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      Man Utd and Liverpool in transfer battle for £3m Derby wonderkid Kaide Gordon, 16, after impressing Wayne Rooney

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      MANCHESTER UNITED and Liverpool are battling to sign £3million-rated Derby wonderkid Kaide Gordon, according to reports.
      The versatile attacking midfielder, 16, has impressed Wayne Rooney in recent weeks and was handed his first-team debut against Birmingham in December.

      Liverpool are confident of signing Derby wonderkid Kaide Gordon despite interest from Manchester United and TottenhamCredit: PA:Press Association

      According to The Telegraph, Liverpool are the favourites to land Gordon ahead of United and Tottenham.
      The Liverpool Echo says talks are already underway and the reigning Premier League champions hope their record of promoting youth players into the first team will help convince Gordon to sign.
      An initial £1m offer from the Reds looks to be enough with the Championship club struggling for funds.
      Their proposed takeover has still not been completed leaving some wages unpaid, with boss Rooney’s partly deferred.

      The remaining £2m would be made up from add-ons depending on the England youth international’s progression at Anfield.
      Gordon – born in October 2004 – cannot sign professional terms until later this year, the Echo report adds.
      Commenting on Derby’s fourth-youngest player, Rooney said: “Kaide is a fantastic player and he has got a lot of potential.
      “He has come through the academy. He is 16, he has got a lot of development to do and he is definitely at the right place to do that.

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      “Of course there will be interest in Kaide because he is a fantastic player, so we expect there to be interest in him.
      “We can control what we are doing at this football club, but we can’t control if other teams make bids for our players.”

      The teenager made his first-team debut in the 4-0 win over Birmingham in DecemberCredit: PA:Press Association

      Wayne Rooney described the youngster as a ‘fantastic player’ and admitted there will be plenty of interest in himCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Wayne Rooney says he can help Derby move forward as new manager More

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      Wayne Rooney ‘defers some of his £90k-a-week wages to ensure Derby players are paid’ amid club’s financial struggles

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      DERBY boss Wayne Rooney has reportedly deferred a portion of his £90,000-a-week wages to ensure his players get paid.
      The Championship club is experiencing a financial crisis while it waits for a takeover by Sheikh Khaled’s Derventio Holdings to go through.

      Wayne Rooney has reportedly deferred some of his wagesCredit: PA:Press Association

      A deal to sell the club was agreed by owner Mel Morris in November, with a transfer embargo currently in place.
      Morris is said to be reluctant to inject his own cash into the club ahead of the takeover.
      And the Mail report how manager Rooney has stepped in to help the Rams out.
      The striker-turned-coach is thought to be earning £90,000-a-week, which would perhaps be the highest salary in the division.

      On a two-and-a-half-year contract, he has told the club that he will defer part of his salary to divert funds to his players.
      The squad’s December wages were not paid on time.

      With the takeover and salary situation, it’s difficult for players, and it’s difficult for me in that I can’t go into the transfer market.
      Wayne Rooney

      Derby reportedly reimbursed players on Monday and have stated that January’s wages will go through on Friday as planned.
      Rooney is said to have been key to the squad agreeing a previous wage deferral last season.

      Amid serious doubts over the takeover going through, the 35-year-old has insisted he will not quit the Rams if it collapses.
      When questioned on the situation last week, he stated: “Ideally, I want players in.
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      Colin Kazim-Richards netted a vital winner for Derby on the weekendCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      “We need that. But if we can’t I believe in the quality of the players we’ve got here.
      “With the takeover and the salary situation, it’s difficult for players, and it’s difficult for me in that I can’t go into the transfer market at the moment.
      “Ideally, the quicker the players get paid, the quicker we can move on. Then we can look at players we want to bring in.”
      After consecutive wins over Bournemouth and QPR, Derby sit five points clear of the Championship relegation zone.

      Wayne Rooney says he can help Derby move forward as new manager More

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      Warnock rages as Boro’s Dael Fry ‘is a mm from losing an eye’ after Joe Rothwell seals controversial 1-0 Blackburn win

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      NEIL WARNOCK says Dael Fry was ‘a millimeter’ from losing his eye after Middlesbrough’s controversial defeat to Blackburn. 
      Tony Mowbray returned to his old club to claim the points but the game was overshadowed by a nasty injury to the defender.

