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      Birmingham manager Tony Mowbray forced to step away from job for up to two months to receive medical treatment

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      BIRMINGHAM have announced manager Tony Mowbray is stepping away from the club on medical grounds. A club statement said he would be will be absent for six to eight weeks.
      Tony Mowbray is stepping away from Birmingham on medical groundsCredit: Rex
      Mowbray said it came after a medical assessmentCredit: PA
      Mowbray, 60, was appointed to the position on January 8 after the club sacked Wayne Rooney.
      A Blues statement said: “Birmingham City can confirm that manager, Tony Mowbray, requires medical treatment which means he will be temporarily stepping away from the on-site management of the club for a period of approximately six to eight weeks.”
      Mowbray said the decision came after a health assessment and thanked the club for their help in this time.
      He said: “Following my recent LMA Health Assessment I have received a medical diagnosis that will require me to receive treatment.
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      “Undergoing treatment will necessitate that I temporarily step away from the technical area as manager of Birmingham City Football Club.
      “Until I return, my assistant manager, Mark Venus, will take temporary charge of the team, supported by coaches Ashley Cole, Pete Shuttleworth and Maik Taylor.
      “I will continue to provide advice and counsel while undergoing treatment.
      “The club has been incredibly supportive of me and my family and we are very grateful. I know that everyone will be respectful of our privacy at this time.”
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      Assistant manager Mark Venus will take charge in Mowbray’s absence.
      Mowbray previously managed Sunderland but was dismissed by the Black Cats in December.
      Tony Mowbray suffers freak injury celebrating Sunderland’s last-gasp equaliser against Watford
      Birmingham have won three of their six league games under Mowbray while also picking up a draw against Swansea.
      The results rocketed them away from the relegation zone, with Birmingham now on 38 points.
      Mowbray’s coaching career has taken him throughout the English football pyramid with gigs at West Brom, Middlesbrough, Coventry and Blackburn.
      He has also managed Hibernian and Celtic. More

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      Aaron Ramsey Euro 2024 fears as ex-Arsenal star picks up nasty injury ahead of huge clash

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      WALES are sweating on skipper Aaron Ramsey for their Euro 2024 play-off bid next month.The Cardiff midfielder, 33, will have a scan on a calf injury today.
      Cardiff City and Wales midfielder Aaron Ramsey has picked up a calf injuryCredit: GETTY
      The former Arsenal man is now a doubt for Wales’ Euro 2024 play-off clash with FinlandCredit: GETTY
      Ex-Arsenal and Juventus star Ramsey missed the 4-1 Championship loss to Norwich on Saturday.
      And boss Erol Bulut expects him to sit out Blackburn’s visit tomorrow.
      Bulut said: “For Tuesday it will be difficult, I think around one week.
      “He got injured, he has a strain on his calf.
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      “Also Perry Ng was injured on his hips. That’s why they didn’t play.
      “For Tuesday, Aaron, it will be difficult. I think it will be a short time, around one week.
      “We saw in the last game, at West Brom, when he came in, it was a different game from how we started.
      “We got a few chances to score and make it 1-1.
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      Aaron Ramsey only recently just recovered from a serious knee injuryCredit: REUTERS
      “It would be great to have him, but if a player is injured, I cannot change it.
      But SunSport understands Ramsey, recently back from a serious knee injury sustained in September, will now have a scan.
      Both club and country will hope it is a minor setback as Wales host Finland in their Euro semi-final on March 21 in Cardiff.
      Ramsey’s former club Arsenal were 5-0 winners at Burnley on Saturday as they edged themselves back into title contention.
      But the match was overshadowed by an injury to the Welsh midfielder’s namesake, who plays for the Clarets.
      Burnley’s Aaron Ramsey, a former England U20 international, was forced off needing oxygen after appearing to get his foot stuck in the turf following a tackle from Martin Odegaard. More

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      Southampton line up £15m Jack Clarke transfer as ex-Tottenham ace targets Premier League return

