Football. Why would I sign Messi when I've got Ronaldo?

The Real Madrid boss says that he would look to strengthening other positions in the squad rather than acquiring the Barcelona star

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti claims he would turn the down chance to sign Barcelona forward Lionel Messi because he already has Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Portuguese has received widespread acclaim for his performances this season, including a stunning hat-trick for his country in the second leg of their World Cup play-off with Sweden, which sealed their place at Brazil 2014.

The 28-year-old has also excelled at club level too and is a firm favourite to lift the Ballon d'Or in January, and Ancelotti says he would strengthen in other positions of his side rather than bring in the Argentine to the Bernabeu.
"If I could sign one player for Real Madrid, it wouldn't be Messi, I'd rather reinforce another position," he told Italian broadcaster Radio Capital.

"We have Cristiano, who needs Messi? God gave him [Ronaldo] a special gift."

However, Ancelotti did joke that the capital outfit might be interested in bringing Messi to the club should Barca decide to sell the Argentine.

He added: "If Barca sell Messi, they should call us."

Football. Ter Stegen to decide on future

The goalkeeper has been persistently linked with a move to Barcelona and he insists that a choice will be made imminently over whether he will stay or go

Marc-Andre ter Stegen has revealed that he intends to make a decision in the next few days over whether he will join Barcelona or stay at Borussia Monchengladbach.

The goalkeeper, 21, has been strongly linked with a move to Camp Nou as Gerardo Martino's No.1 Victor Valdes prepares to part ways with the Spanish giants when his contract expires in the summer.

Barca have gone as far as to confirm that they are in advanced talks to sign a replacement shot-stopper, hinting that Ter Stegen is a prime candidate.

But the Germany international was coy about whether there had been contact with the Catalans as he set himself a deadline for a choice on whether he could leave the Bundesliga in January or the summer.

"I did not say I knew if there had been communication with Barca," he told Bild. "I will talk soon with [Gladbach sporting director] Max Eberl and CEO Stephan Schippers over my contract and everything else.

"There will be a decision in the next few days. All those responsible know what I am going to choose!"

However, the German club's chief of transfers insisted that he is in the dark over what Ter Stegen will decide to do but hopes he lets Gladbach know as soon as possible if he has made up his mind.

"Gladbach do not know what he will choose to do," Eberl said. "But I'd appreciate it if he told us immediately if a decision has been made."

Tennis. Laura Robson parts with coach Miles

Laura Robson has split from coach Miles Maclagan just four months after starting work with the man who was once part of Andy Murray's backroom team.

The British number one, 19, linked up with Maclagan after ending her nine-month stint with Croat Zeljko Krajan.

"Robson informed Maclagan in a telephone conversation at the weekend that she wants to try a fresh approach in 2014. Her enthusiasm to extend the relationship waned as she experienced a disappointing run of results in Asia. Croatia's Davis Cup captain Zeljko Krajan questioned Robson's work ethic when they parted company in the spring. Maclagan is a very different personality, so the 19-year-old must now consider very carefully who she does think can best harness her talent, and help improve her consistency away from the Grand Slams."

But after three wins in four events, Robson has opted for another change.

"Miles and I have decided not to continue our partnership," said the teenager, who team up with Maclagan prior to the grass-court season.
The left-hander, who was previously coached by Patrick Mouratoglou and Martijn Bok, added on her Facebook page:  "I want to thank Miles for stepping in on quick notice to be my coach this summer.
"I have great respect for him and a person and coach and look forward to continuing our friendship.
"I will take a couple weeks off to refresh my mind and body and will keep my fans updated on my coaching situation."
Robson, who won the girls' singles title at Wimbledon in 2008, is currently ranked number 46 in the world.
She made the last 16 at Wimbledon and reached the third round of the US Open, but has suffered from illness in a difficult end to the season.
The link-up with Robson was Maclagan's first women's tennis assignment, although he was never officially titled as her coach.
He told BBC Radio 5 live in June: "It's a new challenge and that's why we have a trial period - to see what happens."

Tennis. homas Hogstedt keen to become Briton's coach

Maria Sharapova's former coach Thomas Hogstedt is one of the high-profile names interested in becoming British number one Laura Robson's new mentor.

The Russian completed a career Grand Slam under the Swede's guidance, adding the 2012 French Open crown to her US Open, Wimbledon and Australian titles.

Sharapova, 26, also regained her world number one status with Hogstedt before they split after this year's Wimbledon.

Robson, 19, recently ended a four-month partnership with Miles Maclagan.
After a run to the last 16 at Wimbledon and the third round of the US Open, Robson has endured a difficult end to the season, collecting only three wins in four events since Flushing Meadows.
Hogstedt has taken an interest in Robson's career for a while, and is said to have a good relationship with her influential mother Kathy.
Nigel Sears - the former head coach of women's tennis at the LTA - is another attracted by the challenge.

Tennis. Laura Robson's coaching vacancy

Coaching Laura Robson may not offer much in the way of long-term security, but it's a job creating a good deal of interest among some high-profile names.

The British number one told Miles Maclagan in a telephone conversation on Saturday that she doesn't want to extend their partnership into 2014, which means that Robson, her mother Kathy and new agent Max Eisenbud are now looking for what will be Laura's fifth coach in three years.
Robson's ball-striking ability and big-match temperament are a huge attraction to prospective coaches, and having decided to join IMG just after Wimbledon, she now has the support of the most influential agent in the women's game.

"She's still only 19, and clearly she's had a high number of coaches. The ideal situation would be to try and build a relationship over a period of time but it's not always that straightforward."
Iain Bates, LTA head of women's tennis

Eisenbud also looks after world number three Maria Sharapova and world number five Li Na - and it is one of their former coaches who seems very keen on the job.
Thomas Hogstedt, 50, has been taking quite an interest in the 19-year-old for a while. At this year's Wimbledon, in what turned out to be his final tournament with Sharapova, the Swede quizzed one leading British coach about her prospects on the practice courts. He is also said to have the ear of Robson's mother Kathy, who in the past has sought his advice about her daughter's career.
Sharapova said that Hogstedt's desire to reduce his time away from home was behind their decision to separate, but if there was an element of diplomacy in those words, then the Swede would be a very strong contender.
His practice sessions with Sharapova were always intense, and under his guidance the Russian returned to number one in the world by completing the career Grand Slam at Roland Garros in 2012.
Nigel Sears, 56, is another coach believed to be interested in the job. He knows Robson well from his spell as the head coach of women's tennis at the LTA and is a free agent, having split with the former world number one and French Open champion Ana Ivanovic after Wimbledon.
Michael Joyce - who coached Sharapova before Hogstedt - is understood to have been sounded out about coaching Robson in the past, and Sven Groeneveld is another strong option.
The Dutchman has coached Monica Seles, Mary Pierce and Ivanovic to Grand Slam titles, and has been an important figure in Robson's development. As one of the leading coaches of the Adidas Player Development Programme, he most recently lent his support to Robson in May as she beat Venus Williams before losing to her sister Serena in Rome.

