Paul Casey to miss World Match Play in Arizona with shoulder injury

ACCENTURE WORLD MATCH PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP

• Venue: Ritz-Carlton GC, Dove Mountain, Arizona
 
• Start times: 1425 GMT Weds, 1615 Thursday, 1715 Fri, 1705 Saturday, 1415 Sunday
 
• Date: 20-26 February

Coverage: Regular updates and reports on BBC Radio 5 live, scoreboards and reports on this website

Paul Casey has been ruled out of next week's World Match Play Championship in Arizona due to his shoulder injury.

Casey, who was runner-up in the event two years running in 2009 and 2010, dislocated his shoulder while snowboarding in Colorado last month.

The Englishman is hoping to return to playing at the WGC Championship at Doral, Miami in three weeks' time.

South Africa's George Coetzee replaces Casey and faces top seed Luke Donald, the defending champion, in round one.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Paul Casey won the HSBC World Match Play at Wentworth in 2006, beating Shaun Micheel 10&8 in the final - the biggest winning margin in the final's history.

Casey, runner-up to Australia's Geoff Ogilvy in 2009 and compatriot Ian Poulter the following year, will miss out on the chance of a top prize of £900,000 in Arizona.

The Surrey-based Cheltenham-born golfer had been told after his accident that he faced two months out of action, which could also dent his hopes of a Ryder Cup place.

A rib injury impaired his chances of qualifying automatically for the Europe squad in 2010, captain Colin Montgomerie deciding not to offer him a wildcard.

Donald, the world number one, will face Coetzee at Dove Mountain, unless any other players withdraw before Monday's official draw.

Rory McIlroy, who will replace Lee Westwood as world number two after this weekend, is currently set to face seven-times Volvo World Match Play champion Ernie Els in the first round.

The 2011 US Open winner also revealed that he has been working on reshaping his swing, concentrating on altering "a few fundamentals''.

"I still feel it's going to take a couple more weeks to fully click in and that if feels completely comfortable, but it's definitely on the right track,'' he said.

"Hopefully, there will be a day when it all clicks and it comes easy to me."

Huddersfield Town set to appoint Simon Grayson as manager

Former Leeds United manager Simon Grayson is to become manager of League One promotion contenders Huddersfield Town, BBC Sport understands.

The former Aston Villa and Leicester City defender was sacked by Leeds owner Ken Bates just three weeks ago.

Huddersfield dismissed manager Lee Clark last week, despite lying fourth in the division.

Prior to defeat by Charlton in November, Clark presided over a club-record run of 43 league games unbeaten.

On Saturday Leeds confirmed former QPR boss Neil Warnock was to become their new manager .

Grayson guided Leeds to promotion from League One to the Championship in his first full season at the club, before fininishing seventh in their first season back in the Championship.

Sheffield Wednesday chairman Mandaric dismisses Megson rumours

Sheffield Wednesday chairman Milan Mandaric has told Radio Sheffield there is no truth in rumours claiming manager Gary Megson has left the club.

The Owls slipped to a third successive league defeat at the weekend leading to speculation in the media and on Twitter on Monday that Megson had left.

But Mandaric told BBC Radio Sheffield: "These rumours are not true.

"Gary is still our manager and we are now preparing for a big game [against Sheffield United] on Sunday."

The Owls, who lost 1-0 at relegation threatened Chesterfield on Saturday,are third in League One, five points behind city rivals United having played two more games.

Former West Brom, Leicester and Bolton boss Megson was appointed Wednesday boss last February, replacing Alan Irvine.

Megson made 286 appearances as a player in two spells with the South Yorkshire club, and was appointed Leicester boss by Mandaric in September 2007 before leaving for Bolton six weeks later

Sir Alex Ferguson rejected the chance to sign Joe Hart

LISTEN TO THE FULL 'SPOONY MEETS SIR ALEX FERGUSON' INTERVIEW AT 1900 GMT ON BBC RADIO 5 LIVE

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed his regret at passing up the chance to sign Joe Hart for £100,000 earlier in his career.

Hart, 24, joined Manchester City from Shrewsbury in 2006 and has become England's first-choice goalkeeper.

But Ferguson told BBC Radio 5 live: "I could have bought Joe Hart for £100,000 so we all make mistakes."

