Sportsday Live - Friday's breaking sports news as it happened

The day starts as always with the latest from our ever-popular Football Gossip Column:

Chelsea's veteran striker Didier Drogba, 34, who scored the goal that beat Barcelona in midweek, is close to agreeing a \u00a36.7m-a-year deal to join Chinese side Shanghai Shenua.

Manchester United midfielder Ryan Giggs wants to play on at Old Trafford until he turns 42, according to former team-mate Gary Neville.

Celebrity Liverpool FC fan and United States basketball star LeBron Jameslaunches a Liverpool-inspired range of trainers - only for them to be panned by his fellow supporters.

The British Olympic Association believes it is likely to lose its court battle with the World Anti-Doping Agency, BBC Sport understands.

The ruling at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) could allow athletes such as sprinter Dwain Chambers and cyclist David Millar to compete at London 2012.

Essex sign New Zealand international James Franklin as their second overseas player for the 2012 Twenty20 campaign, according to the club's official website.

Franklin, 31, joins Australian fast-medium bowler, Peter Siddle, at Chelmsford.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 live Breakfast regarding the BOA's court battle with Wada: "A lot of people have been saying for a long time that the BOA is going to lose, and I think perhaps the penny is beginning to drop. The BOA were out on a limb with this, but the bigger point was they felt they should have the right to decide who competes for Britain."

Former Aston Villa and England manager Graham Taylor tells BBC Sport that the players are to blame for the Villains' poor showing in the Premier League this season.

"A number of Villa players must look at themselves and ask 'have I, every time, committed myself to the cause?'" he said.

Britain's Olympic 400m silver medallist Roger Black tells BBC Radio 5 live he is saddened by reports that the British Olympic Association is set to lose its court battle with the World Anti-Doping Agency. It means athletes who have completed drugs bans, such as sprinter Dwain Chambers and cyclist David Millar, could compete at London 2012. "I think it's a sad day because you have to accept that we will have people competing for our country who have cheated the system," says Black.

Zayed Al Zayani, chairman of the Bahrain International Circuit, tells BBC Radio 5 live Breakfast: "Having the race has nothing to do with the government and the political agendas which are going on in Bahrain. Whether we have the race or not, I don't think it has any impact on political reform. On Monday, once the race has gone, we will still have to deal with the same problems and that is the responsibility of the government and opposition."

Harry Redknapp receives public backing for the first time from a member of the Football Association's board for the vacant England manager's job.

Bolton chairman Phil Gartside tells the BBC World Service that the Tottenham boss, 65, is a "good motivator with a winning mentality" who has the potential to be an "outstanding England manager".

In his latest BBC Sport blog entry,Phil McNulty discusses the best goals in the Premier League era.

"Of those on the list I witnessed in the flesh, the explosive Tony Yeboah's thunderous goal for Leeds United against Liverpool at Elland Road in August 1995 - a strike that tested the frame of the goal to its fullest - was probably the most memorable," he writes.

Former France number eight Sebastien Chabal, nicknamed 'The Caveman' and famed for his long hair and bushy beard, is to join Lyon Olympique Universitaire next season.

Chabal, 34, won 62 caps with France but was not picked for the 2011 World Cup.

Aston Villa and England striker Darren Bent steps up his recovery after ankle surgery by completing some light jogging, manager Alex McLeish confirms.

Bent had the operation in early March and is still hopeful of a Euro 2012 squad place.

Australia captain Michael Clarke says he is frustrated that his side were unable to try to bowl out West Indies on the final day of the second Test, after rain stopped play. "I thought we probably needed at least 60 overs to try and bowl them out on that wicket, which certainly gave them a chance to try and win the Test," he says.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson confirms that midfielders Anderson and Paul Pogba have been ruled out for the rest of the season with hamstring and ankle injuries respectively.

"I'm hearing from reliable sources that Force India plan to skip second practice because their staff are refusing to travel in the dark - hence running soft tyres now [in first practice]. Force India say they 'wouldn't want to comment on that' for now."

