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    Portsmouth star Colby Bishop scores just minutes into comeback following open heart surgery

    COLBY BISHOP was given a hero’s welcome at Portsmouth as he scored just minutes into his return after major surgery.Bishop, 28, was diagnosed with a heart problem in June before undergoing open heart surgery in August.Colby Bishop was given a ‘special’ welcome back by Portsmouth as he scored in a 3-1 win over PrestonCredit: RexBishop came off the bench to score a penalty in his first match since undergoing open heart surgeryCredit: RexAfter months on the sideline as he recovered, the forward was finally able to make his return in Portsmouth’s Championship clash with Preston on Saturday.Bishop was a shock inclusion on the bench for John Mousinho’s side.He was able to get his first minutes of the season when he was brought on in the 78th minute for Kusini Yengi with Pompey 2-1 ahead.And when Portsmouth won a penalty in the 89th minute, Bishop was then able to mark his emotional comeback with a goal as he netted the home side’s third goal of the afternoon.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe penalty sealed a 3-1 win that lifted Portsmouth off the bottom of the table.Bishop paid tribute to the fans after the game for their warm welcome, declaring that they made him feel “so special”.He told The News: “I am so grateful to the fans, they make you feel so special.”I have thought about these moments for the whole 3-4 months, getting that reception. I’m hoping there are quite a few videos, because I would like to watch it back.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”Even when I was scoring in the warm-up, they were standing up singing.”I have a very special connection with the fans here and through the whole three months when people have seen me, they’ve been so nice to me.Watch jubilant Portsmouth’s captain’s speech get interrupted by very rude act as fans hail ‘simply incredible’ moment”They’ve not once asked ‘When are you back?’ or anything like that. “It has always been ‘Are you okay? Is your family okay?’. That shows how much the people of Portsmouth care.”I know football is obviously the main thing, but they also care about you. I have a special connection with them and again I am grateful for that.”Bishop signed for the South Coast club from Accrington in 2022.He scored 24 goals in his debut season before adding another 21 to his tally in his second year.On the reaction the fans gave him as they applauded him on to the pitch, Bishop added: “It gave me shivers down my back, it was loud, very loud.READ MORE SUN STORIES”I had asked my partner to video it, I cannot wait to watch it. “It’s one of those you would like to look back on in the future.” More

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    Arsenal star Zinchenko reveals he nearly lost his leg and was rushed into emergency surgery after ‘cage fight’

