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      Brentford eyeing Ivan Toney transfer replacement by lining up free-scoring Championship striker

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      SAMMIE SZMODICS is on Brentford’s radar as the Bees plan for life after Ivan Toney.Blackburn striker Szmodics, 28, is in the form of his life, with 21 goals in 35 league games making him leading scorer in the Championship.Sammie Szmodics slots past Michael CooperCredit: RexIvan Toney has been linked with ArsenalCredit: GettyBees boss Thomas Frank has admitted that he expects England striker Toney to leave the club this summer, with Arsenal and Chelsea leading the hunt.Frank’s top spy, Mick Priest, saw Szmodics score the leveller in Rovers’ 1-1 draw with Millwall last week — and  he is now on their shortlist of targets.The Bees are in the market for a couple of new attacking players for their squad and have also checked out Josh Sargent at Norwich.Luton are also looking at Szmodics but cannot commit until they know which division they will be in next season.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe forward, who like Toney previously played for Peterborough, was in action yesterday.Szmodics lined up against Plymouth Argyle in a relegation six-pointer at Ewood Park.He took just seven minutes to get on the scoresheet, bending a right-footed effort beyond Michael Cooper.Kyle McFadzean’s 54th minute red card made matters difficult for John Eustace’s side.Most read in FootballCHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVAL Argyle eventually found an equaliser via Morgan Whittaker, who himself has attracted plenty of interest.Toney, meanwhile, played the full 90 minutes as Brentford lost 2-1 at Arsenal.Inside Ivan Toney’s Life As A FootballerThe Gunners took the lead through Declan Rice on 19 minutes.Yoane Wissa levelled on the stroke of half-time, before Kai Havertz won it with an 86th minute header. More

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      Watch Jobe Bellingham score screamer and spark wild Sunderland celebrations but fans plead for Jude comparisons to end

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      JOBE BELLINGHAM scored a screamer during Sunderland’s clash with Southampton on Saturday.The 18-year-old has starred for the Black Cats since moving to the North East from Birmingham in a £3million deal last summer.Jobe Bellingham curled home a brilliant shotCredit: X@@itvfootballBellingham celebrates his brilliant goalCredit: GettySunderland’s No7 lined up at St Mary’s hoping to prevent his side from slumping to a sixth defeat in a row.His outing got off to a nightmare start, when his dreadful header in the ninth minute teed up Jan Bednarek, with Stuart Armstrong converting the rebound.Adam Armstrong made it 2-0 from the penalty spot in the 37th minute, before Sunderland launched a comeback.Former Tottenham starlet Romaine Mundle, 20, scored his first senior goal to halve the deficit.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThen up stepped Bellingham, the 18-year-old curling a sensational right-footed effort into the top corner for 2-2 with 20 minutes to play.A quickfire Joe Rothwell double saw Saints win 4-2, but Bellingham’s wonder-goal will live long in the memory.His brilliant strike prompted inevitable mentions of his older brother Jude.But fans were quick to criticise such comparisons, with one writing: “Wish everyone would stop mentioning Jude when he scores a banger. I love Jude but let him cook on his own thanks.”Most read in FootballCHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVAL Jobe Bellingham has been compared with older brother JudeCredit: RexWhile a second pointed out: “You don’t have to compare everything he does to Jude he’s a cold player on his own merit.”Midfielder Bellingham has scored six goals in 36 appearances for the Black Cats this season.‘He’s a class act’ say fans as they spot what Jude Bellingham did for group of kids despite disallowed goal controversyHis side have slipped to 12th amid their dismal run, now 11 points off the play-offs.Bellingham has played for England up to Under-19 level.And he even skippered them in a clash with Germany last year. More

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      Watford SACK Valerien Ismael as boss and hand ex-Man Utd star Tom Cleverley first job in management

