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      Cardiff ace Josh Murphy at centre of transfer tug-of-war with Nottingham Forest, Sheffield Wednesday and Derby keen

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      JOSH MURPHY is at the centre of a three-way transfer battle fromNottingham Forest, Sheffield Wednesday and Derby.
      The Cardiff winger, 25, is out of favour under Bluebirds boss Neil Harris.

      Josh Murphy is at the centre of a three-way transfer battleCredit: Getty Images

      Murphy has not started for the Welsh side in the Championship since the 1-0 league defeat by Coventry last November.
      And the trio of Cardiff’s rivals in the second tier have expressed an interest in taking the wide man on loan this month.
      Forest and Wednesday could be ahead of Wayne Rooney’s Derby in the chase as the Rams are currently struggling to pay the wages of their players although an imminent takeover of the club could change that.
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      Murphy, whose twin brother Jacob plays for Newcastle, cost Cardiff £11million from Norwich back in the summer of 2018.
      He has made 15 appearances in all competitions this season but mainly as a substitute.
      Cardiff are 16th in the Championship and closer to the relegation places than play-off spots.

      Harris’ side have lost four games in a row since Christmas – including an FA Cup third round defeat at Nottingham Forest.

      They face relegation-threatened QPR in their next Championship clash on Wednesday. More

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      Shrewsbury manager Steve Cotterill was moved to intensive care due to coronavirus but is recovering in hospital

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      SHREWSBURY manager Steve Cotterill is still recovering after a period in intensive care while fighting coronavirus, a report revealed.
      Cotterill was one of around 20 positive cases within the club and was later taken ill.

      Shrewsbury confirmed manager Steve Cotterill was taken ill with coronavirus Credit: PA:Empics Sport

      STEVE COTTERILL COVID UPDATE: The #Shrewsbury manager is still in hospital but recovering after a period in intensive care. He’ll be watching tomorrow’s FA Cup game at Southampton from his hospital bed. Asst-manager Aaron Wilbraham holding the reins. @BBCShropshire
      — James Bond (@JamesBondOsw) January 18, 2021

      According to BBC Shropshire, the manager was then moved into an ICU but is now on the mend.
      Shrewsbury confirmed their boss is continuing his recovery with Aaron Wilbraham and David Longwell taking charge until Cotterill’s return.
      A statement said: “Shrewsbury Town Football Club can confirm Steve Cotterill will not be present at St. Mary’s for Town’s third round Emirates FA Cup fixture against Southampton. 
      “Steve is continuing his recovery from Covid-19 following a positive test result.

      “Aaron Wilbraham and David Longwell will take charge of first team duties until Steve’s return. 
      “All at Shrewsbury Town would like to wish Steve well in his recovery and the Club asks that his privacy is respected during this time.  
      “With the Club being so badly affected by the new strain of Covid-19, with some of the staff and players suffering serious effects of the virus, we urge all in our local community to follow the Government guidance.”
      Cotterill joined Shrewsbury in November as he replaced Sam Ricketts.

      He has led them to 17th place, three points off the relegation zone.
      And after an unbeaten run in December, he received the manager of the month award.
      Shrewsbury beat Oxford in the FA Cup second round, but their trip to Southampton was postponed after they were hit with a coronavirus outbreak.
      The FA and Premier League made room for the game to go ahead, after initial fears the Saints would get a by.

      The FA Cup 5th round draw could see Chorley play Arsenal More

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      Cardiff’s new £1m man Max Watters is Crawley boss John Yems’ latest triumph following Callum Wilson and Matt Ritchie joy

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      WHEN Max Watters completed his £1million move to Cardiff from Crawley at the weekend it was another triumph for John Yems.
      The Crawley boss knows a good player when he sees one – having recruited Callum Wilson from Coventry and Matt Ritchie from Swindon while in charge of recruitment at Bournemouth.

      Max Watters is the latest player off the John Yems production line

      And Yems is certain his latest big find will soon be in the Premier League.
      Watters, 21, was released by Doncaster in the summer and training at Maidstone hoping he might earn a contract at the National League South club.
      But Yems was so impressed with the striker during a pre-season friendly that he invited him in for a trial and swiftly told Crawley to snap him up.
      He said: “Max is definitely good enough. He’s mature, his game is adaptable to the Premier League and he has that instinct where the back of the net is. I’m not going over the top on this.