    OLEKSANDR ZINCHENKO came close to having his leg AMPUTATED as a teenager due to frostbite.The Arsenal full-back, 27, made his name at Manchester City from 2016 to 2022, winning four Prem titles, four Carabao Cups and one FA Cup.Oleksandr Zinchenko almost lost his leg due to frostbiteCredit: GettyHe has also gone on to captain Ukraine at major tournaments and recently helped the Gunners become top-flight title challengers once more under Mikel Arteta.But at the age of 17, his entire life could have changed thanks to a dry ice incident that left the defender with a gangrenous foot and moments away from amputation.It came about following a call from German club Hoffenheim to attend a trial, having been frozen out of the Shakhtar Donetsk academy and trying to reignite his career while taking part in the Russian street leagues.He explained: “The day before I was due to fly [to Germany], FC Meteor, one of the non-league clubs I played for, called me. They had a big game and wanted me to fill in.READ MORE ON SPORT“These leagues were a bit rogue, sometimes more like a cage fight. Some opponent did a crazy tackle on me and caught my right ankle. It swelled up like a balloon.“There was no way I could play the next day in Germany. Just walking was causing me pain. I was in no state to do a trial. But I couldn’t cancel and lose this life-changing opportunity.“We decided I would go anyway and ask them to let me train a couple of days later, by which time the swelling would have hopefully gone down.“I was on the plane with Lufthansa and I remember thinking: ‘Let’s not waste time to get the swelling down. Let’s use the flight.’ So, I asked the stewardess for some ice for my ankle.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS“She didn’t understand me at first because my English wasn’t great and I didn’t speak any German. But she came over with what looked like ice in a plastic package.“I wrapped it up, put it on my ankle and went to sleep. Problem solved. An hour or so later, I woke up and expected to see a bag full of melted water. But there was none.Mystery as Kai Havertz denied chance to make Arsenal history but Mikel Arteta has no idea why it happened“Then I looked at my ankle. All the skin had turned white. I put my sock back onand, within around 20 minutes, as it warmed up, it started to blister.“When we arrived in Frankfurt, an associate of my agent was waiting. ‘I have a little problem,’ I told him. I think I gave him the shock of his life when I showed him my ankle.“We drove to the Hoffenheim academy, taken immediately to a physio, who pulled down my sock and turned nearly as white as the skin on my ankle when he saw it.“His reaction told me this was bad. ‘We’re taking you to hospital, right now.’ I was rushed into an operating theatre and surgery commenced immediately.“They were removing gangrenous tissue. If that had spread, it could have affected the whole foot, requiring it all to be removed. The reason? I had frostbite.“It turned out that when the air stewardess gave me ice, it was dry ice, which is three times colder than normal ice, exposing my bare ankle to Arctic-like temperatures.“The German doctor looked at me gravely. ‘You are fortunate. You came at the right time. Any later, and you might have lost your leg.’“Only then did I realise quite how close my dreams had come to ending and my life changing utterly.”After his near-death experience and a spell in the Russian Premier League, Zinchenko spent six seasons at City before joining Arsenal in the summer of 2022 for £35m.However, Zinchenko has also revealed he could have played for the North Londoners much sooner with Arsene Wenger keeping tabs on his situation back in 2014 following a Youth Champions League clash between Arsenal and Shakhtar.Zinchenko said: “I got a call from an agent who said: ‘Alex, I have a very good connection with Arsene Wenger. He called me after your game. He really wants to see you in the club.“I was speechless; my jaw was on the floor. When I gathered my thoughts after a few seconds, I said: ‘This is probably a joke. Someone is having a laugh here.’“For one reason or another, it never happened. I had sort of forgotten about this whole thing until Wenger came to the Emirates in December 2022 to watch us beat West Ham 3-1.“I shook his hand. I had never met him in person before… ‘Mister, eight years ago, I played for Shakhtar Donetsk in a Youth League game against Arsenal…’ I said, cautiously.READ MORE SUN STORIES“He interrupted me. ‘Yes, it was at Boreham Wood. Arsenal won 3-1. And after 20 minutes, I pointed at you and said: “I need this guy.”‘ It was all true. Incredible.“I sometimes imagine what would have happened if I had joined the first team as a 17-year-old.”Oleksandr Zinchenko joined Manchester City back in 2016Credit: AFP or licensors More

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    Ex-Premier League star, 56, ordered to stop exercising after ‘shock’ heart diagnosis that requires triple bypass surgery

    PREMIER LEAGUE great Marco Gabbiadini revealed he had to stop exercising and watching football due to his heart condition.Gabbiadini, 56, announced in May that he needs to undergo triple bypass surgery after discovering that his heart was “working at about 20 per cent” following a “slight issue” in his chest.Marco Gabbiadini revealed he needs to avoid exercising as he awaits triple bypass surgeryCredit: Dave Pinegar – The SunSunderland legend Gabbiadini has also been ordered to not watch live footballCredit: GettyThe Sunderland legend noticed the issue after feeling “heartburn” while exercising in the gym and found out his coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart, had an 80 per cent blockage.The Derby great is still waiting for the operation and the doctors ordered him to avoid any type of exercise – from high-tempo sports like tennis to mundane chores like gardening.The former striker also needs to avoid any situation that could cause him stress, which means no more live football on the telly.Gabbiadini told The Mail: “I have had to stop exercising, so I am probably in the worst shape I have ever been in my life. Read More on Football”Before May, I was still playing tennis a couple of times a week, cycling, gardening, helping the kids with their house renovations.”But the surgeon said, ‘Stop tennis, no gardening and don’t watch any football on the telly’. “So I have been watching Sunderland games this season in full on YouTube after they have finished, so I know the score and there is no stress involved.”Having to have that mentality when you are only in your mid-50s has been a bit of a shock. But at the same time, you have got to count your lucky stars.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”Reporting it early meant I was put on tablets. I am on blood thinners, statins – eight different tablets to give me the best chance of getting to the surgery. “To anyone reading this story, if you do have any issues, report is as soon as you can.”Premier League trials radical new corner rule endorsed by Gary Neville that will prevent ‘ridiculous situation’After hanging up his boots at the age of 35, Gabbiadini turned to hospitality and now runs a B&B in York.The ex-England Under-21 international’s Bishops guest house, which he opened in 2003, is now recognised as one of the best B&Bs in the Yorkshire city.Changes to the Premier League for 2024/25NOTHING stays the same forever.And that includes the Premier League, which is making a number of tweaks this season.Team news will now be released 75 MINUTES before kick-off, 15 minutes earlier than had been the case before.Things could get crowded on the touchline, with the number of substitutes permitted to warm-up boosted from three players per team to FIVE.There’s also a change to how added time is calculated when a team scores a goal, an update to the ‘multiball’ system and the introduction of semi-automated offsides – but not straight away.Go here to read about all the changes to the Premier League for 2024/25. More

