AFP - Fabio Capello owes his position as the world's best paid coach to Croatia, but England's Italian manager would be unwise to anticipate any further favours from Slaven Bilic and his squad here on Wednesday.

AP - Dan Johnson's first hit on his first day with the Rays kept Tampa Bay in first place in a tight AL East race.

Reuters - Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant has opted against surgery on his little finger in order to take part in pre-season training.

Reuters - San Diego Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman is to undergo knee surgery and will miss the rest of the season, the team said on Tuesday.

AP - Jeff Fisher said Tuesday night the Tennessee Titans didn't have the luxury of waiting to be sure about the safety of their quarterback Vince Young before calling police for help in finding him.

AP - Pinch-hitter Dan Johnson homered off Jonathan Papelbon in the ninth inning to tie it, and Dioner Navarro doubled in the go-ahead run Tuesday night as the Tampa Bay Rays rallied past the Boston Red Sox 5-4 to snap a four-game skid and extend their lead in the AL East.

AP - Lance Armstrong is ready to swear off the chips and salsa, climb back on the bike and win an eighth Tour de France. Three years after retiring, the 36-year-old says he'll return to competition and the Tour de France in 2009, giving up relaxed days of a few beers and Tex-Mex food for a self-described monk's life of disciplined training and punishing races.

AFP - Russian Nadia Petrova made the adjustment to searing tropical heat Tuesday, posting a 6-3, 6-1 win over Japan's Aiko Nakamura to reach the second round of the Bali Open.

AFP - Slaven Bilic has raised the stakes ahead of Croatia's World Cup qualifier with England by claiming his squad are a match or better than Fabio Capello's collection of big names in every area of the pitch.

AP - The Boston Red Sox can take over first place in the American League East and the Los Angeles Angels can clinch the AL West division title tonight.

AP - Opponents expecting the New England Patriots to fall apart as a result of Tom Brady's season-ending knee injury would be wise to remember the last time the team had to turn to its backup quarterback.

AP - If Lance Armstrong is ready to return to cycling then Astana team boss Johann Bruyneel doesn't want the seven-time Tour de France champion to ride for anybody else.

AP - Back at his best, back at the top, Roger Federer beat Andy Murray 6-2, 7-5, 6-2 Monday to win his fifth consecutive U.S. Open championship and 13th Grand Slam title overall.