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      ‘He’s got the fastest hands’ – Wrexham star James McClean tipped to beat up Jake Paul in boxing fight

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      FOOTBALL hardman James McClean has been backed by former manager Tony Pulis to beat Jake Paul in a boxing match.McClean – coached by Pulis at West Brom – has a reputation for his toughness on the field and trains in boxing as a hobby. James McClean has been backed to beat Jake Paul in a boxing matchCredit: RexTony Pulis coached McClean at West BromCredit: Times Newspapers LtdAnd ex-gaffer Pulis revealed Pulis was the most feared player he worked under and reckons he has the beating of Paul. He told OLBG: “Nobody, nobody would want to fight James McClean in the boxing ring. I’ve seen him at West Brom. “He has got the fastest hands of any professional footballer I’ve seen. He was on the bag and on the gloves. James, without question. “Like I say, I’ve got a lot of time for James. He mishandles himself at times in respect of what he says and what he does. READ MORE IN boxing “But he’s a great, great, great kid. I’ve got a lot of time for him. I’ve seen him with the gloves on.”You wouldn’t want to go in a ring against him. Against Jake Paul? McClean all day long.”McClean, now 36, made 111 Stoke appearances after joining from West Brom following prior stints at Wigan and Sunderland. He returned to Wigan in 2021 but moved to Wrexham two years later – recently celebrating promotion to the Championship. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSLast season, the left winger scored four goals to help Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney take Wrexham from non-league to England’s second tier. McClean – who has 103 Ireland caps with 11 goals – regularly shows off his boxing training under former pro fighter Derry Matthews. Jake Paul has ‘money fight’ green lit by boxing world champYouTuber-turned-boxer Paul meanwhile is 11-1 in the ring. His only defeat came on points to Tommy Fury, 25, in 2023 and he most recently beat Mike Tyson, 58, in November. Paul, 28, now returns on June 28 in a cruiserweight bout against ex-middleweight world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, 39, in California. The American knocked out former NBA star Nate Robinson in 2020 and has been called out by the likes of darts player Gerwyn Price, 40, before. Jake Paul is 11-1 in the ringCredit: Getty More

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      Premier League cult hero and ex-England star’s son, 23, closing in on EFL transfer after lighting up non-league

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      FORMER England winger Trevor Sinclair’s son looks to be getting a chance at Accrington Stanley.Midfielder Isaac, 23, plays for Curzon Ashton in National League North but is set to join The ‘Owd Reds.He is the son of Premier League hero Trevor SinclairIsaac Sinclair looks to be getting a chance at AccringtonCredit: GettySinclair Jr was at Blackpool as a teenager — like his dad — but this will be his first shot at the EFL.He has scored six goals and provided three assists in 45 games for Curzon Ashton this season.Isaac plays in a similar right-wing position to his dad for the Manchester-based non-league side.Sinclair’s day job sees him design clothes and sportswear, while he also helps out at his brother’s scaffolding company.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSBut that is set to change with a move into professional football with League Two side Accrington.Stanley marginally avoided relegation from the football league this season after finishing 21st in the table, as Morecambe and Carlisle went down. Isaac made headlines at the start of the season after scoring a wonder goal against Oxford City.Dad Trevor made 360 Premier League appearances throughout his playing career.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSHaving started at Blackpool in 1989, the winger went on to play for Queens Park Rangers, West Ham, Man City, Cardiff City, Lancaster Gate and Squires Gate.He scored 52 goals during his time in the Premier League and provided 36 assists.The 52-year-old was also capped 12 times by England.The Sun exclusively revealed last month how he was facing bankruptcy over an unpaid £36,000 tax bill. Sinclair Sr enjoyed five-and-a-half seasons with West Ham More

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      Sean Dyche lined up for return to football with relegated Premier League club who IGNORED him this season

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      SEAN DYCHE is back in the frame for the Leicester job with the task of aiming for immediate promotion back to the Premier League.The former Everton chief is seen as the man to pull off the recovery act by some leading figures at the Foxes HQ.Sean Dyche is tipped to lead Leicester’s bid for an instant Prem returnCredit: PACurrent Foxes boss Ruud van Nistelrooy is unsure of his fateCredit: PALeicester have been looking around for a replacement for Ruud van Nistelrooy after a disastrous campaign.There was a lobby for a ‘footballing’ coach like free agent Russell Martin or Liam Manning at Bristol City.However the financial pressure of getting promotion back to the Prem’s riches is now the main factor in the decision making.Dyche has a proven record of success at Burnley, where he went up twice which marks him out as the steadiest choice.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe experienced coach is based in the Midlands so the move would be ideal for him.Sources close to Dyche claim he was ready to answer the call from Leicester DURING the season but was ignored.Former Manchester United interim boss Van Nistelrooy is keen to discover his fate sooner rather than later.The 48-year-old said: “(I am) still hoping to find out. The quicker the better, in the best interest of the club. We’re all hoping to find out soon. Most read in ChampionshipBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK”There’s 70 people working at the training ground who want to evaluate the season (and start) looking forward to the next.”The Foxes were long ago doomed to an instant return to the Championship.Former Everton manager Sean Dyche lands new job two months after Toffees sacking But a shock derby win at European hopefuls Nottingham Forest on Sunday would see them leapfrog Ipswich and go third bottom.However, Prem clubs are already understood to be monitoring the King Power Stadium situation ahead of the summer transfer window.SunSport exclusively revealed that Brentford are interested in £25million-rated keeper Mads Hermansen. More