Laura Robson's former trainer Miles Maclagan has previously worked with Andy Murray, Philipp Kohlschreiber and Marcos Baghdatis

He would need to decide whether he is prepared to exchange the relative security of his current job for the uncertainty linked with coaching any player full-time.
Robson is currently taking a couple of weeks off to "refresh her mind and body," and would be well advised to spend some time reflecting on what she needs to do to get the best out of her next coaching relationship.
Alan Jones, who coached Jo Durie to number five in the world, and later became Robson's first permanent coach, is fascinating on the subject: "This young lady has an enormous amount of ball-striking talent and likes the centre stage, but it's not rocket science to say she needs to move better.
"I've not really seen her improve her footwork relative to the oncoming ball for the last four or five years. That's why I keep saying at what stage will Laura take on the responsibility that she personally needs? What was so obvious to me when I had my years out there is that the best players knew what they wanted, and they were prepared to go that extra mile for it.
"I remember the great Rod Laver saying many years ago that you are likely to change coach as you go from a teenager to a man, and then maybe once again, but if you start seeking out coaches, are you avoiding looking at yourself?
It's easy to dismiss a coach, but you've got to live with yourself. Is she prepared to hurt that much to make enough sacrifice on the physical side to complement the wonderful ball striking that she has?
"It is all very well wanting to be a tennis player and living a bit of a dream, but when reality strikes, it's quite a brutal world. You've got to become a warrior, and that may be the area she's struggling to deal with - the warrior side of herself."
The LTA, who still fund some of Robson's costs, will also be on hand to offer their number one women's player some advice. Iain Bates, who is the organisation's head of women's tennis, describes Robson's split with Maclagan as "unfortunate."
"She's still only 19, and clearly she's had a high number of coaches," he said.
"The ideal situation would be to try and build a relationship over a period of time but it's not always that straightforward. Try and take some time to get used to it, but at the end of the day, it's about making sure you can work together as a team where you can both move Laura's career forward."

Tennis. Laura Robson to work with American coach

British number one Laura Robson is to start working with veteran American coach Nick Saviano.

Melbourne-born Robson, 19, has been without a coach since splitting from Miles Maclagan in October.
Robson has been training at 57-year-old Saviano's academy in Florida during the off-season.

Former world number 163 Jesse Witten, 31, will also work with Robson as the American will act as her coach and hitting partner during tournaments.

Saviano also coaches Robson's best friend Eugenie Bouchard and is expected to accompany the Canadian teenager to the big tournaments.
Robson performed well at the grand slams in 2013, making the fourth round at Wimbledon for the first time and the third round at both the Australian and US Opens.
The 19-year-old was seeded for the first time at a slam in New York but finished the season ranked 45th after disappointing results in Asia.
Robson will begin her 2014 season at the ASB Classic in Auckland, which begins on 31 December this year.

Football. Porto suffer first defeat in 54 league games

With only one win in six, question marks have been raised over the future of coach Paulo Fonseca after Fernando Alexandre scored Academica's winner and Danilo missed a penaltyThe champions, who had last lost a league game in January 2012, have now gone three Primeira Liga matches without a win after succumbing to an Academica side who had won only three times in the top flight going into the game, and had not beaten Porto at home in 43 years.
Fernando Alexandre was the hosts' hero, registering his second goal of the season on the stroke of half-time to set his side on the way to a major shock - although they had to survive a second-half penalty scare.
The midfielder stole in at the far post and kept his cool to angle an effort into the roof of the net from close range after a delivery from the right was not cleared by the Porto defence.
Porto piled on the pressure in the second half but wasted a golden opportunity to restore parity when Ricardo saved a late Danilo penalty after Jackson Martinez went down in the area.
Paulo Fonseca's men threw everything at Academica, sending goalkeeper Helton forward for a series of corners in the dying stages, but it was to no avail as the hosts made it three wins from their last four league matches.
Porto have now won only one of their last six games in all competitions ahead of their league clash with Sporting Braga on Saturday, with question marks over the future of Fonseca beginning to be raised following their meek Champions League draw with Austria Vienna in midweek.
Both Benfica and Sporting Lisbon have the chance to leapfrog the champions at the top of the Primeira Liga table on Sunday when they tackle Rio Ave and Pacos Ferreira respectively.

Football. Question of the Day2

Does the Ballon d'Or damage football?

Football. Do Ronaldo, Ribery and Messi want the Ballon d'Or

As the game's top trio battle it out for Fifa's illustrious individual prize, Arsene Wenger has highlighted the potential damage posed to football's team ethic

If cliches were gospel in football then players would have you believe that individual prizes matter little in the quest for collective success.

That viewpoint is one certainly endorsed by Arsene Wenger, with the Arsenal boss hitting out at football’s obsession with personal triumph in a sport defined by the efforts of the team.
Such is the hype and scale of debate surrounding the race to win the 2013 Ballon d’Or ahead of its award in January, it is reasonable to question whether the kudos of winning individual prizes is now the greatest lure for the game’s most high-profile stars.
Crisiano Ronaldo, Franck Ribery and Lionel Messi are the three favourites to be crowned the world’s best player, with the latter of that trio the current holder and record four-time winner of the trophy.

In recent years, Ronaldo and Messi have engaged in a two-horse race, but it is the emergence of Ribery as a leading contender – on the back of Bayern Munich’s remarkable treble-winning feat last season – that has sparked mass public interest on a scale never seen before.
International coaches, captains and selected members of the media make the casting votes and the revelations of several of those figures has resulted in a number of nominees publically pitching their respective cases in a manner akin to a presidential election.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s claim that he doesn’t need to win the Ballon d’Or to know that he is the game’s greatest player was prompted by a wave of support for Ronaldo following his incredible run of form at the start of this season.

The Portuguese forward has never been shy in his desire for individual glory and he was quick to acknowledge the backing of Real Madrid fans after they unfurled a banner supporting his case in Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Galatasaray.
Financial rewards have also played their part in the award’s growing profile. Reports have claimed Santos will receive €2 million if Neymar achieves a top-three finish in the Ballon d’Or over the next five years, as part of the deal that took him to Barcelona over the summer.
With the season approaching the midway point for most of Europe, it is the efforts of individuals that are taking centre stage when arguably the focus ought to be on the team battles in the Champions League and domestic title race. Perhaps Wenger has a point...

Football. Ramsey streaks ahead as top scorer

Another two goals for the Arsenal midfielder put him clear of an under-par Sergio Aguero at the head of the leaderboard, while it was a tough week for goalkeeper Hugo Lloris

THE WINNERS

With fantasy football poster-boy Leighton Baines on the sidelines, Everton needed Bryan Oviedo (4) to step up and that he did. If the left-back's performance against Stoke City is anything to go by, the Costa Rican could prove a cheap and effective cover in defence after his goal, assist and clean sheet made him the week's highest point-scorer on 15. Prior to Saturday, he had accrued only one point in the whole season.

He was not the only bargain to excel in Gameweek 13. One of the surprises of the round was Hull City's 3-1 win against Liverpool and the chief profiteer was midfielder David Meyler (4). Not only did he score the decisive goal but he also grabbed an assist - a solid 10 points from a man only selected by 0.03 per cent of managers. That figure may increase by next week.

Some of the familiar faces continued to rake in the points, of course. It is now getting to the stage where, if you do not have Aaron Ramsey (5.5) in your team, you should probably give up altogether.

