While their counterparts in mainland Europe are resting on their winter break, English clubs are once again warming up for their most hectic spell of the season.
The athletics and Gymnastics events of 2010 Commonwealth Games might loss sheen as a host of top English names have decided to skip the quadrennial sporting extravaganza to focus on the 2012 London Olympics.
Formula One has produced more than its fair share of shocks already this season but Wednesday's announced comeback by Michael Schumacher surely takes top billing.
Former top 10 player Alicia Molik and two-time junior Grand Slam winner Bernard Tomic were given wild cards into next month's Australian Open on Thursday.
Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has likened John Terry to Italian greats Franco Baresi and Paolo Maldini in his latest show of support for his beleaguered captain.
The German football federation on Tuesday suspended an assistant referee during an investigation into whether he may have participated in match-fixing.
New Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini set his sights on a top-four finish for the perennial Premier League underachievers, saying Monday his immediate goal is to qualify the club for the Champions League for the first time.
Roger Federer has been named International Tennis Federation (ITF) champion for the fifth time with Serena Williams taking the women's award for the second time.
Former world No. 1 Justine Henin will extend her tennis comeback in Australia after officials announced on Monday she has been granted a wild-card entry to the Sydney International.