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      I have coached Jude Bellingham and sibling Jobe and here’s how Sunderland star can reach the top like his older brother

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      JOBE BELLINGHAM can follow big brother Jude all the way to the top.That’s according to Sunderland caretaker manager Mike Dodds, who coached the pair for years at Birmingham City’s academy.
      Jobe Bellingham celebrates Sunderland’s winner against LeedsCredit: Getty
      Jude Bellingham is already one of the biggest stars in EuropeCredit: Rex

      Jobe, as he prefers to be known since his summer move to the Stadium of Light, has played a major role in Sunderland’s two wins over Leeds and West Brom under Dodds, who has been in charge since Tony Mowbray’s shock departure.
      The 18-year-old had a goal disallowed starting as centre forward in the 2-1 win over West Brom, dropped to central midfield against Leeds and scored the winner when Dodds moved him up front for the last 20 minutes.
      Dodds and sporting director Kristjaan Spearman played a key role in Jobe’s move to the North East and the caretaker boss is convinced the teenager has all the attributes to follow in the footsteps of his Real Madrid star sibling.
      He said: “He can go to the very top. I’ve worked with a lot of young players and he would be up there with the very best.
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      “He made a really brave decision to leave Birmingham, the club he supported, where it was his life, he spent the best part of ten years at the academy and to leave showed character.
      “I know it was a really tough decision for him but he had to take the emotion out of it and think about what was best for his career.
      “Thankfully from our perspective it looks like he’s made the right decision, I’m sure he’d reiterate that, but it’s tough for him and it will only get easier as he starts to get credit in the bank for him.
      “We’ve seen a boy in the last two games play in two different positions against two of the best teams in the league and he’s been remarkable and shown what a talent he is, regardless of the name on the back of his shirt.
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      “He’s a second year scholar, just turned 18; I play him as a No9, he leads the line against a very good West Brom side.
      “I play him deeper, he executes the game plan to the level and quality he did, and then in-game, change him again to a different position and he scores – speaks for itself.
      “For an 18-year-old to do that is remarkable.” More

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      Man Utd ‘joined by City, Spurs and Liverpool in sending scouts to watch England Under-21 wonderkid for 2024 transfer’

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      MANCHESTER UNITED must battle THREE other top-six Premier League clubs for Hayden Hackney, according to reports.The England U21’s midfielder will likely leave Middlesbrough in the summer.
      Hayden Hackney is on the radar of both Manchester United and Manchester CityCredit: Rex
      Hackney was called up to the U21 squad in SeptemberCredit: Alamy
      United must fend of interest from Manchester City, Liverpool and Tottenham – who all have their eye on the defensive midfielder.
      The Mail report that talent-spotters were in attendance at Boro matches in recent months, and Spurs are among those most interested.
      Premier League scouts attended his last game away at Bristol City before he picked up a hamstring injury.
      Interestingly, most of those top six clubs have not watched the team during his three game absence.
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      Both Manchester clubs are monitoring him, with United said to be more keen.
      Hackney’s manager is United legend Michael Carrick, who guided Boro to fourth in the Championship last year.
      The England star signed a new four-year contract in the summer, but there is an acceptance he will snapped up if Boro fail to win promotion to the Premier League.
      United midfielder Casemiro failed to replicate last season’s form before his injury, and Sofyan Amrabat will likely miss out on a permanent move.
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      While Liverpool are also interested with Wataru Endo and Thiago Alcantara both in their thirties.
      Hackney has made 16 league appearances this season, and a further four in the EFL Cup.
      He also won five caps for England’s under-21s over the autumn, playing alongside current Liverpool star Harvey Elliott.
      Despite a good start, Middlesbrough have dropped to 12th, losing three of their last five.
      However, the club remain six points away from the playoff spots. More

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      I collapsed on the pitch at Wembley in biggest game of my life – luckily the hospital had Sky so I could watch the match

