Thursday's news as it happened

Rangers striker Francisco Sandaza could make his return from a fractured cheekbone against Elgin in the Scottish Cup fourth round on Sunday.

Sandaza was expected to be out until the end of the year after suffering the injury during a 2-0 Scottish League Cup win over Motherwell in September. He needed facial reconstruction and it was feared he could lose an eye.

Reserve team boss Tommy Wilson said: "I would think with the goal threat he carries and his experience he'll absolutely be in contention to be in the squad for the Elgin game."

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has been speaking ahead of Saturday's Premier League home game against Southampton, who were promoted from the Championship in May.

He said: "Nigel Adkins has done a terrific job there. He's like a lot of British managers who have had to earn the right to come into the Premier League via promotion. He's done a brilliant job there the last couple of seasons, and in the last few games they have had good results."

Midfielder John McGinn has signed a contract with St Mirren until 2015.

The 18-year-old, whose older brother Stephen is a midfielder at Watford, has recently broken into the Saints first team.

Joey Barton's adoption of a French accent after making his Marseille debut has been given the Robbie Savage treatment as he answers the best of your tweets in this week's Savage Says.

"I didn't know what to think of it really, I didn't know whether to laugh of cry," said Savage, attempting a comedy French accent of his own.

With Ricky Ponting announcing his retirement from test cricket, Monaco making moves to sign David Beckham and the confirmation of the Ballon d'Or shortlist, it's been an eventful day in the sporting world.

The BBC News Channel rounds up all the day's big stories in Sportsday from 1830 GMT. If you refresh your browser, you can watch it on this page too.

Aberdeen striker Declan McManus has signed a contract to stay at the club until 2015.

The 18-year-old has made two first-team appearances this month after impressing with the youth team.

More from former Bolton manager Owen Coyle, who is interested in the Scotland job which has been vacant since

Gordon Strachan is the bookmakers' favourite for the job, and Coyle said: " "What I would say, and I've got to give balance to it, is that Scotland are very fortunate that they do have many outstanding candidates capable, I think, of ultimately qualifying for major competitions."

Flintoff is determined to block out his boxing critics, which include a number of leading figures in the sport.

"I've got the backing of Shane and Barry," he said. "There are always going to be people who are not behind you but I can't affect that. I've got to concentrate on what I'm doing, go in there and give it the best I've got."

Former England cricketer Andrew Flintoff makes his boxing debut in Manchester tomorrow, and has drawn comparisons between his pre-fight feelings and those ahead of a cricket match.

"It is different in some ways but in other ways it is quite similar," he said. "The fact I'm going into an event and getting that feeling again. I've prepared mentally and I'm prepared physically, talking to Barry (McGuigan) and Shane (McGuigan) and getting in the right frame of mind to win."

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has acknowledged that he needs to improve the club's Premier League performance, with his side lying 12th after winning three of their opening 14 games.

Rodgers said: "I'm not overly concerned but we're in the business of results and we want to get as many points as we possibly can. The mood in the team is very good, the group is very unified."

Two Roma fans arrested for their involvement in a violent attack on Tottenham supporters have been banned from all football grounds for five years.

Francesco Ianari, 26, and Mauro Pinnelli, 25, were arrested within hours of the incident at the Drunken Ship pub on the Campo de' Fiori in central Rome last Thursday. Spurs were in the city to play Lazio in the Europa League.

Several Tottenham fans were badly injured, with 25-year-old Ashley Mills still receiving treatment in hospital after suffering a stab wound to his thigh.

Ianari and Pinnelli remain in custody in Regina Coeli prison after having initial charges of attempted murder downgraded to aggravated wounding during a court appearance on Monday.

More from former England cricketer Andrew Flintoff, who says he is unfazed by the prospect of a boxing debut against American heavyweight Richard Dawson, who knocked out his first opponent in 19 seconds, before breaking the ribs of his rival in his second bout.

"I've not got the jitters - everyone has got a story," Flintoff said. "But it's nice to put a face to the man who I've been hearing about. We've seen his last fight on YouTube and we've got to see him in front of us now."

Former Bolton manager Owen Coyle is interested in the vacant Scotland job.

Coyle, sacked by Bolton last month, said: "There is no doubt that the Scotland job is a terrific job for the right candidate.

