It looks like Wales rugby union international Andy Powell is to switch codes to join rugby league giants Wigan.

As Roy Keane ponders whether his immediate future lies in Istanbul or Blackburn, a poll in the ‘Lancashire Telegraph’ published today reveals that Keane’s one-time nemesis, Mick McCarthy, is the fans’ choice to be the successor to Steve Kean at Ewood Park.

Arsene Wenger maintains Arsenal are not about to offer Didier Drogba an escape route back to England from China.

HE HAS felt the fury of a Bosphoros battle and the passion of a north London derby, but little in Nicolas Anelka’s travels will have prepared him for his groundbreaking move to Chinese soccer.

Chelsea have agreed terms with Shanghai Shenhua for the sale of Nicolas Anelka in January’s transfer window.

Nicolas Anelka will leave Chelsea for Shanghai Shenhua next month on a two-year contract, according to the Chinese Super League club.

SARACENS have confirmed the signing of England rugby league international Joel Tomkins, but will have to wait at least three years beforehaving the chance to gettheir hands on his younger brother.

FORMER Olympic host cities are littered with “white elephants” built in the construction frenzy that precedes the Games, but Beijing is confident its sparkling venues will not meet the same fate.

CHELSEA coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has decided on his team to face Portsmouth in three weeks’ time and will use the Russian leg of the Blues’ pre-season tour to finalise his plans for the Premier League opener.

Chelsea’s pre-season tour of Asia has hit further controversy after Amnesty International implored the Barclays Premier League club to address human rights issues during their trip to China.

Munster have confirmed the signing of former Great Britain rugby league full-back Gary Connolly ahead of the Heineken Cup registration deadline.

Paris St Germain could sever their ties with Swiss midfielder Hakan Yakin and send him back to Basle after he underwent a hernia operation without their permission and against the French club’s instructions.

The Rugby Football League are to appoint an outsider as their first executive chairman.