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      Ched Evans signs for Preston North End on loan until end of season after bust-up with ex-Fleetwood boss Joey Barton

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      PRESTON have completed the signing of Fleetwood striker Ched Evans on loan until the end of the season.
      The move comes after Joey Barton was sacked as manager of the Cod Army, following a falling-out with the Welshman.

      Ched Evans leaves Fleetwood just days after the exit of manager Joey BartonCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Fleetwood owner Andy Pilley investigated the row and disposed of former Manchester City midfielder Barton.
      On his decision to drop Evans last month, Barton had said: “There’s been multiple infractions and we always try to give a bit of leeway but it’s just run its course.”
      And Evans has followed him out of the door, in a move to Preston confirmed on Wednesday.
      North End boss Alex Neil stated his delight at signing Evans ahead of a crack at the Championship play-offs.

      The Scot told the club website: “He will add competition at the top end of the pitch.
      “He is very physical; he wants to look after the ball, take it into his feet and get you up the pitch and equally score goals.

      I have spoken to him at length and his character as much as anything else will be important for the team.
      Alex Neil

      “He will be really excited about getting an opportunity in the Championship He’s an experienced player; he is a good lad.
      “I have spoken to him at length and his character as much as anything else will be important for the team.”

      Evans, 32, scored seven goals for Fleetwood in the first half of the campaign and is still rebuilding his career after being originally convicted of raping a 19-year-old woman in Rhyl, in May 2011.
      A Court of Appeal verdict quashed his conviction and ordered a retrial in 2016. An eight-day trial found Evans not guilty.
      Evans said on Wednesday: “I am really excited for the next six months, getting back to the Championship is brilliant. I’m really pleased for the opportunity and I’m looking to kick on.
      “I’m really pleased to be here, the facilities and everything are brilliant and Preston North End is a club in a great position at the moment to kick on for the rest of the season.”
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      Evans is cup-tied for Preston’s FA Cup tie at Wycombe on Saturday but will be eligible to make his debut for the 12th-placed club a week later at Bristol City.
      With Barton leaving ambitious Fleetwood in tenth, the League One club are reportedly eyeing James Beattie to take over as manager.
      The former Southampton striker is said to want ex-Reading ace Dave Kitson to be his assistant.

      Joey Barton sacked as Fleetwood manager after Ched Evans bust-up More

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      West Brom eye cut-price Josh King transfer with ex-Man Utd target out-of-favour at Championship side Bournemouth

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      WEST BROM are chasing a cut-price move for Bournemouth forward Josh King, according to reports.
      The Norwegian was in high-demand last summer, when West Ham and Torino both tested the Cherries’ resolve.

      Josh King has failed to score in eight outings for Bournemouth this seasonCredit: Rex Features

      New Baggies boss Sam Allardyce is hoping to bolster his attacking optionsCredit: Getty – Pool

      Bids of £13million and £7m respectively were knocked back, however, with Bournemouth not concerned over losing King on a free transfer upon the expiry of his contract at the end of the season, having only paid £1m for him back in 2015.
      But with the striker having failed to hit the ground running back in the Championship this term, the Cherries may be willing to let the 28-year-old go on the cheap this month.
      According to the Mail, West Brom are interested in signing King to bolster their survival bid.
      New boss Sam Allardyce is eager to add firepower to his front line, especially having lost Karlan Grant to injury.

      King has been goal-shy this season, failing to score in eight Championship outings.
      But he has proven Premier League pedigree, having scored 16 goals in 36 appearances back in the 2016-17 season.
      His fortunes weren’t so good in the three full campaigns since, however, netting eight, 12 and six respectively.
      Despite these mixed spells, former club Manchester United tried to sign him last season.

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      The Cherries were relegated last seasonCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The forward represented the Red Devils as a teen, appearing once under Sir Alex Ferguson.
      And when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s current vintage found themselves short of a forward 12 months ago, they lodged a £20m bid for their former starlet.
      While King himself was desperate to go, Eddie Howe’s side opted to hold on to their striker, with their futile attempt to stay in the Premier League in mind.
      United ended up signing Odion Ighalo instead.
      And in September, King himself admitted that he’d been gutted when the move didn’t materialise.
      He said: “I will not lie, because I really wanted to go there in January, but what happened, happened.
      “I know why things happened. We’ll just have to wait and see. There is a lot that is open.

