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      Wrexham’s Paul Mullin in shock Wales standby call for Euro 2024 qualifier against Croatia

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      PAUL MULLIN is on stand-by for Wales’ Euro 2024 qualifier with Croatia.The Wrexham striker, 28, has scored 78 goals in 97 games for the League Two outfit since joining in 2021.
      Wales boss Robert Page has a few striker issues which could open the door for Paul MullinCredit: EPA
      Mullin has been Wrexham’s talisman to return to the EFL under Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenneyCredit: Getty
      But Wales are without Brennan Johnson, who has been ruled out with a hamstring injury.
      And there are concerns over the fitness of Millwall’s Tom Bradshaw, who also has a hamstring issue so Mullin could be in the mix for a debut call-up for the October 15 clash in Cardiff.

      Wales boss Robert Page, whose side also faces Gibraltar in a friendly next Wednesday, said: “Paul is on standby for the squad.
      “I watched Paul against Sheffield United last year, and Jack Lester – my coach, who was at Sheffield United at the time – sang his praises.
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      “We’ve had a few conversations about Paul, so the next step is he’s now on standby and he’s one step away.
      “We monitor the Welsh players, and Paul is certainly one we’ve taken note of – and he deserves that. This is the next step of his development.”
      Mullin was born in Liverpool but qualifies for Wales through his grandmother.
      Johnson was due to be in the squad until Page received a late call on Tuesday night as the forward is set to miss Tottenham’s Premier League clash at Luton on Saturday.
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      Page added: “It’s not a serious one. But unfortunately the timing dictates this and so if he is not going to be right for Spurs then it’s not fair for us to pick him and try to play him.”
      Wales are without captain Aaron Ramsey due to a knee injury with Spurs defender Ben Davies set to lead the Dragons.
      Uncapped duo Charlie Savage, 20, and son of former Wales and Leicester midfielder Robbie and Owen Beck, 21, earn their first senior call-ups.
      Meanwhile, Wales fans have branded chief executive Noel Mooney a ‘p*** taker’ for trying to hike ticket prices for Euro 2024 qualifiers.
      The hard-up Dragons are looking to maximise every financial resource available to them.
      Football Association of Wales chief Mooney proposed a ticket price increase midway through the qualifying campaign.
      But Welsh fans represented at a Football Supporters’ Association meeting strongly opposed the idea due to the cost-of-living crisis plus a poor run of two wins in their 14 matches.
      Mooney backed down for now but the Irishman wants a price review ahead of a possible Euro 2024 play-off next March.
      The minutes from the meeting read: “A few people in the meeting expressed their disappointment and concern that any increase in the near future is even being considered, due to the current financial crisis.”
      Wales fan John McAllister tweeted: “Mooney and the FAW are taking the p*** here. Glad the FSA shut them down on it.
      “Raising prices mid tournament would’ve been an absolutely p*** take of fans who for the most part are struggling financially already.”
      Wales attracted a sparse crowd of just 13,668 – their lowest home attendance, Covid aside – in four years against South Korea last month with fans criticising the prices of £25 plus a £3 booking fee.
      Only yesterday did the Dragons put the sell-out signs on Wrexham’s Racecourse Ground for the October 11 friendly against Gibraltar.
      While the FAW have sold 26,000 tickets for the Euro 2024 home qualifier against Croatia four days later and expect a capacity crowd of 33,000 at the Cardiff City Stadium.
      Page’s Wales have been cutting costs in recent months and SunSport revealed players sharing hotel rooms and purse strings tightened on opposition analysis. 
      Wales squad
      Goalkeepers: Hennessey, Ward, A Davies
      Defenders: B Davies, Rodon, Lockyer, Mepham, Poole, Cabango, Williams, Beck, Roberts
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      Midfielders: Burns, Ampadu, Savage, J James, Levitt, Sheehan, D James, Broadhead, Wilson
      Forwards: Brooks, Cullen, Harris, Moore, Bradshaw. More

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      Inside the abandoned stadium covered in weeds which is set to host Euro 2028 games after UK and Ireland win bid