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      ‘Please delete this’ – Southampton send cringeworthy message to Derby after passing lowest Premier League points tally

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      SOUTHAMPTON fans have blasted the club’s social media account after it celebrated passing Derby County’s lowest ever Premier League points tally.The already-relegated Saints earned their 12th point of the season after a 0-0 draw with Manchester City, to overtake Derby’s 11 points secured in 2007-2008.Southampton beat officially beat Derby’s worst-ever Premier League side points tallyThe already-relegated Saints won their 12th point of the season against Manchester CitySouthampton tagged Derby County in an X post at full-timeRock bottom and Championship-bound Southampton survived 26 shots at goal to hold Champions League-chasing City on Saturday afternoon.And it even prompted a cheeky dig from the official Saints X account at full-time, which read: “Sorry if we got your hopes up, @dcfcofficial.”But other supporters were left fuming with the “humiliating” post and begged the club, who have now drawn six games, to rip it down.One wrote: This is embarrassing as f***. Please delete this. On behalf of Every saints fan.”READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSA second said: “Even for bait this is proper tragic, head would be on Mars if I was a Saints fan.”A third added: “This is embarrassing 😶.”While another footie supporter chimed in with: “Imagine bragging about being the second worst team in Premier League history 😂.”And Saints fans probably won’t want to hear what proud goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale had to say about passing Derby’s tally.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThe former Arsenal stopper said: “Delighted. We’re not happy about how the season has gone but we’re happy we’ve avoided that record.”We’re under no illusions that it’s not a great points tally. The fans are happy in the sun smiling.Ivan Juric leaves Southampton after woeful relegation from Premier League with club on track to make unwanted history “Everyone knows it’s been a difficult season for us. That one was for the fans and also the lads who have given everything. “A lot of Mondays coming in after heavy defeats. Today is a relief.”When Rusky came in he asked us to be extraordinary in concentration and personality and we showed that in abundance today.”Credit to the lads and way they defended. We made it hard for them.”In fairness to Southampton, much has been made about whether or not they can beat Derby’s unwanted record. And now they’ve done it.And interim manager Simon Rusk did urge his side to leave the Premier League “with as much dignity as possible” before kick-off.Read More on The SunMeanwhile, City failed to sew up a top-five finish in the race for the Champions League, and missed out on the chance to move level on points with Arsenal in second.Pep Guardiola’s side now stay within touching distance of their fellow Champions League chasers Newcastle, Chelsea, Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa, with 65 points in third place. More

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      ‘Good way to find out’ – Championship star sees he’s been released on INSTAGRAM before sending snide message to club

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      KIAN BEST took a swipe at Preston North End after apparently finding out he was released by his boyhood club via Instagram.Best, 19, spent his entire career at Preston after joining the Championship outfit’s academy at a very young age and signed a scholarship deal in 2021 before going pro two years later.Kian Best was released from Preston North EndBest suggested he found out about his release on social mediaDespite a promising start, the left-back found opportunities hard to come by at Deepdale and was ultimately loaned out to Bohemians in the League of Ireland Premier Division in January.That spelled the end of his long stint with the Lilywhites, who announced the ex-England Under-19 international’s release on Saturday.Preston issued a post on social media, along with a slideshow of players who are set to leave. It read: “We’d like to wish the players leaving us this summer the very best of luck for the future.”It included an image of Best with the following caption: “Thank you Besty”.Read More on FootballThe full-back then immediately took to social media where he shared a screenshot of Preston’s announcement and suggested he wasn’t informed about his release before the attached post was published. Best issued the following story: “Good way to find out through Instagram.”The youngster appears to have since deleted his post on social media.SunSport have approached Preston for comment.Most read in ChampionshipBest’s contract was due to expire at the end of the season and the player reportedly held no discussions with the club over an extension.Preston also announced the release of Freddie Woodman, Emil Riis, Patrick Bauer and Ryan Ledson, whose partner is a soap star.Kian Taylor was also included in the released section. More