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      WATFORD have sacked Valerien Ismael and replaced him with Tom Cleverley as caretaker boss.The Hornets were beaten 2-1 at home by Coventry City at Vicarage Road.Valerien Ismael has been sacked as Watford bossCredit: AlamyTom Cleverley has taken charge on an interim basisCredit: Alan CozziThe news was announced by the club on social media.A statement on X reads: “Tom Cleverley will assume the position of Interim Head Coach at Vicarage Road. “This follows Watford FC terminating the contract of Valerien Ismael after today’s home defeat to Coventry City.”Watford have been in disastrous form that has seen them drop out of the play off places.Read more football newsThey have picked up just two wins in their last 13 games, going from seventh to 13th.Their recent bad run means they languish 13 points behind sixth-placed Norwich City.Trigger-happy owner Gino Pozzo was reportedly considering Ismael’s tenure.Bizarrely, it comes after he handed the Frenchman a new three-year contract back in October.Most read in FootballCHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVAL Defeat at home to Coventry was the final straw for the Italian businessman.Astonishingly, Watford have turned over a number of managers over the past four-and-half years.Coventry manager’s texts about Watford leaked as scout’s WhatsApp conversation is spotted in standsIt’s the 12th time they have had to change their coach over the past four-and-a-half years.The reins have now been handed to former Man Utd youth product Cleverley.It is the 34-year-old midfielder’s first foray in the dugout.The ex-England international, who earned 13 caps, rejoined the club permanently in 2017 – seven years after he enjoyed a successful loan spell in the 2009-2010 season, when he won player of the season.During the 2022-23 campaign, Cleverley was named as club captain by former boss Rob Edwards, now at Luton Town.At the end of that season, Cleverly announced his retirement from football following an injury.He took up a role in the club’s academy helping to coach the under-18 side, while also taking on ambassadorial responsibilities. More

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      Premier League cult hero signs for TENTH club aged 30 on free transfer and links up with Nathan Jones

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      CONNOR WICKHAM has finally confirmed what his lengthy list of moves suggest… he’s a transfer Addick-t!The ex-Premier League hot prospect has joined Nathan Jones’ Charlton – his seventh club since 2020 and tenth overall.Charlton new boy Connor Wickham celebrates his only goal for last club CardiffCredit: GettyWickham was one of English football’s brightest prospects with first club Ipswich from 2009-11 but has since been troubled by injuriesCredit: PA:Empics SportThe 6ft 4ins striker, 30, was an Ipswich whizkid before big-money switches to Sunderland and Crystal Palace.Now he’s signed for former Southampton manager Jones’ new team.Wickham penned a deal with last club Cardiff on Valentine’s Day in 2023.But he’s split from the Bluebirds 13 months later – to take the No13 shirt for the Addicks.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSWickham insists he wants a “big push” for the rest of the season.And he never ducks a challenge – despite claims he once “got beat up” by DRAKE’s bodyguards!Sunderland legend Jermain Defoe told the bizarre but amusing story to SunSport columnist Troy Deeney on his Football Firsts podcast last Christmas.It came after Wickham tried to get a selfie with the rapper in a gym.Most read in FootballBut despite the mishap, Defoe said it all ended up with smiles.Sadly, Wickham’s fortunes on the pitch could be said to have gone exactly the opposite way to that.Top ten greatest Premier League players of all time as Kevin de Bruyne and Cristiano Ronaldo both miss out on top spotPredictions of greatness 15 years ago have given way to misfortune and injuries.Wickham’s EFL club came aged just 16 and 11 days, on the way to 15 goals in 72 games for Ipswich.He also fired the winner when England won the Euro Under-17s Championship in 2010.Sunderland pouched him for a fee potentially worth £12million, while he also netted six times in 17 matches for the Three Lions’ U-21s.But fitness issues blighted Wickham’s top-flight stint with the Black Cats, although he still notched 15 goals and 91 games.Palace bought him for £9m in 2015 but injuries limited him to 15 strikes in 91 appearances during a six-year stay.Apart from three loan spells with Sheffield Wednesday and one with Leeds, Wickham has featured for Preston, MK Dons, Forest Green Rovers and Cardiff. And after dropping a level to League One, he told Charlton’s website: “I’m excited to be here“It’s a good opportunity for me to work with a good group of lads and a good manager for the last part of the season.”Results lately have picked up and it’s going to be a big push until the end of the season.”Jones said: “Connor’s been here for a couple of weeks (training) and we like the human being, so that’s the start. READ MORE SUN STORIES”The experience, physicality and quality he has makes him a really good signing. “We’re pleased to have him in and it’ll be interesting to see how much we can get out of him.”Wickham spent 13 months with Championship side CardiffCredit: GettyThe giant frontman also had a spell with Forest GreenCredit: Rex More