Two goals against his old club, Cardiff City, extended his lead at the top of the season's points table and his price is unbeatable value. As Goal correspondent Wayne Veysey writes, the Welshman is comfortably the best midfielder in the country right now.

His former team-mate, Samir Nasri (7.5) had an even more spectacular week for points as he snagged 13 with two goals against Swansea City. The Frenchman is becoming indispensable to Manuel Pellegrini.

Across the Manchester divide, meanwhile, Wayne Rooney (8.5) continues to do the business for United. The England international was everywhere against Tottenham and seized upon defensive errors to bag two game-saving goals, prolonging a fine streak of points-scoring that has taken him to joint-third alongside Olivier Giroud in the season's totals.

GAMEWEEK 13 DREAM TEAM

THE LOSERS

In a week of mixed fortunes for many of this season’s best fantasy football keepers, Tottenham's Hugo Lloris (5.5) came off the worst. Though Spurs were largely good against United, his part in conceding a penalty knocked points off and, coupled with a booking, left him with -1 to show for the weekend.

On the opposite end of the pitch, the Red Devils' defenders fared little better. Patrice Evra (6.5) has been his club's highest-scoring defender this season but even he could only come away with zero for the match.

The fantasy game can be harsh, of course – particularly for defenders, who can handle themselves excellently for much of the game and still be hamstrung by troubles elsewhere along the back line. Such was the case for Luke Shaw (4.5), who had a fine match against Chelsea but Southampton's three goals conceded stranded him on just one point.

There was frustration, meanwhile, for the division's second-best points-scorer, Sergio Aguero (10.5). In such electric form of late, the Argentine just could not find an opening against Swansea and, with a yellow card to his name, came away letting down his value with a solitary point.

TEAM NEWS

Some major injuries struck the fantasy football landscape this week and may prompt serious changes for many a manager.

Chief among the casualties is Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge (8.5), who has blasted his way to 64 points so far this season but is set for six-to-eight weeks on the sidelines. For 27.24% of players, this means finding a new attacking spearhead.

Another popular choice, with 21.76% of bosses giving him the nod, Oscar (8) was withdrawn towards the end of the first half against Southampton due to a knock. The Brazilian had looked fatigued before then after playing a great deal of football this season and will likely be due a rest for the midweek fixtures.

Meanwhile, as the Saints conceded three goals in one game for the first time this season, Artur Boruc (4.5) had to be substituted in the second half before being sent to hospital for scans on his hand and wrist. The Pole has racked up 48 points to date but, depending on the severity of the injury, fantasy managers may have to turn to one of several other successful No.1s.

Football. Question of the Day

Which area should Barcelona strengthen in January?

Formula1 The man behind the F1 deal

Take a stroll down the Formula 1 paddock on any given Sunday during the racing season and you'll likely see an array of celebrities in sunglasses, local politicians scanning for a good photo-opportunity and sports stars with their attendant entourage.

One person you're unlikely to see mixing with F1's glitterati - or even recognise should he be present - would be Donald Mackenzie.
And yet the reclusive and publicity averse 56-year-old is arguably the reason why the sport is still operating in its current form today.

Donald Mackenzie

Donald Mackenzie led negotiations when his CVC Partners company bought a stake in F1

As co-founder of private equity group CVC Partners, he led negotiations when it bought a controlling stake in F1 in 2006.
This week, he's been in the High Court in London, recapping how that deal was done and lifting the lid on the sport's inner workings as part of a case brought by a German media company, Constantin Medien, against F1's chief executive, Bernie Ecclestone.
Constantin says it lost out financially when a stake in Formula 1 Group was sold to CVC for $830m (£514m at present exchange rate) because the sport had been undervalued.
Constantin also claims the 83-year-old Ecclestone, who has built F1 into a global money-spinner over the past four decades, entered into a "corrupt bargain" with CVC because it planned to keep him on as chief executive.
Now, through this civil case in London, Constantin is seeking £90m in damages from Ecclestone and his co-defendants.
Ecclestone had his turn in court earlier this month and denied the claims, insisting the deal was done on its merits and he had "no preferred buyer".
He also says Constantin's claim "lacks any merit" and denies any "conspiracy".
There is little doubt that the collaboration between CVC and Ecclestone has been highly lucrative, but financial reward hasn't come easy, according to Mackenzie.
He explained in court that, while CVC's purchase of F1 was one of the fund's "top 10" deals, he felt it had still been "sold a pup."
"It's been an extremely difficult investment almost from start to finish," he explained. "It was constant crisis and firefighting."
He claimed Ecclestone and selling bank BayernLB [BLB] had "oversold the business" and had left CVC "with a lot more problems" than it thought.
What were those problems?

At the High Court, Ecclestone denied making corrupt payments to a German banker

According to Mackenzie, one was the uncertainty over the sport's long-term viability and marketability given the lack of a commercial agreement - known as the Concorde Agreement - between F1 teams, F1 management and the sport's governing body.
"In that period between 2006, when we bought it, and 2009, we could not sell this company," said Mackenzie. "It was not sellable. No-one wants to buy Formula 1 when there's no Concorde Agreement signed."
With the prospect of teams quitting F1 and forming a breakaway series, Mackenzie and CVC faced a potentially ruinous situation.
"It really was a misjudgement by us," he said, explaining that CVC had not been aware just how fraught the relationship was between F1 teams and F1 management.
"There was a history of anger," he explained. "This was like a very bad divorce. The husband and wife have been fighting each other for years and years and they could no longer see sense."
Those who know Mackenzie describe him as a "deal junkie", a man who lives for the buzz of hunting down undervalued companies before extracting maximum value and selling them on for a profit.
Away from work, he's a keen fan of country sports. A hunter of a different order.
So spending countless hours thrashing out a painstaking deal to preserve F1's long-term future would have been anathema to him, a man with 25 years experience of holding his nerve and playing corporate poker at the highest level.
"Thankfully we have agreed all these terms and we now have a stable series," he said. "But, at the time when I bought this business, it was an appalling mess and much worse than I realised."
He also claims BLB has a lot to thank him for.
"It was the luckiest day in those bankers' lives when I walked through the door," he said.

This case also centres upon a £10m payment made by Bernie Ecclestone to a now jailed German banker at the centre of the deal, Gerhard Gribkowsky.
Ecclestone denies the money was a bribe or was made in relation to the sale of Formula 1.
Instead, Ecclestone says he paid the money to stop Gribkowsky "shaking him down" by giving UK tax authorities information about the structure of his family's financial trust.
Donald Mackenzie, when asked in court about when he discovered the payment had been made, said he was "angry" and "surprised" that Ecclestone had "forgotten"' to tell him.