      What if United are still interested? That would be amazing. I was at United for five years and I learned lot there
      Josh King

      “I have a dream to play in the Champions League.
      “Whether it will happen this season or in two years, I do not know. But I have a dream about it that all boys have.
      “What if United are still interested? That would be amazing. I was at United for five years and I learned lot there.”
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

      King played for Man United as a teenCredit: AFP – Getty

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      Middlesbrough boss Neil Warnock swoops for ex-Millwall keeper Jordan Archer on free transfer as Dejan Stojanovic departs

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      MIDDLESBROUGH have swooped for goalkeeper Jordan Archer after Neil Warnock allowed former No1 Dejan Stojanovic to leave on loan.
      The 27-year-old former Millwall stopper has joined until the end of the season after a spell in Scotland with Motherwell and will compete for a place with Fulham loanee Marcus Bettinelli.

      Middlesbrough have swooped to sign goalkeeper Jordan ArcherCredit: Reuters

      Archer, who has over 250 career appearances, has played for Oxford and Fulham and helped Millwall to promotion from League One.
      Boro boss Neil Warnock said: “I’ve looked at Jordan the last few years.
      “Ever since he was at Millwall, he’s a player I’ve liked. 
      “Dejan made it clear to me that he wants to go and play to try and get in the Austria team for the Euros and reluctantly I agreed to that.

      “I thought why not give Jordan the opportunity to show us what he can do over the next few months and I’m delighted to have him on board.”
      Stojanovic, 27, only arrived at Boro in January when Jonathan Woodgate was still in charge.
      He made his debut in a 1-0 win over Charlton in the last game before March’s lockdown.
      The ace kept his spot after the campaign restarted, but he failed to convince Warnock of his capabilities, leading to the recruitment of Bettinelli last summer.

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      His only appearance this term came in the Carabao Cup against Shrewsbury.
      He has joined German club FC St Pauli, second from bottom of 2 Bundesliga, on loan until the end of the season.
      Middlesbrough face Brentford in the FA Cup this Saturday before welcoming Birmingham to the Riverside on January 16 for a return to league action.
      Archer said: “I’ve been following the Championship this season and the boys here have been doing fantastic.
      “With the addition of the gaffer here it made it pretty much impossible to turn down.
      “I know a few of the boys here, and all the things you hear are good. I got a phone call from the gaffer a few days ago as well which has made the transition really easy.
      “I’m grateful to have played a lot of games in the Championship. Betts [Marcus Bettinelli] has been doing a fantastic job, I’ve worked with him at Fulham and he’s a great keeper.
      “I can add some competition and if I do get an opportunity hopefully I can take it. I’m really looking forward to getting in amongst it.”

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      Wayne Rooney’s Derby confirm coronavirus outbreak at club while Sheffield Wednesday forced to close training ground

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      DERBY COUNTY are the latest club to suffer a coronavirus outbreak.
      A number of first-team staff members and players have tested positive this week.

      Wayne Rooney’s side are 22nd in the Premier League table Credit: Alamy Live News

      Derby, who have Wayne Rooney as interim manager, have been forced to shut their training ground.
      The individuals that tested positive – who have not been named by the club – will now have to isolate.
      Saturday’s clash against Chorley in the third round of the FA Cup is now in doubt.
      A club statement read: “Derby County can confirm that several first-team staff members and players have tested positive for COVID-19.

      “Staff members and players were tested on Monday and have subsequently returned a number of positive results.
      “The names of those individuals will not be made public for medical confidentiality reasons, but they and their close contacts must now serve a period of isolation at home in line with UK Government guidelines.
      “In accordance with Derby County and EFL COVID-19 protocol, the club’s Moor Farm training ground has been closed with immediate effect.
      “In addition, the club is in dialogue with the EFL and Football Association in relation to upcoming fixtures.

