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      Harry Kane claims Tottenham getting through in Champions League will also boost England’s World Cup hopes

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      HARRY KANE says Tottenham’s dramatic win in Marseille provided a timely boost ahead of the World Cup.Spurs were heading into the Europa League when 1-0 down at half-time at the Stade Velodrome on Tuesday night.
      Kane played a key role in Spurs’ dramatic 2-1 win over MarseilleCredit: Getty
      Kane says Spurs’ knockout qualification has him on a high heading into the World Cup next monthCredit: Reuters
      But second-half strikes from Clement Lenglet and Pierre Emile-Hojbjerg turned things around completely and sent the North Londoners into the Champions League knockout stages.
      Kane teed up Hojbjerg for the Dane’s winner in the fifth minute of injury time, sparking wild celebrations on the French South-Coast.
      The England captain said: “It was really important just before the World Cup. 
      “If we’d have gone out, it would have been a real sting because you know you’re coming back from the World Cup and playing Europa League and it’s just not the same feeling. 
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      “So that was really vital. 
      “We’ve got three games before the World Cup and hopefully we can use tonight to finish strongly and if we can be there or thereabouts in the Premier League and get through in the Carabao Cup, it’ll be a really good start to the season.”
      Spurs have two home games in the Premier League before Qatar, facing Liverpool and Leeds, with a Carabao Cup trip to Nottingham Forest sandwiched in between.
      If they can maintain their current position of third in the league and make it into the next round of the League Cup before the World Cup begins, it will mark a very successful first half of the season for Antonio Conte, who celebrates a year as Spurs boss on Wednesday.
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      Performances may have been questionable at times but you cannot argue with the results which are even more impressive given Spurs’ injuries in attack.
      Dejan Kulusevski has been out since the last international break with a hamstring problem, while Richarlison injured his calf in mid October.
      In Marseille Spurs suffered another blow when Son Heung-min came off in the first half after damaging his cheek in an aerial challenge with ex-Newcastle defender Chancel Mbemba.
      The South Korean’s eye was swollen but it was not clear if he had suffered concussion or not, which, if he had, would rule him out of Saturday’s hosting of Liverpool.
      Spurs will assess their No7 on Wednesday.
      Tottenham also had to deal with pesky Marseille fans setting off fireworks the night before the game in the early hours.
      But the disrupted shuteye ultimately did not affect them as they sealed victory in the cacophonous cauldron that is OM’s stadium.
      Kane added: “We expected it, we were told the fireworks might happen. I woke up on the first lot but the second lot I was fast asleep thankfully. 
      “Their fans were incredible, we knew the atmosphere would be special and that was with one of the stands closed as well. 
      “Credit to them, they’re doing everything to make sure their team wins. So proud of the boys, coming to a really tough place, the atmosphere was really hostile and we had to find something amongst ourselves, players and staff, and we managed to do that.”
      Spurs will find out who they face in the last 16 on Monday when the draw is held in Switzerland.
      Currently, their potential opponents could be: Club Brugge, Inter Milan, AC Milan, RB Salzburg, Real Madrid, RB Leipzig, Shakhtar Donetsk, Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain or Benfica.
      But before then comes the World Cup for Kane, even if he is doing his best to keep it off his mind.
      The 29-year-old added: “I said it before, you try not to think about it. 
      “I said the World Cup was going to come round really quickly, and it’s come round really quickly. We’re in November already and in a couple of weeks we’ll be on the plane and playing the first game in no time. 
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      “I think a lot of players have got it in the back of their minds but I think the top top players manage to give 110 per cent no matter what. The more you try to think about managing yourself, it sometimes backfires. 
      “So me personally I’m just trying to focus on the next three games. Of course it’s hard not to think about it but if we can have three good results it will put us in a really good place going into the World Cup.” More

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      England’s forgotten XI of stars who couldn’t remember played for Three Lions including Jack Cork and Lewis Cook