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      LUTON TOWN star Tom Lockyer has opened up about his terrifying Wembley ordeal that led to him watching them seal promotion from hospital.The defender, 29, collapsed during the first half of last season’s Championship Play-Off final victory over Coventry City.
      Luton star Tom Lockyer collapsed in Luton’s Play-Off Final win over Coventry in MayCredit: PA
      The defender has now opened up on his terrifying ordealCredit: Sky Sports
      The star posted this shot of himself and family celebrating from hospital after the winCredit: @SL_Cardiff
      Lockyer has now revealed all about that fateful day under the archCredit: Getty
      Lockyer was conscious as he was stretchered off the pitch in tears before he was taken by ambulance to hospital.
      Speaking to The Central Club podcast, he has now revealed all about his scare.
      The Welsh international said: “I remember walking out with the boy and it was so hot. We were warming up in the sun and I remember thinking ‘wow’.
      “I remember trying to find the shade and warm-up in the shaded bit and looking up at Coventry warming up in the shade and thinking ‘that’s unfair’.”
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      Once the game had started, he revealed how he successfully won his first battles with Coventry’s striker Viktor Gyokeres and then had an effort cleared off the line as he thought he’d made “the perfect start” to the game.
      But then the terrifying moment came, as he explained: “I’m back-pedalling, and as I’m back-pedalling my head went really light-headed like nothing I’ve ever had before.
      “It’s like when you stand up real quick but worse and then my legs went like jelly almost instantly and I remember falling backwards and the next thing I know I woke up and there were paramedics all around me.
      “I remember waking up from a dream, I couldn’t tell you what it was about, but I remember having a dream.
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      “As soon as i came round i was like sweet again,”
      Having unsuccessfully trying to convince the medics and physios that he was “good” to continue playing, Lockyer was rushed to hospital after first being checked in a medical room at Wembley.
      He said: “It was a weird feeling of let-down, like I was letting the team down. There was nothing I could’ve done, but in that moment, I just felt like I’d let the boys down by getting stretchered off the pitch.
      “I had the oxygen mask on and I just couldn’t stop crying.”
      Lockyer was taken straight to a medical room at Wembley where his heart rate was “going through the roof” which caused a spike in blood pressure that caused him to collapse.
      “Someone came running in that room screaming ‘tell him Jordan Clarke has scored,” revealed Lockyer.
      “The weirdest thing was we were in Wembley still but I didn’t hear a thing when we scored.
      “But I burst out crying again. I got whizzed off to hospital then in the ambulance watching it on my phone with my mum in the back of the ambulance.
      “We got to the hospital, a really nice hospital, and it had Sky in the room. We watch all of extra-time in my room and then it went to penalties.
      “That’s when my old man took the photo of me in my bed and my family celebrating with me. “But even then it was like a half-hearted celebration, no pun intended, because i hadn’t been told what was going on and I didn’t wanna raise my heart rate.”
      Read more on The Sun
      Fortunately, after a minor heart surgery, he was given the all-clear to return to action and is now competing for the Hatters in the Premier League.
      He has made 15 appearances for the club so far this season, and he has even managed to score his first top-flight goal, helping Luton win 2-1 at Everton in September.
      Tom Lockyer is now starring for Luton in the Premier LeagueCredit: Getty More

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      Fans say ‘those genes are STRONG’ after watching Jobe Bellingham interview following Sunderland winner against Leeds