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      Former Liverpool star wakes up unemployed after having contract ripped up by Championship strugglers

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      A FORMER Liverpool star has woken up unemployed after having his contract ripped up by a struggling Championship side.Daniel Ayala, 33, is officially a free agent after leaving Rotherham.Daniel Ayala is a free agent after being released by RotherhamCredit: AlamyThe Spaniard made five Premier League appearances for LiverpoolCredit: GettyThe Spanish defender only joined the Millers in October.He penned a contract until the end of the season.And Ayala’s time at New York Stadium saw him make just seven appearances.The centre-back’s last games came in December, when he received consecutive red cards.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAyala then suffered a long-term injury and was removed from Rotherham’s 25-man squad at the end of January.And the relegation battlers, who are 19 points adrift of safety at the foot of the Championship table, have called time on Ayala’s brief stay.The 6ft 3in Goliath started his youth career at Sevilla before joining Liverpool’s academy in 2007.He went on to make five Premier League appearances for the Reds in the 2009-10 season.Most read in ChampionshipHOW TO GET FREE BETS ON HORSE RACINGAnd Ayala then spent time on loan at Hull and Derby before joining Norwich on a permanent deal in 2011.He played 10 times for the Canaries while also taking in a loan at Nottingham Forest.Jurgen Klopp compares Liverpool youngster Jayden Danns to darts sensation and Man Utd fan Luke LittlerAyala was snapped up by Middlesbrough in 2013 and played 229 times for the Teessiders, while also helping them win promotion to the top flight in 2016.Afterwards, he spent three years at Blackburn where he featured 58 times before joining Rotherham last summer. More

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      How Leicester used little-known loophole to avoid points deduction… but could still face punishment next season

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      LEICESTER CITY have used a little-known loophole to avoid a points deduction. But they could still face punishment next season.Leicester have used a loophole to avoid a points deduction this seasonCredit: GettySunSport revealed earlier this week that the Foxes were under suspicion of breaching Profit and Sustainability rules (PSR) both last season and in this campaign.And revelations about their legal battle with the EFL have further angered their rivals in the top flight and Championship.A senior executive at one club described the situation as “a scandal”.Leicester submitted figures to the EFL earlier this season that indicated they would break the £83m limit on losses for the three-year period that ends with the 2023/24 campaign.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe EFL wanted the Foxes to submit a business plan that would have enabled the league to restrict the club’s spending during the remainder of the current campaign.But the Championship leaders successfully argued that EFL rule 2.9 did not apply to them because they were a Premier League club last season.The result of the loophole is that punishment for any rule breaches by Leicester this season will not be enforced before next season – by which time they could be back in the Premier League.The news was another kick in the teeth for the Foxes’ rivals, and not only for the Championship clubs currently fighting them for promotion.Most read in ChampionshipHOW TO GET FREE BETS ON HORSE RACINGClubs who were involved in last season’s Premier League relegation battle against them AND current top-flight teams facing points deductions for their own financial offences feel a real sense of injustice.Nottingham Forest and Everton are waiting to learn their fate after breaching PSR for the assessment period ending in 2022/23.Leicester City star Hamza Choudhury fined £20,000 for drink-drivingUnder the Premier League’s new fast-track rules, both clubs had to report their 2022/23 figures by December 31 in order to give the authorities enough time to bring a case this season.But Leicester, who are suspected of breaching regulations in the same period, did not have to make the same disclosure to the Premier League because they were no longer a top-flight club.As SunSport explained, this could create an uncomfortable scenario for both leagues.Everton and/or Forest could be hit with a points deduction for offences related to 2022/23 that leads to them being relegated.Yet Leicester could gain promotion and replace them in the Premier League despite breaching regulations in that same period AND in the current season. More

