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      Southampton in talks to make Nathan Jones new boss as talks begin with Luton over taking over from Ralph Hasenhuttl

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      SOUTHAMPTON will open talks with Luton Town boss Nathan Jones over replacing Ralph Hasenhuttl.Championship club Luton have now confirmed that permission has been granted for the Premier League side to speak to the Welsh boss following their game at his former club Stoke City on Tuesday night.
      Nathan Jones is the frontrunner to take over at St Mary’s StadiumCredit: Steve Flynn/News Images
      Ralph Hasenhuttl was dismissed after a poor start to the seasonCredit: PA
      In a statement, they said: “Luton Town can confirm that permission has been granted to Southampton to speak to Nathan Jones about their managerial vacancy following the Hatters’ match at Stoke.
      “We would like to place on record that the Premier League club have approached the board in the correct manner, for which we are grateful,
      “The whole situation is extremely amicable with Southampton and with Nathan.
      “We would also like to urge all supporters travelling to Stoke to show him and the team your support on what we hope will be yet another memorable away day.”
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      The Saints axed Hasenhuttl, 55, with the club in the bottom three after their 4-1 defeat to Newcastle on Sunday.
      Fans rounded on the Austrian, who arrived in 2018, with loud boos at full time and chants of: “You’re getting sacked in the morning”.
      Assistant Ruben Selles will take charge of Wednesday’s Carabao Cup tie against Sheffield Wednesday, with the Saints hoping to have
      Jones in post for their Premier League visit to Liverpool on Saturday – their final game before the World Cup break.
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      Jones, 49, is in his second stint at Luton, having left the club for a rotten spell as Stoke boss before returning to Kenilworth Road in 2020.
      The former Brighton defender kept the club up on the final day of the 2019/20 season and guided the Hatters into the Championship play-offs last term, losing to Huddersfield Town in the semi-finals.
      Hasenhuttl’s No2 Richard Kitzbichler has also left the club, having been the only coach to survive an overhaul of backroom staff during the summer. More

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      Sunderland out to rescue Bradley Dack from Blackburn misery as they eye January free transfer for attacking midfielder

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      SUNDERLAND boss Tony Mowbray wants to rescue Bradley Dack from his misery at Blackburn.Mowbray is after a deal for the attacking midfielder, who is struggling for starts under Rovers boss Jon Dahl Tomasson.
      Bradley Dack has regularly been a sub this seasonCredit: Rex
      Dack, 28, is out of contract in the summer and Blackburn may let him go in January to take his wages off their payroll.
      Mowbray signed him for Blackburn and kept backing him despite a couple of serious knee injuries.
      The Black Cats are in the market for extra forwards after their campaign was disrupted by the loss of Ross Stewart and Ellis Simms due to injury.
      Dack joined Blackburn from Gillingham in 2017.
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      His 18 goals and nine assists during his first season helped fire Rovers out of League One and back to the Championship.
      He netted another 15 during his maiden second-tier season – before two separate cruciate ligament injuries hindered his progress.
      Dack has played in 11 of Blackburn’s 20 league games so far this term, starting just three.
      He was an unused substitute as Tomasson’s side beat Huddersfield 1-0 yesterday.
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      After the Ewood Park triumph, the Rovers boss told the BBC: “I’m delighted.
      “We were a little bit disappointed to come in at half-time still leading 1-0 – we could have done it a little bit better, and we knew how difficult it would be, to be patient and take chances, because we were playing against a wall.
      “We spoke about a couple of solutions at half-time and came out very strong, created a couple of chances immediately and had a goal disallowed that probably should have killed the game.
      “In the end when you are only leading 1-0 it can be tough, and it was tough in the last period, but big credit to the players and the fans, because that spirit they have, and togetherness they had in defending, and another clean sheet, is great to see.”
      Dack, 28, has been engaged to Olivia Attwood since 2019Credit: Splash More

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      Leeds front of the queue for Birmingham wonderkid George Hall as Prem sides line up January transfer scramble

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      BIRMINGHAM teen George Hall is wanted by Prem clubs — and his lack of game-time is encouraging them to pounce.Leeds head the hunt for the midfielder, 18, and may try their luck in January when he could be available to buy.
      George Hall battles with Taylor Richards during a clash with QPRCredit: Getty
      Hall expected to get regular games this season and that was the main reason he stayed with Blues and signed a new deal.
      But local lad Hall has struggled for starts recently and that has put his top-flight suitors on alert.
      Birmingham have signed new players in midfield and that is holding back the England youth starlet who could now be sold to raise funds.
      Hall made his senior Blues debut during a 2-1 Championship defeat to QPR in January.
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      One further appearance followed last term, and he has been more involved this time around.
      He has made 15 outings this term under John Eustace, although only five have come from the start.
      Hall was an unused substitute as Blues won 2-1 at Stoke yesterday.
      Goals by Scott Hogan and Harlee Dean put Eustace’s men in a strong position, before Lewis Baker pulled one back from the penalty spot.
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      The win put Blues, expected to struggle going into the season, up to 11th place.
      Manager Eustace told the BBC: “It was a magnificent performance from the lads without the ball and I’m really pleased with the performance.
      “The spirit in the camp is fantastic and the way they got through that 95 minutes together was fantastic, I’m really proud of them.
      “This is such a tough place to come and play any football, the wind and rain, the fans are right on top of you and the atmosphere is very hostile.
      “The most important thing was that we came here, we were competitive and we looked after each other. It’s a fantastic win.” More

