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      Former Premier League star REFUSES to play for Sunderland and withdraws from squad barely an hour before kick-off

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      SUNDERLAND ace Alex Pritchard sent shockwaves around the Stadium of Light by refusing to play against Stoke.The Black Cats host the Potters in a key Championship clash and the Wearside giants issued a shock statement informing their fans that Pritchard, 30, has withdrawn from Michael Beale’s side.
      Sunderland ace Alex Pritchard informed the club he wants to leaveCredit: Rex
      The club added that the versatile midfielder expressed his desire to leave “with immediate effect”.
      Sunderland announced on their official website: “On Friday morning, Alex Pritchard informed the Club that he was no longer available for selection and he subsequently withdrew from today’s matchday squad.
      “The midfielder also expressed his desire to leave SAFC with immediate effect.
      “The Club will be making no further comment at this moment in time.”
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      Sunderland sporting director Kristjaan Speakman previously stated the club had offered Pritchard a contract extension.
      The attacking midfielder’s current deal runs out in June but could be on the move this month.
      According to the BBC, the Tottenham academy graduate wanted to leave in the summer but couldn’t find a club.
      However, the Championship outfit have had no bids from any potential suitors last year.
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      Alex Pritchard informed Sunderland he won’t play against StokeCredit: Rex
      Pritchard’s agent, though, claims there is interest from Turkey as well as Birmingham City.
      Birmingham are currently managed by Sunderland’s former manager Tony Mowbray.
      Pritchard’s career kicked off in 2011 when he was called up by Tottenham following three years in the youth ranks at White Hart Lane.
      However, the playmaker only managed two appearances during his five-year spell at Spurs that saw him being loaned out to Peterborough, Swindon, Brentford and West Brom.
      The ex-England youth international then moved to Norwich in 2016 and Huddersfield two years later.
      In 2021 he signed with Sunderland where he has amassed a total of nine goals and 25 assists in 115 appearances. More

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      Bournemouth star eyed by Championship duo for loan transfer after becoming frustrated with lack of action

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      DAVID BROOKS has opened the door to a Bournemouth exit this month.The Cherries winger, 26, scored once and assisted two more in the excellent 5-0 FA Cup fourth-round win over Swansea.
      David Brooks says he’d love to stay at Bournemouth if he could be guaranteed starts but otherwise would ‘explore opportunities elsewhere’Credit: Getty
      But Brooks has made just two Premier League starts under Andoni Iraola and the Wales attacker wants first-team football, with Championship duo Southampton and Leeds keen to secure a loan move.
      Brooks, who had 18 months on the sidelines after his stage two Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis in October 2021, said: “I just want to play first team football.
      “I’m trying to show the gaffer why I should be playing.
      “I’ve had a lot of time on the sidelines and I don’t want to continue there.
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      “I’ve had two years out so I want to play, regardless of the circumstances.
      “I’d love to continue my football here but it’s up to everyone what they think the best situation is.
      “I’d rather be playing here but if the manager thinks there isn’t guaranteed football for me here I’ll try and explore opportunities elsewhere.”
      Brooks also has one eye on his international ambitions with Wales facing a Euro 2024 semi-final play-off against Finland in March.
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      Robert Page’s side are potentially two home wins away from the finals in Germany.
      Brooks added: “I want first team minutes for my own career and for Wales – we have some big qualifiers coming up so I’m looking to play as many minutes as possible.
      “I want to be as fit as possible for the play-offs, in particular. I need to try and bump those minutes ahead of the qualifiers.
      “I’m trying to do the best I can when I get the opportunities. We’ve got a really good group of players.”
      Brooks described his FA Cup display as a “chance for me to come on the pitch and show people what I’m capable of” which he hopes has “put me more in the gaffer’s mind”.
      Bournemouth’s next match is in the Prem away to West Ham next Thursday on deadline day. More

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      ‘I can’t change my accent’ – Sunderland boss blasts back at fans and says ‘they didn’t want me here in the first place’