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      Football fan caught firing ‘rubber band’ at player live on Sky Sports in QPR’s controversial draw with West Brom

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      A FOOTBALL fan was seen on Sky Sports appearing to fire a rubber band at a player during Queens Park Rangers clash with West Brom.The Hoops were held to a controversial 2-2 draw against the Baggies in Wednesday night’s clash.A football fan was seen appearing to fire an object onto the pitchCredit: XThe fan was seen in the act on Sky Sports camerasCredit: XQPR said they are aware of the matterCredit: XLate on in the match at Loftus Road, Sky Sport’s cameras appeared to film a football fan flicking something towards a West Brom player.Footage shared on social media showed the fan appearing to angrily rant towards the players on the pitch after firing the object towards the pitch.Fans online suggested the object was aimed at West Brom star Cedric Kipre.QPR told SunSport they were aware of the matter and are looking into the incident.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLKipre, 27, sparked controversy after he cleared a ball off the line with his hand in the 52nd minute.Sam Field’s goalbound header had beaten West Brom goalkeeper Alex Palmer and was destined for the back of the net before Kipre’s intervention.However, with no VAR the officials were not able to pull the decision back and issue a reprimand.Field did manage to score his second goal of the game in the 81st minute, but Kipre’s handball could be key in the Championship’s relegation and promotion battles after the game ended 2-2.Most read in FootballWest Brom sit fifth in the league have a five-point cushion in the promotion playoff positions. Meanwhile, QPR sit in 19th place, one point above the relegation zone.Every Premier League stadium ranked by the number of pubs nearby with one boasting over 130 local boozersRemarkably, there is a spread of just nine points between 23rd place Sheffield Wednesday and 11th place Sunderland. More

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      Coventry manager’s texts about Watford leaked as scout’s WhatsApp conversation is spotted in stands

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      MARK ROBINS’ texts about Watford have been leaked ahead of their Championship clash with Coventry.The Sky Blues’ head of recruitment Dean Austin’s WhatsApp messages were published to social media.Coventry manager Mark Robins’ texts about Watford have been leakedCredit: PAHis WhatsApp conversation with head of recruitment Dean Austin was shared to social mediaCredit: GettyIt came after he was pictured messaging Robins in the stands during Watford’s draw with Swansea on Wednesday.The conversation about the Hornets’ performance and the future of manager Valerien Ismael was posted to X.According to the Athletic, Austin is now considering legal action in response.He is said to be deeply concerned by the incident and believes his privacy has been breached.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBy UK law, individuals have the right to privacy and protection of personal data.Sharing messages without consent could potentially breach their privacy rights and data protection principles.Watford had fallen behind during the first half at Vicarage Road after an own goal from Ryan Andrews.Ismael’s side levelled during the second half, though, with Wesley Hoedt salvaging a 1-1 draw with the Swans.Most read in ChampionshipThe incident occurred during Watford’s 1-1 draw with Swansea on WednesdayCredit: GettyThe results leaves Watford in 13th in the Championship after just one win in their last nine league games.Coventry are set to visit on Saturday following a 5-0 win over Rotherham on Tuesday.Football’s weirdest contract clauses revealed including non-Arsenal agreement and a private jet promiseLast season’s play-off finalists are currently three points off the top six in eighth place.SunSport have contacted Coventry for comment. More