"They couldn't have sold it to anyone else. No-one had the money, no-one had the know-how and no-one had, frankly, the balls to do such a risky deal."
Since the renewal of the Concorde Agreement in 2009, F1 has gone from strength to strength..
Instead of a "bad divorce", there has been a renewal of marriage vows between F1's team and management, generating billions of dollars as its progeny.
Speaking outside the courtroom, in a rare exchange with reporters, Mackenzie confirmed it was still the intention of CVC, which now has a 35.5% stake in F1 after selling down its holding from 63% last year, to float F1 on the stock exchange.
But, after abandoning plans for a flotation in Singapore last year because of market turmoil, he added that there was "no plan in the imminent future" to make that happen.
As for the future relationship between CVC and Ecclestone... well that is not so easy to predict.
After a day and a half under cross-examination, it became clear that Mackenzie will not tolerate or permit wrong-doing on his watch.
When Philip Marshall QC, representing Constantin, suggested that Ecclestone was effectively untouchable as the head of F1, Mackenzie made his stance absolutely plain.
"We've always taken the position that if it's proven that Mr Ecclestone has done anything that's criminal or wrong we will fire him," he said. "But until that happens we will give him the benefit of the doubt, provided it is not seriously damaging the business of Formula 1.
"At no time have we put our profit in this investment ahead of doing the right thing in this corporate governance situation."
Closing arguments in this case are expected to take place in early December, with Ecclestone's lawyers having already denied the merits of the claim.
Mr Justice Newey will then leave Court 26 and retire to consider his judgement, something he's not expected to deliver until early 2014.
Only then will it be come a little clearer to Ecclestone and Mackenzie what impact this case will have on their respective futures and the sport which, for now, both are tied to.
And for Ecclestone, there is still the threat of court proceedings in Germany, the United States and Switzerland in relation to the controversial sale of F1 seven years ago.

Formula1. Bank could open new case against F1 boss

Bernie Ecclestone could face a fresh court battle over F1's bribery scandal.

German bank BayernLB have applied for access to documentary evidence used in the ongoing High Court civil lawsuit against the F1 supremo.
BayernLB sold its 47% stake in the motorsport series in 2005/6.
Ecclestone is being sued for $140m by Constantin Medien which says it lost out when part of F1 was bought by private equity group CVC Capital Partners.
The German media group, a former shareholder in F1, plans to use documents relating to the sale to support its allegation that Ecclestone and Gerhard Gribkowsky, BayernLB's former chief risk officer, were engaged in a "corrupt bargain" to deliberately undervalue the stake so the F1 chief executive could stay in control of the sport. These documents could now lead to a new claim by BayernLB.
Gribkowsky was last year jailed after pleading guilty in a Munich court to accepting $44m of payments from Mr Ecclestone and Bambino, an Ecclestone family trust.
A year ago, BayernLB wrote to Ecclestone's lawyers demanding $400m in damages, to no avail. The state-owned bank is watching current proceedings in the High Court as it decides whether to formally begin a lawsuit.

The Constantin trial is expected to end on 12 December, with a ruling expected early in the new year.
BayernLB's application for access to the documents will be heard next week. It is understood Constantin will not object to the release of the evidence.
Ecclestone is joined in the Constantin lawsuit by other defendants Bambino and Stephen Mullens, a trust adviser. They all deny the claims.
The F1 chief executive will soon learn whether he faces criminal proceedings in Germany after being indicted on bribery allegations in July.
Swiss prosecutors have also launched a criminal investigation into the payments to Gribkowsky.

Formula1. Bahrain F1 Grand Prix to become night race

The Bahrain Grand Prix will be a night race in 2014.

The Gulf state is trialling a newly-installed light system at this weekend's final round of the World Endurance Championship.

"There can be no better way for us to mark our 10th anniversary in F1," said Bahrain's chief executive, Sheikh Salman bin Isa Al-Khalida.

Bahrain will be F1's second night race - Singapore has been held after dark since its inception in 2008.
Abu Dhabi is a twilight race - starting in late afternoon and ending after nightfall.
Bahrain is likely to be the third event of the season on 6 April, when the final calendar is announced next week.
Governing body the FIA will reveal the definitive calendar following a meeting of its world council at its annual general assembly, which runs from 2-6 December, culminating in its 2013 prize-giving ceremony, at which Sebastian Vettel will be officially crowned the F1 world champion.
The schedule is expected to be cut to 19 races from the 22 that were listed on the first version of the calendar at the end of September.
A new calendar was circulated to the teams earlier this month, from which the proposed races in New Jersey in the USA, Mexico and Korea were all missing.
The schedule started in Australia on 16 March and ended in Abu Dhabi on 16 November.

Bahrain GP 2013 highlights: Sebastian Vettel powers to win

Bahrain's Grand Prix has had a troubled recent history as a result of civil unrest in the country.
The race was called off in 2011 following the violent suppression of protests in the capital Manama amid allegations of human rights abuses, including torture, summary execution and wrongful arrest.
The race took place in 2012 despite concerns over safety, which were exacerbated when a Force India team bus was caught in a stand-off between rioters and police on the way back from the track and narrowly missed being hit by a petrol bomb.
Last year's race took place without incident in the midst of a high level of security in the Gulf state.

Formula1. Mercedes principal to leave at end of year

Ross Brawn is to leave Mercedes at the end of the year.

The 59-year-old team principal is standing down following changes to the management structure at Mercedes F1.

"The most important consideration in my decision to step down was to ensure the timing was right for the team in order to ensure its future success," he said.

Executive directors Toto Wolff and Paddy Lowe will lead the team, whose drivers are 2008 world champion Lewis Hamilton and German Nico Rosberg.
Brawn added: "The succession planning that we have implemented during this year means we are now ready to conduct the transition from my current responsibilities to a new leadership team composed of Toto and Paddy."
The Englishman said organisational changes meant the team was "uniquely positioned to succeed in 2014" and that he was "proud to have helped lay the foundations for that success".
Mercedes had asked Brawn to stay on but he made it clear last month that he would only do so if he remained in sole charge of the team.
The team have made it clear they feel a single team principal, with overall charge of all aspects of the F1 operation, is an outdated concept because of the sport's increasingly complex nature.
Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg tweeted:  "[It] was a great experience to work with Ross. He is a great leader and we shared special times like my first win and Monaco win.
"Our ambition is to be leading next year. Now on we go flat out with Paddy and Toto. Starting with seat fit and 2014 simulator tomorrow."
Lewis Hamilton added on Twitter:  "Massive thanks to Ross Brawn. He's been a great leader and teacher for me. Ross has built the foundations for us to succeed in 2014 #legend.
"Toto and Paddy are fantastic guys and strong leaders for the team. I've started my training already and can't wait for 2014."
Brawn has yet to announce any future plans and insiders believe he will take a break while he considers his next move.
That is exactly the path he chose when he quit his long-time position as Ferrari technical director at the end of 2006.
In that role, he led the team to Michael Schumacher's five consecutive world titles from 2000-04 and six constructors' championships in a row from 1999.
He then took a six-month break before re-emerging as Honda's team principal ahead of the 2008 season.
Honda's decision to quit F1 at the end of 2008 led to Brawn buying the team and renaming it after himself.

They proceeded to win the 2009 drivers' title with Jenson Button, as well as the constructors' crown, before Mercedes took them over.

