Solent Sports News’ Reece Barrett brings live updates from the world of sport in today’s live blog.
1:51: Southampton boss Russell Martin has offered an update on midfield maestro Flynn Downes.
The Saints lost their first game after 25 undefeated when Downes was dropped from the squad against Bristol City, and have lost two of their last three when he has not featured.
Martin gave a promising update on the West Ham loanee: “Flynn has trained for a couple of days.
“We just have to assess how he has reacted from today. We’ll have a meeting with the medical staff, like we do every week. Then we’ll make a decision.
“Whether he starts, whether he’s on the bench, whether we wait until Liverpool to give him more time. If he’s ready to start, brilliant, if he’s ready for the bench, brilliant, if he’s not we’ll give him more time.”
Full-back James Bree is “nearing fitness,” but Juan Larios and Ross Stewart remain long-term absentees for the Saints.
1:35: Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund is set to miss two to three weeks of football due to a muscle injury.
The summer signing scored his sixth goal in consecutive Premier League games against Luton Town last weekend, but he’ll be forced to watch from the sidelines when United play Fulham this weekend.
Read more in Dan Baverstock’s report here: Højlund injury woes: United striker out for up to 3 weeks
1:15: Valencia have requested for their La Liga game against Granada to be postponed this weekend after a fire broke out in the city centre.
At least four people have been killed as a fire broke through two apartment blocks.
The Mestalla Stadium is supposed to host Granada on Saturday, but with 15 people still missing in the fire’s aftermath, the club have requested for the game to be delayed.
12:37: Leeds manager Daniel Farke has spoken ahead of tonight’s promotion six-pointer against Championship league leaders Leicester.
A win tonight would put the Whites just six points behind Leicester.
Speaking after winning nine straight league games, Farke told BBC Radio Leeds: “We know we face probably the toughest opponent in the league right now but so do Leicester.
“It’s important not to lose your cool and be over-motivated for such a game.
“It has the same value as the other games we play. For the final table it is the same.
“On the other hand it is a special game and it reminds you of when you first started to play football when you want to challenge yourself against the best possible opponent.”
It’s important not to lose your cool and be over-motivated.
Daniel Farke on the Leicester six-pointer
12:20: The NBA has resumed after a mid-season break while the All-Star matches took place.
NBA Results:
Dallas Mavericks 123 – 113 Phoenix Suns
Boston Celtics 129 – 112 Chicago Bulls
11:54: Joe Root inspired a fightback in today’s cricket, as his sensational century left India stumped.
He leapfrogged Alastair Cook as the Englishman with the most 50+ test scores (with 91) and then became the all-time top scorer of Test hundreds against India, knocking Steve Smith off the perch.
Today was his tenth century as England put 302 runs on the board.
India are yet to bat as day one comes to an end.
END OF DAY ONE: England 302/7, India yet to bat.
Read John May’s full wrap-up of the day’s action between India and England: Root digs deep to dig England out of the manure with masterful ton.
11:46: You can also follow our live coverage of the ongoing F1 Testing from Dan Baverstock here.
11:38: Torquay United have been plunged into adminstration after former owner Clarke Osborne walked away from his investment in the National League South side.
Read full quotes from Osborne in Jack Bunclark’s full breakdown here: Turbulence in Torquay as money issues strike
11:28: Fan protests in Germany have caused the Bundesliga to backtrack on a 20-year private equity investor deal. Read Charlie Clayton’s full breakdown of the situation here: Bundesliga Investor Deal Collapses
The fan culture in Germany is just fantastic…
11:15: The Europa League Round of 16 draw has now been completed.
Tournament favourites Liverpool have drawn Sparta Praha, whereas high-flying Brighton will travel to Italy to face Daniele De Rossi’s Roma.
League leaders will clash as 2021/22 runners-up Rangers will take on Liga Portugal’s Benfica.
David Moyes may have his job on the line and could save it with a strong Europa League run, so all eyes will be on him as West Ham face Freiburg.
Elsewhere in European games that do not include British sides, Marseille will play Villarreal, Sporting CP will face Atalanta, Milan will play Slavia Praha and Qarabag will take on Leverkusen.
11:10: Darts royalty Michael van Gerwen extended his lead at the top of the Darts Premier League table last night with a nifty win in Newcastle. Other notable results in the night saw Luke Littler reel in the big fish against Peter Wright.
Read Dan Baverstock’s full breakdown here: Van Gerwen beats Aspinall to take third successive Premier League night
10:50: Hello, and welcome to Solentsportsnews.com live blog. you join us with the glad tidings England batsman Joe Root has returned to form with a century in the fourth test against India in Ranchi.
Root and Ben Foakes dug England out of the doo-doo with a 113-run sixth-wicket partnership after they had slumped to 112-5 at lunch on a track full of iffy bounce and movement on the first day.
Former England skipper Root’s return to form after a poor run in the series so far, was much needed after India debutant Deep took three wickets in the first hour of play, snaring Zac Crawley, Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope.
