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      FA launch inquiry into Neil Warnock’s blast at officials after Middlesbrough’s defeat at Swansea

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      THE FA have launched an investigation into Neil Warnock’s explosive post-match blast at officials.
      Middlesbrough manager Warnock slammed referee Gavin Ward for a number of decisions in Saturday’s 2-1 loss at Swansea.

      Neil Warnock faces an FA probe for his comments over ref Gavin WardCredit: Rex Features

      Middlesbrough left-back Marc Bola reacts to having his goal disallowedCredit: Alamy Live News

      Warnock also accused Swansea of benefiting from  decisions because manager Steve Cooper’s dad Keith was a former top-flight official.
      The FA are aware of Warnock’s comments and will seek his observations before deciding whether to issue a charge.
      Warnock’s attack on Ward came after he disallowed Marc Bola’s strike,  with Yannick Bolasie adjudged to have fouled Jay Fulton in the build-up.
      After Boro levelled, Ward then awarded the Welsh side a penalty deep in injury-time for a George Saville foul on Jake Bidwell, which Andre Ayew converted from the spot.

      Warnock, 72, said: “They are all heroes, they all want the celebrity status.
      “It’s wrong. My lads have been let down by a team of officials who weren’t good enough today. It’s not right.”
      Warnock added: “I don’t know if it’s Cooper’s dad whose influencing this?
      “He must have all the numbers. But, joking apart, they can’t keep having decisions like that.”

      It comes just days after Warnock agreed to stay in charge at Boro for at least another year.
      STAYING AT LEAST ANOTHER YEAR
      The only older boss in professional football is Crystal Palace’s Roy Hodgson, 73.
      Having held talks with Boro owner Steve Gibson last Wednesday, Warnock said: “It wasn’t really in doubt.
      “I’ve enjoyed my time here and achieved what I wanted to so far. 
      “Steve is as big a supporter as he’s ever been, and he told me – you’ve not seen anything until you’ve seen a full Riverside.
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      “It’ll be great to have the fans back when we can – that’s what we all want and it can’t come quick enough.
      “You can see a light at the end of the tunnel, but let’s be careful until we get there. 
      “I think we can all look forward now – at my age you know you’re not staying on to make up the numbers and I thrive on success, and that’s what I’ll be striving for.”

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      Chelsea ace Luke McCormick wanted by Millwall in summer transfer with 22-year-old impressing at Bristol Rovers

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      CHELSEA midfielder Luke McCormick may have played his way into a move to Millwall.
      McCormick has caught the eye on a loan spell at League One Bristol Rovers and the Lions hope to tie up a deal for him in the summer.

      Chelsea’s Luke McCormick could be set for a move to the Championship in the summerCredit: Rex Features

      The 22-year-old is set to leave Stamford Bridge before going into the last year of his deal.
      That should see a switch across London to join Gary Rowett’s Championship outfit.
      A short spell with Shrewsbury in 2019 saw the midfielder make his debut in senior football.
      McCormick has played 30 games on loan at Rovers this campaign but missed Saturday’s defeat to Hull through suspension.

      Gas boss Joey Barton backed the youngster to bounce back after earning a second yellow against Burton for kicking the ball away.
      He said: “Macca’s obviously very disappointed, but he’s a young player and he’s here on loan to learn lessons, and that will be a lesson he will learn and carry on into his career.
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      “It’s disappointing, but we win together and we lose together. He’ll be superb for us between now and the end of the season and I’m sure he will turn in performances that will go some way to making up for that error.”

      Meanwhile, Millwall are set for another year in the Championship while sat firmly in mid-table with 11 games to go.
      A defeat to Blackburn on the weekend left the capital club 11 points off the play-off places but 14 clear of the drop.
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      Brighton join Adam Armstrong transfer race as West Ham also fight for £25m Blackburn striker

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      BRIGHTON are set to join the auction for Blackburn striker Adam Armstrong — and give West Ham a run for their money.
      The Seagulls are desperate for a finisher and have been sending top spies to watch the former Newcastle prospect in action recently.