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      JOBE BELLINGHAM has been compared to his superstar brother Jude following his mature interview after Sunderland’s 1-0 victory over Leeds.The 18-year-old’s late winner ended Leeds United’s seven-game unbeaten run in the Championship.
      Jobe Bellingham scored the winner at the Stadium of LightCredit: Reuters
      And fans are all saying the same thingCredit: Reuters
      It took until the 78th minute for the deadlock to be broken as Bellingham headed past goalkeeper Illan Meslier.
      His fourth EFL goal came against the newly relegated Whites, on the same night Jude was helping Real Madrid to victory over Union Berlin in the Champions League.
      The result means it’s two wins from two for interim Sunderland boss Mike Dodds, following the sacking of Tony Mowbray.
      Dodds told BBC radio: “Both brothers have a very similar mindset in terms of their relentless pursuit of where they want to get to.
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      “I  think he can go to the very top. I’ve worked with a lot of young players and he would be up there with the very best I’ve worked with.”
      Fans also spotted that Jobe Bellingham’s eloquent interview technique is remarkably similar to his elder brother’s.
      One supporter wrote: “If my eyes were closed, I would think this is Jude talking just with a higher pitched voice. Those genes are STRONG.”
      A second commented: “Their parents raised two of the most mature teenagers I have ever witnessed.”
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      A third wrote: “Opposition fans love to use the “Living off his brother” shout but they couldn’t be any more wrong.”
      A fourth said: “Wow they both come across so well. A credit to their parents.”
      Jobe Bellingham told Sky Sports: “The game required for me to go deeper.
      “If that’s what’s needed then you have to do it. I’ll play anywhere the manager and coaches want me to play and work my hardest.”
      Both brothers worked with Dodds during his 13 year coaching spell with the Birmingham City academy.
      The versatile midfielder moved to Wearside last summer following a £3million deal with Birmingham, just hours after his big brother’s record £115m switch to Real Madrid from Borussia Dortmund.
      Sunderland are within the play-off places, two points behind West Brom.
      Meanwhile, Leeds remain third in the league, behind Leicester who dropped to second following Ipswich’s 2-1 victory at Watford. More

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      Everton ready to recall forgotten man from disastrous loan spell with three clubs chasing January transfer

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      EVERTON want to recall Mason Holgate from his loan spell at Southampton due to a lack of game time.Holgate, 27, has made just five appearances for the Saints since his season-long move in August.
      Everton want to recall Mason HolgateCredit: Getty
      The talented Toffees defender made his last outing – only his second start – in a man-of-the-match display against West Brom last month.
      But SunSport understands Everton want the versatile star, who can play in defence or midfield, to be playing more regularly.
      And the Merseysiders could terminate his stay on the south coast and allow him to find a new club in January.
      Championship duo Middlesbrough and Watford as well as Scottish giants Rangers are waiting in the wings should Everton boss Sean Dyche call him back.
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      Ex-England Under-21 centre-back Holgate, who has a contract at Goodison Park until the summer of 2025, has played just 289 minutes of first-team action for Southampton.
      Saints boss Russell Martin, whose side are fourth in the Championship, has lined up Jan Bednarek and Taylor Harwood-Bellis at the heart of his defence.
      Everton currently sit 17th in the Premier League table, four points above the relegation zone.
      The Toffees were hit with a 10-point deduction last month for breaching profit and sustainability rules.
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      They immediately fell to 19th in the table, but have since registered three consecutive wins.
      Dyche’s side cruised to a 2-0 win over Chelsea on Sunday. More

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      Graham Potter lined up for stunning return to English football on ‘highly ambitious’ shortlist for vacant role

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      GRAHAM POTTER is being lined up for a surprise return to English football.The former Chelsea boss is on Stoke’s “highly ambitious” shortlist to replace Alex Neil.
      Graham Potter is on the shortlist to become Stoke’s new managerCredit: Reuters
      According to The Sentinel, Potter is amongst the candidates to take over at the Championship club.
      Neil was sacked by the Potters on Sunday in the wake of their 1-0 defeat to fellow strugglers Sheffield Wednesday.
      The result was Stoke’s fourth in a row and leaves the club just two points clear of the relegation zone.
      Supporters were quick to call for Potter’s appointment following Neil’s departure, with the 48-year-old spending three years with Stoke as a player.
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      His interest in the job is unclear, with some reports suggesting he has already rejected an approach.
      He previously wanted the role in 2018 when the club were still in the Premier League and he was managing Ostersunds in Sweden.
      Stoke’s managerial shortlist also includes ex-captain John Eustace, former Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray, Plymouth gaffer Steven Schumacher and sacked Rangers manager Michael Beale.
      Potter has been out of work since being sacked by Chelsea in April.
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      A number of clubs have since tried to hire the ex-Brighton boss, including Lyon and Leicester.
      Meanwhile, he recently turned down the chance to manage the Swedish national team.
      Potter has also been tipped as a potential candidate to replace Erik ten Hag if the Manchester United manager is axed.
      Potter has been out of work since leaving Chelsea in AprilCredit: AP More

