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      Lyle Taylor claims BLM support is ‘scandalous’ and reveals he won’t ‘blindly’ take knee as gesture has been ‘diluted’

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      NOTTINGHAM Forest striker Lyle Taylor has revealed why he refuses to take the knee before matches.
      Taylor claimed he does not ‘blindly support’ Black Lives Matter and urged people to look at what the organisation stands for.

      Lyle Taylor does not support Black Lives Matter as an organisationCredit: Rex Features

      The ex-Charlton forward did not take part in the protest ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup tie with Cardiff.
      He insisted the message behind the gesture has been ‘diluted’ for months now.
      Taylor, 30, said:  “My support for what it is we are trying to achieve is absolute.
      “But I do not support Black Lives Matter as an institution, as an organisation.

      “I’d request anyone who blindly supports Black Lives Matter to have a look to what that organisation does and what it stands for – because it’s scandalous the fact that the whole world and the whole world’s media got behind Black Lives Matter.
      “Standing behind Black Lives Matter, all the big institutions, all of them sitting there saying Black Lives Matter, not a good idea.
      “I’ve done my fair amount of research into it. The message is 100 per cent important, don’t get me wrong on that.
      “Black lives do matter but you will never hear me saying Black Lives Matter again in reference to that organisation.

      “The message has been diluted beyond belief. If we’d stopped three months ago it would’ve been. It’s gone past the point. What’s actually happening?
      “Because every week I turn on the news and another player has been racially abused.

      “There’s channels and there’s avenues we have to go down to do this the right way.”
      Taylor revealed he has not been criticised for his decision and has the blessing of manager Chris Hughton not to kneel.
      Taylor added: “I did have a conversation with the manager and I said, ‘Am I okay to do as I please and stand and not take a knee?’
      “He said, ‘Yes, if that’s what you believe in then that’s your decision, you’re a grown man, you can make your own decisions’.
      “So he’s allowed me to do that. Look, if people ask me my opinion, you’ll know I’m not scared of voicing them.”
      Taylor revealed progress has been made in a case in which he was racially abused online.

      Nottingham Forest boss Chris Hughton has given Lyle Taylor permission not to take the kneeCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      He added: “It’s been with the police for a good eight months. It’s still going on. It’s not that difficult. They’ve found the person now.
      “I got an email one or two weeks ago saying we’ve found him and he’s going to be arrested and interviewed.
      “Jesus Christ! I said I could probably pay someone £200 and have them find the IP address of the person right now. Take them 10 minutes.
      “You have some people saying you can’t say black. You can’t say mixed race because it’s now dual heritage. No, no. I’m mixed race. My mum is white and my dad is black.”

      Millwall fans clap and cheer at The Den as QPR take the knee ahead of Championship game More

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      West Ham preparing huge £30m transfer raid on Watford for Ismaila Sarr as David Moyes looks to ease striker crisis

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      WEST HAM are ready to make a £30million bid for Watford’s Senegalese speed merchant Ismaila Sarr.
      Boss David Moyes needs a new forward after the sale of Sebastian Haller has left Michail Antonio as their only out and out striker.

      Ismaila Sarr has been eyed to solve West Ham’s striker crisisCredit: Alamy Live News

      Sarr – who can play out wide or down the middle – stayed with the Hornets after relegation and Crystal Palace had an offer for him of £25m plus extras rejected on deadline day.
      But SunSport understands West Ham are prepared to top those numbers and test Watford.
      The 22-year-old hoped for Liverpool and Manchester United but they have not joined the auction at any stage, so it will come down to West Ham or a second move by Palace this window.
      And Moyes admitted the Irons may have to play without a striker at all if they cannot land a new front man.

      Asked how vital signing some soon was, the Hammers boss said: “Unless you do what Man City does, play without a number nine and you actually play even better than you’ve ever played before.
      “You get in a situation, you play with a false nine and you can do that.
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      “You have to start being creative and certainly Pep [Guardiola] has been that with what he’s done at Man City, and who knows if we don’t have anybody, we will need to start being creative ourselves here.”

      The Hammers are also considering Polish striker Krzysztof Piatek with Hertha Berlin willing to loan him with a view to a buy after a mixed time in the Bundesliga.
      But with the side currently 10th in the Premier League, Moyes smarts at the idea of taking the cup seriously by fielding a strong side against Stockport on Monday.
      He added: “You take it as an insult when someone says are you going to go for the Cup this year. Every year I’ve gone for the Cup, never once have I not gone for it.

