National sport - Maghull & Aintree Star

Flower focused on the action

England coach Andy Flower has ordered his players to focus on on-field matters and not become embroiled in the ongoing furore surrounding opponents Pakistan.Read

Houllier and MacDonald may team up

Gerard Houllier could work alongside current Aston Villa caretaker boss Kevin MacDonald in a director-of-football-type role if he links up with the midlands club.Read

ICC on top of corruption - Flanagan

Sir Ronnie Flanagan, the International Cricket Council's anti-corruption chief, has denied the spot-fixing crisis points to failures by the ICC.Read

Martinez issues N'Zogbia warning

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez has warned winger Charles N'Zogbia he has to prove himself to his team-mates after almost leaving last week.Read

Houiller interviewed for Villa job

Former Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier has emerged as a leading candidate to replace Martin O'Neill as Aston Villa manager, it is understood.Read

Reds expecting fully-fit Torres

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres' return to full fitness is ahead of schedule but the club's medical staff do not expect him to reach his physical peak for another month.Read

ICC wrong to suspend trio - Hasan

Pakistan High Commissioner Wajid Shamsul Hasan has accused the International Cricket Council of "trying to play to the public gallery" by suspending the three players allegedly involved in a spot-fixing scam.Read

Bulls snare Hargreaves

Bradford have snapped up prop forward Bryn Hargreaves from St Helens on a two-year deal.Read

Murray faces tricky encounter

Andy Murray was today preparing for a journey into the unknown, in more ways than one, in the US Open at Flushing Meadows.Read

Keane hungry to right wrongs

Robbie Keane will channel the bitter disappointment of the Republic of Ireland's World Cup exit into the quest for Euro 2012 qualification.Read

Recovery will take time - Gerrard

Captain Steven Gerrard admits it will take England a lengthy period of time to recover from their World Cup despair.Read

Wales ready to shine - Toshack

John Toshack believes his overhaul of the Wales side can bear fruit in the forthcoming Euro 2012 qualifying campaign.Read

Capello hoping England respond

Fabio Capello is crossing his fingers that intense pressure will continue to bring out the best in him.Read

Scuffle no distraction for Djokovic

Novak Djokovic ignored fans fighting in the crowd to join Roger Federer and Robin Soderling in the third round of the US Open on Thursday.Read

Sharapova sets up Capra clash

Maria Sharapova will face the new hero of American tennis for the second year running at the US Open after booking her place in the third round at Flushing Meadows.Read

Toshack reveals Bale interest

Tottenham star Gareth Bale was the subject of a "big-money bid" over the summer, according to Wales manager John Toshack.Read

Naismith named in Scotland side

Steven Naismith will start for Scotland in their opening Euro 2012 opener against Lithuania as Craig Levein left James McFadden out of his first competitive line-up.Read