Strauss Set to Quit

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Andrew Strauss' future as England Test captain has been thrown into doubt following the news that ECB managing director Hugh Morris will address the media at noon on Wednesday.

Strauss, 35, was expected to play for Middlesex in the County Championship on Tuesday following a short break after the Test series defeat to South Africa, which saw the Proteas replace England as the world No.1 side.

But his withdrawl from the match has been followed by the announcement of a hastily-convened press conference Lord's, with chief executive Giles Clarke then available for interview at Derbyshire from 2pm.

Both men may also shed some light on the future of Kevin Pietersen, who is in international exile after admitting sending "provocative" text messages to South Africa during the Test series.

The Pietersen saga has taken its toll on Strauss, who suffered with the bat against the Proteas and was equivocal when questioned about his plans.

Asked if he would still be in charge for the forthcoming tour of India, the opening batsman said: "It's probably hard to answer that after the week that's just gone by. It's been a tiring week.

"We all need to sit down - myself and Andy Flower in particular - and try and map out the way forward."

Drogba and Anelka in Shanghai Surprise

Former Chelsea strikers Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka could be sold by China's Shanghai Shenhua due to an escalating equity stake row among shareholders, according to local media.

Chairman Zhu Jun, who holds a 28.5 per cent stake, will only pay his share of the club's daily costs if his demands for greater control are met, according to China Daily.

Zhu currently controls the Chinese Super League club, along with five state-owned enterprises, after becoming a shareholder in 2007.

The agreement was that if he invested $23.6 million (£15m) over two years, his stake would increase to more than 70 per cent.

It is reported that Zhu has ploughed more than $94m (£60m) into the club over the past five-and-a-half years, while the state-owned companies have spent nothing.

The transfer of shares stalled in 2009 and again last year, a source said.

"It is annoying and has had a bad effect on many of our tasks," a club official said. "The biggest problem is that the operation and financing work of the club cannot be carried out normally.

"The equity stakes issue has become the biggest bottleneck for the development of Shenhua."

If unresolved, Zhu, who has been signing all the cheques, could decide to cough up just 28.5 per cent of the club's expenditure, potentially affecting player salaries.

Colombian Giovanni Moreno missed the match against Shandong Luneng at the weekend amid speculation Shenhua had fallen short on his transfer fee with Argentina's Racing Club.

The futures of Drogba and Anelka could also be in the balance if Shenhua fail to make their salary payments. Both reportedly earn over £190,000 a week after moving from Chelsea.

Despite investing heavily in big-name foreign players, Shenhua sit 10th in the 16-team Chinese Super League on 27 points from 23 matches. Leaders Guangzhou Evergrande are on 47 points.

Gatland Set for Lions Coach Role

Warren Gatland has revealed he is "very close" to agreeing a deal to become coach of the British and Irish Lions for the tour of Australia next year.

The tour will take place from June 1 to July 6, forcing Gatland, who is currently in New Zealand recuperating from a fall, to set aside Six Nations duties with Wales next year.

"We still haven't signed anything yet but it's very close, and if I do take the position I'll be seconded to the Lions for 10 months," he said.

Gatland, who guided Wales to a Six Nations Grand Slam this year, will return to Britain on Sunday and an announcement on the Lions' coaching role is expected to be made on September 4.

The Lions, featuring the best players from England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland, visit Australia once every 12 years, with the Wallabies winning the last series Down Under in 2001.

The 10-match 2013 tour begins with a clash against the Barbarians in Hong Kong, before moving to Australia, where there will be Tests against the Wallabies in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.

Gatland is relishing the opportunity to participate in an "old-style tour", which includes matches against provincial teams as well as high-profile Tests.

"It's a great chance to mould players from four different countries together in such a short period," he said. "I think we get them for about a week before we go on tour, and it's a great experience. It's difficult to do.

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Freddie Fletcher Passes Away

Freddie Fletcher, the former Newcastle United chief executive, has died.

The 71-year-old, from Darras Hall, Newcastle, was diagnosed with asbestos-related cancer in January.

Mr Fletcher helped revive the club's fortunes in the 1990s and played a part in the managerial appointments of Kevin Keegan and Sir Bobby Robson.

He had been commercial director at Glasgow Rangers before becoming involved in Sir John Hall's takeover at Newcastle in 1991.

Mr Fletcher left the club in 2000.

A spokesman for Newcastle United said: "Newcastle United were very saddened to hear the news of the death of Freddie Fletcher after a brave fight against cancer.

"Freddie did great things for the club in the 1990s, especially in the early days of the Premier League, and helped re-establish the club in the top echelons of English football.

"He had great enthusiasm, knowledge and football expertise and he also played a key role in bringing the likes of Alan Shearer, David Ginola and Tino Asprilla to the club.

"Our thoughts in this time of sorrow are with his family."'Very sad'

Lady Elsie Robson, the widow of the late Newcastle and England manager Sir Bobby Robson, praised Mr Fletcher for his support of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.

Lady Elsie said: "I was very sad to hear the news about Freddie.

"He was a good friend of ours and when we set up the foundation, he was one of the first people Bob approached for support.

"Freddie was a great help and played a key role in the charity's launch.

"He was always passionate and enthusiastic about the charity and I'm grateful to him."

Mr Fletcher was a father of three children and had six grandchildren.

#RIP

Manager Sheridan Departs Chesterfield

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Chesterfield have relieved manager John Sheridan of his duties after three years in charge.

The Spireites have failed to win any of their four competitive fixtures this campaign, having been relegated from League One last season.

Sheridan, 47, led the club to promotion in 2010-11 and guided them to the Johnstone's Paint Trophy last season.

"He's been relieved of his duties, he's on gardening leave," chief executive Chris Turner told BBC Radio Sheffield.

"This isn't just about the four games this season, there's a bigger picture here.

"There's no names being mentioned about someone else coming in. This decision has been made over the weekend.

"I can't speak highly enough of John because I think he has been fantastic for this club."

Assistant manager Tommy Wright and goalkeeping coach Mark Crossley have been placed in temporary charge and will take the Spireites to Gillingham, one of the two clubs in the division with a 100% record, on Saturday.

Chesterfield appointed Sheridan as manager in June 2009.

After narrowly missing out on a place in the play-offs in his first season in charge, finishing eighth, the former Sheffield Wednesday and Republic of Ireland midfielder helped the club to promotion as champions in 2010-11.

They were unable to carry that momentum into the following season though and, despite victory in the Football League Trophy, he was unable to stop them making an immediate return to League Two.

Hopes were high at the Proact Stadium at the start of the season but defeat at AFC Wimbledon, followed by home draws with Rochdale and Rotherham have seen him relieved of his duties.

Sheridan becomes the second manger in the Football League to lose his job this season after Coventry sacked Andy Thorn on Sunday.

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