      Joe Rothwell sealed a 1-0 win for Blackburn at MiddlesbroughCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Boro were furious they were denied a penalty after Dael Fry was met with a high footCredit: Getty

      Jarrad Branthwaite’s dangerously high foot forced the defender off with a gruesome gashCredit: Rex Features

      Credit: Twitter / @GaryStonehouse

      The 6ft 3in star was forced off with blood gushing from his lower right eyelid after he was caught inside the opposition area by Jarrad Branthwaite’s high boot with the game goalless.
      But neither the referee or assistants spotted it – leaving the Boro boss Warnock raging after his side missed out on going level with sixth-placed Bournemouth.
      He said: “It was a game-changing incident. When I saw the mess I wasn’t bothered about the result.
      “I don’t think he meant it but it was endangering the safety of a player – it can’t be any worse than that. He’s a millimetre from losing an eyeball.

      “We miss out on a penalty, a sending-off and one of my best players going off – I’m distraught.
      “How does he miss it? Tony will be delighted and feel like he’s won the pools.”
      Rovers’ top scorer Adam Armstrong had his first sniff when dragging a shot wide early doors.
      Then the main talking point arrived 15 minutes in as Fry attempted to head Paddy McNair’s cross goalwards. 

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      His face was met by the bottom of the Everton loanee’s foot leaving Warnock and his team – quite rightly – furious as medics rushed on.
      The referee was having none of it, and as Fry walked off to be replaced by Nathan Wood, his manager erupted.
      He roared: “How have you not seen that! Ref, do you want to come over and watch the TV? They’re saying it’s a penalty on Sky, what f*****g use is that?”
      Britt Assombalonga forced Rovers goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski into action with a free-kick and Marc Bola fired wide before the break.
      Boro flew out the traps after the restart as Kaminski got down well to deny Marcus Tavernier.
      Jonny Howson’s header was brilliantly pushed away by the Belgian stopper as Wood fired the rebound against the post on the hour mark.

      Breakthrough for Blackburn! 💥Joe Rothwell opens the scoring after a lovely pull-back from #LFC loanee Harvey Elliott! 🎁Watch live on Sky Sports Football now! pic.twitter.com/UL28DmD1NX
      — Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) January 24, 2021

      But just as they were building up momentum the hosts were hit with a sucker punch after Djed Spence lost possession upfield.
      Rovers broke and found Armstrong on the edge of the area, he slid in Harvey Elliott down the right who pulled it back for the unmarked Joe Rothwell to fire home with his team’s first shot on target.
      Wood then lost it as Armstrong was sent clear only to be denied by Marcus Bettinelli before blazing over late on.
      Mowbray, a legend on Teesside due to his time captaining and later managing his hometown club, said: “I don’t enjoy those games and I prefer to play a nice game of football with both teams getting the ball and trying to attack. It felt like a war of attrition and it was really frustrating.
      “But you have to stand up against them and some young players stood up to men.
      “They are not football purists but you have to find a way to beat them.”

      Fry is now a major doubt for Boro’s midweek clash with RotherhamCredit: Rex Features

      Neil Warnock was furious at the officials as they failed to spot the high footCredit: Rex Features

      Neil Warnock leaves fans in hysterics as Cardiff boss stares into TV camera More

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      Watch Middlesbrough ace Dael Fry left in bloody mess after kick to head – but ref doesn’t give pen vs Blackburn

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      MIDDLESBROUGH star Dael Fry came within inches of potentially suffering serious eye damage after a shocking challenge in their clash with Blackburn.
      The centre-half was still in the area after going up for a corner, but when he went to connect with Paddy McNair’s cross, he was instead met by Jarrad Branthwaite’s dangerously high foot.