"If they (the Scottish Football Association) felt that I was one of those candidates and they wanted to speak, then, of course, I'm quite happy to listen and see what people think."

St Johnstone manager Steve Lomas has been handed an eight-match touchline ban, his club have confirmed.

Lomas was handed the punishment after being sent to the stand for foul and abusive language to a match official during the 1-1 draw against Celtic on 11 November.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is optimistic that 17-year-old England winger Raheem Sterling's contract will be sorted out sooner rather than later - but won't put a date on it.

Sterling has 18 months to run on his current deal, and Rodgers said: "It has been ongoing, the club and his representatives are in good dialogue and we hope we'll get that resolved fairly soon. No timescales."

Former England cricketer Andrew Flintoff says he is "mentally and physically" ready for his boxing debut against American heavyweight Richard Dawson in Manchester tomorrow.

"I've done all the work, all the hours of training, all the hours of sparring, I just want to get on with the fight now. So it is real," he said at today's pre-fight media conference. "I won't lie - there are going to be a few nerves knocking about as well. But this is what I have worked towards. This is why I've done it - for tomorrow night."

Kilmarnock have failed in their bid to have captain Manuel Pascali's red card overturned.

The Italian defender was sent off for a fifth-minute challenge on St Johnstone forward Nigel Hasselbaink during last Saturday's Scottish Premier League match.

Glasgow Warriors head coach Gregor Townsend has ruled himself out of the running for the vacant Scotland job following the resignation of Andy Robinson.

"My focus is firmly on Glasgow Warriors," he told BBC Scotland. "I know I have a lot of work to do to improve as a coach."

Willie Limond will fight fellow Scotsman Eddie Doyle for the Commonwealth light-welterweight title in Glasgow on 21 January after injury-hit Lee McAllister gave up the belt.

Former European and Commonwealth champion Limond is looking to bounce back from his British lightweight title defeat by Anthony Crolla, while unbeaten Doyle aims to keep progressing after winning a British masters title at lightweight against Gary McArthur earlier this year.

Goalkeeper Adam Bogdan has spoken of his delight at signing a contract extension to stay at Championship side Bolton until 2015.

"I want to get back to the Premier League as quickly as possible and I see this as a big step," the 25-year-old Hungary international told the club website.

West Brom manager Steve Clarke expects a response from his side at home to Stoke in the Premier League on Saturday after seeing them taken apart in a 3-1 midweek defeat by Swansea.

Clarke said: "The players know, and our fans are knowledgeable enough to know, it is a tough league and you will have days like this and I am looking forward to Saturday to see a response.

"Of course we want to bounce back, we didn't play well in the first 45 minutes but we responded at half-time, that is football - some games you win, some you lose - but we move on."

Middlesbrough manager Tony Mowbray is considering whether to bring back centre-half Jonathan Woodgate, left-back George Friend and midfielder Faris Haroun for tomorrow night's Championship trip to Birmingham after recent injury problems.

"If we risk them against Birmingham it might be a gamble too much. But we'll wait and see," Mowbray said.

Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva is set to return to first-team action at the weekend after a three-month absence with a thigh injury.

The Brazil international has not played for the Premier League club since 26 August after suffering the injury in the warm-up to their game against Manchester City.

"Lucas Leiva will return to the squad, which is great news because he's been working very, very hard and played the reserve game last week," Rodgers said on the club website.

Sam Warburton admits his patience has been stretched by Wales' repeated failure to claim a major southern hemisphere scalp.

Even Wales captain Warburton, who only made his Test debut in 2009, has experienced 10 losses at the hands of the All Blacks, Springboks and Wallabies.

"It has got to the stage now where enough is enough," he said. "I said to the players before the New Zealand game that I've only been involved (with Wales) for three or four years and it is already getting on my nerves, this whole southern hemisphere scalp."

Nicolas Colsaerts says he is pleased with his first round at the Sun City Golf Challenge given the trouble posed by the wind.

He told nedbankgolfchallenge.com: "I normally hit it very long off the tee, but around here I chose a less aggressive strategy, even when I was hitting driver.

"I played the same game as everyone. The wind was quite difficult to read, and it always felt like it was coming from one side. I had difficulty with it at 18."

American Bill Haas and Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts shared the first-round lead at the Sun City Golf Challenge after posting two-under-par rounds of 70 in tough conditions on Thursday.

