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      Preston North End star Jordan Storey set to stand trial after pleading not guilty to assault charge

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      A FOOTBALLER is set to stand trial on charges of assault and affray.Defender Jordan Storey, 27, is accused of assaulting Tomas Whatmough.He pleaded not guilty at Preston crown court yesterday to two charges from last January.Preston North End’s Jordan Storey is set to stand trial on charges of assaultA trial lasting up to three days was originally scheduled for 2026, but has been brought forward to May 6 this year.The Preston North End stopper has signed a deal to stay at the club until the summer of 2028.Storey has been at the Lancashire club, who currently lie 14th in the Championship, since 2018, making nearly 200 league appearances for them.He has also played for Exeter City and has been out on loan at Preston’s fellow Championship ­outfit Sheffield Wednesday.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLPreston North End have been contacted for a comment.In November, The Sun revealed that a former Premier League prodigy had been jailed for stabbing a teen with a Rambo knife after turning to crime when his career flopped.Causso Darame left 19-year-old Ronnie Evans partially paralysed with “life-changing injuries” after attacking him in a “vicious” robbery.The 25-year-old, who was signed by Swansea City FC when they were in the Premier League, stole the teen’s neck chain and bracelet.Most read in FootballDarame has now been jailed for four years and four months after he admitted robbery and possession of a knife.Portsmouth Crown Court heard the horror unfolded in the early hours of May 12 last year near Ken’s Fried Chicken restaurant.Brighton ace’s home burgled as model fiancee shares security footage More

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      Plymouth REJECTED in first approach to replace Wayne Rooney as League Two club block move for ex-Premier League star

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      PLYMOUTH have been denied permission to speak to Walsall manager Matt Sadler.Argyle have placed the Saddlers boss on their shortlist to replace Wayne Rooney.Plymouth have been denied permission to speak to Walsall boss Matt SadlerCredit: GettyArgyle sacked Wayne Rooney on New Year’s EveCredit: RexSadler, a former Premier League star with Birmingham City, has guided Walsall 10 points clear of League Two.The Saddlers have won their last seven games in the fourth tier, pulling clear of a chasing pack including Crewe Alexandra, Salford, Port Vale and AFC Wimbledon.Championship strugglers Plymouth are considering testing their resolve with a generous compensation package.Man Utd legend Rooney was given the boot on New Year’s Eve with Argyle rock bottom of the Championship.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSRooney won just five of his 25 games in charge, with Argyle’s last victory way back in early November at home to Portsmouth.The Pilgrims have scrapped filming for their fly-on-the-wall documentary following Rooney’s exit.As SunSport revealed in November, filming had commenced for a series showcasing their battle for Championship survival.They had hoped to flog the series to a streaming platform – such as Netflix or Amazon Prime – and raise significant funds in the process.Most read in EFLFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSProduction staff were told to “take a break” from filming after just TWO games, with club bosses worried the project risked becoming a “distraction”.Lorton Entertainment, who had been working on the project, already had ties to the Rooneys, having worked on feature length documentary ‘Rooney’ and ‘Coleen Rooney: The Real Wagatha Story’.Rooney has bagged a new role for 2025 as house husband – after blowing the final whistle on his manager job with failing Plymouth ArgyleAs for Rooney, he is expected to be offered an immediate return to punditry work.A TV insider told SunSport: “Wayne is regarded as one of the best pundits in the business.”He’s very, very knowledgeable about the game.”And even though he’s actually quite a shy person, he really feels at home in a TV studio.The insider added: “It’s been a rubbish end to 2024 for Wayne, but he’s not going to be out of work for long.”Wayne still harbours ambitions of making it as a manager.”But, like Gary Neville, it might end up being the case that he can carve out a more successful and lucrative career as a pundit rather than as a manager in the dugout.” More

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      Former Premier League stadium looks unrecognisable under heavy blanket of snow with huge heaters to thaw pitch

