UK-Sport Summary
Thompson, Wilkinson back for England
BAGSHOT, England - Hooker Steve Thompson completed the final stage of his remarkable rugby comeback on Wednesday when he was named in England's starting team to face Australia at Twickenham on Saturday. Thompson, a World Cup winner in 2003, was forced to retire from the game with a neck injury in 2007 but, after repaying his substantial insurance payout, returned to action with French club Brive.
Liverpool's Degen loses red card appeal
LONDON - Liverpool's selection problems deepened after the Football Association rejected Philipp Degen's appeal against the red card he received during the Premier League defeat to Fulham. The team are suffering a manpower crisis with several players, including captain Steven Gerrard and defender Glen Johnson, ruled out through injury or illness.
Portsmouth chief exec Storrie charged with tax evasion
LONDON said on Wednesday. Storrie is accused of defrauding Britain's tax office by concealing the payment of a signing-on fee made to Senegalese midfielder Amdy Faye when he joined from French club Auxerre, an RCPO spokesman said.
Welcome to the sportsdirect.com@St James' Park stadium
LONDON English club said last month they were looking for offers for the naming rights to St James' Park, their home for 117 years.
Consistency the key for England in ODIs - Wright
BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa series, all-rounder Luke Wright said. "I think consistency has been the problem with our one-day cricket for a while now. We have the ability to beat anyone on any given day but we have not always backed that up," Wright told reporters in Bloemfontein on Wednesday.
Toyota pulls out of Formula One
TOKYO .
Hulkenberg hopes to match Barrichello at Williams
LONDON - Formula One's newest recruit Nico Hulkenberg intends to be more than a match for Rubens Barrichello when they are team mates at Williams next year. "I hope that I will be on his pace right from the beginning and that I can match his speed and results and maybe even beat him at some point," the 22-year-old German told reporters on Wednesday.
Murray signs Adidas clothing deal
BERLIN - Andy Murray has signed a "long-term" sportswear deal with German firm Adidas from 2010, ending his long-standing partnership with Fred Perry. Adidas, the world's second-largest sports goods maker, did not give details on the length or value of the deal, though media reported it to be worth more than 10 million euros.
Portrait of disabled UK swimmer wins photo prize
LONDON - A portrait of a 13-year old swimmer, who lost her right foot when she was 10 months old, was awarded a photography prize at the National Portrait Gallery, its spokeswoman said on Wednesday. Paul Floyd Blake, 47, was awarded a 12,000 pounds for his portrait of 13-year-old swimmer Rosie Bancroft, who hopes to compete in the 2012 Paralympic Games.
Hamilton determined to get back on top
LONDON - Lewis Hamilton will be pushing McLaren harder than ever over the next few months to make sure he does not have to endure another 'character-building' season like the one just finished. The 2008 world champion started the Formula One campaign with a disqualification, battered by a storm over lying to stewards in Australia and struggling with a car that was painfully off the pace.