Premier League

LUTON TOWN’S injury crisis has got so bad even their assistant manager is crocked.Rob Edwards has revealed the Hatters’ long list of blows is growing as his squad prepares for their clash against Tottenham on Saturday.Rob Edwards has revealed Luton’s injury list is growingCredit: X/ @SkySportsNewsAssistant head coach Kevin Foley has even suffered a hamstring injuryCredit: www.lutontown.co.ukChiedozie Ogbene is the most recent player to suffer a blow after pulling out of Ireland’s training camp this week, ahead of their friendly against Switzerland.The winger returned to the club to undergo assessment but has not recovered in time for this weekend.This meant ex-Ireland international, and assistant coach, Kevin Foley had to stand in during training as Luton have “10 players missing”, according to Edwards.But the 39-year-old then suffered a crippling hamstring injury.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLEdwards said: “It got so bad earlier in the week that Kev Foley had to train in the opposition and he tweaked a hamstring as well, so I’m losing staff as well as players now!”Luton have not been so lucky this term with Edwards very rarely having a full squad to work with.Marvelous Nakamba, Jacob Brown, Amari’i Bell and Dan Potts are all out for the season with knee and hamstring problems.The Hatters have also been without duo Elijah Adebayo and Albert Sambi Lokonga in recent weeks, with the pair suffering hamstring issues.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERWhile Joe Johnson is recovering from glandular fever and centre-half Gabe Osho has also missed a few games.On top of that, Danish defender Mads Andersen is only just back in training after a suffering calf injury that has ruined his second half of the season.The Premier League’s Top 10 sexiest managers according to AILuton managed to secure a point in their last fixture against Nottingham Forest but saw both Alfie Doughty and Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu forced off with blows.Edwards’ squad need to remain focused if they want to remain in the Premier League next term.They are in the midst of a very confusing relegation battle as Luton currently lies in 17th, between two clubs with asterisks next to their names.Nottingham Forest have appealed against their four-point deduction and Everton, whose 10-point penalty was reduced to six, could yet face further punishment. More

ERLING HAALAND is so close to Martin Odegaard he will prank him — win or lose — on Sunday.That’s the view of Sander Berge, the other member of a trio of best pals.Sander Berge, centre, has claimed Erling Haaland will prank Martin OdegaardCredit: AlamyHaaland, Odegaard and Berge are all Norway team-matesCredit: RexManchester City’s Haaland and Arsenal skipper Odegaard face-off in the Premier League’s top-of-the-table blockbuster at the Etihad.Calls and texts between the Norway trio are a constant, dating back to September 2019 when they first teamed up for their country against Malta.And that bond is why Burnley midfielder Berge knows that, no matter who comes out on top in Sunday’s title clash at the Etihad between City and the Gunners, their friendship will stay as strong as it has been ever since.Berge, 26, said: “Erling’s a funny guy, always with a smile on his face. And as I know, you never know with him.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“It’s fantastic that two of my closest mates are two of the absolute biggest players with two of the best teams in the world.“There was a time after Erling had joined Manchester City and Martin was at Arsenal that the rest of us in the Norwegian dressing room wondered how it might go between them.“At first it seemed a little bit strange because there they were, going up against each other, fighting up there for their club teams, and then they are together with the national team.“You were like, ‘What’s going to happen here?’.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS“Now everybody is a little bit more adjusted to it with Erling scoring all these goals for City and Martin scoring his goals and being captain of Arsenal.“Everybody’s more used to it now and it’s just fun watching them and being around them.”Ashley Cole picks his all-time team-mates XI… but does it boast more Arsenal or Chelsea stars?Haaland seemed like just another new kid on the block when Berge first saw his fellow Norwegian, when the striker made his senior international debut.Two weeks later he discovered Haaland was a true trickster — and not only because, at the age of 19, he had just thrown his hat into the ring as a superstar in the making with a first Champions League hat-trick.As Berge — then with Belgian side Genk — was drawn out for a post-match Uefa dope test following a 6-2 hammering by Haaland’s RB Salzburg, his team’s chief tormentor suddenly showed up.On his face was a cheeky grin; in his hand was the match ball. Both laughed out loud and from that point on they were mates.Berge, who left Belgium for Sheffield United before last summer’s £15million move to Turf Moor, recalls his time with Haaland and Odegaard fondly.He added: “Martin I’ve known since I was 15 when we were in that age group national team. We’ve been close since then as we came through to play in the national team for many years now.“Then Erling joined when he came through from Molde, then Salzburg, and we met in the national team two weeks before we were going to play each other in the Champions League.“We clicked as mates right away and so after that game against Salzburg, I’m sitting in doping control, he had scored his hat-trick… and he brings the ball in to me!“I’m like, ‘Yeah, yeah, here we go!’. We lose 6-2, he gets three and then he’s up to tricks.“He felt like a younger brother when he joined the national team and then it’s like, ‘What is going on with this guy?’.“It was hilarious and he’s never stopped.“We live close by each other now and I go round to his house, he comes to mine, we meet up in the summer, we travel to the internationals together.“We have a hobby about food and recovery, we enjoy each other’s company.“We often have dinner when we meet. It’s usually all about fish and eating nice, healthy meals and always about the right nutrition — although sometimes even a Sunday roast. Being an athlete, the devil is in the detail and he’s all about that.“I’m very tight with them. Erling I probably see once or twice a week. With Martin obviously down south I can’t do that.“But I speak with him all the time.”The three friends were all together again during the international break — with Haaland missing a penalty in Tuesday’s 1-1 friendly draw against Slovakia.On Saturday, Berge faces Chelsea in the Clarets’ battle to beat the drop.Come Sunday, the other two will be locking Viking horns.Berge knows no quarter will be asked or given.But he stressed: “They truly are really good friends, like we all are.“When they play against each other, they just think it’s fun.“Obviously, they want to go out and win for their teams but they have the biggest amount of respect for each other.READ MORE SUN STORIES“They would never kick on each other if one loses — they are very respectful on a very mature level.“The whole thing is just so cool and it’s great for me to be part of our friendship, to play alongside them — and to be watching them going hard for the title.” More

