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      Aaron Ramsey Euro 2024 fears as ex-Arsenal star picks up nasty injury ahead of huge clash

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      WALES are sweating on skipper Aaron Ramsey for their Euro 2024 play-off bid next month.The Cardiff midfielder, 33, will have a scan on a calf injury today.
      Cardiff City and Wales midfielder Aaron Ramsey has picked up a calf injuryCredit: GETTY
      The former Arsenal man is now a doubt for Wales’ Euro 2024 play-off clash with FinlandCredit: GETTY
      Ex-Arsenal and Juventus star Ramsey missed the 4-1 Championship loss to Norwich on Saturday.
      And boss Erol Bulut expects him to sit out Blackburn’s visit tomorrow.
      Bulut said: “For Tuesday it will be difficult, I think around one week.
      “He got injured, he has a strain on his calf.
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      “Also Perry Ng was injured on his hips. That’s why they didn’t play.
      “For Tuesday, Aaron, it will be difficult. I think it will be a short time, around one week.
      “We saw in the last game, at West Brom, when he came in, it was a different game from how we started.
      “We got a few chances to score and make it 1-1.
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      Aaron Ramsey only recently just recovered from a serious knee injuryCredit: REUTERS
      “It would be great to have him, but if a player is injured, I cannot change it.
      But SunSport understands Ramsey, recently back from a serious knee injury sustained in September, will now have a scan.
      Both club and country will hope it is a minor setback as Wales host Finland in their Euro semi-final on March 21 in Cardiff.
      Ramsey’s former club Arsenal were 5-0 winners at Burnley on Saturday as they edged themselves back into title contention.
      But the match was overshadowed by an injury to the Welsh midfielder’s namesake, who plays for the Clarets.
      Burnley’s Aaron Ramsey, a former England U20 international, was forced off needing oxygen after appearing to get his foot stuck in the turf following a tackle from Martin Odegaard. More

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      Fans think they’ve worked out Euro 2024 winner with incredible conspiracy theory… and it’s bad news for England

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      FANS believe that they have figured out who will win Euro 2024 with a conspiracy theory.It follows on from the results of the Asian Cup and Africa Cup of Nations.
      Hosts Qatar won the Asian CupCredit: Getty
      Ivory Coast won Afcon in their own countryCredit: AP
      Germany will be hoping to continue the trend at Euro 2024Credit: Getty
      Both of the continental competitions were won by the host nations.
      Qatar beat Jordan 3-1 in the final at the Lusail Stadium after Akram Afif netted a hat-trick of penalties.
      Ivory Coast followed up the success as they came from behind to beat Nigeria in the Afcon final.
      Franck Kessie cancelled out William Troost-Ekong’s opener before former West Ham striker Sebastien Haller scored the winning goal.
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      With Euro 2024 being held in Germany, some fans are now backing the host nation to come out on top again.
      One German fan wrote: “There is always a chance.”
      A second commented: “You wouldn’t bet against them!!”
      A third wrote: “Toni Kroos winning euros before retiring, I’ll be there.”
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      This would be bad news for England.
      There are high hopes for Gareth Southgate’s squad despite the fact the Three Lions have not won any silverware since the World Cup in 1966.
      Aston Villa quickly cut Gareth Southgate from big screen during Man Utd clash as England manager is BOOED by fans
      England have been drawn in a tricky group with Serbia, Denmark and Slovenia.
      Their route to the final could include tough clashes against Euro 2020 winners Italy and France.
      Southgate could have an ace up his sleeve as he is considering calling up Manchester United wonderkid Kobbie Mainoo.
      The midfielder could slot in alongside Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham in the centre of the pitch. More

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      How England lined up last time they played Ireland in Dublin, with two stars now unemployed and three in foreign leagues