      Middlesbrough star Dael Fry was left with a horror eye injuryCredit: Getty Images

      #EFC loanee Jarrad Branthwaite has got away with one here…😬It’s a dangerous challenge from the defender with a high boot which catches #Boro’s Fry in the face, flush. 💥pic.twitter.com/3hMvTWw1jl
      — Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 24, 2021

      Neil Warnock and his team were outraged and – quite rightly – demanded a penalty as medics attended to a nasty cut just below Fry’s eye.
      He said: “It was a game-changing incident. When I saw the mess I wasn’t bothered about the result.
      “I don’t think he meant it but it was endangering the safety of a player – it can’t be any worse than that. He’s a millimetre from losing an eyeball.
      “We miss out on a penalty, a sending-off and one of my best players going off – I’m distraught.

      “How does he miss it? Tony will be delighted and feel like he’s won the pools.”

      It was endangering the safety of a player – it can’t be any worse than that. He’s a millimetre from losing an eyeball
      Neil Warnock

      Despite Warnock’s protests, the referee and assistant were having none of it, and as Fry walked off to be replaced by 18-year-old Nathan Wood, his manager erupted at the officials after seeing the damage.
      He roared: “How have you not seen that! Ref, do you want to come over and watch the TV? They’re saying it’s a penalty on Sky, what f*****g use is that?”
      Even Blackburn boss Tony Mowbray seemed to agree as he laughed in the background, before he later he was heard saying: “Every week we get Dog and Duck officials.”

      The game remained goalless at the break as the centre-half, who has been linked with Burnley, received stitches back in the dressing-room.
      And it was not only Warnock who was left fuming as those on social media vented their anger on Twitter in the wake of a 1-0 defeat.
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      Branthwaite clattered Fry straight in the face with a dangerously high bootCredit: Rex Features

      Fry immediately went down after being kicked in the faceCredit: Sky Sports

      Everyone in the ground looked to be waiting for a penalty which never cameCredit: Sky Sports

      One person said: “You get pens given for the most minimal contact and a player throwing himself to the floor. Studs to face, could take his eye out and the ref gives nothing. What is happening to the game.”
      Another added: “The refs in English football are horrendous, they haven’t got a clue what they’re doing at any level.”
      And a third said: “Ref should be subbed off at half time. Shocking decision, not protecting the players.”

      You get pens given for the most minimal contact and a player throwing himself to the floor.Studs to face, could take his eye out and the ref gives nothing.What is happening to the game 🤦🏻
      — Mr. G (@TheGriffardinho) January 24, 2021

      The refs in English football are horrendous, they haven’t got a clue what they’re doing at any level
      — Jamie Leach (@JL9285) January 24, 2021

      Ref should be subbed off at half time. Shocking decision, not protecting the players.
      — ⚒️ (@LewiBizzle) January 24, 2021

      Former referee Jeff Winter then also piled in as he added: “Not only was it a penalty , but everyone missing the fact that’s it’s also a red card for serious foul play !!”
      Blackburn had started the stronger and the Championship’s joint-top scorer Adam Armstrong went for his 17th of the campaign inside the opening five minutes, dragging a left-footer wide of the far post.
      Rovers were then forced into an early change themselves as Bradley Johnson limped off after an innocuous challenge as John Buckley took his place.
      And they earned victory in the 61st minute as Joe Rothwell popped up with the strike to send them into the fifth round.

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      Newcastle ready to send Matt Ritchie back to Bournemouth in swap transfer for midfielder Philip Billing

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      NEWCASTLE and Bournemouth may do a possible swap deal involving winger Matt Ritchie and Philip Billing.
      Cherries have a long-term desire to bring back Ritchie, who left for Toon in 2016, and midfielder Billing is a possible trade.

      Matt Ritchie has been a target for Bournemouth since his 2016 exitCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Philip Billing could head to Tyneside as part of the dealCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The Dane was left out of the squad in midweek and questioned social media reports he was injured.
      His Instagram account wrote a now-deleted comment on a club fan page: “Didn’t know I was injured.”
      Bournemouth boss Jason Tindall attempted to explain the situation after the midweek defeat to Derby.
      He said: “I’m a little bit confused because Phil Billing didn’t complete yesterday’s training session.

