Sportsday - Thursday 6 December as it happened

A busy night of Europa League action means Sportsday Live is coming to an early finish. Thanks for your company and don't forget to switch over to our football text commentary for all the latest from Thursday's matches featuring Liverpool, Newcastle and Tottenham.

See you back here for another Sportsday Live at 0800 GMT on Friday.

Shaun Murphy, the 2008 champion, on his thrilling final frame 6-5 quarter-final win over Belgium's 17-year-old Luca Brecel at the UK Championship, tells BBC Sport: "I thought I was out two or three times, he just didn't seem to feel any pressure until the end.

"It was a weird game. There were some really good bits and some really bad bits. I went to the loo and thought 'how can you practice so much and play so badly'. What can I say, I'm just delighted to reach the semi-final."

European football's governing body Uefa wants to prohibit the third-party ownership of players, secretary general Gianni Infantino has said.

"We all know that third party ownership of players bears many threats and there are many issues linked with the integrity of the competition and it is really time to regulate that and to have a stance on that," Infantino said.

Infantino said Uefa would ask world governing body Fifa to issue regulations banning the third-party ownership of players. He said that if Fifa did not agree, Uefa would still be prepared to implement the ban in its own competitions after a four-year transition period.

Olympic gold American snowboarder Shaun White tells 5 live's new winter sports programme Extreme, which starts at 2100 GMT tonight: "I was just a terrible child. I wasn't allowed ski poles because I would hit people.

"I was really into ninjas and the ninja turtles, I was always hitting people. I was always off in the trees and they couldn't keep track of me when I was on skis so they were like 'put him on a snowboard, he'll keep falling off, we'll be able to keep an eye on him' but I picked it up really quickly."

Tonight is the first edition of 5 live Extreme. Starting at 2100 GMT, host Will Perry will meet with some of those Britons currently training in Colorado ahead of the 2014 Winter Olympics, including ski cross racer Emily Sarsfield and freeskier James Wood. Some of the biggest names from across the world - including international snowboarding superstar Shaun White - will also feature.

Striker Luis Suarez starts his first Europa League away match for Liverpool as they look to reach the last 32 against Udinese in the Stadio Friuli (1800 GMT).

You can keep up to date with the action, as well as Bordeaux v Newcastle and Tottenham v Panathinaikos, with the text commentary team on the BBC Football website which is now up and running.

Uefa secretary-general Gianni Infantino says European football's governing body's decision to stage Euro 2020 across several cities and countries, rather than having designated national hosts, is supported by most national associations.

"The response has been extremely positive from all the national associations," he said.

"Uefa Euro 2020 will be staged across the continent, in various major cities, following a decision taken today," he added, calling the tournament in eight years' time "A Euro for Europe".

Barcelona striker Lionel Messi reassures fans that he still has a chance of making the starting XI against Real Betis on Sunday.

The 25-year-old Argentine was stretchered off in the goalless draw against Benfica last night and trained away from his team-mates in the gym on Thursday.

"When I felt the blow I thought the worst because of the pain, that I might be out for many months," he said.

"After the tests, and having ruled out a serious injury, I was much more relaxed," he said. "I am feeling good, fortunately it was only a blow and I am much better."

Messi is one goal away from matching Gerd Mueller's record of 85 goals in a calendar year.

Uefa's decision to host Euro 2020 in a number of cities across Europe is intended to mark the 60th anniversary of the first tournament.

The Football Association have already put forward Wembley to Uefa as a possible venue for the final.

Nine-time world rally champion Sebastien Loeb confirms that he will race between three and five races during the 2013 season, including Monte Carlo, Sweden and his home race in the Alsace region.

The Frenchman, who announced at the end of his title-winning season last month that he would reduce his schedule next year, will race in a McLaren MP4-12C GT3.

Grand National-winning jockey Daryl Jacob is set to miss the busy Christmas and New Year racing period after receiving a 10-day ban for apparently mistaking the winning line in a hurdle race at Wincanton today.

Jacob, riding second-placed Ulis De Vassy, briefly stopping riding before realising his error. He can appeal against the suspension.

Jacob won the 2012 Grand National on board Neptune Collonges

Fleetwood Town have named Preston North End head of youth Graham Alexander as their new manager.

The 41-year-old retired from playing at the end of last season after 1,024 professional appearances.

The job will be Alexander's first permanent managerial role in professional football.

Wasps centre Lee Thomas has been ruled out for the rest of this season through injury.

The club have confirmed that Thomas suffered a ruptured Achilles during last weekend's league game against Exeter at Sandy Park, and he faces a lay-off of six to nine months.

