Murray confirms bid for Queens

Tennis: Andy Murray will bid for his fourth Queen’s Club title in seven years this summer after yesterday confirming his presence at the Aegon Championships along with defending champion Grigor Dimitrov.

Murray won the event in 2009, 2011 and 2013.

The tournament has enhanced status on the ATP Tour this year, having been bumped up from a 250 tournament to 500.

It has also been moved back a week, meaning it is no longer straight after the French Open.

Messi condemns transfer ‘lies’

Football: Lionel Messi has insisted he is staying at Barcelona and has hit out at “lies” linking him with a move to the Premier League.

“I don’t demand anything for me to stay because I have no intention of going anywhere,” he said.

“It’s a bit bad because the stories came from here in Barcelona from people who are supposed to be supporters of the club, not from Madrid as in other times, people who want to damage the club.

“More than ever we have to be united.”

Toffees short for West Ham replay

Football: Everton boss Roberto Martinez will again be without seven players for tonight’s FA Cup third-round replay against West Ham at Upton Park.

The same group that missed Saturday’s 1-1 Barclays Premier League draw with Manchester City continue to be sidelined — Tim Howard (calf), Sylvain Distin (groin), Tony Hibbert (unspecified), Leon Osman (foot), Darron Gibson, Steven Pienaar (both knee) and James McCarthy (hamstring).

Khan sets deadline for Mayweather

Boxing: Amir Khan has set Floyd Mayweather a five-day deadline as he attempts to line up a fight against the pound-for-pound king.

“I’ve answered all the things Mayweather wanted me to do,” he told the Daily Mail.

“It’s a waiting game. I need to know this week because I need to start training.”