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      ENGLAND are set to face the Republic of Ireland later this year after they drew in the same group for the 2024-25 UEFA Nations League.But it has been nine years since the Three Lions last played in Dublin after a dismal 0-0 draw under Roy Hodgson.
      It has been nine years since England last played the Republic of IrelandCredit: Mark Robinson – The Sun
      Roy Hodgson led the Three Lions in the historic clash in DublinCredit: PA:Press Association
      England are set to face Ireland in the 2024-25 UEFA Nations League later this yearCredit: PA:Press Association
      England and Ireland haven’t met since Sunday, June 7, 2015 – except for a behind-closed-doors friendly in 2020.
      They will now come face to face in Ireland after drawing in the same group for the UEFA Nations League which begins on September 5.
      But one memorable thing from the match in 2015 was Jamie Vardy who made his debut for England at 28-years-old after helping Leicester escape relegation in the 2014-15 season.
      Vardy then a year later would play for the Three Lions in the Euro 2016 and become a Premier League champion.
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      The game marked 20 years since the Lansdowne Road riots forced the abandonment of the 1995 friendly between the two teams after just 27 minutes, with Ireland leading 1-0.
      But the team that started nine years ago are in a very different place now, so let’s take a look.
      Joe Hart
      Hart was once a key player for England but is currently in Scotland, playing for Celtic.
      The ex-Manchester City shot-stopper won the SPL title in his first two terms at the Glasgow side but could struggle to win a third.
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      In 2015 the clash in Ireland was Hart’s 75th cap for England and 43rd clean sheets.
      Phil Jones
      Jones has been off the radar this season as the 32-year left Manchester United last summer after spending over a decade at Old Trafford.
      I should have made England’s World Cup squad but injury ruined my dream and I sat crying on the bench
      The now free agent has been keeping busy as he plans his future starting PFA sporting director course.
      And in Dublin, the ex-Blackburn star played the full 90 minutes at right-back.
      Gary Cahill
      Cahill, 38, has now hung his boots and spends quality time with his family in Surrey.
      But back in 2015, he was on terrific form while playing for Chelsea.
      That year he won the Carling Cup and Premier League under Jose Mourinho.
      The former Bolton ace made his final appearance for England in 2018 securing 61 caps in his career.
      Chris Smalling
      Now at Roma, Smalling in 2015 was in his prime at Manchester United.
      The 34-year-old nicknamed Smalldini left Old Trafford in 2020 after a decade at the club.
      And is now managed by Daniele De Rossi after the previous boss Mourinho was sacked last month.
      Chris Smalling has been playing for Roma since 2020Credit: Getty
      Ryan Bertrand
      Bertrand is now a free agent after being released from Leicester last season.
      The Champions League winner was spotted training with his former Chelsea side over the summer as he prepares for his next move.
      The 34-year-old left-back hasn’t played competitively since December 2021, after suffering a long-term knee injury.
      In 2015 as well as playing in Dublin the finance lover set up his own fintech brokerage called Silicon Market.
      Jordan Henderson
      Fans will be a bit more familiar with Henderson’s life.
      The ex-Liverpool captain signed for Ajax last month after calling his time short in Saudia Arabia after six months.
      Henderson has so far made 81 appearances for England and hopes to win a spot on Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2024 squad in the summer.
      Jack Wilshere
      Wilshere may not had the success fans expected him to have.
      But he still had a respectable career which ended at Danish side AGF on July 2022.
      The former Arsenal star is now a highly-rated academy coach for the Gunners.
      Jack Wilshere is now an academy coach at ArsenalCredit: Getty
      James Milner
      Milner has made 20 appearances for Brighton since leaving from Liverpool last summer.
      The 38-year-old midfielder signed a one-year contract with the Seagulls with the option of another season.
      In 2015 the three-time Premier League champ played the full 90 minutes in Dublin.
      Raheem Sterling
      Six weeks after the game in Dublin Sterling would go on to become the most expensive English player of all time – leaving Liverpool for Manchester City in a £50m deal.
      But nine years on Sterling’s career looks very different as he now finds himself frozen out of Gareth Southgate’s England squad.
      Having won almost every title at Manchester City the 29-year-old is now battling it out with Chelsea’s perpetual struggles.
      Wayne Rooney
      And the final player of the 2015 Three Lions squad in Dublin was captain Rooney.
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      He would be going into his penultimate season with United and was replaced in the 75th minute by Vardy after failing to find the back of the net hinting at how his glittering career was coming to an end.
      Since his retirement in 2021, the ex-striker has not had much success in the dugout after recently being sacked from his third management role at Birmingham last month.
      Wayne Rooney was sacked from Birmingham City last monthCredit: Reuters More

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      England handed shock kick-off time for Ireland game… which could see both teams with new managers in charge