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    Man Utd fans say ‘looks like a beast’ as forgotten star appears ripped in boxing training 502 days since last appearance

    MANCHESTER UNITED fans reckon Tyrell Malacia “looks like a beast” after spotting the injured full-back looking ripped in a boxing video.Malacia, 25, has not played football for 15 MONTHS after undergoing knee surgery in the summer of 2023.Tyrell Malacia has been working out through boxingCredit: https://x.com/TenHagBall_A video has circulated on social media showing Malacia looking sharpCredit: https://x.com/TenHagBall_Tyrell Malacia returned to Manchester United training last month after not featuring at all last seasonCredit: GettyIt’s been 502 days since Malacia’s last competitive appearance.He last put on his boots for Holland in a June 2023 Uefa Nations League match, before he went under the knife a month later.Complications following the surgery meant he was forced to undergo a second procedure that kept him out of action for the 2022-23 season.However, the left-back formally returned to first team training a fortnight ago.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSAnd his team-mates gave him a heart-warming welcome, slapping him on the head as he ran under a make-shift tunnel of players.But Red Devils fans’ excitement levels reached fever point when Malacia was spotted looking absolutely shredded and in tip-top shape this week.This comes after a video circulated of the former Feyenoord defender throwing hands during an intense boxing physio session.One fan wrote: “Malacia looks like a beast!”Most read in FootballTyrell Malacia looks ready to go nowCredit: https://x.com/TenHagBall_FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSA second said: “The team needs him badly. Please tell me this is the end of his time out.”A third wrote: “He’s coming back stronger 💪🏼.”Gary Neville explains what happened in Man Utd meeting amid pressure on Erik ten Hag’s jobAnother added: “Malacia working hard on his road to recovery!”A possible Malacia return would come at an opportune time given United’s left-back crisis.The Red Devils have ONE full-back available for selection – Diogo Dalot, who has been filling in at left-back.Right-back Noussair Mazraoui has been ruled out of action for weeks after undergoing a minor corrective procedure after experiencing heart palpitations. Mazraoui withdrew from the Morocco squad after being replaced by Victor Lindelof at half-time against Aston Villa.He has made 10 appearances this season after joining alongside Matthijs de Ligt in a £60m double transfer from Bayern Munich this summer.Meanwhile Luke Shaw is still battling injury after suffering a fresh calf issue on his first week back for pre-season.READ MORE SUN STORIESShaw has been out since United’s 2-1 win over Luton on February 18 – but fought to make himself fit for England’s final defeat to Spain.Shaw was England’s best starter on the night in Germany, but hasn’t played since. More

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    Watch moment Tommy Fury leaves Cat Deeley stunned with size of his fist live on This Morning

