Championship

LEEDS are after a new No1 and will move out Illan Meslier — whether they go up or not.The Whites have decided they need a keeper and started to look at options.Leeds United are looking to part ways with goalkeeper Illan Meslier this summerCredit: PANewcastle’s Nick Pope is admired by promotion-chasing LeedsCredit: RexJames Trafford has been linked with Newcastle and LeedsCredit: RexMeslier – who is contracted until June 2026 – has made high-profile errors this season but is not short of admirers.Manchester United keeper scout Tony Coton is a fan of the 25-year-old and may push his case.Meslier was dropped for No 2 Karl Darlow for Saturday’s trip to Luton, which ended in a 1-1 draw at Kenilworth Road.The Championship promotion chasers went 1-0 down inside 15 minutes after Isaiah Jones’ back-post volley from five yards.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSDan James curled in a stunning equaliser less than 14 minutes later to earn a share of the spoils.The Frenchman’s error gifted Swansea a goal in last Saturday’s 2-2 draw.It was the latest in a series of costly mistakes and led to calls from fans and pundits for manager Daniel Farke to make a change.Farke then made the decision to drop Meslier, which he said was to protect the shot-stopper from further scrutiny.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSHe said: “I work with human beings. For Karl, he is buzzing. For Illan, it’s always a bit difficult to take.”I think, in general, with a goalkeeper, it’s important you don’t change game to game, even after a few mistakes.”Leeds manager Daniel Farke reveals the Sir Alex Ferguson trick he cannot copy And Burnley’s James Trafford is on a shortlist to replace Meslier at Elland Road, alongside Newcastle’s Nick Pope.Pope has made ten appearances for the Three Lions while Trafford was called up to Thomas Tuchel’s squad to face Albania and Latvia.But their chances of signing either goalkeeper will depend where clubs and players are in the summer.Indeed Newcastle themselves are reported to be keen on Trafford, which would put serious pressure on Pope.Meanwhile, Grady Diangana is putting a move to MLS on hold in the hope Leeds and Wolves firm up interest in him. The West Brom winger, 26, will be a free agent in the summer and  two American sides  are after him already.West Brom’s Grady Diangana is keen on a move to either Leeds or, controversially, the Baggies arch rivals WolvesCredit: Getty More

ARSENAL are ready to raid Blackburn for England youth striker Harvey Higgins.The Gunners have their sights on the 16-year-old hotshot — and hope to take him in the next few weeks.Arsenal are ready to raid Blackburn for England youth striker Harvey HigginsCredit: GettyStriker Higgins has been tipped to be a future starCredit: X/ academy_brfcMikel Arteta is looking for a new striker this summerCredit: AlamyRovers will only get compensation for their latest discovery, although that could come in at £1.5million.Higgins is already playing for the under-18s but his progress at England youth level has alerted Arsenal.There are hopes that he will follow in the footsteps of Adam Wharton and David Raya in starting their journeys to stardom at Ewood Park.Speak to people connected to the kid and there are early comparisons in the style of play to Jamie Vardy, Leicester’s irrepressible centre forward who is still going strong at 38.READ MORE ARSENAL NEWHiggins loves to chase a ball from over his shoulder and run on before unleashing his strength and finishing ability.The schoolboy has already trained with the Under-21s yet is still in his GCSE year at school.Several top clubs are also interested in the young striker, making competition for his signature intense.And his ability has not gone unnoticed with sponsors, earning him a contract with Puma.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSTop sides in the Serie A are also tracking his progress — and may make a move.Arsenal also made an enquiry for Stoke City defender Jaden Dixon in the January window and they continue to monitor his progress.Arteta gives worrying Gabriel injury update as Arsenal sweat on four defenders ahead of Real Madrid clashRovers are also fighting to keep young defender Silver Eze with big clubs chasing the Italian youth cap.Blackburn only signed Eze, 16, from Accrington Stanley for £120,000 in November but could lose him before he starts a game for them. More