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      RUSSELL MARTIN’S Premier League hopefuls Southampton want to win the race for Sunderland star Jack Clarke.Saints are planning a £15million bid for the Championship superstar winger, 23.
      Jack Clarke is wanted by several Premier League clubsCredit: Alamy
      Ex-Spurs ace Clarke wants another crack at the top flight and will be open to a move if the Black Cats do not go up.
      Sunderland may have to cash in on their best player, who is also liked by Brentford.
      While West Ham were heavily tipped to make a January bid for the 15-goal star.
      Crystal Palace are also monitoring Clarke and could make an approach this summer, particularly if Michael Olise leaves.
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      Even Serie A giants Lazio have taken an interest and reportedly submitted a £15m offer last month.
      Tottenham have a 25 per cent sell-on clause which could affect Sunderland’s valuation of their star man.
      Saints also have a £15m deal in place for centre-half Taylor Harwood-Bellis.
      The Manchester City star, 22, is on loan at St Mary’s but that will turn into a full-time deal at the big price if Southampton go up this season.
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      Martin’s side are two points an automatic promotion place but have a game in hand over second-placed Leeds.
      Their 25-game unbeaten run was ended by Bristol City last week but they bounced back by beating West Brom 2-0 on Friday.
      The Biggest January Flop Signings In Premier League History More

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      Crystal Palace’s ‘secret’ Oliver Glasner meeting gatecrashed by EFL club as Hodgson offers to take charge at Everton

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      CRYSTAL PALACE supremo Steve Parish held a ‘secret’ meeting with Oliver Glasner in a London hotel hideaway.But as chairman Parish talked through the Palace job with the No. 1 candidate on Friday night, he was spotted by guests — including the Sheffield Wednesday squad!
      Roy Hodgson’s days at Crystal Palace are seemingly numberedCredit: PA
      Palace are seemingly on course to have Oliver Glasner replace the veteran manager in the dugout at Selhurst ParkCredit: PA
      Steve Parish held a secret meeting with Glasner while Hodgson was still in hospitalCredit: rex
      It was the first face-to-face meeting between Parish and Glasner and came while Eagles boss Roy Hodgson was still in hospital.
      Glasner, 49, even attended Tottenham’s 2-1 home defeat to Wolves yesterday — a possible scouting trip with Palace facing Spurs on March 2.
      Parish seems set to replace Hodgson with Glasner — the choice of major shareholder John Textor — as he is available and keen to take on the challenge at Selhurst Park.
      Veteran Hodgson, 76, was willing to leave his sick bed and head for Goodison to help in the crucial game against Everton tomorrow.
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      Hodgson collapsed at training on Thursday morning and had to go for checks but within hours he was offering to be available for the clash.
      The former England boss was prepared to travel on the day and play a role either from the dugout or, more likely, the directors’ box.
      Yet Hodgson will have further talks with Parish about his plans and will also wait for word on his health checks.
      Talk was rife about Hodgson being sacked on Thursday but Parish did not speak to him before checking on his welfare later that day.
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      Roy Hodgson’s record at Palace
      2017-21Games 162Win percentage 33%Goals per game 1.2Goals conceded per game 1.5
      2023-24Games 38Win percentage 32%Goals per game 1.3Goals conceded per game 1.6

      Parish wanted Hodgson to be in charge at Everton despite being pushed to make a decision and appoint Glasner.
      The Owls, who faced Millwall in the Championship yesterday, were also staying at the Hilton Hotel in Greenwich where Parish met Austrian coach Glasner and his camp and spotted the pair.
      Roy Hodgson ‘very grateful’ to be honoured with CBE
      And the former Eintracht Frankfurt is favoured by Textor who tried and failed to take him to Lyon earlier in the season.
      Glasner decided against the move to France but is keen on the Premier League.
      Parish also shortlisted Steve Cooper and Julen Lopetegui as emergency replacements — despite rumours both were keen in the right circumstances.
      However, Glasner is a free agent and cheap in terms of wage demands and budget needs.
      Glasner is clearly keen to get started with the job at hand after being out of work since leaving Eintracht Frankfurt in June 2023.
      And on his Instagram page last week he posted a video in German in which he spoke about the challenges of taking over a new club.
      The caption for the post to his 31,000 followers read: “What are the first tasks as a coach at a new football club?” More