    TOMMY FURY left Cat Deeley stunned at the size of his fist during an interview on Good Morning Britain. The unbeaten boxer required hand surgery after his controversial win over social media sensation KSI in October. Tommy Fury left Cat Deeley stunned at the size of his fist during on GMBFury needed surgery on his left handAnd Fury is back training after recovering from the injury – but his previously battered left hand is still showing signs of swelling. The 2019 Love Islander showed off his two money-makers with his right hand looking significantly smaller than the left. And Fury, 25, said: “I’d like to get out in December, January – anywhere around that time.”My knuckle’s been out of action for a long nine months. As you can see, it’s still massive there.”READ MORE IN BOXINGPresenter Cat was shocked and laughed: “Look at the size of it though!”Fury last year beat YouTube’s biggest boxing stars in Jake Paul, 25, and KSI, 31. He took a split-decision over Paul in Saudi Arabia after years of feuding and beat KSI via disputed decision seven months later. But Fury revealed he was plagued by a hand injury to his left – but is now raring to go after having it fixed. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHe said: “The surgeon did a great job and I’m back using my hand and fighting fit so it’s just about getting back into the ring and taking more shots, getting back into the role of being a fighter. “I’ve been out for a long time so I just need to get back in the ring, get some rounds underneath the belt and we can be in more big fights.”Tommy Fury in first TV interview since Molly Mae split as he releases bombshell bookFury has recently been hit with unwanted headlines following a public split with Molly-Mae Hague, who he met in the Love Island villa. The couple – who share one-year-old baby daughter Bambi – announced their shock split in August.And Fury was forced to deny cheating allegations – and admitted training has helped him during the dark period. He said: “I never take a day off from the gym. Training’s my life, training’s one of the things that’s helped me get through this tough time.”I love training still, it’s the only thing I know how to do. So, you stick to whatever you know.”Tommy Fury is back training for a boxing returnCredit: @tommyfury More

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    Man Utd star Mazraoui undergoes procedure after experiencing heart palpitations as he’s ruled out for weeks

    NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI has undergone a procedure after experiencing heart palpitations. Mazraoui withdrew from the Morocco squad after being replaced by Victor Lindelof at half-time against Aston Villa.Noussair Mazraoui has undergone a procedure after experiencing heart palpitationsCredit: GettyIt has since emerged that the right-back – signed this summer from Bayern Munich – has been experiencing palpitations. And he has had successful surgery but is expected to be ruled out of action for some weeks.Team-mate Christian Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch during the Euros in 2021. The Danish international was fitted with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator device after being rushed to hospital. READ MORE ON MAN UTDLess than one year later, Eriksen made his return to football with Brentford before signing for United in the summer of 2022.Meanwhile Mazraoui joined Matthijs de Ligt in a double transfer this summer. He has made ten appearances this season in replace of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who left for West Ham. But Mazraoui was taken off at the break against Villa in the game that ended 0-0. Most read in FootballAnd Garnacho then followed with the Argentina winger feeling the effects of 90 minutes against Unai Emery’s side.He joined Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho in pulling out of international duty.Roy Keane reveals he has ‘given up’ with Man Utd as he, Rooney and Neville lay into Ten Hag’s ‘disgusting’ flops Mainoo had already ruled himself out of the England squad due to a fitness issue after he was replaced by Casemiro at Villa Park. The away point leaves United in 14th and manager Erik ten Hag still under huge pressure. But he survived the sack after SEVEN HOURS worth of showdown talks in London with Red Devils co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Ratcliffe – who was joined by Sir Dave Brailsford and sporting director Dan Ashworth – arrived at around 9:30am and left at 4:45pm.It comes after United fell to their worst ever return from the opening seven Premier League games, picking up just eight points.Without a win in five matches in all competitions, Ten Hag remains under-fire but not yet fired.Erik ten Hag remains under pressureCredit: Getty More

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    Six-time Champions League winner warned he has just 50 PER CENT chance of recovering from horror injury

