Football

Soccer-Real Madrid visit lowly Leganes trying to cope with injury crisis

MADRID (Reuters) - The international break came at the perfect time for Real Madrid to try to speed up the recovery of some of their key players in an injury-plagued start to the season but they find themselves still depleted ahead of their trip to Leganes on Sunday.

Football

Soccer-Martino resigns from Miami after MLS Playoff defeat - media reports

(Reuters) - Gerardo "Tata" Martino has resigned as head coach of Lionel Messi's Inter Miami, according to multiple media reports, after the team suffered a surprise defeat to Atlanta United in Round One of the MLS Cup Playoffs.

Rugby

Rugby-Prendergast starts as Ireland make seven changes for Fiji clash

DUBLIN (Reuters) - Young flyhalf Sam Prendergast will make his first Ireland start against Fiji on Saturday after an impressive debut off the bench last week, one of seven changes that includes first caps for flanker Cormac Izuchukwu and hooker Gus McCarthy.

Motorsport

Motor racing-Piastri expects to be back on equal terms with Norris

LAS VEGAS (Reuters) - Australian Oscar Piastri has set his sights on victory in Las Vegas now that McLaren team mate Lando Norris's Formula One title hopes have receded.

Football

Soccer-All eyes on Amorim as new Man Utd era begins at Ipswich

(Reuters) - Manchester United begin what they hope will be a journey back towards their former glory as new head coach Ruben Amorim takes charge for the first time away at Ipswich Town on Sunday.

Rugby

Rugby-Capuozzo returns for Italy to face All Blacks, Brex named captain

TURIN, Italy (Reuters) - Italy fullback Ange Capuozzo has returned from a head injury in Gonzalo Quesada's side named on Thursday for their final Autumn Series test against New Zealand this weekend in Turin where Juan Ignacio Brex will captain the team.

Football

Soccer-Southampton suffer Ramsdale and Bednarek blow

LONDON (Reuters) - Premier League basement dwellers Southampton have been dealt a double injury blow ahead of Sunday's home clash against Premier League leaders Liverpool with keeper Aaron Ramsdale and central defender Jan Bednarek both ruled out.

Football

Soccer-Forward Ramos close to PSG return, says Luis Enrique

(Reuters) - Paris St Germain striker Goncalo Ramos is close to returning from injury, Luis Enrique said on Thursday, but the capital club's manager has some injury issues to deal with after the international break for Friday's Ligue 1 visit of Toulouse.

Football

Soccer-Chelsea's Maresca excited to face old club Leicester but James injured again

LONDON (Reuters) - Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca is excited to tackle his former club Leicester City, who he guided into the Premier League last season, but the London side will be without their captain Reece James who has been sidelined with injury yet again.

Football

Soccer-France sports minister says ex-football federation chief withdrawing defamation complaint

PARIS (Reuters) -Former French Football Federation president Noel Le Graet has withdrawn his defamation complaint against France's Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera.

Football

Soccer-Milan bid to hand injury-hit Juve first Serie A loss of season

(Reuters) - AC Milan will look to capitalise on a Juventus injury crisis when they meet at San Siro on Saturday or risk being left behind in the Serie A title race as they trail leaders Napoli by eight points.

Rugby

Rugby-All Black pair Cane and Perenara set for final farewell against Italy

TURIN (Reuters) - New Zealand's former captain Sam Cane and scrumhalf TJ Perenara will get the chance to play for the All Blacks for a final time after being picked on Thursday in the matchday squad to face Italy at the weekend.

Football

Soccer-Leicester's Ghana winger Fatawu out for season with ACL injury

(Reuters) - Leicester City's Ghana winger Abdul Fatawu will miss the rest of the season after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury while on international duty, the Premier League club's manager Steve Cooper said on Thursday.

Football

Soccer-Dortmund coach Sahin enjoying more options as injury list shortens

BERLIN (Reuters) - Borussia Dortmund will have several players back from injury for their Bundesliga game against visitors Freiburg on Saturday, with coach Nuri Sahin relieved to have more options again.

Motorsport

Motor racing-Tsunoda interrogated in his pyjamas on U.S. arrival

LAS VEGAS (Reuters) - Japanese Formula One driver Yuki Tsunoda said he was interrogated in his pyjamas for several hours by U.S. border control officials before being let into the country for Saturday's Las Vegas Grand Prix.

Football

Soccer-Huerzeler's instant impact allows Brighton to dream of Europe again

(Reuters) - When Fabian Huerzeler joined Brighton & Hove Albion ahead of his debut season in a European top-flight league the manager wanted to "challenge the establishment" and, true to his word, some of the Premier League's leading clubs have suffered defeat as his Seagulls soar.

Football

Soccer-Bayern focusing only on Augsburg despite busy schedule, says Kompany

MUNICH, Germany (Reuters) - Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich are only focusing on Friday's league game against Augsburg despite a crowded match schedule in the next 11 days, coach Vincent Kompany said on Thursday.

Other Sports

Triathlon-Double Olympic gold medallist Ali Brownlee retires at 36

LONDON (Reuters) -Double Olympic triathlon gold medallist and twice world champion Alistair Brownlee, who along with his brother Jonathan helped make Britain the sport's dominant force at the Games, announced his retirement on Thursday at the age of 36.

Motorsport

Motor racing-Perez condemns father's homophobic comments about Ralf Schumacher

LAS VEGAS (Reuters) - Mexican Formula One driver Sergio Perez has distanced himself from homophobic comments made by his father Antonio about former racer Ralf Schumacher.

Motorsport

Motor racing-Hamilton felt like leaving Mercedes after Brazil nightmare

LAS VEGAS (Reuters) - Seven times Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton said on Wednesday he had felt like walking away from Mercedes after a tough race in Brazil this month.