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      ONE THOUSAND, two hundred and seventy-one players have turned out for England… some will be remembered for a life time while others easily slip the mind.England teams have largely been picked based on reputation, but on the odd occasion, form and a player’s projected future can also influence a call-up.
      An England XI of ‘forgotten’ stars
      Southgate has tried to balance out his selections based on reputation and formCredit: Reuters
      Under current Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate, he has picked his teams based on a mixture of reputation and merit.
      For example, England midfield mainstay Kalvin Phillips made his England debut before turning out for the first time in the Premier League.
      The now Manchester City ace joined a small club of players to play for their country while playing below the top flight.
      But such risks haven’t always paid off, with a number of footie stars failing to make an impact on the international stage.
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      Some England aces have a handful of caps, or less, to their name.
      That shouldn’t take away from their tremendous achievement, though.
      Nonetheless, they fall into the category of England players you may have forgot turned out for their country.
      SunSport takes a look at an XI of forgotten Three Lions stars with the World Cup around the corner.
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      Alex McCarthy
      The Southampton goalkeeper has always been regarded as one of the Prem’s consistent shot-stoppers.
      And it was at the South Coast club where McCarthy earned his first England cap.
      McCarthy’s debut came in 2018 in the 3-0 win over the USA, playing 45 minutes.
      However, his chances of claiming more caps are slim with the likes of Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale, Nick Pope and Dean Henderson all ahead of him in the pecking order.
      McCarthy played just once for EnglandCredit: Reuters
      Ainsley Maitland-Niles
      Utility man Ainsley Maitland-Niles played for England five times.
      The ex-Arsenal, now Southampton ace, made his Three Lions debut in 2020 in the Nations League against Denmark.
      England lost the game and Maitland-Niles played just 36 minutes.
      Maitland-Niles coming on as a sub against Denmark, replacing Trent Alexander-ArnoldCredit: Getty
      Lewis Dunk
      Brighton’s Lewis Dunk is the only man on this list who’s close to a return to the England set-up.
      The centre-back is a mainstay in the Seagulls team and is in Southgate’s 55-man pool of players to choose from for the upcoming Qatar World Cup.
      Dunk’s one and only cap for his country came in 2018 against the USA, where he started and kept a clean sheet in the 3-0 win.
      Dunk turned out for England against USACredit: PA:Press Association
      Steven Caulker
      Not many can say they scored on their England debut. Steven Caulker can.
      The ex-Tottenham, QPR, Southampton and Liverpool defender made his debut in 2012.
      He scored in the 4-2 loss to Sweden – a game which saw icon Zlatan Ibrahimovic score all four goals, including an outrageous overhead-kick from distance.
      Caulker never played for England again.
      Caulker scored on his debut in a 4-2 loss to SwedenCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Jon Flanagan
      Another player who played for England just once.
      Jon Flanagan rose through the ranks at Liverpool and gained international recognition in 2014.
      The now-retired star could play at both right-back and left-back.
      He played against Ecuador in a 2-2 draw, playing 27 minutes in total.
      Flanagan played for Liverpool while turning out for EnglandCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Jack Cork
      Midfield lynchpin Jack Cork earned his first cap after switching from Swansea to Burnley.
      Cork played four minutes in the 0-0 draw with Germany in 2017.
      He now plays in the Championship and is still turning out for Burnley, where he is the club captain.
      Burnley regular Cork played against GermanyCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Lewis Cook
      A once up-and-coming midfielder.
      Lewis Cook’s career got off to a flyer at Leeds before earning a big money move to AFC Bournemouth.
      It was at the South Coast club where he made his debut for England.
      He played 20 minutes in a 1-1 draw with Italy in 2018.
      Cook, now 25, is a regular for Bournemouth in the top flight.
      Cook took on Italy in his only Three Lions appearanceCredit: PA:Press Association
      Nathaniel Chalobah
      Chelsea had high hopes for Nathaniel Chalobah.
      But the midfielder failed to live up to expectations and spent most of his professional career on loan in England and in Italy.
      Chalobah did manage to earn an England call-up while playing for Watford, though.
      His only senior cap came in the 3-2 win against Spain in 2018.
      However, he only managed a minute on the pitch.
      Younger brother Trevoh is enjoying greater success at Chelsea.
      Although, he is yet to play for England.
      Chalobah managed one minute in a 3-2 win over SpainCredit: PA:Press Association
      Matt Jarvis
      Known for his blistering speed, Matt Jarvis earned rave reviews at Gillingham before tearing it up at Wolves.
      It was at the Midlands club where he was handed his England debut against Ghana in 2011.
      He then went on to join West Ham in 2012, but he struggled to live up to price tags.
      Jarvis then had a number of loan spells before dropping down the divisions and retiring in 2021.
      Jarvis earned international recognition at WolvesCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Andros Townsend
      The most accomplished of the “forgotten” team.
      Andros Townsend made his England debut in 2013, where he scored in the 4-1 win over Montenegro.
      Ex-Tottenham ace Townsend went on to play a further 12 times for the Three Lions, adding another two goals to the one he scored on his debut.
      He is at Everton, however, his contract is due to expire next summer.
      Townsend scored three in 13 games for EnglandCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      Dominic Solanke
      Dominic Solanke won’t have given up on an England career, to be clear.
      The striker is still just 25 years old.
      Solanke was handed an England debut in 2017 in a draw with Brazil.
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      He was called up after switching Chelsea for Liverpool.
      A call-up which could be put down to his predicted carer trajectory.
      A young Solanke was called up following a move to Liverpool from ChelseaCredit: Arfa Griffiths – The Sun More