"We are bitterly disappointed to lose Lee, who was really starting to find his feet in a Wasps shirt," Wasps rugby director David Young said.

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew warns his clubs fans to expect a youthful side in action in tonight's Europa League match against Bordeaux.

The Magpies have already qualified for the last 32 of the competition regardless of the result in the south of France.

"I can't afford to lose anybody in that game, so there will be a few debuts there and if we have got fans flying over or thinking about it, they need to know that," said Pardew.

Rangers declare they will donate any gate receipts from their Scottish Cup tie against Dundee United to charity.

The club have announced they would not sell any tickets for the fifth-round clash and urged fans not to travel to Tannadice after supporters groups called for a boycott of the February 2 game.

Some Ibrox fans have pinpointed Dundee United chairman Stephen Thompson as being one of the most outspoken figures on the subject of relaunched Rangers seeking membership of the top flight in the summer.

Liverpool striker Luis Suarez is set to start his first Europa League away game in his side's final Group A fixture against Udinese.

The Uruguay international is suspended for Sunday's trip to West Ham, which means there is no need to rest him.

Brendan Rodgers's side need a victory to guarantee their passage to the knockout stages.

Striker Tommy Smith continues on the sidelines as his hamstring injury rules him out of Championship leaders Cardiff City's match against Blackburn on Friday night. The former Watford forward picked up the strain in a 2-1 win over his old club on October 23. Winger Craig Noone is available after suspension however as the Bluebirds aim to strengthen their position on top.

Sue Tibballs, chief executive of the Women's Sport and Fitness Foundation, welcomes Sport England figures that show that more women than ever are taking part in sport.

"It's fantastic to see that more women are being inspired to take up sport," said Tibballs.

"However, these numbers show that there is still a long way to go to close the gender gap in participation. There is still a 10 percentage point gap in participation with 41% of men taking part in at least one session of activity a week compared to 31% of women."

Inverness sweep the board at the Clydesdale Bank Premier League awards for November with Terry Butcher winning manager of the month, striker Billy McKay winning the player of the month and winger Aaron Doran being named as the young player of the month.

Great Britain's Jess Coulson is one of 12 nominees for the female European Athlete of the Month award for November.

The 22-year-old from Stockport was the leading European, finishing third, in the IAAF International Cross Country event in Burgos earlier this month.

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez is optimistic about the club's chances of finalising a deal for Sporting Kansas City's Roger Espinoza.

The 26-year-old Honduran international, who can play in midfield or defence, is free to move when his Major League Soccer contract expires at the end of December.

"We're working really hard to try to make it happen and we're looking forward to seeing if we can get that one done successfully," said Martinez.

"There are a few steps: there is the work permit, there are certain aspects we need to fulfil in the paperwork but Roger is a player that we've been following for a long, long time."

Reading boss Brian McDermott is refusing to set a date for goalkeeper Alex McCarthy's return from shoulder surgery.

The 23-year-old. who had been Reading's first-choice goalkeeper since September, suffered a labral tear during the 1-1 draw with QPR a month ago and after failing to respond to treatment, it was decided an operation was necessary.

"We don't want to put a time frame on it except to say it will be a long time. A decent amount of time," said McDermott.

Reading may also be missing Pavel Pogrebnyak for Saturday's trip to Southampton after the Russian striker sustained an unspecified injury while playing for the reserves in midweek.

Action is underway in the quarter-finals of the UK Championship in York. Belgian teenager Luca Brecel leads Shaun Murphy 1-0 while Stuart Bingham is 1-0 up on Ali Carter. You can follow the latest on the BBC Sport website.

Barcelona star Lionel Messi took part in light training on Thursday after being stretchered off with a knee injury during Wednesday's 0-0 Champions League draw at home to Benfica. The Argentine striker could miss Sunday's league game against Real Betis with a bruised knee but he feared his career was in jeopardy. "I sincerely thought it was the last ball I would be touching for a long time because of the pain," he said. "I tried to go ahead and shoot but I didn't have the strength."

China's Shanshan Feng moves four clear of the field at the halfway point of the Omega Dubai Masters as the race for the Ladies European Tour money list title hots up.

World number six Feng, the first Chinese golfer to win a major, added a seven-under-par 65 to her opening 66 get to 13 under with England's Felicity Johnson her closest challenger.

Leading chaser Cue Card is to skip a possible outing in the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon later this month in favour of running in the William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day.

The six-year-old, trained by Colin Tizzard, had a comfortable win in the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter last month.

