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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.

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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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      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.

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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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