More sports news in brief.

Hatton splits with long-time trainer

BOXING:Ricky Hatton has ended months of speculation about his future with trainer Billy Graham by revealing the pair are to split with immediate effect, bringing an end to one of the most successful partnerships in British boxing history.

Hatton will be without Graham in his corner for the first time in his career when he challenges New York's Paulie Malignaggi for the IBF light-welterweight title in Las Vegas on November 22nd.

Hatton joined Graham's Phoenix Camp gym in Salford in his late teens and turned professional at the age of 18. With Graham, he plotted a course that led to a multi-million pound fortune and world titles at two weights.

Last month, Hatton's younger brother Matthew announced he was to split with Graham.

Harmison left out but not surplus to requirements

CRICKET:England's Steve Harmison has been told he may feature later in the series against South Africa despite failing to break into the side for third Test at Edgbaston.

After a lengthy spell in the international wilderness, the 29-year-old Durham fast bowler was recalled to the England squad at the weekend for the crucial third Test, which starts today. England need to win with the Proteas 1-0 up with two to play.

But Harmison failed to make the starting line-up, England deciding to strengthen their batting line-up by recalling Paul Collingwood and fielding only four specialist bowlers.

The captain, Michael Vaughan, however, hinted Harmison may be needed for the final Test, starting at The Oval on August 7th.

"He was very close (to playing) and that's why we brought him into the squad - it's a sign for him that we feel he's got a chance of getting get back in," confirmed Vaughan.

"He's obviously not in the XI this week, but who's to say he won't be in the XI at The Oval the week after?"

Yesterday's disappointment follows Harmison's dramatic axing from the team earlier this year after a dismal display in the opening Test defeat to New Zealand in Hamilton.

But Vaughan added: "I'd say he is just delighted to be back in the squad. This isn't a dropping, it's a promotion from being in the Durham ranks to back in the England ranks. He's not in the XI but he's delighted to be back in the 13."

Cragg fails to finish in Monaco 

ATHLETICS:Alistair Cragg had a worrying climax to his preparations for the Beijing Olympics when he failed to finish the 3,000 metres at the IAAF Grand Prix meeting in Monaco last night. Cragg had produced a series of encouraging runs in recent weeks, including third places in both London and Paris.

However, the final race didn't go to plan, and Cragg clearly didn't look comfortable from early on. He drifted towards the back of the field around the halfway stage and dropped out shortly afterwards, obviously feeling unwell.

Joseph Ebuya led home five Kenyans with his winning time of 7:34.62, a personal best, ahead of team-mate Isaac Songok, who ran 7:35.06 - yet Cragg should have been able to handle this pace given his best is 7:32.49, and his season best is 7:38.21.

Boxers to curtail Russian camp

BOXING:The Irish Olympic squad will leave their training camp in Vladivostok, Russia, for Beijing on August 4th, two days earlier than originally planned, the IABA's high-performance director Gary Keegan has confirmed.

The five-man squad face a tough day's sparring in Vladivostok today; light-flyweight Paddy Barnes, bantamweight John Joe Nevin and light-welterweight John Joe Joyce meet the Russian Olympians, David Ayrapetyan, Sergey Vodopyanov and Gennady Kovalev.

Irish captain Ken Egan and Darren Sutherland will also spar with Russian opponents today - they had to spar with each other yesterday as their Russians counterparts were pulled out because of injury.

Keegan said: "Russia have named the cream of the cream in their squad and we are getting through some top-quality sparring."

Meanwhile, Amir Khans brother Harroon, will meet Irish flyweight Anto O'Brien in one of 12 Ireland v England junior international bouts at the National Stadium on Friday.

Cyclist blames slimming potion

CYCLING:World road race champion Marta Bastianelli said yesterday her positive dope test was the result of carelessness when trying to slim and was not an attempt to cheat.

The 21-year-old will miss the Beijing Olympics after testing for flenfluramine, which is used in diet products.

"I got a product from the pharmacy. I wanted to lose some weight. It was not a banned substance; it was a simple, herbal product. But unfortunately now we have discovered the truth. In one of the products there was a little molecule," she said.

"There was a little bit of carelessness . . . Even for aspirins I used to consult the doctor. I will watch everything I eat and drink.

The Italian cycling federation said Bastianelli tested positive on July 5th at the European under-23 championship in Italy.