BBC Director of Sport, Barbara Slater, announces: "BBC Sport's partnership with the London Marathon has been extended through to 2018. We are delighted to have secured live UK broadcast rights across all platforms including TV, radio, internet, mobile and BBC iPlayer. The BBC has been broadcasting the world's most famous road race - and fundraising event - since its very first running over 30 years ago. It is one of the most important events in the athletics calendar."

Former Australia and Saracens fly-half Michael Lynagh is in a critical but stable condition in a Brisbane hospital after suffering a stroke. Lynagh, 48, was admitted on Monday night after complaining of blurred vision and headaches following a long-haul flight from London, where he now lives.

Aston Villa and Bulgaria captain Stiliyan Petrov thanks fans in his home country for their support as he battles acute leukaemia. Bulgaria FA officials and thousands of fans congregated at Vasil Levski national stadium on Thursday to show their support for the midfielder.

In a recorded message from London, Petrov told them: "There are ordeals in life in which we must be stronger than ever, and I think I have enough strength and faith to cope. I do believe that together we will win this match too."

Andrew Benson's report of first practice: "There was a heavy police and army presence on the route to the track on Friday. F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone, who had insisted before the race that he would be 'very surprised if we have problems', visited the Force India team during first practice."

Britain's former Olympic 400m silver medallist Roger Black says on BBC Radio 5 live that, while he was disappointed that the British Olympic Association's lifetime drugs bans looked set to be revoked after a court battle, it was almost inevitable. "The reason this has become an issue is we are pretty much alone on this one. Everyone else in the world recognises if an athlete serves his time, then he can come back and compete at the Olympic Games. We are out on a limb, and that limb is about to be severed."

Force India team principal Bob Fernley tells reporters in Bahrain: "We're going to limit [participation in the second practice session].

"We are looking at it from the point of view of the wellbeing of everybody, and the comfort of everybody is in place, and that's the key objective for us.

"But the team is absolutely fully committed to racing here. We will be there for qualifying and the race."

British sprinter Dwain Chambers' lawyer, in light of suggestions that Chambers could win his appeal against a lifetime ban from the British Olympic Association, says: "The only opinion that matters will be contained in the ruling of the three arbitrators charged with the responsibility of determining the BOA appeal, and to my knowledge that will not be revealed until some time next week."

The owners of San Siro stadium, home of AC Milan and Inter, are planning to install an artificial pitch in the close season, reports Italian sports newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport. Milan vice president Adriano Galliani has already voiced support for the move, especially after a recent pitch complaint from Barcelona.

Officials at Newcastle call off Tuesday's race meeting because of a waterlogged track. So far this month, 81mm of rain has fallen at the course. Meanwhile, the going at Ayr for day one of the Scottish National meeting on Friday is good, good to soft in places as jockeys AP McCoy and Ruby Walsh return from injuries sustained at Aintree last Saturday. You can follow the afternoon's racing results on the BBC Sport website.

London Irish agree to release Shontayne Hape. Montpellier announce that the winger and centre, capped 13 times by England, will be joining them for the 2012/13 season.

Newcastle's in-demand midfielder Cheick Tiote insists his future remains on Tyneside. "I'm a Newcastle player - my future is at Newcastle," Tiote told the Newcastle Evening Chronicle.

"I'm playing for Newcastle and I have to finish this season strongly and help the team get into Europe. If we do that, it will be good for the club and the fans. We are in a great position now."

Exeter Chiefs' Conzalo Camacho is cited for a dangerous tackle on Worcester Warriors' Alex Grove during their Aviva Premiership match at Sixways on 14 April, the Rugby Football Union announces. The Argentine will appear before a disciplinary panel on 24 April.

Former Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri, who left Inter Milan in March, wants his next job to be in England.

"I had a great relationship with the fans here," he tells BBC Sport's Chris Bevan.

"Another reason I would like to continue my career in England is because all the best players are playing here now. I have managed in Italy, Spain and this country, and I think the Premier League is the strongest."

Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone says that he has offered Force India a police escort to and from the Bahrain International Circuit.

Ecclestone added that he was content to travel without any outriders to and from the circuit.

"They want an escort. They can have police, I am happy to travel without," Ecclestone told BBC Sport.

"I don't think they have any need to be concerned."

