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      Ex-Man Utd keeper Roy Carroll signs for his 13th club at the age of 43 as he joins Irish League side Dungannon

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      ROY CARROLL has signed for Irish League side Dungannon Swifts – at the age of 43.
      The former Manchester United goalkeeper has joined his 13th side more than 25 years after making his league debut.

      Carroll, 43, has joined Dungannon Swifts

      The Northern Irish club are the 13th of Carroll’s career

      Carroll has been without a professional club for 18 months, most recently playing for amateur side FC Mindwell in Northern Ireland.
      He told Dungannon’s website: “I’m coming back to play in the Irish League and no matter what team you sign for, it’s just great to get back out and play football.
      “A real pull for me to Dungannon is that the club has two young keepers and I feel it would be good for me to come in and help them as much as I can.”
      Carroll has made almost 700 professional appearances during his career.

      He joined United in 2001 after starring for Football League sides Hull City and Wigan Athletic.
      The goalie failed to hold down a place during his four years at Old Trafford but did win the Premier League and FA Cup.
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      Carroll has won 11 trophies during his 25-year careerCredit: Pacemaker Press

      He was on the bench when United defeated Millwall 3-0 in the 2004 FA Cup finalCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Carroll famously dropped the ball over the line only for the referee to disallow the goal

      During a match against Tottenham in 2005, he famously dropped a long-range shot from Pedro Mendes over the line – only for the referee not to give the goal.

      The Northern Ireland international moved to West Ham in 2005 but struggled with injuries and left for Scottish giants Rangers in 2007.
      He returned to England six months later, joining Paul Jewell’s doomed Derby County team that picked up just 11 points – the fewest in Premier League history.
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

      Carroll later enjoyed success abroad, winning the Greek Super League with Olympiacos and two Irish League titles with Linfield.
      He also had spells with OB in Denmark, OFI Crete in Greece and Notts County.
      Carroll made 45 appearances for Northern Ireland between 1997 and 2017 and was part of their squad for Euro 2016.
      He was Barnet’s caretaker manager in 2011, winning the Herts Senior Cup in his only game in charge.

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      Boro ace Duncan Watmore has been getting distinctions on and off the pitch

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      DUNCAN WATMORE wants to prove he is a master on AND off the pitch.
      The Middlesbrough striker this week celebrated graduating from York University with a Masters degree with a distinction in International Business Leadership and Management.

      How Watmore might have looked as he picked up his Masters in International Business Leadership and Management

      This came just weeks after winning Championship player-of-the-month

      This came only a couple of weeks after he earned another distinction – being named SkyBet’s Championship player of the month after a storming start to life at Boro.
      Watmore has had a horrendous four years with injuries – so it is no wonder he has been working on getting academic qualifications in case his career is cut short. 
      Watmore’s Masters follows him already graduating from Newcastle University with a first-class honours degree in Economics & Business Management.
      He admitted: “I don’t want to just identify as a footballer. I’ll always give 100 per cent and be as good as I can be but there are lots of other things in life.

      “I enjoy the fundamental side of learning. I’ve always thought I can do something after football. 
      “There has always been a part of me that knows how short football can be, especially after those injury problems, so I always wanted that backup – to know I have a different string to my bow and a different career path I could choose.
      “I’ve always enjoyed economics and business and just learning different topics. That mental stimulus is something I love.”

      Since bursting on to the Premier League scene as a promising 22-year-old for Sunderland, Watmore has not had much luck since.

      Two cruciate knee ligament injuries ruled him out for nine and 13 months respectively – plus an ankle problem – ruined his early career.
      In that time he had to watch from the sidelines as Sunderland crashed from the Premier League to League One and then failed to get out of the third tier.
      Then as Watmore felt his injuries woes were behind him, Covid-19 curtailed last season and he was released.
      And it was not until Boro boss Neil Warnock decided to gamble on him in November he was able to play again after another frustrating nine months out.
      Watmore told SunSport: “I’m happy after a tricky year where I couldn’t play because of coronavirus and being without a club.“It was so frustrating because I had got over my knee issues and was sharper in training and matches.
      “Then I was without a club, knowing my body was in good condition, but other clubs hadn’t seen that in me because I’d barely been on the pitch.

