front has barely well and that front has barely budged through the day today. these rain bearing weather fronts you can see on the chart will basically take the whole of the weekend before they get eastwards across all areas. really slow moving fronts. overnight, still some fairly hefty rain across eastern scotland but the rain across eastern scotland but the rain will tend to become lighter and drizzly in nature really across the western parts of england and wales as well. mist and fog patches forming around the coast and hills, but temperature polite overnight quite mild, 10—14, then tomorrow is not a bad start to the weekend. across eastern wales, central and eastern england, the weather brightens up some sunshine. they should be some brighter weather as well for parts of western scotland and northern ireland but later in the day along the fronts we will probably start to see some showers breaking out, could be quite heavy. temperatures their highest again and the best of the sunshine across southern and eastern england. it will feel warm in that september

sun. through saturday night, some big storms breaking out across wales, northern england and scotland and through sunday as the storms slowly push eastwards we could start to sequence might impact because the storms can be quite slow moving across parts of central and eastern england potentially bringing localised surface water flooding although the amount of rain you get from one stomp to the next will vary a lot. western areas tending to brighten up. later in the day on sunday temperature of the neck down a little, but closer to average, 17-20. a little, but closer to average, 17—20. kuyt mixed weather picture this weekend but for some there will be at least some spells of sunshine —— quite a mixed weather picture. thanks for that. goodbye from me. on bbc one let'sjoin thanks for that. goodbye from me. on bbc one let's join our news team is hello and welcome to sportsday.

i'm sarah mulkerrins — coming up. the road to 20:23pm starts tonight — but there's no steph horton for england, as the captain is ruled out of their world cup qualifier due to injury. a last minute cancellation in pakistan — new zealand abandon their tour on the day of their first odi — amid security fears. and the premiership is back for a new season — bigger than ever and it starts with a heavyweight clash between bristol and saracens. also coming up in the programme. the new tennis sensation talks to us about her dream run at the us open and what she'll do with all the prize money. i'll with all the prize money. just leave that to my part and i'lljust leave that to my parents and my team, to be honest. i'm just focusing on what i love to do which is competing and they can take care of that.

hello and welcome to sportsday. hello and welcome along to sportsday this evening. the road to women's world cup in australia and new zealand in 2023 starts tonight for the home nations. england kick off against north macedonia at 7:00pm — and it's new boss sarina weigman's first game in charge. the new era starts though without one of england's most influential players — as captain steph houghton has had to withdraw from the squad because of an ankle injury. we'll look ahead to the qualifiers for scotland, wales and northern ireland in a moment — but let's head first to st. mary's to our reporterjo currie. how big of a blow is it that steph houghton is out tonight. the fact that she has been a stalwart of this team for such a long time. it is a big blow for

england but also of course because she is the captain and she is the leader of his well and particularly when you consider they have a number of other key players at the moment out at the like the goalkeeper, the player of the year, not fit. they're not fit enough to even make the bench tonight. it is not the ideal start to the team. of course it is also a big blow. she said she was captain england for these two games but that she would be working on a longer term basis and now that she is watching it on tv she will be thinking about the opportunity to shower england what she can do as a leader. it is herfirst week shower england what she can do as a leader. it is her first week in charge but she says she has been really impressed with what she is seen. i really impressed with what she is seen. . , ., , , , seen. i have seen many things, first of all, seen. i have seen many things, first of all. and — seen. i have seen many things, first of all. and on _ seen. i have seen many things, first of all, and on this _ seen. i have seen many things, first of all, and on this great _ seen. i have seen many things, first of all, and on this great work-

seen. i have seen many things, first of all, and on this great work ethic l of all, and on this great work ethic so i am _ of all, and on this great work ethic so i am very— of all, and on this great work ethic so i am very excited to be working with the _ so i am very excited to be working with the team but they work so hard. sometimes _ with the team but they work so hard. sometimes we have to ask to slow down _ sometimes we have to ask to slow down a _ sometimes we have to ask to slow down a little bit. very much quality _ down a little bit. very much quality. intention too, you know, we had some _ quality. intention too, you know, we had some principles brought in and they were — had some principles brought in and they were going for it and they realty— they were going for it and they really wanted to do very well. | really wanted to do very well. wonder really wanted to do very well. i wonder what were people wanting when she sets up this team this evening because we know this is a world cup qualifier but thanks there is going to be the home euros as well. absolutely. we'lljust put this match into perspective. england are currently ranked eighth in the fifa world rankings. macedonia 131 so england should be winning and winning comfortably. they said the plan was to can see no goals and score lots of them. the message from her a simple but in turns of performance i think what fans want to see is a bit of passion,

confidence and a bit of excitement because arguably, the lionesses have not been at their best performance by since the world cup in france two years ago when they reach the semifinals and that is why we seen them drop to number eight in the world rankings but people are saying it should be her and herfour years in charge of the dutch national team in charge of the dutch national team in her previousjob it took in charge of the dutch national team in her previous job it took them to wind the home euros in 2017 and took them all the way to the world cup final in 2019 so confident is high notjust for tonight but final in 2019 so confident is high not just for tonight but for the coming months and years as well. thank you so much. the other home nations begin their campaigns too this evening. wales are looking to reach their first major tournament, they're at home to kazakhstan. northern ireland managed that feat by qualifying for the euros next summer, they start against luxembourg. and scotland has a new manager in charge, as they face hungary. lydia campbell looks ahead to them for us. for northern ireland, scotland and wales, thejourney for northern ireland, scotland and wales, the journey to the world cup in 2023 begins tonight. let's start with northern ireland. these were the scenes the last time they were