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      Pep Guardiola rejects invitation to go to World Cup in Qatar as Man City boss reveals his plans during tournament

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      PEP GUARDIOLA has rejected an invitation to go to the World Cup in Qatar.And instead he will watch the drama unfold from the comfort of his sofa – with a glass of wine in his hand.
      Pep Guardiola is going to enjoy some time off to watch the World Cup at homeCredit: Getty
      The Manchester City boss will see many of his players head over to Qatar, with the World Cup kicking off on November 20.
      It means he will not have a Premier League match to manage between his side’s clash with Brentford on November 12 until they face Leeds on December 28.
      But rather than flying out to Qatar on a scouting mission, Guardiola wants to enjoy the World Cup as a fan at his luxury Manchester flat.
      He will also treat the likes of Erling Haaland and Riyad Mahrez to some holiday time before some warm-weather training in the UAE.
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      Guardiola said: “The best way to enjoy the World Cup matches is at home with red wine.
      “We will have one or two weeks off and then we will work here, maybe go to Abu Dhabi, maybe organise a friendly game.
      “It’s not definite, but we will train, come back on December 28th and be ready as much as possible for the return.
      “We will spend three weeks here in the winter time in Manchester.
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      “Then take a break with good training sessions and good weather where our owners are there.
      “It’s not 100 per cent confirmed, but we’re going to try.”
      City have four more matches this side of the World Cup break, starting against Sevilla in the Champions League tonight.
      Julian Alvarez is expected to lead the line with Haaland still unavailable through injury.
      And the £14million signing revealed Guardiola has picked his forward’s Argentina side to go all the way and lift the iconic trophy in Doha next month – and break Lionel Messi’s duck on the global stage.
      Alvarez said: “Yeah, it came out when we were having a chat with team-mate.
      “I don’t know if he said it with conviction. It was quite a while ago now.
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      “We’re on a good road but it’s a tough tournament, a World Cup.
      “We believe in ourselves and I think we’re going to have a good tournament.” More

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      Who are the confirmed referees for the World Cup 2022?

