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      England set to be beaten by Wales for 15-year-old starlet Freddie Issaka after becoming Plymouth’s youngest ever player

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      WALES are confident of winning the race over England for 15-year-old whizkid Freddie Issaka.The Plymouth striker, who became the club’s youngest ever player earlier this season, has played for both countries at Under-16 level.
      Plymouth starlet Freddie Issaka is likelier to play for Wales rather than England in the futureCredit: Getty
      Freddie Issaka became Plymouth’s youngest ever player this seasonCredit: Getty
      But Issaka was called up for a five-day Wales Under-17 training camp this week as the Dragons prepare for the Euro Championship elite round, which is due to be played in Slovenia next month.
      It is believed Truro-born Issaka, who isn’t 16 until July, qualifies for Wales through a grandparent as well as England and Ghana.
      Issaka made his Plymouth debut – at the age of 15 years and 34 days – as a substitute in the EFL Trophy loss to Newport on August 31.
      The forward has already agreed to sign a professional contract with the League One club when he turns 17.
      Wales have a decent track record of identifying and nurturing dual-nationality talent.
      The likes of English-born Dan James, Ethan Ampadu, David Brooks, Chris Mepham, Ben Woodburn and Brennan Johnson all coming through the system.
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      Issaka has made two appearances for Plymouth this season as he has played in the EFL Trophy and the FA Youth Cup.
      The youngster spent 21 minutes on the pitch at Newport but couldn’t help his team avoid a 2-0 loss.
      He was on the bench for the competition’s other two games against Arsenal’s Under-23s and Swindon. More

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      Man Utd legend Roy Keane ‘set to be interviewed for Sunderland manager job’ 13 years after quitting club

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      SUNDERLAND are reportedly set to interview former boss Roy Keane for their vacant managerial hot seat – 13 years after he QUIT the Stadium of Light.The Mail claims Manchester United’s legendary former midfielder is among those being lined up for talks with Black Cats chiefs after Lee Johnson’s sacking.
      Sunderland are reportedly set to interview former boss Roy KeaneCredit: Getty
      Sunderland axed Johnson on Saturday following their dismal 6-0 defeat to Bolton.
      And Keane could be the man that owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus turns to as Johnson’s replacement.
      Keane’s first-ever job as a manager came at Sunderland in 2006.
      He led them to the Championship title in his first season and followed that up a year later by avoiding relegation from the Premier League.
      However, Keane stood down from his position in December 2008 after a breakdown in his relationship with then-owner Ellis Short and chairman Niall Quinn.
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      Watch as Fleetwood vs Bolton bizarrely interrupted by a DUCK as feathery pitch invader stops play in League One clash

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      A DUCK bizarrely interrupted Fleetwood’s game with Bolton after invading the pitch. The League One clash was stopped in full flight just before half-time, with the bird waddling on near the corner looking for a puddle as Bolton waited to take a defensive throw-in.
      A duck trotted his way on to the pitch during Fleetwood vs BoltonCredit: Sky Sports
      The bird waddled around in the corner of the pitch as the rain poured down in LancashireCredit: Sky Sports

      It is understood the bird was keen to play on the wing.
      But a brave member of the ground staff collected the invader and escorted it away to safety, with the advertising hoardings moved for the duck to exit stage left.
      Thankfully, EFL beaks are unlikely to press charges against the trespassing offender.
      Fleetwood tweeted: “45+2’ Play stops as there is a pitch invader.
      “It’s only a duck and won’t be getting banned, though.
      “It’s carefully removed by one of the ground staff and play continues.”
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      Bolton said: “Play has just resumed following a brief pause whilst a couple of members of staff prevented a duck from entering play.”
      Specsavers joined in the fun and replied: “Wonder if the fine for entering the pitch will be added to its bill.”
      Another wrote: “Got to be a fowl.”
      A third added: “Give it a Bolton shirt. Probably do a better job.”
      And with the rain pouring down and the Fleetwood duck needing a Mac, a final user joked: “Perfect weather for them. I’d give it a pair of boots and stick it upfront for us.”
      Fleetwood led the Trotters 1-0 at the time, thanks to an early quacker from Gerard Garner, before going on to win 3-0. More