A significant breeze and a demanding layout ensured that none of the players in the 12-man field could escape the chasing pack and the top 10 finished within two strokes of each other.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers admits he is tinkering with players' roles in an attempt to get more goals out of the team until he can strengthen in January.

The decision to drop Stewart Downing, who cannot get into the team in his preferred left wing role, back into defence has been questioned by critics but Rodgers insisted it was a means to an end.

"It is not a position which is new to him and he gets forward and serves the ball well from it," said Rodgers.

"I would never put a player in a position where it doesn't benefit the team and that he doesn't want to play in because there is no reward for that.

BBC Sport's chief sports writer Tom Fordyce answers the question many have been asking: Why are the All Blacks so dominant?

"Most successful teams rise, peak and then fall away, just as England's World Cup winners of 2003 did, or the Springbok team that succeeded them four years later," says Fordyce.

"So how have the All Blacks managed to not just maintain their dominance but actually extend it?

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has announced he will retire from international cricket at the end of the third Test against South Africa.

Here's Ponting's career in numbers:

167 - Test match caps. He will join Steve Waugh as the equal most-capped Australian in Perth.

13,366 - Test match runs to make him the second-most prolific batsman of all time behind Sachin Tendulkar.

41 - Test centuries to leave him third in the all-time list.

48 - His world record number of Test wins as captain.

5 - Test match wickets.

Tottenham forward Clint Dempsey says he left Fulham in the summer because he did not feel appreciated by the club.

"If you always felt valued and appreciated enough, I don't think you'd ever leave," said Dempsey, who returns to Craven Cottage on Saturday for the first time since his £6m deadline-day move.

"But it came to a point for me where I didn't feel valued and appreciated, not by the fans, but by other situations. That's just the way things went."

Olympic gold medallist Missy Franklin is to compete for her school team in Aurora, Colorado.

The 17-year-old had been undecided over whether to resume swimming for the Regis Jesuit High School team, with some critics saying her presence would be unfair on school friends and opponents, and others that not to return would be disrespectful.

The school's athletic director, John Koslosky, told the Denver Post: "She's doing this because of her team, her school and the other girls who swim in high school. And she wants to. They all want her there."

Bryan Habana's try for South Africa against New Zealand in September has been picked as the try of the year by the International Rugby Players' Association.

The winger burst onto a pass from flanker Francois Louw, darted between two All Blacks, chipped over opposite Julian Savea, caught the ball on the bounce and slid over the line in Dunedin.

"Winning this award is very special," Habana said, "and hopefully I can continue scoring tries for the Springboks for a very long time."

There are talented mascots out there and Southampton's Sammy Saint perhaps tops the list. The 'dog' entertained the crowd at half-time during the 1-1 draw with Norwich with his own version of Psy's 'Gangnam Style'. Take a peek.

AS Monaco have emerged as leading contenders in the race to sign David Beckham with negotiations expected to begin after Saturday's MLS Cup final.

The 37-year-old is understood to be open to the idea of moving to the principality, having announced his desire to leave Los Angeles Galaxy.

Beckham has also attracted interest from leading clubs in Russia and Brazil.

The former England captain plans to make a final decision on his future by the turn of the year.

Steve Finn will travel with the England team to Kolkata after successfully getting through a three-day match with the England performance squad.

Finn missed the first two tests with a thigh injury, but bowled in both innings of the EPP match in Mumbai, taking four wickets in the game.

He will now come into consideration to replace Stuart Broad at Eden Gardens on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Stuart Meaker, who had been with the main squad as cover for Finn, will remain with the Performance programme.

Brian McDermott has revealed how Sir Alex Ferguson took just five minutes to respond to an SOS from the Reading boss.

Refusing to reveal exactly what he discussed with his opposite number, McDermott said: "I spoke to him in January about something that I needed to address and he was very helpful to me and giving me good advice.

"I spoke to his son and asked him if he wouldn't mind Sir Alex giving me a ring. And, five minutes after that conversation, a private number came up and it was him.

"So, that just tells you the calibre of the man and what he's about. Talking to him was good for me."

Worcester are hoping to humble another Premiership title-chasing club when they travel to leaders Harlequins on Friday.

Seven days after defeating second-placed Saracens 12-3 at Sixways, head coach Richard Hill takes his Warriors to the reigning English champions.

