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    Euro 2024 could be plunged into chaos as Fifa and Uefa are urged to kick Israel out of football

    FIFA and Uefa have been urged to kick Israel out of football over the situation in Gaza.Such a move would disrupt the Euro 2024 play-offs with Israel due to face Iceland on March 21.
    Uefa and Fifa have been urged to boot Israel out of Euro 2024Credit: Martin Silva Cosentino/NurPhoto
    It is expected neither will bow to the demand, led by ex-Fifa presidential candidate Prince Ali of Jordan.
    The head of Jordan’s FA and president of the West Asian Football Federation said in an open letter: “We call upon Fifa, the Football Confederations and Member Associations to join us in a stand against the atrocities.
    “That means condemning the killing of innocent civilians . . . and taking a united front isolating the Israeli FA from all football-related activities until acts of aggression cease.”
    Israel finished third in Group I, two points behind Switzerland with 15.
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    Alon Hazan’s side won their final match of the group stages 2-0 against Andorra thanks to an own-goal from Joan Cervos and a strike from Gadi Kinda.
    The Israelis face Iceland in a ‘home’ play-off tie by virtue of winning their Uefa Nations League group two years ago.
    However, the fixture will be held in Budapest due to the ongoing war with Hamas.
    The winner will then face either Bosnia in Sarajevo or another tie on neutral ground against Ukraine, who are playing in Poland due to the Russian invasion of their country.
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    Euro 2024 finals will start on June 14 and the tournament will run until July 14 later this year.
    Germany will play in the opening match against Scotland in Munich as they are the host nation.
    Italy will be hoping to retain their crown having won the tournament in 2021 by beating England in the final at Wembley Stadium.
    Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate has previously described the scenes in Israel and Gaza as “disturbing”.
    He said: “In my lifetime it’s one of the most complex situations in the world. And I think everybody is grappling with how best to deal with that.
    “I don’t know what it’s like to walk in the shoes of people on either side of that conflict.” More

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    Germany World Cup winner ready to make shock retirement U-turn to play at Euro 2024 homecoming

    TONI KROOS could come out of international retirement to play at Euro2024.The Real Madrid midfielder, who quit playing for Germany after Euro2020 three years ago, has been in talks with new national boss Julian Nagelsmann.
    Toni Kroos starred for Germany at the 2014 World CupCredit: EPA
    The midfielder is starring for Real Madrid aged 34Credit: Getty
    He has won 106 caps for Germany and was a key figure in the side that won the World Cup in 2014.
    Kroos, 34, quit to spend more time with his family but potentially, could return this summer but will have to make a decision before the March friendlies with France and Holland.
    He shares the same agent as Nagelsmann and the pair have been in constant contact since December.
    Germany face Scotland in the Euro2024 opener in Munich on June 14.
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    Kroos, whose Real contract expires in June, has been a key player alongside Jude Bellingham in Madrid this season.
    The veteran midfielder has made 29 club appearances, scoring one goal and adding seven assists.
    SunSport reported in October that Kroos could look to finish his career in the Premier League.
    Should he leave Real Madrid, the experienced star will expect to keep playing in the Champions League.
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    At the time it was expected that his representatives will sound out Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham and both Manchester clubs.
    One destination Kroos is unlikely to end up is Saudi Arabia.
    He has been outspoken in his criticism of stars taking a pay day to move to the Saudi Pro League.
    Kroos told Sports Illustrated that players were just moving to the Kingdom for money, saying: “It’s been said that they play ambitious football there, but it’s all about the money. In the end, it’s a decision for the money and against football.
    “That’s when it starts to become difficult for the football we all know and love.
    “Everyone has to make that decision for themselves, like Cristiano Ronaldo, who decided to do it towards the end of his career.
    “But it becomes very difficult when players, who are in the middle of their career and have the quality to play for the best clubs in Europe, decide to make those changes.” More

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    England Under-21 trophy hero a ‘no-brainer’ for Euro 2024 squad – and here’s how he compares to Southgate favourites

    JURGEN KLOPP’S assistant reckons it is a “no-brainer” for England to take Curtis Jones to the Euros.And anyone who witnessed the midfielder inspiring his country to an Under-21 European Championship title in the summer would also back the Scouser for a shock call-up for the seniors.
    Liverpool star Curtis Jones should be a ‘no-brainer’ for the England Euro 2024 squadCredit: PA
    Jones celebrates with Anthony Gordon after winning the U21 Euros with EnglandCredit: Getty