Super League side Wakefield Trinity Wildcats have received full outline planning permission for their proposed new 12,000-seat stadium on the site of a former colliery at Newmarket, just off the M62.

The development was the subject of a public inquiry in December 2011 but the Wildcats received provisional approval in June, subject to the club providing further information. The scheme has now been rubber-stamped by the Secretary of State and work is expected to be completed in time for Wakefield to take their place as anchor tenants at the beginning of the 2015 season.

Japanese side Sanfrecce Hiroshima have beaten Auckland City of New Zealand 1-0 in their Club World Cup play-off match in Yokohama in Japan thanks to a second-half goal from Toshihiro Aoyama. The match was the first at a major Fifa competition to implement goal-line technology

Hiroshima will now face Al-Ahly of Egypt in the quarter-finals with Chelsea joining the competition at the semi-final stage next week.

Stoke boss Tony Pulis says the club have no intention of selling goalkeeper Asmir Begovic or any other key players in the January transfer window. Manchester United and Liverpool and reported to be among a number of clubs interested in the Bosnia-Hercegovina international.

London Welsh lock Matt Corker tells BBC London that his side's win over London Irish last weekend could prove to be a turning point in his side's bid for Premiership survival.

Fulham manager Martin Jol says defender Zdenek Grygera, who is training with the Premier League club, has decided to retire from the sport because of a series of hip and knee injuries. Grygera made seven appearances for Fulham last season before being released, but had been training at the club in the hope of earning a contract.

Barcelona striker Lionel Messi is set to return to training on Saturday following the knock which saw him stretchered off in last night's Champions League draw with Benfica, reports Spanish sport paper AS.

Messi suffered a bruised left knee after colliding with the Benfica goalkeeper in the game and is a doubt for Barca's next Spanish League match at Real Betis on Sunday. He needs only one goal to match Gerd Mueller's 40-year-old record of 85 goals in a single year.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson says he is satisfied that his young players had a chance to play in Manchester United's Champions League match on Wednesday night, which they lost 0-1 to CFR Cluj-Napoca .

British Swimming say that Chief Executive David Sparkes has held initial discussions with Olympic swimmer Rebecca Adlington to listen to concerns raised following this week's publication of the London 2012 Performance Debrief report.

Earlier this week Adlington said the association was acting too slowly in replacing former head coach Dennis Pursley and described the situation as "a mess".

Following his maiden Test fifty, England opener Nick Compton is pleased with his team's position after two days of the third Test with India in Kolkata, 100 runs behind with nine wickets intact, captain Alastair Cook unbeaten on 136.

"To put on 160-odd with the captain and get that score up front is great and it's looking good at the moment," he says. "The more time you spend out there the easier it gets, I've tried to work on that and obviously Alastair does that very well. It does get easier, especially in these conditions because the wicket's quite slow and you get used to the pace of the ball."

Following their win over England, Australia's bid for a fifth consecutive Champions Trophy title continues on Saturday with a semi-final against India, with the Netherlands against Pakistan in the other match.

England play Belgium on Saturday to determine which team will play for fifth place and which will play for seventh.

An important night for Tottenham tonight in the Europa League. They need to avoid defeat against Panathinaikos at White Hart Lane to ensure their place in the knockout stages. In 18:00 GMT kick-offs, Liverpool travel to Udinese and Newcastle visit Bordeaux.

Find out who needs to do what to qualify in our comprehensive Europa League guide on the BBC website.

This afternoon's meeting at Leicester is abandoned because of a frozen track following a second inspection after temperatures dropped to -6.2 degrees overnight.

Stoke boss Tony Pulis insists no players will leave during next month's transfer window, despite goalkeeper Asmir Begovic being linked with Manchester United and Liverpool.

"We will be looking to bring one or two in, but there will be no sales of any of the big players at this football club during the window," Pulis says.

It's stumps on day two in the third Test and England have closed exactly 100 runs behind India, with nine wickets intact, skipper Alastair Cook unbeaten on 136. You can read an account of the day in our text commentary on the BBC website.

Australia beat England 2-0 in the quarter-finals of the Champions Trophy in Melbourne.

The first match at the Club World Cup, the tournament in Japan involving Chelsea, begins in 15 minutes. Hiroshima play Auckland in the opening match, which will be the first professional fixture to use goal-line technology.

We will have updates throughout the day and you can read more about the competition on the BBC website.

Racing will go ahead at Wincanton this afternoon following a second inspection at the Somerset track.

BBC Monitoring report that Glasgow-based newspaper The Herald say Celtic's progression to the last 16 of the Champion's League challenges the commonly held belief that success is directly linked to the amount of money spent on transfers and wages.