Brawn has been mentioned in connection with possible roles at governing body the FIA, whose president Jean Todt was team principal at Ferrari during Brawn's tenure, and with running Honda's F1 programme when the Japanese company returns to the sport as engine supplier to McLaren from 2015.
Claims of a possible move back to Ferrari as team principal are incorrect, according to senior insiders at the Italian team.
Although non-executive chairman Niki Lauda had tried to persuade Brawn to continue at Mercedes, the Englishman felt it would be better to leave.
Mercedes recruited Lowe, formerly McLaren's technical director, last winter and made it clear they saw him as Brawn's long-term successor.
Initially, the plan was to replace Brawn as soon as Lowe could join the team but Mercedes then changed their strategy and said they would prefer Brawn to stay on, without saying what role he would fulfil.
Brawn made his decision last month but Mercedes acceded to his wishes to delay an announcement until after the end of the season.
Lowe will run the sporting and technical needs of the team, while Wolff takes charge of business and political aspects.

Formula 1 .Ross Brawn will return to Formula 1,

Ross Brawn will be back in Formula 1 after taking a break, according to former world champion Niki Lauda.

Brawn, 59, is leaving his role as Mercedes team principal at the end of the year.
And Lauda, a non-executive director at Mercedes, is convinced Brawn's absence will only be temporary.

Who is Ross Brawn?

• Date of birth: 23 November 1954
• Formula 1 teams: Williams (1978-84), Haas Lola (1985-86), Arrows (1987-88), Benetton (1991-96), Ferrari (1997-2006), Honda (2007-08), Brawn (2009), Mercedes (2010-13)
• Drivers' titles: Benetton 1994-95 (Michael Schumacher), Ferrari 2000-04 (Schumacher), Brawn 2009 (Jenson Button)
• Constructors' titles: Benetton 1995; Ferrari 1999-2004; Brawn 2009
• Other success: 1991 World Sportscar Championship with Jaguar

"He says he wants a rest," said Lauda. "So it's very simple. He will not go in pension [retirement]. This is clear. I think he will come back."

The Austrian said he tried to persuade Brawn to stay on for another season, and that the Englishman would continue in a personal advisory role to Lauda.
"I'm very sad because I wanted him to stay another year," said Lauda, who won three world titles in his F1 career in the 1970s and early 1980s.
"But he says he wants to go fishing. I really tried hard but he stays a consultant to me, which I think is very good and important."
Mercedes will now be run by executive directors Toto Wolff and Paddy Lowe.
Wollf, like Lauda a shareholder in Mercedes F1, is in charge of the business and political sides of the team, while Lowe, the former McLaren technical director, will run the sporting and technical aspects.
Mercedes finished second to Red Bull in the constructors' championship this season, an improvement from fifth in 2012, with Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg taking fourth and sixth in the drivers' championship respectively.

Athletics. Mo Farah sets personal best

Double Olympic champion Mo Farah delighted a raucous sell-out crowd by easily winning the men's 3,000m at the Anniversary Games in London.

Farah failed to add the British record to his growing list of achievements, but did set a personal best of seven minutes 36.85 seconds.
Olympic heptathlon champion Jessica Ennis-Hill made her return from injury in the 100m hurdles and long jump.
She was fourth in the hurdles in 13.08 but last out of eight in the long jump.

"British athletics needs Mo just as much as the athletics world needs Usain Bolt. He's put on a show today and I don't think he even broke sweat."

Both Ennis-Hill and Farah were back on the Olympic Stadium track where they had captivated a nation during their gold medal-winning performances on that never to be forgotten "Super Saturday" at London 2012.

"This is where I love to run and last year at the Olympics was a really big year for me," said Farah, who comfortably finished ahead of America's Ryan Hill in second.
"This is where I made my name. Each time I race I want to make my country proud. I am honoured to represent my country."
As expected there was ear-splitting support for the two Olympians, who have experienced differing fortunes since their successes 12 months ago, with Ennis-Hill's season hampered by a left Achilles injury.
On the other end of the spectrum, Farah has been in phenomenal form and the 30-year-old says he is now a stronger athlete than the one who captured gold in both the 5,000m and 10,000m at London 2012.
Only last week Farah, already the British record-holder in the 5,000m, 10,000m and half-marathon, broke Steve Cram's long-standing 1500m British record.

"We think Jessica is healthy and I know she will go back to the drawing board. It was about how well she ran today and not how fast."

Hopes were high that Farah would break David Moorcroft's British 3,000m record of 7mins 32.79 secs, a mark set 31 years ago.

Even though there was a pacemaker in the race, a record-breaking run seemed improbable as the race entered the final two laps, although that did not stop spectators rising to their feet as Farah entered the home straight.
Such was Farah's margin of victory, the Briton was kissing the track in celebration as his nearest rivals were crossing the line.
Although he missed the British record by four seconds Farah's commanding performance raises expectations further that he can replicate his Olympic feats at next month's World Championships.
"Tomorrow [Sunday] I'll go to St Moritz to train ahead of the World Championships and hopefully I'll get on the podium there [in Moscow]," added the Oregon-based Farah.
However, with the World Championships only two weeks away, British fans will be waiting nervously to discover whether Ennis-Hill has come through her two events unscathed.

Athletics. BBC experts recall London 2012

During 19 golden days of sport, London 2012 created moments that will live in the memory for a lifetime.

Everyone has a performance which they cherish. For some, it will be the sight of Mo Farah being roared down the home straight to victory in the 5,000m. For others, it will be watching celebrated sprinter Usain Bolt become, in his own words, a living legend.
As the Olympic Stadium prepares to host this weekend's Anniversary Games a year on from the London 2012 opening ceremony, BBC Sport's athletics experts recall their favourite Olympic Stadium moments.

Steve Cram, former world 1500m champion

Farah seals second gold with 5,000m

Moment of London 2012: "David Rudisha's world record in the 800m is something I'll always remember as an incredible piece of running. There is no pacemaker, it's the Olympic final and he goes out and breaks the world record.
"But for pure drama and for encapsulating the success of the Games, Mo Farah's 5,000m gold is hard to beat. It was special. I was commentating on the event and, when you're part of something like that, sometimes you have to pinch yourself. It was a moment which will live with me for the rest of my life."
Anniversary Games event to watch: Men's 3,000m (Saturday, 16:32 BST)
"I'm looking forward to seeing what Mo can do in the 3,000m on Saturday, and whether he really goes for it. The world record for that distance is one of the crazy records. He could run that in a big race but I don't think that's what he wants this weekend. David Moorcroft's British record should be straightforward for him, if that's what he wants to do."

Jonathan Edwards, former world and Olympic triple jump champion

Olympics athletics: David Rudisha breaks world record to win 800m

Moment of London 2012: "The standout moment was the response of the British public, to see a full stadium, the buzz, the sense of pride. That, for me, is what stood out.
"In terms of the sport itself, in terms of pure achievement, David Rudisha's 800m, from gun to tape, was incredible. It was the first time a man had gone under one minute 41 seconds and, given Seb Coe was so important to the Games, to have a world record in his event was truly incredible.
"From a British perspective, I commentated on Greg Rutherford winning gold in the long jump. That competition was wide open and to see Greg in the middle of all the hullabaloo around Jess Ennis and Mo Farah was perfect athletics. That night, Super Saturday, stood out because it was unexpected."
Anniversary Games event to watch: Men's 100m (Friday, 21:48 BST)
"It's great to have Usain Bolt competing again at the Olympic Stadium. Bolt versus Britain's very own James Dasaolu should be an interesting race. Bolt is obviously going to win but James's best of 9.91secs is not to be sniffed at and it's actually faster than Bolt has run this year.
"Then there's Mo Farah in the 3,000m. The distance events will be very competitive in Moscow and Mo's race on Saturday should be compelling."

