The Sport Matrix: Monday 8 December 2014

City striker Aguero ruled out for month

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero was last night ruled out for just a month with ankle ligament damage, allaying fears he could be missing for a significantly longer period of time. The forward, scorer of 19 goals in 21 matches this season, sustained the injury in the opening minutes of Saturday’s victory over Everton, and will be a major loss for City as they take on Roma in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Radcliffe backing for lifetime bans

Paula Radcliffe has reiterated calls for lifetime bans for athletes found guilty of doping. “I would advocate a life ban for anybody intentionally doping,” the English runner said following recent allegations about Russian athletes. “But that can’t be implemented... for legal reasons.”

Abbott ready to make comeback

Australian bowler Sean Abbott is in line to return to competitive cricket tomorrow after reportedly telling New South Wales team-mates he is ready to play again following the death of Phillip Hughes. Australia’s Test team face India in Adelaide tonight in their first match since the tragedy.

Female pair can battle men in World Cup

Elana Meyers Taylor of the United States and Kaillie Humphries of Canada are now eligible to compete against men on the World Cup bobsled circuit.

The pair completed eligibility requirements when they raced in a four-man European Cup event. Meyers Taylor’s team finished 10th and Humphries’ team was 17th, though neither placing was relevant.

By finishing, they satisfied a rule saying they needed to compete in five races held on three tracks within two seasons to secure World Cup eligibility, having previously raced four-man events at Park City and Calgary.

The two women plan to make four-man World Cup debuts in Calgary later this month.

Williams kicks Tigers to shock win

Owen Williams inspired Leicester to a stunning 25-21 victory over holders Toulon in the Champions Cup yesterday. The fly-half kicked 20 points to move the Tigers closer to the Group C leaders, with Brad Thorn going over. Bryan Habana and Drew Mitchell scored tries for the French side.