      Watmore has got off to a flying start back in football with Middlesbrough
      “I knew I had to work to put myself into that position.
      “I put together a good plan. I trained during lockdown – as well as having rest days – and managed my body to get into the best physical shape.
      “So even without a club I was able to stay fit and I’m physically in as good a place as I’ve been before.
      “I just needed a club to take a chance and allow me to show my knee could hold up – and thankfully Boro did.”
      Watmore said the opportunity to play for Warnock was too good to turn down – with the veteran boss, 71, winning four promotions to the top flight four times with Notts County, Sheffield United, QPR and Cardiff.
      He said: “I had a couple of offers from League One clubs and some abroad – but as soon as I heard Boro were interested I wanted to come.
      “Firstly because Neil Warnock is the manager. He has a good reputation.
      “All the lads I met and the people around the club – as well as everyone I talked to – spoke so highly of Boro.”

      I just needed a club to take a chance and allow me to show my knee could hold up – and thankfully Boro did.”

      The 26-year-old has rewarded Boro by scoring five goals in his nine starts so far.
      Watmore has been deployed as a striker– despite playing almost always as a winger during his seven years at Sunderland.
      Warnock did play him wide in the recent 2-1 win at Forest and praised him for his performance.
      Watmore said: “I like playing in both positions. I enjoy playing down the middle because I feel I can score goals.
      “Without wanting to use a cliché, I’m happy to play wherever I’m wanted.

      The Boro ace – who is from Cheshire – loves life in the north east
      “If I’m going to get into the team by playing wide and tracking back then I am happy to do that.
      “I’m always working on my fitness and energy levels to make sure I can get up the pitch and be a threat but also do the defensive work if required.
      “The start I’ve had in terms of goals this season has been pleasing. I’ve always backed myself to score.
      “But there will be times when I’m not scoring so will have to do much more defensive work and provide more support.”
      Warnock has impressed Watmore in his first few months at the club.
      The striker said: “He has good deep knowledge of the game and is switched on.
      “I know exactly what he wants from me when I step out onto the pitch.“
      “He has a great sense of humour. Every day he’ll say something which makes you laugh.

      Boro boss Neil Warnock is one of the biggest reasons Watmore joined
      “But he’s serious when it comes to football.
      “It’s balanced and I know all the lads feel the same. It’s a great environment.
      “And he has that experience of getting teams out of the Championship multiple times and at multiple clubs.
      “It’s a great feeling to know you have a manager who has done that and you can trust him. Trust is an important thing.”
      Watmore’s form has inevitably linked him with Premier League clubs – West Brom and Burnley among them.And he would love to return to the top flight and believes it is possible at Boro.
      He said: “I’m just grateful to be playing football. The injuries I had were horrendous. There were times I thought I’d not play again and that this was the end of the road.
      “And sometimes it’s easy to get caught up having too many goals and ambitions.

      I’m just grateful to be playing football. The injuries I had were horrendous. There were times I thought I’d not play again and that this was the end of the road.”

      “I’ve learned it’s important to appreciate what you’ve got and keep things in perspective.
      “It’s a tough world out there right now and I’ve a job and am lucky to be in the position I am.
      “I just want to be the best I can be. 
      “If I got into the Premier League again with Boro that would be fantastic. That is the goal of everyone at the club and it’s something we’re striving towards.”
      Meanwhile Watmore is currently spending his spare time reading the book Kleptopia: How Dirty Money is Conquering the World.
      He said: “It’s about financial corruption in governments across the world. It’s quite alarming.”
      Watmore is certainly not your everyday footballer. More

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      West Ham offered chance to sign Craig Dawson on £3m permanent transfer by Watford after impressive loan spell

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      WATFORD have offered West Ham the option of making Craig Dawson’s loan move permanent before the transfer window closes.
      Dawson joined the Hammers for the season in October as nothing more than squad cover in defence for David Moyes.

