Gibson Reveals Fitness Battle

Everton midfielder Darron Gibson is hopeful he can avoid surgery on a troublesome thigh problem and insists he is happy to keep playing.The former Manchester United man has already endured two extended spells on the sidelines this season with the injury, initially suffered at the start of September.He returned to the first team at the end of January, though Toffees manager David Moyes has since revealed the Republic of Ireland international has been playing through the pain barrier.The club's medical staff are managing the problem with the hope of nursing Gibson through to the end of the season, though the fear remains he could break down at any time.The 25-year-old is also keen to avoid surgery, which would require another lengthy lay-off, and says he is happy to keep playing with the condition."Fingers crossed it won't need an operation," he said. "I'm just managing it at the moment.
"I'm happy enough. I'm comfortable playing."

Morgan Admits Wolves Worries

Wolves chairman Steve Morgan has admitted that the club have not made any financial plans for relegation to League One.The Midlands club currently sit second from bottom in the Championship after a run of thirteen games without a win, and manager Dean Saunders has yet to register a single victory since taking charge.Wolves, who were relegated from the Premier League last season, have a wage bill of £25million, with chairman Morgan revealing that the club are losing £6.5million per year. Financial issues would only increase if the club suffer a second successive relegation.

Nadal Beaten By Del Potro In Hardcourt

Rafael Nadal played his first hardcourt match in nearly a year on Monday to end the inaugural World Tennis Day.Nadal was beaten 7-6 (7/4) 6-4 by Juan Martin Del Potro at New York's Madison Square Garden in what was, at times, a light-hearted exhibition match.The Spaniard will now move on to Indian Wells to play in the BNP Paribas Open - his first competitive hardcourt action since Miami last March.
Looking ahead to testing his knee fully on the hardcourts which are believed to have heaped pressure on the joint, Nadal said: "I really hope that the knee will go well. I don't know how well but the knee will give me the chance to compete."I know the knee isn't 100 per cent better yet, but if the knee is now well to be competitive, to run with no limitations or limitations on my movements, that's a lot."
In a women's match at the same BNP Paribas Showdown event in New York, world number one Serena Williams defeated Victoria Azarenka 6-4 6-3.
Azarenka will now move onto Indian Wells to defend her BNP Paribas Open title.
Britons Heather Watson and Laura Robson will begin their campaigns against Irina-Camelia Begu and Sofia Arvidsson respectively. The latter-named Swede left Robson in tears last April when beating her in a Fed Cup match.
World Tennis Day was set up to promote the game, with a particular focus on increasing participation among young people, and the first-ever such event saw more than 40 countries take part.

Chelsea Deny Lampard Talks

Chelsea have denied reports they have opened talks with midfielder Frank Lampard over an extension to his contract.The 34-year-old's current deal is up at the end of the season with his time at Stamford Bridge seemingly drawing to a close.He has been in impressive form recently though, with the club's hierarchy understood to be considering opening talks on a new contract.
But Chelsea insist chief executive Ron Gourlay was misquoted at a press conference in Bangkok when asked about Lampard's future at the club.

Manchester United Vs Real Madrid | Clash Of the Titans

MANCHESTER UNITED De Gea Rafael, Evans, Ferdinand, Evra Carrick, CleverleyWelbeck, Rooney, Kagawa Van Persie

REAL MADRID Lopez Arbeloa, Varane, Ramos, Coentrao Khedira, AlonsoDi Maria, Ozil, Ronaldo Benzema

Jose Mourinho has first-choice goalkeeper Iker Casillas back in his squad for the game at Old Trafford for the first time since January 23, but it remains unlikely that the Spain international will feature.

Marcelo is also back in contention after recovering from injury and will push Fabio Coentrao for a place at left-back.The Real Madrid boss rested plenty of key players in the win over Barcelona at the weekend. Alvaro Arbeloa, Sami Khedira, Angel Di Maria, Mesut Ozil and Cristiano Ronaldo will all return to the starting line-up.Phil Jones (ankle), who impressed in the first leg, is a doubt to feature on Tuesday, though Tom Cleverley is expected to come in for the Red Devils in midfield. However, Rio Ferdinand is expected to return to the side after missing the win over Norwich at the weekend with illness.Jonny Evans is likely to once again partner the Englishman in defence, with Nemanja Vidic who played at the weekend, missing out.