Denise Lewis, former Olympic heptathlon champion

Watch the moment Jess Ennis secures a memorable heptathlon gold

Moment of London 2012: "It is so hard to pick one performance because there were so many great track moments. David Rudisha in the 800m and Mo Farah winning double Olympic gold were both incredible performances.
"With Mo in the 5,000m, it was watching the drama unfold, the tension was so intense you just couldn't take your eyes off him. Add that to Steve Cram's commentary and it was amazing. I was having palpitations.
"But, a personal highlight was watching Jessica Ennis-Hill win heptathlon gold. I had watched her develop into a fine heptathlete, she was the poster girl and the pressure was on.
"Jess had won the competition after the javelin, although for me the gold medal was effectively hers after the long jump, so for drama you can't liken it to Mo's 5,000m gold. For personal pleasure, though, seeing Jess on the podium, her face alive and full of sheer disbelief at what she had achieved, was magical."
Anniversary Games event to watch: Women's 400m hurdles (Friday, 20:04 BST) and Jessica Ennis-Hill in the 100m hurdles and long jump (Saturday, 14:11 and 15:50)
"It would be great to see Jess show what she's got. We can't expect much from someone who is just starting her season, she'll just be wanting to blow away the cobwebs and come through it unscathed.
"I can't wait to see Perri-Shakes Drayton in action in the 400m hurdles and Usain Bolt in the 100m. This weekend is a celebration and hopefully people will get a taste of what the Games were like."

Donovan Bailey, former world and Olympic 100m champion

Bolt beats Blake to win 100m gold

Moment of London 2012: "The very first thing I remember about the Olympic Games was how organised and professional everything was, it made my job a lot easier.
"But, in terms of performance, I am going to remember the sprints. The 100m is the marquee event, I was in the studio working for Canadian TV and seeing Usain Bolt win gold was amazing. But I also remember Greg Rutherford winning gold in the long jump, because he was coached by my coach."
Anniversary Games event to watch: Men's 100m (Friday, 21:48 BST)
"The 100m is something I'm always going to look at and I'm particularly keen on seeing how James Dasaolu will run in front of a home crowd. James could be the surprise of the season. He has got some work to do, but he's been consistent and he's extremely talented. He could achieve great things.
"Usain Bolt is not the man - he's the only man. There are a few athletes, including James, who could run 9.8 seconds, but Bolt hasn't any major challengers. He's the only athlete who can win a race making mistakes. All he needs to do is get through this race and remain injury free."

Athletics. Teddy Tamgho profile

Career highlight

He broke his own indoor triple jump world record in March 2011, leaping 17.92m at the European Indoor Championships. The 21-year-old first broke the record to win the world indoor title last year in Doha with a jump of 17.90m.

Career background

He came to prominence when he won the world junior title in 2008, but he failed to qualify for the Olympics in Beijing, was only 10th at the last outdoor World Championships and took bronze at the 2010 European Championships when hampered by injury.
The self-confessed showman European Indoor title in front of an ecstatic Parisian home crowd, proved his decision to uproot from his home town to train with long jump legend Ivan Pedroso  in Spain was the right one. Tamgho is yet to win a major title outdoors, which would make gold at his debut Olympics an even greater achievement.
Tamgho was suspended for six months in December 2011 after a training camp incident involving a female athlete. The ban handed down was 12 months with six months suspended, allowing him to return to competition in time for the Olympics.

Ahletics. Phillips Idowu rival Teddy Tamgho to miss Olympics

World indoor triple jump champion Teddy Tamgho of France will miss London 2012 because of an ankle injury.

The 22-year-old, who posed a medal threat to Team GB jumper Phillips Idowu, announced on his Facebook page:  "End of the season for me."
Tamgho underwent surgery on a bone growth last week, and added that he did not want to jeopardise his career by returning to competition too soon.
He also missed last year's world championships  in Daegu through injury.
Tamgho won the world indoor title  two years ago with a jump of 17.90m, before breaking that record with a leap of 17.92m at the World Indoor Championships in Paris in March 2011.
He was banned in December by the French athletics federation for an alleged physical altercation with a female athlete. His ban was initially for a year, but was then reduced to six months with six further months suspended - a duration which would have allowed him to compete in London in July.

Athletics. Triple jump world champion fractures

French triple jump world champion Teddy Tamgho will miss the rest of the winter season after fracturing his shinbone.

The 24-year-old, who leapt 18.04m to win World Championships gold in August, had surgery on his left tibia after sustaining the injury in training.
The French athletics federation said the operation went well.
Tamgho, only the third man to jump over 18m, missed the indoor season this year to prepare for Moscow after nearly two years out with ankle problems.
After missing the 2011 World Championships with a broken ankle,  he was absent for London 2012 after surgery on a bone growth on his ankle.

Hockey. England fight back to thrash Korea

England's women stormed back from two goals down to beat Korea 6-2 in the opening match of the World League Final in San Miguel de Tucuman, Argentina.

Korea started quickly but goals from Alex Danson, Georgie Twigg and two each from Kate Richardson-Walsh and Lily Owsley turned the match around.

Olympic champions the Netherlands beat European champions Germany 6-0 in the second Pool A match later on Saturday.

England play the Netherlands in their second match on Sunday.
The tournament involves the top eight nations in women's hockey, with Argentina, Australia, New Zealand and China in Pool B.
With the Dutch and Germans to follow, England needed to make a winning start against the eighth-ranked Koreans, but Jason Lee's team looked sluggish and defensively frail on a fiercely hot morning as they found themselves 2-0 down after 20 minutes.
Ki Ju Park opened the scoring with a well-worked penalty corner after 17 minutes, and the Koreans doubled their lead just three minutes later when Seung A Park clipped a clever finish past Maddie Hinch in the England goal.
With a little over three minutes of the first-half remaining, England got the boost they needed thanks to a brilliant finish from Danson, who fired home from the edge of the 'D' following a sweeping move out of defence.

Owsley levelled almost immediately after the resumption from close range following a penalty corner, and a Georgie Twigg penalty stroke put England in front for the first time on 45 minutes.

England were now dominating and Owsley gave them the security of a two-goal lead with a reverse-stick finish after 50 minutes, before captain Richardson-Walsh sealed the victory with two late penalty corner strikes.
"It wasn't a great start of course, going 2-0 down, but we managed to change a few things around and in the end I thought we quite comfortably won and could have scored even more," said England coach Lee.
"I'm also glad we scored quite a few goals because it's such a tight pool of top-class teams, and I think goal difference could play a big part in deciding positions."

football. Issues facing Africa’s representatives

Africa’s five qualified sides may have secured their spots in Brazil, but each of the quintet has work to do before the big kick-off next summer

This editorial considers a key problem or unanswered question facing each of the continent’s representatives.
As the spectre of the World Cup looms large and as the pressure mounts on the incumbent national coaches, answers will need to be sought for these issues.
If Africa’s five can’t navigate these concerns, then they might be in for a tough time against the world’s finest.