"You have to make sure you take your three points when they're on offer and that's what we'll look to do," said Hill.

"We'll have to go in with very specific tactics and Quins will be missing some of their key players. But they've got strength in depth; you don't win a Premiership title with 15 players so we know the size of the challenge."

Oriol Romeu told his Chelsea team-mates they needed to "fight" to shake themselves out of their alarming slump after admitting it had left confidence in short supply.

Midfielder Romeu, who made only his third league start of the season in Wednesday night's goalless draw, told Chelsea TV: "We have to keep going forward, look at the positive things and win the games and fight, fight, in each game.

"When we get the confidence, the goals will go in. I'm sure about that. We had two clean sheets after a long time without that happening.

"So, that's a positive thing and the only thing is that, if we score, we can win.

Mark Hughes on Twitter: "People saying Pirlo need to watch Juventus play, he's been good but Vidal has been Juve's best player for the last 2 years."

Craig Lawless on Twitter: "It would be nice to see a defender on the list. They always seem to favour attacking players."

Simon Harkins on Twitter: "Right top 3 chosen. Pirlo played well against a dire England midfield and in an awful Serie A, he got destroyed in the final."

Keep tweeting your thoughts using the hashtag #bbcsportsday

Midfielder Leon Osman admits Everton's run of draws has put a slight dampener on their flying start to the season, but remains confident they can find a solution to the stalemates.

"It is football. It's not as if we've lost six out of eight games, we've been drawing," said Osman after Everton dropped points against the likes of QPR, Wigan, Reading and Norwich.

"Most of the games we should probably have won had it not been for a mistake or a refereeing decision going in our favour. It is tight and a couple of wins will start you going in the right direction."

Andrew Flintoff is determined to block out his critics as he prepares for his boxing debut on Friday against American Richard Dawson at the MEN Arena.

"I'd be lying if I said there weren't a few nerves, but I've been nervous before playing cricket and used it to my advantage," the 34-year-old Flintoff told Sky Sports News.

"There will be critics and doubters out there and it's a big task I've taken on, I'm just concentrating on the fight and we'll see what the reaction is.

"It depends if you take it on board - as a cricketer I didn't read too much of the press, I just wanted to be comfortable in what I'm doing.

"It's not something we're talking about in our camp, we're concentrating on tomorrow [Friday] night and putting all the good work into practice."

Australia coach Robbie Deans on the return of flanker David Pocock to the team for the Wales Test: "David is one of the best in the world as a player, and is growing every day as a leader, so naturally we are delighted to have him back.

"While he has continued to contribute off the field, this tour has been one of frustration for him, but we were not prepared to take any risks and potentially compromise either the player or the team, in terms of his fitness.

"The upside to the wait is that his return comes at a time where we need fresh energy, as was evident at times during our Test in Italy last weekend."

This will probably not come as a shock to many but without striker Robin van Persie's nine goals and four assists, Premier League leaders Manchester United would be languishing in 13th.

Opta statistics also show that Liverpool would be second from bottom were it not for the efforts of striker Luis Suarez.

Brendan Rodgers's men would have one win instead of three and 10 fewer points, while Newcastle would also be in the relegation zone without eight goals from Demba Ba.

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) announced that, as of 1 January 2013, the minimum riding weight for Flat racing will be raised by 2lb, to eight stone.

The amendment to the rules, implemented by the BHA and developed in consultation with the Professional Jockeys Association (PJA), is one of a number of changes aimed at assisting jockeys' welfare. The minimum weight was last raised in 2002, from seven stone 10 lb to seven stone 12 lb.

South Africa captain Graeme Smith says he was shocked Ricky Ponting had decided to call time on his international career.

"I've played a lot against Ricky and he's the most competitive man I've ever played against," says Smith.

"I think the way he played the game, the intensity with which he played the game, is a credit to him. He's always represented Australia with a lot of dignity and a lot of skill"

New Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari says he does not feel the pressure of trying to win the World Cup on home soil.

"I'm not feeling under pressure, but very happy," Scolari said. "When the FA president called me last Tuesday and confirmed that I was the chosen one, I thanked him a thousand times.

"I was under pressure the first time, when we were in danger of not going to the World Cup.

"The players are those who always have pressure over them, I don't."