    Particularly with the own goal Jordan Henderson has scored with his Saudi gaffe, which could end up costing the 33-year-old his own seat on the plane to Germany.
    Henderson, who captained Jones, 22, at Liverpool is on a salvage operation to prove he can still cut it at the top level by joining Ajax after his Al-Ettifaq cock-up.
    Gareth Southgate stuck by Hendo even after he went to the Saudi Pro League.
    So he is unlikely to deviate from the 81-cap ace now he is back in Europe. Same goes for West Ham-bound Kalvin Phillips.
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    Yet central midfield does seem an area where the Three Lions are not stacked with undroppable stars — opening the door for an emerging talent like Jones.
    Pep Lijnders, No2 to Klopp at Anfield, is in no doubt the whizkid, who turns 23 on Tuesday, should be selected.
    When asked if he can sneak into Southgate’s Euros squad, the Dutchman replied: “That’s a no-brainer. He is one of the most decisive players in the team with and without the ball.
    “He is the player who always shows up. Curtis is still young but he acts like a senior player.”
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    Jones’ maturity is a credit to  himself but also a by-product of the experience he has racked up at such a tender age.
    Born in Toxteth, the same inner-city area of Liverpool that produced Robbie Fowler, he became only one of two Scousers to reach 100 appearances for his local club since Steven Gerrard burst onto the scene in 1998. The other is, of course, Trent Alexander-Arnold.
    And yet Jones, who joined the club at Under-9 level, had a slower integration into the first-team than those two greats.
    That was despite a debut in the FA Cup third-round aged 17 in 2019 and then hitting a match-winner a year later at the same stage of the competition in a 1-0 win — against none other than  bitter rivals Everton.
    Jones wanted more game-time but back then Klopp already had one of the best midfield threes in Europe, including a prime Henderson.
    The German also wanted the youngster to work on his defensive side first. Gerrard, who coached him when he was Liverpool Under-18s boss, helped with that.
    Now, he is a pressing machine who is regarded by the England U21 hierarchy as good as anyone in the Prem at the breathless discipline.
    Reflecting on his journey in November, Jones said: “I was a kid who came in and pressing and defending were never a thing for me! Now Klopp’s picking up on it loads, it just goes to show how much I’ve actually changed.”
    Jones has also started to add goals to his game with four in his last seven appearances, including one in the first leg against Fulham.
    Curtis is still young but he acts like a senior player.Pep Ljinders
    And he went on to explain how he now feels  like one of the more experienced midfielders in Klopp’s dressing room given how many new faces  have arrived at the club in the last year — even if all but Ryan Gravenberch are older than him.
    Underpinning his impressive campaign for the Reds was his  triumphant time with the U21s in the summer in Georgia.
    Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon may have won player of the tournament but Jones was hands-down England’s best player.
    Despite being a natural No 10, he dominated every game he played from a deep-lying midfield position alongside Angel Gomes.
    Lille’s Gomes claimed the pair spoke the same “language” of football” and Jones went on to score the winner in the final against Spain.
    Young Lions manager Lee Carsley, 49, is a big believer in Jones’ talents.
    The former Everton man — who used to play in the middle of the park himself — appreciates the way Jones can dribble like a winger which is difficult for opposing  central midfielders to deal with.
    He also admires the Kop star’s bravery to take the ball anywhere, his end product and his character.
    Carsley even challenged Jones in 2022 to step up his game for the Young Lions, knowing that he was capable of more. He said at the time: “I expect more from him because I’ve been lucky  to work with some talented players.
    “Players that are almost, like, your middle of the road ones, when they do well, you’re like ‘That was brilliant, well done’.
    “But the really talented ones, when they do well you actually want them to do better. You push them more than the players that are striving to get there.”
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    Jones met those expectations last summer, is surpassing them this season and with the Reds 2-1 up ahead of tonight’s Carabao Cup second leg against the Cottagers will be aiming to land more silverware.
    Whether he has done enough to gatecrash England’s Euros party remains to be seen — but an eventual senior call-up seems a certainty.
    Jones scored Liverpool’s opener in their Carabao Cup first leg win against Fulham and will be aiming for finish the job at Craven Cottage tonightCredit: Reuters More

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    Jose Mourinho told me dream final management job when he came over to see me – he’ll wait until after the Euros for it

