Daily Mail

The prospect of an England only football team representing Great Britain at the 2012 Olympics grew when the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland Football Associations refused to back the idea. Only the English FA are in favour.


English cricket is bracing itself for a mass player boycott of the Champions Trophy, which could ultimately threaten participation in the limited overs tournament.


Shaun Wright-Phillips will become Portsmouth's latest England capture when he returns from Chelsea's pre-season trip to the Far East and Russia, with Harry Redknapp hoping to sign him for around £11million.

On the move: Shaun Wright-Phillips

The Guardian
Sir Alex Ferguson will be asked to play a central role in identifying his successor at Manchester United after Old Trafford chief executive David Gill admitted that the Scot's input will be "invaluable".

Also: Luiz Felipe Scolari will attempt to banish the memory of Jose Mourinho and his Chelsea players are confident that the new manager will succeed in reinventing the team's style of play.

The Times
The transfer of Robbie Keane to Liverpool moved closer last night when the Ireland forward was omitted from the Tottenham Hotspur squad for a friendly match in Spain.

Also: Reports in India indicate the planned Twenty20 Champions League has been scrapped, but there will still be a passage to riches for the four counties involved in the Twenty20 Finals Day here.

The Independent
Gareth Barry could yet stay at Aston Villa next season, Martin O'Neill warned yesterday when he threatened to set a deadline for Liverpool's dawdling pursuit of the England international.

Also: Sri Lanka batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan earned himself a place in cricket history in Colombo yesterday by becoming the first player to appeal successfully against being given out.

Daily Telegraph
Chelsea's hopes of a £25million deal to land Brazilian Robinho were boosted yesterday with news that the 24-year-old has rejected a new contract offer by Real Madrid.

Also: Former 100 metres world record holder Asafa Powell has called for tougher sentences for drug cheats saying he would throw offenders in jail.

Daily Express
Xabi Alonso returns to training with Liverpool today and will head for showdown talks with boss Rafa Benitez about his future. Benitez wants to offload Alonso to fund further spending but the midfielder wants to stay at the club.

Also: Brazilian midfielder Gilberto, who has just ended his six-year spell at Arsenal, fears the club's three-season run without a trophy will carry on.

The Sun
Newcastle striker Obafemi Martins will miss the start of the season after his mother died in Nigeria.

Also: Dwain Chambers is being lined up as a sprint coach to work with some of England's top rugby stars.

Daily Mirror
Blackburn will today complete the transfer of goalkeeper Paul Robinson from Spurs and will let Brad Friedel join Aston Villa.

Also: Wigan striker Emile Heskey is the shock target of Greek giants Panathinaikos who are set to make a £6million move for the former England man.

Daily Star
Harry Redknapp is willing to let Sulley Muntari move to Inter Milan for £12million and will use the funds to bring Shaun Wright-Phillips to Portsmouth.

Also: Former England wicketkeeper Alec Stewart believes the man now in the job, Tim Ambrose, is living on borrowed time for a Test place.