Notwithstanding injuries to Harry Kane , Daniel Sturridge and Wayne Rooney, it speaks volumes for the state of the respective national sides that, on a night when 31-year-old German striker Lucas Podolski bids farewell to international football, Gareth Southgate has been forced to recall 34-year-old Jermain Defoe to the England squad. Despite a spate of international retirements, German coach Joachim Low can still call on many experienced players…

At the time of writing, the Cheltenham Gold Cup is just over a week away but, with most bookmakers offering ‘non runner no bet’ on the Blue Riband event of the National Hunt season, now could be the time to get stuck into Colin Tizzard’s progressive young chaser Native River. The 7-year-old has gone from strength to strength this season, winning the Hennessy Gold Cup, over 3 miles…