      “He needs work like everyone does but he has a great heart and desire, has a good family behind him and he wants to do it.
      “Max wants to test himself at the highest level. I’ve no doubt he’s going to be a great player.”
      Yems was treated badly by the Cherries when they made him redundant in 2018 and their loss has certainly turned out to be Crawley’s gain.
      It was written in the FA Cup stars that the two would be drawn together in the fourth round after the Sussex club stunned Leeds.

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      The Cherries claimed they could not AFFORD his £45,000-a-year wages – despite the fact he made the club at least a whopping £30MILLION in transfer profits.
      Yems had joined when they were in League One and in his time there played a big part in bringing Eddie Howe and Jason Tindall back from Burnley.
      He also persuaded them to sign Wilson for £3m, Ritchie for £400,000 and Euan O’Kane from Torquay for £200,000.
      Wilson was sold to Newcastle for £20m in September, Ritchie also went to St James’ Park for £12m while O’Kane was sold for an undisclosed profit to Leeds.
      After suffering a mental breakdown and bouts of depression, Yems got himself back into the game with Crawley – becoming an EFL manager for the first time at the age of SIXTY.

      John Yems has a good eye for talent with Max Watters his latest find

      John Yems persuaded the Cherries to sign Callum Wilson for just £3m
      He said: “I like players who are hard working and good characters. They’ve got to want to improve and to do it for themselves.
      “They used to have that at Bournemouth – people like Tommy Elphicke, who got them promoted to the Premier League in my opinion. He’s the best captain I’ve seen.”
      His assistant and former Bournemouth boss Lee Bradbury – who was in charge in between Howe’s two managerial spells – was responsible for signing Steve Cook, Charlie Daniels, Adam Smith and Dan Gosling.
      Yems said: “They used to be good days at Bournemouth in the lower leagues but once we got into the Premier League it wasn’t the same.”
      But with Crawley punching above their weight in the League Two play-off picture with the FA Cup, Yems is enjoying football once again.
      And Crawley – with a million in the bank – are smiling too.

      Hilton looking to Shake it all up with Bury

      GOOD luck to David Hilton who has a deal in place to rescue Bury FC.

      The Shakers – expelled from the EFL in September 2019 – are still alive, still own Gigg Lane and have a chance to be placed in the National League North next season if they can get their act together.Nottingham-based businessman Hilton, 43, who has been an investor at eighth-tier club Ilkeston, had agreed a deal with current owner Steve Dale – which is now being thrashed out by lawyers.Bury FC, who are currently in administration, must make an application to the FA to be placed into a league by February 1 – and, because the Shakers have not been liquidated and were members of the EFL, football’s governing body can place them into the National League as they are not a phoenix club.But I understand from FA sources that the sixth-tier National North would be the most likely division for Bury to re-enter.Hilton has agreed to pay off all football creditors and satisfy a CVA once approved.Because of the financial impact caused by Covid to football, the Shakers will be well placed to pick up out-of-work players in the Manchester area.Re-entering football at National League North level would allow the club to build new foundations.Bury fans have had so many false dawns and I’m sure everyone who loves football will be keeping their fingers crossed for them in the coming weeks and months.What a great story it would be to see Bury FC back next season at Gigg Lane.

      KICKSTART
      MACKLIN DOHERTY was out of work, claiming Universal Credit and disillusioned.
      That was until football came to the rescue.
      Once again EFL clubs have stepped to the plate during this grimmest of winters to shine a light on their importance to local communities.
      This time 65 clubs have given 500 young people jobs as part of the government’s Kickstart scheme.

      Macklin Doherty is one of the 500 youngsters recruited as part of the government’s Kickstart scheme
      Open to 16 to 24-year-olds who are claiming Universal Credit, it provides up to 25-hours-a-week fully-funded subsidised minimum wage employment for six months.
      So many young people have lost their jobs because of coronavirus or found opportunities non-existent with companies shying away from recruiting.
      Macklin, 23, has just been taken on by Championship club Luton Town to work for their community trust, honing his skills as a graphic designer.
      The youngster – who graduated from university in 2019 – was growing disillusioned after a string of set-backs.
      He was set to be recruited as a graduate graphic designer last year – designing sports kits for schools and universities.
      But they all closed due to the pandemic and the company puts the brakes on recruitment.
      So Macklin went on to Universal Credit and decided to go for training opportunities so he could at least develop his skills while the jobs market was virtually dead.
      He told me: “From last May to December, I sent off 17 applications and didn’t receive any feedback from a single one so it was getting disheartening.
      “But Luton got back to me within 15 days and I had positive conversations with head of the trust Kevin Thoburn and business manager Adam Woulds, they offered me a job.
      “It’s great to wake up in the morning knowing I’ve got work and this scheme is awesome in getting people on the jobs ladder.”
      After six months, clubs can offer those who impress jobs – but, at the very least, young people will have gained much-needed experience ahead of going for future opportunities.