      West Ham have been offered the chance to sign Craig Dawson earlyCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      But the 30-year-old has taken his chance with a string of impressive performances which has cemented himself as first choice in the side.
      Now Watford are prepared to bring forward the option on West Ham signing him on a permanent basis, knowing it will help provide them with funds mid-season.
      A fee close to £3million has been asked for, though the Premier League club are under no obligation to complete the deal now and may prefer to wait until the summer.
      But if they were to tie the centre-back down long-term, it would free up a domestic loan spot which they can then utilise by bringing in someone else to boost their push for a top six finish.

      Said Benrahma’s loan is also set to be made permanent, according to several reports.
      The Algerian has impressed having gradually worked his way into Moyes’ starting XI.
      He was particularly effective during the Hammers’ 3-2 win at Crystal Palace on Tuesday.
      And the Hammers are expected to announce the permanent deal in the coming days with the fee believed to be around £20m plus add-ons.

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      The centre-back is currently on loan from Watford until the end of the seasonCredit: PA:Press Association

      One of the available loan spots could be filled by Manchester United outcast Jesse Lingard.
      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer held talks with the 28-year-old last week amid another spell out the side.
      Lingard has only appeared three times this season, all in cup competitions, and has managed just one league goal in more than two years.
      Therefore the chance to get much-needed gametime under old boss Moyes is seen as appealing to the United academy product.
      West Ham are hoping to turn their good form of late into a serious push for European qualification.

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      Nottingham Forest set to land Bournemouth midfielder Dan Gosling on loan transfer until end of season

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      NOTTINGHAM FOREST boss Chris Hughton is in talks with Dan Gosling about a move from Bournemouth.
      Midfield dynamo Gosling is ready to move for more first-team football and the Cherries will let him go to make way for a possible new arrival.

      Dan Gosling is set to leave Bournemouth for Nottingham ForestCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Gosling is due to tie up a switch until the end of the season with Forest after a medical and go straight into their squad.
      Bournemouth want to move for Preston contract rebel Ben Pearson who is refusing to sign a new deal and could now be sold for around £500,000.
      Jack Simpson and Nnamdi Ofoborh could both leave the club and seal moves to Rangers in the next 48 hours ahead of their contracts expiring in June.
      Bournemouth boss Jason Tindall said this week: “I think Jack’s made his mind up in terms of that’s where he wants to go and play his football.

      “I think that one is pretty much going to happen. Nnamdi I think is in a similar position.
      “I’ve got such a big squad to choose from. The likes of Jaidon Anthony, Gav Kilkenny and the other young guys – I think with their future firmly here at the football club, sometimes you have to give that priority.”
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      The Cherries face a huge clash away to high-flying Reading on Friday night.

      While Forest host Barnsley hoping to bounce back from an FA Cup hammering at Swansea, with just a two-point gap to the drop zone.
      Benfica midfielder Filip Krovinovic has already signed on loan this month.
      Hughton said of the deal: “Filip comes with good pedigree and is a player we’ve been tracking for a while.

      “We have found it difficult to get the goals that we’ve needed to win more games, so this is an area we’ve been looking to strengthen.
      “In Filip we have a creative player who played a full season of Championship last year so knows the division.
      “This had a strong bearing in my thinking and, from an offensive point of view, he gives us more options.”

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      Everton reject Yannick Bolasie joins Middlesbrough on loan transfer until end of season with contract running down

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      MIDDLESBROUGH have confirmed the signing of Yannick Bolasie on loan from Everton.
      The 31-year-old winger has not played a single minute for the Toffees this term after Carlo Ancelotti left him out of his 25-man Premier League squad.

      Yannick Bolasie has joined Middlesbrough on loan from EvertonCredit: Middlesbrough FC

      He looked to be on his way to the Riverside on October’s transfer deadline day only for the move to break down at the last minute – leaving both the player and Boro boss Neil Warnock frustrated.
      Now the veteran, who managed the attacker at Crystal Palace, has finally got his man in a transfer exclusively reported by SunSport last month after persuading him to snub a move to Turkey for the Riverside.
      Warnock said: “I spoke to him this week and he was going to go to Turkey.
      “I told him to come and play for me and just enjoy yourself for a couple of months. He can go to Turkey another time.