    JOSE MOURINHO wants to manage Portugal before rolling credits on his glittering career.That is according to Chelsea hero Frank Leboeuf, who claims Mourinho told him he wants to have a crack at international football after 24 years of club management.
    Chelsea hero Frank Leboeuf knows the one team Jose Mourinho wants to manageCredit: Getty
    Mourinho wants to manage Portugal before retiring, claims LeboeufCredit: AP
    The Portuguese tactician was sacked by Roma last week following a string of poor results that saw the Serie A giants slumping to eighth place in the table.
    The ex-Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester United boss is now searching for his next destination, with rumours linking him to a move to Saudi Arabia or a Premier League return to Newcastle.
    However, Leboeuf claims he knows one team the Special One definitely wishes to take over at some point after a conversation they had in Los Angeles.
    And that is none other than his own national team, but as things stand the 60-year-old will have to wait until after Euro 2024.
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    That is because Roberto Martinez has already led Cristiano Ronaldo and co to the finals in Germany and much will depend on how far the ex-Everton boss can take the Euro 2016 champions.
    Leboeuf told ESPN: “I remember interviewing Mr Mourinho when he was at Madrid or Chelsea when he came over to Los Angeles.
    “He admitted that the last thing he would love to do in his coaching career would be to get the Portuguese national team job. I think that’s going to be his goal.
    “It’s tricky right now with Roberto but I really think he can be patient and see how it goes during the Euros and then maybe jump into the seat if he has the chance to.”
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    This comes after Mourinho rejected a lucrative offer from Saudi side Al-Shabab.
    The former Real Madrid manager was also spotted arriving in Barcelona.
    Speculation suggested Newcastle could also be a possible destination with the megarich Magpies slumping down to 10th place in the Premier League table under Eddie Howe. More

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    Gus Poyet reveals Greece STILL haven’t offered new deal before Euro 2024 despite play-offs success – ‘It’s not normal’

    GREECE could go to Germany for Euro 2024 in the summer without a manager.That is because Chelsea and Tottenham legend Gus Poyet’s deal runs out on March 31 and the Hellenic Football Federation (EPO) still haven’t offered him a new deal.
    Greece manager Gus Poyet hasn’t been offered a new deal before Euro 2024Credit: AFP
    Ethniki have dramatically improved under the Uruguayan tactician, who led them to Nations League success as they got promoted to League B.
    The Greek national team are now very close to qualifying for their first Euros since 2012 as they will face Kazakhstan in the semi-finals at OPAP Arena on March 21.
    If the Euro 2004 champions get through Magomed Adiyev’s side then they will set a final showdown against either Luxembourg or Georgia away on March 26.
    But despite winning 11 out of his 19 games in charge – of which he lost six – and taking France to the limit with a narrow 1-0 loss away and a 2-2 draw at home, that could be Poyet’s last game with Greece.
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    The 56-year-old wishes to stay but this “strange” situation is “out of his hands” and has even affected the players.
    The Uruguayan also fears that he will be deemed responsible as to why Greece were left without a manager only three months before the tournament.
    Especially now that the list of potential replacements has drastically decreased following former manager Fernando Santos’ move to Besiktas.
    Nevertheless, the ex-Brighton and Sunderland boss insists he will give it his all for Greece until the very last day of his contract, even though EPO are in “not much hurry”.
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    Poyet told SunSport on behalf of William Hill when asked if his contract runs out in March: “Yes, that’s exactly the length of my contract. My contract finishes on the 31st of March.
    “There have been too many rumors about the possibility of renewing, but right now 16th of January, 12:06pm UK time [the time of the interview] there is no offer. So I’m staying in the same position. We’ll see.
    “Yes, that’s true [Greece may qualify for Euro 2024 and go to Germany without a manager]. The problem is I know because of my past in AEK [Athens] how it works. I asked not to get to the 31st of March without a contract.
    “Maybe they want to wait, fair enough. I’m happy to wait in terms of that I sign a contract and I carry my responsibilities to the last minute.
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    Poyet contract with Greece runs out on March 31Credit: Sportsfile
    “But you know when people play with the situation, ‘If you qualify, he will go to the Euros because it doesn’t matter the money because he’s not gonna miss it’. Or the other way around, ‘If he doesn’t, he will renew cheaper or whatever’.
    “I don’t like that. I want me to be considered for the manager that I’m now and I’m gonna be exactly the same manager and the same person on the 31st of March.
    “The issue is out of my hands obviously. I’m just waiting. I would really like to renew before [the deadline] to close that situation where even for the players it’s a little bit strange knowing that they’re gonna be playing and they don’t know what is going to happen.
    “Especially because I know that if I don’t renew after the 31st, knowing how it works in Greece, I’m going to be blamed. I don’t’ know for what, but I’m gonna be blamed, it is going to be my responsibility.
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    “Normally, when you want a player, you don’t wait until the last six months or three months or two months to renew the contract. So do they want a manager? Me, I’m sorry, but the timing shows that there is not much hurry from the federation.
    “So I’m just going to the end, be myself. I finished two contracts in Zaragoza. I played to the last game of the last minute and gave everything. I’m not going to change now so I’m the same, but it is a little bit uncomfortable this situation. It’s not normal. It’s not” More

