Sport in brief: Roddick out of ATP finals

Tennis: Andy Roddick has lost his battle to recover from a knee injury in time for the ATP World Tour Finals, which begin at the O2 Arena in London on Sunday.

Roddick, who suffered the injury playing in last month’s Shanghai Masters, will be replaced by Robin Soderling, who reached this year’s French Open final and will have a year-end ranking inside the top 10 for the first time. France’s Jo-Wilfried Tsonga will now travel to London as the first reserve in case anyone else withdraws from the elite eight man field. The draw will be made today.

MCC could sell the naming rights to Lord’s

Cricket: The MCC would consider selling the naming rights to Lord’s, chief executive Keith Bradshaw has revealed. The organisation revealed plans for a £400 million redevelopment of the stadium, entitled Vision for Lord’s, which include an underground cricket academy and expanded museum. While part of the development will be funded by flats around the periphery of the stadium, the MCC are also looking into sponsorship and possibly even selling naming rights.

Strachan signs Stoke’s Kitson on loan deal

Football: Middlesbrough have signed Stoke City striker Dave Kitson on a two month loan. The 29-year-old has scored just two goals in 25 League games for the Potters since a £5.5m move from Reading in the summer of 2008. He is the second striker to join on loan since the arrival of manager Gordon Strachan following the capture of Marcus Bent from Birmingham City. Kitson could make his debut in the home Championship match with Nottingham Forest on Saturday.