British heavyweight Dereck Chisora's appeal regarding the withdrawal of his licence will take place in London on 14 May, the British Boxing Board of Control confirms to BBC Sport.

Chisora was stripped of his licence in the wake of his defeat by Vitali Klitschko in March.

Manager Harry Redknapp still believes that Tottenham will qualify for Champions League football next season despite their stalling form.

"It's possible. We need to win four. I still feel we'll make Champions League football," he said.

Tottenham are in the fourth and final Champions League qualifying spot, despite winning one of their last eight league matches, clear of fifth-placed Newcastle on goal difference.

West Brom manager Roy Hodgson says he is not expecting a warm welcome when he returns to former club Liverpool for the Baggies' match on Sunday.

"There is no reason to give me a good reception because they didn't like me when I was there, so I can't see they're going to like me now," he told the Birmingham Mail.

"There aren't that many people I worked with that are still there. It will be quite nice to see one or two of the players who I worked with."

Tottenham midfielder Niko Kranjcar will not play again this season after suffering a knee injury in training, confirms Spurs manager Harry Redknapp.

Sauber reveal that a team minibus passed by an incident involving masked men as it returned to Manama from the Bahrain International Circuit on Thursday evening.

"The team members saw a few masked people running from there over to their lane where a bottle was burning as well," read a statement from the team.

"The minibus moved to the very right side of the highway and went passed the situation.

"No-one from the Sauber F1 Team was hurt."

Thirteen-year-old Chinese amateur Guan Tian-lang has failed in his attempt to become the youngest player to make the cut in a European Tour event.

The teenager missed the cut at the China Open by 10 shots, finishing on 12 over par.

Shadow foreign secretary Douglas Alexander has explained the Labour Party's call for the Bahrain Grand Prix to be cancelled.

"This is the wrong race, at the wrong time, in the wrong country. It has become the focus of very significant protests and it takes place against a backdrop of continuing repression -- more than fifty deaths in recent months," he told the BBC News Channel.

"I think the responsible course would be for the Formula One authorities to think again, even at this late hour, and to cancel this race."

Out on track at the Bahrain International Circuit Mercedes' Nico Rosberg is quickest in second practice ahead of the Red Bulls of Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel. Fifteen minutes remains of the session. Follow the action via Lawrence Baretto's live text commentary on the BBC F1 pages.

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba is out of Saturday's game at Arsenal with a knee injury.

Manager Roberto di Matteo refuses to commit as to whether he will be fit for the Champion League semi-final second leg against Barcelona on Tuesday.

Stoke boss Tony Pulis insists he has no regrets about not signing Demba Ba.

Ba failed a medical at the Britannia Stadium in January 2011 before moving to West Ham and Newcastle where he has enjoyed a rich vein of goal-scoring form.

"We have a medical team here who made a decision and they are fantastic," he said.

"They don't need any backing up. They thought there was a problem there -fine, we'll get on with it."

The Crown Prince of Bahrain says the Grand Prix will go ahead and "can be a force for good." He told reporters at the track: "Cancelling the race just powers the extremists. Having the race allows us to build bridges and celebrate our nation as an idea that is positive. I think this race should continue because it is indeed a very big event for the country, and important socially and economically."

"Two wickets apiece from Alan Richardson and Richard Jones made it a tough morning for the Surrey batsmen. The home side got off to a solid start thanks to Jason Roy's attractive 38. But Roy was leg before to Richardson and Steven Davies soon followed caught behind for 15.

"Jones then produced two really good deliveries to get rid of Mark Ramprakash and Rory Hamilton-Brown as Surrey went to an early lunch with the scoreboard reading 60-4 and the rain clouds threatening."

F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone believes that hosting the Bahrain Grand Prix has increased the focus on the country's rulers.

"I don't want to be rude, but I think his Royal Highness was a bit silly putting the race on because he has given the protesters an incredible platform for all you guys to talk to them," said Ecclestone.

"They've had all the freedom in the world to talk to you guys."

Here's more from F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone, ahead of Sunday's Bahrain Grand Prix: "We came here because this race was asked to be put on the calendar. It's nothing to do with us what happens in the country. The protests are nothing to do with F1."