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      AN iconic former Premier League ground has been left unrecognisable thanks to a barrage of snow.Freezing temperatures and strong winds have deposited plumes of snow up and down the UK.Parts of the UK has been covered in snowCredit: PAThe now-Championship ground has been transformed into a winter wonderlandCredit: GettyThe iconic and usually recognisably stadium is anything but that at this moment in timeCredit: GettyThe heavy snowfall, however beautiful it may be, has wreaked havoc across the UK.It’s left many a place looking like a Winter Wonderland – nearly two weeks after Christmas.And a Championship stadium has been left looking like it’s situated in the North Pole.Incredible photos of Elland Road – the home of Leeds United – submerged in snow started doing the rounds on social media on Monday.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSAnd the deluge of snow has left the normally instantly-recognisable stadium looking anything but that.Aerial snaps showed the Championship table-toppers had deployed numerous heaters – which were illuminating bright colours – on the pitch to “help the grass grow”.The decision from Leeds’ groundstaff to leave the layer of snow on the pitch was made to prevent it from fully freezing.Leeds shared their own snap of a snowy Elland Road on their Instagram and X accounts.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe club are utilising state-of-the-art heaters to ensure the pitch doens’t fully freezeCredit: GETTYTheir accompanying caption included snowflake and snowman emojis and read: “@ellandroad.”Scores of Leeds fans commented, with one saying: “Very nice.”Millwall fans boo their own light show at The Den ahead of Leeds clash Another said with two love-heart-eye emojis: “What a stadium.”And another said: “Nice view.”One of the Elland Road faithful said: “Beautiful.”Leeds fans will be hoping the snow will be gone come Saturday afternoon, when they welcome League Two outfit Harrogate Town for their FA Cup third-round tie. More

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      Leeds back in Premier League and Wrexham promoted AGAIN? Full predictions for EFL ahead of business end of the season

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      WE are into the second half of the season and now have a good idea which teams look likely to stick with the pace.Here are my predictions on who will win promotion automatically and via the play-offs, as well as those who should be in the mix come the end of the season . . . Leeds look good for automatic promotion to the Premier LeagueCredit: RexCHAMPIONSHIPAUTOMATIC PROMOTIONLEEDSThe Elland Road club won’t fall apart again. Their 3-3 draw at Hull was a blow but Leeds are scoring for fun and I tend to think teams who score bag-loads get out of this division.Daniel Farke lost Archie Gray, Crysencio Summerville, Georginio Rutter, Luis Sinisterra and Glen Kamara.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut the likes of Brenden Aaronson, Joel Piroe and Dan James have stepped up to the plate.BURNLEYScott Parker is promotion king in the Championship and bids for three out of three at the Clarets after taking Fulham and Bournemouth up.They don’t let many goals in and Josh Brownhill is a big goal threat. Burnley should squeeze just enough results out to make the top two.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSPLAY-OFFSIt’s like pinning a tail on a donkey predicting play-offs but I have a sneaky feeling for SUNDERLAND.Football icons’ strange hobbiesRegis Le Bris has made the Stadium of Light a fortress and on-loan Wilson Isidor’s nine goals so far have been very handy.But keep an eye out for Danny Rohl’s SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY and you cannot rule out SHEFFIELD UNITED under Chris Wilder.MIDDLESBROUGH will be there and WEST BROM surely will have a puncher’s chance.Wrexham will be there or thereabouts in League OneCredit: PALEAGUE ONEAUTOMATIC PROMOTIONBIRMINGHAMIt’s a disgrace the Blues are even in the third tier after a relegation that should never have happened.But the American owners poured millions into the club in the summer in a bid to make it a one-season stay — and it will be.Jay Stansfield, a £15million buy from Fulham, has 12 league goals.But, getting striker Alfie May in from Cheltenham was the best bit of business. His ten league goals, including two in Saturday’s 3-0 win at Wigan, are a big reason why they are in the title race.WREXHAMPhil Parkinson had to do things a bit differently this season from the two previous campaigns in the National League and League Two.With Birmingham buying almost everyone that he wanted in the summer, he brought in potential.Keeper Arthur Okonkwo, 23, from Arsenal was great business, while striker Steven Fletcher is still doing it up top at the age of 37. I expect them to nab second.PLAY-OFFSHUDDERSFIELD are another club that should never have gone down last season. It was madness to get rid of Neil Warnock, who miraculously kept them up the campaign before.But Michael Duff has a great shot at going up in the play-offs.WYCOMBE are punching above their weight with Matt Bloomfield and will be in the promotion chat — along with BARNSLEY, READING and STOCKPORT.Walsall have shown their class this termCredit: AlamyLEAGUE TWOAUTOMATIC PROMOTIONWALSALLThe Saddlers are nailed on to go up under Mat Sadler. Nathan Lowe and Jamille Matt have netted 14 and seven goals respectively — and their defence is frighteningly stingy.AFC WIMBLEDONThe Dons have made steady progress under Johnnie Jackson and I reckon he has found the right formula to lead them up.Matty Stevens has been excellent up front with 12 goals — while defensively they are sound. I see them breaking into the top three.NOTTS COUNTYDavid McGoldrick is rolling back the years at the age of 37 with his beloved Magpies.The ex-Sheffield United, Ipswich and Southampton man is on a mission to shoot them into League One under Stuart Maynard. And his deadly double in the 2-0 victory against Swindon on Saturday meant he has netted ten this season in the league.PLAY-OFFSI like the look of CREWE. Lee Bell was so close to taking the club up last season before their painful loss to Crawley in the play-off final.They are hard to beat — only four losses so far. My only worry would be they don’t have an out-and-out goalscorer who can provide the firepower.But the experience of Mickey Demetriou, 34, fused with the  talent of 20-year-old Zac Williams and James Connolly, 23, have made for a great defensive base.I can see PORT VALE slipping out of the automatic spots under Darren Moore and Grant McCann should steer DONCASTER to make the top seven.If Paul Cook cannot get CHESTERFIELD into the play-offs it will be a massive failure for the Scouser who has a huge budget.READ MORE SUN STORIESSALFORD should also be in the argument but I fancy eighth-placed BRADFORD under Graham Alexander making a strong push.And I wouldn’t be surprised if Scott Lindsey can conjure another miracle — after taking Crawley up last season — to get MK DONS gatecrashing the play-off spots. More