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      Sunderland fans fume ‘get him out’ as they spot manager Michael Beale’s ‘brutal’ act on the touchline

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      SUNDERLAND fans fumed at manager Michael Beale after he ruthlessly snubbed defender Trai Hume’s attempts at a handshake during their defeat to Birmingham.The Black Cats suffered a second successive loss on Saturday afternoon as they lost 2-1 at St Andrew’s.
      Michael Beale, left, snubbed Trai Hume’s attempts at a handshakeCredit: Twitter

      Beale has been criticised by his own fans for the incidentCredit: Reuters
      And it was head coach Beale that felt the wrath of the Sunderland faithful after the game for one particular act involving right-back Hume, 21.
      The defender was replaced by striker Luis Semedo in the 87th minute of the game as the visitors chased a late equaliser.
      As Hume headed off the pitch he reached out his hand and waited to high five his manager.
      But Beale did not even acknowledge the player as he refused to take his eyes away from the pitch, ignoring the young Sunderland star.
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      The clip quickly surfaced on social media after Beale’s side lost more ground in their hunt for a Championship play-off place.
      And many Sunderland supporters were quick to slam their manager for his behaviour.
      One said: “Brutal, that.”
      Another added: “Pathetic excuse of a ‘manager’. Only in it for his own personal glory, hopefully a sacking follows soon 👍.”
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      A third replied: “You don’t do that. Sets a horrific example especially from the fella who ‘manages’ the side.”
      While a fourth simply responded: “Awful.”
      Five EFL Championship stars destined for the Premier League
      And a fifth said: “Love the players more than the head coach so BEALE OUT.”
      Sunderland sacked manager Tony Mowbray in December following a run of one win in five games.
      Beale, who signed a two-and-a-half-year contract, took over a fortnight later with Sunderland seventh in the Championship, three points off the play-off spots.
      Now they are 10th, four points adrift of the play-offs with 13 games remaining. More

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      ‘He knows ball’ say fans as Bruno Fernandes reveals ‘underrated’ Man Utd legend he wishes he’d played with

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      BRUNO FERNANDES has expressed his dream to have played alongside underrated Manchester United legend Michael Carrick.Carrick, who is now manager at Championship side Middlesbrough, retired from football at Old Trafford in 2018 – two years before Fernandes’ arrival.
      Bruno Fernandes said he wished he had the chance to play with Michael CarrickCredit: Rex
      Carrick retired from football at Man Utd in 2018 two years before Fernandes’ arrivalCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      Carrick is now the manager at Championship side MiddlesbroughCredit: PA
      United’s captain Fernandes joined the club in January 2020 from Sporting Lisbon in a deal worth £67million.
      And while Carrick was in charge of the Portuguese midfielder for three games as caretaker manager – after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s departure in 2021 – they never played alongside each other.
      When Fernandes was asked what United legend he wanted to play with he said: “Michael Carrick, because I loved him. I love the way he plays.
      “I think as a No6, someone that gives a lot of balls to the players playing up front, like between the lines.
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      “He was a player that was not much in the spotlight, but he was really important for the club.”
      Carrick is one of England’s most decorated players of all time.
      During his 12 years at United, he was used as an emergency centre-back under Sir Alex Ferguson, David Moyes, Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho. 
      And won five Premier Leagues, one FA Cup, one Champions League and three EFL Cups.
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      In January 2018, Carrick accepted an offer to join the club’s first-team coaching staff after his retirement at the end of the 2017–18 season – after making 464 appearances for United.
      In December 2021 he left United with immediate effect after the club appointed an interim manager Ralf Rangnick.
      Man Utd star Bruno Fernandes reveals you’ve been saying his name all wrong in amazing video
      The Englishman then went on to become Middlesbrough boss ten months later when the Championship side were 21st in the league on the brink of relegation.
      But Carrick would win 16 of his first 23 games as the club began to climb the table.
      He then guided his side to a 4th-place finish but Middlesbrough lost in the play-off semi-finals to Coventry.
      And this season Carrick led Middlesbrough to the semi-finals of the EFL Cup for the first time since 2004.
      The Yorkshire side were victorious in the first leg against Chelsea winning 1-0.
      However, they were thrashed 6-1 at Stamford Bridge in the second leg leading them to crash out of the competition. More

