Norris is keeping his options open

LANDO NORRIS has refused to rule out a move to replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes.

Hamilton finally agreed to a 12-month contract extension last week, but there are fears the seven-time world champion could quit the sport at the end of the year.

The uncertainty has left Mercedes considering life after their star driver, and fellow Briton Norris has long been regarded as the heir to Hamilton’s throne.

Norris, 21, above, is about to embark on his third season in F1 and remains committed to McLaren.

He said: “I’m very happy with where I am at McLaren. For now, I concentrate on the job I’m doing and to just make sure I have an opportunity to be here again next year.

“You never know when something arises and spots can change.

“Both contracts for [Valtteri] Bottas and Lewis are out at the end of the season, so you never know.”

● WEST HAM are tracking £12m-valued Sampdoria winger Mikkel Damsgaard.

● MIDFIELDER John Buckley has signed a new three-and-a-half-year deal with Blackburn.

● CRAWLEY boss John Yems has been given a two-match touchline ban for attempting to enter the officials’ changing room after the League Two game with Leyton Orient.

● PORT VALE have named Darrell Clarke as their new manager. He left fellow League Two club Walsall.

JORDAN HENDERSON has revealed he and his Liverpool team-mates have been tickled by some of the wild rumours during their recent slump.

And the one that made him laugh the most was about a punch-up between good friends Andy Robertson and goalkeeper Alisson, right.

Speaking about speculation that manager Jurgen Klopp was ready to walk away after another shock defeat, the Reds skipper said: “It doesn’t need me to say anything about something like that. Yeah, not true. Someone is sitting behind a keyboard making up rumours about the manager or the players in the dressing room. “I quite liked the one where Robbo and Ali were having a fight about something. That made us chuckle a little bit.”

And in emphasising the fact neither of the rumours held any sway, Henderson said: “Apart from that, I didn’t give it much thought. I just enjoyed that rumour, that’s all.” Many Liverpool fans were convinced Klopp had decided to quit after his press conference following the defeat at Leicester but, as Henderson’s response illustrated, it was met with disdain from within the club.