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      UNDER-FIRE Michael Beale came out swinging at the Sunderland boo boys – claiming they never wanted him because he’s from London.The Stadium of Light turned on the Black Cats boss after just his seventh game following last Friday’s 1-0 defeat to Hull.
      Michael Beale has hit back at his Sunderland criticsCredit: Rex
      Furious fans have been laying into him all week on social media with #BealeOut a UK-wide trend on X, which the former QPR and Rangers boss insists has gone overboard.
      Beale, 43, has won two matches since replacing Tony Mowbray but admits he is “bemused and perplexed” by the raging “outside noise”.
      And in a staunch defence sure to only further fan the flames, he said:“I replaced a popular manager but I didn’t sack him, did I? And he won two in nine before he left, so are we making out it was all perfect?
      “People didn’t want me here in the first place.
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      “You can say afterwards it’s about style or this and that, but let’s cut to the chase, people didn’t want me.
      “The reality is that there wasn’t a feelgood factor about me coming in.
      “It’s fine, I’m not crying over it, I’m a big boy, but when people are personal they’ve lost straight away.
      “Look, I can’t change my accent or where I’m from. I’m proud of where I’m from.”
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      Rangers fans didn’t like the cut of Beale’s jib either, with the former Chelsea and Liverpool coach lasting just 10 months at Ibrox before being sacked last October.
      Yet he could be gone from Sunderland a lot sooner if results don’t improve quickly – his only chance to quell the mutiny.
      Beale was considered the brains behind Steven Gerrard as his assistant at Aston Villa and Rangers but his managerial career, starting at QPR in 2022, has been underwhelming so far.
      Yet he hit back: “I haven’t worked in London for ten years, but obviously I am from South London. Six years in Liverpool, four and a half in Glasgow, a year in Brazil. My accent hasn’t changed!
      Beale admitted he ‘can’t change my accent’Credit: Rex
      “I am happy to be criticised if we can’t score goals or repeatedly make mistakes, but that one is a bit off.
      “I feel I deserve a little bit more respect because my journey deserves that, but if people don’t want to give it then that’s fine.
      “If anyone looks at my CV, I’ve worked for massive football clubs.
      “If you spend 16 years at Chelsea and Liverpool, you know what expectations are. I was a young coach who went across to Brazil so I’m not worried about taking on pressure.”
      Beale picked up seven points from nine after losing his first game before bitter rivals Newcastle trounced them in the FA Cup.
      Close defeats to Ipswich and Hull followed, with the Mackems – the youngest squad in the Championship – in dire need of a reliable striker.
      And while Beale has a monster challenge on his hands to win the locals over, he is adamant life on Wearside is really not too bad.
      He added: “If we beat Stoke we will go back to just outside the play-offs on goal difference…it’s a huge crisis!
      “I inherited a team two points off the top six and now it’s three.
      Sunderland are three points off the play-offs after last Friday’s loss to HullCredit: Alamy
      “We have lost two tough games but the performances weren’t terrible. Anyone saying they were, I can’t get on board with that.
      “You’re throwing negativity at the youngest team in the league with one of the lowest budgets.
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      “So you’re just throwing negativity at a football team who don’t deserve it. Sometimes I could say less, because I could be less honest, but that is not the sort of guy I am.
      “If we had drawn the last two games would the noise be the same? It probably would because they didn’t want me here in the first place!” More

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      Premier League club have massive £18.5million bid for in-demand Adam Wharton REJECTED by Blackburn

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      CRYSTAL PALACE have seen an £18.5million bid rejected by Blackburn for Adam Wharton.The Eagles are keen to bring in the 19-year-old midfielder with Cheick Doucoure ruled out until the end of the season through injury.
      Crystal Palace’s offer for Adam Wharton has been rejectedCredit: Rex
      But the Championship side are thought to want to see Wharton remain at Ewood Park until the end of the season as part of any deal – something Palace cannot afford to do at this stage.
      Roy Hodgson’s side are in need of additions this month, having won just one of their last 12 games.
      And pressure ramping up on the former manager ahead of the visit of Sheffield United next week.
      Palace are now weighing up whether to return with an improved offer for Wharton.
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      Rovers boss Jon Dahl Tomasson said: “There’s been an offer and the club has said no, which I like.
      “He’s a great lad, I remember last year sitting at home with his parents drinking tea to discuss his development.
      “Now he’s a first-team player and I believe he’ll be an England player.”
      Wharton has played 29 matches this season and has been capped for the Three Lions Under-20s side.
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      Palace are also keen to sign a right-back and a striker this month with Hodgson having said that chairman Steve Parish and sporting director Dougie Freedman are working hard to add players this month.
      Eagles fans protested against Parish’s “weak decisions” taking the club backwards during their 5-0 defeat to Arsenal at the weekend. More

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      EFL cult hero has contract with eighth tier minnows RIPPED UP after nightmare transfer

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      FORMER Championship striker Ross McCormack has left Liversedge just six months after joining the club.McCormack, 37, signed for the eighth-tier side in July following a two-year stint away from football.
      Ex-Aston Villa star Ross McCormack has left LiversedgeCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      Upon arriving at the Clayborn Stadium he also became director of football.
      However, he parted ways with the club, who play in the Northern Premier League East, this week.
      An official statement from Liversedge on X, formerly Twitter, read: “We can confirm that Ross McCormack has left Liversedge FC by mutual consent.
      “Though it has not worked out for both parties, we wish Ross all the best for the future, and we are grateful for his time with us.
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      “No further comments will be made.”
      McCormack kicked off his professional playing career in 2004 with Rangers.
      He made his senior debut after coming on as a substitute to replace Mikel Arteta against Motherwell.
      The striker then went on to play for Motherwell two years later.
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      McCormack has also played for Cardiff City, Leeds, Fulham, Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest, Melbourne City, Central Coast Mariners and Aldershot Town.
      In 333 Championship games he scored 120 goals and provided 55 assists.
      He also has 13 senior international caps for Scotland. More