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      ‘Different class’ – Passionate Rotherham fan goes viral after giving player his jumper to dry ball before throw-in

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      A Rotherham fan has gone viral for allowing a player to dry the ball for a thrown-in using his jumper.The Millers were up against Norwich in the Championship and defender Wes Harding wanted to launch a long throw-in into a crowded penalty area.
      The fan managed to get Wes Harding to turn around as he took his jumper off
      The Rotherham man then dried the ball on it before chucking it back to him
      The defender wanted to dry the ball for improved grip and was seen wiping it on his shirt before looking around for a towel.
      But one fan came to the rescue quickly stripping off and chucking his brown jumper at him.
      Harding wiped the ball on his clothes before passing it back with a small smile on his face.
      The clip has gone viral on social media amassing over one million views in a matter of hours.
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      Fans loved it, one commented online: “Would of been some story if they scored off it.”
      Another said: “Proper support.”
      More reacted saying things like “things you love to see” and “different class”.
      Some claimed he certainly forced Harding to launch a long one with a supporter joking: “Imagine if he took a short throw.”
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      Some believe he should be rewarded for his passion, one wrote tagging Rotherham’s official social media page: “Give the man a signed shirt.
      “That’s supporting your club and going above and beyond.”
      Rotherham went on to lose the game 1-2 which leaves them 17th in the Championship table just a point off the relegation zone.
      As for the Canaries, they are up to fourth place. More

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      Middlesbrough 1 Bristol City 1: Chuba Akpom secures point for Michael Carrick in Man Utd legend’s first home match

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      MICHAEL CARRICK cannot wait for more after a rollercoaster first week in management despite being held by Bristol City in his first Middlesbrough home match.Andreas Weimann landed an early sucker-punch but Chuba Akpom, with his third goal in three under the Manchester United legend, ensured a share of the spoils.
      Michael Carrick has endured a rollercoaster first week in the dug-outCredit: Rex
      Chuba Akpom scored his third goal in three under the Man Utd legendCredit: Rex
      Carrick, 41, has four points from his first three games but heads to Blackpool on Tuesday full of confidence after watching his side dominate here.
      He said: “We did enough performance wise to win the game but I can’t really ask much more of the lads, they’ve done ever so well and limited them to not a lot.
      “The performance was very good – but points are what make the difference and I’m not swerving that by any stretch.
      “But at this stage, third game in, we can definitely look forward and be positive with what we’ve done so far.
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      “We have two away games coming up before the break and we go into them looking forward to both.”
      It was almost an explosive start at his new home but Hayden Hackney blasted over and Riley McGree was denied by goalkeeper Max O’Leary.
      The Riverside faithful were roaring – but it was the Robins that were rocking in the tenth minute with their first attack.
      Weimann received the ball down the left and burst infield past Isaiah Jones before meeting a one-two with Tommy Conway at the back to break the deadlock.
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      The hosts were winded, and City could have been celebrating a second if Nahki Wells had not headed Conway’s cross the wrong side of the woodwork.
      Boro regrouped but both McGree and Marcus Forss were thwarted by O’Leary.
      McGree once again found the City goalie unbeatable before the post came to the Irish stopper’s rescue from a Forss strike.
      But Boro started the second period with a bang as Akpom stabbed home McGree’s cross from close-range.
      O’Leary’s leg prevented Akpom a second and McGree’s rocket almost did seal a win in additional time – but once again the outstanding O’Leary produced a great stop.
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      City boss Nigel Pearson said: “Our players gave us an awful lot of effort and we got a fighting point.
      “I think we defended our box with a lot of resilience. They had a number of free-kicks and set plays towards the end which we had to show a lot of commitment in terms of dealing with and we came through that with credit.” More

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      How Andy Carroll could have been playing in the Champions League knockouts THIS season – but failed a medical

