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      Ex-Premier League and England U21 star now playing for Zimbabwe targeted in three-horse Championship transfer race

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      BRENDAN GALLOWAY is wanted by Championship trio Coventry, Middlesbrough and Blackburn on a free transfer.The Plymouth Argyle centre-back, 27, is out of contract in the summer.
      Brendan Galloway has been in brilliant form for the PilgrimsCredit: Rex
      And the ex-Everton star has held talks with Argyle’s second tier rivals who are fighting it out for his services because he is in the final six months of his current deal.
      The Pilgrims have yet to make a new offer for Galloway which could allow the fellow Championship sides to snap up his signature.
      The centre-back has been a stand out performer for Argyle this season.
      Galloway has made 20 appearances for the Devon club and scored against Leeds in the 4-1 FA Cup fourth round loss.
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      He joined Argyle, who were promoted from League One last season, from Luton on a free transfer in 2021.
      Galloway has represented England for Under-17 to Under-21 level before switching to play for Zimbabwe – the country of his birth – in 2021.
      Since then he has won two senior international caps.
      The defender has suffered from frequent injury issues in recent years.
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      He was limited to just six appearances for Luton in two seasons.
      During his first Argyle campaign he suffered a season-ending knee injury in November 2021.
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      Following his return last term he made 18 appearances as the Pilgrims won League One under Steven Schumacher, missing a large chunk of the campaign, and its run-in, due to hamstring issues.
      Having been ruled out for the first three months of this term he has become a regular under Schumacher and then successor Ian Foster, playing in 17 of Argyle’s last 18 Championship games.
      Galloway, 27, played for Everton in the Premier LeagueCredit: PA:Empics Sport More

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      My cousin is a former England and Premier League star – now I’m playing in non-league after two games in two years

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      BATH CITY have completed the signing of a former England international’s cousin – who once played in the Championship.The National League South side have acquired the services of striker Issac Vassell – the cousin of former Aston Villa, Manchester City and England ace Darius – from League One outfit Bristol City.
      Bath City have completed the signing of Issac VassellCredit: X@BATHCITY_FC
      A club statement read: “Jerry has today secured the signing of Isaac Vassell.
      “This is a player familiar with the NLS, having started out at Truro playing alongside Cody Cooke before his move to Luton Town.
      “He has Championship and EFL experience and most importantly is a really good character that will fit into the group perfectly.
      “Isaac is currently with Bristol Rovers, training daily for what has been the last eight weeks.
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      “We would like to thank Matt Taylor, Jamie McAllister and Bristol Rovers for their support with this signing.
      “We welcome Isaac to Twerton Park.”
      Bath will be hoping Vassell – who has been a free agent for nearly TWO YEARS – will be able to fire them to the National League.
      Vassell, 30, could need some time to find his scoring boots as he hasn’t made an appearance since the 2019-20 season – in which he was plying his trade in the Championship with Cardiff City.
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      Issac Vassell is the younger cousin of ex-Aston Villa, Man City and England ace DariusCredit: TIMES NEWSPAPERS LTD
      He also played in the Championship with Birmingham City, whom he joined in the summer of 2017.
      Darius was happy to see his cousin get his big break back then and wished him all the success in the world, just not against his beloved Villa.
      I was a goalkeeper until my mum told me to move outfield – now I’m playing up front in the Premier League
      Darius said at the time: “He’s a really good player and I’m looking forward to watching him.
      “This season, with him coming to Blues and to Birmingham it’s a good thing. It’s a good city and people are going to say the connection with Blues and all of that but I’ll support Isaac all day.
      “I wish him the best. I was reading an article about Isaac the other day and he mentioned me which was very nice of him.
      “He was saying how he thinks there’s similarities within our game so, the idea of that, is exciting.
      “I’d like to see where he goes with that.
      “Hopefully he can break through at Birmingham City and be a big player for the club.
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      “Obviously I don’t want him banging hat-tricks against Villa at all but all the best to him if he does!”
      Issac could make his debut for the Romans this evening when they welcome Braintree to Twerton Park. More

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      Unemployed former Newcastle captain incredibly tipped to be next Sunderland boss after Michael Beale sacking