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      FANS are preparing themselves to see some entertaining free-flowing football at the World Cup – but that depends on the referee in charge.FIFA have officially announced their lengthy list of match officials to referee at football’s biggest cup competition.
      Michael Oliver is one of the most well-known referees in footballCredit: Getty
      And among those, are some highly-rated referees who have officiated on numerous big occasions.
      Find out what refs will be at the winter World Cup below…
      Who are the confirmed referees for the World Cup 2022?
      There will be a total of 39 referees to officiate at the World Cup in Qatar.
      And history will be made as this will be the first FIFA men’s tournament where women have also been selected to officiate games at the tournament.
      Stephanie Frappart will be officiating at the World Cup 2022
      Here is the full list of referees for the World Cup 2022:

      Ivan Barton (Slovenia)
      Chris Beath (Australia)
      Raphael Claus (Brazil)
      Matthew Conger (New Zealand)
      Michael Oliver (England)
      Anthony Taylor (England)
      Ismail Elfath (United States)
      Mario Escobar (Guatemala)
      Alireza Faghani (Iran)
      Stephanie Frappart (France)
      Bakary Gassama (Gambia)
      Mustapha Ghorbal (Algeria)
      Victor Gomes (South Africa)
      Istvan Kovacs (Romania)
      Ning Ma (China)
      Danny Makkelie (Netherlands)
      Szymon Marciniak (Poland)
      Antonio Mateu (Spain)
      Andres Matias Matonte Cabrera (Uruguay)
      Mohammed Abdulla Mohammed (UAE)
      Salima Mukansanga (Rwanda)
      Maguette N’Diaye (Senegal)
      Daniele Orsato (Italy)
      Kevin Ortega (Peru)
      Cesar Ramos (Mexico)
      Fernando Rapallini (Argentina)
      Wilton Sampaio (Brazil)
      Daniel Siebert (Germany)
      Janny Sikazwe (Zambia)
      Facundo Tello (Argentina)
      Clement Turpin (France)
      Jesus Valenzuela (Venezuela)

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      When is the 2022 World Cup? More

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      Who has created the most assists in World Cup history? Top 10 revealed including Pele and David Beckham

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      THE top scorers at the World Cup are revered by football fans around the world.But very few would be able to rattle off the best playmakers in World Cup history.
      Beckham is the only England man to make the listCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      That is what SunSport is looking at here as we list the top 10 assist-makers to have played in the tournament.
      Here they are…
      10) ROBERT GADOCHA – 5
      Not a household name by any means, but former Polish winger Robert Gadocha assisted five goals during the 1974 World Cup.
      He did not score at the tournament but was an inspirational playmaker as Poland finished third, beating Argentina, Italy and Brazil on their route there.
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      9) BASTIAN SCHWEINSTEIGER – 6
      Bastian Schweinsteiger was a member of Germany’s 2014 World Cup-winning side and went to three tournaments with his country.
      He was always a creative presence in the German midfield and managed six assists at the world’s most famous football tournament.
      Schweinsteiger was one of Germany’s best midfielders of the last generationCredit: Reuters
      8) THOMAS MULLER – 6
      The only active player in the list, Germany’s Thomas Muller could break the record in Qatar this summer if he assists three or more goals for Hansi Flick’s side.
      Along with his eight World Cup goals, the Bayern Munich star has contributed six assists across his three tournaments to date.
      Muller will look to add to his six assists at this year’s World CupCredit: Action Images – Reuters
      7) PELE – 6
      Arguably the most famous World Cup player in history and the only player to lift the trophy three times – in 1958, 1962 and 1970.
      Pele scored 12 goals at the World Cup and also managed an impressive six assists in the four tournaments he went to.
      Pele led Brazil to win the World Cup three times in 12 yearsCredit: Getty
      6) THOMAS HASSLER – 6
      In Thomas Hassler’s 14 games at the World Cup, the German managed a superb six assists.
      He went to three tournaments, lifting the trophy with the country in his first visit to the World Cup in 1990.
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      5) DAVID BECKHAM – 6
      David Beckham is the only Englishman to make the top 10.
      He went to three World Cups with the Three Lions – in 1998, 2002 and 2006 – racking up six assists in the process.
      Beckham is by some distance England’s most prolific assist-maker in World Cup historyCredit: AP:Associated Press
      4) FRANCESCO TOTTI – 6
      Francesco Totti was a generational talent in Italian football and showed that on the grandest stage.
      He went to the 2002 and 2006 World Cups, contributing six assists and lifting the trophy in his final visit to the competition.
      Totti was inspirational in helping Italy win the World Cup in 2006Credit: AP:Associated Press
      3) GRZEGORZ LATO – 7
      Grzegorz Lato is another name younger people may not be familiar with, but only one player in World Cup history has more assists than the former Poland international.
      He went to the 1974, 1978 and 1982 tournaments, registering seven assists and picking up two third place finishes.
      2) PIERRE LITTBARSKI – 7
      The most prolific German assist-maker in World Cup history is Pierre Littbarski.
      The former attacking midfielder went to the 1982, 1986 and 1990 World Cups, contributing seven assists and lifting the trophy on one occasion.
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      1) DIEGO MARADONA – 8
      The great Diego Maradona holds the record for the most assists at the World Cup.
      The Argentine legend racked up eight in total – five of which came on his way to lifting the trophy in 1986.
      Maradona has assisted more goals than any other player in World Cup historyCredit: AFP More

