Basketball

Durant set for Saturday return

Golden State Warriors star Kevin Durant is expected to return to action on Saturday following a six-week injury layoff.

The Warriors said on Thursday that Durant, who sustained a knee sprain and bone bruise against the Washington Wizards on Feb 28, was fit to face the New Orleans Pelicans.

"Following multiple workout sessions in recent days, forward Kevin Durant has been cleared by the Warriors' medical and athletic training staffs to return to full-team practices," the statement said.

Soccer

United locks up Lingard for four

Manchester United's Jesse Lingard has signed a new contract that will keep him at Old Trafford until at least 2021, the club announced on Thursday.

The winger, who has been attached to United since the age of 7, made his mark on the first team under former manager Louis van Gaal last season and scored the winning goal in United's 2-1 FA Cup final win over Crystal Palace at Wembley.

Sources told ESPN FC the new deal will see the 24-year-old paid $99,000 a week, and up to $125,00 a week with performance and appearance bonuses.

Boxing

Olympic champ taking pro plunge

Olympic flyweight champion Nicola Adams thinks training alongside some of the world's leading boxers will stand her in good stead when she makes her pro debut in Manchester, England, on Saturday.

The 34-year-old Brit has been training in a San Francisco gym used by Andre Ward and Amir Khan ahead of her bout with Argentina's Virginia Carcamo.

Virgil Hunter, Adams' new trainer, guided Ward from Olympic gold in 2004 to the world light heavyweight title and Adams believes he will do the same for her.

"There's so much knowledge in this gym, and seeing guys like Andre Ward, who is the best in the world, training every day has left me a bit in awe," she said on Thursday.

NFL

Saints meeting with Peterson

Free agent running back Adrian Peterson has set up a visit with the New Orleans Saints, the NFL Network reported on Thursday.

Peterson's meetings with the Saints will take place next week.

New Orleans will be the third franchise the former Minnesota Vikings star will visit. He previously met with the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots.

A four-time Pro Bowler, the 32-year-old Peterson had seven 1,000-yard rushing seasons in nine years with the Vikings, including the second-best total in NFL history when he ran for 2,097 yards in 2012.

Motorcycling

Another milestone for veteran Rossi

Valentino Rossi will race in his record-setting 350th grand prix in Argentina on Sunday, determined to prove that at age 38 he will not be overshadowed by teammate Maverick Vinales, who blitzed the season-opener in Qatar.

Rossi, a nine-time world champion, was third in the rain and wind of the Qatari desert after starting from 10th on the grid last weekend.

Agencies