UPDATE 1-Sports Direct earnings on track after strong Easter

* Sales up 2.9 pct to 214 mln stg in 9 weeks to March 28

* Gross profit up 7.9 pct over same period

* Trading "robust" over Easter holidays

* Confident of full-year EBITDA of at least 160 mln stg

(Adds detail, background)

LONDON, April 22 (Reuters) - Sports Direct (SPD.L), Britain's biggest sporting goods retailer, is on track to meet its full-year earnings forecast after robust trading over the Easter holidays, it said on Thursday.

The group, controlled by Newcastle United soccer club boss Mike Ashley, said sales rose 2.9 percent to 214 million pounds ($330 million) in the nine weeks ended March 28, with gross profits climbing 7.9 percent to 82 million.

"The retail division has seen robust Easter holiday trading against tough comparators and we look forward to a successful football World Cup both on and off the field," said chief executive David Forsey.

Sports Direct, which has twice lifted its earnings guidance for the year ending April 25, said it remained confident of achieving its latest forecast for earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation of at least 160 million pounds. (Reporting by Mark Potter; Editing by Mike Nesbit) ($1=.6495 pounds)