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      Sheff Utd defender Rhys Norrington-Davies ruled out for 10 weeks after surgery on hamstring injury

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      RHYS NORRINGTON-DAVIES is out until February after undergoing surgery on his hamstring injury.The Sheffield United defender, 23, suffered the blow of missing the World Cup with Wales in Qatar.
      Norrington-Davies is out until February after surgery on his hamstringCredit: Getty
      But Norrington-Davies is now on the road to recovery from the cruel injury sustained against Coventry back in October.
      The 13-cap star would have certainly got minutes for Robert Page’s side, who were disappointing at the finals and finished bottom of Group B.
      Prior to the injury, Norrington-Davies had attracted interest from Premier League quartet West Ham, Crystal Palace, Leicester and Bournemouth following his impressive displays at Bramall Lane.
      Norrington-Davies faces at least another ten weeks on the sidelines with the aim of returning for the business end of the campaign for club and country.
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      Sheffield United lie second behind leaders Burnley in the Championship after 21 matches and are bidding for promotion to the Prem.
      While versatile Norrington-Davies, who can play left-back, left wing-back or as a left-sided defender in a back three, will also aim to make a Wales comeback for the start of the Euro 2024 qualifiers.
      Page’s men kick-off their bid for a spot at the finals in Germany – a fourth tournament in their last five – against Croatia on March 25 in Split. 
      It’s unknown whether Gareth Bale will be in the squad for that game.
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      The superstar has vowed to carry on playing for Wales after their heartbreaking World Cup KO. 
      The Dragons skipper limped off at half-time during the sobering 3-0 defeat to England with a hamstring injury. 
      The 33-year-old insists he WON’T retire – as long as coach Rob Page still wants him around. More

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      Defiant Lucas Paqueta hits back at Roy Keane after Man Utd legend’s ‘Strictly’ taunt over his dancing at World Cup

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      LUCAS PAQUETA has defended Brazil’s dancing after Roy Keane blasted “it was like watching Strictly” when they celebrated.Brazil’s stars marked every goal in the 4-1 win over South Korea on Monday with a dance.
      Brazil’s stars celebrated with a dance after all four goals in the 4-1 win over South KoreaCredit: AP
      Lucas Paqueta scored the fourth and celebrated with a jiggleCredit: AP
      Roy Keane blasted Brazil for their dancingCredit: ITV
      West Ham star Paqueta, 25, scored the fourth goal as the tournament favourites turned on the style.
      Manager Tite even got involved in the dancing after Richarlison ran over to the dugout after netting Brazil’s third.
      But an unimpressed Keane fumed on ITV’s coverage of the game: “I’ve never seen so much dancing. It’s like watching Strictly. I can’t believe what I’m watching.
      “I don’t like this. I think it’s disrespecting the opposition. It’s four [goals] and they’re doing it every time.”
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      Paqueta then defiantly hit back at the Manchester United legend after the match.
      The playmaker told Globo: “The dance is a representation of our joy after scoring a goal.
      “We don’t do it to disrespect anyone, we don’t do it in front of our opponents.”
      He added: “We all get together to celebrate. If they don’t like it, there’s not much to say.”
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      And Paqueta vowed to keep dancing – as long as Brazil keep banging in the goals.
      He declared: “We’ll keep scoring goals and keep dancing. This is a group that is happy to score, to get the victory and the goals.”
      Paqueta’s Brazil team-mate, Raphinha, also promised that the team plan to carry on dancing after scoring.
      He revealed: “The problem is those who don’t like it, because we’re going to keep doing it.”
      Boss Tite also hit back at the “nasty” Keane for his reaction.
      Brazil now face Croatia on Friday for a place in the World Cup semi-finals. More

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      Xhaka’s dad fumes at journalist after she slams Arsenal star’s ‘disgraceful’ gesture in Switzerland’s World Cup win

