Sportsday - rolling sports news

1. BBC to show PDC darts Champions League
2. West Ham open Payet contract talks
3. Andy Murray's wife Kim Sears gives birth
4. Ex-Ireland captain O'Connell retires
5. Get involved #brokenorbeautiful

Nighty night

Getty Images

That's all from us. The headlines today:..

Former Ireland and Lions captain Paul O'Connell has been forced to retire from rugby with immediate effect.

Liverpool must stop taking fans "for granted", says former boss Roy Evans as the ticket row rumbles on.  

The first Champions League of Darts will be broadcast live across the BBC in what is being billed as an "exciting new era" for the sport. 

And finally, that traditional fluffy story to finish... Tennis star Andy Murray's wife Kim Sears has given birth to a girl.

And with that, we'll say tarrah. Sportsday is back at 09:00 GMT on Wednesday, see you then.

Logan's battle with dyslexia

Former Scottish International rugby player Kenny Logan has told BBC Radio 5 live about how he left school with "zero qualifications" because of his dyslexia.

He described the "humiliation" he felt which led him to "leave school and never go back" after struggling to write his name and address during an English exam.

Speaking to 5 live's Nicky Campbell, Logan also said "the world fell out" of him when his wife Gabby found out he couldn't read in the early stages of their relationship.

"I asked her, 'do you still want to go out with me?' and she said, 'why would I not?'"

More here.

The former Scottish international rugby player speaks of his life with dyslexia.

Sunderland packing their bags

Sunderland Echo

Newspaper

PA

Sunderland will prepare for their relegation battle by flying to the Middle East for some sun on their backs.

They will train in Dubai next week, and manager Sam Allardyce told the Sunderland Echo: “Yes, we’re going away for a training break in the sunshine and hopefully we’ll get another improvement in our physical output.

“Historically, that’s always been the case with every team I’ve had.

“Newcastle was the only exception, because I got sacked before we went out there!”

Stormy finish?

Live text commentary here.

Man versus plane

Game on

Getty Images

• West Ham are yet to beat Liverpool in seven FA Cup meetings (D3 L4), with the most recent encounter prior to the 0-0 draw at Anfield coming in the 2006 final, when the Reds won on penalties after a 3-3 draw.
• However, the Hammers have won three of their last five meetings with Liverpool, including two league victories this season - a 3-0 win at Anfield back in August and a 2-0 victory at home in January.
• Liverpool are yet to score in three matches in all competitions against West Ham this season (270 minutes), while the Hammers are looking to keep a fourth clean sheet against the Reds for the first time in a single campaign.

Live text commentary here on the BBC Sport website from 16:30 GMT.

Smith named Australia's T20 captain

AP

Steve Smith has replaced Aaron Finch as Australia's captain for the World Twenty20, which starts next month.

Opening batsman Finch, who remains in the 15-man squad for the tournament in India, was named T20 captain in 2014 but only led the side six times.

Test and one-day skipper Smith, 26, now leads Australia in all three formats.

Full squad: Steve Smith (capt), David Warner, Ashton Agar, Nathan Coulter-Nile, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, John Hastings, Josh Hazlewood, Usman Khawaja, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Peter Nevill (wkt), Andrew Tye, Shane Watson, Adam Zampa.

Smith named Australia's T20 captain

Test and one-day skipper Steve Smith replaces Aaron Finch as Australia's captain for the World Twenty20 in India.

Read more

Smith named Australia's T20 captain

'Back in the race'

Getty Images

Liverpool gaffer Jurgen Klopp returns to the dugout after surgery to remove his appendix.

"I feel good and I am back in the race," he said. "I figured if I feel bad I should stay at home but I feel good and I am thankful for our doctor, because he said we should go to hospital - I was not too sure.

"The surgeon was great, a season ticket holder who told me we both didn't want to see the game.

"I had the best nurses and everything was OK. I feel really good so that is the only reason why I am here. If I'm not fit then I cannot help here and I would be at home."

'We need a complete game'

Getty Images

Not long to go till tonight's big game, a replay, of course, after a 0-0 draw between the sides in the first match. Let's have a look at what the managers have said in the build-up.