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      FORMER Premier League star Scott Parker is in the running to become Sunderland’s new manager.The Championship side sacked Michael Beale last week following a 2-1 defeat to Birmingham.
      Scott Parker is the bookies’ favourite to become Sunderland managerCredit: Getty
      Michael Beale was sacked by the Championship side last weekCredit: Reuters
      Michael Dodds subsequently took over as caretaker manager while club officials continued the search for a new permanent boss.
      Steve Cooper, Will Still and Roy Keane are among those that have been linked with the job.
      But ex-Bournemouth boss Parker has emerged as the bookmakers’ favourite.
      Parker has been out of work since leaving Club Brugge in March.
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      The former midfielder was sacked after winning just two out of 12 games in three months.
      Prior to his time in Belgium, Parker spent a year with Bournemouth.
      He guided the Cherries to Premier League promotion but was sacked following a 9-0 defeat to Liverpool just one month into the 2022-23 campaign.
      His first managerial stint was with Fulham between 2019 and 2021.
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      He was initially appointed as caretaker manager following Claudio Ranieri’s departure and led the Cottagers to Premier League promotion in his first full season in charge.
      However, Fulham were relegated again the following year and Parker left by mutual consent.
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      As a player, Parker made 368 Premier League appearances and was handed 18 England caps.
      He played for Charlton, Chelsea, Newcastle, West Ham, Tottenham and Fulham.
      Parker played for Sunderland’s rivals, Newcastle, between 2005 and 2007Credit: PA:Press Association More

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      Sunderland could make shock move to bring back former manager despite him walking out on Black Cats

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      MICHAEL DODDS could make the Sunderland manager’s job his own at the end of the season.Dodds is starting his third spell as Black Cats’ caretaker but could be kept on if results are good.
      Mike Dodds could be given the Sunderland job on a permanent basis if he is able to impressCredit: Alamy
      The interim coach has a close relationship with director of football Kristjan Speakman, who will have a major say in the final decision.
      But things haven’t got off to the start Dodds would have been hoping for with the 37-year-old failing to get a result in his first game in charge.
      Sunderland were on the receiving end of a 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Swansea on Saturday who sit seven league places below the Black Cats.
      There are other options available to Sunderland should they look elsewhere for a permanent boss.
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      Alex Neil is open to a return to Sunderland for a second spell at the helm of the club he previously walked out on.
      Neil left the Stadium of Light to take the job of manager of Stoke back in 2022.
      Bu the Scot is available once again after his move to the Potters turned sour.
      The 42-year-old was sacked by Stoke in December of last year with the club flirting with relegation from the Championship.
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      Sunderland will be turning their attention to the remainder of the season with the club letting fans know they will update them with any developments in their search for manager.
      In a club statement last week, they wrote: “Our focus is now on the players and supporting Mike Dodds in the remaining games to ensure we achieve the highest possible league finish.
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      “We will be updating our supporters further as and when significant developments are made.”
      Sunderland face Alex Neil’s former club Norwich next in the league with the Championship’s 10th placed side looking to mount a late push for the play-off places.
      Alex Neil may make a return to SunderlandCredit: Getty
      Neil took charge of the Black Cats for 24 games in 2022Credit: Getty More

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      Birmingham set to raid Championship rivals for new goalkeeper with current stoppers out of contract at end of season

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      BIRMINGHAM want to snap up Blackburn keeper Aynsley Pears for next season.The move would see the 25-year-old play for Tony Mowbray again and Mark Venus.
      Blackburn could lose Aynsley Pears this summerCredit: Getty
      Pears worked with them both at Ewood Park.
      He has played 17 times for the club in all competitions this season.
      And despite his contract not expiring until 2027, he could leave in the summer.
      Pears has been identified as Birmingham are in need of a new goalkeeper for next season.
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      Both stoppers John Ruddy and Neil Etheridge will be out of contract in June.
      Ruddy, 37, is a former England international with one cap to his name.
      He formally played in the Premier League with Norwich and Wolves.
      Ruddy has been the Blues’ No1 this season.
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      Meanwhile, Etheridge, 34, is also an ex-Prem keeper known from his days at Cardiff.
      As for Pears, he is the son of ex-Manchester United star Stephen Pears.
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      Birmingham wonderkid eyed by Premier League side with Italian giants Atalanta also interested in transfer

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      CRYSTAL PALACE remain keen on Birmingham’s young Welsh wizard Jordan James.The Eagles tried to buy the 19-year-old midfielder and send him back to the Blues on loan last month — even AFTER signing Adam Wharton from Blackburn.
      Crystal Palace are interested in signing Jordan JamesCredit: Rex
      James stayed at St Andrew’s as the offer was too low.
      However, the two clubs have stayed in contact.
      Italians Atalanta made a bigger bid in January and were turned down — they are also still interested and a summer sale is still possible.
      James has scored eight goals in 31 Championship appearances so far this season.
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      Palace signed 20-year-old midfielder Wharton in a £22.5million transfer on deadline day.
      Wharton revealed that he wants to follow in the footsteps of Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise.
      He said: “I’ve always wanted to play in the Premier League and to play for such a big club like Crystal Palace is a great honour.
      “The way they’ve brought players from the Championship and developed them into world-class players in the Premier League is something that stood out to me, and it’s a big reason why I wanted to come here.”
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      Crystal Palace announced the arrival of new manager Oliver Glasner this week.
      Former boss Roy Hodgson stepped down from his position after falling ill at training.
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      The Eagles won their first match with Glasner in charge on Saturday.
      They cruised to a 3-0 victory over Burnely at Selhurst Park thanks to goals from Chris Richards, Jordan Ayew and Jean-Philippe Mateta. More