NIGERIA: MAKING UP THE SECOND STRING

The last, successful 18 months have been built upon Stephen Keshi’s focus on team spirit, togetherness and youthful exuberance. The big egos and the disruptive influences were axed as the Big Boss built a side based on performance rather than reputation.
Both youth and home-grown talents have served him well during Nigeria’s finest moments of 2013. The inexperienced defensive partnership of Godfrey Oboabona and Kenneth Omeruo excelled during the Cup of Nations, while it was Sunday Mba of Warri Wolves who scored the winning goal in both the final and the quarter-final.
Since the unforgettable AFCON triumph, Keshi has kept faith with his collective and has, largely, resisted the temptation to turn to more high-profile, experienced players.
However, can this policy continue all the way to next summer?
While there may be nothing wrong in calling on Solomon Kwambe, Francis Benjamin and Azubuike Egwuekwe in a friendly match against Italy, or to draft in James Okwuosa for the odd appearance, in the heat of a World Cup could these men truly match up?
Say, hypothetically, injury rules Elderson Echiejile out of our World Cup quarter-final…would you want Taye Taiwo or Juwon Oshaniwa primed to take his place?
Keshi may well be forced to make a big decision between philosophy and pragmatism over the next six months.

COTE D'IVOIRE: TRUSTING IN YOUTH

The 2014 World Cup in Brazil represents the Golden Generation’s last chance to leave a lasting legacy on the international stage. However, is it time for Sabri Lamouchi to begin to usher in the new faces?
Serge Aurier has all but taken over from Emmanuel Eboue as the side’s first choice right-back. The former Arsenal man hasn’t been called up to a squad since the Cup of Nations, while Toulouse full-back Aurier has started five of the side’s last six games.
Perhaps the transition is already underway.
However, while veterans like Siaka Tiene, Igor Lolo and even Didier Ya Konan have been used sparingly in recent months, the emerging stars haven’t seen as much playing time as they would like. Despite finding the net nine times in his first eleven league games, and twice in two Champions League games, CSKA Moscow’s Seydou Doumbia still remains on the peripheries. He has been called up only three times this year.
Elsewhere, Wilfried Bony and Lacina Traore are regular squad members, but both have struggled to force their way into the starting line-up on a regular basis. The same applies for Abdul Razak, who was missing for the double-header against Senegal.
The Golden Generation have squandered numerous chances to leave their mark on an international tournament. With a whole host of fresher faces champing at the bit, Lamouchi will have to decide whether to give Drogba, Zokora, Kolo Toure et al. one last shot at immortality, or whether to prompt a revolution.

CAMEROON: SEEKING CREATIVITY

The Indomitable Lions boast arguably the best defensive unit in African football.
Nicolas Nkoulou and Aurelien Chedjou are two sterling defenders who have honed their craft in the French top division. Ahead of them, Stephane Mbia is an imposing unit who will provide endless running for the duration of a contest, Alex Song brings a touch of class, while Jean Makoun offers experience and composure.
A supporting cast including the likes of Joel Matip, Benoit Assou-Ekotto, Allan Nyom, Jean-Armel Kana-Biyik and Dany Nounkeu will ensure that Cameroon are very hard to break down and ultimately, very tough to beat.
However, it is at the other end of the pitch that problems exist.
In the seven games before the second leg defeat of Tunisia, the Indomitable Lions only scored three goals. They struggled to create much of note in the first play-off against the North Africans and appeared listless and without direction.
Certainly, in Samuel Eto’o, the Indomitable Lions possess one of the greatest forwards in African history. However, the Chelsea man is not the force he once was and will struggle to both create and finish chances.
If Cameroon are to have a successful tournament, Volker Finke will need to develop his side’s offensive approach to complement their defensive solidity.
Perhaps QPR’s Assou-Ekotto can provide much-needed width down the left-hand side, perhaps Eto’o will be afforded a deeper role from which to influence proceedings and set-up chances for the likes of Pierre Webo, perhaps Benjamin Moukandjo can repeat his sublime performance against Tunisia.
However he does it, Finke will be desperate to make his team’s attack more menacing than wet tissue paper.

ALGERIA: A PLATFORM FOR FEGHOULI

Unlike Cameroon, Algeria do possess an outstanding creative talent who could unlock opposition defences for them next summer.
Valencia’s Sofiane Feghouli has the potential to be one of Africa’s finest playmakers and a key man for the national side. Unfortunately, despite being Algeria’s outstanding individual talent, he has too often struggled to provide a cutting edge or to truly impose himself on contests.
He remains an enigma and was largely impotent at the Cup of Nations, only sparking to life in the dead rubber against Cote d’Ivoire.
With Rafik Djebbour, so prolific at club level in the Greek top flight, out of sorts with the international side, it is imperative that Vahid Halilhodzic makes the most of Feghouli’s impressive abilities.
He can begin by providing a solid platform upon which the attacking midfielder can perform. In Saphir Taider, Adlene Guedioura and Medhi Lacen he possesses a trio of combative players who, in principle, could dominate the middle of the park and deliver the ball to Feghouli.
These three can run all day long and will strive endlessly for the common good, all they need is for Feghouli to reward their endeavour with his Midas touch.

GHANA: CONSTRUCTING THE MIDFIELD

The Black Stars boast an embarrassment of options in the middle of the park. The squad is dripping with so much talent that Kwesi Appiah could, quite feasibly, field two international-quality midfields.
Behind an individual frontman, Appiah could opt for a midfield of, from left to right, Kwadwo Asamoah, Michael Essien, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Sulley Muntari and Andre Ayew. Alternatively, he could choose Christian Atsu, Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu, Mubarak Wakaso, Anthony Annan and Solomon Asante, and still guard a realistic hope of making the last 16.
This is without even considering the likes of Emmanuel Frimpong, Derek Boateng, Albert Adomah or Mohammed Rabiu—all of whom will harbour hopes of making the Black Stars squad.
The problem facing Appiah—and it is a good problem—will be, primarily, who to choose to take to Brazil.  Beyond that he will need to decide how to meld his multitude of midfield options into a single cohesive unit.
If he can do this, then anything is possible… 3-6-1 anybody?

Hockey. England's Maddie Hinch eager for World League

England goalkeeper Maddie Hinch tells  Sportmazta that the upcoming World League Final will be an opportunity to measure themselves against the best international teams.
The World League Final, which features the top eight teams in the world, takes place in Argentina between 30 November and 8 December.
Holcombe stopper Hinch, 25, has become number one for the national side this summer following the retirement of Beth Storry and helped England to win silver at EuroHockey in August.

Hockey. England's women target gold in Argentina

England will hope to finally land gold when they line up among the top eight nations in women's hockey at the World League Final in Argentina.

Coach Jason Lee's squad open against Korea in San Miguel de Tucuman on Saturday, with the Netherlands and Germany completing a daunting Pool A.
England lost to Germany on penalties in the EuroHockey final in August.
"I think one of the most exciting things about this team is we're super ambitious," said forward Alex Danson.

"We're desperate to get into finals and go one better. That's an over-arching goal for this side. We're going to give it our absolute best and hopefully come back with that shiny medal."

