MEN’S RUGBY LEAGUE: The bad news continues for St Helens after Tommy Makinson received a three-match suspension for a dangerous high tackle in their recent 42-6 mauling by Super League table-toppers Hull KR.

The Saints are already missing Lewis Dodd and Daryl Clark due to injury as they fight to stay in the play-off places.

Hull KR second-rower James Batchelor also received a one-match ban for making dangerous contact with an opponent.

SPEEDWAY: Tom Brennan top-scored with 15+1 points as Birmingham ended their 14-match losing run with a 47-43 win over injury-hit Ipswich in the Premiership on Monday evening.

Sheffield Tigers extended their lead at the top of the table after earning an aggregate point win over Belle Vue in their bank holiday double header.

Belle Vue edged their home tie 48-42 before crashing to a 56-34 defeat in the return match.

MEN’S FOOTBALL: English League Cup second-round fixtures continue tomorrow evening with Premier League new-boys Ipswich Town at AFC Wimbledon, Wolves hosting Burnley and four-time winners Notts Forest taking on Newcastle.

Wycombe travel to 2013’s champions Swansea, West Ham meet Bournemouth, Cardiff face Southampton and Colchester, the lowest-ranked team left in the competition, have home advantage over Brentford.

MEN’S RUGBY UNION: Maro Itoje will begin his 12th year at Saracens as their new captain after he was named as Owen Farrell’s replacement for on Monday.

Farrell joined Paris-based Racing 92 at the end of last season.

Former England international Manu Tuilagi, who joined Bayonne from Sale in a two-year deal earlier in the summer, will miss the start of their Top 14 season after breaking his hand in a pre-season game.