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      ENGLAND will play their Nations League clash against the Republic of Ireland at 5pm, it has been revealed. The Three Lions were put on course for a grudge match against the Boys in Green following Thursday’s Uefa Nations League group B draw.
      England will face Ireland on September 7 at 5pmCredit: Getty
      Gareth Southgate may not be in charge of England after the EurosCredit: PA
      Ireland are set to appoint a new manager after sacking Stephen KennyCredit: Sportsfile
      And the date and kick-off time for the clash has now been announced.
      Ireland will host England on September 7 at the peculiar kick-off time of 5pm.
      The 5pm time slot could cause some problems, as raised by journalist Henry Winter.
      Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, he said: “England in Dublin [at] 6pm on a Saturday? Is this wise? TV decision?
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      “Peaceful in 2015, 1pm Sunday kickoff (FA wrote to all 3,000 travelling fans appealing for good behaviour).
      “1995 horrendous from many England fans.
      “Different mood now, more self-policing, but concerns will be raised.”
      Games against Finland and Greece will follow.
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      England were relegated to League B after failing to win a single match in a group containing Germany, Italy and Hungary.
      Both England and Ireland could have new managers at the helm by the time the game comes around.
      Does Gareth Southgate have to win EURO 2024 to be a GREAT England manager?
      England manager Gareth Southgate is reported to be considering his future after the summer’s European championship.
      Meanwhile, Ireland are currently without a head coach after sacking Stephen Kenny in November.
      However, an announcement on Ireland’s next boss is reported to arrive within the next week.
      According to the Irish Mirror, it comes following a final talk with England Under-21 boss Lee Carsley, who is said to have identified his backroom staff ahead of taking the role.
      England Under-21 boss Lee Carsley is the man tipped to replace KennyCredit: Getty More

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      Gareth Southgate drops biggest hint yet he’ll lead England into 2026 World Cup with contract set to end in months

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      GARETH SOUTHGATE has given the strongest signal yet he is considering leading England into the 2026 World Cup.The Three Lions’ longest-serving coach since Sir Bobby Robson had previously hinted he would be ready to quit after this summer’s Euro 2024 finals.
      Gareth Southgate has hinted he could lead England at the next World CupCredit: AP
      But at last night’s Nations League draw he admitted the lure of staying at the helm for another two years was one that he might not be able to resist – as long as he believes he is still the right man for the job.
      Southgate said: “Without a doubt it’s exciting to take this team and always has been.
      “In the end, we’ve got to deliver performance, and you’ve got to make the best decisions for everybody.
      “I won’t be in a position to make that decision before the tournament.”
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      He added: “There’s probably 55 international coaches and there’s a fair chance half of them won’t be here after the Euros. That’s international football.
      “You’ve got to keep winning football matches, and then make decisions.
      “So I’m completely relaxed about that. All my focus is on delivering the best possible tournament this summer.”
      Southgate’s contract runs until December.
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      However, it had been anticipated he would move aside for a replacement to take charge of the autumn Nations League games which saw England draw Finland, Republic of Ireland and Greece.
      He said: “We’ve always built this period in afterwards to reflect on things and to make the best possible decisions for England.
      How does Gareth Southgate solve Phil Foden dilemma, with Jack Grealish possibly missing out on Euro 2024
      “If we did anything before, it would be detrimental to the performance in the summer, whichever way your decision went.
      “We’ve got to see how the summer goes, it’s as simple as that.
      “I know what we’re capable of achieving in the summer, what my own benchmark of success is.
      “That won’t necessarily determine my decision. My only focus is to try and win the tournament for England.” More

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      Premier League cult hero looks unrecognisable hosting Uefa Nations League draw as fans hail ‘blast from the past’

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      FANS were in for a surprise when they saw an unlikely Premier League cult hero appear on stage at the Nations League draw.But some fans would have been forgiven for not recognising the striker initially as he was looking quite different from his playing days in the ’90s.
      The former Premier League striker pulled names out of the hat during the Nations League drawCredit: Getty
      The mystery man played for Southampton between 1999 and 2006 – becoming a cult hero for Saints fans.
      The diminuitive forward had a baby face during his time on the south coast, but now spots a greying quiff and salt and pepper beard.
      At the peak of his powers, he was even known as the Latvian Michael Owen.
      The striker hit 45 goals in 155 games for the Saints, playing in both he Premier League and the Championship for the south coast club.
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      The player in question is, of course, none other than Marian Pahars.
      Fans delighted in seeing Pahars at the Nations League ceremony on X (formerly known as Twitter).
      One wrote: “Marian Pahars at the Nations League draw! Blast from the past.”
      Another added: “Marian Pahars… that’s a blast from the Premiership past.”
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      A third wrote: “#SaintsFC legend Marian Pahars part of the UEFA Nations League draw ceremony,” alongside a prayer hands emoji.
      After leaving the Saints in 2006, Pahars signed for Cypriot side Anorthosis Famagusta.
      I was crushed after losing 6-1 at Liverpool… then I woke up drunk off my head on a hotel floor and signed for them
      He then returned to Latvian side Skonto, the club where he began his career, before retiring at Riga side Jurmala – who are now extinct.
      Pahars would go on to have a management career – managing Latvia for four years between 2013 and 2017.