OLLIE TANNER used to play alongside Arsenal star Bukayo Saka but ended up in non-league before being snapped up by Cardiff.And now the 22-year-old winger is hoping to repay the Bluebirds’ faith by helping them avoid relegation into League One.Ollie Tanner is hoping to keep Cardiff in the ChampionshipCredit: GettyThe winger dropped down to non-league after coming through at ArsenalCardiff travel to QPR this afternoon sitting third from bottom after Derby beat Preston on Wednesday night to dump the Welsh side into the drop zone.Tanner is enjoying his second full season playing Championship football. And he is in no mood to fall back down a division.He said: “We shouldn’t be in this position but we must get ourselves out of it. Cardiff should be a club challenging for promotion to the Premier League where it belongs — not fighting relegation.“Some games this season, we’ve been unlucky. But other times we’ve not been good enough.READ MORE ON ARSENAL“Conceding poor goals has been a problem a lot of the time and it’s our own doing.“We work so hard to create and score goals then concede easy ones.“It’s the most frustrating thing. We are where we are and we must correct that, stop letting them in and score more. It’s the basics.”Tanner is mentally tough for the fight ahead.Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Arsenal Files every Friday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from The Emirates He experienced the glamour of being at Arsenal and the hard yards of slugging it out in non-league with the likes of Bromley, Folkestone and Lewes.The winger played alongside Saka in the Gunners’ youth team during his six years with the North Londoners.The football boot customiser who’s scoring BIG with the game’s biggest stars are | Football FixersHe said: “Saka was unbelievable — right from the first game I played with him.“He was always the one that was going to the top. It was a great education at Arsenal but being released by them wasn’t easy.“I ended up in non-league and that taught me a lot. It’s so easy to lose your way.“You either sink or swim. Thankfully, I swam.“I found a club in Lewes, who were playing in the Isthmian Premier, and a manager in Tony Russell and his assistant Joe Vines who helped me massively.“They are a big reason I’m now playing in the Championship.”Tanner signed from Lewes three years ago and had a tough first season where he had to not only adapt to training full-time rather than part-time but also cope with a five-division leap.He added: “There were lots of things where I had to sharpen up but I’ve got there now.Read More on The Sun“It’s a hard division but I’ve got lots of games under my belt. “All focus now is on staying up.”Tanner played with Bukayo Saka in the Arsenal academyCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

SAM ALLARDYCE has revealed he dropped Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier “straight away” as persisting with him was “harmful”.The veteran boss was given the job for the club’s final four Premier League games of the 2022/23 season in a desperate attempt to avoid relegation.Sam Allardyce has opened up on his decision to drop Illan MeslierCredit: No Tippy Tappy FootballMeslier has made several high-profile mistakes this seasonCredit: RexBig Sam failed to keep the club up, picking up just one point during his brief stint in charge.But his first action after being appointed was to drop under-fire Meslier for back-up stopper Joel Robles for the end of season run-in.The Frenchman had made several high-profile errors – just as he has done this season as Leeds push for promotion back to the Prem.On axing him, Allardyce told Footy Accumulators’ No Tippy Tappy Football Podcast: “I dropped him? I never gave him a game. I dropped him straight away.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”I had watched the previous games and I spoke to quite a few people who had been at Leeds watching him quite a lot and the first thing they said is ‘he’s a great goalkeeper, but he is having a crisis at the moment’.”We all know the two most important people are your goalscorer and goalkeeper, so he went out of the team straight away.”He did not take it well, not that it really bothers me. A bit of sulking. When you go in as a manager because you have to make these decisions.”But it had to be done, he looked nervous when he was the mainstay, it looked like it was harming him. It looked like it was going to make him worse, leaving him in even if he was going to be disappointed to be out.”Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSMeslier has made three errors directly leading to goals this season, which is the joint-second highest number in the Championship.Leeds fans have also questioned him on several other goals they have conceded and he came under intense criticism for two he let in last Saturday in a 2-2 draw to Swansea. New Leeds boss Sam Allardyce halts press conference and fines journalist for embarrassing gaffeThe pressure has finally told and boss Daniel Farke has decided to drop him for this weekend’s trip to Luton.He confirmed “I have taken my decision and spoken to the goalkeepers, Karl Darlow will play Saturday.”It’s been important that we had clarity early in the week, so Karl could concentrate on this.”Ex-Newcastle keeper Darlow has not played for Leeds in the league since December 2023.Karl Darlow is set to replace Meslier for the run-inCredit: Getty More