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    Returning Ivan Toney has eyes on England Euro 2024 spot – but Marcus Rashford, Ollie Watkins & Co hope to keep him out

    IVAN TONEY is back.And club and country hope he can be the same player – or even better – that he was before his eight-month ban for betting offences.
    Ivan Toney will be hoping to add to his one England capCredit: Sunday Times
    Toney knows he owes Brentford big time for their support and understanding. 
    After being deprived of their star striker’s services for the first half of the season – and having lost Bryan Mbeumo to a serious ankle injury -the Bees are hovering just two places and three points above the relegation zone.
    That fact alone would make selling Toney in this transfer window a different kind of ill-advised gamble.
    Even if Brentford could secure an £80million+ fee, they would risk losing a lot more money in the event of relegation.
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    But that’s a big “if”. Toney’s leading suitors – Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester United – are not in a position to spend that kind of money this month.
    So circumstances, as well as mutual affection, are conspiring to keep the destinies of the striker and the club entwined for at least a little longer.
    It is now down to Toney to give himself, Brentford and England reasons to put the whole sorry affair behind them.
    Starting, ideally, with Saturday teatime’s basement clash with Nottingham Forest.
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    Selling Toney in this transfer window a different kind of ill-advised gamble (for Brentford)Dan King

    In many ways, the equation is pretty simple.
    The more goals Toney scores, the sooner Thomas Frank’s team will move away from the drop zone.
    And the better he plays, the stronger the case he will make to force his way into Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2024 plans – a target he has acknowledged.
    The England manager showed sympathy to Toney from the moment the ban was announced, publicly questioning the morality of preventing him even from training while he served the suspension.
    But make no mistake, the 27-year-old has it all to do to make it on to the plane to Germany.
    Because while humanity is one of Southgate’s defining characteristics, so is loyalty.
    Which means Toney, with just one senior cap to his name, must give the England boss very good reasons to prefer him to strikers with more experience at Premier League and international level.
    Players like Marcus Rashford and Callum Wilson, for instance, despite their own struggles this season.
    Toney, for all his exploits in the previous two top-flight seasons, has still played way more games in the third tier of English football.
    He also has to show that he deserves a spot ahead of two other forwards who have come up through the leagues, Ollie Watkins and Jarrod Bowen.
    Watkins, chasing the title with Aston Villa, currently looks like England’s best option to provide back-up to Harry Kane as a central striker. 
    Although Bournemouth’s Dominic Solanke, as the highest scoring Englishman in the top flight, might have something to say about that.
    March’s friendlies against Brazil and Belgium will be the last chance for Toney and everyone else to prove their international pedigree before June.
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    So there’s a lot for Toney to do, and not a lot of time to do it.
    But if he delivers, everyone’s a winner. More

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    Jude Bellingham helped design new 30th anniversary iconic adidas Predator boots… and popular famous feature returns