      Brighton are set to join the auction for Blackburn striker Adam ArmstrongCredit: Rex Features

      Hammers are keen on Armstrong but reluctant to pay the asking price of £25million.
      Brighton may go close as he fits the bill — and Albion have struggled for goals this term.
      Armstrong, 24, is a more natural finisher than anyone they have and is also young and English.
      His wages would not be too high for them, either.

      Rovers are slowly becoming resigned to selling him this summer.
      Brighton also have several players they could throw into a swap deal either on a permanent or loan basis.
      Albion’s star wingback Tariq Lamptey, who they signed from Chelsea, also has an uncertain future at the Amex.
      After a stellar 12 months for Graham Potter’s side, the right-back has already been linked with a move away

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      And if he does leave Brighton in the summer, Chelsea will receive a percentage of Brighton’s fee due to a clause in his contract.
      When Lamptey joined the south coast outfit, Brighton agreed an undisclosed sell-on clause with Chelsea.
      Arsenal have since emerged as the front-runners to sign the England youngster.
      The Gunners could well be looking to improve the right side of their defence, which is currently occupied by Hector Bellerin – who is wanted by Paris Saint-Germain.
      But negotiations will be complicated by the fee Chelsea are entitled to, which could mean Brighton drive the price up significantly to ensure it is a financially viable deal for them.

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      Puscas shares a name with a legend but wants to be a hero in his own right by rifling Royals into the Premier League

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      GEORGE PUSCAS shares a surname with one of football’s greatest icons.
      But the Reading striker does not like to draw parallels with the Hungary legend Ferenc Puskas because he is from Romania.

      George Puscas celebrates his goals for Reading and Romania by simulating shooting a rifle

      Hungary legend Ferenc Puskas was one of the greatest footballers of all time

      Yet while he is not proud to be a namesake of a man seen as a God by bitter rivals in a neighbouring country, he loves what the names means.
      Puscas, back in his native land, means “Rifleman.”
      He said: “To be honest, I am Romanian and have nothing to do with his name. I’ll do it my way. I’ll be the Romanian Puscas.
      “The name back home in Romania means rifleman.”

      The 24-year-old loves celebrating his goals by simulating firing a rifle and he was doing just that on Tuesday as he scored on his first start against Blackburn after a three-month lay-off with a hernia injury.
      And with Brentford losing four out of their last six games, the Royals are only six points behind the second automatic promotion spot.
      Puscas – who needed an operation – told SunSport: “It’s been a few tough months. I was doing all the treatments but it wasn’t getting better.
      “I had to do the surgery but now I’m feeling fit and good.

      “We’re looking of course towards second and achieving great things.
      “But we don’t look at the table every day so if we simply take it step by step we’ll see where it takes us.”

      Puscas would love to play in the Premier League.
      Had history taken a different course, he might have been there already.
      For aged just 16 Arsenal brought him over to London for a one-week trial after scouts flew to Romania to watch him playing for Bihor Oradea.
      He said: “Arsenal had been following me since I was just 15 playing for my local team.
      “They called and invited me to London. I trained with them and even did a session with Arsene Wenger coaching. I did well.
      “Arsenal said they would wait a year before signing me for their academy so I went home and in that time Inter Milan offered me a contract without trials.
      “At that age, you just see them both as big clubs and Inter wanted me at that moment so I went there.”
      Puscas got his Serie A breakthrough at the San Siro under the management of former Manchester City Premier League-winning coach Roberto Macini.

      Arsenal had been following me since I was just 15 playing for my local team. They called and invited me to London. I trained with them and even did a session with Arsene Wenger coaching. I did well.
      George Puscas

      He said: “Making my debut under him was my favourite moment.
      “Mancini was a great coach. He was a striker and used to stay with me after training to teach me a lot of things.
      “It was my first experience moving to another country. I met all the big footballers who were there and got a lot of help from people like Javier Zanetti, Rodrigo Palacio and Esteban Cambiasso.”
      It is no wonder with the superstars at Mancini’s disposal that Pucas only made seven appearances for Inter and ended up being loaned out to Bari, Benevento and Novara.
      He was eventually sold to Serie B Palermo in 2018 and enjoyed a great season football-wise, making 33 outings and scoring nine goals.
      But the club were first docked 20 points for financial irregularities before the authorities relegated them two divisions to Serie D.