      Nothing will give me more pleasure than winning the cup.
      David Moyes

      “Nothing will give me more pleasure than winning the cup.
      “Sometimes you go up against better teams, and yes, you do need to use your squad players and yes sometimes we need to use other players but all our first team players will be there.
      “We might need to fill one or two spaces with some young players, but apart from that we will be going with all our players.”

      Watford’s Ismaila Sarr shows off his skills on the training pitch More

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      EFL confirm 112 coronavirus cases from 66 clubs as new Covid-19 strain rips through English football

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      THE FOOTBALL LEAGUE has confirmed 112 cases of coronavirus among 66 clubs competing in this weekend’s FA Cup third round.
      The positive tests came back from Championship, League One and League Two teams still in the competition, which has been marred by an increase in cases.

      This weekend’s FA Cup third round has been hit by a rise in coronavirus casesCredit: PA:Press Association

      Some 3,507 players and staff were tested and confirmed cases have been told to self-isolate for ten days.
      Coronavirus has ripped through the third round with Aston Villa, Middlesbrough and Derby reporting outbreaks within squads.
      All three teams are expected to play youth sides in their weekend games, although positive tests in the Shrewsbury camp has led to their match with Southampton being postponed.
      If games cannot be completed amid a congested fixture schedule, reports suggest teams suffering outbreaks could be kicked out of the competition.

      This round of EFL tests does not include Premier League teams, which reported 12 new cases from 984 tests between January 1 and 3.
      League bosses have stated their confidence in coronavirus protocols amid the rise of a new, highly-infectious variant of the disease across the UK.

      The EFL’s Medical Advisors Dr Richard Higgins and Dr Subhashis Basu said in a statement: “Today’s results reflect the current speed at which the virus is spreading amid the emergence of a new variant of Covid-19.
      “But the low reported numbers across the overwhelming majority of clubs means we remain confident that our protocols continue to mitigate against the spread of infection as intended.

      “The protocols, supported by the clubs and government, are allowing us to continue playing fixtures as scheduled but we cannot be complacent.
      “Which is why recently enhanced matchday and non-matchday Covid protocols have been issued to underpin the re-introduction of a League wide testing programme which commences next week.
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      “Medical advice continues to support that following these protocols is the most successful route to mitigating against the spread of infection.”
      The remaining six EFL clubs not involved in the FA Cup third round will be tested ahead of their next fixtures.
      From next Monday, all 72 Football League clubs will be tested twice a week.

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      Stoke snap up ex-Manchester City wonderkid Rabbi Matondo on loan transfer from Schalke as he targets promotion push

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      WALES international Rabbi Matondo has vowed to help Stoke City’s promotion push after joining the Potters on loan.
      The 20-year-old became Michael O’Neill’s first capture of the January transfer window after agreeing to join from Bundesliga side FC Schalke 04 on loan until the end of this season.

      Rabbi Matondo has joined Stoke from Schalke on loan until the summerCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Matondo, who has seven Wales caps, has featured 30 times in the German top flight since making the switch from Manchester City in 2019.
      Matondo said: “I’m delighted to sign for Stoke City until the end of the season and am looking forward to it. I’ve come here to help the lads in every possible way I can.
      “As an attacking player, hopefully I can add some goals and assists to try and help the team make the promotion spots.”
      Matondo is expected to make his debut in Saturday’s FA Cup clash at home to Leicester City.

      The former Man City youngster played just three times for Schalke this season.
      And their new boss Christian Gross, who replaced ex-Huddersfield man David Wagner last month, was happy to let Matondo go.
      But a move to Stoke may not have been what Matondo was expecting after being strongly linked with Manchester United in 2020.
      His impressive performances a year ago saw him reportedly emerge as a target for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who saw Matondo as a cheaper alternative to Borussia Dortmund’s £108m-rated Jadon Sancho.

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      At the time, Matondo said: “I am concentrating on Schalke, I still have to achieve my goals here.
      “I am just concentrating on that and we just see how things go, but for now I am just focused on Schalke.
      “Hopefully I can get into the team and help them climb up the table.”

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      West Ham want Josh King as Sebastian Haller transfer replacement but Bournemouth’s £15m fee demands could be issue

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      WEST HAM have Josh King in their sights to replace Sebastien Haller – but may have to pay Bournemouth more than they thought to land him.
      David Moyes failed to land the Bournemouth star in the summer when the Championship club rejected the £13million deal the Hammers were willing to come up with.

