Sportsday: Europa League build-up

1. Europa League last 32 first legs
2. Fiorentina v Tottenham, FC Midtjylland v Man Utd (both 18:00 GMT); Augsburg v Liverpool (20:05)
3. Man Utd considering China offer for Rooney?
4. Three FA Cup news conferences
5. GET INVOLVED How could Ronnie avoid boredom in your town? #bbcsportday

Goodbye

And that's your lot for today's edition of Sportsday.

Stay across the BBC Sport website for all of Thursday's Europa League action.

We'll be back on Friday at 08:00 GMT. Until then.

Head to Head

With no previous meeting between the two sides, let's take a look at how their league form in the last ten matches compares... although we will have to consider that FC Midtjylland haven't played a match in Denmark since December.

Rex/Getty

'Arsenal have to win the league'

Reuters

Speaking to the Leicester Mercury,Claudio Ranieri said: "Our fans are dreaming and I think also the journalists are dreaming because it is good for you that Leicester win the title, but we don't think about the title, only our performance.

"We know we are not the best team in the Premier League because there are so many big teams in the Premier League, and Arsenal are one of them.

"Arsenal have so many players who can score in any moment. They have to win the league."

China isn't for me - Sandro

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Speaking to the Birmingham Mail,Sandro said he turned down all other offers that weren't in England.

“The first day that I played in England I fell in love with the way the game is played,” he said.

“I had offers to go elsewhere but none were in England and I preferred to stay here.

He added: “For some players (who are moving over to China), you don’t know what they are thinking, maybe they are getting older and it’s a good opportunity.

“But for me, I love to stay here because I know what I can do and I did well here before and I want to do it again."

Selby to face O'Sullivan

Finished off in style. World number one Mark Selby makes a century to beat Mark Williams in the last-16 of the Welsh Open.

And he sets up a tantalising quarter-final tie against rival Ronnie O'Sullivan on Friday.

Oba moves to China

Another one heading to China...

'We want borderline world-class players'

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Bournemouth defender Simon Francis told the Daily Echo: "We want to be able to attract those kind of players. We feel like we're getting there with bringing Benik Afobe in and also Juan Iturbe and Lewis Grabban.

"I don't necessarily think it's all about the money but sometimes you are going to have to pay big money for the players you need.

"We're under no illusions that it's going to cost millions to build a top squad to compete. But everyone knows about the backing we have with the owner and investors."

Half-and-half hell

No

No

No

This has gone too far now...

Domestic heaven

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When you compare this to Liverpool's 54 consecutive years in the top flight to date...

Vertonghen improving every day

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Jan Vertonghen has spoken to London 24 about his comeback from injury: 

“I’m out of the brace now and I can walk again so I improve every day. It’s hard work and it will take time.

“I’m aiming to be back around the international break and I want to be part of the team and help however I can. 

“The lads support me a lot – they come and see me every day as well as the staff. I know I’m around the best people. The lads and the gaffer do everything to give me the feeling that I’m part of this team all the time.”

There's a first time for everything...

These two will come up against each other for the first time tonight. Temperatures are expected to get no higher than 0c in northern Denmark.

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Celtic news conference

SNS

Celtic assistant manager John Collins has been talking about new signing Kristoffer Ajer.

The 17-year-old who will join from Norwegian club Start in June had a trial with the reigning Scottish Premiership champions in January.  

“He came in for a week’s training and did very well," Collins said. "At 17, he came on to the field with the first-team boys and fitted in well - calm on the ball, showed a lot of composure. 

"He's a good player but he will have to come in and prove himself, like every player." 

Deja vu

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But it's not good reading for Spurs fans. After a 1-1 draw at White Hart Lane, Tottenham were downed 2-0 in Florence (3-1 on aggregate). Micah Richards featured for the Italian side that night. 

Riding into the sunset

This is Jared Allen of the Carolina Panthers apparently announcing his retirement. What a way to go...

Baird rejoins Fulham on loan

Calum McKenzie

BBC Local Live

Derby County defender Chris Baird has joined Fulham on an emergency loan deal until the end of the season. 

The deal sees the Northern Ireland international rejoin the club he served between from 2007 to 2013. 

Remember me?

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The former QPR (4 months), Swansea (12 months) and Leicester boss (2 months), Paulo Sousa is the Fiorentina manager. He's been there since June which, if you take his previous track record, gives him only a few more months in charge surely?

How could Ronnie avoid boredom in your town?

Crossy: Do you like Parks Ronnie? And White Lightning? If so you're in luck my friend...

A Question of Sport Teaser

Earlier on we asked you the name the seven non-English players in the top 16 of snooker's world rankings.

The answers? Neil Robertson, John Higgins, Mark Allen, Ding Junhui, Marco Fu, Mark Williams and Liang Wenbo.

Ricciardo welcomes extra head protection

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Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo says Formula 1 drivers will welcome increased head protection in 2017.

Governing body the FIA has told teams it wants to introduce a device called a 'halo', designed to protect drivers' heads from large airborne debris.

"It's not taking away anything from the driver in terms of courage or anything like that," said Australian Ricciardo.

"It's a simple little benefit that we can all gain from and no-one wants to see another fatality."

Mourinho heading back to Inter

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This might put some pressure on Inter Milan manager Roberto Mancini...and Manchester United.

Out-of-work boss Jose Mourinho could be in attendance at the San Siro stadium on Saturday on the invitation of former President Massimo Moratti.

Talks have taken place between his representatives and Manchester United, but with the Nerazurri languishing in fifth place in Serie A, could he be heading back to the club?