Andy Robinson on Twitter: "Messi, Ronaldo, and Iniesta.... That's like trying to choose your favorite out of your children... Gotta be Messi tho."

Robert Lally on Twitter: "It's definitely the correct 3, any of the 3 would be a deserved winner, very tight!"

Mark Webb on Twitter: "Messi has to win Ballon d'Or for me, different class, 80+ goals. Ronnie runs him a close 2nd. Gap to third is massive though."

Tweet us your thoughts on who should win the Balloon d'Or using the hashtag #bbcsportsday

Dougie Freedman says he will continue to rotate his Bolton squad to keep up the fitness levels of his players during the busy Championship season.

Freedman told BBC Radio Manchester: "My job is to make sure we're fresh going into games. I've got to use the squad.

"I know players want to play every week but it's up to me to manage them."

The former Crystal Palace manager made six changes to the side that drew at Brighton and Wanderers went on to beat Blackburn 2-1 at Ewood Park.

The women's shortlist is also announced, with Brazil's Marta and American duo Alex Morgan and Abby Wambach up for the prize.

Further to the Ballon d'Or announcement, the shortlist for coach of the year is revealed as well: Real Madrid's Jose Mourinho, former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola and Spain's Euro 2012 winning coach Vicente Del Bosque.

Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Andres Iniesta are named in the three-man shortlist for this year's Ballon d'Or.

Messi, 25, has won the award three times already and is favourite to do so again after a year that's seen him score 82 goals so far.

BBC Sport's Cornelius Lysaght speaks to jockey Mattie Batchelor ahead of the Hennessey Gold Cup at Newbury on Saturday.

"When my Mum died seven years before, I'd been to Newbury for the Hennessy," says Batchelor, who won last year's race on Carruthers. "It was the year that Timmy Murphy won it on Celestial Gold.

"So the feeling of getting a success in the race myself was a big mix of elation and loads of other thoughts. It was very poignant, but then great to celebrate with my Dad and my sister later on."

Updates from the Hennessy Gold Cup will be on BBC Radio 5 Live from 15:00 GMT on Saturday, 1 December.

Wales XV to face Australia: L Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues); A Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), J Davies (Scarlets), J Roberts (Cardiff Blues), L Williams (Scarlets); R Priestland (Scarlets), M Phillips (Bayonne); G Jenkins (Toulon), M Rees (Scarlets), S Andrews (Cardiff Blues), I Evans (Ospreys), L Charteris (Perpignan), A Shingler (Scarlets), S Warburton (Cardiff Blues, capt), T Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons).

Wales boss Warren Gatland makes four changes to his line-up for Saturday's autumn Test series finale against Australia at the Millennium Stadium.

All the switches are up front following last weekend's 33-10 loss to world champions New Zealand, with starts for props Gethin Jenkins and Scott Andrews, lock Ian Evans and flanker Aaron Shingler.

They replace Paul James, Aaron Jarvis, Bradley Davies and Ryan Jones.

Manchester City's newest centre-back Matija Nastasic is thankful for the presence of his captain Vincent Kompany as he adapts to English football.

"I do like the way the English game is because it is quite quick. In Italy it is a little bit slower but I do like it and I prefer to pay in a quick game," the 19-year-old says. "Whatever I am learning, I am learning along with Vinnie [Kompany]."

Luis Felipe Scolari is officially unveiled as Brazil's new manager, taking charge of the national team for the second time.

Scolari, 64, won the World Cup with Brazil in 2002, and replaces Mario Menezes ahead of hosting the World Cup in 2014.

Carlos Alberto Parreira, who led Brazil to their fourth World Cup in 1994, is named as technical director.

Surrey fast bowler Stuart Meaker reveals he was "pretty close" to making his Test debut in Mumbai last week.

"I got pretty close. If (Stuart Broad) hadn't pulled through it could have been an exciting time for me. I very nearly could have made a debut after just being called up as cover so very exciting," he says.

Although only originally in the squad as injury cover Meaker could have won his first cap if Stuart Broad had not recovered from illness.

Barnsley boss Keith Hill admits captain Luke Steele and striker Craig Davies could leave the club in January.

Both players are out of contract in the summer and Hill told BBC Radio Sheffield: "It'd be brilliant in a perfect world to get it sorted out because they're probably two sought after players.

"I really don't know if they'll be here in the summer. If the club receives substantial offers for them in January then I should imagine they'll be considered."