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      GRANIT XHAKA’S dad hit out at a journalist after she slammed the Arsenal star for his “disgraceful” gesture. The Switzerland midfielder, 30, grabbed his manhood during the highly-charged 3-2 win over Serbia on Friday.
      Granit Xhaka made the rude gesture on FridayCredit: https://www.krone.at/2875474
      Zana Avdiu criticised the midfielderCredit: https://www.instagram.com/zana.avdiuu/
      Xhaka sparked a mass pitch invasion and brawl when he did the move in front of the Serbian bench and appeared to aim a comment towards back-up keeper Predrag Rajkovic.
      It was Rajkovic whose wife was rumoured to be having an affair with team-mate Dusan Vlahovic, a suggestion which the Serb striker has vehemently denied.
      Xhaka was also at the heart of the stoppage time bust-up which saw him being grabbed around the throat by goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic and threatened by Aleksandar Mitrovic and Nikola Milenkovic.
      He then triggered further Serbian anger by celebrating the win in a shirt with Jashari on the back – Adam Jashari founded the Kosovo Liberation Army – but escaped punishment from Fifa.
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      But it was his naughty gesture that has caused a storm ahead of Switzerland’s last-16 clash with Portugal.
      Kosovan activist and journalist Zana Avdiu raged on Facebook: “Granit Xhaka’s act is a disgrace. An act of a street boy.”
      She added on TV channel T7: “What does it say about our society when we celebrate such a gesture?”
      The rest of the panel – all males – tried to silence Avdiu by claiming she “doesn’t understand the emotions of a footballer” or even the gesture itself.
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      But Avdiu responded: “I’ll explain it to you: Granit Xhaka’s gesture symbolizes a sexual assault.”
      However, things got heated when Xhaka’s dad Ragip joined the show on the phone.
      Addressing Avdiu in the third person only, Xhaka Sr said: “If she calls Granit Xhaka a street urchin, that’s a great shame! 
      “The woman who sits on this show and has no idea about sports, emotions, or Albanians.
      “These people insult his mother, his wife and children, make a number of gestures, chant ‘Kill the Albanians!’, ‘Kosovo is Serbia!’ and she calls Granit one street boys.
      “The Xhaka family has never surrendered and does not surrender. Granit’s gesture was neither political nor sexist. 
      “Granit is Granit. He didn’t make this gesture to offend anyone.
      “I warn you again: you should be careful what you write about the Xhaka family.” 
      Avdiu replied: “What else happens?”
      Xhaka fired back: “I’ll tell you later what happens. You will have to answer for yourself in every respect. 
      “But when the time comes, it will already be too late, I guarantee you that with my life. Because you don’t know the Xhaka family.”
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      Xhaka’s dad – who is from Albania and moved to Switzerland before sons Granit and Taulant were born – also defended his son for campaigning for and supporting Albanian women whowere raped during the Kosovo War.
      He added: “He is jeopardizing his career and telling the world who raped our Albanian mothers, sisters and children – over 20,000 victims.”
      Xhaka’s dad Ragip defended his son publiclyCredit: Getty
      Xhaka was at the thick of the action in the win over SerbiaCredit: Reuters More

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      World Cup stars including England hero Bukayo Saka and Brazil winger Raphinha swear by personalised shin pads

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      FORGET fancy boots, these footballers are customising to the finest detail by wearing unique shin pads.Stars from countries including England, Spain, Germany and more are wearing guards that feature images of their Wags, families, dedications to their clubs and even themselves.
      Bukayo Saka’s love for Arsenal shines through with his shin padsCredit: Getty
      In the past, we’ve seen Cristiano Ronaldo wear shin pads with pictures of him and Georgina Rodriguez on in a major tournament.
      And like CR7, these stars are no different.
      Bukayo Saka
      Arsenal is England winger’s Saka’s first love, clearly.
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      The Three Lions star, who boasts three goals in the World Cup, has his club crest on his shin pads.
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      On top of that is his squad number – “7” – for all his team-mates to see.
      The Spurs contingent of Harry Kane and Eric Dier won’t want to see them, though.
      Just imagine the bragging rights.

