Steven Gerrard will miss both of England's forthcoming World Cup qualifiers after having an operation on Thursday on his troublesome groin problem.

Dirk Kuyt struck the extra-time winner which will be worth millions to Liverpool as they secured their place in the Champions League group stages with a 1-0 win.

Arsenal brushed aside the challenge of Steve McClaren's FC Twente to secure a place in the lucrative group stages of the Champions League with a 4-0 victory at Emirates Stadium.

Danny Murphy scored an injury-time winner as Fulham avoided a second-round Carling Cup upset at the hands of Leicester on Wednesday night.

Gareth Barry's agent has stated the England midfielder will stay with Aston Villa rather than make a late move before the transfer window closes.

Aston Villa are expected to step up their bid to sign Newcastle's want-away winger James Milner, who has handed in a transfer request.

British number one Anne Keothavong caused a major shock at the US Open as she knocked out number 25 seed Francesca Schiavone of Italy to reach the third round.

Jelena Jankovic and Svetlana Kuznetsova both endured some tense moments before advancing to the third round at the US Open.

Novak Djokovic overcame an ankle injury to defeat Frenchman Arnaud Clement 6-3 6-3 6-4 in the first round of the US Open on Wednesday.

Matt Prior will link up with England in London on Thursday having made the first strides towards convincing his new captain that he is the man to solve their long-term wicketkeeping problem.

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