Last night's opponents, Spartak Moscow, have "sprayed millions" on new signings, the paper says, while Celtic have "scoured Belgian football, travelled to Scunthorpe, waited for 'Bosmans' from Nottingham Forest, Aberdeen and Cardiff City. It is a policy that has paid dividends."

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson says winning at Manchester City would be "one of our best ever results. It won't be easy and if we defend like we did at Reading we'll be in trouble."

Fulham striker Bryan Ruiz is expected to miss a further four weeks after a setback in his recovery from a hamstring injury.

Ireland and Ulster flanker Stephen Ferris has undergone surgery following a tendon problem which saw him miss the entire autumn international programme.

There is more reaction to Celtic's famous victory in the Champions League last night in today's Scottish gossip column on the BBC website, including how racing driver Dario Franchitti and his girlfriend, actress Ashley Judd, were in the crowd at Parkhead.

You can read BBC Sport chief football writer Phil McNulty's thoughts on Chelsea and how the Europa League could be vital for Benitez on the website now.

Test Match Special summariser Geoffrey Boycott predicts Alastair Cook, 27, could reach 40 Test centuries after eclipsing the record shared by Boycott with his 23rd hundred in the third Test against India.

"I think he'll be close to 40 by the time he's in his early 30s, then it depends how long he plays, he might get more than that," Boycott says. TMS continues live now on sports extra.

Frankie Dettori wants to become champion jockey again when he returns from a six-month drugs ban, his solicitor tells BBC Sport. "He is hoping to use this new start to his career as a point from which he can win the jockeys' championship," says Christopher Stewart-Moore.

Dettori is quoted in the Daily Express and Daily Star newspapers today as saying his positive test followed "one night of madness with friends." The three-time champion said he had felt low after his position with Sheikh Mohammed's Godolphin team was put under threat by the arrival of younger jockeys.

This afternoon's meeting at Wincanton is subject to a second course inspection at 10:00 GMT.

Cook is the now the record England Test century-maker, eclipsing Kevin Pietersen, Wally Hammond, Geoffrey Boycott and Colin Cowdrey.

Ben Ainslie is today's profiled Sports Personality of the Year candidate, read about the most decorated Olympic sailor in history on the BBC website now.

John Senden is the first round leader at the Australian Open after a six-under-par opening round of 66 at The Lakes in Sydney. Englishman Justin Rose is two shots back, while Adam Scott is level par.

BBC cricket correspondent Jonathan Agnew on Twitter: "Cook now the youngest man to score 7,000 runs in Test cricket."

Nick Compton completes his maiden Test fifty as England press on against India in the third Test. Test Match Special is live on 5 live sports extra and we also have ongoing live text commentary.

Famous Celtic fan Rod Stewart will no doubt have celebrated last night's result in fine style and the veteran rocker is to release his version of 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas' on 9 December in support of the Celtic Charity Fund and Teenage Cancer Trust.

John Higgins bowed out at the UK Championship yesterday but UK users can watch his 147 maximum break again on the BBC website now.

The first two quarter-finals begin at 13:00 GMT with Ali Carter against Stuart Bingham and Luca Brecel taking on Shaun Murphy.

Not a single shot is possible on day one of the Nelson Mandela Championship because of a flooded Royal Durban course.

There will be an inspection at 10:30 GMT to see if racing can go ahead at Leicester this afternoon.

It's tea on day two in the third Test and England have reached 121-0, 195 behind India. Test Match Special is live now on 5 live sports extra.

Staying with cricket and Sussex have signed former Surrey all-rounder Chris Jordan, 24, who was released last season having taken 112 wickets in 40 first-class games.

A Cricket Australia Chairman's XI reach 390-4 at the close on the opening day of the three-day tour game against Sri Lanka in Canberra.

No racing at Market Rasen this afternoon, the track is frozen there and the meeting has been abandoned.

Good morning and welcome along to another Sportsday, from the BBC Sport Centre in Salford Quays. It was a famous night for Celtic and we have reaction to come, plus updates from the third Test in Kolkata, where England's openers are progressing well, but we begin with some stories from today's BBC Sport gossip column.

Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas is set to make a fresh £24m bid for Porto midfielder Joao Moutinho, 26, after watching him play against Paris St-Germain on Tuesday. (Daily Mirror)

Arsenal are believed to have revived their interest in Montpellier captain and defender Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, 23, following the French side's elimination from the Champions League. (Metro)

Liverpool have been linked with a £12m January move for CSKA Moscow midfielder Keisuke Honda, 26. (Daily Star)