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      Chelsea defender Dujon Sterling undergoing medical at Stoke ahead of loan transfer after talks with new boss Alex Neil

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      CHELSEA defender Dujon Sterling is set to have a medical at Stoke ahead of a potential loan move, according to reports.The 22-year-old has held talks with new Potters boss Alex Neil and is ready to join the club.
      Dujon Sterling played well on loan at Blackpool last seasonCredit: Getty
      Stoke have just appointed Alex Neil as their new managerCredit: Getty
      Reports from The Athletic claim a number of other clubs in England and abroad wanted to sign him but he has opted for Stoke.
      The right-back has experience in the Championship having previously been loaned out to Wigan and Blackpool in the second tier.
      Sterling has been a highly rated youngster for a number of years and was part of the England Under-19 squad that won the Euros in 2017, also making the team of the tournament.
      In Chelsea’s academy he won two FA Youth Cups and an Under-18 Premier League title.
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      Despite his talent he has made just two appearances for the Chelsea first-team, playing for a total of 15 minutes in cup matches.
      With his first-team chances blocked by the likes of Reece James and owner Todd Boehly’s heavy summer spending, another loan move is needed.
      Sterling joins a number of other youngsters to leave Stamford Bridge on loan during this transfer window.
      Ian Maatsen has joined Burnley on loan, Tino Anjorin is at Huddersfield and Levi Colwill was sent to Brighton as part of the deal that brought Marc Cucurella to the Blues.
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      Thomas Tuchel does not just want departures on deadline day with a move for Barcelona striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang close to completion.
      It would see left-back Marcos Alonso head to the Nou Camp as part of the deal.
      As for Stoke, they sit 16th in the Championship table after a slow start to the season that resulted in manager Michael O’Neill being sacked. More

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      Fulham set to rival Tottenham for Dan James after failing in £10m transfer bid for Ben Brereton Diaz

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      FULHAM are considering a loan move for Leeds United forward Dan James after failing in a bid for Ben Brereton Diaz.Blackburn Rovers have rejected the Premier League club’s offer to sign the Chile international as they hold out for around £15million.
      Daniel James is wanted by Fulham and TottenhamCredit: Rex
      Ben Brereton Diaz, who scored Blackburn’s winner against Blackpool last night, is a late target for FulhamCredit: Getty
      The Cottagers, who saw Justin Kluivert’s move from Roma collapse over a work permit, are considering another offer for Brereton Diaz but are also looking into a deal for James.
      The former Manchester United winger is also a target for Tottenham.
      The interest from Antonio Conte’s side comes as Spurs want to add another attacking option to their squad ahead of the hectic schedule this autumn.
      Games will now be coming thick and fast as the season goes into overdrive to accommodate the winter World Cup in Qatar.
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      Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag referred to this as part of the reasoning behind their signing of Antony.
      And despite not having European football, Fulham will also feel the pressure of the congested fixture list.
      With the deal for Kluivert collapsing and a move for Brereton Diaz in jeopardy, James appears to be a Premier League proven player who can come in as a quick fix.
      Leeds boss Jesse Marsch has previously not ruled out the Welshman’s departure.
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      He previously said: “I like Dan and I think he has been a big part of what we have done here before I came and since I have been here.
      “I don’t anticipate big movement in the group, but we have to see what happens.”
      However, Fulham’s pursuit of James could be eased after they signed former Chelsea and Arsenal winger Willian. More

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      Danny Rose QUITS Watford after having contract torn up with ex-Tottenham defender now a free agent

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      DANNY ROSE has sensationally QUIT Watford to become a free agent. Rose, 32, has not featured for the Hornets this season and saw his game time limited last season.
      Danny Rose has left Watford to become a free agentCredit: PA
      The club confirmed the news via a statement on their website.
      They said: “Watford FC and Danny Rose have agreed a mutual cancellation of the defender’s contract with both parties in agreement that their futures will head in different directions.
      “The Hornets thank Danny – who featured nine times last season in addition to the seven games on loan he played in 2008/09 – for his service and wish him well for his next opportunity.”
      Rose was spotted training with former club Tottenham earlier in the summer.
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      This move was understood to be upon Rose’s own request as he desperately seeked a move away from Vicarage Road.
      He did also not travel in pre-season with the Watford squad.
      Until January 2020 the left-back had carved out a strong position within the Spurs squad, before falling out with then manager Jose Mourinho.
      Rose had branded team-mates “s***” and accused Mourinho of picking favourites.
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      He was subsequently shipped out to Newcastle on loan for the remainder of that season before penning a two-year deal with Watford last summer.
      However, after just eight league appearances – with the last one coming in December – Rose and Watford have parted ways. More

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      Tony Mowbray to be named new Sunderland boss after whirlwind talks following Alex Neil’s sudden departure to Stoke