      “He does owe me anyhow because I did well for him at Crystal Palace.
      Warnock added: “I’ve known Yannick for many years.
      “I asked him if he could help us out until the end of the season and get some fitness in at the same time. 
      “We can’t expect wonders but he’s a good lad and he can play different positions for me. He’ll be good in the dressing room and it’s a big boost for us.”

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      Bolasie, who is out of contract at Goodison Park in June, will go straight into the Boro squad for the trip to table-topping Norwich on Saturday.
      Bolasie joined Everton for £25m in 2016 but his time at Goodison has been hampered by injury.
      He has headed out to Aston Villa, Anderlecht and Sporting Lisbon but has failed to convince Ancelotti to make him part of his plans on Merseyside.
      Bolasie, who has nine goals in 40 appearances for DR Congo, will now be hoping he can help get Boro’s faltering play-off push back on track after they suffered a third defeat in four at home Rotherham on Wednesday.

      Several success stories have come from January transfers

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      Man Utd and Liverpool in transfer battle for £3m Derby wonderkid Kaide Gordon, 16, after impressing Wayne Rooney

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      MANCHESTER UNITED and Liverpool are battling to sign £3million-rated Derby wonderkid Kaide Gordon, according to reports.
      The versatile attacking midfielder, 16, has impressed Wayne Rooney in recent weeks and was handed his first-team debut against Birmingham in December.

      Liverpool are confident of signing Derby wonderkid Kaide Gordon despite interest from Manchester United and TottenhamCredit: PA:Press Association

      According to The Telegraph, Liverpool are the favourites to land Gordon ahead of United and Tottenham.
      The Liverpool Echo says talks are already underway and the reigning Premier League champions hope their record of promoting youth players into the first team will help convince Gordon to sign.
      An initial £1m offer from the Reds looks to be enough with the Championship club struggling for funds.
      Their proposed takeover has still not been completed leaving some wages unpaid, with boss Rooney’s partly deferred.

      The remaining £2m would be made up from add-ons depending on the England youth international’s progression at Anfield.
      Gordon – born in October 2004 – cannot sign professional terms until later this year, the Echo report adds.
      Commenting on Derby’s fourth-youngest player, Rooney said: “Kaide is a fantastic player and he has got a lot of potential.
      “He has come through the academy. He is 16, he has got a lot of development to do and he is definitely at the right place to do that.

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      “Of course there will be interest in Kaide because he is a fantastic player, so we expect there to be interest in him.
      “We can control what we are doing at this football club, but we can’t control if other teams make bids for our players.”

      The teenager made his first-team debut in the 4-0 win over Birmingham in DecemberCredit: PA:Press Association

      Wayne Rooney described the youngster as a ‘fantastic player’ and admitted there will be plenty of interest in himCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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      Wayne Rooney ‘defers some of his £90k-a-week wages to ensure Derby players are paid’ amid club’s financial struggles

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      DERBY boss Wayne Rooney has reportedly deferred a portion of his £90,000-a-week wages to ensure his players get paid.
      The Championship club is experiencing a financial crisis while it waits for a takeover by Sheikh Khaled’s Derventio Holdings to go through.

      Wayne Rooney has reportedly deferred some of his wagesCredit: PA:Press Association

      A deal to sell the club was agreed by owner Mel Morris in November, with a transfer embargo currently in place.
      Morris is said to be reluctant to inject his own cash into the club ahead of the takeover.
      And the Mail report how manager Rooney has stepped in to help the Rams out.
      The striker-turned-coach is thought to be earning £90,000-a-week, which would perhaps be the highest salary in the division.

      On a two-and-a-half-year contract, he has told the club that he will defer part of his salary to divert funds to his players.
      The squad’s December wages were not paid on time.

      With the takeover and salary situation, it’s difficult for players, and it’s difficult for me in that I can’t go into the transfer market.
      Wayne Rooney

      Derby reportedly reimbursed players on Monday and have stated that January’s wages will go through on Friday as planned.
      Rooney is said to have been key to the squad agreeing a previous wage deferral last season.