      It’s great to wake up in the morning knowing I’ve got work and this scheme is awesome in getting people on the jobs ladder.”
      MACKLIN DOHERTY

      League One club Portsmouth have just offered someone a job in their media department – with another set to also join shortly.
      Chief executive Mark Catlin said: “The more football clubs can do to give people opportunities – with the funding from the government – it’s a win, win for everybody.
      “This is perfect for those trying to get a foothold into the football industry and gives us an opportunity to look at young talent. We get inundated with requests from youngsters to do voluntary work for us but this is a paid position targeted at those on low incomes.”
      Football has received a battering as various stages of the pandemic – most recently because of some high-profile footballers breaking Covid rules or celebrating goals together, despite the fact they have all tested negative for the disease and are in bubbles.

      Pompey chief executive Mark Catlin is right behind the scheme
      And Catlin said: “There have been a lot of cheap shots aimed at footballers – whether it be for the salaries earned or for breaking Covid rules.
      “If you look at the pandemic more generally, these are people who have failings like anyone else.
      “The number of people who break rules is a minority – just like it is across all other walks of life.
      “It’s not representative of people I know in football who are not on huge sums of money and are decent people trying to do the right thing.
      “Guess what Portsmouth players were doing during the height of the first lockdown? Delivering food for the most vulnerable and helping our community.”

      Oliver Dowden says the Premier League and EFL should work together to support themselves More

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      Phil Neville’s England replacement Sarina Wiegman will bring Dutch of class to Lionesses in trophy hunt

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      PHIL NEVILLE will soon be packing his flip-flops and factor 40 for the tough gig that is Miami.
      While we are all freezing in our isolated world, Neville has left England’s women’s team and bagged himself a Florida foxhole.

      Former Holland boss Sarina Wiegman is taking Phil Neville’s England Women jobCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Neville is off to manage Inter MiamiCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Lucky man! Not so much Miami Vice, as Miami, hmmmm, very nice. Good luck to him.
      His record as boss was mixed.
      A 2019 World Cup semi-final berth — only losing to eventual winners USA 2-1 — was countered by really poor form since then, with the Lionesses losing five of their last nine games.
      Enter a woman!

      The replacement for 43- year-old Neville is former Holland boss Sarina Wiegman.
      These are exciting times for women’s football and Wiegman comes with a cracking CV.
      She won Euro 2017 with Holland and was runner-up at the 2019 World Cup.
      I confess I was surprised when Neville was appointed as he hadn’t managed a team before.

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      Surely you need a certain level of experience before becoming the focal point for a nation’s hopes and fears.
      Mind you, some of the best men’s managers in recent years barely kicked a ball in anger.
      Arsene Wenger, Gerard Houllier and Rafa Benitez spring to mind and Jose Mourinho was a translator under the late Sir Bobby Robson at Barcelona.
      As for Wiegman, she ticks both boxes, with 104 caps for the Netherlands as a player.
      The 51-year-old is renowned for her professionalism and high standards and takes over just before the 2022 Euros on our home soil.
      We all know the galvanising effect Euro 96 had on the men’s game — Three Lions on the shirt and all that — and, hopefully, the same can happen with the women.
      Wiegman, who is set to take over after this summer’s Olympics — assuming they go ahead — has all of our best wishes as the England team have been bridesmaids but never the brides.
      Runners-up in Europe twice and World Cup semi-finalists twice, Neville and others before him could not find the key to the trophy cabinet. Now, where have we heard that before?

