Sport shorts: ex-rugby star James Haskell signs Bellator MMA deal and Bury are on the brink

1. From the scrum to the MMA

Mixed martial arts promotion Bellator MMA has unveiled former England rugby union star James Haskell as its new signing.

Haskell, 34, retired from rugby in May and has recently been working as an MMA television pundit.

The 6ft 4in Haskell will fight in the heavyweight division and Bellator says his debut bout is expected to take place in the first half of 2020.

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2. Bury FC on the brink

BBC Sport reports that 134-year-old Bury FC “could be no more” tomorrow with the League One outfit on the brink of being expelled from the English Football League because of financial issues. Former director Joy Hart said: “We need everybody’s help, or on Friday we will not be a football club ever again. I am appealing to all the north-west clubs. Please help us. Unless somebody comes in, we are dead on Friday. Forever. I cannot even bear to think about how much it will affect me and thousands of other people.”

3. Murray drops down to Challenger Tour

Andy Murray will play on the Challenger Tour for the first time in 14 years next week after entering the Rafa Nadal Open in Majorca. The Scot is making his return to singles tennis after hip surgery in January but lost his first two games.

4. City denied more medals

Manchester City requested more winners’ medals after their title victory last season but were turned down by the Premier League. The champions received 40 medals and the Daily Mail reports that they were told this was sufficient. City boss Pep Guardiola wanted some of his younger players to receive a medal. He said: “They are champions. They worked from day one to the last one, in the locker room and training. They didn’t play because of my decisions, but it’s the same.”

5. Rooney sees red in MLS

Former England captain Wayne Rooney was sent off as his side DC United lost 2-1 to New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer. Rooney, who will join Derby County in January, saw red after VAR found he had struck New York’s Michael Murillo with his forearm.

6. England career over for Te’o

Ben Te’o’s international rugby union career with England is over after the centre signed a short-term deal with French club Toulon. The 32-year-old missed out on the England Rugby World Cup squad.

7. Ocon set for Renault switch

German publication Auto Bild reports that Esteban Ocon will join Renault next season and partner Daniel Ricciardo. Frenchman Ocon is currently Mercedes’s reserve driver and had been tipped to replace Valterri Bottas and become Lewis Hamilton’s team-mate at the Silver Arrows. However, Mercedes chief Toto Wolff will keep faith with Finn Bottas and allow Ocon to join Renault.

F1: Esteban Ocon set to replace Nico Hulkenberg at Renault

8. January bid for Jadon

Manchester United are going to go all-out to prise Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund in January. The Sun claims that United are preparing a “£100m war chest to help their bid for Champions League football” and apparently 19-year-old Sancho is Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s dream signing.

Premier League transfer news: Sancho, Sanchez, Havertz, Lovren, Bakayoko

9. Who will be crowned FedExCup champion?

The PGA Tour golf season comes to a close this weekend with the Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta. A major change to this year’s play-offs will see the winner of the Tour Championship also crowned the FedExCup champion. Ahead of today’s first round, FedExCup standings leader Justin Thomas will start the Championship at 10-under par.

Tour Championship: tee times and how the scoring works

10. Third Ashes Test begins in Leeds

All eyes will be on Jofra Archer as the third Ashes Test starts at Headingley. England’s quick bowler exploded onto the Test scene on debut at Lord’s last week and will be aiming for more Australian wickets in Leeds. England won the toss and decided to bowl, but rain could delay the start of the opening day.

‘Bowling freak’: what makes Jofra Archer such a terrifying proposition?

Today’s back pages: Root backs Archer as England bid to level Ashes series