      Marian Pahars is a Saints cult legendCredit: PA:Press Association More

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      Bizarre Uefa rule that meant England couldn’t draw Kazakhstan in the Nations League as fans say ‘we’ve been robbed’

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      ENGLAND have been “robbed” of drawing Kazakhstan in their Uefa Nations League group, due to a little-known rule.England had already been drawn with Finland and Ireland in group 2, with Kazakhstan the next name to come out of the hat.
      Kazakhstan were the next team out of the hat for Group TwoCredit: UEFA
      But they were drawn in Group Three insteadCredit: UEFA
      But a rule that limits the distance Kazakhstan have to travel in Uefa competitions means they could not be put in a group with England and Ireland.
      Prior to the draw, it was agreed that Kazakhstan could only be drawn in a group with only one of England, Ireland and Wales.
      England were given Greece instead as the third team in B2.
      That saw Kazakhstan put into Group three instead, alongside Austria, Norway and Slovenia.
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      Fans on X (formerly known as Twitter) spoke of how they’d been robbed of the opportunity to travel to Kazakhstan.
      One fan wrote: “We’ve been robbed of getting Kazakhstan away. I’m in hysterics.”
      Another fan wrote: “Kazakhstan… The one that got away.”
      A third wrote: “3 new country ticks but its not the Kazakhstan draw I wanted..”
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      While a fourth travelling England fan said: “Sadly no Kazakhstan away for us.”
      As replacements go, Greece isn’t a bad replacement, however.
      How does Gareth Southgate solve Phil Foden dilemma, with Jack Grealish possibly missing out on Euro 2024
      Fans will be travelling to Athens, where the team play in the Olympic Stadium.
      England have played Kazakhstan twice before in their history after being drawn in the same qualification group as them for the 2010 World Cup.
      England won the fixture at Wembley 5-1 in 2008 before thrashing them 4-0 in the away tie. More

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      England set for tasty grudge clash against Ireland as draw made for Uefa Nations League B

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      ENGLAND will face Finland, the Republic of Ireland, and Greece in the Uefa Nations League.The Three Lions were relegated to League B after failing to win a single match in a group containing Germany, Italy and Hungary.
      England will play Finland, the Republic of Ireland and Greece
      England will compete in League B for the first time
      Wales have been drawn against Iceland, Montenegro, and Turkey
      Gareth Southgate will be aiming for promotion back to the top tier – League A – should he remain as manager beyond Euro 2024.
      And he will fancy his chances after the draw, although a grudge clash with Ireland could prove difficult.
      The Three Lions have only beaten Ireland once in their previous seven encounters, though six of those matches ended in a draw.
      While England have not faced Finland since a World Cup qualifier at Anfield in 2001, which Sven Goran Eriksson’s side won thanks to goals from Michael Owen and David Beckham.
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      England played Greece in the same campaign and will come up against Gus Poyet’s team again, with the Nations League kicking off in September.
      But that is only because Kazakstan, who were initially drawn out of the hat to play England, cannot face the Three Lions due to a rule that limits the distance Kazakhstan have to travel in Uefa competitions.
      England were in Pot 1 for League B along with Wales, Austria and the Czech Republic.
      England have mixed success in the Nations League having experienced relegation last time out.
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      However they did reach the semi-final in the first edition of the tournament in 2019, losing to the Netherlands.
      The Nations League kicks off in September
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      Scotland will compete in League A – the top tier – for the first time
      Gareth Southgate could quit as England manager before the Nations League gets underwayCredit: AP
      Scotland take England’s place in League A after winning promotion from a group containing Ukraine, Armenia and the Republic of Ireland.
      They are the highest-ranked home nation in the competition and have been drawn against Croatia, Portugal and Poland.
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