in action. they had just qualified for their first in action. they had just qualified for theirfirst ever in action. they had just qualified for their first ever major tournament. next year's european championship. but now tensions have to turn to the world cup. they start their campaign with two matches against luxembourg and latvia. what makes this squad so impressive is the vast majority of players are not professional footballers. they are nurses, teachers, they work in retail. they all have to take time off work to play for their country. and one player in particular, this is an 18—year—old, she has made her own big sacrifices she looks ahead not only world cup qualifiers but also the us next year. for not only world cup qualifiers but also the us next year.— not only world cup qualifiers but also the us next year. for me i was su osed also the us next year. for me i was summed to — also the us next year. for me i was summed to be _ also the us next year. for me i was supposed to be going _ also the us next year. for me i was supposed to be going to _ also the us next year. for me i was supposed to be going to university. supposed to be going to university but i've decided to take the year out and to focus on trying to get into that squad. but i don't want to get too harder ahead of ourselves. we are looking to the next match, you know, not nextjuly. but

obviously it is in our thoughts. scott then start their campaign away to hungary as they aim to qualify for back—to—back world cups. but they will have to do it without kim little who has retired from international duty. they will also be without caroline weir and lucy graham because of injury. but they do have a new head coach. he is aiming very heinous first campaign. first we will try to aim for the first— first we will try to aim for the first position. we are aware that the first— first position. we are aware that the first position is difficult but only if— the first position is difficult but only if you dream and work for the first position may be you get the second _ first position may be you get the second but for the second maybe you will be _ second but for the second maybe you will be third. so we will aim for the highest. we will aim to win every— the highest. we will aim to win every match. is the highest. we will aim to win every match-— the highest. we will aim to win every match. the highest. we will aim to win eve match. , ., , , ., every match. is for wales, they have the unfortunate _ every match. is for wales, they have the unfortunate title _ every match. is for wales, they have the unfortunate title of— every match. is for wales, they have the unfortunate title of being - every match. is for wales, they have the unfortunate title of being the - the unfortunate title of being the only home nation yet to qualify for a major tournament. their game at home to kazakhstan will get under

way shortly but with fans to heavyweights in the group it is vital that they get points on board early. this will be the first campaign undera early. this will be the first campaign under a manager and she has already had a big impact on the side. i5 already had a big impact on the side. , . , already had a big impact on the side. , .,, ., ., , already had a big impact on the side. , ., ., , ., ., ., side. is as a group now we want to t and side. is as a group now we want to try and change _ side. is as a group now we want to try and change out _ side. is as a group now we want to try and change out of— side. is as a group now we want to try and change out of everyone. it| try and change out of everyone. it is about— try and change out of everyone. it is about changing the wording we are using _ is about changing the wording we are using for— is about changing the wording we are using foras— is about changing the wording we are using. foras it is about changing the wording we are using. for as it has always been out we hope _ using. for as it has always been out we hope to— using. for as it has always been out we hope to qualify. we might qualify — we hope to qualify. we might qualify. but for now it is when qualify— qualify. but for now it is when qualify we _ qualify. but for now it is when qualify we have to be able to believe — qualify we have to be able to believe in that.— qualify we have to be able to believe in that. , ., , ., , believe in that. very high ambitions indeed there. _ believe in that. very high ambitions indeed there. you _ believe in that. very high ambitions indeed there. you can _ believe in that. very high ambitions indeed there. you can follow- believe in that. very high ambitions indeed there. you can follow all- indeed there. you can follow all three matches on the iplayer on the next hour as well as bbc alba for the scotland match and bbc two for the scotland match and bbc two for the wales match. we have you covered for all of those games there. one game in the premier league this season, newcastle will take on leeds at saintjames park and for the

hosts they have equalled their worst start to premier league campaign. this is the sixth time they have taken one point from their opening four matches and they have also conceded 12 goals. most of any team so far. . ,., , conceded 12 goals. most of any team so far. ., , ., ., , so far. the fan base that we have is astonishing- _ so far. the fan base that we have is astonishing. and _ so far. the fan base that we have is astonishing. and the _ so far. the fan base that we have is astonishing. and the one _ so far. the fan base that we have is astonishing. and the one thing - so far. the fan base that we have is astonishing. and the one thing thatj astonishing. and the one thing that they would do is make sure they get behind their team especially when they need them, like they do now. whatever thoughts are with myself to get by the team because when the right by the team, as we have always known in st james's right by the team, as we have always known in stjames's park right by the team, as we have always known in st james's park it becomes a very, very difficult place for the opposition. i5 a very, very difficult place for the opposition-— opposition. is for the manchester city manager— opposition. is for the manchester city manager he _ opposition. is for the manchester city manager he said _ opposition. is for the manchester city manager he said fans - city manager he said fans misunderstood him when he apparently complained about the lack of support at home games. there were just over 38,000 at the champions league when ahmed and stay. he said his team would need more presents for their premier match against southampton