      George Puscas celebrates his winner against Blackburn with the creator Lucas Joao
      Inter exercised their buy-back option before promptly selling him to Reading on a five-year deal in August 2019.
      Puscas quickly established himself as a fans’ favourite at the Madejski Stadium for his hard-working performances.
      And now pairing up with 20-goal Luas Joao up front, the Royals certainly have the firepower to cause anyone in the Championship a serious threat.
      He said: “I enjoy playing with Lucas. We find each other well on the pitch. He deserves his 20 goals.
      “But all the team are good. It is because of everyone that we as strikers get our chances.”
      Puscas is one of the characters in the Reading dressing room. He even broke into the club’s training ground during the first lockdown – just so he could train on his own.
      Boss Veljko Paunovic revealed how the Romanian is always entertaining the players in their WhatsApp group by posting funny messages and videos.
      Puscas laughed: “I like to keep the atmosphere nice because I know there’s a lot of pressure here.
      “All the things I text and videos is to put a smile on everyone’s face.
      “At the end of the day, we do our best. We might lose one game but must keep going and think about the next one.
      “I’m always close to the players because we believe we can achieve big things.” More

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      Ex-Man Utd star Ashley Young hoping to win Serie A title with Inter Milan ‘before sealing Watford free transfer’

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      INTER MILAN star Ashley Young reportedly has his heart set on an emotional return to Watford in the summer.
      The 35-year-old – who is set to become a free agent at the end of the season – came through the ranks at Vicarage Road before joining Aston Villa in 2007.

      Ashley Young reportedly wants to join Watford when his contract with Inter Milan expires in the summerCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      But according to the Mirror, the ex-Manchester United ace is keen on returning to Hertfordshire where his family home is.
      They state that he is desperate to help Inter win a first Serie A title since 2010 with Antonio Conte’s side three points clear at the top of the table.
      And he would then seek a dream return to Watford – whether the club are plying their trade in the Premier League or Championship.
      Watford are currently third in the Championship table – ten points behind leaders Norwich and only behind Brentford on goal difference.

      Young featured in 110 games for the Hornets between 2003-2007, scoring 22 goals including 15 strikes in the 2005-06 season.
      The versatile winger – who can also play as a full-back – has made no secret of his desire to retire at his former stomping ground.
      Speaking on Watford’s ‘Golden Tales’ podcast in October, he said: “If I could go back and play there [at Watford] again, I would walk from Italy right now.
      “Because it’s what I know, it’s where I come from and it’s what allowed me to be who I am and get where I am.

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      “For me, at my age now, and you can ask my family, you can ask my agent, if I had the opportunity to go back and finish my career at Watford, I would jump at the chance.”
      Before adding: “I know what started my career. It was Watford.
      “I always say and I will always say it’s my home.”

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      Watch Ched Evans score incredible goal of season contender volley from outside box as Preston lose at Millwall

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      CHED EVANS produced a Goal of the Season contender and sent Twitter wild last night.
      The veteran striker, 32, returned to the Championship in January after leaving Fleetwood Town for Preston.

      Ched Evans scored a worldie for Preston against Millwall and sent Twitter wildCredit: Getty

      And he showed he still possesses all of the finishing ability that made him a Welsh international with a thunderous strike against Millwall.
      The moment of magic arrived in the 12-minute at The Den as Evans beautifully volleyed Preston ahead.
      Scott Sinclair’s cross was headed clear by the Millwall defence, but it fell perfectly to Evans just outside the area to smash a left-foot volley straight into the top corner.
      That was his third goal in nine appearances since his arrival but unfortunately things soon went downhill for him and his team-mates.

