year deal.

The 18-year-old was named Potters' academy player of the year last season, a campaign in which he also made two appearances for the first team.

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Andy Murray will try to become the first man in the 125-year history of the Aegon Championships to win the the title five times.

The world number two today confirmed that he will defend the trophy he won for a fourth time last summer with victory over Kevin Anderson.

That made Murray the eighth four-time champion, joining the likes of John McEnroe, Boris Becker, Lleyton Hewitt and Andy Roddick, but no one has yet managed a fifth.

Fifa's ethics committee has confirmed it intends to appeal the eight-year bans given to Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini - because it had recommended a more severe punishment.

In December, the ethics committee's adjudicatory chamber found Blatter and Platini had demonstrated an "abusive execution" of their positions, and suspended them from all football-related activities.  

But its investigatory chamber had called for lifetime bans in their formal reports and intends to appeal the sanctions. 

Both Fifa president Blatter and Uefa boss Platini have already said they plan to appeal against their bans.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool striker Divock Origi is set for a month on the sidelines after undergoing surgery on a knee problem.

The Belgium international, 20, last played in Boxing Day win over Leicester City and was expected to be back for Wednesday's Premier League clash against leaders Arsenal.

With Danny Ings and Daniel Sturridge already sidelined, Christian Benteke is the only fit senior striker.

Former England assistant coach Andy Farrell is to take on an advisory role at Munster with immediate effect 

Farrell, who left his England post last month along with fellow assistants Mike Catt and Graham Rowntree, was recently appointed Ireland defence coach.

Farrell will commence work in that job after the Six Nations, but in the meantime will join Munster as a part-time coaching advisor.

In the meantime, here's an arty photograph of Farrell, taken at a press conference between two dark blobs.

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So the Premier League has been left out of the World Team of the Year, but we think there 's loads of talent on these shores.

So throughout the day we are giving you the chance to vote for your Premier League XI that could take on the World side.

Our first of seven votes is to decide who the goalkeeper would be in our team.

Jack Butland (Stoke City), Petr Cech (Arsenal), Thibaut Courtois (Chelsea), David De Gea (Manchester United), Joe Hart (Manchester City), Hugo Lloris (Tottenham).

To vote, click on the option at the top of the page. The first vote closes at 12:00 GMT with results announced shortly after.

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Sour grapes or making a fair point?

Italy coach Antonio Conte and captain Gianluigi Buffon did not participate in the Ballon d'Or vote at the request of their federation in protest at Buffon's absence from the list of candidates.

The veteran Juventus goalkeeper did not make the preliminary list released in October, with five goalkeepers chosen ahead of him: Manuel Neuer, Iker Casillas, Thibaut Courtois, Claudio Bravo and David Ospina.

At 37, Buffon is still first choice for his country and Juventus, who he helped reach the Champions League final last season.

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So Lionel Messi won the Ballon d'Or and there wasn't a single Premier League player in the World Team of the year. We'd like to hear your reaction. 

Do you agree with Messi winning? And what do you make of the Ballon d'Or more generally? 

Worthwhile? Or a load of baloney where everyone votes for their mates?

Let us know using #bbcsportsday, external on Twitter or text us on 81111 from UK mobiles.

An England debut, some brilliant showings in the Premier League, and now an extension to his deal at White Hart Lane - it's certainly been an eventful season so far for Dele Alli.

"I'm delighted. The club has been great to me since I've come here, we've got a great young team," the 19-year-old told Spurs' website. , external

"It hasn't all been easy but everybody has helped me settle in so quickly, I can't thank them enough. I've got a lot to learn and this is a great club to do that." 

Image source, PA

Image source, Getty Images

Remember we told you earlier about how Rohit Sharma had smashed an unbeaten 171 as India racked up a pretty mammoth 309-3 in 50 overs in the first one-day international against Australia?

Well then, you may also recall us saying that made it very tricky for the Aussies to win.

We take it back.

Helped by Steve Smith's 149 and a century from George Bailey, the hosts finished on 310-5 to secure a five wicket victory. Impressive stuff.

Worcestershire have signed New Zealand all-rounder Mitchell Santner for this summer's T20 Blast competition.

The 23-year-old will arrive in mid-May and replaces compatriot Colin Munro at New Road.

"To have an overseas player with three strings to his bow will be a huge bonus to our T20 Blast ambitions," said director of cricket Steve Rhodes."

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United have opened talks with Atletico Madrid over midfielder Saul Niguez, according to The Mirror., external

The 21-year-old Spaniard has an £18m release clause in his contract.

An Indian squash player has put his kidney up for sale to raise funds to play in next month's South Asian Games.

Ravi Dixit, ranked 211 in the world, has been funded by his father's employer, the Dhampur Sugar Mill.

But the 22-year-old says it is no longer enough and has put his kidney up for an asking price of 800,000 rupees (£8,230)

"I have decided to sell my kidney so that I can play in other tournaments for the rest of the year," he said.

"I need at least 100,000 rupees (£1,030) to participate in the South Asian Games but have not been able to find any sponsor," Dixit added in the Hindustan Times newspaper., external

Image source, Getty Images

Essex have signed former Sussex all-rounder Ashar Zaidi on a one-year deal.

The 34-year-old Pakistan-born left-hander was released by Sussex in September after two seasons at Hove.

Last month he was named the Bangladesh Premier League's player of the tournament after scoring 215 runs at an average of 53.75 and taking 17 wickets.

"When you consider his batting abilities, this really makes sense at this moment in time," said Essex head coach Chris Silverwood.

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Is there any way Aston Villa are staying up this season? With 11 points between them and safety, 'adrift' seems to be the only word to describe the Premier League's bottom club.

Is new blood required to turn things around? Maybe, but here's manager Remi Garde with a reality check... 

In quotes carried by the Birmingham Mail,, external he said: “We are living in the real world, not in a world of PlayStation and Football Manager games.

“If we had been in a better position I would already have signed at least two players but they said no because they are waiting for better opportunities."

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal are ready to pay £13.4m to Celta Vigo for their Spanish forward Nolito, according to Spanish website Mundo Deportivo., external

The 29-year-old former Barcelona player has scored eight goals in 15 La Liga games this season.

Russell Fuller
BBC tennis correspondent

Dan Evans has drawn the top seed Luca Vanni in the first round of Australian Open qualifying.

Felow Briton James Ward, meanwhile, will start against Canada's Peter Polansky - with both games set to get under way at 23:00 GMT.

The other British man in the qualifying draw is Brydan Klein, who starts against Peter Gojowczyk of Germany at about 05:00 on Wednesday.

The draw for the women's event takes place on Wednesday, with the first matches not until Thursday.

Image source, Reuters