Former Bolton manager Owen Coyle says he would be willing to talk over the vacant Scotland job.

He says: "If they [the SFA] felt that I was one of those candidates and they wanted to speak, then, of course, I'm quite happy to listen and see what people think - how they want to progress and what they think of yourself and what you can bring to that job."

Scotland have been without a manager since 5 November after the sacking of Craig Levein.

Israel President Shimon Peres says his country's hosting of the 2013 Uefa Under 21 Championship will be safer than if London held the tournament.

"When you come in June, it will be more secure and tranquil than a football game in London," Peres says.

England have been drawn with Israel, Norway and Italy.

Judd Trump starts the defence of his UK Championship on Sunday, and the 23-year-old possesses some very interesting views on the sport he is currently ranked number one in.

"Snooker needs rivalries, rivalries sell: people hating each other, wanting to beat each other up. In a way I do want people to hate me. If that's going to attract more people to the sport, it's got to be done," Trump tells BBC Sport's Ben Dirs in an interview available in full on the BBC Sport website.

"I don't want to be dressed in a bow tie and waistcoat, and kids younger than me certainly don't want to be wearing that sort of thing."

BBC Sport's Andrew Benson: "Formula 1's governing body the FIA believes world champion Sebastian Vettel committed no offence during the Brazilian Grand Prix.

"Ferrari have written to the FIA asking for clarification of whether the German's overtake of Toro Rosso's Jean-Eric Vergne was legitimate.

"If it was not, the German would face the potential of a penalty that could make Ferrari's Fernando Alonso world champion.

"Ferrari's action is not the same as protesting against the race result."

Warwickshire confirm Jeetan Patel will return as their overseas player next season.

Patel says: "Winning the LV County Championship with Warwickshire is one of the highlights of my career and I see no reason why we can't push harder for success in all formats next season."

The New Zealand spinner took 51 wickets as the Bears won last season's title, and has now signed up for a fourth season at Edgbaston.

England fast bowler Steven Finn bowls seven overs for the Performance Programme, which ends with an innings-and-193-run win over a DY Patil Academy XI today.

Finn, who has been out with a thigh injury, failed to take a wicket, with Scott Borthwick (6-38) and Stuart Meaker (3-8) doing the damage.

It is understood the FIA believes there is "no case to answer" with regard to a move made by world champion Sebastian Vettel on Jean-Eric Vergne during Sunday's Brazilian Grand Prix.

Questions were raised after Ferrari - the team of Fernando Alonso - were "evaluating footage" that appears to show Red Bull's Vettel making an illegal overtaking move.

The FIA, as well as race director Charlie Whiting, have now made it clear the overtake was legitimate and that no action will be taken.

Scottish football chiefs will press the case for Glasgow being one of 13 cities that could host Euro 2020.

But the Scottish Football Association has also not given up on the possibility of hosting the tournament jointly with Ireland and Wales.

Uefa president Michel Platini has proposed the 13-city idea for the championship finals in 2020.

Andre Villas-Boas warns that Tottenham may struggle to keep hold of Gareth Bale if his early-season form continues.

"Obviously Tottenham as a football club want to keep him here for as long as we can," says Villas-Boas. "But we understand players like this have propositions and a market which is the nature of the game."

West Ham defender Guy Demel believes his side have a chance to upset Chelsea on Saturday - especially if they replicate the performance produced in their 1-0 defeat to Manchester United.

"If we play like that against Chelsea and are more clever in front of goal, we have a chance to win the game," Demel tells the club website. "We don't need to hide because we have an opportunity to win the game."

Motherwell goalkeeper Darren Randolph is handed a two-match ban for violent conduct after his appeal to overturn the ban fails.

Randolph, who made his Republic of Ireland debut in September, allegedly kicked Hearts forward Callum Paterson in last weekend's 0-0 draw with Hearts.

He will now miss games against Aberdeen and Ross County.

"Batting at number three, he demoralised bowling attacks with his flashing blade - the hook and pull shots synonymous with the dashing strokemaker," writes BBC Sport's Marc Higginson on the glorious career of Ricky Ponting. "Whether it was the fast, pacy wickets of his homeland, or the slow, spin-friendly conditions of the subcontinent, Ponting generally flourished."