The Scot also said he would like an ambassadorial role at United after another "two or three years" as boss.

In a wide-ranging interview, the United manager claims Hart will be an England regular for at least another decade and is the best goalkeeper the country has produced for the last 20 years.

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After struggling to replace Peter Schmeichel, who left Old Trafford in 1999, Ferguson eventually signed Edwin van der Sar from Fulham in 2005.

Van der Sar retired last summer and although Ferguson has defended the purchase of David de Gea , many United fans will be frustrated to hear that Hart could have been their player.

The United manager claims he could have picked the youngster up from Shrewsbury before he eventually moved to rivals City for an initial £600,000 in 2006.

Ferguson said: "I've no doubt [that Hart will be England goalkeeper for the next 10 years].

"If you look at the England goalkeeper situation for the last 20 years, I would think he's easily the best."

Under Ferguson's guidance, Manchester United have grown to become one of the most decorated club sides in the world, winning 12 domestic league titles and triumphing twice in the Champions League.

SIR ALEX FERGUSON'S HONOURS AT MAN UTD

12 Premier League titles

2 European Cups

5 FA Cups

4 League Cups

1 European Cup Winners' Cup

1 European Super Cup

1 Intercontinental Cup

1 World Club Cup

10 Charity/Community Shields

Ferguson was due to retire at the end of the 2001-02 campaign but had a change of heart.

And he seems to have been inspired to build the next great United side by the rise to prominence of Manchester City, whom he memorably described as "noisy neighbours."

"I think you always want to go out on a winning note," said Ferguson.

"Hopefully we can do that. I don't know how long I can last now but if my health stays up I don't think another two or three years would harm me."

He also says his wife is keen for him to remain active and has even suggested he becomes a milkman when he steps down as manager.

There has been constant speculation about who will succeed Ferguson, with a string of former players linked with the job at various times.

Ferguson himself is a long-time admirer of Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho and believes the Portuguese would get more 'freedom' to do the job in England than he gets in Spain.

Mourinho was hugely successful at Chelsea and in December spoke of his desire to return to management in the Premier League.

Listen to the full 'Spoony meets Sir Alex Ferguson' interview at 1900 GMT on BBC Radio 5 live

Thailand's economy shrinks 9% after flood disruptions

Honda and other manufacturers saw their products damaged by the floods, hurting exports

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Thailand's economy contracted sharply in the last three months of 2011 after some of the worst flooding on record disrupted manufacturing.

Gross domestic product declined by 9% in the three months to December compared to a year earlier, the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) said.

Compared to the previous three months, the economy contracted by 10.7%.

The floods killed more than 700 people and covered two-thirds of the country.

Brighter outlook?

Analysts said despite the poor numbers, the future outlook was not as bleak.

"The fourth-quarter figures reflected a worse-than-expected impact from the floods. The overall picture going forward will pick up," said Pimonwan Mahujchariyawong from Kasikorn Research Centre.

The NESDB raised its forecast for 2012, saying it expects a rise in both public and private spending.

Thailand's Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has said the country will spend 350 billion baht ($11bn; £7bn) on infrastructure after the floods.

The NESDB said it expects the economy to expand by between 5.5 and 6.5% this year, rather than the 4.5 to 5.5% it had forecast in November.

The Bank of Thailand cut its benchmark interest rate for the second time in January.

Export push

Major companies that manufacture in Thailand saw exports hit when industrial estates flooded, including Honda, Sony and Western Digital.

The manufacturing index fell for the fourth month in a row and exports fell for a second month in December.

Honda, Toshiba and Fujitsu have all cut their profit forecasts because of disruption to production lines.

Thailand's Ministry of Commerce said it was targeting a 15% increase in exports this year, compared to 17.2% rise in 2011.

However, analysts said slackening global demand would also weigh on exports.

Champion trainer Paul Nicholls has revealed he is concerned about the health of some of his horses ahead of the Cheltenham Festival. 

Nicholls has cancelled a planned media day on Wednesday for the festival, which starts on 13 March.

"It is fairly obvious we had a moderate weekend. We have several horses coughing," Nicholls said.

Dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Kauto Star is not thought to be affected, said owner Clive Smith.