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      TONY MOWBRAY is back in management after accepting the Sunderland job following whirlwind talks.The former Blackburn Rovers boss took on the challenge after talks and will return to the dug out after Alex Neil’s sudden departure.
      Tony Mowbray is set to take over as Sunderland bossCredit: PA
      Free agent Mowbray got the nod from the Black Cats who also considered Chelsea coach Anthony Barry and MK Dons chief Liam Manning.
      The Championship side ultimately opted for the former West Brom boss’ superior experience.
      Sunderland were rocked on Friday by Neil’s exit to take charge at Stoke after a successful six-month spell on Wearside.
      Neil finally led the club to promotion after four years in League One and has overseen an impressive start back in the Championship.
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      Mowbray lives locally and worked for Middlesbrough in one of his many jobs in the game.
      Now he will work within the budget at Sunderland and also in a management team that he will inherit.
      The coaching staff assembled under Neil have all stayed after the boss quit for Stoke with the exception of Martin Canning.
      Mowbray has a strong ally in chief scout Steve Harvey who was with him at Blackburn and will be able to help him in the transfer market.
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      Sunderland are looking for new players to boost their small squad and Mowbray may try for Dutch centre half Jon Paul van Hecke at Brighton.
      Van Hecke starred for Blackburn on loan last season and may go out again if he signs a new contract and the Seagulls can find a replacement.
      Ironically Rovers are also interested in him. More

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      Wigan star Charlie Wyke shows off incredible defibrillator inserted under his skin after suffering cardiac arrest

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      CHARLIE WYKE revealed he took inspiration from Christian Eriksen as he made an emotional return to first team football earlier this month.The Wigan forward, 29, suffered a cardiac arrest during a training session back in November and feared he would never play again.
      Wigan star Charlie Wyke suffered a cardiac arrest during trainingCredit: Sky Sports
      He admits he owes his life to Latics boss Leam Richardson – who began the resuscitation – and club doctors at the DW Stadium who brought him back to life after more than three minutes.
      Wyke now has a defibrillator fitted under his skin and told how it was used after he felt dizzy during a training session back in March.
      That meant his plans of a comeback in the spring were put back – but he did finally return as a sub in the win at Birmingham nine days ago.
      And the comeback by Eriksen – who has recovered from a collapse on the pitch at Euro 2020 and now plays for Manchester United – has spurred him on during his long road back.
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      Wyke said: “It’s been an incredible journey and I’ve taken a lot of inspiration from Eriksen.
      “He’s been through a lot and to come back play the way he’s played is unbelievable.
      “I remember watching that incident on television and thinking ‘you’ve got to be so lucky for that to happen’. Then four months later, it was me. “
      Wyke revealed he was looking to return to Wigan’s first team in March but had to think again after another scare in training.
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      He told Sky Sports: “There’s been a lot of setbacks, changing medication.
      “But two or three months after the cardiac arrest, I’d started light training again.
      “It was only a week before I was hoping to come back. Will Keane said something to me and I looked straight through him and started going dizzy again.
      “My defibrillator went off and gave me a complete shock of the full body. It’s quite dramatic really.
      “I’d never want to go through it all again because the pain was unbearable. My team-mates had to see it all again.
      “The positive I can take is that I know the defibrillator works now. It doesn’t look the best, but if it’s going to save your life, who cares?”
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      Wigan ace Charlie Wyke revealed the defibrillator that was inserted after his cardiac arrestCredit: Sky Sports
      Charlie Wyke celebrates scoring for Wigan in 2021Credit: Rex
      Wyke did finally make it back at a 70th minute sub at St Andrew’s and 12 minutes later he set up the winner for Nathan Broadhead.
      After more than nine months on the sidelines, it was a special moment for him and his family.
      He said: “To come back was an unbelievable feeling. If someone told me six months ago I’d be on the pitch doing that I’d have said no chance.
      “My family were there and it was quite emotional after the game – there was only me that wasn’t crying.”
      Looking back on the day he collapsed in November, Wyke recalled: “I knew it was serious.
      “The last thing I remember was going to the manager and wanting to tell him I was going to collapse – but I couldn’t get my words out.
      “If it wasn’t for the manager and the doctor I wouldn’t be here now. So for me and my family they are our heroes. It was obviously the scariest day of my life.” More

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      Neil Warnock ready to come out of retirement aged 71 if offered Sunderland job after Alex Neil quit for Stoke

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      NEIL WARNOCK is ready to come out of retirement if Sunderland come calling.The 73-year-old hasn’t worked since leaving Middlesbrough nine months ago and announced that he was ready to call time on a managerial career stretching back to 1980.
      Warnock would come out of retirement to manage SunderlandCredit: Rex
      But Warnock has told friends he’d jump at the chance of succeeding Alex Neil at the Stadium of Light.
      He spoke to sporting director Kristjaan Speakman before Neil got the job and has let it be known he’s still interested.
      His biggest regret in football was turning down t the Black Cats’ job in 1992 when he was Notts County manager.
      Malcolm Crosby was put in caretaker charge and at the time, Warnock wanted to wait until Sunderland were knocked out of the FA Cup.
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      But they reached Wembley, where they were beaten in the final by Liverpool and Crosby was handed a 12 month contract.
      Though ex-Blackburn boss Tony Mowbray is favourite to take charge, Sunderland are keeping their options open with MK Dons’ Liam Manning another name that’s been considered.