    JUDE BELLINGHAM helped create the 30th anniversary edition of the iconic adidas Predator boots – and brought back a popular piece of nostalgia.Now the chief designer wants to see him take England to Euro 2024 glory in the summer.
    Jude Bellingham helped create the latest version of the adidas Predator bootsCredit: adidas
    The Predator 24 sees the return of the foldover tongueCredit: Lukas Schulze / adidas AG
    Bellingham, 20, has been with adidas since his breakthrough at Birmingham and is now strutting his stuff on the grandest stage of all at Real Madrid’s Bernabeu.
    And he played his part in producing the latest iteration of the famous Predator – which first hit pitches and shops in 1994 – to make sure it was exactly to his liking and requirements.
    Sam Handy, head of product for adidas football, told SunSport: “We work very closely with an amazing group of pro players who are involved in the feedback from early testing prototypes and adjustments.
    “We worked with Jude on this Predator and heard his first reactions when we got the boot in front of him.
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    “He has been a key part of our development of the boot from a performance perspective.
    “We are working closely with him for future generations, follow-up colourways where we build special editions for Jude based directly on his input. He is very integrated into our creation process. He is a dear partner of the brand.”
    The new Predator 24, launched today after a two-and-a-half-year process, comes in the traditional black, white and red colour scheme but with a fluorescent yellow touch to help the boots stand out on TV.
    And it also sees the return of the old-school foldover tongue for the first time since 2002 – with Bellingham and new adidas signing Trent Alexander-Arnold enjoying early access.
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    Handy added: “In theory, the tongue is an archive detail but the feedback from so many players was, ‘Please bring back the foldover tongue.’ It’s a super iconic detail.
    “It works. It delivers ball control. Gen Z pro players are asking for the tongue for performance reasons and twinned with the nostalgia it was too hard to resist the temptation for Predator 24.
    “This is the best Predator ever built in 30 years – as you can tell by the number of players that have so quickly transitioned to it already.
    “Normally it takes us a bit of time to get players used to a new boot but in this instance, we’ve been actively trying to stop them coming too early because they all fell in love with it.”
    Bellingham has taken the transition to Real Madrid by storm since his £115million transfer from Borussia Dortmund.
    His 17 goals in 24 appearances are beyond even what the sensational talent himself could have dreamed of.
    He has already racked up 27 senior England caps – scoring at the World Cup when he was just 19 – and his trophy cabinet is already brimming with awards including Bundesliga player of the season, the Kopa Trophy, Golden Boy, DFB-Pokal and now the Supercopa de Espana.
    Handy added: “Jude is going to be Jude. Jude is going to be something completely different from other players that we have had throughout our history who have also been very important to us.
    There have been 21 different designs over the past three decadesCredit: adidas
    Bellingham and Jules Kounde both wore new the Preds in the Supercopa de Espana finalCredit: Reuters
    David Beckham famously wore Predators during his illustrious careerCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
    Zidane scored his Champions League final volley wearing the bootsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    “Looking at what Jude represents to a whole new generation of players and what he has been doing at Real, Jude’s very, very special.
    “He’s the perfect Predator player. Predator has always been about goals and Jude is very much about goals. There’s also the swagger, the flair, the confidence, the way you play. He represents that. It’s a joy to watch him play.
    “We definitely see lots of people, both players and consumers, looking up to Jude. What he is doing at the moment is very special. He is clearly one of the very, very top players in the world.
    “Real Madrid are the biggest club in the world so seeing Jude playing there is absolutely the perfect combination.”
    The Predator is one of the best-selling football boots of all time, with 21 different styles over the past 30 years, and remains popular with players from the Premier League to Sunday league.
    Zinedine Zidane’s Champions League volley, Paul Gascoigne’s wondergoal against Scotland at Euro 96 and that David Beckham free-kick against Greece were all scored in Preds.
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    And Handy is desperate to see another special strike in the Predator 24 this year.
    He concluded: “If I could magic these things up, it would be Jude scoring the winning goal of Euro 2024 for England with a banging, iconic, Predator free-kick.”
    The flashes of fluorescent yellow are to help the boots stand out on TVCredit: adidas
    Arsenal star Alessia Russo will wear the new Predator 24Credit: adidas
    Gabriel Jesus featured in the launch campaignCredit: adidas
    The original Predator was released in 1994Credit: adidas
    The black, white and red colourway has become synonymous with the bootsCredit: adidas AG / studio waldeck More

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    Leicester outcast Danny Ward thrown Premier League transfer lifeline in boost to Wales goalkeeper’s Euro 2024 chances

    SHEFFIELD UNITED want to throw keeper Danny Ward a Premier League lifeline — and boost his Euro 2024 chances.The Blades have asked Leicester about their out-of-favour Wales No 1 and boss Chris Wilder is keen on a loan for the rest of the season — with a possible buy in summer.
    Ward is keen on the move to boost his chances of winning Wales’ no1 shirtCredit: Alamy
    Ward, 30, would leap at the chance to get back into the top flight and also get him ready for the Euro finals if the Welsh make it through the play-offs in March.
    The former Liverpool keeper cost £12.5million in 2018 yet is only third choice and Foxes would sell him, ideally.
    But a loan may suit them and pledging a full-time transfer would get the deal done.
    Ward joining on a temporary deal would also mean one of the Blades’ domestic loan players must go.
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    Prem clubs can only have two domestic loan players at any one time and they currently have Leicester left-back Luke Thomas and attacker James McAtee from Manchester City.
    Thomas is the most likely to be let go.
    Blades also looked at experienced Kasper Schmeichel, who is now with Anderlecht in Belgium, but the 37-year-old Dane may be too dear.
    If United cannot do a deal for Ward, Cardiff would step in with a rival loan offer.
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    Elsewhere, Derby  are watching Blades midfielder Ollie Arblaster, 19, who is back from a loan at Port Vale.
    Arblaster may be out for a month with a gashed knee suffered in the Carabao Cup against Middlesbrough last month.
    So the Rams will have to leave it late to check on his recovery. More