      Scott Malone matched Evans’ quality with a ferocious 20-yard equaliser after cutting in from the left.
      And Millwall seized control in the second period and claimed a 2-1 win in the dying stages courtesy of Mason Bennett.
      That result severely dented Preston’s hopes of making the play-offs.
      Alex Neil’s men have now dropped down to 14th in the table, with Millwall climbing to tenth and three points clear of the Lilywhites.

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      Preston are ten points adrift of sixth-placed Cardiff with only 12 games remaining.
      But despite Evans’ sensational strike counting for nothing in the end, many believe it could land him an award come the end of the season.
      And the clip of the goal sparked a wild response as it went viral on Twitter:

      Ched Evans’ goal tonight. Thing of beauty 😍
      — Bolland (@Jordsufc_) March 2, 2021

      Ched Evans, banger! Well deserved
      — Pablo (@pablomcfc83) March 2, 2021

      That Ched Evans goal last night is a must watch 🚀.
      — Greg Pearce (@gregpearce1990) March 3, 2021

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      Chris Wilder casts doubt on Sheffield United future after hinting at disagreements with owner Prince Abdullah

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      CHRIS WILDER has cast doubt on his Sheffield United future after hinting at disagreements with owner Prince Abdullah.
      The Blades are 15 points off safety and already have one eye on next season in the Championship.

      Chris Wilder accepts his team’s time in the Prem is coming to an endCredit: PA:Press Association

      Owner Prince Abdullah at Bramall LaneCredit: PA:Press Association

      But United boss Wilder admitted it was difficult to plan because “conversations” about the future “are not happening.”
      He said: “We always plan short, medium and long term.
      “But that plan is determined by other people than me, by the way. I’ve not had those conversations.
      “I know what direction I want to take the club in, where it should be, but it’s not happening.”

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      Asked directly if he will still be at Bramall Lane next season, he said: “I don’t know.
      “What will be will be. I want to stay, definitely, if we stick to the plan.
      “As always, the plan was to leave a legacy, to change things off the pitch that need changing, stick with the players we’ve invested in, and then add a couple and try to bounce back.”

      Arsenal ace Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has signed a new deal at the club
      While Prince Abdullah may want to cash in on players in the wake of relegation, Wilder insists no player wants to leave.
      He added: “I am confident I can keep the group together.
      “I know the players better than anybody. They want to be here and they owe it to the club to be here. We gave them an opportunity.”
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      Watford to sign ex-Aston Villa ace Carlos Sanchez on free transfer aged 35 – nine months after leaving West Ham

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      WATFORD are ready to snap up Colombian midfield veteran Carlos Sanchez.
      The former West Ham and Aston Villa destroyer is currently a free agent.

      Watford are set to swoop for ex-Villa and West Ham midfielder Carlos SanchezCredit: Getty

      And he is set to sign for the Hornets today to help them out in their promotion push.
      Sanchez, 35, has not played since leaving the Hammers.
      But he is fit and known to the Watford hierarchy from his spells in Spain and Italy.
      Watford have seen their squad stretched in recent weeks.

      And Sanchez brings experience to their ranks as they face a possible extended season with the play-offs. 
      The South American began his European adventure with Spanish outfit Elche.
      His form in LaLiga secured him a move to England in 2014 when he joined Villa.
      Sanchez went on to make 56 appearances in all competitions over two seasons at Villa Park.

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      After their relegation from the Premier League in 2016 he was loaned out to Fiorentina.
      Sanchez went on to make his switch to the Serie A side permanent but was on the move again just 12 months after leaving Villa.
      West Ham signed the South American on a two-year deal in 2018.
      However, he suffered a miserable time in East London and made just 18 appearances in all competitions for the Hammers.
      He has been a free agent since he was released by David Moyes’ high-flying side last summer.
      Watford are currently third in the Championship and host bottom club Wycombe Wanderers on Wednesday.
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