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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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      Stoke in talks to sign Rabbi Matondo in loan transfer from Schalke with 20-year-old ex-Man City ace out of favour

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      STOKE CITY have reportedly opened talks with Schalke over a loan deal for Rabbi Matondo.
      The Mail claims Wales’ talented winger is desperate to make their Euro squad this summer.

      Stoke want to sign Rabbi Matondo on loan from SchalkeCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Matondo has featured just three times for Schalke this season.
      The Germans sit bottom of the Bundesliga table after failing to win a single game in 14 attempts.
      And new boss Christian Gross, who replaced David Wagner over Christmas, does not intend on restoring Matondo to the starting XI.
      Stoke are now ready to bring the 20-year-old flyer back to England, two years after he left Manchester City for Schalke in an £11million deal.

      Matondo made eight appearances in his first six months at the club, before featuring 21 times last season.
      And Stoke boss Michael O’Neill believes Matondo can play a big part in help the Championship outfit seal at least a play-off spot this term.
      The midfielder is sure to jump at the chance of an exit as he looks to solidify his Euro place under Wales boss Ryan Giggs.
      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.
      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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      Bournemouth star Junior Stanislas suffers ‘disgusting and completely intolerable’ racist abuse after winner at Stoke

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      BOURNEMOUTH have backed calls for social media companies to step up after Junior Stanislas suffered ‘completely intolerable’ racist abuse following his winner against Stoke.
      The winger, 31, was targeted on Twitter after his goal helped the Cherries to a 1-0 win on Saturday.

      Stanislas is congratulated by Bournemouth team-mates after scoring the winner against StokeCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Stanislas celebrates against Stoke after scoring his seventh goal in 17 league games this seasonCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      One single user sent ‘multiple tweets of racial abuse alongside vile insults about the midfielder’s family’, a statement from the South Coast club revealed.
      Bournemouth chief executive Neill Blake added: “It is both disgusting and completely intolerable that anyone could be subjected to the racial abuse that Junior has received.
      “I am astounded that people believe writing and posting these comments is acceptable.
      “We will be contacting Twitter and the Football Association for their help in identifying the individual concerned, and will pursue the strongest possible action against them.”

      The latest sickening attack comes after Stanislas’ fellow Championship star Bright Osayi-Samuel was targeted earlier this week after he scored for QPR in their 1-1 draw with Norwich.
      He was sent banana and monkey emojis on Instagram alongside a message wishing that he and his family die ‘in an accident or with the corona’.
      It led to calls from Rangers’ director of football Les Ferdinand demanding that social media companies and governing bodies in sport step in to stop people being able to set up anonymous accounts.
      The England hero, 54, stated: “In a society that now rightly places greater importance on mental wellbeing than ever before, how can people be able to set up anonymous social media accounts?

      Les Ferdinand called for action after QPR’s Osayi-Samuel was sent vile messageCredit: PA:Press Association

      “This will continue and continue until we stop it from being possible.
      “I believe governing bodies across sport – not just football – need to come together to create a powerful voice which calls for social media platforms to change their stance.”
      Bournemouth’s Blake echoed his calls in his statement backing former Burnley and West Ham ace Stanislas, who has seven goals in 17 league games already this term.
      He said: “We would wholeheartedly support any movement towards ensuring that all social media accounts are verified through formal identification, and therefore make the users liable for their actions.
      “The club’s stance on any form of discrimination is unequivocal. It is completely unacceptable and must be called out and acted upon whenever and wherever it is found.
      “We stand firmly with Junior and will continue to work tirelessly to educate and rid the game of all forms of discrimination.”

      Ashton Hewitt was targeted after Dragons lost to Scarlets
      Rugby has also fallen foul of racism on social media this week.
      Dragons’ Ashton Hewitt was targeted by a newly-created Twitter account after the New Year’s Day defeat to the Scarlets.
      Police have been alerted and Hewitt himself shared a screenshot of the abuse with the caption: “This is what a rugby fan somewhere (in Wales I think) wants me to see after a game.
      “Pleaaase someone find out and tell me who it is.”

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      Ched Evans in advanced talks over free Preston transfer after leaving Fleetwood for ‘discipline and behaviour issues’

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      PRESTON boss Alex Neil is leading the race for Ched Evans — as he tries to get away from Fleetwood.
      The ex-Wales striker, 32, will be released by the Cod Army if they can sort out a settlement.

      Preston are leading the transfer chase for Ched EvansCredit: PA:Press Association

      Sunderland and Ipswich are keen but he may want to stay in the north west.
      Boss Joey Barton wants Evans out but Town could now ask for a fee.
      He is unlikely to play any more games as he will qualify for a new deal.
      Evans is leaving the League One side after a reported fall out with Barton.

      His manager said last month: “He’s no longer with us and he’ll leave the building due to his discipline and his behaviour.
      “There’s been multiple infractions and we always try to give a bit of leeway but it’s just run its course.”
      Evans was originally convicted of raping a 19-year-old woman in Rhyl, Denbighshire, in May 2011 following a trial.
      He was playing for Sheffield United at the time, who he scored 48 times for in 124 appearances, and was believed to be earning £18,000-a-week.

      However, a Court of Appeal quashed his conviction and ordered a retrial in 2016.
      A team of private investigators offered a £50,000 reward for any new information to help his case as they gathered new evidence.
      A jury at Cardiff Crown Court then heard from two men who had had sexual relations with the complainant around the same period as the rape allegation.
      Evans was found not guilty of the charge following the eight-day trial in less than three hours by the jury.
      He then reached an out-of-court settlement, believed to be six-figures, with his original defence team over their handling of the case.
      He joined Fleetwood initially on loan in the 2018/19 campaign and later joined permanently, scoring 31 goals in 84 league matches.

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