In his statement to the media outlining plans to bid \u00a311.2m for Rangers, Bill Miller says: "I have decided the time has come to set the record straight and to issue a challenge to any would-be suitors of the club.

"I am doing this now so that Rangers fans and supporters can judge my bid and plans for the club on their actual merits. There is no time left for empty promises and grand-standing. Let's save Rangers. There is no time left."

Arsene Wenger tells Arsenal to finish their Premier League season on a high, starting with Saturday's visit of Chelsea: "We want to win our next game and that is the only way we can secure our Champions League qualification. We have done remarkably well in the last two months and we want to take advantage of that run we have created and show that on Saturday."

Roberto Di Matteo does not feel the need to speak to Chelsea striker Didier Drogba about allegations of diving in their Champions League win over Barcelona. "I don't see any reason why I should have a conversation like that," the manager said. "Our players, I think, are fair players. Everybody has his own style but I think we are a fair team."

Sunderland are fined \u00a330,000 for misconduct, relating to the conduct of their players towards the referee following the award of a penalty to Manchester City in their match on 31 March. The club had denied the charge.

Speaking of Robin van Persie, former Arsenal striker Tony Woodcock believes the striker should stay at the club beyond the end of his current contract and turn down more lucrative offers. "With somebody like Robin, it cannot be a financial thing at this stage in his career," Woodcock told BBC Sport. "Players want to win things and he is not far from winning things [at Arsenal]. He has to balance that up."

Top jockey Richard Hughes fails in his appeal to the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) to overturn a 50-day ban incurred in India. Hughes was suspended in February for reportedly not riding to instructions in a race in Mumbai, an offence that is not punishable under British rules.

Manchester United's ticket allocation for their final Barclays Premier League game at Sunderland could be increased. United were upset three weeks ago to learn they had only been given 1,700 tickets for the fixture, on which the title could rest, on the advice of the Safety Advisory Group.

Sir Chris Hoy tells BBC Sport it would be a "great shame" if the by-law which prevents British athletes convicted of taking drugs from competing at an Olympics is overturned. If the by-law is ruled illegal next week, the likes of Dwain Chambers and David Millar will be able to represent Team GB in London this summer. "It will be sad if we have to fall in line with the rest of the world," said four-time Olympic champion Hoy. "If you are caught for taking drugs, then you will not be allowed to compete in the Olympic Games. That to me is a good incentive not to take drugs."

Boxing veteran Frank Bruno is being discharged from hospital following treatment for exhaustion. He has thanked fans for their support. In a brief statement, Bruno's agent Dave Davies said: "Frank left the medical unit today and staff were very happy with his progress. Frank's very grateful for all the good wishes he received."

Aston Villa fans will be able to buy a special pie named in honour of their Bulgarian captain Stiliyan Petrov, who is battling leukaemia, at their home Premier League match against Sunderland on Saturday. The club said a percentage of proceeds from the pie, which contains chicken, leek and Bulgarian kefta meatballs, will be donated to the Cure Leukaemia charity.

Valencia will give season-ticket holders free entry to ensure they have a full stadium when they seek to overturn a 4-2 deficit in their Europa League semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid next week. "It is an absolute necessity that there is an extraordinary atmosphere at the Mestalla that helps push the side towards the achievable aim of a place in the final in Bucharest," the 2004 UEFA Cup winners said in a statement on Friday.

Scottish Athletics appoint Northern Irishman Stephen Maguire as their new director of coaching. Maguire, who has performed the same role with Athletics Ireland, will take up the job after completing his coaching commitments in the Olympics and Paralympics.

Hywel Griffith, BBC News reporter outside Caernarfon Crown Court: "Ched Evans sentenced to five years in prison for raping a woman who was too drunk to give her consent. He was in tears as the guilty verdict was read out, and told that he would serve at least two-and-a-half years of that five-year jail term. His family were in court with him, and his girlfriend was also here today. She had stood by her man before this verdict was read out."

David Moyes vows Everton, who visit Manchester United on Sunday, will work hard to get over the heartache of being beaten by Liverpool in last weekend's FA Cup semi-final at Wembley. "It is not the sort of thing you can just shrug off," he admits. "It was the semi-final of the cup and I think anyone losing a semi-final finds it hard, but when you lose to your neighbours that makes it even worse. It will take a while, but we have a really good, tough game now and strangely enough, it is one I think I'd prefer to have than not have."

