London, Mar. 26 : Cycling champion Lance Armstrong’s broken collarbone will take at least eight weeks to heal, a surgeon who operated on him, has said.

Seven-time Tour de France champion Armstrong yesterday had successful surgery on the injury he suffered in a crash on Monday.

Armstrong, 37, had a five-inch stainless steel plate and 12 screws inserted to repair the collarbone, which was broken in four places.

Hockenheim, Germany - The future of Formula One racing at Germany's Hockenheim circuit remained open after the regional council shelved a decision on ending racing at the loss-making track.

The council Wednesday evening said no decision would be taken on renewing the F1 contract after 2010 until talks in Stuttgart in May between Baden-Wuerttemberg state and F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone.

The state has meanwhile indicated it might be prepared to provide financial backing to help ensure the circuit's Formula One future.

Islamabad, Mar. 26 : It is still not clear whether Pakistani players will be playing in the second season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) or not, as Pak Federal Minister for Sports, Pir Aftab Hussain Shah Jilani has said that a final decision in this regard would be taken in the coming two to three days.

Jilani said that following the IPL’s shift to South Africa, the government may rethink its stand on over the issue.

London, Mar. 26 : Manchester United and England star Rio Ferdinand has said that though he is a millionaire, he finds fame and fortune boring, and prefers slippers and Corrie to a night of partying.

England hero Rio, 30, who rakes in 120,000 pounds a week, said: "People have a vision of what footballers do in their spare time and it's nothing like that. I'm not in nightclubs every night, that's for sure.

London, Mar. 26 : Mickey Arthur, who has built South Africa into one of the world''s leading cricket sides, has emerged as a surprise candidate to be the next England coach, while Ashley Giles has been told he is not in the frame.

The Telegraph quoted sources as suggesting that Arthur is the external candidate most favoured by the England and Wales Cricket Board to replace Peter Moores before the start of the summer.

London, Mar. 26 : Worries about how competitive McLaren might be in this racing season appears to have prompted a change of heart in 24-year-old Lewis Hamilton.

Rumours are in circulation that he could head to Ferrari where he would more than double his salary.

"I haven't had offers from other teams and I am not talking to anyone. But I would listen to an offer if someone asked. It would be a compliment and it would be silly if I did not," The Telegraph quoted Hamilton, as saying.