to give West Ham a decision soon on whether he will end his career at Upton Park. The 35-year-old former England captain, who plays for Los Angeles Galaxy in the United States, was born in east London. (The Sun)

Villa's Bulgarian midfielder Stiliyan Petrov, 30, to replace Javier Mascherano at Anfield and is ready to offer £7m. It was revealed earlier this week that Mascherano wants to leave the Reds. (Daily Mirror)

City striker Craig Bellamy his first signing with the £15m transfer kitty he will be handed when he is officially named Fulham manager. (Goal.com)

Mercedes team principal Ross Brawn thinks that the rule banning team orders in Formula One is unrealistic. (Skysports.com)

After providing back-up to Super Bowl winner Drew Brees in New Orleans last year, veteran quarterback Mark Brunell has signed a two-year deal with the New York Jets. (Skysports.com)

Last weekend's Sky Bet Dash winner Hawkeyethenoo has been balloted out of Saturday's bluesq.com Stewards' Cup at Goodwood. (Skysports.com)

Mark Hughes look set to return to football as manager of Fulham after agreeing to take over from Roy Hodgson. (ESPN.co.uk)

Roy Hodgson admits his first match in charge of Liverpool could prove to be his toughest for a while as he prepares to take on FK Rabotnicki in Macedonia with a vastly inexperienced team. (ESPN.co.uk)

Sir Alex Ferguson has launched a stout defence of Manchester United owners the Glazer family, criticising media and fans for their harsh portrayal of the Americans. (ESPN.co.uk)

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini is prepared to take Robinho back and is closing in on his top transfer targets. (Skysports.com)

Diego Maradona has accused Argentine football chiefs of betraying him after they voted unanimously to end his tenure as national team coach. (Skysports.com)

Richie McCaw has no thoughts about changing his sometimes controversial style of play as he and his New Zealand team prepare to face Australia in the Tri-Nations on Saturday. (Skysports.com)

South Africa scrum-half Ruan Pienaar will officially become an Ulster player at the start of September after agreeing a release from his Natal Sharks contract. (ESPN.co.uk)

Marcos Baghdatis secured a welcome return to winning ways as he defeated American wildcard Ryan Sweeting in the second round of the Farmers Classic in Los Angeles. (Skysports.com)

World number six Elena Dementieva returned from an eight-week injury lay-off with victory over Japan's Kimiko Date Krumm in Stanford, USA. (BBC.co.uk)

Andy Murray says sacking coach Miles Maclagan came as a result of the pair differing in their view of his game. (BBC.co.uk)

Jenson Button has accepted a portion of the responsibility for Michael Schumacher's testing return to Formula One this season. (ESPN.co.uk)

McLaren’s engineering director Paddy Lowe admits the Woking squad remains mystified by how Red Bull and Ferrari are able to run their front wings so low to the ground – but is determined to find out so that it reaps the same performance gains. (ITV-F1.com)

Odds-on favourite Canford Cliffs got the better of last year's victor Rip Van Winkle to take the Sussex Stakes on the second day of Glorious Goodwood. (BBC.co.uk)