tomorrow but fans told him to stick tomorrow but fans told him to stick to coaching. the general secretary of city bus official supporters club said the manager should consider the difficulties supporters face. guys. difficulties supporters face. guys, if ou difficulties supporters face. guys, if you want _ difficulties supporters face. guys, if you want to _ difficulties supporters face. guys, if you want to join _ difficulties supporters face. guys, if you want to join us _ difficulties supporters face. guys, if you want to join us and - difficulties supporters face. guys, if you want to join us and we - difficulties supporters face. guys, if you want to join us and we willl if you want to join us and we will be incredibly happy if you come to see the next game against southampton because i know, i knew, i know and tomorrow i will know it how difficult it will be. i prefer to be with my people then without my people but if they don't come for any reason it is perfect. i never had the words to say why you didn't come? you didn't come, don't comfortably want to come, it would be pleasure. but you don't, you don't. so mr parker should review especially the comments the day after but i will not apologise. absolutely not. england's run at the amputee euros is over. they were 1—0 up in their quarterfinal against spain in krakov. but after they had a man sent off in extra time, spain equalised,

it went to penalties, and england lost 7—6. the england amputee fa tweeted they were proud of every single player and they gave it their all on the pitch. the england and wales cricket board will decide in the next 2a to 48 hours whether the men's and women's matches in rawalpindi next month will go ahead, after the new zealand's men team abandoned their tour of pakistan. the decision came following a new zealand government "security alert". the black caps were due to play pakistan in the first of three one—day internationals in rawalpindi on friday before moving to lahore for a five—match twenty20 series. new zealand's decision to abandon their tour came after "an escalation in the new zealand government threat levels for pakistan" in pakistan beyond the boundary is a row of steel. this was the morning of the first one—day international against new zealand at a level of security has allowed international cricket to return. but for the visitors, this was not reassuring to know. even as fans arrived for the match cricket in new zealand

announced it was bringing its players home citing an escalation in the new zealand government threat levels for pakistan. given the advice they were receiving they said withdrawal was the only responsible action. pakistan disagreed. they said that security plans where full proof international diplomacy could not persuade the kiwis to stay. translation: our security departments have no threat alert in information they did not perceive a threat alert and pakistan is playing a key role for peace in the world and pakistan is a big supporterfor peace and stability and against terrorism. pakistan has strong comprehensive coherence and top—level departments on this tour has been cancelled by conspiracy. it is more than 12 years since the sri lankan team bus was attacked in lahore which fails to pakistan's national team into exile and the united arab emirates. the cricket

nation cut off from its heroes. the red bag has been lined with soldiers, safety and anti terrorism has been a priority. they persuaded major cricketing nations england were due to follow new zealand here next month but now the cricket board are assessing whether those t20 matches will still happen. the?t are assessing whether those t20 matches will still happen. they are “ust ullin: matches will still happen. they are just pulling the _ matches will still happen. they are just pulling the rug _ matches will still happen. they are just pulling the rug and _ matches will still happen. they are just pulling the rug and not - matches will still happen. they are just pulling the rug and not having| just pulling the rug and not having this to it such that the last moment. the match which are supposed to start ten minutes later. this does shake the confidence of the other teams are coming as well as for pakistan it is a huge shock. as credibility, a lot of things are at stake so that is going to be a lot of ramifications.— stake so that is going to be a lot of ramifications. pakistan's captain has tweeted _ of ramifications. pakistan's captain has tweeted of _ of ramifications. pakistan's captain has tweeted of his _ of ramifications. pakistan's captain has tweeted of his disappointment | has tweeted of his disappointment and continuing trust in the security services. sentiment supported by several others to team—mates put up cricket in pakistan issue to that of a part life and national symbol but it remains at the mercy of forces that are bigger still.

us open champion emma raducanu says the feeling of being a grand slam winner is �*still sinking in'. the 18—year—old arrived back in the uk yesterday — five days after winning the tournament in new york — a victory that has seen her break into the top 30 in the world rankings. many hope her success can inspire more people to play tennis and she gave advice to some budding youngsters. hi, what age were you when you started — hi, what age were you when you started tennis? i was five years old when _ started tennis? i was five years old when i _ started tennis? i was five years old when i started playing tennis. i started — when i started playing tennis. i started tennis along with many other sports _ started tennis along with many other sports which i actually think helped me develop a lot of my motor skills and my— me develop a lot of my motor skills and my coordination in general and as i and my coordination in general and as i got— and my coordination in general and as i got a _ and my coordination in general and as i got a little bit older i had to commit — as i got a little bit older i had to commit to— as i got a little bit older i had to commit to one sport because tennis was taking — commit to one sport because tennis was taking up the weekends with all the tournaments but i would say playing — the tournaments but i would say playing many other sports and just

throwing _ playing many other sports and just throwing yourself into different activities helped in a lot of aspects _ activities helped in a lot of aspects of