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      ‘Delightful footballer and hugely charismatic man’, says Gary Lineker as BBC star leads tributes to legend Stan Bowles

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      GARY LINEKER has led tributes to Stan Bowles after it was announced the QPR legend has died aged 75 following a long battle with Alzheimer’s.Bowles was considered one of the biggest non-conformists of football in the 1970s.
      Stan Bowles passed away at the age of 75Credit: Rex
      Match of the Day host Gary Lineker led the tributes to the 1970’s football iconCredit: Rex
      And taking to X Lineker led the tributes to the Hoops icon.
      The Match of the Day host said: “Sorry to hear that Stan Bowles has died. A delightful footballer and hugely charismatic man.
      “Always loved watching him play. RIP Stan.”
      Bowles played 315 times for QPR and scored 97 goals between 1972 and 1979.
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      The club paid tribute to Bowles, saying: “It is with a heavy heart we have learned that QPR icon Stan Bowles sadly passed away this evening, aged 75.
      “All our thoughts are with his family and friends at this incredibly difficult time. May he rest in peace.”
      Bowles became as well-known for his off-pitch antics as for his on-pitch ones, and once remarked: “Everywhere I went things seemed to end in chaos.
      He added: “I blew the lot on vodka and tonic, gambling and fags.
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      “Looking back, I think I overdid it on the tonic.”
      QPR manager Marti Cifuentes paid tribute by dedicating the club’s 2-1 comeback win over Rotherham to Bowles.
      One notable event during his career was Bowles agreeing a sponsorship deal with two boot companies before wearing one of each.
      Bowles also played for Manchester City, Bury, Crewe, Carlisle, Nottingham Forest and Leyton Orient before he retired at Brentford in 1984.
      The English Football League paid tribute by saying: “A wonderful player, a maverick, an icon and a @QPR legend.”
      Carlisle said: “We are saddened to hear of the passing of legend Stan Bowles. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.”
      Brentford said: “One of the finest ever to play in red and white, we mourn the death of Stan Bowles
      “A great entertainer and character who put smiles on the faces of all who saw him play.
      “Our thoughts are with Stan’s friends and family at this incredibly sad time.”
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      He appeared five times for the England national team, scoring once against Wales in 1974.
      In recognition to him, QPR opened the Stanley Bowles stand in 2021. More

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      Incredible reason Ilias Chair is allowed to play for QPR despite being handed one-year jail sentence

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      ILIAS CHAIR was able to start against Rotherham just a day after receiving a two-year jail sentence because Belgian prisons are currently over-crowded.The QPR midfielder was found guilty by an Antwerp court of breaking a man’s skull with a rock after he and his friends got into a row with a trucker as they made their way back from a kayaking trip in northern France in 2020.
      Ilias Chair played for Queen’s Park Rangers against RotherhamCredit: PA
      The reason he is allowed to play has now been revealedCredit: PA
      As well as paying the victim £13,400 compensation for his injuries, he was sentenced to 12 months in prison with a further 12-month suspended sentence.
      Chair is appealing the sentence.
      In Britain, such jail terms are usually imposed immediately.
      But the Belgian system has been hampered by a massive over-crowding problem in the country’s jails in recent years.
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      Until September 2022, anybody handed less than three years jail time would not see a single day behind bars.
      Last September, laws were tightened further so that those with shorter “effective” sentences were meant to spend at least some of that time locked up.
      But with the over-crowding still a factor, the practicality is that those with a sentence of less than two years can ask to be punished outside of jail.
      Belgians generally serve only one third of their allotted time and the last six months of that can be outside prison with electronic surveillance – effectively the entirety of any jail time under 18 months.
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      The club released a statement on Friday stating it could not comment because the legal matter was still ongoing and before the end of the game were unable even to give any indication as the exact position of Chair’s case.
      The Morocco international has been training and playing for the club as usual throughout the legal proceedings and manager Marti Cifuentes has insisted he will continue to select him all the time he is available.
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