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      EURO 2028 will be hosted by a now derelict stadium after the UK and Ireland won the bid to host the tournament.Turkey have withdrawn from the bidding process – leaving the UK and Ireland as the sole candidate, with the hosting choice to be formally determined at a meeting of Uefa’s ruling executive committee on Monday and then publicly confirmed in Nyon the next day.
      Casement Park is currently derelictCredit: Pacemaker
      There are plans to turn it into a 34,500 seater stadium to host games at Euro 2028Credit: Pacemaker Press
      Ten stadiums will host Euro 2028
      Irish FA Chief Executive Patrick Nelson insists construction will begin on Casement Park now that the UK and Ireland have been successful in their bid.
      When complete the arena will be able to hold 34,500 fans.
      Windsor Park, where Northern Ireland currently play home games, does not meet minimum capacity requirements for the Euros.
      So the unbuilt Casement Park is part of the UK and Ireland’s joint bid.

      It has been unused since 2013, but was once Northern Ireland’s top Gaelic football ground.
      According to the BBC, redevelopment of the site has been met with a legal challenge from local residents.
      It’s reported there were objections to its size and the impact it will have on the local area.
      However, the £77.5million development was given the go-ahead last summer after a West Belfast residents’ group lost its legal challenge.
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      The redevelopment of Casement Park has been met with a legal challengeCredit: Sportsfile
      Plans to redevelop the stadium were given the green light last summerCredit: Sportsfile
      And the ground has been designed by the architects responsible for Tottenham’s incredible £1billion stadium.
      Casement Park is one of two grounds in the UK and Ireland’s bid that are currently unbuilt.

      The other is Everton’s Bramley-Moore Dock, which is due to be completed by 2024.
      That is the same year work on all potential Euro 2028 host stadiums must have started by.
      The UK and Ireland’s bid to host the iconic tournament is being rivalled by Turkey.
      If successful, the likes of Wembley, St. James’ Park, Villa Park, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and the Etihad will be among ten grounds to stage games during the competition. More

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      I’m quietly confident UK and Ireland will host Euro 2028, Rishi Sunak says

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      RISHI SUNAK is “quietly confident” UK and Ireland will host the 2028 Euros – saying its time to recreate the joy of 1996.The PM shrugged off concerns over the 2021 Euros final that saw scenes of fan carnage at Wembley, insisting: “We do this stuff better than anybody.”
      Rishi Sunak is ‘confident’ the UK will host Euro 2028Credit: Dan Charity
      Rishi said England fans ‘do it better than anybody’Credit: The Sun
      Sunak told The Sun he has made a ‘personal effort’ to bring the Euros to WembleyCredit: Alamy
      The joint bid is set to be formally given the green light in the coming weeks after Turkey and Italy dropped out of the running in July.
      Sunak said: “I’ve put in a lot of my personal effort and making calls and talking to all the right people.

      “You know, I’m quietly confident but you never know until it’s announced.”
      He added: “I’d love us to host this thing. And that’s why I put a lot of my personal time into trying to get over the line.
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      “One of the my favourite childhood experiences was Euro96. Like that is like a defining experience.”
      Sixteen at the time when the England last hosted the full tournament, he added: “Somewhere I’ve still got a t shirt probably from that.”
      “These moments can become very special in our history, and I speak as a massive football fan.
      “So if we can pull this thing off, it will be brilliant for the country. I put a lot of effort into it. But let’s see how we get on. We’ll find out soon.”
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      It comes as the Prime Minister tells The Sun tonight: “I’m slamming the brakes on the war on motorists – it’s as simple as that.” More

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      Wales captain Aaron Ramsey suffers injury blow and is major doubt for crunch Euro 2024 qualifier with Croatia