      England’s women are about to embark on a new path without NevilleCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      OUT OF TOUCH
      I HAVE to admit that I am bemused by this constant berating of footballers for celebrating goals by hugging.
      As far as I am aware you cannot catch Covid from someone who has tested negative — no matter how close you get. And all the players on the pitch have tested negative.
      Premier League players are now tested three times a week, making them, I would think, among the most tested people in the country.
      Scoring a goal is one of the great pleasures of being a footballer and a fist pump or elbow bump doesn’t really have the same effect as a pure instinct goal celebration.
      But, of course, we will all comply with the rules. No matter how little they make sense sometimes.

      The hugging ban during celebrations makes no sense to meCredit: Getty – Pool
      EFL DEBT OF GRATITUDE
      WEST HAM received a letter from the chairman of Northampton Town last week, writing to thank us and all Premier League clubs for their assistance with the EFL bailout.
      He recognised that all of football is struggling through this pandemic and suffering significant losses, so the bailout was ‘much appreciated’.
      He’s not wrong.
      Three Premier League clubs recently posted significant losses — Man Utd £23million, Spurs £67.7m and Southampton £76m, no doubt with more to follow. The Prem collectively is losing £100- a-month.
      He said that ‘Northampton Town wanted to just recognise the role of the Premier League clubs in helping’.
      A thank you goes a long way, so a touch of class from Kelvin Thomas.

      I appreciated Kelvin Thomas writing to thank Premier League clubs for their contributions to the EFL bail outCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Wayne Rooney named permanent Derby manager as Man Utd legend retires from playing to sign two-and-a-half-year deal More

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      Referees charity wants FA to BAN players from coming within two metres of officials amid growing Covid fears

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      A REFEREE charity has urged the FA to ban footballers coming within two metres off officials.
      Refsupport UK has called on football chiefs to implement the tougher rule in a bid to reduce the risk of spreading coronavirus on the pitch.

      A referee charity has called on the FA to ban players from coming within two metres of officialsCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Football stars have already been asked not to celebrate in groups after scoring in a bid to lower the spread risk.
      But with officials seemingly forgotten about when considering on-field social distancing rules, the ref charity have called for change.
      Refsupportuk tweeted: “It would be brilliant if the FA could also state that players should not intentionally be within two metres of a match official.
      “There is no reason whatsoever for a player to be intentionally that close to a match official.”

      The suggestion has reportedly been put to the FA but it has not developed beyond that stage yet.
      It came after minister for sport Nigel Huddleston MP suggested footballers should not be given special treatment as the country battles against the deadly virus.
      He tweeted: “Everyone in the country has had to change the way they interact with people and ways of working.
      “Footballers are no exception. Covid secure guidelines exist for football.

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      It would be brilliant if the @FAalso state that players should not intentionally be within 2 meters of a match official. There is no reason whatsoever for a player to be intentionally that close to a match official. https://t.co/oeovUoA1y4
      — Refsupportuk (@refsupportuk) January 13, 2021

      “Footballers must follow them and football authorities enforce them – strictly.”
      Huddleston’s message came after Premier League chief executive Richard Masters sent a letter to all 20 top flight clubs reminding them of ‘the critical importance of adhering’ to strict Covid protocols.
      He also told clubs ‘handshakes, high fives and hugs must be avoided’.
      Despite the new guidelines, Sheffield United’s players celebrated in a group after they scored their winner against Newcastle on Tuesday.
      And Fulham’s players hugged and high-fived after they equalised against Tottenham on Wednesday.
      This latest development comes after Aston Villa’s clash with Everton on Sunday was postponed as Covid-19 continues to wreak havoc with the season.
      The Villans had to play their Under-23 side in the FA Cup last week against Liverpool after a host of positive test results forced them to close their training ground.
      Now Villa will be without a game this weekend again after top-flight chiefs confirmed their game with the Toffees was off.
      A Premier League statement said: “Aston Villa’s home match against Everton, scheduled to be played on Sunday 17 January at 12:00 GMT, has been postponed by the Premier League Board.
      “Following the rescheduling of Villa’s fixture against Tottenham Hotspur, which was due to be played last night, a significant number of players and staff remain in isolation.
      “As a result, the Premier League Board has agreed to Aston Villa’s request to postpone their match on Sunday.”
      https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/13712322/premier-league-coronavirus-test-results-latest/Latest Covid-19 test figures saw 36 positive results across the 20 top flight clubs. 

