SPORTS

Hamilton is 34 points ahead of Sebastian Vettel in the F1 Drivers' championship battle going into the final five races of the campaign.

Hamilton broke the lap record three times during qualifying to take his first pole position in Suzuka, ahead of teammate Valtteri Bottas and Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel.

Giroud netted his 100th goal for the Gunners after scoring against BATE Borisov in the Europa League.

Marouane Fellaini's current deal runs down in the summer of 2018. The Belgium international has been a key player under Jose Mourinho at Manchester United this season.

Jack Wilshere last appearance for England was during their humiliating 2-1 defeat at the hands of Iceland in the 2016 European Championships.

Liverpool defender Andy Robertson is ready to play through injury to help Scotland book a play-off place.

Francis Coquelin has already returned to first-team training, while reports suggest that Mesut Ozil and Danny Welbeck will do likewise next week.

Iniesta signed a lifetime contract at the Nou Camp on Friday and also wants to see Messi's Barcelona story continue for many years to come.

Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos has pulled out from the Germany squad due to a rib injury and will miss Sunday's World Cup Qualifier against Azerbaijan.

Barcelona forward Luis Suarez could require a knee surgery that would keep him sidelined for between two and three weeks.

King ruled out of Norway's final 2018 World Cup qualifier against Northern Ireland after tweaking his hamstring during an 8-0 thumping of minnows San Marino.

Both players are expected to be fit to face Southampton in the Premier League next weekend despite withdrawing from international duty.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic will return to Manchester United's Carrington training base by the end of the month as he steps up his recovery from injury.

WWE chief brand officer Stephanie McMahon says UFC champion would be a "perfect fit" for their company with Ronda Rousey also tipped to make the switch.

Jupp Heynckes has been named Bayern Munich boss for the fourth time, replacing Carlo Ancelotti at the Allianz Arena.

Thibaut Cortous doesn't plan to sign a new deal at Chelsea at this time as as he awaits a potential call from Real Madrid.

Button retired at the end of last season but replaced Fernando Alonso at this year's Monaco Grand Prix.

Steven Finn has been drafted into the travelling squad with Stokes remaining subject to a police investigation and an internal disciplinary procedure.

Eric Bailly has been partnering Phil Jones in the heart of Manchester United's defence in the Premier League.

Chelsea's Tammy Abraham and Liverpool striker Dominic Solanke are among those Nigeria are hopeful of convincing to play for them - possibly at next summer's World Cup.

The week's best photojournalism, from Las Vegas mass shooting and Catalonia independence referendum to Theresa May's Conservative Party Conference speech and a jaguar catching an anaconda.

Coleman adamant Bale did not take part in any training sessions with the national team and was immediately sent for a scan on calf problem.

Chilean will be allowed to leave the Emirates for free at the end of the season, with PSG and Manchester City vying for his signature.

Coutinho and Firmino will be making a 6,000-mile trip from Brazil to reach 48 hours prior to Liverpool's clash against Manchester United.

Ramos and Pique are reported to have been at loggerheads over the latter's public support for the Catalan referendum.

Andres Iniesta has signed a new lifetime contract at Barcelona which will keep him at the Nou Camp for the rest of his career.

Manchester United are closely following Napoli star Dries Mertens who Antonio Conte was keen to sign for Chelsea during the summer.

Aaron Ramsey praised Alexandre Lacazette's all-round qualities as a striker following the Frenchman's strong start to his Arsenal career.

Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverder will have the final say on whether the club should sign Yerry Mina in January or wait until the summer.