Your morning sports updates

Soccer Gossip

Peter Crouch’s time in the Premier League may not be over, according to The Sun. The striker has found himself heading for the Championship after Stoke’s relegation at the end of last term but could now be set to return to the top flight following interest from Burnley. The paper says boss Sean Dyche is poised to make a £500,000 bid for the 37-year-old.

Fulham are edging closer to completing a deal with Swansea defender Alfie Mawson, the Daily Mail says, with an agreement set to be made this week. The former England Under-21 international is said to be eager for a move to London and is valued at around £25million.

Real Madrid are looking to raid Chelsea this transfer window, offering £100million for Willian and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, the Mail reports. The Belgian goalkeeper – with one year remaining on his contract – is said to be keen on a move back to Spain, while the LaLiga giants could be more prepared to meet Willian’s £70million asking price after Barcelona stepped away from deal last week.

Neymar talks diving

The Brazilian soccer intenational Neymar has, for the first time, addressed criticism of his overaction to tackles and the repeated accusations of diving levelled towards him during the recent soccer World Cup.

The 26 year old scored twice for Brazil in Russia before they were knocked out by the host nation in the Quarter Finals. His tournament will be remembered mostly for his theatrics.

He has chosen to break his silence as part of a television ad for one of his principal sponsors which was published online and broadcast in Brazil yesterday.

In it he says “You may think I exaggerate. And sometimes I do exaggerate. But the truth is I suffer on the pitch”

He finishes with a message to critics “You can keep casting stones. Or throw these stones away and help me stand. When I stand, all of Brazil stands with me”

Sport Birthdays

Roger Prideaux (cricket) – former Sussex, Northamptonshire and England opener, born 1939.

Heather McKay (squash) – Australian who went unbeaten between 1962-80, born 1941.

Jimmy Frost (horse racing) – rode Little Polveir to victory in 1989 Grand National, born 1958.

Paulo Wanchope (soccer) – former Derby, West Ham and Manchester City striker and Costa Rica international, born 1976.

Titus Bramble (soccer) – former Newcastle, Wigan and Sunderland defender, born 1981.

Victoria Azarenka (tennis) – two-time Australian Open champion, born 1989.

Gary Dicker (soccer) – Kilmarnock midfielder, born 1986.

No fifth Tour title for Froome

Chris Froome is ready for rest after the Tour de France

It was a busy weekend for athletics too

Ciara Mageean claimed an 800m and 1500m double on day two of the Irish Life Health National Senior Championships at Morton Stadium in Santry.

Limerick will remain focused over the next few weeks.

Limerick’s Cian Lynch insists that his side won’t get carried away following their extra-time 3-32 to 2-31 All-Ireland hurling semi-finalvictory over Cork.

[“Source-rte”]