Somerset trainer Nicholls said: "It is my duty to leave no stone unturned now as we prepare for the last three weeks before the festival."

Hurdler Zarkandar, who earned a narrow success at Newbury, was the only winner from 31 Nicholls runners on Friday and Saturday.

Nicholls boasts a formidable squad for the festival and is seeking to make history on two fronts.

Big Buck's is being aimed at a fourth consecutive World Hurdle and 16th straight victory, while veteran Kauto Star looks to regain the Gold Cup having won in 2007 and 2009.

"I talked to Paul on Sunday night and everything is fine with Kauto Star as far as we know," said Smith.

"Obviously Paul's got an outbreak and one or two of his horses have got it, but hopefully it won't affect Kauto Star."

Police seek SPL talks over potential Old Firm title decider

Strathclyde Police plan to hold talks with the SPL over a potential Old Firm title decider at Ibrox.

Sunday's win at Easter Road stretched the gap between Celtic and second-place Rangers to 17 points.

Should Celtic remain unbeaten and their Old Firm rivals drop two points, then Neil Lennon's side could win the title on 25 March.

A police spokesman told BBC Scotland a fixture change would be difficult as the game falls before the split.

With home games to follow, against Dunfermline on Wednesday and Motherwell three days later, Celtic have the opportunity to make that difference 23 points before Rangers visit Inverness CT on Sunday.

OLD FIRM FIXTURES

• Celtic v Dunfermline 22 Feb
• Celtic v Motherwell 25 Feb
• Inverness v Rangers 26 Feb
• Aberdeen v Celtic 3 Mar
• Rangers v Hearts 3 Mar
• Dundee U v Rangers 17 Mar
• Rangers v Celtic 25 Mar

Lennon's side then take on Aberdeen before the next Old Firm encounter.

Following the trip to Inverness, Rangers have a home game with Hearts and an away clash with Dundee United.

Police say they would rather the scenario was avoided but admit pre-sales of tickets and hospitality packages would make a switch difficult.

But they also say they have experience in policing events and will treat this one in the same way.

Rangers clinched the title in 1999 after an ill-tempered 3-0 Old Firm derby win at Celtic Park.

That derby led to a call from the Scottish Police Federation for the fixture to be banned completely following violence after the game.

The SPL say the scenario is completely hypothetical but plan to hold talks with police and the clubs before the game, as is the case before all Old Firm fixtures.

Alan Curbishley has pulled out of the running to succeed Mick McCarthy as Wolves manager, BBC Sport understands.

The former Charlton and West Ham boss is believed to have dropped out because he and chairman Steve Morgan did not share the same vision for the club.

Curbishley, 54, was interviewed for the job along with former Sunderland boss Steve Bruce and Neil Warnock.

Analysis

Pat MurphyBBC Radio 5 live sports reporter

"Wolves chairman and owner Steve Morgan is finding the task of replacing Mick McCarthy harder than ultimately firing him. McCarthy's successor may not be in situ before the next match. That was not in the script when the club talked bullishly last week about the job being the ideal fit for someone used to winning Premier League games, and that the successful applicant must fit in with the DNA of the club, rather than the other way round"

However, Warnock has since taken over at Leeds, leaving Bruce as favourite to take over the Black Country side.

Bruce, who has 10 years' experience as a Premier League manager, is available after being sacked by Sunderland in November 2011.

The 51-year-old cut his managerial teeth at Sheffield United in the 1998-99 season and also had short spells as boss at Huddersfield, Wigan and Crystal Palace before moving to Birmingham in December 2001.

He spent almost six years at St Andrew's, guiding the club to promotion to the Premier League in his first season and, following relegation in 2005-06, he took the club straight back up.

Bruce left Birmingham for a second spell as Wigan manager in November 2007 before moving on to Sunderland in the summer of 2009.

Wolves are understood to want to hold a second round of interviews with potential candidates, although chief executive Jez Moxey said last week that he was confident of appointing a new manager before the game against Newcastle on 25 February.

Daniel Sturridge says Chelsea squad is not divided

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE LAST 16 FIRST LEG: NAPOLI V CHELSEA

• Venue: Stadio San Paolo, Naples
 
• Date: Tuesday, 21 February
 
• Kick-off:1945 GMT

Daniel Sturridge insists Chelsea's squad is not disunited ahead of their Champions League game against Napoli.