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      Players taken off pitch as medics rush to fan in stands with emergency treatment in Sheffield Wednesday vs Wycombe

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      PLAYERS between Sheffield Wednesday and Wycombe were taken off the pitch as medics rushed to a fan in the stands with emergency treatment. With Wycombe 1-0 up just before the half hour mark, there was a break in play due to a medical emergency in the home North stand.
      A couple of minutes later and both sets of players went back into the changing rooms while medics treated the supporter in the stands.
      Around ten minutes later, both teams were back out on the pitch, with Anis Mehmeti’s opener cancelled out by Olamide Shodipo’s equaliser.
      Only in October Newcastle’s match with Tottenham was suspended during the first half when the elderly gentleman suffered a cardiac arrest in the stands.
      Dr Tom Pritchard was sat 30 rows away in the Gallowgate end and rushed to help by performing CPR before Newcastle club doctor Paul Catterson joined in the effort to resuscitate the supporter.
      Newcastle confirmed the fan was later ‘stable and responsive’ in hospital after the major health scare which saw him stretchered out of the ground after 20 minutes of treatment.
      Referee Andre Marriner stopped play as Spurs’ defender Sergio Reguilon spotted the emergency from the pitch.

      Eric Dier then ran over to the dugout to call for a medical staffer to sprint into the stands with a crucial defibrillator.
      The incident happened two minutes before half-time, with the visitors 2-1 up thanks to goals from Tanguy Ndombele and Harry Kane.
      Speaking during the break in play, Sky Sports pundit David Ginola called on all fans to learn CPR.
      The Frenchman himself suffered a heart attack back in 2017 and said it is ‘vital’ that more people know how to give the life-saving treatment.
      Heartwarming moment hero doctor is given standing ovation for saving Newcastle fan’s life after Spurs game halted More

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      Paddy Madden: It takes more than big spending to succeed – but Stockport have it

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      PADDY Madden knows Stockport are spending big to try and return to the Football League – but it takes more than money.It is a matter of who you spend it on rather than how much you spend.
      Paddy Madden insists Stockport have what it takes, as well as the cash, to get back into the Football LeagueCredit: Getty
      Which points to why he dropped two levels and out of the Football League. He wants to add another honour – it is not for a hefty pay cheque.
      Irishman Madden swapped League One Fleetwood for National League County, who paid in the region of £250,000.
      So far, things are not going to plan but new boss Dave Challinor has been brought in to mould the expensively-assembled squad into challengers.
      But striker Madden, who had a trial at the club when he was 16-years-old, is adamant the spirit is there to reawaken a sleeping giant at Edgeley Park.
      He said: “I’ve been at clubs before where they’ve just splashed money out but without bringing in the right characters, you’re not going to get promoted.
      Madden moved to Stockport from FleetwoodCredit: GETTY
      “It’s about making sure everyone is right and there’s that winning mentality to get the team up. We’ve a great group here who are all pulling in the same direction.
      “I’m 31 now and Stockport are a sleeping giant, so helping them back into the league is something is something I’d be remembered by.
      “And at 31, I could tick off another thing. I’ve been promoted from League One and League Two, so getting promoted from the National League would complete a trio.
      “I knew about the club and its fan base before I came but being here now showed me how big it is and with the direction the chairman wants to take it in, it’s only going to get bigger.”
      Madden and Stockport get the chance to see how good they can really be with an FA Cup trip to nearby Bolton.
      Stockport face Bolton, and potentially Elias Kachunga, in today’s FA Cup tieCredit: REX FEATURES
      5,000 fans snapped up tickets – it would have been a lot more if they could get them.
      And it sees a reunion with fellow Dubliner Eoin Doyle, who he first encountered in the heat of his home city’s biggest derby, and a win would give Stockport belief they can achieve their main aim.
      He added: “Eoin and I took a similar path. He was at Shamrock when I was at Bohemians, which is a big derby in Dublin.
      “You’d get 7,000-8,000 fans for that game as the north side of Dublin is Bohemians and the south side is Shamrock Rovers.
      “It’s definitely the biggest derby in Ireland. For a normal game, you’d get 3,000-4,000.
      Madden faced Bolton striker Eoin Doyle during his days with Bohemians in Ireland
      “We played against each other in that game and have come across each other over here. We’ve had a lot of battles.
      “It’s a good test for us. Bolton are a big club who have done quite well but we’ll see where we stand against a good team.
      “We know we have a good squad but it’s about doing it on the big occasions. This season hasn’t been as good as we wanted but it’s about gathering momentum and kicking on.
      “And if we can go out and cause an upset, it would give us more confidence that we need and that we have a really good squad here.
      “We showed what we can do at Dover last Saturday on probably the worst pitch I’ve ever played on. If we can do it today, it will keep breeding that confidence.” More