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      ‘Any player with minor injury could miss out, it’s not fair!’ – Jamie Carragher slams ‘disgusting’ timing of World Cup

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      JAMIE CARRAGHER branded the timing of the World Cup as “disgusting” with minor injuries threatening to rule players out. Raphael Varane will miss France’s defence at Qatar 2022 after the Manchester United man pulled his hamstring at Chelsea while Liverpool’s Diogo Jota is out for Portugal.
      Son Heung-min is a doubt for the World Cup after getting a blow to the eyeCredit: Reuters
      Raphael Varane was in tears when his hamstring pull ruled him outCredit: Rex
      And Son Heung-min now faces a race against time to make it on the plane.
      The Tottenham forward and South Korea captain suffered a horror eye injury after a blow to the cheekbone in Tuesday’s crunch Champions League win at Marseille.
      Son had to be subbed off and has just three weeks for his swollen eye to recover before his country kick off their World Cup campaign against Uruguay on November 24.
      The tournament starts on November 20, just seven days after the final Premier League matches – giving stars virtually no time to recover from even minor problems.
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      Carragher is furious that placing the tournament in the middle of the regular season means some of the best players will not be there.
      The Liverpool legend blasted to CBS Sports: “I think it’s an absolute disgrace that the World Cup is in the position it’s in, for lots of reasons.
      “It was corrupt that Qatar were given the World Cup, we knew that at the time.
      “They campaigned on having it in the summer, it is impossible there to have a World Cup in the summer with the temperature, it gets moved to the situation where it is now in the middle of the season.
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      “Players who spend their whole lives dreaming of playing in a World Cup and now could be [out injured] – as we’ve seen with Son and players all around the world.
      “Varane was crying coming off the pitch at Stamford Bridge. That’s how close we are to a World Cup.
      “An injury, a ten-day or two-week injury, is going to keep players out of a World Cup and it should not be happening.
      “And it all started with Fifa giving Qatar the World Cup and then moving it. I think it’s absolutely disgusting.”

      As well as Varane and Jota, there are a whole host of other players either definitely out or desperately rushing to get back to fitness in time before the managers name their squads in less than a fortnight.
      Paul Pogba, N’Golo Kante and Pedro Neto will watch the tournament from home while Paulo Dybala, Romelu Lukaku, Reece James, Kyle Walker, Kalvin Phillips, Marco Reus, Raul Jiminez, Matthijs de Ligt and Ronald Araujo are doubts.
      England trio James, Walker and Phillips are doing all they can to be back in time.
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      Pep Guardiola admitted he would not give his Manchester City duo game time just to help Gareth Southgate – and acknowledged they may well be undercooked if they do go to Qatar.
      Meanwhile, James told SunSport he is not giving up hope of recovering from his knee injury, despite still being in a brace and on crutches.
      Jamie Carragher blasted the tournament taking place in the middle of the seasonCredit: CBS Sports
      Reece James is battling to be back in time but is still in a braceCredit: Simon Jones More

