An unpredictable summer for sports retailers following England's miserable World Cup is likely to be highlighted by JD Sports on Wednesday.

The Bury-based group said in June that trading was strong in the run-up to the tournament - before England's exit.

Analysts will be keen to find out more details on summer trading in half-year results on Wednesday.

Fashion chain French Connection is expected to show further progress towards its turnaround when it posts half-year figures on Thursday.

The group said its ­European like-for-like sales lifted 9.1 per cent in the 15 weeks to May 10.

Smiths Group, which is the world's biggest maker of airport and port scanners, celebrated 100 years on the stock market in August but few investors are expected to cheer its full-year results on Wednesday.

The City forecasts that pre-tax profits will be down 7.8 per cent to £459 million after the group recently admitted to challenging trading conditions at its detection business in May.