Andre Villas-Boas's ideas have not been embraced by all of his players and the Chelsea boss has denied Didier Drogba gave a team-talk against Birmingham.

"We are all together as one and we are not a divided unit," the 22-year-old striker told Chelsea TV.

"We are a family and we've got a good unit going. I think maybe we will see that in the next few games."

Chelsea have not won a game since 28 January and are currently on course for their worst season since owner Roman Abramovich bought the club in 2003.

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“I don't want to hear anyone saying we are the favourite for this game.”

Walter MazzarriNapoli coach

"I don't think it is a defining week for the club but hopefully we don't get in the same situation as against Birmingham where we have to come from behind," said Sturridge, referring to Saturday's 1-1 draw in the FA Cup fifth round, when the striker headed in an equaliser.

On Tuesday in their last-16 first-leg tie against Napoli, Chelsea face a Serie A side that took four points off Manchester City in two games in the competition's group stages, including an impressive 2-1 home win over Roberto Mancini's side.

"They have some great individuals, as well as a good team, but we have the same and we are not going to worry about what they have got," Sturridge added.

"We have to go out there with the attitude that they have got to worry about what we have got."

The club are currently fifth in the Premier League and, if they cannot get into the top four, Villas-Boas's side will miss out on qualification for Europe's premier tournament for 2012-13.

STURRIDGE 2011-12

With 11 goals, Sturridge is the club's joint top scorer with Frank Lampard

"We are working hard in training and the standard has risen since the last couple of games," Sturridge insisted.

"We know what we have got to do and we are not losing sight of that."

Napoli will have to do without coach Walter Mazzarri, who will serve a two-match touchline ban for pushing over Villarreal's Brazilian striker Nilmar in a touchline spat in the group stages.

Ahead of Tuesday's match, Mazzarri predicted Chelsea's European experience makes the Italian side underdogs in the last-16 tie.

"We will face a team, Chelsea, who have played more than 100 Champions League matches," said Napoli's 50-year-old coach.

"We are proud to play this match but I don't want to hear anyone saying we are the favourite for this game. We can find a result only if we play a great match.

"All the team has to play not only a special game, but the perfect game."

As part of playing the "perfect game", Mazzarri urged his side not to allow Chelsea to score an away goal.

"We have to face them in the same way - with adrenaline and proud about our history. It will be important for us that Chelsea will not score any goals at the Stadio San Paolo."

Six Nations: Manu Tuilagi set for England recall says Lancaster

RBS SIX NATIONS: ENGLAND V WALES

• Venue: Twickenham Stadium
 
• Date: Saturday, 25 February
 
• Kick-off: 1600 GMT

Coverage: Live on BBC One, S4C, BBC 5 live, Radio Wales, Radio Cymru & online; live text commentary & score updates on BBC Sport website

Manu Tuilagi is expected to "play some part" in Saturday's Six Nations game against Wales at Twickenham, says England interim coach Stuart Lancaster.

The Leicester centre has recovered from a hamstring injury but has not played for England since jumping off a ferry following October's World Cup exit.

Lancaster told BBC Radio 5 live: "It's nice to have people like him coming back into the equation.

"It'll be an interesting decision but I think he'll be playing some part."

Tuilagi and his Leicester team-mate Toby Flood, along with Northampton lock Courtney Lawes, are vying for recalls after shaking off injuries to play for their respective Premiership clubs over the weekend.

"I'm delighted they got some game time," said Lancaster. "Manu, Toby and Courtney haven't played a lot recently and to play international rugby you have to be playing at the sharp end of domestic rugby."

ENGLAND'S SIX NATIONS

• 4 Feb: Scotland 6-13 England
• 11 Feb: Italy 15-19 England
• 25 Feb: England v Wales
• 11 Mar: France v England
• 17 Mar: England v Ireland

Lancaster said he would be making changes to an England side that secured narrow wins in its opening two Six Nations games, against Scotland and Italy.

"There will be one or two changes from the Italy game and we certainly think our bench will be an important factor going into the second half," he stated.

"Results will always follow [a good] performance but we recognise the quality of our performances needs to improve."

