England wicketkeeper Jos Buttler says he is "desperate" to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL) after losing his Test place to Jonny Bairstow.

Buttler, 25, has already been granted permission by the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to register for February's IPL auction.

This season's IPL, external starts on 8 April and ends with the final on 24 May.

"I put my name in the auction, and I'm desperate to play in that competition," he told BBC Radio 5 live.

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Nemanja Vidic built  a formidable centre-half partnership with Rio Ferdinand at Manchester United, and the ex-England player has been paying tribute, external to his Serbian team-mate.

Ferdinand revealed that Vidic was not an instant success with his teammates when he joined in January 2006 but soon turned opinions around in the dressing room.

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Ferdinand said:  "He became a defender that was feared, he could fight with the most physical, he crunched into tackles, he attacked the ball better than anyone I've ever seen. But as he will tell you with a smile, he could also play with the ball too, which made him complete and a great defender."  

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The Liverpool Echo, external is reporting that it could be double heartbreak for Liverpool in the transfer window this January.

With Shakthar determined to keep hold of Alex Teixeira, it seems that Schalke may stop the deal for Joel Matip by offering a new contract to the defensive midfielder. General manager, Horst Heldt, said: “We have agreed to an appointment [with the player’s advisor] which will take place soon."

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The London Evening Standard, external are reporting that Atletico Madrid are warning Chelsea off manager Diego Simeone.

The Argentine might be a good fit for the English top flight, according to this piece by BBC Sport's Spanish football expert Andy West.  

finder: Scott Dann to Crystal Palace for peanuts. Been immense for us ever since.

RBS: Selling Andy Carol to Liverpool for £35m, like taking candy of a baby.

Mauricio Pochettino has hinted he may rotate his squad for the trip to Colchester.

"We have 23/24 players, we're sure they can all perform as well.

"It's a good test for us. we need to show big motivation, be focused on our game, be consistent, it's important to go to the next round. it's one of the objectives this season to go far in the FA Cup."

In 2010, John Terry was named as the footballer behind a gagging injunction involving his private life following a High Court hearing. The Chelsea defender was reported to have had an affair with the ex-girlfriend of former Blues team-mate Wayne Bridge, and was subsequently stripped of the England captaincy.

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Mauricio Pochettino has been batting away rumours thrown at him during the news conference.

On being linked with the Chelsea job, he said: "I don't mind, the media is about rumours, I don't care about that. I'm very happy here, in 18 months here we have a very good group, we've set a good base for success for the future. I'm only focused on my job."

The Tottenham boss refused to be drawn on the club being linked with moves for West Brom's Saido Berahino and Moussa Dembele of Fulham.

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As promised, here's what Mauricio Pochettino has been saying ahead of Saturday's FA Cup fourth-round tie.

First up, the Argentine has reacted to the news Belgian midfielder Mousa Dembele has signed a new deal. "I am very happy that he's staying with us. He's improved a lot his quality and his mentality."

And then he addressed selling England winger Andros Townsend to Newcastle for a reported £12m. "It was important for him to play Premier League football consistently, unfortunately that wasn't possible here. We wish him all the best."

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BBC World Service

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From being the world's seventh best tennis player to working in Wall Street. Read the remarkable story of the one-time "future of tennis" Mario Ancic.

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And the last bit of team news from the German in charge at Anfield:

"Dejan Lovren was on the bench against Stoke and is now back. Philippe Coutinho is close to returning to training and Nathaniel Clyne is a possibility but we are not sure. He feels much better."

Jordan Henderson will remain out of action, and Steven Caulker is available to play in the FA Cup after his loan move from QPR. 

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Jurgen Klopp believes that remarkable game, ending 5-4 last week, against Norwich has given his sense of belief to his side and an air of uncertainty to everyone else.

"The team showed that they don't give up in the game. The next time we are 4-3 in a game and concede, everyone will think 'ah', there is a possibility."

BBC Merseyside Sport

Jurgen Klopp has now moved on to talk transfers.

"There is nothing to say. You have to wait, like I have wait. I am fine with this squad. To play every three days is difficult. What can I say? You say get a bigger squad. But you can't buy as injured players come back."

But wait, it appears the German then contradicts himself. "We are always busy, we always check the possibilities [for transfers]. If something happens, we will see!"

Make your mind up Jurgen.

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BBC Merseyside Sport

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Jurgen Klopp is keen for the game, which is live on Radio 5 live, not to go for a replay: "I don't want a replay - I would like to win without a second game." 

However, when asked whether he'll name another youthful side, the German responded "Yes. It will be a different team, for sure. We have to make a few changes, we will make them, but only because we want to win the game."

You'll remember that Exeter City took Liverpool to a replay in third round with a 2-2 draw at St James Park. 

BBC Merseyside Sport

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Liverpool face West Ham on Saturday, in a repeat of the 2006 FA Cup final.

Reds boss Jurgen Klopp has been speaking to the media ahead of the Anfield fourth-round tie, and starting by talking about injured striker Daniel Sturridge. He has been out since 6 December with a hamstring problem and will miss the FA Cup tie and Tuesday's match at Leicester.

Klopp said; "He is still working. Sometimes it's better, sometimes it's worse. He needs consistency in sessions and that's what we try to do. There's no doubt about his quality. We have to work together on his fitness."

James Mountford
Reporter, BBC Radio Merseyside Sport

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Melwood busy again ahead of Jurgen Klopp's media briefing. 

The manager fielded an extremely young side in the last round against Exeter but it seems unlikely he would so the same West Ham. That said, with Premier League games against Leicester and Sunderland to come, he may have to freshen up the side who beat Stoke in the League Cup semi-finals.

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Katushkin: Jimmy Bullard to Wigan from Peterboro' in 2003 for £275k. Led them to promotion and league cup final. Sold to Fulham for £2.5m.

And speaking of Bullard, it gives us an opportunity to relive one of the greatest Premier League celebrations...

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AB de Villiers has been confirmed as the new South Africa Test captain.

De Villiers, 31, replaced Hashim Amla, who resigned after the second Test with England, but said he was not sure if he would remain in the post after the series ended.

“I am fully committed to the Proteas, but more than anything, I am grateful for the support from my team mates, Cricket South Africa and the people of our rainbow nation."

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You can watch the best of that breathless epic on BBC Two at 14:00 GMT or by visiting here.

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A brief injury update from Maurico Pochettino ahead of Saturday's FA Cup fourth-round tie...

The game comes too soon for midfielders Ryan Mason and Alex Pritchard but both "are close to training with the team again". England international Mason could return as soon as Monday.

Consider that a taster... we'll have more when the embargo on reporting Pochettino's quotes is lifted later on Friday