      “He came in. He went in to see the doctor, complaining of his hamstring. It’s one I’ll have to speak to Phil about himself.
      “But in my book – if you’re unable to complete the training session and you come in from that the day before a game – and you go and see the doctor complaining of your hamstring, it means you’re not fit enough to be involved for the game.”
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      The Cherries take on Crawley on Tuesday night after the League Two club’s coronavirus outbreak delayed their FA Cup fourth-round tie.

      Meanwhile Newcastle lost 2-0 to Aston Villa on Saturday night.
      A seventh defeat in eight games left Steve Bruce’s side just seven points clear of the dropzone, although 18th-placed Fulham have a game in hand.

      Newcastle next manager odds- Howe favourite for Toon job, Hughes enters frame, Villas-Boas, Silva & Barton in contention More

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      Brentford boss is driven by last season’s Wembley heartache in fresh bid to take the Bees into the Premier League

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      HAD it not been for sod’s law Thomas Frank would have been meeting Brendan Rodgers this weekend as a Premier League equal.
      But if the Dane eventually does lead Brentford into the Premier League, it will be a fairytale to rival Leicester’s 2016 title triumph.

      Thomas Frank celebrates leading Brentford to last season’s play-off final

      But Brentford’s joy was to turn to despair as they suffered heartbreak in the Championship play-off final as Fulham clinched promotion to the top flight

      The heartbreak of losing to Fulham in August’s Championship play-off final still rankles slightly.
      Frank sighs: “As Brentford manager, I’ve faced Fulham four times, kept clean sheets in 90 minutes in every game and beaten them on three occasions.
      “And yet Joe Bryan scores their only goals against us in the space of 12 extra-time minutes at Wembley with a wonder strike and from a mistake. It’s the fine margins of football.”
      It is also the law of sod, Thomas.

      After an incredible eight-match winning streak where they swept aside all-comers including Fulham, they lost both their final league games against struggling Stoke and Barnsley. Victory in either would have seen them promoted automatically.
      But that pain has driven Brentford this season.
      They have not lost a Championship match since October and their Carabao Cup semi-final exit against Tottenham was the only reverse in their last 19 matches in all competitions.
      Beating Leicester will be their FIFTH Premier League scalp this season, having already defeated Southampton, West Brom, Fulham and Newcastle in that cup run.

      Ollie Watkins cuts a lonely figure at Wembley in what proved his final game with Brentford before his £33million move to Aston Villa
      Frank said: “We’ve learned from the finest of margins that went against us last season. Did you know we lost nine games 1-0? It’s crazy.
      “There were one or two we deserved to lose but the rest we should’ve won or drawn.
      “This season we’re managed to win tight games or at least drawn them because every player has improved.
      “Keeper David Raya learned from his mistake at Millwall last season for example that cost us the game 1-0.
      “Defenders Pontus Jansson and Henrik Dalsgaard, despite all their experience, have become even better leaders.
      “Ethan Pinnock and Rico Henry did amazing for us in their first season at Championship level – but have upped it further.
      “Mathias Jensen and Josh Da Silva – better decisions, better defensively.
      “Bryan Mbeumo hasn’t scored as many goals so far but has lost the ball less and is getting more assists. Sergi Canos has also grown.”

      Thomas Frank believes Brentford have learned from the fine margins that went against them as they have had a cracking first half to this season
      The famous BMW frontline last season of Ollie Watkins, Said Benrahma and Mbeumo plundered a staggering 57 goals between them.
      But when 25-goal Watkins was sold to Aston Villa for £33million and 17-goal Benrahma got loaned to West Ham, many feared for Brentford’s chances of mounting a serious challenge this time round.
      Yet the West Londoners responded by doing what they do best – unearthing another gem in Ivan Toney.
      The striker, signed from Peterborough for £5million, already has 16 league goals after 23 games.

      And he is on course to become the third Bees striker to hit 25 goals in consecutive seasons following Watkins and Neal Maupay before him.
      Frank said: “It’s not easy for a player to just step into a team like that. It requires a lot of team work.
      “Can you name me a club that has produced three different 25-goals-a-season strikers in consecutive years? I can’t off the top of my head.
      “He only needs nine goals and I’m confident he’ll do that.
      “His movement and finishing inside the box is great. The link-up play is really good. He has a good eye for his team-mates.
      “His hold up play in terms of his physicality is top drawer.
      “He just needs to do a little bit more work on the link-up, finishing and pressing, which has been so much better since he came here. He just needs to do that consistently.”

