The Morning Sports Briefing

Vincent Kompany loses fitness race, Danny Willett confirms he will compete in next month’s Irish Open, and what to watch out for

Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany has lost his fitness race to play in tonight’s Champions League quarter-final. Photograph: Getty Images
Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany has lost his fitness race to play in tonight’s Champions League quarter-final. Photograph: Getty Images

Soccer

Manchester City will go into tonight's Champions League quarter-final second-leg tie against PSG without their captain Vincent Kompany, after the Belgium international lost his race to return from his latest calf injury.

Kompany was able to train with the rest of the squad on Monday morning but his manager, Manuel Pellegrini, said afterwards it was “not possible” for the team’s captain to be involved against the French champions. Fellow centre back Nicolás Otamendi though will be fit to play.

Also tonight, Real Madrid look to overturn a 2-0 deficit against Wolfsburg - manager Zinedine Zidane is confident that a patient approach will win the day for his team, who can barely afford to concede another goal.

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Meanwhile in last night’s rearranged Airtricity League fixture St Patrick’s Athletic were 2-1 winners over Finn Harps.

Golf: Irish Open

Newly-crowned US Masters champion Danny Willett has confirmed to golf correspondent Philip Reid that he will honour his commitment to play in next month's Irish Open at The K Club.

While late last night the Lough Erne resort expressed their extreme disappointment at the European Tour's decision to change the venue for the 2017 Irish Open from their facilities to a still to be announced 'traditional links course' - "While we are clearly disappointed with the European Tour's decision, the Resort's ownership group remains committed to working with Tour officials towards bringing a future Irish Open or an equivalent event to Lough Erne Resort."

Rugby

Gerry Thornley's column this morning looks at a man fast becoming one of Ireland's top coaches. For Bernard Jackman reaching a final or winning a major trophy this season, with his team now into the European Challenge Cup semi-final after beating his ex-team Connacht last weekend - would be serious a legacy for the former hooker. "You'd wonder if there is something of a glass ceiling at Grenoble, for realistically it will always be tough for them to compete with the heavyweights in France. But Jackman's CV is fast becoming as impressive as any other indigenous Irish coach currently on this tricky beat."

What towatch out for

Real Madrid versus Wolfsburg looks set to be the game of the night as the 10-time winners go in serach of goals in front of their wanting home crowd.

BT Sport 2 from 7pm

Setanta from 7.30pm

While Manchester City go into their second leg against PSG with the slight advantage - having taken the away goals from the 2-2 first leg draw. Kick off at the Etihad is 7.45pm.

TV3 from 7.30pm

BT Sport Europe from 7pm