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      Worst ever Premier League teams after 20 games revealed as Southampton have fewer points than record-breaking Derby

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      SOUTHAMPTON are officially the worst ever Premier League team at the midway point of the season.The Saints find themselves rock bottom after 20 games with just six points following Saturday’s 5-0 home thrashing from Brentford.Southampton are on course to become Premier League’s worst ever teamCredit: RexMick McCarthy’s Sunderland side also had six points by this stageCredit: GettyEven Derby County in 2007-08 – the worst team in Premier League history – had one more point at this stage.Southampton are on their way to stealing that unwanted record after 20 games.It has been a rough return to top-flight action for the Saints after their one-season stay in the Championship.The once steady top-flight club, who replaced Russell Martin with Ivan Juric last month, have only beaten Everton this season.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSSouthampton have shipped 44 goals since August, while scoring just 12 to leave them with a goal difference of -32.The Sunderland side of 2005/06 also had six points after 20 matches, but had conceded nine less goals.Mick McCarthy was managing Sunderland that season as they were relegated from the Prem after finishing rock bottom with 15 points.Derby overtook the Black Cats’ shameful accolade and recorded the lowest tally ever seen with 11 points in 2007-08.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe Rams finished the campaign with a -69 goal difference and only secured one sole victory.Yet after 19 games they had seven points – one more than Southampton do now.In the last 122 years, only five teams have had six points or fewer at this stage in an English top flight season. All five went on to be relegated.But those at St Mary’s can take heart from Sheffield United’s 2020-21 season.The Blades looked on course to replace Derby as the Prem’s worst side when they entered December 2020 with just five points.Unfortunately for Derby, Sheffield United – although they still finished bottom – had 23 points come the end of the season.In 2016, Aston Villa had eight points a midway point, and Sheffield United’s most recent Prem flock recorded just nine last season.Derby County had seven points under Paul Jewell by this stage in 2007-08Credit: PA:Press Association More

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      Man City planning transfer raid for England U20 wonderkid after string of impressive clean-sheets

