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      Reece James’ World Cup dream all-but over with Chelsea star out for EIGHT WEEKS with knee injury in huge England blow

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      REECE JAMES’ World Cup dream looks over after Chelsea confirmed he will miss EIGHT WEEKS through injury – but the star insists he “won’t give up” just yet.The 22-year-old went off with a knee problem during Chelsea’s 2-0 win over AC Milan on Tuesday night.
      James will miss up to eight weeks on the sidelines with his knee injuryCredit: AP
      England fans were left desperately concerned about the extent of the injury as fellow Three Lions right-back Kyle Walker is already facing a race to be fit for Qatar.
      And Chelsea have now confirmed James will be out for eight weeks, with his availability for Qatar in huge doubt as a result.
      But despite admitting he’s in a “race against time”, the flying wing-back has vowed to give his all in rehab to try and make the plane for Qatar.
      An official statement from Chelsea read: “Following the knee injury sustained in our away match against AC Milan, Reece has received treatment from the Chelsea medical department and visited a specialist this weekend.
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      “After consultation between all parties, Reece will now undergo a rehabilitation programme and is expected to be out for eight weeks.”
      James later tweeted: “The race against time is on… but we won’t give up.”
      It leaves Gareth Southgate facing a selection dilemma ahead of the tournament, with Kieran Trippier expected to now be first choice to play on the right side of England’s defence.
      Walker, who can play as both a right-back and right centre-half, is a doubt after undergoing groin surgery.
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      Trent Alexander-Arnold is also out with an injury until the end of the month.
      And while he is set to be back well in time for the World Cup, Southgate did not give him any game time in their recent Nations League games against Italy and Germany.
      James’ injury was originally played down as merely a “minor jarring of the knee”.
      But he was then seen with a brace on his leg, which led to cause for concern.
      And now damage to the ligaments will keep him side-lined for a lengthy period of time.
      Immediately after the Milan game, Chelsea boss Graham Potter said: “It’s pretty normal that as soon as there is a bit of discomfort the day or two after, you need to get it checked properly.
      “There is discomfort so we just need to check and see a specialist.
      “He has been in fantastic form for us, so fingers crossed we wait for good news.”
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      Chelsea now face a number of key games without James – including matches against Manchester United, Arsenal and Manchester City.
      Potter’s men currently sit fourth in the Premier League table after a five-game winning run. More

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      Gary Lineker claims he knows of two gay Premier League stars and hopes they both come out at Qatar World Cup

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      GARY Lineker believes there is no better time for homosexual Premier League players to come out than in the lead up to the Qatar World Cup.The broadcaster and former England striker says he knows at least “one or two” homosexual players who have been “very close” to coming out.
      Gary Lineker is encouraging homosexual Premier League players to come out ahead of the World CupCredit: Getty
      He told the Daily Mirror: “I know for a fact that some have been very close and contemplated it. There’s a couple I know, but obviously it’s not for me to say who they are.”
      The World Cup will be held in the Muslim country next month where same sex activity is illegal under strict Sharia law, punishable with a maximum penalty of death.
      Game officials have sought to give reassurance to LGBTQ+ fans that they would be welcomed at the tournament, to be hosted at eight stadiums across five cities.
      World Cup Chief Nasser Al Khater said: “At the end of the day, as long as you don’t do anything that harms other people, if you’re not destroying public property, as long as you’re behaving in a way that’s not harmful, then everybody’s welcome and you have nothing to worry about.”
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      World Cup Chief Nasser Al Khater said: “At the end of the day, as long
      Online critics have called for stronger action with one posting to Twitter calling for “teams to Boycott” the event.
      Several European soccer federations are putting pressure on FIFA, campaigning for captains to wear an armband with a rainbow heart design during games in a stand against discrimination.
      England captain Harry Kane has promised to wear a OneLove armband, even if it is prohibited by FIFA.
      Lineker believes there is no better time to support LGBTQ+ than against the backdrop of one of the most highly anticipated and watched championships in the world.
      But the Match of the Day host, 61, says fear of retribution from fans and criticism from team-mates would be holding back many players who are “living a lie.”
      A few high-profile players have already come out as gay, including Championship Blackpool player Jake Daniels and Lineker hope this will have a “domino effect.”
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      He says: “I was hoping, because there are lots, obviously, lots of players that are having to live a lie.
      “I’m sure it’s very difficult. I always thought it’s so difficult to know unless you’re in that circumstance and you’re living through how that is. I think what we’ve seen so far is that the feedback and the response, it will be incredibly positive.”
      Qatar will be the first Muslim country in the Arab world to host the World Cup, which kicks off on November 20. More

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      ‘More afraid’ – Lionel Messi fears he could miss World Cup through injury as Argentina and PSG star battles calf strain