Winger James Forrest is out of Celtic's trip to Motherwell in the Scottish Premier League on Sunday with an ankle injury which could yet keep him out for the rest of the season.

League One side Sheffield United have issued a statement on their official website following the conviction of striker Ched Evans. "The club recognises the seriousness of these events and as such wishes to respond in a responsible way when it has taken sufficient time to consider the matter fully," it said.

Jamie Cooke and Sam Weale qualify from the first men's semi-final at the modern pentathlon World Cup in Rostov, Russia. Junior world champion Cooke struggled in the fencing but pulled himself back into contention with a speedy swim and also impressed in the final event, the combined run and shoot. The 21-year-old crossed the line in 11th, well inside the qualification target of top 18, while Weale finished 16th.

England head coach Steve McNamara rejects rumours he was scouting for eligible players during his three-week trip to Australia. "There was a perception that I was down there on a 'shopping trip' for players with British passports, a situation which couldn't be further from the truth," he said.

Wales striker Ched Evans is "shocked and extremely disappointed" with the verdict reached at Caernarfon Crown Court, said a statement released by his legal firm Brabners Chaffe Street. "Mr Evans firmly maintains his innocence in this matter and is being advised regarding an appeal of the decision," it added.

Rafael Nadal beats Stanislas Wawrinka in straight sets at the Monte Carlo Masters, 7-5 6-4.

AP McCoy finishes out of the places at Ayr in his first ride back since being injured when his ill-fated mount Synchronised fell in the Grand National on Saturday. Ruby Walsh, also back after falling at Aintree, won the two-and-a-half mile handicap chase on The Knoxs with McCoy's mount Divers well beaten. You can follow all the racing results on the BBC Sport website.

Stuart Lancaster is flying to South Africa in an attempt to recruit New Zealand attack specialist Wayne Smith to his England coaching team. Smith helped coach the All Blacks during their successful World Cup win on home soil.

Two-time winner Mark Williamssays he "hates" Sheffield's Crucible Theatre, the venue for the World Snooker Championship. The 37-year-old Welshman, champion in 2000 and 2003, said he would "rather play at Pontins" and hopes the annual tournament is switched to China.

South Korea's Lee Daemyung wins his first World Cup title with a comfortable victory in the 10-metre air pistol at the Royal Artillery Barracks. Lee shot the highest qualifying score of 591 points for a lead of three, then held it easily through the eight-man final. Russia's Vladimir Isakov finishes second, with the Ukraine's Denys Kushnirov third.

Cardiff City forwards Joe Mason and Rudy Gestede agree new long-term deals with the Championship club. "We are delighted to have secured the services of Rudy Gestede and Joe Mason to longer term contracts, which is exciting news for the club," manager Malky Mackay tells the Bluebirds' official website.

QPR manager Mark Hughes says the club's Premier League fate is in their own hands, ahead of this weekend's game against Tottenham. "We feel it is up to us, we have difficult games but it is important we maximise the opportunities we have ahead of us. We have four difficult games and we make no bones about it - it is not going to be easy but we are playing well, especially at home, and we feel we can pick up enough points."

Former Olympic and world champion Isabell Werth believes Great Britain's dressage team are gold medal favourites at London 2012. "Each country and each rider is pushing each other, which makes it exciting," she said. "We have two or three teams that can win the gold medal in London, and Britain are the favourites."

Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish will check on the fitness of Ciaran Clark, Chris Herd (both head), Stephen Warnock (ankle) and winger Marc Albrighton (hamstring) before naming his team for Saturday's home game against Sunderland.

Novak Djokovic, who moved into the last four by beating Robin Haase 6-4 6-2, of the Monte Carlo Masters, says he did consider pulling out of the tournament after the death of his grandfather. "Yeah, I did. But I'm a professional and life goes on," said the world number one. "I know that I cannot change anything now.

"Any time is the wrong time to receive that news. Today was a bit better, but still a lot of emotional ups and downs throughout the match. I got to the semi-finals, which is big result for me under the circumstances."