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      Leicester vs Ipswich: Back our 28/1 Bet Builder tip, plus get £40 in free bets with Paddy Power

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      THERE’S a monster fixture in the Championship promotion race tonight as leaders Leicester welcome third-place Ipswich to the King Power.Ipswich will climb back into second if avoiding defeat, while the Foxes can extend their lead at the top with a positive result.
      So SunSport have teamed up with our partners at Paddy Power to select our top Bet Builder picks for the huge game, which they’ve boosted to a whopping 28/1!
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      Both teams to score: Both teams have scored in four of Leicester’s last five games – including a 1-1 draw when these two met on Boxing Day. Ipswich are third in the ‘away’ table with 15 goals in 13 games.
      Cannon 2+ shots on target: Scored three in previous two games before blank at Coventry last week. Averaging more than one shot on target per 90 mins in Championship (1.13) and should get opportunities tonight.
      Harry Winks 2+ fouls: Will play part in important midfield battle later. Was booked last time out. 28 fouls he has conceded in 26 appearances suggests there’s fouls in him weekly and tougher assignment here could eke out two at least.
      George Edmundson to be carded: Ipswich defender set for a tough evening at the back in Cameron Burgess’ absence. Booked in last two games and can make quick hat trick with home side’s attack tonight.

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      Championship hopefuls Coventry set to miss out to Benfica for Argentine winger Benjamin Rollheiser despite £9MILLION bid

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      COVENTRY missed out on a shock deal for Argentine winger Benjamin Rollheiser despite a £9million bid.The Sky Blues are set to be edged out by Portuguese giants Benfica after weeks chasing the 23-year-old Estudiantes ace.
      Coventry have missed out on Benjamin Rollheiser to BenficaCredit: AFP
      Coventry offered £6.5m up front and an extra £2.5m on promotion to the Prem but Benfica came up with more guaranteed cash.
      It’s a sickener for Cov as they were prepared to pay the money now while Benfica have a loan on the table with a deal in the summer.
      Mark Robins’ side are currently in the play-off places after their Wembley shootout defeat to Luton last summer.
      Rollheiser would have joined a side coming off the back of three consecutive league victories.
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      The forward scored 13 goals and added eight assists across 83 appearances for Estudiantes.
      He is also a former youth international after being capped by Argentina at under-17 and under-23 level.
      Coventry were able to add to their squad earlier this month, though.
      Danish midfielder Victor Torp has signed from Norwegian outfit Sarpsborg for just over £2million.
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      The 24-year-old has penned a four-and-a-half-year deal with the club and was on the bench for Saturday’s win at Sheffield Wednesday.
      Next up for the play-off chasers is a return to Hillsborough in the FA Cup on Friday before a home clash with Bristol City on January 30. More

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      I’ve had to give up my part-time job as a BT engineer after landing my first role as an EFL manager

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      STUART MAYNARD spent the best part of two decades as a telecommunications engineer – now he’s engineering Notts County’s promotion push.The Magpies’ new gaffer spent 19 years as a BT engineer, a role he fulfilled at the same time as being a non-league manager.
      Stuart Maynard was appointed as Notts County’s new manager this monthCredit: REX
      Maynard had to give his part time job as a BT engineer – which he had for 19 years – to take the gigCredit: PA
      But the former Wealdstone manager has finally ditched the day job after County came calling for his services, something he’s delighted about.
      He told The BBC: “I’m excited to solely focus everything I’ve got on football.”
      Maynard is thrilled to finally be in the big time that is the Football League, an experience he thought may never come when he was toiling away in the fifth division of English football.
      The 43-year-old – who was officially appointed as County’s new manager this week – admitted: “It’s very tough.
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      “With football, you have to give your whole commitment and be all in – it was a lot of nights out watching games to understand players and trying to improve. It’s 24/7.
      “And that’s what’s got us excited – what we achieved at Wealdstone, basically training three hours a week, to now have everything at our disposal.
      “There is no excuses for anything.
      “It was always the ambition to get into full-time management.
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      “We knew it wasn’t an easy step, but also knew that when we did step into full-time we wanted to be coming to the right club and the right project.
      “We are really looking forward to working in this environment.”
      Maynard has been joined at Valley Parade by his former Wealdstone assistants Matt Saunders and Craig Saunders, who got a first-hand glimpse at their future players when they thrashed The Stones 6-1 last season.
      He said: “That’s what excites us – to work with this level of players. Once we get our level of detail into them, how they can transform it and make it even better, our philosophy and structure.
      “I’m hugely proud to be given the opportunity and the trust that Chris and Alex [owners Christoffer and Alexander Reedtz] have put in me and Matt to take this role.”
      Maynard’s first outing as Magpies boss was supposed to take place this afternoon, with his troops welcoming Stockport County to Meadow Lane.
      But the match was CALLED OFF this morning due to an unplayable pitch, the result of the big freeze which has gripped the UK.
      Notts County’s clash with Stockport County was called off on Saturday morningCredit: NOTTS COUNTY More