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      AARON RAMSEY is to see a knee specialist amid fears the Wales captain could miss the crunch Euro 2024 qualifier with Croatia.The Cardiff midfielder, 32, faces a race against time to be fit for the October 15 clash in Cardiff after sustaining the ligament injury to his right knee in training this week.
      Aaron Ramsey is set to miss three weeks after picking up knee injuryCredit: Getty
      Ramsey scored from the spot in Wales’ 2-0 win in Latvia earlier this monthCredit: AP
      Ramsey’s Bluebirds manager Erol Bulut has ruled the ex-Arsenal star out for up to three weeks but club and country are now sweating on the results of scans to find out the extent of the injury.
      Ramsey posted on Instagram: “Absolutely gutted to say that last week I picked up an injury in training.
      “I will be seeking the specialist advice on next steps. I’m determined to get back and help the team as quickly as I can.”
      Ramsey has not played since Cardiff’s South Wales derby 2-0 victory over Swansea on September 16 when he scored the second goal from the penalty spot.
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      Since then Rambo has missed league games against Coventry and Sunderland as well as Wednesday’s Carabao Cup defeat to Blackburn.
      Wales boss Robert Page names his squad next Wednesday in Wrexham for the showdown against Group D leaders Croatia.
      The Dragons also face Gibraltar in a North Wales friendly on October 11.
      Wales lie in fourth spot after five matches but trail the Croats, who have played one game less, by three points.
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      And losing Ramsey would represent a major blow as they bid for a top-two place to secure automatic qualification for Germany next year.
      Cardiff boss Bulut said: “Aaron picked up him the injury in training on Monday.
      “It is a ligament injury in the back of his right knee – the same knee on which he had an operation a few years ago.
      “The medical report says he won’t be available for three weeks.
      “We don’t know if it is a rupture, we are still awaiting the scans to see how serious it is. I hope that we can have him back after the international break.
      “We will miss him. We need a player like him who can keep hold of the ball and read the game.”
      Wales’ suffered back-to-back summer defeats to Armenia – a shock 4-2 home loss – and Turkey.
      The 2-0 win in Latvia threw Page’s side a lifeline with the Dragons now just three points behind second-placed Turkey and Armenia.
      The Football Association of Wales are in contact with the UK Foreign Office ahead of November’s qualifier in Armenia following conflict in the Nagorno-Karabakh region.
      The territory, which had been controlled by Armenians for three decades, was seized by Azerbaijan last week.
      Uefa are monitoring the situation with the tie due to be played in Yerevan – 171 miles from Nagorno-Karabakh.
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      Meanwhile, Gareth Bale will join a Welsh delegation for the Euro 2028 announcement in Geneva on October 10.
      The UK and Ireland bid faces competition from Turkey. More

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      Germany CONFIRM Julian Nagelsmann as new manager with ex-Bayern Munich chief targeting ‘special’ Euro 2024 campaign

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      JULIAN NAGELSMANN has been confirmed as the new German national team coach and is now preparing for a “special” Euro 2024.The 36-year-old was sacked from Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich just six months ago.
      Julian Nagelsmann has been confirmed as the new German national team head coachCredit: Getty
      The former Bayern manager has been out of work since last season as he was replaced by ex-Chelsea and PSG coach Thomas Tuchel.
      The 36-year-old signed a contract for the German national team until 31 July 2024 at the DFB Campus in Frankfurt.
      A statement released by the German FA confirmed the news: “Julian Nagelsmann will lead the senior men’s national team as national coach to next year’s European Championships in Germany.”
      Nagelsmann takes over the national team as successor to Hansi Flick, who was relieved of his duties on September 10th.
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      The German boss opened up about his new role and his plans for the squad.
      He told DFB said: “We have a European Championship in our own country. This is something special – something that happens once every few decades.
      “I subordinate everything to this fact of having a great tournament in a great country. I have a great desire to take on this challenge.
      “The performance in Dortmund was the beginning. We’re going to be a tight-knit bunch in the coming year.”
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      Germany will host the Euro 2024 and aim to redeem themselves after suffering some huge losses in the last few years.
      The 2014 World Cup champions suffered two group-stage exits at the last two World Cups and crashed out of Euro 2020 in the last 16 to England.
      They have recorded just three wins from their last 12 fixtures – beating Oman, Costa Rica and Peru.
      The German FAsporting director Rudi Völler said: “Julian Nagelsmann was our preferred candidate as national coach when the search began.
      “He is not only an absolute football expert, but has already proven at all his clubs, at a very young age for a head coach, he can motivate and inspire a team and the entire environment.
      “His passion for football is palpable and contagious.”  More

