LOS ANGELES - MARIA Sharapova says she hopes to be fit to defend her title at the Australian Open in January, despite pulling out of an exhibition event in Hong Kong next month.

In a statement posted on her website, Sharapova said she regretted pulling out of the JB Group Classic team tennis tournament, scheduled for January 7-10 in Hong Kong.

LONDON - STOKE City have not discussed transfer-listing or selling Ricardo Fuller despite the forward's sending off for slapping his own team mate and club captain Andy Griffin, chairman Peter Coates said on Tuesday.

Fuller was dismissed shortly after West Ham United equalised in Sunday's Premier League game at Upton Park which the home side went on to win 2-1 after Stoke had taken an early lead.

LONDON - LIVERPOOL captain Steven Gerrard returned to training on Wednesday with manager Rafa Benitez's full support, a day after being charged with assault and affray following a bar brawl.

With three weeks until his first court appearance, the England midfielder has to put aside concerns about a potential five-year prison sentence as Liverpool continues its drive for the club's first league title in 19 years. The club's next match is at Preston in the FA Cup, although Benitez could decide to rest the star player against the lower-league opponent.