      West Ham want to replace Sebastien Haller with Josh KingCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Haller is on his way to AjaxCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      But Moyes has retained his interest since then and sees using King through the middle – a position he prefers to play – now that Haller is on his way to Ajax.
      West Ham value King at the same price, but the problem is the 28-year-old is also on the radar of Newcastle and West Brom and that is driving his value up.
      Bournemouth have been told Newcastle and the Baggies would both be willing to stump up around £15m, more than Hammers owner David Sullivan had hoped to pay.
      But once Haller completes his move to Ajax in a deal with around £22m including add-ons, it will leave Moyes with only Michail Antonio as a recognised forward in the squad.

      King, 28, is out of contract at the end of the season but Bournemouth are determined not to let him go on the cheap in January.
      King’s ability on the ball and in front of goal, coupled with his willingness to lead the line and cope physically with defenders, is something Moyes would love to add to his team.
      And with competition for his signature high, the Hammers are likely to have to go to increase their valuation to a least £15m before they tempt Bournemouth into selling.
      The Irons were also linked with free-agent Graziano Pelle after his contract at Shandong Luneng expired.

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      However, the East Londoners will only consider an attempt to sign him if they cannot land King.
      Pelle joined Luneng in 2016 from Southampton and has scored 30 goals in 81 appearances since.
      The Hammers face competition from teams in Italy as Pelle is said to prefer a move back to his homeland.

      Sebastien Haller shows off his talents on the West Ham training pitch More

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      Leeds ace Tyler Roberts eyed by FIVE Championship clubs on loan transfer with Bielsa weighing-up sending 21-year-old out

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      A WEALTH of Championship clubs are reportedly interested in Leeds attacker Tyler Roberts.
      The Yorkshire club are well clear of the relegation zone upon their return to the Premier League and are weighing up a loan move for the 21-year-old.

      Tyler Roberts has largely featured off the bench for Leeds this seasonCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

      Marcelo Bielsa has handed Roberts just two starts in the league, with the forward yet to score.
      According to the Mail, the manager highly rates his player but could nonetheless allow a temporary exit.
      Sheffield Wednesday, Derby, Cardiff, Bournemouth and Preston are all named as interested parties in the Welshman’s future.
      The Cherries in particular may soon need to replace Josh King, with the striker reportedly wanted by West Ham.

      A handful of other second-tier teams are said to have registered their desire to loan Roberts for the remainder of the campaign.
      It has been reported that Leeds could bolster their attack with a shock swoop for Wolves winger Adama Traore.
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      Young Toulouse midfielder Kouadio Kone and Erick Pulgar of Fiorentina have also featured in Leeds transfer rumours.

      Such deals may push Roberts towards the exit door but the youngster has spoken of his gratitude to Bielsa and Wales boss Ryan Giggs for handing him the chance to impress at the highest level.
      Roberts said in October: “I’m definitely enjoying my football at the moment,” said the 21-year-old.
      “I’m really grateful that both managers, for club and country, are putting trust in me and giving me the opportunity and the minutes to go and express myself, learn and play football.

      It’s been a great experience and a great start to the season from Leeds especially.
      Tyler Roberts

      “I’m just trying to take every single opportunity that I can.
      “It’s been a great experience and a great start to the season from Leeds especially.
      “Playing against top players at Liverpool and Man City, I think the biggest difference is that you don’t come up against any player who is technically below anyone else.”

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      West Brom and Burnley transfer blow as Duncan Watmore pens long-term contract to stay at Neil Warnock’s Middlesbrough

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      WEST BROM and Burnley have suffered a transfer blow after Duncan Watmore committed his future to Middlesbrough.
      The forward was released by Sunderland last summer after an injury-ravaged few years but was offered a career lifeline by Neil Warnock in November with a two-month deal.

      Duncan Watmore has committed his future to MiddlesbroughCredit: Rex Features

      Watmore, 26, has repaid that faith by rifling in five goals in eight matches for play-off hopefuls Boro.
      That form caught the eye of both Baggies boss Sam Allardyce and Burnley’s Sean Dyche as they eyed a free transfer swoop along with Championship rivals Stoke.
      But Watmore, who has been nominated for the Championship’s Player of the Month prize, has now ended speculation over his future by penning a contract at the Riverside until 2023.
      And Warnock was over the moon to see off competition from the Premier League and tie down the hotshot.

      He said: “We’re delighted to get him on board.
      “I don’t think it was ever in doubt that he would sign with us because he has loved every minute of it here so far. 
      “He gets on with the players and the staff, and he is really enjoying himself.”
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      The veteran Boro boss added: “He’s a real good lad.
      “We’re looking forward to having him here on a longer-term basis now and hopefully seeing him score plenty more goals for the club.”
      Boro, one point outside the top six, travel to Brentford in the FA Cup Third Round on Saturday.
      They then welcome Birmingham City to Teesside next weekend in the Championship.

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