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      Forgotten former Premier League star and Euro legend, 49, to take over as Turkey manager in shock decision

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      FORMER Premier League star Vincenzo Montella is set to be appointed as Turkey’s new boss.This comes after manager Stefan Kuntz was sacked following a two-year spell in charge.
      Vincenzo Montella is set to become manager of TurkeyCredit: EPA
      The Italian hero previously played for FulhamCredit: PA:Press Association
      The Turkish FA initially denied he had been fired but two days later confirmed the German had been axed ahead of Euro 2024 next summer.
      Montella, 49, is now set to take over, having been out of work since agreeing to mutually part ways with Adana Demirspor in June.
      He had guided the side to a fourth place finish in the Turkish Super Lig last season.
      Montella previously managed Sampdoria, AC Milan, Sevilla and had two reigns at Fiorentina.
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      As a player, the striker is best remembered by his days at Roma.
      The Italian won Serie A in 2001 and played a total of 258 games for the club, finding the back of the net 102 times.
      He also featured in Euro 2000 as Dino Zoff’s side lost in the final to France 2-1.
      Montella also had a short spell in the Premier League on loan at Fulham in 2007.
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      He swiftly became popular with the club’s fans, scoring six goals in 15 matches for them.
      But he rarely started under then manager Chris Coleman and after Lawrie Sanchez was appointed the loan move was terminated a week prior to it expiring.
      Montella will now be hoping to lead Turkey to Euro 2024 with the country currently sitting second in qualification Group D behind Croatia and narrowly ahead of Armenia and Wales.
      But it will be a tough job for him after Kuntz demanded his players need to work harder and that he “shouldn’t take all the blame.” More

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      Harry Maguire must be axed by England for Euro 2024.. it’s painful to watch Man Utd star after summer transfer blunder

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      LIVERPOOL legend Jamie Carragher has urged Gareth Southgate to drop Harry Maguire from the England squad “for his own protection” ahead of Euro 2024.Maguire, 30, was taunted by Scotland fans during Tuesday’s international friendly at Hampden Park.
      Maguire has been heavily criticised by fansCredit: Getty
      The defender was booed by fans during England’s match against ScotlandCredit: PA
      Carragher believes Maguire should be dropped from the England teamCredit: Alamy
      He also received criticism from England supporters after scoring an own-goal in the 67th minute.
      Southgate stepped in to defend the centre-back after the match, blasting the “ridiculous treatment” of him.
      The England boss said: “I’ve never known a player treated the way he is. He’s been an absolute stalwart for us in the second most successful England team for decades – he’s been an absolutely key part of that.”
      He later added: “From a Scotland fans’ point of view I get it. I have absolutely no complaints with what they did. But it’s a consequence of ridiculous treatment of him for a long period of time.
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      “It’s a joke. Not by the Scottish fans but by our own commentators, pundits or whatever it is. They’ve created something that’s beyond anything I have ever seen.”
      Many fans and pundits questioned Maguire’s place in the squad given his lack of game time at club level.
      He has played just 23 minutes of Premier League football so far this season for Man Utd, with his only appearance coming against Arsenal just before the international break.
      The defender has also come under fire at Old Trafford, with some fans now turning against him.
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      Maguire has also come under fire at Man UtdCredit: PA
      The centre-back has made just one appearance for the Red Devils this seasonCredit: Getty
      And Carragher, who made over 500 Premier League appearances as a player and earned 38 senior England caps, believes the situation has become out of control.
      In his column for The Telegraph, the Liverpool icon wrote: “For his own protection, Harry Maguire should not play for England until his career is back on track. Personally and professionally the current situation is unsustainable.
      “There must be a frank and honest conversation with those closest to him about how to resolve a mess because this drama around him needs fixing.
      “I was watching the England versus Scotland match with my son, James. It was painful to watch. ‘If that was you, I would want you out of the firing line. This has gone too far,’ I told him as Maguire endured a nightmare second half.
      “My first thought after the game was that I really hope Maguire is okay. More than ever we are aware of mental health issues impacting on footballers, or anyone subjected to such unrelenting ridicule.
      “I cannot recall any top level player enduring as much as Maguire over several years and struggling to find a meaningful response to it.
      “I do not see how continually putting him on such a stage without regular, high class club football will help him get back to the level he was. This has to stop, first and foremost, for Maguire’s sake.”
      Carragher also believes Maguire should have left Old Trafford this summer in a bid to reignite his form after falling out of favour with Man Utd manager Erik ten Hag.
      The defender was linked with a move to West Ham, but talks broke down when the two parties failed to agree terms.
      Ex-Liverpool star Carragher claims it will be “unfeasible” for Maguire to be selected for Euro 2024 if he refuses to leave the Red Devils.
      He added: “He missed the opportunity to start landing a few punches when he turned down West Ham in the summer. David Moyes would have had the perfect manager in an ideal team for Maguire’s attributes. I am sure he would have been a success there.
      “Too many transfers stall because a player feels mistreated and refuses to leave without a pay-off. Maguire had to think beyond that, especially when considering his international career.
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      “It is unfeasible for a centre-back to go into the next Euros when they have not been a regular for their club for two years.”
      Maguire joined Man Utd in a record-breaking £80million transfer from Leicester in 2019 and has since made 176 appearances. More