      Raphinha
      As the camera panned to the bench during Brazil’s game against Cameroon, we caught a glimpse of the Barcelona star’s shinnies.
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      And a fetching set they were. They featured Raphinha’s image on the them – wearing his country’s famous yellow jersey.
      Transate (loosely) what’s written on the top of them and they say, “Bring the Cup home”.
      Raphinha’s shin pads feature a World Cup vowCredit: Alamy
      Antonio Rudiger
      Germany didn’t have the best of World Cups – getting eliminated in the group stages.
      So, Rudiger didn’t get long to sport his custom pads.
      They are symbolic of his play – as a defender – with a clenched fist punching the air alongside his signature.
      A punching fist is seen on Antonio Rudiger’s shin guardsCredit: Getty
      Koke
      For the Spain and Atletico Madrid star, Koke’s club and family are his life.
      His shin pads represent both – with images of his family, saluting the crowd at the Wanda Metropolitano and more emblazoned on them.
      Should Spain win the World Cup he will have more more memories to etch on them.
      Koke’s family and success at Atletico Madrid are pictured on his shin padsCredit: Getty
      Youssoufa Moukoko
      The 18-year-old Borussia Dortmund wonderkid made just one sub appearance at the World Cup, before the Germans departed.
      But, with his talent, you get the feeling he will be around for many more.
      Moukoko dons the famous yellow and black of Dortmund, with an image of himself on his shin pads. There’s also a touching message to his mother.
      Youssoufa Moukoko gives a shout out to his ‘mama’Credit: Getty
      Dani Carvajal
      Full back Carvajal has been instrumental in Real Madrid’s success.
      It’s no wonder then that he has several images representing Los Blancos on his shin guards.
      His surname is also blasted across the middle in a futuristic-looking font.
      Club man Dani Carvajal shows his loyalty to Real MadridCredit: Getty
      Gareth Bale
      Wales legend Bale likes to keep it simple with his shin pads.
      There’s no fancy graphics or imagery. Simply, he has the Welsh flag on the middle.
      Below that, you’ll find his initials and number.
      Gareth Bale keeps it simple with his country’s flag, his initials and squad numberCredit: Getty
      Kevin Trapp
      When you are married to one of the most beautiful women in the world, you would want to show that off.
      Former Victoria’s Secret supermodel Izabel Goulart features in a clench with German keeper Trapp on his specially designed guards.
      There is absolutely no reference to football on there whatsoever.
      Kevin Trapp shows of glam wife super model Izabel GoulartCredit: Getty
      Gaku Shibasaki
      Japan is synonymous with anime – which draws scores of fans.
      Shibasaki is clearly a fan, judging by what he was wearing ahead of a match against Costa Rica.
      His featured himself, dressed up as a samurai in anime form.
      Gaku Shibasaki is immortalised as a Japanese anime samuraiCredit: Getty
      Karim Adeyemi
      German youngster Adeyemi is also a fan of Japanese anime.
      His favourite show is Dragon Ball Z, with characters from that drawn on to his shin pads.
      In the past, we’ve seen other footballers in love with the cartoon including Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who has some Dragon Ball Z tattoos.
      Karim Adeyemi is also a fan of Japanese anime, with this dedication to Dragon Ball ZCredit: Getty
      Pablo Sarabia
      The PSG winger has got all sentimental with his shin pads.
      Family means the world to him, as well as his girlfriend Carmen who is featured holding his hand as they walk into the sunset.
      Other family members and their names are also adorned on the shin pads.
      Family man Pablo Sarabia dedicates his shin pads to family and girlfriend CarmenCredit: Getty
      Pedro Miguel
      Qatar defender Miguel was born in Portugal, hence what is written on his shin pads.
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      Translated from Portuguese, “fe em deus” is roughly translated as faith in god in English.
      An image underneath it features Miguel pointing up towards the message or the sky, showing he’s a religious man.
      Religious Pedro Miguel of Qatar puts his faith in godCredit: Getty More

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      Kylian Mbappe MISSES training and spotted in recovery room with doctor just days before World Cup clash with England