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      Barcelona ‘make shock scouting trip to Fleetwood Town to watch England teen James Hill as they plot free transfer’

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      BARCELONA’S scouts have made a startling trip to Fleetwood Town to watch young English centre-back James Hill.The Catalan giants reportedly watched the 19-year-old’s performance with a keen eye during his side’s 1-0 defeat to Burton Albion last month.
      Hill is attracting a lot of interest from a number of big clubs around EuropeCredit: Getty
      Hill is out of contract at Fleetwood in the summer despite being offered a new deal at the end of last season.
      Along with Barca, The Mail also believe he has attracted a lot of interest from Premier League clubs.
      The revelation of Barca’s visit comes just days after he was selected in Lee Carsley’s England Under-21s squad for the first time.
      He will link up with the national team’s age group squad on Monday ahead of a European Championship qualifier against Czech Republic.
      Speaking about the call-up, Hill said: “Obviously when you go away with England it’s a very technical game, there are a lot of talented boys.
      “When you’re in League One, it’s physically demanding and a different style of play. A lot of the ball is on the deck with England and with my club it is a different challenge, more of an aerial battle.

      “That has helped me because I have the understanding of when to play and when not to play.
      “If it can’t be a pass then it has to go long, over the top. It’s easier for me to adapt to their [England’s] football than the other way around.”
      Hill played 35 times for Fleetwood last season as they secured their League One safety with a 15th place finish.
      And he has been ever-present for them once more at the beginning of the 2021-22 campaign having already racked up 15 appearances for Simon Grayson’s side.
      As a result of his progression in the third tier, England U21 coach Carsley believes he is more than ready to compete for his team.
      He said: “I thought it was the right time to bring him in with some of the issues we’ve had at centre-back.
      “If you look at our pathway in general, we get a lot of centre-backs from Category One academies. It’s very rare that we have players so young at centre-back in their first team getting tested every week against senior players.
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      “The feedback we got in the last camp with the Under 20s on was that he was the model professional.
      “Watching him play against Wycombe last week was a big test, up against Adebayo Akinfenwa and Sam Vokes.
      “Every corner was a physical test for him but he coped really well. He’s deserved the opportunity to come and train with us and potentially put himself in consideration.” More

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      Everton ‘monitoring 17-year-old Morecambe wonderkid Connor Pye with view to transfer after impressing scouts’