World champion Mark Cavendish wants David Millar alongside him in GreatBritain's Olympic road race team. Millar, who was handed a two-year drugs ban in 2004, would be available for London 2012 if the British Olympic Association loses its current court battle to keep its lifetime ban for drug cheats.

Cavendish said: "I would love Dave to be on the start line. He is a loyal team-mate, he is very physically good and experienced. He would make a massive difference to our team."

Sylvain Guintoli tops the timesheets after a rain-hit first qualifying practice session for the World Superbikes event at Assen in the Netherlands. The Frenchman, riding for Effenbert Liberty, was just three hundredths of a second clear of Kawasaki's Tom Sykes after clocking one minute 37.600 seconds.

Great Britain 800m star Jenny Meadows believes the Achilles injury that has prevented her running this year could help her chances of winning an Olympic medal in London this summer. The 31-year-old is not yet sure when she will be able to return to action, but hopes to be running again in the next few weeks. "I think it's 110 days today until I have to step on the track in Stratford so that's bags of time," she says.

The Football Association of Wales releases a statement after Sheffield United and Wales striker Ched Evans was found guilty of rape and sentenced to five years in jail. "We are aware of the recent verdict in the trial and recognise the seriousness of the situation," said the FAW. "No-one from the association will be making further comment at this time."

Great Britain Olympic hopeful Elena Allen misses out on a place in the final of the women's skeet at the ISSF World Cup. Allen, who took double gold at the 2010 Commonwealth Games, was an agonising one shot from reaching a qualifying shoot-off for the final.

From 1900 BST it is the Kicking Off with Colin Murray show. Regulars Perry Groves and Pat Nevin join Colin for a preview of the weekend's sporting action.

You can hear Colin's interview with British tennis number one Andy Murray, while former Crucible winner Peter Ebdon is also on the show to talk about his first-round match with Ronnie O'Sullivan at the World Snooker Championship, which starts on Saturday.

Over on Sport Extra there is Friday night rugby from the Premiership with Newcastle taking on Saracens. Coverage begins at 1940 BST.

Glasgow Warriors back DTH van der Merwe returns to the bench for their RaboDirect Pro12 clash against Treviso on Sunday. The Canadian has recovered from the shoulder injury he suffered during the World Cup, with centre Graeme Morrison and back-row forward John Barclay back in action as Glasgow look to boost their play-off hopes.

"It's absolutely fantastic to have three guys like Graeme, John and DTH coming back into the 23 for what is the biggest game of our season so far," head coach Sean Lineen told the club's official website.

Play is drawing to a close across the County Championship, with Somerset ending on 78-1 thanks to Arul Suppiah's unbeaten 50 in reply to hosts Nottinghamshire's 162 in Division One. Elsewhere, Middlesex finish day two on 132-5 against Durham and Worcestershire's Alan Richardson takes 5-42 to limit Surrey to 123-7. You can see all of today's scorecards on the BBC Sport website.

Britain's Chris Adcock and Imogen Bankier lose their European Championship semi-final and are forced to settle for bronze. The Anglo-Scottish duo, seeded fourth, went down to Poland's 2010 runners-up RobertMateusiak and Nadiezda Zieba 21-17 17-21 21-19 in Sweden.

Leicestershire finish on 318-7 at the end of play on day two of their County Championship Division Two clash at Derbyshire. Josh Cobb and Ramnaresh Sarwan each compiled innings of 105 for the visitors.

Scotland's Steven Allan beats Guernsey's Gary Pitschou 6-6 11-2 to win the Men's WIBC World Singles Championship final. In the women's event, Wales's Laura Thomas beats Jersey's Alison Camacho 12-6 8-7 and there was another triumph for Wales in the mixed pair. Kerry Packwood and DamienDoubler overcome Marion Purcell and Allan 9-9 8-3.

Warwickshire limp to 68-5 in their reply to defending Division One champions Lancashire's opening innings of 250 at the end of day two in Liverpool, while hosts Kent close on 119-6 in response to Gloucestershire's total of 255 in Division Two.

Anthony Ogogo becomes the seventh British boxer to qualify for the Olympics by reaching the final of the European qualifying event in Turkey.