Blackburn make bid for Brazilian playmaker Ronaldinho

Venky's, the company that bought Rovers in November, says their Brazil office is in discussion with Ronaldinho's manager.

Venky's chair Anuradha Desai told BBC Radio Lancashire: "He is eager to play in the EPL [English Premier League] and I believe that goes in our favour."

Desai also admitted that Rovers had made attempts to sign David Beckham on advance from Los Angeles Galaxy.

She additional the club were "open whenever he is ready to come".

Beckham has been the subject of much transport speculation with quite a few Premier League clubs waiting to hear whether LA Galaxy will discharge the former England captain on a loan deal during the Major League Soccer off-season.

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has already suggested that Beckham is keen to move to White Hart Lane even as Blackburn have joined Newcastle as interested parties.

Roddick returns for US

Roddick, whose record for America of 31-11 is bettered only by John McEnroe, will join up with the squad in the Chile for a first-round tie on the red clay of Santiago on March 4-6.

It will be Jim Courier's first match in the charge after he took over the captaincy from Patrick McEnroe.

"I'm very excited to be back," Roddick said. "Davis Cup is something you should commit to for the entire season and not when it's convenient.

"Trying to win the Davis Cup again is a top priority for me in the 2011.

"I look forward to working with Jim next season.

"It will be strange to be sitting next to someone other than Patrick on the bench, but I have a great deal of respect for Jim."

Courier added: "Having Andy commit to the 2011 campaign is huge for our team.

"Andy not only brings his outstanding Davis Cup record but also his experience and team leadership, which will be invaluable to our efforts."

Oscar itching for Haye-Klitschko

Oscar de la Hoya says a megafight between David Haye and Wladimir Klitschko HAS to be happen.

The head of the Golden Boy, who have tie-up with the WBA heavyweight champion, says he has what it takes to beat the giant Ukrainian - or his older brother Vitali.

Rumours that a deal is being thrashed out between Haye and Wladimir have been rife since the IBF and WBO boss pulled out of this Saturday's world-title defence with another Brit, Dereck Chisora, due to a back problem.

Chisora and his promoter Frank Warren say they will get the fight re-arranged and have dismissed the notion that they will accept step-aside money to make way for a unification fight.

Ravens lead Steelers 10-3 after 3rd quarter

Joe Flacco threw for 202 yards and a touchdown, Billy Cundiff kicked a 24-yard field goal and the Baltimore Ravens led the Pittsburgh Steelers 10-3 after three quarters Sunday night.

After being blanked in the first half for the first time this season, the Steelers got on the scoreboard with a 45-yard field goal by Shaun Suisham on the first drive of the second half.

Steelers tight end Heath Miller sustained a concussion with 2:24 left in the third period after he collided with the cornerback Chris Carr on a short pass and was ruled out for the game. Four plays later, offensive tackle Flozell Adams limped off the field with an ankle injury.

Both teams entered the game tied for first place in the AFC North with 8-3 records.

Anquan Boldin caught a 14-yard touchdown pass from Flacco with 1:59 left in the opening period — the only scoring in a physical first half.

Flacco was 11 for 22, including a 61-yard pass to Boldin and a 67-yarder to Donte' Stallworth.

Pittsburgh punter Daniel Sepulveda injured his right knee, forcing the Steelers to use Suisham as a punter on a fourth-and-10 from the Baltimore 38 late in the first half.

McDowell upstages Woods in season finale

Tiger Wood delivered a vintage moment, dropping an 8-iron from the sky on the final hole Sunday inside 3 feet for what looked to be a sure victory.

Just not this year.

The clutch shots and happy endings belonged to U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell.

McDowell capped off his greatest season with the biggest comeback ever against the Woods. He rallied from a four-shot deficit in the Chevron World Challenge, then upstaged Woods at his own tournament.

McDowell holed a 20-foot birdie putt to force a playoff, then beat Woods on the first extra hole with another birdie from a little bit longer.

"They're the kind of putts that you make them, and you can't really believe it afterwards," McDowell said. "They were the stuff of dreams — 2010 has been the stuff of dreams. It's been that kind of year."

Woods might have known what to expect, considering how his year has gone.

Without a trophy for the first time since he can remember, Woods appeared ready to embark on a new chapter after a year of the personal turmoil and shocking scores. A four-shot lead turned into a two-shot deficit. He rallied to tie McDowell, then watched the U.S. Open champion deliver the winning shots.

It was the first time Woods has lost a tournament when leading by at least three shots going into the final round.

And it was the first time anyone could recall Woods feeling good after a loss.

Boxing: No more Mr Nice Burns

Burns is scheduled to fight against the Andreas Evensen at the Braehead Arena at the weekend and according to his trainer Billy Nelson, he keeps all his aggression for the ring.

He told to Press Association Sport: "Ricky's confidence is sky high as it would be after winning the world title.

"But the one thing about Ricky Burns is that, unlike many other fighters,

he is a very level headed and respectful.

"Inside the ring is his place of work but it's great watching him sparring.

"I have seen Ricky absolutely punch lumps out of people in sparring and he gives them a big hug and cuddle after it.

"He goes out of the way to thank them for sparring with him - but that's just Ricky.

"His preparation for this fight has gone really well, the same as for the Martinez fight.

"We got some great sparring partners in and Ricky looked absolutely fantastic."

Evensen is the current WBO intercontinental featherweight champion and has won 13 of his 14 fights, the last four by knockout.

The 24-year-old believes he will create as big a shock by beating Burns as the Scotsman did when he took the belt with a points win over Martinez.

"Martinez is a banger, he is strong and he has knocked out many of his opponents so it was a good performance from Ricky to win the title," Evensen said.

Burns hot on first defence

The Scot makes the first defence of his WBO super-featherweight title against the Norwegian, who has never been beyond eight rounds.

And Burns, who has been revelling in the recent Arctic conditions, believes he will have too much firepower for his 24-year-old foe.

"We're used to a bit of cold up here, but I'm going to turn the heat up on Evensen on Saturday," he said.

"He's going to find himself in a blizzard of punches - and there is no way he'll be able to dig himself out.

"My trainer Billy Nelson asked me if I wanted the heaters on at the gym the other day. But I told him I'll quite happily work up a head of steam all by myself.

"I've been running in the snow, real Rocky stuff, but as the old saying goes, no pain, no gain.

"The mercury might be falling outside, but at the Braehead Arena on Saturday the battle will be white hot, and believe me, Evensen's in big trouble."