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      Hard-up Wales force players to SHARE ROOMS on international duty as Dragons face financial black hole if they miss Euros

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      WALES are in financial crisis and the cost-cutting means stars have to share hotel rooms.Robert Page’s Dragons clinched a vital 2-0 Euro 2024 win in Latvia on Monday night to keep alive their qualification dreams for Germany.
      The Welsh FA are strapped for cashCredit: PA
      Wales players are having to share rooms in order to keep costs lowCredit: REUTERS
      But SunSport understands Wales are battling major money woes with chief executive Noel Mooney taking a series of cash-saving measures.
      The return to room-sharing in this international window was one of those, with purse strings also tightened on opposition analysis.
      Wales only took 21 players for the must-win Group D trip to Latvia and did not fill the bench — unheard of in recent times.
      Boss Page initially named a 25-man party but Kieffer Moore and Joe Morrell, who played the second half of last Thursday’s 0-0 friendly with South Korea, were suspended for the Riga follow-up.
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      Then Wayne Hennessey and Wes Burns pulled out ahead of Latvia and NONE of the four were replaced.
      The Football Association of Wales made a financial loss of £100,659 for the year ending June 2022.
      And sources at the FAW have indicated Wales now bank on reaching major tournaments rather than the hope of following on from the success of two Euro qualifications in 2016 and 2020 as well as last year’s World Cup.
      The budget for this year is showing a potential seven-figure loss and the pressure on the FAW has even led to an attempt to increase ticket prices.
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      Welsh FA chief Noel Mooney is counting pennies amid a financial crisisCredit: PA
      The FAW’s HQ at Hensol near Cardiff was also due to an expansion but it is understood to be on hold.
      Mooney was slammed by fans after charging adults £25 plus a £3 booking fee for the Korea stalemate at Cardiff City Stadium.
      Wales attracted just 13,668 which was their worst home attendance — Covid matches aside — in four years.
      Angry Dragons fans vented their fury at Mooney on social media for his greedy ticket policy.
      In the summer, the Irishman also tried to increase prices for future qualifiers. But his proposal was rejected at a Wales supporters’ meeting and delayed until 2024.
      Mooney, appointed in August 2021, has made a string of financial promises to Wales’ grassroots game and pledged millions to the Cymru Premier.
      He said last month: “We’re going to invest a few million pounds into this league.”
      The FAW chief issued a public vote of confidence to under-pressure boss Page in July.
      But SunSport understands he privately prefers a bigger name in the hot seat.
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      Even before Latvia, it was believed Mooney was preparing for a switch. But Page signed a new four-year deal a year ago and any change would cost compensation.
      Welsh players and staff are behind the manager.
      Wales kept their Euro 2024 hopes alive with a win over LativaCredit: EPA More