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      My dad and grandad are Premier League icons – now I’m walking my own path in the Championship

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      D’MARGIO WRIGHT-PHILLIPS is making his own way after coming from a long line of brilliant footballers.His dad Shaun, 42, starred for Manchester City, Chelsea and England during an illustrious career.
      D’Margio Wright-Phillips has made 20 first team appearances for StokeCredit: PA
      D’Margio Wright-Phillips is the son of Shaun and grandson of Ian WrightCredit: Alamy
      While his grandad Ian Wright is one of Arsenal’s greatest ever goalscorers.
      Even his uncle Bradley is sixth all-time in MLS goals.
      D’Margio initially came through Man City’s academy, just as Shaun and Bradley did.
      He left aged 19, however, in order to join Stoke City.
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      Now 22 the winger has played 20 times for the Potters’ first team, scoring twice.
      He doesn’t lack for confidence, and even told The Times last year when comparing himself to Wright: “It’s the low centre of gravity, the confidence to try and take on a player.
      “With my grandad, I’d say I think I’ve got better finishing than him.”
      Wrighty, who scored 170 goals for Arsenal later responded: “Look at the chest on this yute 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂❤️❤️❤️.”
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      Ian Wright scored 170 goals for ArsenalCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Shaun Wright-Phillips starred for Man City, Chelsea and EnglandCredit: PA:Press Association
      Bradley Wright-Phillips is an MLS legendCredit: AP:Associated Press
      On being a footballer with an illustrious family history in the game, he said: “There is always going to be pressure in football no matter what sort of family you’ve got and, to be honest, I don’t really feel the pressure.
      “To me, it’s just my dad, my grandad and my uncle but I’m definitely aware of it.
      “I’ve watched a lot of my dad’s YouTube videos and a lot of my grandad’s YouTube videos — even my uncle — and it’s just amazing to see, because one day I would hope for my family to do that with me.”
      While D’Margio is a boyhood City fan, he fondly recalls visiting Chelsea’s training ground as a kid during his dad’s stint with the Blues.
      The winger said: “He used to take me and my little baby sister to the training ground and we used to see all the players.
      “I really wanted to get to that level. At the time it felt normal but when I look back at it, sitting eating with Frank Lampard at a young age, I didn’t think much of it but now it’s kind of crazy and still think it’s crazy to this day because he was a legend for Chelsea.”
      After falling out of favour with the Potters last term, Wright-Phillips joined League Two Northampton on loan.
      With the Cobblers already going well, however, manager Jon Brady was reluctant to change his team – with Wright-Phillips being reduced to seven substitute appearances.
      This season has so far been even more frustrating back at Stoke, with Wright-Phillips yet to feature in a matchday squad.
      He has instead played four times for the Potters’ Under-21s in Premier League 2, scoring against Wolves in August.
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      With Stoke boss Alex Neil having been sacked yesterday, however, the door could yet re-open for Wright-Phillips to get a first-team chance at the bet365 Stadium.
      Should it fail to materialise, however, you’d imagine he’ll be on the move in January.
      Wright-Phillips is out of favour at StokeCredit: Getty
      He spent time on loan at Northampton last seasonCredit: Getty More

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      I’m a former Premier League star who gave up nearly £1m to help my club survive – now I’m making my own way in coaching