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      ‘Strangest straight red card ever seen’ handed to West Brom manager Carlos Corberan after ‘utterly bizarre’ moment

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      CARLOS CORBERAN sending off against Southampton has been dubbed “utterly bizarre”.The West Brom manager was shown a straight red card during Friday’s match at the Hawthorns.
      Carlos Corberan was sent off after just six minutes against SouthamptonCredit: Sky Sports
      Referee Sam Allison showed the West Brom boss a straight red card for interfering with playCredit: Sky Sports
      West Brom manager Carlos Corberán is SENT OFF within 6 minutes 🔴😱A moment of madness as the Baggies boss kicks the ball while it is still in play 🤯 pic.twitter.com/oPZCkjXBW8— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) February 16, 2024

      Referee Sam Allison dismissed the Baggies boss after he was deemed to have touched the ball before it went out of play.
      The incident occurred just six minutes into the Championship clash.
      Corberan’s moment of madness came as the ball appeared to be rolling out of play along the touchline nearest to the dugouts.
      He stepped forward and kicked it towards one of his players to take a quick throw-in, only for the ball to have not yet gone out.
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      As a result, he was seen as interfering with play by the officials and sent off by Allison.
      Reacting on social media, one fan wrote: “One of the strangest red cards I’ve ever seen.”

      Another simply dubbed the incident: “Utterly bizarre.”
      A third fan was more sympathetic, commenting: “Bit harsh to send him off.”
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      It soon went from bad to worse for the Baggies against their promotion-chasing opponents.
      Just eight minutes later, Ryan Fraser put the Saints in front with his sixth league goal of the season.
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      Corberan has been in charge of West Brom since October 2022 after replacing Steve Bruce as manager.
      After guiding the club to a ninth place finish last season, he currently has his side in the play-off places this term. More

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      Champions League to non-league and South Korea… where Nottingham Forest’s team that started 2022/23 season are now