      Chelsea’s longest serving player Lucas Piazon completes transfer to Sporting Braga eight years after last Blues game More

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      Shrewsbury given FA Cup lifeline after coronavirus woe as Prem shift back Southampton game to create space for clash

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      SHREWSBURY have been handed an FA Cup reprieve – after Prem bosses agreed to put back Southampton’s trip to Leeds to create space in the calendar.
      League One Shews faced being booted out of the competition when a Covid outbreak meant they could not play their third round tie at St Mary’s last weekend.

      Jason Cummings of Shrewsbury poses with the FA Cup trophy last year Credit: Getty Images – Getty

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      When the winners were pulled out of the hat to face Arsenal in the fourth round, Saints appeared set to be handed a walkover because of the Gunners’ congested fixture schedule and Europa League games next month.
      But Wembley’s Professional Game Board, which includes former Prem chairman and current FA acting head Peter McCormick, reached out to League bosses to find an alternative.
      And now the delayed third round tie will be played with an 8pm kick-off on Tuesday, allowing the fourth round to proceed as scheduled the following weekend.

      But the move will see Southampton’s scheduled Prem game at Elland Road, due to be played on Wednesday, postponed until a slot can be found later in the campaign.
      Confirming the decision, Wembley said: “The FA would like to thank the Premier League, EFL, BT Sport, Southampton, Shrewsbury Town and Leeds United for helping to make the re-scheduling possible.”
      The League said the delayed Prem clash “will rescheduled in due course”.
      A spokesman added: “Any future FA Cup rescheduling decisions involving Premier League teams will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.”

      The agreement is a sign of the mutual determination of the Prem and FA to complete the season as scheduled despite the growing list of Covid-enforced postponements.

      League bosses are expected to confirm they have granted Aston Villa’s request to call off Sunday’s rescheduled trip to Everton with the club’s Bodymoor Heath training ground still closed.
      Middlesbrough were sent crashing out the cup losing 2-1 against Brentford which came amid a Covid-19 outbreak.
      The Teessiders training ground had been closed, leaving Neil Warnock’s side unable to prepare for the clash.

      The FA Cup 5th round draw could see Chorley play Arsenal More

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      Man Utd looking to send keeper Nathan Bishop, 21, out on loan transfer this month to Championship or League One side

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      MANCHESTER UNITED are looking to loan goalkeeper Nathan Bishop out to the EFL this month.
      The stopper, 21, signed from Southend last year and then put pen to paper on a contract extension on Monday, tying him down at Old Trafford until 2023.

      Nathan Bishop has signed a new contract at Manchester United but is now set for a loan move to the EFLCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      There is an option of an extra 12 months, too, for the youngster who has been involved in first-team training but yet to make a senior appearance.
      But with Bishop behind David De Gea, Dean Henderson and Sergio Romero in the pecking order – and battling with Paul Woolston and Ondrej Mastny in the Under-23s – the club are trying to find somewhere for him to build experience.
      And it is thought United want to send the former England U20 international to the Championship or League One.
      Boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said: “Yes, I think Nathan’s next step should be a loan deal.

      “He could be ready for the Championship or League One for sure.
      “The young boys need a step up from the U23s, because sometimes that level doesn’t prepare you for a man’s game.”
      Bishop made 39 senior appearances – 31 of those in the third tier – for Southend between December 2017 and joining United in early 2020.
      Asked about whether a loan move appeals to him at this stage, Bishop was clearly in favour.

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      He told the United website: “Yeah definitely. You learn your trade in playing games, that’s the most exciting thing, playing games and preparing for them.
      “I’m very excited to step out and hopefully be able to play for a team and put all the year’s work into that.
      “We do this for a job and when you know there are things on the line for people you have to step things up and make it count.
      “To just get three points and go home knowing you’ve done the job that you were there to do is a very exciting thing to hopefully go and do.”
      Despite not making a first-team appearance just yet, Bishop is clearly a popular man in the dressing room.
      Bruno Fernandes, Scott McTominay, Juan Mata and De Gea all commented their support when his new contract was confirmed this week.
      The Portuguese star, who also arrived last January, said: “Well deserved kid! Top lad and amazing professional.”

      Dean Henderson, left, and David De Gea are the two goalkeepers battling for the No1 spot at Old TraffordCredit: The Mega Agency

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