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      How England could line-up with Gareth Southgate using fringe stars of 55-man squad including Welbeck and Eze

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      GARETH SOUTHGATE has named a 55-man provisional England squad for the World Cup later this month.The Three Lions boss will need to trim that number down to 26 by November 14 – with the England manager expected to do so four days earlier on November 10.
      Welbeck is a surprise inclusion in Southgate’s 55-man squadCredit: Getty
      Eze is an outside bet to make England’s final 26-man World Cup squadCredit: Getty
      But for the time being there are a host of fringe stars who will be hoping a late upturn in form or injuries could see them included in the final squad.
      And SunSport has taken a look at the team Southgate could field from those who are expected to have made the 55-player roster.
      In goal, Dean Henderson is thought to be the fourth choice behind Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale and Nick Pope.
      At the back, Leicester’s James Justin could be called upon on the left side if anything happens to either Luke Shaw or Ben Chilwell.
      Southgate has a host of fringe players to call on outside of his favoured stars

      At centre-half, Lewis Dunk has been confirmed in the provisional squad, with Liverpool defender Joe Gomez also making a late play for selection after a run in Jurgen Klopp’s team.
      Arsenal man Ben White props up the back line as he has shown his versatility this season, moving out to right-back.
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      And with injuries to Reece James and Kyle Walker, Southgate could be tempted to pick the Gunners star.
      In midfield, Chelsea man Loftus-Cheek and Crystal Palace talent Eberechi Eze are a pair already confirmed to be in the 55.
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      Leicester playmaker James Maddison is another who has put himself in the frame following a superb start to the season.
      And Everton youngster Anthony Gordon has also starred for his club and will be looking to translate that to a national team call up.
      Then up front, Brighton’s Danny Welbeck was confirmed alongside Dunk as a fellow surprising Seagulls player in Southgate’s provisional World Cup squad.
      And he is joined in attack by Newcastle striker Callum Wilson – who has not been capped since 2019 but is in the form of his life after six goals in his opening nine Premier League games. More

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      Man Utd and Co to REJECT Argentina’s request to leave players out of final round of Prem games to rest for World Cup

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      PREMIER LEAGUE clubs will reject Argentina’s request to leave players out of the final round of domestic games.The South Americans are wanting to begin their World Cup preparations earlier than expected.
      Prem clubs like Man Utd will not let their Argentine stars leave early for the World CupCredit: Getty
      There are currently six players in the Prem who are involved with Argentina’s national side.
      Two are at Manchester United in Lisandro Martinez and Alejandro Garnacho.
      Another two play for Aston Villa – Emi Buendia and Emi Martinez.
      Brighton’s Alexis Mac Allister and Tottenham’s Cristian Romero are also expected to be named in Lionel Scaloni’s final World Cup squad.
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      The clubs do not have to release their players until November 14, a day after the final round of league fixtures.
      But Argentina want their stars to meet up earlier than that.
      The Mail claims they already asked one English club to release their player before the final league match.
      The unnamed club are understood to have instantly rejected Argentina’s request.
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      They also informed other Prem clubs who have stars from the South American country.
      And the agreed consensus was that they too will snub Argentina should similar requests be made.
      The report adds that some Spanish clubs have also been approached about letting players go early.
      The final LaLiga games take place on November 8 and 9, with preliminary Spanish Cup matches on the 12th and 13th.
      Some sides are exempt, while others usually play weakened teams.
      Villarreal are believed to have given Tottenham loanee Gio Lo Celso the green light to depart early.
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      But Atletico Madrid, who boast three players in Nahuel Molina, Rodrigo de Paul and Angel Correa, do not want to risk an upset.
      And sources at the club say they will reject Argentina’s early release request if one is made. More