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      NOTTINGHAM FOREST ended their 23-year absence from top-flight football at the City Ground last season with a 1-0 victory over West Ham.And on Saturday, 18 months later, David Moyes Hammers returns.
      Nottingham Forest will next take on West Ham on SaturdayCredit: Rex
      But the side the East Enders will face is unrecognisable from the one they lost out to on Forest’s homecoming.
      For a start, Nuno Espirito Santo has replaced Steve Cooper in the home dugout.
      Yet incredibly, of the 20 players Cooper stripped for action that day – only four have any chance of featuring this time.
      Forest’s reserve goalkeeper in 2022 was Wayne Hennessey, who has now dropped to fourth choice behind Matz Sels, Matt Turner and Odysseas Vlachodimos.
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      That leaves goalscoring matchwinner Taiwo Awoniyi, full-backs Neco Williams and Harry Toffolo, and Moussa Niakhate as the four survivors who could feature again.
      That means a staggering 15 players who were on duty to face the Hammers last time around are no longer with Forest.
      Here SunSport reveals where they have all disappeared to.
      DEAN HENDERSON (CRYSTAL PALACE)
      Was the hero of the day, along with Awoniyi against West Ham, when he saved Declan Rice’s penalty.
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      Signed on loan from Manchester United to make the deal permanent, fate saw Henderson suffer a season-ending thigh injury against Leicester City in January.
      He returned to United who sold him to Palace for £20million in August.
      Everton and Nottingham Forest CHARGED by Premier League and face six point deduction
      JOE WORRALL (BESIKTAS)
      Captained Forest on their return to the Prem but fell out of favour with Cooper towards the end of his time at the City Ground.
      Failed to find a permanent place under Nuno and joined Turkish side Besiktas on loan earlier this month.
      SCOTT McKENNA (FC COPENHAGEN)
      Forest’s Player of the Year in their promotion-winning season, the Scotland defender missed large chunks of their first Premier season due to hamstring and collarbone injuries.
      Fell out of Cooper’s plans this season. Joined FC Copenhagen on loan in January and played against Manchester City in the Champions League on Tuesday.
      Scott McKenna is now playing in the Champions League for CopenhagenCredit: Zuma Press
      OREL MANGALA (FC LYON)
      The Belgian midfielder joined the Reds from Stuttgart in July 2022 and made 53 appearances for Forest.
      But he was allowed to leave for Lyon on loan for the remainder of the season on deadline day, as Forest tried to balance the books for Profit and Sustainability purposes.
      LEWIS O’BRIEN (MIDDLESBROUGH)
      Joined the club with Harry Toffolo from Huddersfield after Forest had beaten them at Wembley in the Play-Off final.
      Started last season but lost his place and was due to join Blackburn on loan, only to miss out because of the late submission of paperwork.
      Moved on loan to MLS side DC United, now on loan at Boro.
      JESSE LINGARD ( FC SEOUL)
      Arrived to much fanfare and a bumper pay packet from Manchester United on a free transfer in July 2022.
      But failed to score or provide an assist in his 17 league appearances and was released at the end of a disappointing debut season.
      Has just signed a two-year deal with Korean K League club FC Seoul.
      Jesse Lingard has signed for Korean K League club FC SeoulCredit: AP
      BRENNAN JOHNSON (TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR)
      The homegrown hero started last season by signing a new four-year-deal for Forest and ended it by signing for Spurs in a £47.5million deal.
      Forest were forced to cash in on their star forward to help ease PSR pressures amid threats of a points deduction.
      GIULIAN BIANCONE (OLYMPIACOS)
      The 23-year-old French right-back arrived from Ligue 1 club Troyes on a three-year contract but never started a Prem game.
      Managed 12 minutes as a sub in a 6-0 thrashing at Manchester City and four minutes of a 0-0 draw with Brighton.
      Flogged to Olympiacos for an undisclosed fee in September.
      STEVE COOK (QPR)
      The experienced centre-back helped Forest win promotion and played 14 games in all competitions on their return to the Prem.
      Signed for QPR in August.
      LOIC MBE SOH (ALMERE CITY)
      The Cameroonian centre-back cost £4.5million from Paris Saint-Germain in September 2020 and made 13 appearances for Forest – none of them in the Premier League.
      The 22-year-old spent much of last season on loan at Guingamp. Now on loan with Almere City in the Dutch Eredivisie.
      SAM SURRIDGE (NASHVILLE SC)
      Signed from Stoke City for £2.2million and scored seven goals in 20 appearances to help Forest win promotion.
      Spent most of his time on the bench in the Prem, however, starting just one of his 20 league appearances.
      Sold to MLS side Nashville for £5million in July.
      ALEX MIGHTEN (PORT VALE)
      USA-born but Nottingham-bred youngster who came through the club’s Academy.
      Has made more than 50 appearances for the club but a brief seven-minute appearance against Newcastle United on their return to the top flight was his only taste of the Premier League.
      The 21-year-old is currently on loan at Port Vale.
      CAFU (ROTHERHAM UNITED)
      The Portuguese midfielder joined Forest from their sister club Olympiacos in 2020 and helped them win promotion.
      But he only managed six minutes of Premier League football, coming on for Orel Mangala in that game against West Ham.
      Released at the end of last season and joined Rotherham.
      LYLE TAYLOR (CAMBRIDGE UNITED)
      Signed on a free transfer from Charlton Athletic in 2020 and scored eight goals in 33 appearances during Forest’s promotion season.
      But the striker never played a minute in the Prem last season and was loaned out to Birmingham City and Wycombe before joining Cambridge.

      Lyle Taylor is now out on loan at CambridgeCredit: Alamy
      OLIVER HAMMOND (OLDHAM ATHLETIC)
      The Academy graduate was on the bench for the Hammers game but moved on loan to Cheltenham Town shortly afterwards.
      Signed for National League Oldham last month. More