West Ham striker Michail Antonio is set to make his first appearance for Jamaica at the age of 31 in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

He has been named in the Reggae Boyz squad to face Panama in the game, in Kingston, on Sunday. Covid travel restrictions will stop him flying to Mexico and Costa Rica for their other qualifiers this month.

It has been said that plans to lift the ban on standing in the English Premier League and Championship are set to be announced by the government, with a handful of grounds being able to use designated safe standing areas before the end of the season. With an announcement set to be made within the coming weeks, it would mean that for the first time in over 25 years, fans of some top-flight football clubs would be legally allowed to stand and watch their team play.

Chair of the Football Supporters Association, Malcolm Clarke, said it was a "welcome" development that would benefit all fans, adding: "People who want to stand should be able to do so in safety. Those who want to sit should be able to do so without having their view blocked."

Looking for a challenge? Birmingham Museums are inviting people to make history count with three running challenges set to raise vital funds for the city’s museums.

With many official running events postponed this year Birmingham Museums virtual fun run challenges are a chance for seasoned runners, as well as novices, to keep moving over the summer while adding to their medal collection.

It has been announced that former Birmingham City defender Sam Oji has died.

Starting his career as a youth player with Arsenal in 2000, he joined the Blues in 2004 in search of first-team football, before featuring for Doncaster Rovers, Bristol Rovers and Leyton Orient. In July he became assistant manager of Highgate United.

Former Zimbabwe cricketer and renowned coach Andy Flower has decided against coaching Pakistan team due to his busy schedule.

According to sources, the previous Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) regime led by Chairman Ehsan Mani were looking to replace current Head Coach Misbahul Haq, with Flower, after Pakistan’s recent T20I series defeat against England. Flower, who is the head coach of PSL franchise Multan Sultans, CPL’s Saint Lucia Kings, T10’s Delhi Bulls, The Hundred’s Trent Rockets while also being the assistant coach of IPL side Punjab Kings, has told the PCB that he is not interested in coaching any international side, at the moment, as he is more inclined towards franchise cricket.

Twenty-seven athletes from West Midlands have been selected to compete at the 2021 School Games National Finals – a major multi-sport event for talented young athletes across the UK, taking place at Loughborough University from the 2nd to the 5th of September.

The School Games National Finals will be the first multi-sport event for young athletes following the lifting of lockdown restrictions. The event will celebrate the athletes’ achievements in working hard to maintain training and motivation over the last year and a half of restrictions.