Newcastle United v Manchester City: Carabao Cup semi-final first leg – live

Newcastle United v Manchester City: Carabao Cup semi-final first leg – live

⚽️ League Cup updates, 8pm GMT kick-off at St James’ Park ⚽️ Live scores | Follow us on Bluesky | And send Barry a mail While Eddie Howe said assessing his players’ “energy levels” in the wake of Saturday’s epice FA Cup tie against Bournemouth would be important ahead of tonight’s team selection, Newcastle are definitely without defenders Dan Burn, Fabian Schar and Tino Livramento, while reserve defenders Emil Krafth and Jamaal Lascelles are also unavailable. Continue reading...

Finn Russell ready for bruising clash with Scotland colleagues against Edinburgh

Finn Russell ready for bruising clash with Scotland colleagues against Edinburgh

Bath fly-half up against fellow Scot Duhan van der Merwe ‘I’d imagine there’ll be a couple of late shots,’ he says Finn Russell is braced for a potentially bruising reunion with his Scottish international teammates but is intent on winning the “bragging rights” when Bath host Edinburgh on Friday in their Champions Cup pool decider. Russell has already messaged Duhan van der Merwe to warn him to expect a tough night and says the English champions are seeking to sharpen their attacking game in pursuit of a crucial home draw for the knockout phase. With the victorious side at the Rec set to top pool 2, Scotland’s playmaker is anticipating a physical examination from an Edinburgh team he knows extremely well. “I’d imagine there’ll be a couple of late shots and being held on the ground which is always the case when you’re against your old side,” said Russell, who spent the first half of his professional career at Glasgow Warriors. Continue reading...

China’s London super-embassy almost certain to get go-ahead next week

China’s London super-embassy almost certain to get go-ahead next week

Approval shortly before Keir Starmer’s trip to Beijing would come despite widespread concern among Labour MPs A vast new Chinese embassy complex in east London is almost certain to be formally approved next week despite renewed worries among Labour MPs about potential security risks and the effect on Hong Kong and Uighur exiles in the capital. The green light for the super-embassy at Royal Mint Court near Tower Bridge would smooth relations before Keir Starmer’s visit to China, which is expected to take place at the end of January, but officials insist there has been no political input in the planning process. Continue reading...