You can read about Ricky Ponting: The man who epitomised Australian cricket on the BBC Sport website.

Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas admits his side looked troubled towards the end of their 2-1 victory over Liverpool, and that the fast start from Spurs was vital.

"Liverpool want to fight for the same objectives as us and at 2-0 down, they had to have a go," the Portuguese manager tells the club's website.

"We didn't look as good as the game finished, but we looked good at the beginning and we have to compliment the team for that."

Ferrari have written to Formula 1's governing body asking for a clarification of Sebastian Vettel's controversial pass in Brazil, reports BBC Sport's Andrew Benson.

The Italian team want the FIA to rule officially on whether the German's overtake of Toro Rosso's Jean-Eric Vergne was legitimate.

If it is not, the German could be given a penalty that would make Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso world champion.

Ferrari's action is not the same as appealing against the race result.

West Indies captain Darren Sammy believes new ODI fielding restrictions will make life tougher for spin bowlers.

Previously, one more fielder was allowed outside the circle, which in theory helped the spinners bowl with more fielders in the deep.

"I feel sorry for the spinners, they have to find an extra way to bowl and be economical," says Sammy.

Jose Enrique says Liverpool have to take their chances if they are to climb the Premier League table.

The Spaniard tells the club's website in the wake of Wednesday's 2-1 defeat at Tottenham: "We just have to forget about the table when we are on the pitch and just focus on that game.

"I hope the results will soon come. We say it every week but we have to take our chances. We need points to get to the top four which is where we need to be."

Ricky Burns will face Jose Ocampo in his latest world title defence after the Filipino was drafted in as replacement for the injured Liam Walsh. Burns had been due to defend his WBO lightweight belt against Walsh next month until the Norfolk-based fighter hurt his back in a road accident.

Ocampo, rated 14 in the world by the WBO, will now face Burns at London's ExCeL on 15 December.

England head coach Stuart Lancaster ahead of Saturday's Test match with New Zealand: "We asked for a big response from the players after Australia and we got one last Saturday against South Africa, although ultimately we were denied.

"That frustration has been channelled this week and the whole squad has reacted with a determination to get a victory against the top team in the world.

"We are delighted that Courtney (Lawes) has got an opportunity. He has worked hard to get back in contention and what better game for him to make an impact. The same with Freddie Burns, who has had a great Premiership season so far, and we are looking forward to seeing him contribute should he get his chance."

England head coach Stuart Lancaster makes one change to the starting XV for Saturday's Test match against New Zealand at Twickenham.

Owen Farrell starts at fly-half in place of Toby Flood, who misses the match with a toe injury picked up in the defeat to South Africa.

Gloucester outside half Freddie Burns is set to make his debut off the bench, and in the only other change amongst the replacements, lock Courtney Lawes takes the place of Mouritz Botha.

Former England caretaker boss Peter Taylor and ex-Newcastle striker Les Ferdinand are two of the rumoured contenders for the manager's job at League of Ireland Premier Division newcomers Limerick FC, according to the Irish Independent.

Ferdinand would not be the first English player to start his managerial career with the Shannonsiders - Sam Allardyce was Limerick boss from 1991-92, leading them to promotion in his only season there.

New Zealand beat Sri Lanka by 167 runs in second Test to level the series.

St Johnstone midfielder David Robertson has suffered a broken leg and will undergo surgery, the club have confirmed. He left the field on a stretcher after coming on as a substitute during Wednesday's 1-0 defeat to Hibernian.

Serena Williams is named Women's Tennis Association Tour player of the year after back-to-back tournament wins in Charleston and Madrid in April and May marked a change in fortune for the world number three.

Williams went on to win 48 of 50 matches, landing grand slam titles at Wimbledon and the US Open as well as Olympic gold at London 2012. It is the fourth time Williams has won the WTA award after successes in 2002, 2008 and 2009.

New Zealand coach Steve Hansen on the sickness bug that has struck the team ahead of Saturday's international with England: "It's been a difficult week.

"A lot of people have been sick. We've had guys vomiting, but hopefully we've been smart enough to keep the energy tanks full. I think only two have missed out (on the bug). It started in Wales, and has continued this week."

More on Ferrari considering an appeal that could put Sebastian Vettel's Formula 1 title at risk (0916). Ferrari spokesman Luca Colajanni tells The Associated Press that "we're looking at the video. We have until tomorrow to file an appeal."

Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert has insisted he rates strikes Darren Bent and rejected any suggestion that there was a problem with the striker's attitude or application in training.

Lambert was bombarded with questions about his decision not to name the club-record £24m signing in the past two games following Tuesday's 1-0 victory over Reading.

According to the Guardian, he was asked a total of 22 questions about Bent's absence but nobody was any the wiser as to why Bent has been frozen out.

Ricky Ponting fact: 167 Test caps and 13,366 runs, 375 ODI caps and 13,704 runs, 71 international centuries.

The draw for the third round of the FA Cup, one of the most eagerly awaited days in football's calendar, takes place on Sunday. First up is the second round, with MK Dons facing Wimbledon in one of the ties of the weekend.

Stuart Murdoch tells BBC East Sport's Chris Osborne that he was blacklisted for being Wimbledon's manager when they moved to Milton Keynes.

Ahead of Sunday's historic clash between MK Dons and AFC Wimbledon, Murdoch says: "I was the face of that situation and was probably seen by other clubs and chairmen in that light. So in a way I was possibly unemployable. I didn't get the opportunity to manage again."

Ferrari want to establish whether there is enough evidence to lodge a protest that, if successful, could overturn the result of the Formula 1 world championship. They are "evaluating footage" that appears to show Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel making an illegal overtaking move in Sunday's Brazilian Grand Prix.

Spain's Fernando Alonso lost the title by three points to his German rival. But Vettel could lose four points if he is deemed to have broken the rules.

Ricky Ponting fact: Under his leadership, Australia won 48 out 77 Tests, 16 of them in a row between December 2005 and January 2008, and 163 out of 227 one-day internationals, including the 2003 and 2007 World Cups."

Rafael Benitez believes Chelsea can still win the title despite their failure to score in his two games in charge so far. Chelsea shared a stalemate with Fulham on Wednesday after the Blues' own fans jeered him in a goalless draw with Manchester City.

The Londoners lie seven points behind leaders Manchester United in third place in the table. "Why can't we?" interim boss Benitez replied when asked about Chelsea's title hopes. "It's still a long way to go. We have to keep going. We'll have chances."

Former England captain Michael Atherton on Ricky Ponting's retirement from Test cricket: "I'm not that surprised he's decided to retire. The signs have been there for a while that his batting had slipped below his high standards. It's a difficult decision for every ageing sportsman to make."

New Zealand coach Steve Hansen tells BBC Sport that every All Blacks player bar two has been sick this week with a bug. Kieran Read says the players had a "guided of the bathrooms on Wednesday" ahead of Saturday's international match with England.

David Beckham says he has received a number of "exciting options" to continue playing after his Los Angeles Galaxy career ends this weekend. But the former England captain, who brings the curtain down on six seasons in Major League Soccer in Saturday's MLS Cup final against Houston, was cautious when asked if a return to England was possible.

"I'm lucky because at 37 years old, I've been offered some exciting options," Beckham told Sky Sports News. "I've got quite a few offers on the table. I've always said I think I would struggle to come back and play in England because I've played for the biggest club in the world, the biggest club in England, Manchester United, and I couldn't see myself playing for any other Premiership team.

"But you never know. Like I said, we've got some exciting options on the table. I do think we'll be spending a little more time in England because it's good for the kids to see their grandparents."

The Sydney Morning Herald reporting on Ricky Ponting's retirement from Test cricket: "The entire Australian squad turned up for the press conference on Thursday in Perth where Ponting made his announcement. Australian skipper Michael Clarke broke down as he addressed Ponting's retirement. ''I didn't have a feeling it was coming,'' Clarke said. ''Ricky spoke to me after the Adelaide Test match . . . he'd made his decision over the last little while, the last few days. The boys are obviously hurting at the moment. He's been an amazing player for a long time.''

Good morning and welcome to Sportsday live.

The big overnight news is former Australia captain Ricky Ponting announcing his retirement from international cricket at the end of the third Test against South Africa, which starts on Friday. Tributes are pouring in for the second highest run scorer in Test history and we will have all the reaction.

In addition, we have the fallout from Wednesday's busy Premier League programme, the three finalists for the Ballon d'Or are announced. Is Lionel Messi's name on the prestigious award already? And we bring you all the breaking sports news.