The Sport Matrix: Tuesday 10 March 2015

Johnson considers move abroad

Liverpool’s Glen Johnson appears increasingly likely to move overseas this summer after his representatives held talks with foreign clubs. The full-back is out of contract at the end of the season and when asked about his situation at Liverpool, Johnson said: “No talks. At this point I have no idea.” On his option to explore a move overseas, he added: “There are talks. We will have to wait and see.”

Ill Froome out of Tirreno-Adriatico

Chris Froome has been ruled out of the Tirreno-Adriatico race in Italy this week for health reasons. “Still not feeling well so won’t be making it. Disappointed but health comes first,” the Team Sky rider posted on Twitter without elaborating. Alexander Kristoff, of Norway, meanwhile, sprinted to victory in the first stage of Paris-Nice, the 196.5km stage from Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreus to Contres.

Zola sacked by struggling Cagliari

Relegation-threatened Cagliari have sacked their coach Gianfranco Zola after less than three months in charge. Sunday’s 2-0 defeat at Sampdoria was Cagliari’s fifth defeat in their last six games and leaves the Sardinian club in 18th place in Serie A, four points adrift of safety. The former Chelsea player replaced Zdenek Zeman during the winter break but has guided the side to two wins in 10 games.

Rovers reward loyal Kitty, 100

Britain’s oldest female football fan has been rewarded for her loyalty with her own corporate box – at the age of 100. Kitty Thorne has attended nearly every Bristol Rovers home game since 1954, when she travelled to the ground by steam train.

She says her love of Rovers keeps her alive, along with strong coffee and corned beef sandwiches, and now Kitty has been given a corporate box at the Memorial Stadium until the end of the season.

After watching Rovers maintain their spot at the top of the Vanarama Conference on Saturday, Kitty said: “Football is my life and Rovers is my club. I love coming here. The first game I went to had me hooked. I fell in love with the atmosphere. The whole experience was amazing.”

KJT signs up for street events

Katarina Johnson-Thompson will compete in the 200m hurdles and long jump at the Great CityGames Manchester. The 22-year-old, who landed gold at the European Indoor Championships in Prague last week, will compete in the street events for the first time on 9 May.