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      LIAM LAWRENCE can still picture his shirt hanging up with his name on the back as he walked into Mansfield’s dressing room for his debut on January 11, 2000.It was the start of the winger’s 17-year journey playing for ten clubs and more than 550 club games with FIVE promotions plus his ultimate career dream of playing international football at the highest level.
      Liam Lawrence wrote off £800,000 to help keep Portsmouth afloatCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      The 41-year-old is now making his own way as a coach with former club StokeCredit: Action Images – Reuters
      He even had to write off almost £800,000 while playing for Portsmouth, so the South Coast club could stay afloat.
      The 41-year-old is now a key member of the coaching staff at Stoke City and has been working with the Championship side’s academy for the last three years.
      Lawrence said: “The moment I saw that shirt hanging up I treated my career like a ladder.
      “Here I was on the bottom rung. But my top step was playing international football — something I am proud to say I achieved for the Republic of Ireland.”
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      Sadly, one of Liam’s biggest lows was for the Republic in their World Cup play-off game in 2009 when they were cruelly robbed by Thierry Henry’s handball before William Gallas’ equaliser.
      He added: “We lost the first leg 1-0 against the French and we didn’t play that well.
      “But we were deservedly winning the second leg in Paris before Thierry’s intervention.
      “With VAR in operation today that would have definitely been chalked off.
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      Lawrence began his senior playing career with MansfieldCredit: Getty
      “We were cheated out of a World Cup finals place, something I dreamed about as a kid growing up.”
      His first taste of the big time came when he moved from Mansfield to Sunderland in 2004.
      He said: “With no disrespect to Mansfield — who I can never thank enough for giving me my first start — the switch to Sunderland blew me away in terms of how big the club and the infrastructure.”
      Lawrence may have played for ten clubs in his career but Stoke is where his heart is, so returning to the club in a coaching capacity in 2020 has been a seamless switch.
      He said: “I have had great times with every other team I have played for, but Stoke has just been home for me.
      “When I joined them in 2006 on loan, we set up our family home in the city and have been here ever since. It’s just a brilliant place.
      “Working with manager Tony Pulis in 2006 was so rewarding with a great bunch of players. To help the club to promotion to the Premier League in 2008 was special.”
      After Stoke he suffered a horror time when moving to financially  crisis-hit Portsmouth in 2010.
      The midfielder won promotion to the Premier League with Stoke in 2008Credit: AP:Associated Press
      He recalled: “I was told new owners were coming in and the money problems would disappear. Sadly they got worse.
      “As captain of the side I had to act almost as a union rep to keep the players on board — even though none of us were being paid. I lost almost £800,000.
      “But the one consolation is that the club are now back on their feet.
      “I am convinced without the efforts of the players and staff writing off wages, the club would have gone under.”
      Lawrence had a short spell at Cardiff in 2011 before moving to PAOK in northern Greece for two seasons. He said: “It was difficult spending two years away from my family but it was a great experience.
      “The fans over there are ­completely different to here — completely off the scale in terms of fanatical support.
      “I had the weirdest move — switching from Barnsley to Shrewsbury in 2014.
      “I was away on a family summer break and on the way home bumped into Micky Mellon who was on the same flight.
      Lawrence won 15 caps for the Republic of Ireland, scoring twiceCredit: Sportsfile – Subscription
      “Micky was one of my coaches at Barnsley and had just been made manager with the Shrews and talked about the possibility of me becoming his captain.
      “I thought it would be a great opportunity — it was only 40 miles away from home so it would give me an opportunity to be back with the children.
      “I have been very lucky that every club I played for during my career I really enjoyed — earning promotions with Mansfield, Sunderland, Stoke, Shrewsbury and Bristol Rovers.
      “While I was at Barnsley in 2014, I was 32 and knew niggling injuries were becoming more frequent and I was starting to slow down a little bit.
      “I started to do my coaching ‘B’ licence during my two years at Shrewsbury.
      “At the end of the 2016-17 season — when I was at Bristol Rovers — I knew I had to start making plans outside of playing.
      “I began working in the media on TV and radio and on co-commentary. I really enjoyed it.
      “Compared to coaching it’s chalk and cheese in terms of workload.
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      Lawrence has also worked as a pundit since retiring in 2017Credit: Twitter @LiamLawrence07
      “With the media work it’s a little bit of prep, giving your opinion as honestly as you can be, then pack up and go home. But I loved every moment of it.
      “As much as I have great job ­satisfaction in coaching, it’s all-consuming in terms of early starts, late finishes, training and working with the academy off the pitch on the laptop to ensure they are fully prepared for what lies ahead.” More