      Derby County can confirm that several first-team staff members and players have tested positive for COVID-19.Full statement👇
      — Derby County (@dcfcofficial) January 4, 2021

      “This decision has been taken to prevent the spread of the virus and protect club employees and their family members.
      “Derby County would like to wish the individuals that have returned a positive COVID-19 test result a quick and safe return to full health.”
      Sheffield Wednesday’s training ground has also reportedly been closed due to an outbreak.
      According to The Telegraph, the club’s Middlewood Road base will be shut until Thursday.
      Meanwhile, Oxford United have suspended two youth team stars after they breached the rules and attended a New Year’s eve party.
      Club bosses at the League One side reportedly wanted to sack the Under-21 and Under-18 stars on the spot.
      A final decision was not made, but The Athletic claim their futures will be made as soon as possible.

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      Premier League and EFL WILL continue despite coronavirus lockdown as elite sport given green light

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      PREMIER LEAGUE chiefs received the news they needed from Boris Johnson: The show can go on.
      The Prime Minister announced a new national lockdown on Monday night as the mutant Covid strains spread out of control.

      Premier League and EFL games will continue to be played in lockdownCredit: Eddie Keogh Telegraph Media Group

      Boris Johnson announced strict new measures on Monday but elite sport is exemptCredit: PA:Press Association

      But despite League bosses set to reveal on Tuesday there were a record number of positive tests among clubs last week, elite football received the green light to keep playing.
      Prem chiefs had spent recent weeks liaising with the Government in a bid to ensure football was not shut down again.
      Those fears abated after the Scottish Government expressly excluded ‘those involved in professional sports, for training, coaching or competing in an event’ from the ‘stay at home’ order, with the UK Government following suit.
      Grassroots football – starting from the seventh tier – will be stopped under the new rules.

      But the FA have also been assured the FA Cup is safe ahead of this weekend’s third round fixtures, with eighth-tier Marine still permitted to host Tottenham.
      Prem clubs have been hugely embarrassed by a spate of Christmas Covidiocy.
      Spurs trio Erik Lamela, Giovani Lo Celso and Sergio Reguilon, West Ham’s Manual Lanzini, Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, Crystal Palace skipper Luka Milivojevic and Manchester City full-back Benjamin Mendy have all been carpeted for breaching regulations.
      The latest figures are expected to show a marked increase in positive tests following the outbreaks at Man City, Fulham and Sheffield United.

      Several Premier League stars have already flouted Covid rules

      Man City’s Benjamin Mendy threw a New Year party which broke rules

      Last week there were 18 positive tests from 1,479 tests across the 20 clubs between December 21 and 28, the previous highest number recorded.
      But it is anticipated that the latest seven-day figure will be over 30.
      However, the confirmation that professional football has the go-ahead to continue — while all ‘parks’ sport, including youth matches, must stop — will still have been a significant relief.
      Clubs will again be reminded of the need to adhere strictly to Covid protocols around training grounds and on matchdays.
      Especially as there has been a 50 per cent rise in the number of patients in hospitals with Covid since Christmas Day, and in excess of 50,000 new infections each day across the UK.
      SunSport revealed how League chief executive Richard Masters emailed all 20 clubs last week to reinforce the necessity of meeting the requirement brought in last June.
      The Prime Minister’s new lockdown regulations came as Brentford boss Thomas Frank demanded identical Covid-19 testing guidelines across the Premier League and the EFL.

      Fulham’s Aleksandar Mitrovic and Crystal Palace’s Luka Milivojevic were filmed bringing in the new year
      Prem players are currently tested twice a week but there are NO coronavirus-testing regulations in place in the EFL.
      And Frank warned: “It’s very important the EFL, the Premier League and the FA find some kind of guidelines across the four leagues and the cup tournaments.
      “If you don’t have consistency it will extend the season again and then we are into the Euros.”
      Man City announced on Monday four of their women’s team have tested positive for coronavirus, while Sheffield Wednesday have closed their Middlewood Road training ground because of a Covid outbreak.
      League One Oxford United have suspended two youth-team players after they allegedly broke Covid-19 rules to attend a New Year’s Eve party.
      Oxford have launched an investigation and the pair could become the first British professional footballers to be sacked for breaching rules brought in to stop the spread of the virus.