NUNO Espirito Santo admitted he “punched something” when he was told Nottingham Forest had been given a four-point deduction.Forest slid into the relegation zone last week after the penalty issued for breaking financial rules last season – the ruling left them in 18th place on 21 points, one from safety.Nuno Espirito Santo was livid after learning of Nottingham Forest’s points deductionCredit: AlamyThe club have since said they are appealing the decision.Nuno insists that Forest will NOT be relegated – despite the setback.But the Portuguese coach said he could not hide his frustration when he was told Forest had been docked four points.He said: “I think I punched something that was near to me, I was disappointed.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“But that only lasted for a couple of minutes because immediately I knew we had to bounce back from this.“Now it’s more a case of reality – we realise it’s a tough, difficult situation.”We have to stick together and go for it – you don’t need anything else.“But we have the ambition to stay in the Premier League and that’s huge.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSAsked if he was confident that Forest could stay up this season, Nuno emphasised: “Yes, of course.“Because of the way we work and play, the togetherness and commitment of the players.Nottingham Forest hit with four point deduction and plunged into Premier League relegation zone“I see this every day, that’s why I’m so confident.”Forest now have two key home games in four days against Crystal Palace and Fulham.Nuno was expecting some form of points penalty.He added: ”We all were, it was just the final decision – four points? Five? We didn’t know.”Now we know.”Who am I to say whether it’s fair or unfair?“Reality shows we have 21 points and now we are in the relegation zone. That’s clear.“What do we have to do now? Work harder. That’s enough of words, let’s go to action.”Nuno would not discuss the club’s appeal and added: “That’s another thing, we can’t control.”The Forest boss also responded to the FA handing first-team coach Steven Reid an extended two-match touchline ban and a £5,000 fine for misconduct after Forest’s defeat by Liverpool at the City Ground earlier this month.Reid gave referee Paul Tierney a foul-mouthed volley of abuse at the final whistle.It was found he had used an expletive phrase towards the ref on more than three occasions.Forest were also fined £75,000 for their part in the incident.READ MORE SUN STORIESNuno said: “It was a very difficult moment for everyone inside the City Ground, it was very emotional and hard to control your thoughts and feelings because it was unfair.“Steven’s one of us and feels really deeply sorry – he has apologised to everyone. He’s a very very nice person of huge importance to us.“We all are aware we have to control our emotions but it’s hard sometimes.” More