      Ivan Toney has been seamlessly filled Ollie Watkins’ boots since joining from Peterborough in what has turned out to be a bargain £5million deal
      Asked if he believes Toney will follow the man he has replaced, Watkins, into the top flight, Frank answered: “Yes, 100 per cent.
      “Of course, they’re slightly different. Ivan’s heading and positioning in the box is better. Ollie has a bit more pace to run in behind while Ivan can hold and link up a bit more.
      “Ivan will be in the Premier League in the future. Hopefully that’ll be with us.”
      But particularly impressive since Frank took over from Dean Smith in October 2018 has been how much better Brentford are defensively.
      They have had to rely on that this season with fewer goals being scored, which was inevitable after losing two of the best forward players in the division.

      Ivan Toney will be in the Premier League in the future. Hopefully that’ll be with us.”

      The Dane, who won the SkyBet Championship manager of the month award for December, said: “We have a massive solidness and are difficult to play against.
      “We’re adding more free-flowing football again, which we have missed. That is one thing I haven’t been happy with but we’re getting closer to where we want to be with that.”
      Brentford’s climb from mid-table League Two fodder to the brink of Premier League football has been startling – and they generally have a knack of recruiting the right managers at the right times as well as players.
      Andy Scott got them out of the bottom division, Mark Warburton took them into the Championship and almost the top flight, Dean Smith steadily improved the squad while Frank has been a resounding success since he took over.

      Danish coach Thomas Frank has done a great job since replacing Dean Smith

      So what achievement does Frank rank as the highest at Brentford?
      He said: “The culture. We have this unique togetherness where you can see that everything’s aligned from top to bottom – from the staff, players and me to the board and owner.
      “We’re all good people who work in the same direction. We have this attitude, believe in ourselves and are humble.
      “If you’re not humble, someone will run past you.
      “We also work extremely hard because you achieve nothing otherwise.
      “You must perform every day and that performance comes on and off the training pitch.
      “These bits are extremely important.
      “Beside that is our style of play where we’re clear in how we want to do it.
      “That added together and consistency reaps great results.
      “Maybe we didn’t have the margins with us last year but if we keep doing this the scoreboard will take care of itself.” More

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      Mick McCarthy set to become new Cardiff manager as he makes swift return to dugout after APOEL sacking

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      MICK MCCARTHY is set to become the new manager of Cardiff.
      The Bluebirds identified the ex-Wolves and Sunderland boss as their number one target after sacking Neil Harris on Thursday.

      Experienced McCarthy, 61, previously managed the Republic of IrelandCredit: Reuters

      Cardiff are in talks with McCarthy’s representatives and details on a deal and the length of the contract are still to be tied up before an announcement is made.
      But former Republic of Ireland boss McCarthy, who left Cypriot champions APOEL earlier this month, is ready for a swift return to management.
      Cardiff turned to experienced McCarthy due to his track record of winning promotion to the Premier League with both Sunderland and Wolves.
      The Welsh club axed Harris following a dreadful run of six straight defeats to leave the club 15th in the Championship table.

      McCarthy, 61, endured a torrid time in Cypriot football, winning only two of eight games with perennial champions APOEL.
      His last spell in English football came at Ipswich Town.
      The Yorkshireman managed the Tractor Boys for six years between 2012 and 2018.
      While sections of the Ipswich support were divided over the playing style during his tenure, McCarthy was able to keep the club in the Championship fairly comfortably on a tight budget, even managing a play-off run.

      McCarthy managed Ipswich Town for six years in the ChampionshipCredit: Reuters
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      Ipswich were relegated the season after McCarthy;s departure under Paul Lambert, following a disastrous spell for successor Paul Hurst.
      They then failed to make the League One play-offs last season, after the campaign was curtailed.
      And they currently sit an underwhelming eighth.

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