SPORTS DIGEST

Today's other sports stories in brief

Langer leaves Ryder door open

GOLF:Bernhard Langer has refused to distance himself from a possible return as Europe's Ryder Cup captain but insisted he would only take the position if asked.

The German led Europe to a nine-point rout of the United States four years ago and received wide acclaim for the achievement.

Concerning the captaincy, Langer said: "It depends. I haven't been asked and I think there are a lot of other guys who would like to be captain and have the chance.

"It is not what I want, it is who the committee decides and that is the right way. We learned a lesson a few years ago when three or four were asking (to be captain) and you had a winner and loser. So we decided at that time it is not who is asking that gets the job but who the committee determines will make the best job."

Langer is making a rare appearance on the European Tour this week as he joins fellow major winners Nick Faldo, John Daly and Jose Maria Olazabal at the Hong Kong Open.

McCann jumps to second overall

CYCLING: David McCann did his utmost to take over the race leader's jersey on yesterday's penultimate leg of the Tour of Hainan, but had to be satisfied with a jump from fourth to second overall, plus third on the stage, reports Shane Stokes.

The race leader, Boris Shpilevsky (Russian National Team), underlined his strength when he resisted all attacks on the day's mountains and jumped clear at the end to take his second consecutive stage win. It was his fifth win out of the race's seven stages.

Shpilevsky outsprinted Peter John Herzig (Panasonic) into Wuzhishan while McCann nabbed third on the stage, six seconds back.

The Russian rider looks certain to win overall. He is one minute and five seconds ahead of McCann.

The 2.1-ranked race concludes today with a 102.4-kilometre stage from Wuzhishan to Sanya.

Ballesteros moved out of intensive care

GOLF:Five-time major winner Seve Ballesteros has been moved out of intensive care and is continuing to recover from surgery on a brain tumour.

The 51-year-old Spaniard was taken to Madrid's La Paz hospital at the start of October after suffering from dizziness and briefly losing consciousness. He was diagnosed with a brain tumour and underwent three operations last month.

"Although it's positive news I ask you to be prudent because the (recovery) process is slow and he will remain in hospital for a while yet," hospital spokeswoman Susana Reverter Vazquez said yesterday. She also said visitors are restricted.

Ballesteros has a tumour that affects two types of brain cell and spreads inside the brain cavity.

Britain's Luke Donald, out of action with an injured wrist since the US Open in June, is to return at next month's Sun City Challenge. Donald will replace Anthony Kim in the 12-man field after the American withdrew because of an ankle problem.

Fagan gets European award

ATHLETICS:Martin Fagan of Mullingar Harriers, who recently delivered a couple of top-quality international road performances, has been voted European Athlete of the Month for October - an honour he shares with Kenyan-born Dutch runner Lornah Kiplagat, who tops the women's rankings, reports Ian O'Riordan.

Fagan (25), made a big impact in the Great North Run half-marathon in Newcastle on October 5th, finishing top European runner in sixth position with an impressive time of 62 minutes 20 seconds. This was a big breakthrough for Fagan who suffered disappointment in the marathon at the Beijing Olympics where he was unable to finish because of injury.

Fagan, who is now training in Flagstaff, Arizona, then ran another personal best at the end of last month when he placed second in the Great South Run 10-mile event in a lively 46.58. His next goal will be to improve on the ninth position he achieved at last year's European Cross Country Championships.