Argentina, New Zealand, Australia and China will contest Pool B, before all eight teams move on to the quarter-finals stage.
England qualified for the tournament by taking silver behind Australia in the World League semi-final, a year after many of the squad helped Great Britain to Olympic bronze in London.
"I think it's really exciting times," captain Kate Richardson-Walsh told BBC Sport.
"After the Olympics you always lose that bit of momentum, you lose players from the squad and have an influx of youngsters coming into the team.
"The results we've had in the World League and the Europeans, hopefully we can keep building on that and get some good results out in Argentina."
Walsh, 33, is among a number of England players returning from injury, and added: "I sprained my ankle seven weeks ago and when I did it they were thinking I wouldn't be able to get back, so it's been a real race against time and hopefully everything's coming good just at the right time."
England have made just one change to the squad of 18 following the European Championships, with forward Sophie Bray returning in place of Sarah Haycroft.
"We've been working really hard on our fitness since becoming a new group, in the gym and out on the pitch," said Leicester forward Nicola White.
"We like really fast hockey, that's what we're about. I think we do play a fast game and get teams on the counter-attack. We're getting to know each other really well now, which is helping on the pitch.
"I think now our game-play will start to build and we'll start to punish teams and put the goals away, which we weren't doing a few months ago."

EuroHockey 2013: Germany 4-4 England (2-0 pens)

Hockey. England lose to Netherlands

England's women conceded two goals in the last three minutes to lose 3-2 to the Netherlands in their second match of the World League Final in Argentina.

Coach Jason Lee's side, who beat Korea 6-2 , went in 1-1 at the break after Georgie Twigg's goal from a penalty corner cancelled out Dutch skipper Maartje Paumen's sixth-minute effort.
England went ahead with an own goal after a slick move from their own half.
But Paumen and Kitty van Male grabbed two late goals for victory.

"I thought the performance was ok, although not as good as we were aiming or hoping for," said Lee. "I didn't feel like we deserved to be 2-1 up at the end, the Dutch had created a lot of chances throughout the game."

He added: "It was a strong defensive display overall, but it was our attacking play and creating chances that let us down - we need to be pushing a team like the Netherlands far more throughout the game, not just holding on. We gave the ball away too cheaply at times and in the end that cost us the game."
England play Germany in their final pool A match on 3 December.
The tournament features the world's top eight sides, with Argentina, New Zealand, Australia and China in pool B. All eight sides will progress to the quarter-finals.

football, Casillas nominated for Fifpro Team of the Year

The Real Madrid captain has lost his place in the Blancos first team this year but is still in the running for the annual XI alongside the likes of Manuel Neuer

Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas has been named among the nominees for the Fifa/Fifpro Team of the Year for 2013.

The Spain skipper has endured a frustrating time over the last 12 months, losing his place in the Blancos first team to Diego Lopez after suffering a hand injury in January.
Casillas has not made a Liga appearance for the club since, though he has featured under Carlo Ancelotti in the Champions League and for Spain at the Confederations Cup.
Meanwhile, his rival for the No.1 jersey with the world champions, Barcelona's Victor Valdes is also among the nominees, alongside Manuel Neuer, who led Bayern Munich to the treble last term.

Petr Cech of Europa League winners Chelsea and Gianluigi Buffon, who captained Juventus to a second straight Serie A title complete the field.
Last term, an all-Liga XI was named, with only Atletico Madrid's Radamel Falcao coming from outside the Real Madrid and Barcelona squads and Casillas in goal.

The 55-strong shortlist for the Fifa/Fifpro XI will be revealed on December 9.

Cricket. left-arm seamer signs new deal

Hampshire seam bowler James Tomlinson has signed a one-year contract extension which will keep him at club until the end of the 2015 season.

The left-armer's contract was due to expire at the end of next season.
The 31-year-old made an immediate impact after making his debut in 2002, taking 22 wickets in his first season.
"James is Hampshire through and through and shows a genuine passion for the club and his team-mates," said Hampshire chief Giles White.
This year, the seamer finished the season in the top five bowlers in Division Two of the County Championship with 53 wickets at an average of 24.16.
"We are delighted to have him around for at least the next couple of years," added White.
"He consistently puts in performances in the longer form of the game and he will have a big part to play in our bid for promotion in 2014."
Tomlinson said he was delighted to have signed the new deal and now hopes to fire Hampshire to promotion next season.
"I'm over the moon and very happy to carry on," he told BBC Radio Solent. "I really enjoyed last season and I'm looking forward to the next year.
"I've felt last season was the best I've bowled for Hampshire. I felt really consistent and was really pleased with myself. If we can get four of us doing that then I'm confident we can go up."

football. Mourinho urges Chelsea to take 'responsibility'

The Blues manager wants his side to rise to the challenge of a Premier League title push as they prepare to face three teams scrapping at the bottom of the table

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has challenged his side to deal with the "responsibility" of challenging for the Premier League title.

The Blues sit second in the table, four points adrift of leaders Arsenal, and beat Southampton 3-1 on Sunday to record back-to-back league wins going into three fixtures against teams battling at the wrong end of the table.
Away trips to Sunderland and Stoke City will be followed by Crystal Palace at home but Mourinho has no plans to set "targets" for his side, demanding only that they rise to the challenge of chasing down the Gunners.

"If you are 10 or 12 points behind, you are building but you are not fighting for the title," the Portuguese told the press. "If you are three, four or five behind, you are building evolution but fighting for the title.

"One of the things these boys have to learn is to cope with the responsibility of being there. We cannot be 15 points behind by December; we have to be there.
"Now we have two matches away and, after that, we play Crystal Palace at home. We are playing against three teams which need points because of the positions they have and we are going to have three very difficult matches.
"I think my team is a team that prefers that I can't say or establish targets. I can't say now I want to win five consecutive matches, now I want to be top of the league ... I want nothing.
"I just want to work with them and feed the young players and I just want to feed the team because it is a new team working with me for a few months."

Cricket. Announcer dropped for Panesar

The ground announcer for England's drawn tour match in Alice Springs was stood down by Cricket Australia for racially mocking Monty Panesar during day two of the game.

David Nixon introduced the England spinner in an Indian accent when he came on to bowl.
Left-armer Panesar was born in Luton and is of Indian descent.

"Cricket Australia deemed the conduct of the PA announcer as inappropriate," a CA spokesman said.

Nixon, a producer for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), had been using a sarcastic tone throughout the match against the CA Chairman's XI and was cautioned during Friday's play for teasing England batsman Joe Root.
"You can go and have another drink now, Joe," Nixon commented when Root was dismissed.
The England batsman, who was punched by Australia's David Warner in a Birmingham bar before the summer Ashes, repeatedly called for drinks during his first innings in temperatures of up to 39C.
In the post-match news conference, England's stand-in captain Ian Bell said he was unaware of the incident, while Panesar did not hear the remarks.
Panesar has taken 164 wickets in 48 Tests, the last of which came in Auckland in March.
The Essex spinner took 3-41 on Saturday to push his case for selection in the second Test in Adelaide, starting on 5 December.
England's 381-run defeat in the first Test in Brisbane featured several heated verbal exchanges between rival players.
Touring batsman Jonathan Trott flew home on Monday to undergo treatment for a stress-related illness.