      Manning has a good record as Dons manager, holding an impressive 55 per cent win record.
      His side also recorded a 2-0 EFL Cup win over Championship side Watford.
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      MK Dons then followed up the cup win with a 4-0 thrashing of Morecambe.
      The Dons sit 13th in league One. More

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      Stoke appoint Alex Neil as new boss from Sunderland despite only signing new deal on improved terms earlier this month

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      SUNDERLAND have confirmed Alex Neil has left the club to take over as Stoke manager.The Scot, 41, was only appointed Black Cats boss in February and led the club to promotion from League One last season.
      Alex Neil has joined Stoke after guiding Sunderland to promotion last seasonCredit: PA
      Stoke sacked Michael O’Neill this weekCredit: PA
      He guided Sunderland through the play-offs to beat Wycombe at Wembley for a place in the Championship.
      But after a promising start to the new campaign, which included a win over Stoke, Neil has departed to take over at the bet365 stadium.
      He replaces former Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill following his sacking this week.
      Sunderland released a statement that reads: “Sunderland AFC can confirm that Alex Neil has joined Stoke City with immediate effect.
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      “The 41-year-old expressed his desire to leave the Club on Friday morning despite signing an improved contract at the Stadium of Light earlier this month.
      “SAFC made an immediate offer to further significantly enhance Neil’s terms on Friday afternoon, but he declined this proposal to remain on Wearside and reiterated his desire to leave the Club.
      “He has now finalised a move to the bet365 stadium and the process to appoint a new Head Coach is underway.”
      Sunderland are now on the lookout for a new manager with Sean Dyche, Tony Mowbray and Duncan Ferguson amongst the early frontrunners for the role.
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      Sporting Director Kristjaan Speakman said: “First and foremost, we want to thank Alex for his contribution to Sunderland AFC.
      “The impact he made is clear and he played an integral role in our promotion last season.
      “Despite signing revised terms earlier this month and receiving an offer to further improve his contract on Friday, Alex felt this was an opportunity that he wanted to pursue.
      “We are extremely disappointed by his departure, but we ultimately respect his decision and we wish him well. The process to appoint a new Head Coach is underway and we will provide a further update to our supporters shortly.” More

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      West Brom striker Daryl Dike reveals he’s accidentally been using DISHWASHER TABLETS to wash clothes for eight months

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      WEST BROM striker Daryl Dike has accidentally been using DISHWASHER TABLETS to wash his clothes for the past eight months. The American striker, 22, has been in England for almost a year, first at Barnsley on loan before joining the Baggies.
      Dike laughed as he explained the error of his ways on his TikTok channelCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
      The big striker showed off the dishwasher tabs he’d been using to wash his clothes withCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
      And the powerful prospect has confessed to scoring an own goal, after only just finding out his error.
      The USA international explained the mistake on his TikTok channel.
      Dike showed off the ‘Finish Powerball Quantum’ dishwasher tablets he has been using all this time.
      The ex-Orlando City star said: “So funny story time and before I continue, yes, I know I’m an idiot. I fully understand that.
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      “For the longest time I have thought that my washing machine is just crap. But anyways when I moved into this apartment I bought one of those huge bags of laundry detergent to wash all my clothes.
      “Recently it ran out so I went to the store to buy some more. I’m looking at the bag and I can’t find the bag anywhere in the store. I’m sitting there like ‘why can’t I find it?’

      “I come back to my apartment and I look down at the bag [of dishwasher tabs] I have.
      “This is what I’ve been using! I have been washing my clothes with dishwasher soap since I’ve been here. I have lived in England for eight months!”
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      Despite the daft mix-up, the big man proved his intelligence by graduating with a first-class honours degree in finance this summer.
      The Southern New Hampshire University alumni is a powerful prospect who could be one of his country’s top players for years to come.
      As a youngster in Oklahoma, he started supporting Chelsea because of Didier Drogba and standing at 6ft 1in tall with a powerful physique he has striking similarities with his childhood idol.
      Dike told SunSport: “I loved Drogba, I enjoyed watching him. He was someone I’ve always looked up to and Chelsea was my team.”
      He added: “As I kid I had two dreams — to play in the Premier League and compete in the World Cup.
      “Hopefully I’ll be doing one this year and then next year the other.
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      “It’ll also be exciting to play a team like England at a World Cup so that’s one game we’re looking forward to.
      “I’d love to come back from Qatar and be able to make a few jokes and banter with everyone here!”
      The USA international moved to England from Orlando City eight months agoCredit: Getty More