Arsenal will assess forward Alexis Sanchez on his return from international duty with Chile, but look set to again have to do without playmaker Santi Cazorla for Saturday’s trip to Manchester United.

Team Ireland’s chief medical officer Dr Rod McLoughlin will be on high alert over the coming weeks in Rio, writes Brendan O’Brien.

FROM The Walking Dead to the Walking Dad? Norman Reedus was spotted on a beach last week, clutching a baby in his arms, while covered in oil and dusty handprints. He was naked and surrounded by dead sea creatures.

MICHAEL LONGLEY is one of the most popular Irish poets of the modern era. 

Cork singer/songwriter John Spillane has penned a new song about Cork's English Market.

The Lonely Planet proclaimed it the top destination in 2012, yet Uganda is still a hidden pearl, writes Geoff Power.

Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert has no doubt Christian Benteke will soon be back in the goals.

Paul Lambert is assessing Christian Benteke’s fitness before deciding whether to throw the striker back into action when Aston Villa host Tottenham on Sunday.

A poll has revealed the top ten most memorable rivalries on the big screen.

Paul Lambert insists Aston Villa are a different football club now from the one which made an embarrassing Capital One Cup semi-final exit to Bradford seven months ago.

Scarlets 24 Cardiff Blues 6

Many readers will guess that picking Lance Armstrong as Sportsman of the Year must be a juvenile wind-up. Sports Monster of the Century more like.

What I do: Actor/Singer

Striker Emmanuel Adebayor is a doubt for Tottenham’s Capital One Cup game at Norwich after he missed training yesterday with a stomach bug.

The Songs of Achilles

Shay Given will not add to his 125 caps after announcing his retirement from international football ahead of the Republic of Ireland's friendly with Serbia tomorrow.

Move over, make a bit of room for us there lads — that was the message delivered to Kilkenny and Tipperary from Semple Stadium yesterday as Cork came with a powerful finish to qualify for their second Allianz Hurling League final in three years (lost the 2010 final to Galway).

ALAN PARDEW has challenged his Newcastle players to keep punching above their weight to maintain contact with the Premier League’s big boys.

MADELINE MILLER was brought up to love books.

FRENCH scrum-half Dimitri Yachvili has warned the rest of the rugby giants his side can beat anyone to win the World Cup.

Robin van Persie maintains he is ready to take on the responsibility of Arsenal captain after being named as successor to Cesc Fabregas.

SEBASTIEN CHABAL was left out of France’s provisional World Cup squad for sporting rather than political reasons, national team boss Marc Lievremont declared.

Sebastien Chabal was left out of France’s provisional World Cup squad for sporting rather than political reasons, according to national team boss Marc Lievremont.

Sebastien Chabal has been omitted from France’s provisional 32-man squad for the World Cup in September.

Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen has returned to action from a long-term Achilles injury with the reserves, but will not be rushed back into the first-team squad for Sunday’s Barclays Premier League clash against leaders Manchester United at Emirates Stadium.

The Republic of Ireland's Damien Duff (Achilles) is a doubt for Fulham’s trip to Barclays Premier League leaders Manchester United.

A Hundred Doors

Carlo Ancelotti will check on the fitness of Salomon Kalou before choosing his forward line for tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League game at Stoke.

ARSENAL expect defender Johan Djourou to miss the rest of the season despite suggestions to the contrary from Switzerland.

Arsenal defender Johan Djourou may yet be able to play again this season, according to the Swiss Football Association.

Carlo Ancelotti today refused to confirm whether Fernando Torres, Didier Drogba or both would lead the Chelsea attack in tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League game against Manchester United.

Fernando Torres, Nicolas Anelka, Michael Essien and Jose Bosingwa will all start Chelsea’s Champions League last-16 first leg at FC Copenhagen tomorrow, Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed.

ARSENE WENGER accepts it is time for Arsenal to address their reputation as a soft touch against their main rivals.

DAVID MALOUF doesn’t put a foot wrong in the writing of this memorable and moving book. It has the simplicity of a biblical story mingled with the voyage of discovery qualities of a road movie, albeit set in ancient Greece.

CHELSEA manager Carlo Ancelotti has warned his players that they will have to stop taking their foot off the accelerator during games if they are to successfully retain their Barclays Premier League crown.

Arsenal are set to be boosted by the return of fit-again captain Cesc Fabregas after the international break, while England forward Theo Walcott may also be available for the crunch trip to Manchester City in two weeks’ time.

Sligo Rovers are missing key players for their clash with Shamrock Rovers at The Showgrounds tonight, kick-off 7.45pm.

Shamrock Rovers entertain Sligo Rovers at Tallaght Stadium in tonight’s Airtricity league Premier Division clash, kick-off 8.00pm.

Aston Villa midfielder James Milner is fit to retain his place in the side for tomorrow night’s Villa Park clash with Everton.

Aston Villa boss Martin O’Neill is hopeful midfielder James Milner and central defender Richard Dunne will be fit for the FA Cup semi-final with Chelsea at Wembley on Saturday.

ROUND ONE to Tottenham Hotspur.

IT FELT like déjà vu at the Britannia on Saturday, as the Gunners stared down the barrel of another “there but for the grace of...” bone crunching, potentially career-wrecking challenge.

LEAGUE of Ireland Premier Division leaders Bohemians will look to build on a good week tonight when they travel to Richmond Park to take on Jeff Kenna’s struggling St Patrick’s Athletic (live Setanta Ireland, this and all games, 7.45pm).