    REAL MADRID legend Dani Carvajal has just a 50 PER CENT chance of recovering from his serious knee injury, according to a top doctor.The Spaniard, 32, won his sixth Champions League last season and also triumphed at the Euros.Dani Carvajal may never return to his top levelCredit: AFPHe was left in tears on the floor after rupturing his cruciate ligament, external collateral ligament and popliteal tendonCredit: RexSix-time Champions League winner Carvajal faces at least 12 months on the sidelineCredit: EPABut his season was ended during Real Madrid’s 2-0 win over Villarreal on Saturday after he ruptured his cruciate ligament, external collateral ligament and popliteal tendon.Doctor Pablo Gelber, founder and president of the European Knee Society’s Lateral Knee Injuries Committee, has now given his take on Carvajal’s injury – which left the defender in tears.He confirmed it will take a minimum of 12 months to recover and also shockingly revealed the right-back only has between a 50 and 60 per cent chance of getting back to his optimum level.Speaking to Marca, Dr Gelber said: “Of all the factors for returning to sport, the time since surgery is perhaps the least important. It is a necessary factor, but by no means sufficient. In this case, I would not speak of less than 12 months of recovery.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”And another issue is the return to the same sporting level, which, speaking in cold numbers, is not more than 50 or 60 per cent.”A negative factor is that footballers tend to have varus legs, as we technically call it. It basically refers to having bowed legs, as Rivaldo, for example, had in a very pronounced way.”This fact is a negative factor for the successful recovery of these injuries, because it puts the ligaments that are being reconstructed under a lot of stress, potentially stretching them to levels that make the surgery fail.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSNew Champions League format is a snorefestBy Dan KingUEFA sold the idea of expanding the Champions League from 32 to 36 teams, with each playing eight games instead of six in the opening phase, as a way of creating more competitiveness and excitement.The biggest clubs would have two matches against their peers, rather than having to wait until the knockout stage to meet.The smaller clubs would meet teams of a similar level twice and have a chance of tasting victory that was so hard to achieve if you were the bottom seed in a group of four.Ignoring for a moment the fact that the real motivation was the simple equation of more games = more money, the theory itself already looks flawed.None of the matches between European giants has delivered a compelling contest yet.And why would they? At the start of the long season with more matches in it, why would any team with ambitions to win things in the spring, go out all guns blazing in the autumn?Especially when they know they have six games NOT against big sides to make sure they accrue enough points to qualify at least for the play-off round (and even more games).There is even less jeopardy than before.Read the full column on the Champions League format fail and why everyone – including YOU – needs a rethink.”In normal people, we often correct this deviation of the leg to avoid this potential failure, especially in cases that have been going on for some time since the injury.Most read in Football”But in a professional footballer, this correction of the shape of the legs is totally contraindicated, because it would mean the end of a footballer’s career.Cristiano Ronaldo ‘agreed to rejoin Man Utd with Real Madrid star in £200m deal’ “On the other hand, the mental state in such serious injuries is of vital importance, because frustration, fears and negative thoughts can undermine optimal recovery.”Real Madrid made the classy decision to extend Carvajal’s contract until 2026 following the injury that is set to keep him out for the rest of the campaign.He has been with Los Blancos since 2002 when he was 10 years old and competed across all of their youth teams.After a year playing at Bayer Leverkusen, the defender joined Real’s senior team in 2013 and went on to win all major honours, including four LaLiga titles and six Champions Leagues.He also won Euro 2024 with Spain in the summer, defeating England in the final. More

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    Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen set to miss rest of season as 52-word statement released after horror injury

    MARC-ANDRE TER STEGEN is set to miss the rest of the season after suffering a horror injury.Barcelona confirmed the veteran goalkeeper was set for a long period on the sidelines after undergoing surgery for a torn patellar tendon in his right knee.Marc-Andre Ter Stegen is set to miss the rest of the season after undergoing knee surgeryCredit: GettyThe German was replaced in Barcelona’s 5-1 win over Villarreal after being stretchered offCredit: GettyA 52-word statement read: “First team player Marc-Andre ter Stegen underwent successful surgery this afternoon on a patellar tendon injury in his right knee, performed by Dr Joan Carles Monllau under the supervision of the FC Barcelona Medical Services at the Hospital de Barcelona. “He will be unavailable for selection until he has fully recovered.”Ter Stegen, 32, had started all six of the Spanish giants LaLiga games this season.However, in the latest game against Villarreal, Ter Stegen had to be stretchered off and replaced in injury-time of the first half after going down injured.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLInaki Peña, 25, replaced him as Hansi Flick’s side went on to win the game 5-1.It is estimated he will be out for at least eight months.The timing could not be worse for Ter Stegen after he was named as Germany’s new No1 by Julian Nagelsmann following the international retirement of Manuel Neuer.Speaking on the injury, he said: “The news of Marc’s injury was a big shock for us. Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”We will miss him very much in the national team on and off the pitch. “We wish Marc all the best for the operation and a good and quick recovery. We will always be there for him on his way back!”Rodri lands in Barcelona for further medical tests after Man City star suffers ‘suspected cruciate ligament tear’Ter Stegen is not the only major international star to suffer an injury over the weekend after Ballon d’Or candidate and Manchester City star Rodri fell foul to a cruciate ligament injury.Like his German counterpart, the Spanish midfielder looks set to miss the remainder of the season.Manchester City star Rodri is also set to miss the rest of the seasonCredit: Rex More