A British grandfather has said today that he broke his wrist when trying to intercept a kick by footballer Cristiano Ronaldo.

Graham Lee will ride out for Ferdy Murphy this Saturday as he continues on the road to recovery after fracturing his jaw in several places at Huntingdon last month.

Middlesbrough have confirmed defender Abel Xavier will leave the club this summer after failing to agree a new contract.

Middlesbrough skipper George Boateng has been disciplined by his club after the player warned Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo his antics could earn him reprisals.

Middlesbrough defender Jonathan Woodgate has once again played down talk of making a return to the England squad.

Middlesbrough’s decision to appoint Gareth Southgate as the club’s new manager looks set to go ahead later today without outright opposition from the League Managers’ Association.

Two finals, three semi-finals and an awful lot of heartache; the near misses are scratched into the soul of every Munster supporter. Yet a dip into the sporting archives reveals that those who follow the advice of ancient Scottish king Robert The Bruce, to try, try and try again if at first they do not succeed, are very often rewarded. Eventually. SIMON LEWIS investigates.

STEVE McCLAREN believes his successor at Middlesbrough will inherit a magnificent legacy after the Teessiders went down fighting in a 1-0 defeat at Fulham.

MIDDLESBROUGH boss Steve McClaren is demanding his players grasp the opportunity to cover themselves in more cup glory.

Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren today distanced himself from the frenzy surrounding England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson as speculation mounted he could succeed the Swede sooner rather than later.

Top jockeys Keith Mercer and Graham Lee were in the wars at Catterick after they were involved in a nasty incident in the Bradford Juvenile Novices’ Selling Hurdle.

Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson will have no qualms about sacking defender Abel Xavier if he loses his appeal against an 18-month drugs ban.

MIDDLESBROUGH’S Abel Xavier has been given an 18-month suspension after he tested positive for a banned substance.

MIDDLESBROUGH boss Steve McClaren has warned Liverpool to forget trying to sign defenders Franck Queudrue and Chris Riggott.

Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren has attempted to defuse mounting speculation he will take over from England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson in the near future.

Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson has confirmed he has shaken hands with manager Steve McClaren over a new four-year contract.

Middlesbrough have agreed the £6.5m (€9.5m) signing of Portsmouth striker Aiyegbeni Yakubu after he agreed personal terms and underwent a medical on Teesside today.

STEVE McClaren is convinced England have a genuine chance of returning from Portugal this summer as European champions.

MIDDLESBROUGH chairman Steve Gibson has hit out at the agents he claims disrupted Steve McClaren’s summer rebuilding work after claiming that they were asked for £700,000 just to speak to Sean Davis.

Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren has today stepped down from his post as England coach.

Juninho has agreed to sign a four-year contract with Middlesbrough subject to a medical and work permit.

Life at Middlesbrough was returning to some kind of normality today after an eventful 48 hours on Teesside.

Middlesbrough Football Club’s £7m (€11.1m) damages claim over German international Christian Ziege’s controversial move to Liverpool was thrown out by a High Court judge today.

Steve McClaren says Paul Ince's contract talks will start in the New Year.

Middlesbrough have confirmed that former England coach Terry Venables has ended all links with the club.

New Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren has paid tribute to predecessor Bryan Robson - despite helping to ensure there would be no room for the Riverside’s former manager in the club’s new regime.

Irish international and Middlesbrough winger Keith O’Neill felt Bryan Robson had been given a "raw deal" by the fans.