West Ham boss Slaven Bilic: "We've played Liverpool many times this season, twice recently with different line-ups.

"We played their strongest team and then a team with five or six regular starters, so we are well prepared for whatever team they come with.

"They are a big club. They've had ups and downs this season but make no mistake, whenever a team is facing them, you have to have a complete game."

Kalou considers Ivory Coast future

Getty Images

Salomon Kalou helped Ivory Coast win the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations

Ivory Coast forward Salomon Kalou is weighing up whether to stop playing international football.

The former Chelsea player has 81 caps and 29 goals for his country but hinted he could be about to end his nine-year career with the Elephants.

He told BBC Sport: "I won the Africa Cup of Nations and played in two World Cups. But you have to think about if it is the right moment to stop.

"I turn 30 this year and I will start having to think about resting my body."

Kalou considers Ivory Coast future

Ivory Coast forward Salomon Kalou tells BBC Sport he is thinking about whether it is the 'right moment' to stop playing internationals.

Read more

Kalou considers Ivory Coast future

Ramires proving popular

Ramires left Chelsea to join Chinese side Jiangsu Suning in a £25m move last month.

Tykes 'won't rush for new boss'

Barnsley chief executive Ben Mansford says the club are in no hurry to replace former head coach Lee Johnson, who left to take charge at Bristol City, after winning their last seven league games.

Paul Heckingbottom and Tommy Wright are currently in joint charge of the first team and Mansford told BBC Radio Sheffield: "If Paul and Tommy can continue this run they give themselves every opportunity to knock on our doors and see if they can secure it permanently." 

Willett success shows future is bright

Getty Images

"After the season of his life in 2015, Danny Willett maintained momentum with his stellar victory at last week's Dubai Desert Classic.

It was a success that suggests even greater honours lie in prospect for the Englishman. All wins are good, but this was special.

With the stunning strides taken by 21-year-old Matthew Fitzpatrick - another Yorkshireman - and the continued progress of Andy Sullivan and Chris Wood, the future of English golf looks increasingly bright." 

Read this article by BBC Sport's golf correspondent Iain Carter on why the future of English golf is shining so brightly.

Pochettino linked with United job

Getty Images

Maybe Jose Mourinho isn't a shoo-in for the Man United job after all (assuming, that is, the Reds part company with Lous van Gaal at the end of the season, as the rumours suggest).

According to today's Sun, United have spoken to representatives of Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino, 43, about succeeding Van Gaal.

Against all odds

A Leicester City fan stands to earn £25,000 if his team win the Premier League title after placing a £5 pre-season bet on the Foxes at 5,000-1. 

BBC

So, to celebrate this, BBC Sport looks at some other things with the same odds.

Click here to watch the video.

Duo added to training squad

Getty Images

England have added Matt Kvesic and Josh Beaumont to their 27-man training squad for Sunday's Six Nations match against Italy in Rome.

Travelling reserves Elliot Daly and Maro Itoje also join the 23 selected for England's 15-9 opening win against Scotland at Murrayfield.

Back rows Kvesic and Beaumont were included in Eddie Jones' first 33-man squad but were cut for Saturday's game.

Kvesic is the only of the four additions to have been capped before.

Balotelli to return to Anfield?

Getty Images

Italian website Calciomercato says Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli will return to Anfield as AC Milan do not want to sign him permanently when his loan expires at the end of the season.

'Only a final will save our season'

Chelsea

Chelsea must reach the final of the Champions League or the FA Cup to save their season, says goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

Chelsea face Paris St-Germain on 16 February before their fifth-round FA Cup tie with Manchester City.

"We play against two great sides and we have to try to win those games," said the Blues number one.

"The only way to save our season is to reach the final in one or both of them."

Major clubs want automatic CL entry

Getty Images

Europe's biggest clubs are working with Uefa to review the format of the continent's elite competition.

European Club Association chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has suggested the top clubs should get direct entry into the lucrative Champions League.

The process is expected to last no longer than nine months.

Poor Gary