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      EVERTON are rumoured to be eyeing Morecambe starlet Connor Pye with the player being touted as the next Andy Robertson.Football Insider claims Toffees scouts have been highly impressed by the 17-year-old’s efforts at left-back for the League One side. 
      Rafa Benitez’s Everton scouts are thought to admire Connor Pye’s performances for MorecambeCredit: Craig Thomas/News Images
      The teenager, who joined the Shrimps from Wigan as an Under-16 prospect in 2020, is reported to have won plaudits for his performances in the EFL trophy contest. 
      And the defender was named Man of the Match in Morecambe’s clash with Hartlepool in the contest although his side lost 4-2 on penalties after a 2-2 finish in normal time. 
      Pye’s rampaging and energetic playing style has seen him likened to Liverpool ace Robertson.
      And the player, regarded as a leading figure within the Shrimps youth team, is claimed to regularly be training with the club’s first team as well as featuring on the bench for league games. 
      It is claimed a host of Premier League and Championship sides are interested in the full-back. 
      The Toffees, who host Watford in the top-flight next, are thought to be keen to line up a new left-back following the summer departure of Thierry Small.

      The highly sought after Solihull-born defender ended his two-year scholarship deal with Everton to agree to a three-year deal with Southampton. 
      Football Insider reports the Toffees had turned down a £1.5million offer from the Saints for Small in October. 
      It is thought the Goodison Park giants were after £5million in compensation for the starlet. 
      Reports claim the Toffees are only likely to have around £9million to splash in the January transfer window. 
      And it is suggested transfer chiefs are looking to focus on temporary deals and bargain buys in the market. 
      It is believed Pye, whose team face Cheltenham away in the third tier, fits this criteria. 

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      Thierry Small’s departure for Southampton has led the Toffees to scour the market for a new left-backCredit: Getty
      Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin shows what he is made of on the training pitch More

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      Fans finally return to club football with stadiums across England packed for first time in 17 months

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      FOOTY fans in England returned to stadiums in their droves today as the Football League and the Championship resumed action.And unlike fans’ returns to stadiums during the height of the pandemic last year, most punters weren’t wearing masks.
      Footy fans returned to stadiums in their droves todayCredit: Rob Noyes
      The Abbey Stadium was packed for Cambridge United’s League 1 clash with OxfordCredit: Rex
      Pride Park was full to the rafters for Derby County’s Championship opener against HuddersfieldCredit: PA
      Thousands of Manchester City and Leicester City fans make their way down Wembley way ahead of the Community ShieldCredit: EPA
      Some supporters did, however, don face coverings to keep themselves protected.
      There were plenty of smiles in and around the stadiums as fans gathered freely for the first time since the pandemic began.
      The entire world was brought to a screeching halt last March when the coronavirus spread like wildfire.
      Supporters of Premier League teams weren’t allowed to see their sides in action until last December, albeit at a reduced capacity.
      But that changed in May when The Government permitted up to 10,000 fans to attend outdoor sports venues.
      That figure steadily rose during the summer due to the success of the vaccine roll-out.
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      That allowed 20,000 fans to take in England’s Euro 2020 group games last month.
      And the further easing of restrictions permitted a whopping 67,173 footy fans to take in The Three Lions’ heartbreaking defeat to Italy in the final.
      Wembley will be at full capacity this evening when Leicester City lock horns with reigning Premier League champs Manchester City in the Community Shield.
      Thousands of Foxes and City fans descended on Wembley way earlier today to watch their teams vie for the first trophy of the season.
      And there were smiles aplenty as they made the famous walk to the home of English football.
      The permanent lifting of restrictions on July 19 has paved the way for stadiums up and down the country to get back to business.
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      But things are expected to change again in October when vaccine passports will be required to attend large gatherings.
      The Government are expected to make the passports mandatory for those wanting to attend events that hold 20,000 or more attendees.
      The scheme, which has divided opinion, has already been successfully implemented by nightclubs throughout England.
      A Bristol City fan expressed their delight at being back with a signCredit: PA
      Hartlepool United fans crammed into Victoria Park todayCredit: Rex
      Millwall fans go wild after Jed Wallace gave the Lions an early lead against QPRCredit: ©MI News & Sport Ltd
      Jubliant Stoke City fans celebrate in the BritanniaCredit: PA
      Lionel Messi offered two-year deal by PSG and expected to complete free transfer to French giants after Barcelona exit More