Scrum-half Lee Dickson and number eight Ben Morgan could start after impressing from the replacements' bench in Italy.

Lancaster, who was appointed interim coach following Martin Johnson's resignation last year, guided new-look England to a 13-6 win at Murrayfield and 19-15 victory at the Stadio Olimpico.

However, he knows they face a sterner test against a Welsh side harbouring hopes of clinching a Triple Crown and keeping alive their dreams of a third Grand Slam in eight years.

England, who will again be captained by flanker Chris Robshaw, host Warren Gatland's side on 25 February.

Phil Mickelson wins Pebble Beach title as Tiger Woods fades

PEBBLE BEACH NATIONAL - FINAL ROUND LEADERBOARD

• -17: P Mickelson (US)
 
• -15: C Wi (Kor)
 
• -13: R Barnes (US)
 
• -12: A Baddeley (Aus)
 
• -10: P Harrington (Ire), K Duke (US)
 
• Selected others: -9:Greg Owen (Eng), K Streelman (US)
 
• -8: T Woods (US)
 
• -5: B Davis (Eng)
• -2: I Poulter (Eng)

Phil Mickelson shot a flawless eight-under-par 64 to overturn a six-shot deficit and win the Pebble Beach Pro-Am by three shots on 16 under par.

The American hit three birdies and an eagle in his first six holes to wipe out the overnight lead of Charlie Wi, who dropped four shots early on.

Wi closed with three birdies to finish with a 72 to end second on 15 under.

Tiger Woods bogeyed the final three holes on the front nine on his way to a 75 as he dropped back to eight under.

"It just feels great to win this tournament," Mickelson, 41, said.

"It's a special place for me, Pebble Beach, and to have a win here, where my grandfather caddied, feels awesome.

"I felt like my game was so close heading into the season, and yet my scores didn't reflect how I felt I was playing.

Did you know

• Mickelson's victory is his fourth at Pebble Beach and means he becomes only the ninth man to win 40 PGA Tour titles

"To put it together this week, especially the final round, just feels terrific. It gives me a lot of confidence but also inspires me because I believe what I'm doing is correct and that I'm able to play some of my best golf."

The former world number one opened with five pars and a birdie but a run of bogeys on the seventh, eighth and ninth left him struggling after his playing partner Mickelson had enjoyed a fast start.

Mickelson birdied the second and fourth holes to draw level with Woods. A further birdie on the fifth, followed by an eagle on the sixth, catapulted him to the top of the leaderboard as Wi, who four-putted the first to drop two shots, let further shots go on the fifth and sixth.

Woods rolled in a 13-foot putt for par on the 10th to stop his run of bogeys, then looked set to make a significant inroad into Mickelson's lead on the 12th.

The 14-time major winner holed a bunker shot for a birdie on the par-three but his hopes of a two-shot swing were abruptly ended when Mickelson drained a 30-foot par putt to stay four clear of his playing partner.

Mickelson then knocked in birdie putts from two and six feet on the next two holes to further extend his advantage, while Woods bogeyed the par-five 14th after a wayward approach.

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“I just could not see my lines, I couldn't get comfortable and I couldn't get the blade to swing. Anything that I tried to do wasn't working”

Tiger Woods

Woods dropped another shot on the 15th to drop back to eight under, while Mickelson rolled in another long putt for par to maintain his bogey-free round.

And the left-hander finished with a flourish with a four-foot birdie on the last.

"I didn't hit it as bad as the score indicated but I putted awful," said Woods. "As good as I felt on the greens yesterday was as bad as I felt bad today.

"I just could not see my lines, I couldn't get comfortable and I couldn't get the blade to swing. Anything that I tried to do wasn't working.

"And consequently I made a ton of mistakes on the greens."

South Korean Wi closed with a trio of birdies to jump above American Ricky Barnes, whose five-under 67 saw him finish third on 13 under.

Ireland's Padraig Harrington overcame a double-bogey seven at the second to finish with a two-under 70 - and tie for seventh on 10 under.

American Kevin Streelman had a run of five birdies in eight holes to briefly threaten but he bogeyed the 16th and 17th before dropping two more shots at the last to fall back into a tie for ninth alongside England's Greg Owen (70) on nine under
.