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      MANCHESTER CITY are interested in Sunderland goalkeeper Matty Young.City were keen on the 18-year-old stopper before he made his first-team breakthrough on loan at Salford.Man City are tracking goalkeeper Matty YoungCredit: GettyYoung had to wait for a regular start in League Two before finally making the No1 shirt his after 18 games.Since coming into the side, he has conceded just one goal in eight matches.And he is in the midst of reeling off a stunning run of six clean sheets in a row.Salford now have the joint-best defence in the league with AFC Wimbledon and are second in the table.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLYoung incredibly now has the chance to audition in front of Pep Guardiola on Saturday night as Salford face City in the third round of the FA Cup.The wonderkid joined Sunderland at the age of seven and has risen through the youth ranks, winning their Young Player of the Year award.He spent last season on loan at non-league club Darlington.Young has been capped by England at Under-18, 19 and 20 levels.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe teenager’s Under-20 debut came in a 1-1 draw against Poland in November.January could be busy for City as the champions are reportedly eyeing a double raid for Eintracht Frankfurt forward Omar Marmoush and Atalanta midfielder Ederson to reignite their season.Beleaguered Man City boss Pep Guardiola involved in bizarre interview when discussing Rico Lewis red card More

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      Leeds lock horns with Championship title rivals Sheffield United for £10m-rated Premier League star

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      LEEDS  have opened talks to bring in Nottingham Forest centre-half Andrew Omobamidele this month.The Republic of Ireland defender, 22, is available and the deal could be a loan with a guaranteed buy.Nottingham Forest defender Andrew Omobamidele is a target for Leeds and Sheff UtdCredit: GettyForest hope to raise £10million from selling the former Norwich prospect, who has not played as many games as they hoped.Promotion-chasing Leeds want competition and see Omobamidele as a long-term investment.Rivals Sheffield United are keen — but would prefer a loan arrangement.Omobamidele was born in Leixlip, County Kildare.Read more in footballIn 2020, he signed a professional contract with Norwich City.The centre-half made his Canaries debut in 2021 as a sub in a 2-1 win over Cardiff City.The stopper made his Premier League debut in a 1-0 defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, playing the full 90 minutes.In the same year, Omobamidele made his international debut against Portugal in a 2022 World Cup qualifier.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSIn the summer of 2023, the 6ft 2in talent moved to Nottingham Forest for a reported fee of £11million.However, he has found game time hard to come by.Millwall fans boo their own light show at The Den ahead of Leeds clash Last season, Omobamidele played 14 times in all competitions.But this campaign he has featured just once – in the EFL Cup defeat to Newcastle United.Interestingly, it was Leeds boss Daniel Farke who handed Omobamidele his debut in that defeat to the Gunners.After the game, he called the player “outstanding” for his efforts. More

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      Burnley star Zian Flemming’s ‘unreal s***housery’ celebration goes viral after derby win over Blackburn

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      BURNLEY star Zian Flemming was hailed for his “unreal s***housery” following derby victory over Blackburn.The Clarets mounted pressure on Championship leaders Leeds after Flemming’s winner on the hour mark. Zian Flemming put a Burnley shirt over the Blackburn corner flagCredit: RexFlemming scored the derby day winnerCredit: PAAnd Flemming certainly appeared to enjoy the three points as he put a Burnley shirt over the top of a Blackburn corner flag and paraded it around. Fans online loved the dig as one said: “Love this.”Another added: “Zian Flemming stuck a Burnley shirt over the Blackburn corner flag after today’s derby day win Unreal shithousery.”Scott Parker’s side are just a point of table toppers Leeds with Sheffield United level in second. READ MORE IN football And Parker – who replaced Bayern Munich boss Vincent Kompany – hailed his side after the raucous derby. He said, via the Lancashire Telegraph: “It is satisfying, relief as well to be fair. “Obviously, I have not been in here long and the game today being a local derby. “I quickly realised when I first came in, it was what everyone was saying to me.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS“I experienced that very early on in the season with the home day and certainly felt that today.“From the minute we walked into the stadium, hostile place, intense atmosphere which local derbies bring. “I am delighted that we managed to seal the three points.”Hilarious moment Burton boss Gary Bowyer falls flat on his back kicking the ball away during Northampton defeat More