      Amid serious doubts over the takeover going through, the 35-year-old has insisted he will not quit the Rams if it collapses.
      When questioned on the situation last week, he stated: “Ideally, I want players in.
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      Colin Kazim-Richards netted a vital winner for Derby on the weekendCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      “We need that. But if we can’t I believe in the quality of the players we’ve got here.
      “With the takeover and the salary situation, it’s difficult for players, and it’s difficult for me in that I can’t go into the transfer market at the moment.
      “Ideally, the quicker the players get paid, the quicker we can move on. Then we can look at players we want to bring in.”
      After consecutive wins over Bournemouth and QPR, Derby sit five points clear of the Championship relegation zone.

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      Warnock rages as Boro’s Dael Fry ‘is a mm from losing an eye’ after Joe Rothwell seals controversial 1-0 Blackburn win

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      NEIL WARNOCK says Dael Fry was ‘a millimeter’ from losing his eye after Middlesbrough’s controversial defeat to Blackburn. 
      Tony Mowbray returned to his old club to claim the points but the game was overshadowed by a nasty injury to the defender.

      Joe Rothwell sealed a 1-0 win for Blackburn at MiddlesbroughCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Boro were furious they were denied a penalty after Dael Fry was met with a high footCredit: Getty

      Jarrad Branthwaite’s dangerously high foot forced the defender off with a gruesome gashCredit: Rex Features

      Credit: Twitter / @GaryStonehouse

      The 6ft 3in star was forced off with blood gushing from his lower right eyelid after he was caught inside the opposition area by Jarrad Branthwaite’s high boot with the game goalless.
      But neither the referee or assistants spotted it – leaving the Boro boss Warnock raging after his side missed out on going level with sixth-placed Bournemouth.
      He said: “It was a game-changing incident. When I saw the mess I wasn’t bothered about the result.
      “I don’t think he meant it but it was endangering the safety of a player – it can’t be any worse than that. He’s a millimetre from losing an eyeball.

      “We miss out on a penalty, a sending-off and one of my best players going off – I’m distraught.
      “How does he miss it? Tony will be delighted and feel like he’s won the pools.”
      Rovers’ top scorer Adam Armstrong had his first sniff when dragging a shot wide early doors.
      Then the main talking point arrived 15 minutes in as Fry attempted to head Paddy McNair’s cross goalwards. 

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      His face was met by the bottom of the Everton loanee’s foot leaving Warnock and his team – quite rightly – furious as medics rushed on.
      The referee was having none of it, and as Fry walked off to be replaced by Nathan Wood, his manager erupted.
      He roared: “How have you not seen that! Ref, do you want to come over and watch the TV? They’re saying it’s a penalty on Sky, what f*****g use is that?”
      Britt Assombalonga forced Rovers goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski into action with a free-kick and Marc Bola fired wide before the break.
      Boro flew out the traps after the restart as Kaminski got down well to deny Marcus Tavernier.
      Jonny Howson’s header was brilliantly pushed away by the Belgian stopper as Wood fired the rebound against the post on the hour mark.

      Breakthrough for Blackburn! 💥Joe Rothwell opens the scoring after a lovely pull-back from #LFC loanee Harvey Elliott! 🎁Watch live on Sky Sports Football now! pic.twitter.com/UL28DmD1NX
      — Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) January 24, 2021

      But just as they were building up momentum the hosts were hit with a sucker punch after Djed Spence lost possession upfield.
      Rovers broke and found Armstrong on the edge of the area, he slid in Harvey Elliott down the right who pulled it back for the unmarked Joe Rothwell to fire home with his team’s first shot on target.
      Wood then lost it as Armstrong was sent clear only to be denied by Marcus Bettinelli before blazing over late on.
      Mowbray, a legend on Teesside due to his time captaining and later managing his hometown club, said: “I don’t enjoy those games and I prefer to play a nice game of football with both teams getting the ball and trying to attack. It felt like a war of attrition and it was really frustrating.
      “But you have to stand up against them and some young players stood up to men.
      “They are not football purists but you have to find a way to beat them.”

      Fry is now a major doubt for Boro’s midweek clash with RotherhamCredit: Rex Features

      Neil Warnock was furious at the officials as they failed to spot the high footCredit: Rex Features

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