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      KYLIAN MBAPPE missed France training just DAYS before their huge World Cup quarter-final clash with England.The 23-year-old is leading France’s World Cup title defence and the race for the Golden Boot.
      Mbappe missed training days before France’s quarter-final date with EnglandCredit: Getty
      Deschamps was seen in long conversation with France’s doctorCredit: Reuters
      France will play England on SaturdayCredit: Getty
      Mbappe has scored five and assisted two in four games.
      He netted a brace in the 3-1 round of 16 win over Poland to set up a date with Gareth Southgate’s free-scoring England.
      However, according to L’Equipe, via Get French Football News, Mbappe missed France training days before Saturday’s clash.
      And boss Didier Deschamps was seen in a long discussion with Les Bleus’ doctor at the start of the session with Mbappe doing work in the recovery room.
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      Whether Mbappe’s absence is injury-related is yet to be seen.
      But the Frenchman avoided an ankle injury scare ahead of the tournament while playing for club Paris Saint-Germain.
      Mbappe was withdrawn before the 90th minute in the 2-1 win over Lorient after feeling discomfort.
      Three Lions boss Southgate will have been putting together some kind of a plan to stop Mbappe.
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      Mbappe is leading France’s World Cup title defence
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      England legend Gary Neville identified England speedster Kyle Walker as Mbappe’s Kryptonite.
      Neville told Sky Sports: “I always thought we’d play three at the back in this tournament, but I don’t think we will now.
      “I didn’t think the centre-back pairing would be strong enough, but John Stones and Harry Maguire are holding up.
      “It’s whether what they’ve played against so far in the first three games is going to be anything like what they face moving forward, and I don’t think it is.
      “It looks like a collision course waiting to happen doesn’t it? Mbappe versus Walker.
      “We’ve got the perfect right-back to deal with Mbappe if anyone can – physical, pace, experience.”
      Rio Ferdinand has echoed his former Manchester United team-mate’s comments, as has Aston Villa right-back Matty Cash, who was tasked with stopping Mbappe while turning out for Poland.
      France’s team in an evening training sessionCredit: Reuters
      Mbappe was doing recovery workCredit: Reuters More

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      Gabriel Jesus ‘to undergo knee surgery and out for at least three months’ in huge blow to Arsenal’s Prem title hopes

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      ARSENAL star Gabriel Jesus is set to undergo knee surgery after sustaining an injury at the World Cup.There are fears that Mikel Arteta could be without his No.9 for at least three months.
      Gabriel Jesus went off with a knee problem at the World Cup and it’s bad news for ArsenalCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      The striker played as Brazil boss Tite rotated the squad in their 1-0 defeat to Cameroon.
      But Jesus went off injured in the 64th minute with a knee issue.
      And now The Telegraph are reporting that he requires surgery handing the Gunners a major blow in their pursuit of the Premier League title.
      It means that the 25-year-old’s World Cup campaign with Brazil is certainly over and Arsenal will now have to rely on Eddie Nketiah up top.
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      The North London side have a number of crucial matches after the World Cup break – they return to action on Boxing Day versus West Ham.
      If Jesus is in the treatment room for the minimum three months reported then it means he will miss February’s clash with his former club and title rivals Manchester City.

      He looks also set to miss the North London derby versus Tottenham and the fixture versus Manchester United.
      The injury is devastating news with Arsenal fans fearing the worst when he went down in Friday night’s game.
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      One supporter even claimed that it’s “season over.”
      It’s not just the fans who are concerned, defender Takehiro Tomiyasu was left shocked and worried in an interview when he found out the news his teammate sustained an injury.
      Despite Jesus being out of form in front of goal, suffering a lengthy drought before the World Cup, his work-rate will be heavily missed.
      With the January transfer window around the corner it could force the club to go out and buy a new centre-forward. More

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      World Cup carnage as Qatar riot cops filmed crushing screaming fans outside stadium ahead of Spain v Morocco clash

