9:51 AM

Barcelona confident Guardiola will renew contract

MADRID (AFP) - Barcelona sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta said on Friday he is confident that coach Pep Guardiola will prolong his contract with the Spanish and European champions beyond the end of the current season.

9:50 AM

Manchester City can handle title pressure, insists Mancini

MANCHESTER (AFP) - Roberto Mancini has denied suggestions his Manchester City players are buckling under the strain of leading the Premier League. City have topped the table for most of the season but they could find themselves deposed by Manchester United this weekend.

9:24 AM

Lin-sanity shocks Knicks' new NBA star guard

NEW YORK (AFP) - Jeremy Lin had never heard so many plays on words involving his last name as he has this week since going from the end of the bench for the NBA New York Knicks to a historic starting role.

8:59 AM

Federer crashes to shock Davis Cup defeat

PARIS (AFP) - Roger Federer slumped to his first Davis Cup defeat in nine years on Friday when he was shocked 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7/4), 6-2 by John Isner as the United States opened up a 2-0 lead over Switzerland.

8:56 AM

Redknapp to stay with Spurs amid England clamour

LONDON (AFP) - Harry Redknapp may be the fans' favourite to become the next England manager but the man himself was in no hurry to take on the job on Friday, saying he wanted to see out the season with Tottenham Hotspur.