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      Former England U20 star who’s dating Coronation Street actress wakes up unemployed after release from EFL club

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      FORMER England U20 ace and Everton academy graduate Ryan Ledson has been released by Preston North End. Ledson, who is dating Coronation Street star Lucy Fallon, leaves Deepdale after seven years following the expiration of his contract.Ryan Ledson has been released by Preston North EndCredit: GettyLedson is dating Lucy FallonCredit: SplashFallon stars as Bethany Platt in ITV soap Coronation StreetCredit: Instagram/@lucyfallonxThe 27-year-old midfielder joined Preston back in 2018, having spent time at Cambridge United and Oxford United after graduating from Everton’s academy.And now he will be searching for the next step in his career after being included on Preston’s 2025 retained list as an “out of contract and released” player.It’s not a surprise to Preston fans, who were made aware of Ledson’s imminent exit earlier in the week.In a statement, the Liverpool-born star said: “I’ve had the best seven years that I could have asked for. This club means so much to me.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“I want to thank everyone at the club, from the staff behind the scenes to the owner and Peter.“Thank you to the fans too for all the support you’ve given me over the years. I’m glad my last game for the club went as well as it did and I could have that moment with the fans at the end.“I’ve absolutely loved my time here and I wish everyone at the club nothing but the best for the future.”Ledson’s final game for the club was a 2-2 draw against Bristol City, a result that was just enough to keep the Lilywhites afloat in the Championship.Most read in FootballPreston North End full retained listHere’s a look at who is staying and going for Preston North End…Contracted ProfessionalsAli McCannAndrew HughesBen WhitemanBrad PottsDai CornellFelipe Rodriguez-GentileJack WhatmoughJames PradicJeppe OkkelsJordan StoreyKitt NelsonLewis GibsonLiam LindsayMads FrøkjærMax WilsonMilutin OsmajićNoah MaweneStefán ThórdarsonWill KeaneIn NegotiationsChed Evans (coaching role)Josh SearyKacper PasiekRobbie BradyOut of Contract and ReleasedEmil RiisFreddie WoodmanKian BestKian TaylorPatrick BauerRyan LedsonLoan Players Returning To Parent ClubsKaine Kesler-HaydenJayden MeghomaRyan PorteousSam GreenwoodCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSHe leaves PNE having played 215 games, scoring seven goals and registering 14 assists.Ledson’s partner Lucy Fallon, who plays Bethany Platt on ITV soap Coronation Street, supported him by re-sharing his exit announcement on her Instagram.Former England star Trevor Sinclair facing bankruptcy battle over £36k unpaid tax bill after ‘hiding head in the sand’The pair, who have been dating since the Covid-19 lockdown, share two children together – a son named Sonny and a daughter called Nancy.Clubs up and down the country are now announcing their retained lists as the season comes to a close, meaning top stars are being released all over the place.Former Chelsea, Manchester City and Celtic star Scott Sinclair was another big name to wake up unemployed this week after his release from Bristol Rovers.Club captain Sinclair, who shares three children with his former Corrie star ex Helen Flanagan, was let go by Rovers following their relegation into League Two.Scott Sinclair has been released by Bristol RoversCredit: GettySinclair’s ex is former Corrie star Helen FlanaganCredit: Instagram More

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      Luton release five players after relegation including Chelsea title winner and club legend who played in every division