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      ANDY CARROLL could have played in the Champions League knockout rounds THIS season – but failed a medical. The striker, 33, was a free agent when his short-term contract with West Brom expired in the summer.
      Club Brugge rejected the chance to sign Andy Carroll, who rejoined Reading insteadCredit: Getty
      The Belgian side qualified for the Champions League knockout stagesCredit: AFP
      Club Brugge were willing to offer him a deal, but they pulled out when they were unconvinced by his “insufficient” medical test results.
      That blew Carroll’s chances of making his Champions League debut.
      Now the Belgian giants are heading into the knockout stages of the tournament for the first time since its rebrand in 1992.
      Brugge finished second in Group B behind Porto but ahead of Bayer Leverkusen and Atletico Madrid, who surprisingly ended up with the wooden spoon.
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      Carl Hoefkens’ side won their first three matches this season without conceding a goal – including 4-0 away at Porto – and added two further 0-0 draws to qualify.
      They did it all with two-goal hero Ferran Jutgla up front – instead of the former £35million Liverpool flop Carroll.
      When the Brugge deal fell through, Carroll rejoined Championship side Reading in September on a four-month contract – taking the No2 shirt.
      He has scored twice in eight appearances in the second tier – rather than competing at Europe’s top table.
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      Carroll has struggled with various injury issues throughout his career which have had a significant impact on his fitness levels.
      He has not made more than 20 league appearances in a season since 2015-16, when he was playing for West Ham.
      The former England international left his honeymoon in Mexico to hold talks with Brugge, but then had to resume his search for a new club.
      Carroll married reality TV star Billi Mucklow earlier this year before jetting across the world.
      However, just weeks before the pair were due to tie the knot he was pictured in bed with two women after a night of drinking on his stag do in Dubai.
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      The Sun revealed how Billi was left devastated, telling pals she was in “no mood” to get married.
      But the pair reconciled before the big ceremony in Hampshire.
      Carroll is slugging it out in the Championship againCredit: Reuters More

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      Bristol City’s home clash against Sheffield United descends into mass brawl after horror challenge leads to red card

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      BRISTOL CITY’S 1-0 defeat to Sheffield United ended in ugly scenes as George Tanner’s shocking red card challenge on James McAtee led to a mass brawl.Nigel Pearson’s side were becoming increasingly frustrated in the sixth minute of added time as the Blades moved towards victory in the Championship match at Ashton Gate.
      Tanner was dismissed for the shocking challenge on McAteeCredit: PA

      McAtee was left poleaxed on the floor from the tackleCredit: Rex
      A brawl ensued between the two sets of players following the sending offCredit: PA
      And their anger boiled over when Tanner’s horrific late tackle sent McAtee flying.
      It was a dangerous lunge which left the Sheffield United man down injured on the turf.
      McAtee’s team-mates were furious with Tanner as both sets of players embroiled themselves in an angry altercation.
      And while Bristol City boss Pearson admitted after the match that it was the correct decision to send Tanner off, he also claimed the game was already out of control.
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      Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: “What I said when I came off the pitch I don’t like it when the officials don’t give us true information in how long there is in the game.
      “The sending-off is a red card there is no doubt about that but I would suggest also that in the lead-up to that the control in the game was lost.
      “They wasted time very well, congratulations to them for doing that.
      “I would be happy if my team was able to sort of run the clock down in that way too.”
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      The result sees Sheffield United move up to third in the Championship, three points behind league leaders Burnley and just one off second place Blackburn.
      Meanwhile, Bristol City are down in 14th after a run of three games without a win.
      The division is incredibly tight after nearly three months of the season, with just nine points separating the play-off places from the relegation zone. More

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      Luton star Sonny Bradley involved in sickening collision and given oxygen before being stretchered off against Reading

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      LUTON captain Sonny Bradley suffered a horrific injury during the Championship clash against Reading at Kenilworth Road.Bradley, 31, fell awkwardly after going up for a header and that led to a nasty injury that required oxygen before he was stretchered off.
      Luton captain Sonny Bradley suffered a horrific injury against ReadingCredit: PA
      Luton star Sonny Bradley required oxygen before being stretchered offCredit: Getty
      The centre-back was replaced by Luke Berry shortly after the half-hour mark following a five-minute break.
      Birmingham star and SunSport columnist Troy Deeney led the tributes on social media by sending Bradley his best wishes.
      Deeney said: “Thoughts go out to Luton captain Bradley that doesn’t look good at all, wish him all the best don’t like to see that.”
      Fans flooded Twitter after the shocking incident and wished Bradley a speedy recovery.
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      One supporter tweeted: “That Sonny Bradley injury is absolutely horrific.”
      Another fan posted: “Watching Sonny Bradley land like that makes me feel sick. Can only hope it’s not as bad as it first looks.”
      A third wrote: “Speedy Recovery Sonny Bradley.”
      This fan said: “Thoughts with Sonny Bradley because legs absolutely should not bend that way, hope he’s ok.”
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      That one tweeted: “Sonny Bradley’s had no luck at all this season feel really sorry for him.”
      And a sixth said: “Looked very nasty for Sonny Bradley.” More