A DERBY County star has set an unwanted record after playing against Preston.The Rams won 2-0 to climb out of the Championship relegation zone.Ryan Nyambe broke an unwanted record against PrestonCredit: GettyThey have won four matches in a row under John Eustace, who has transformed the team’s fortunes since being appointed in February.However there was one sour note to their victory over Preston as Ryan Nyambe was forced off after just four minutes.The right-back suffered a hamstring injury, having already missed three months of action earlier in the season after tearing his knee ligaments.To add insult to injury, Nyambe’s short-lived run-out against Preston means he broke an unwanted record.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe 27-year-old has now failed to find the net a single time in 202 Championship appearances – no outfield player has managed more.After the match Eustance described losing Nyambe to injury as a “blow”.He said: “It’s a shame for Ryan. He’s had a bad time with injuries since we’ve come in.“He’s trained really well for the last couple of weeks, looked sharp coming into the game, so losing him after two minutes is a big blow.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS“We’ll have to see how he is tomorrow after the scan. It’s his hamstring, so hopefully it won’t be as bad as we think, but we wait and see.”Nyambe signed for Derby 18 months ago and helped them win promotion from League One last season.Championship club could be left without a stadium as EFL deadline loomsHe has played just 17 times for Derby in the second tier this campaign, with the rest of his Championship games coming for Blackburn Rovers and Wigan. More

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY fans have demanded owner Dejphon Chansiri “sell the club” after players were not paid on time.The Championship side confirmed “a temporary issue” meant stars have not yet received their wages for March. Sheffield Wednesday’s players have not received their wages for MarchCredit: RexThe club confirmed a “temporary” issue meant wages had not reached their starsCredit: AlamyOwner Dejphon Chansiri has been met with fan protests in recent yearsCredit: GettyWednesday fans have demanded the Thai businessman sell the clubCredit: GettyChansiri headed up a Thai consortium which bought Wednesday from ex-chairman Milan Mandaric in January 2015.His tenure began with back-to-back Championship playoff appearances but has since been dogged by financial issues off the field. Protests were held at the recent Yorkshire derby against Leeds by the 1867 Group against Chansiri’s ownership.After news broke on Monday of unpaid wages for March, a statement from the club read: “Sheffield Wednesday can confirm a temporary issue with the payment of player salaries for the month of March.READ MORE ON FOOTBALL”This has occurred as a result of significant sums of money owed to the chairman’s businesses which has in turn impacted on the club’s immediate cashflow.”The chairman is working hard to resolve this situation at the earliest possible opportunity and in the meantime thanks everyone for their patience and understanding.”Chansiri’s family controls the Thai Union Group, the world’s largest producer of canned tuna.Fans flocked onto social media, with many urging the Thai businessman to sell. Most read in FootballOne supporter fumed on X: “You don’t need an MBA to know what’s playing out down at Hillsborough. Another embarrassing chapter under Dejphon Chansiri’s ownership. Please sell the club.”Another said: “Chansiri couldn’t run a bath!! He needs to sell now before we end up like Reading.”Fan confronts stewards armed with CORNER FLAG as Sheffield Wednesday fans invade pitch after all-but avoiding relegationWhile a third added: “Completely unacceptable & it’s not the first time is it? Chansiri is damaging Sheffield Wednesday yet again – not fit or proper to be leading our Club. In the best interests of @swfc SELL THE CLUB.”Wednesday have enjoyed a strong season in the Championship, despite issues off the field.Boss Danny Rohl has proved a revelation since joining in 2023. And Southampton are set to swoop in the summer for the in-demand German. The Owls are on course for a top-half finish and could yet manufacture a late-season playoff push.They currently sit 12th in the table, five points off the top-six. Read More on The SunLast month, SunSport exclusively revealed former Wigan owner Talal Al Hammad had looked into acquiring the club.Wednesday, four-time league champions and three-time FA Cup winners, haven’t been in the top flight in 25 years. More