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      Arsenal’s £15m transfer target Emi Buendia has created most chances in Europe ahead of Bruno Fernandes and De Bruyne

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      NORWICH star Emi Buendia has surpassed the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Kevin De Bruyne this season by creating the most chances in Europe.
      Arsenal target Buendia – who hit the winner against Barnsley on Saturday – has made 62 opportunities for Championship-topping Canaries, eclipsing the continent’s finest schemers.

      Buendia Europe’s top chance creator

      The Argentine scored a fantastic goal against Barnsley at the weekendCredit: PA:Press Association

      And team-mate Kenny McLean said: “The quality he has is there in abundance every week.
      “He makes my mind up with the pass as he demands it so much — he doesn’t make runs for the sake of it.
      “You see the intensity in his runs, the speed in his runs and it’s quite an easy ball, to be honest.
      “There’s not much on it and the quality of the finish is just sublime.”

      As well as being a creator in the mould of Fernandes, KDB and David Beckham, Buendia also scores goals.
      His 62nd-minute volley against the Tykes was a dazzling piece of technique and will only have enhanced his already sizeable reputation.
      The Gunners have been linked with a £15million move for the 24-year-old wizard in this month’s transfer window.
      Scottish international McLean was asked how many Championship players could have scored such a goal.

      Buendia has been linked with a £15m switch to ArsenalCredit: Rex Features

      And he replied: “Off the top of my head, no one other than Emi.
      “I think he’s a standout in this league and is showing it more and more now on a consistent basis.
      “Hopefully he can continue that form. The way he plays is a joy to play with.
      “I play behind him and he makes my job so easy, wanting the ball at every opportunity.
      “He has taken his game to a new level and that’s so good for us.
      “There’s only going to be more to come from him. He’s getting better — he’s still young — and the quality he’s showing right now is exceptional.”

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      Jose Mourinho claims Tottenham clash with Brentford in Carabao Cup semi-final is biggest game of his reign so far

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      JOSE MOURINHO says the Carabao Cup semi against Brentford is the biggest game of Tottenham reign so far.
      Spurs host the Championship Bees in a one-legged showdown as they look to end their 13-year trophy drought.

      Jose Mourinho has been in charge of Tottenham since November 2019Credit: Reuters

      Asked if Tuesday’s game is his most important match since taking over as boss 14 months ago, Mourinho said: “Yes, I think so.
      “In the perspective of the club chasing silverware for many years, I would say so.
      “Of course we always have important matches.
      “Last season we had a match at Palace that would give us participation in this season’s Europa League or not.

      “The match against Leeds on Saturday was also very important as we went a few games without a victory in the Premier League.
      “But I would say a semi-final is always a very important match – the only one more important is a final.”
      Tottenham have not lifted trophy since beating Chelsea 2-1 in extra time in the final of this competition at Wembley in 2008.
      Spurs’ last FA Cup triumph was in 1991 while you have to go back all the way to 1961 for the last time they were crowned top flight champs – although they did win the Uefa Cup in 1984.

      Tottenham thumped Leeds United 3-0 at the weekendCredit: AP:Associated Press

      The Carabao Cup is much maligned, but Mourinho hopes lifting it this season could lead to his club winning more silverware.
      He said: “For me every competition is important.
      “I won the this competition when it was the Carling Cup in my first season at Chelsea after a few months in England in 2004/05.
      “So for me every competition is different and it doesn’t matter the club where you are or the ambitions you have, every competition is important.
      “That is my way of looking at things, especially at a club without silverware for more than one decade.
      “After more than one decade, every competition becomes more important and if we win two matches we win a trophy.
      “Two difficult matches, of course, but if we win them we get a trophy which I think would be a very good thing for the club and for the players.”

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