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      SPANISH and Moroccan fans were caught up in crowd carnage as they were trapped in a crush outside their World Cup game. Riot cops were deployed as fans were pushed trapped against a chain link fence before the round of 16 kick off at the Education City Stadium.
      Riot cops clashed with Spain and Morocco fans outside the stadiumCredit: Twitter
      Security officials were confronted with a large crowdCredit: Twitter
      Riot police in armour could be seen pushed back fansCredit: Twitter
      Harrowing video shows World Cup fans of both teams stuck on a narrow pathway between two fences.
      Riot cops and security guards are seen at the end blocking their way and shoving the supporters back.
      Other footage shows a huge crowd as cops in helmets clash with the fans.
      Security officials reportedly blamed the crush on fans attempting to enter the stadium without tickets.
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      Men, women and children could all be seen stuck in the crowd pressed against the fence in footage shared from the scene.
      Police lined up with riot shields as they corralled the fans waiting near the stadium.
      Moroccan fans are some of the most numerous of any team left at the world cup.
      Many of them live and work in Qatar and are hoping to see their team advance to its first quarter-final.
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      Ahead of kickoff on Tuesday, security appeared tighter than at other games.
      Rows of riot police were deployed on the ground, drones were seen flying overhead, and cops were seen on horseback.
      Marshals at the stadium perimeter shouted “show your tickets please” at approaching fans and guards checked for tickets before letting them through.
      A crowd of fans without tickets were waiting beyond the marshals.
      “We hope to get in,” said one man, who declined to give his name.
      While Morocco, in the last 16 for the first time since 1986, are the underdogs, the support of their vociferous, red-clan fans has been seen as a big asset in the first World Cup hosted by an Arab state.
      “Atlas Lions carry hopes of a whole continent,” the Moroccan newspaper Maroc Le Jour declared in a front-page headline.
      The match may gain piquancy from the familiarity of the opponents.
      The Spanish mainland is visible from Morocco across the Strait of Gibraltar and thousands of Moroccans live there for work.
      As a colonial power, Spain controlled swathes of northern Morocco as well as the disputed territory of Western Sahara, which Rabat sees as its own, and still retains two small North African enclaves at Ceuta and Melilla that Rabat says it should quit.
      Diplomatic ties improved this year after Morocco had withdrawn its ambassador to Spain in 2021 in a dispute over Madrid’s handling of medical treatment for a Western Sahara separatist leader.
      The Moroccan consulate has asked fans to “show sportsmanship regardless of the result” and to avoid doing anything that could trigger incidents with Spanish fans. 
      Riot police lined up outside the stadium before the gameCredit: Reuters

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      James Maddison reveals which England star he would ban his sister from dating and who he’d welcome as brother-in-law

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      JAMES MADDISON has revealed the England player he would BAN his sister from dating… and the one he would be happy for her to marry.The Leicester playmaker, 26, is yet to feature for the Three Lions at the World Cup.
      James Maddison revealed his ideal brother-in-law and the nightmare man for his sisterCredit: Twitter / @talkSPORT
      He was plagued with a knee problem for the opening two games and failed to get any minutes in the subsequent wins over Wales and Senegal.
      But that has not hampered Maddison’s spirits as he took to media duties on Tuesday – four days before England’s crunch quarter-final against France.
      And he had very contrasting points to make about fellow international team-mates Bukayo Saka and Jack Grealish.
      When asked which member of the England squad would make the best son-in-law, he told talkSPORT: “The first one who springs to mind is Bukayo Saka. He’s just such a nice kid, man.
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      “You just get this relationship with him where he’s such a nice guy to everyone that you build such a good relationship with him.
      “If I had a sister or a daughter and they said to me ‘I’m going on a date with Bukayo Saka’, I’d be like ‘enjoy yourself, let him pay, but enjoy yourself’.
      “But if I had a family member and they told me ‘I’m going on a date with Jack Grealish’, I’d be like ‘nah you’re not’.”
      Saka, 21, has been joined in Qatar by partner Tolami Benson.
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      Grealish, 27, has also seen his girlfriend Sasha Attwood fly out for the tournament.
      Between them, Saka and Grealish have managed four goals at the World Cup so far, with the Arsenal man bagging three and his Man City counterpart netting one.
      Both are in contention to feature against France at the weekend, but have serious competition for their places in the starting line-up.
      Phil Foden, Marcus Rashford and Mason Mount will all be hoping to land a spot in the XI.
      Raheem Sterling could also be involved if he returns to Qatar after being forced to fly back to England following a burglary at his family home.
      Sasha Attwood is the current girlfriend of Jack GrealishCredit: Getty
      Tolami Benson is Bukayo Saka’s current partnerCredit: World Cup News Pool (WCNP) – England vs Senegal More