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      LUTON have confirmed the release of five senior players at the end of this season.It comes after the Hatters, who were still a Premier League club 12 months ago, were relegated to League One.Luton have confirmed Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu will leave the club at the end of the seasonCredit: GettyPrem title winner Victor Moses will join him out the doorCredit: GettyTim Krul will also leave when his contract expiresCredit: RexAfter being banished from the top flight a year ago, Luton were simply unable to shake the habit of losing in the Championship.And despite replacing popular former boss Rob Edwards in January with Matt Bloomfield, a run of nine games without a win under him left them with a lot to do before a 5-3 defeat to West Brom on the final day confirmed relegation for the second season in a row.Following that disappointment, the club have now confirmed who will be leaving them when their contracts expire.Chief among these is history-making midfielder Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe 31-year-old came up with Luton from non-league and throuhgh every single division of the EFL to get into the Premier League, becoming the first player to win four promotions and play in five divisions with the same club.He has made 412 appearances and scored 23 goals throughout his Luton career.But having spent the second half of the season on loan at Rotherham, the club legend will now depart to end a 12-year career with them after originally signing as a teenager from West Ham in 2013.The club added a further tribute to him would follow.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKOther departures include Prem cult heroes Tim Krul and Victor Moses, four-year Luton veteran Amari’i Bell and on-loan reserve goalkeeper Jameson Horlick.Krul, 37, and Moses, 34, have more than 440 Premier League appearances between them, with the latter also winning the title with Chelsea.Fire brigade rush to Championship stadium as blaze erupts in laundry room ahead of huge clashLuton’s statement said: “We would like to thank Kal, Tim, Victor, Jameson and Josh immensely for their contribution to the club this season and wish them well for their future careers.”Club captain Tom Lockyer is out of contract but will continue his rehabilitation at The Brache, completing his return to football programme after his recovery from ankle surgery.Liam Walsh and Jack Walton, who is on loan at Dundee, have seen one-year contract extensions triggered.Elsewhere, the loan deals of Josh Bowler and Kal Naismith are expiring which will see them return to parent clubs Nottingham Forest and Bristol City, respectively.Players currently out on loan; Cauley Woodrow, Tom Holmes, Jayden Luker and Aribim Pepple, will return to the fold this summer. However, returning loanee Dion Pereira will not be continuing at Kenilworth Road.In the Under-21 ranks, Claude Kayibanda and Jack Lorentzen-Jones have had their contracts extended while discussions are ongoing with Joshua Phillips.Unfortunately, Jack Bateson, Dominic Dos Santos Martins, Tyrell Giwa and Axel Piesold will all be released from their respective deals.For the Under-18s, Sam Anderson, Zach Ioannides, Jamie Odegah, Oliver Pipa, Dylan Stitt, Lucas Thomas, Charlie Trustram and Tate Xavier-Jones have all been handed professional contracts.Luton have offered first-year scholarships to Rufus Barnes, Excel Ed-Okungbowa, Nassim El Gourja, Finley Evans, Luca Knote-Reed, Jerome Passley-James and Luke Takawira.Read More on The SunThey will also add Dawid Gawel as a scholar from Everton.On the other hand, Charlie Emery, Isaiah Harvey, Cai Hockey and Matthew Takawira will be leaving the academy at the end of the season. More

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      Norwich City rule Jack Wilshere OUT of manager’s job with Arsenal legend set to leave Championship side

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      JACK WILSHERE has been told he will not be kept on as the next permanent Norwich City manager.Wilshere, 33, was made interim boss of the Canaries following Johannes Hoff Thorup’s dismissal on April 22, stepping up from his role as a first team coach.Jack Wilshere will not be kept on as Norwich City managerCredit: GettyNorwich sporting director Ben Knapper has revealed that the club’s search for a new manager will be ‘focused externally’Credit: AlamyThe former Arsenal and England star, whose career was cut short by injuries, had impressed during his short spell as boss.He led the team to a 0-0 away draw against Middlesbrough and a 4-2 home victory over Cardiff City on the final day of the season.Wilshere’s Bluebirds thrashing was against his former Gunners midfield partner Aaron Ramsey, who had been given the Cardiff job on a temporary basis too.But despite Wilshere impressing in the technical area, Norwich sporting director Ben Knapper has revealed that the club’s search for a new manager will be “focused externally”.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe told BBC Radio Norfolk: “Jack is a fantastic person, he and I have a big history together.”He’s a great coach and will be a fantastic head coach, but that’s not going to be here at this particular moment in time.”Knapper and Wilshere know each other well, having crossed paths during his time at Arsenal.Knapper previously worked as Arsenal’s loans manager from 2019 to 2023.Most read in FootballWilshere impressed during his two-game stint as bossCredit: AlamyCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSNow the retired midfielder is set to leave Norwich completely, with the BBC reporting that he is taking time to consider his options.It’s thought that Wilshere is leaning towards becoming a head coach or manager elsewhere following his exit.Footballers are great role models… but they need to be able to go partying, like I did, says Jack WilshereWilshere was previously linked with making a huge leap into senior management last year.The Arsenal legend reportedly held talks with MLS side Colorado Rapids about becoming their head coach, but a switch never materialised.Wilshere was forced to retire at the age of 30 after battling with injuries throughout his career.After bursting on the scene at Arsenal as a teenager, Wilshere went on to have spells playing at West Ham, Bournemouth and Danish outfit Aarhus GF, before deciding his injuries had got the better of him.It was the same summer as his retirement that the former rising star began his role as head coach of the Gunners’ U18s.During his first season as boss of the youth team he managed to guide the youngsters to the FA Youth Cup final, ultimately losing to West Ham.Read More on The SunWhile he also helped nurture talent such as Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly.Since the season ended for Norwich, Wilshere returned to punditry as he joined TNT Sports’ in Paris to watch former club Arsenal take on Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.Wilshere joined Mikel Arteta for an interview ahead of PSG vs ArsenalCredit: Getty More