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      LIONEL MESSI has admitted he worries about missing this year’s World Cup through injury.The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner confirmed recently the Qatar tournament would be his last World Cup.
      Messi has missed PSG’s last two games with a calf issueCredit: AFP
      The Argentine has already revealed that this will be his final World CupCredit: AFP
      And the Paris Saint-Germain star has now confessed that after seeing Argentina team-mates Paulo Dybala and Angel Di Maria sidelined, he fears he could be next.
      The striker, who missed his team’s last two games including the Champions League tie against Benfica because of a calf strain, told DirecTV Sports: “Injuries are a worry.
      “This is a different World Cup which is played at a different time of the year to previous tournaments and it’s so imminent any little thing that happens to you can force you out.
      “With what happened to Dybala and Di Maria, the truth is that personally you worry and you’re more afraid when you see those sort of things.”
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      The 35-year-old dad-of-three added in his interview: “It’s something you think about but I feel going out to play with that in your head can be contradictory as well.
      “The best thing you can do is perform as normal and play your game as you always do.
      “I hope Di Maria and Dybala recover in time. They have enough time to do so and reach the tournament in good shape.”
      Juventus winger Di Maria was ruled out for three weeks with a hamstring injury after coming off in the first half of their mid-week Champions League match against Maccabi Haifa.
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      Roma manager Jose Mourinho has cast doubt over Dybala’s participation in the Qatar World Cup by claiming he does not expect to see him play for the Italian Serie A side until next year after his “very bad” muscle injury in his side’s league match against Lecce.
      Messi said in a separate interview earlier this month: “This will be my last World Cup – for sure. The decision has been made.”
      He previously suffered heartbreak in the 2014 final when an extra-time strike from Germany’s Mario Gotze ended his World Cup dream. More

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      World Cup host Qatar’s ruler ‘proud’ of relationship with Russia

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      WORLD Cup host Qatar’s ruler has praised Russia’s Vladimir Putin, saying he is “proud” of the relationship between their two countries.Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani flew to meet the tyrant in Kazakhstan just over a month before football’s showpiece tournament kicks off.
      Putin met with Qatar representatives in Kazakstan earlier this monthCredit: AFP
      It came despite Russia being banned from the world’s sporting stage since its invasion of Ukraine in February.
      Chief of the World Cup organising committee, Nasser al-Khater, fuelled further outrage by warning against the tournament becoming a “platform of political statements”.
      The comment is thought to be aimed at pledges by stars such as England captain Harry Kane to wear armbands rejecting strict Muslim Qatar’s ban on gay relationships.
      Sheikh al-Thani told Putin: “After Russia made a great success in organising the 2018 World Cup, Russian friends have provided great support to Qatar.
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      “We thank you for this and we are proud of this relationship.”
      Smiling Putin replied: “I’m sure that it will be a success.”
      Neither explained how Russia had helped.
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      Reece James will discover World Cup fate after seeing specialist amid growing fears Chelsea star needs surgery

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      REECE JAMES will discover his World Cup fate this weekend.England boss Gareth Southgate is sweating on the availability of the Chelsea right-back in Qatar.
      Reece James goes down injured after a collision with AC Milan’s Theo HernandezCredit: AP
      There are growing fears James damaged knee ligaments in Milan on Tuesday and could need surgery.
      James will see a specialist in the next 24 hours to assess the injury.
      The 22-year-old defender limped off at the San Siro following a collision with AC Milan’s Theo Hernandez and has been wearing a protective knee brace.
      The initial diagnosis was a minor jarring of the knee.
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      But if he needs an op, James would be fighting an uphill battle to be fit for the World Cup, which starts next month.
      Chelsea boss Graham Potter said: “It’s pretty normal that as soon as there is a bit of discomfort the day or two after, you need to get it checked properly.
      “There is discomfort so we just need to check and see a specialist. He has been in fantastic form for us, so fingers crossed we wait for good news.”
      Chelsea team-mate N’Golo Kante looks destined to miss France’s defence of the World Cup with a hamstring injury.
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      The midfielder is also seeing a specialist this weekend with fears he could be out for three months.
      James will hope he does not face the same scenario.
      Despite being crocked in Milan, James was allowed to stay on in the Italian city for a day with several team-mates as a reward for recent good performances.
      England are already sweating on the fitness of defender Kyle Walker, who has had a groin op. More

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      Why do teams have to bring three goalkeepers to the World Cup?

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      ONE thing in common between every team at the 2022 World Cup is the inclusion of at least three goalkeepers in their squads.Gareth Southgate will be hoping that he can lead England to glory in Qatar but after a poor run of form leading up to the tournament, the Three Lions are no longer favourites.
      England will once again take three goalkeepers to the World CupCredit: PA
      Defeat to Italy, who did not qualify for the tournament this year, and a draw to Germany were the final matches for England ahead of their trip to Qatar this winter.
      If they are to overturn their form and find success at the World Cup, England must beat the best of the best and all of these teams have one thing in common – the fact that three goalkeepers are included in their squads.
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      Why do teams have to bring three goalkeepers to the World Cup?
      Teams seem to always bring three goalkeeping options to the World Cup and with an increased option of 26-player squads in 2022 this will remain the same.
      While it makes logical sense to have three goalkeepers in a squad in case one of the first two choices pick up an injury and leave the squad with no cover, the trend is enforced.
      USA made the semi-finals of the first World Cup despite naming just one goalkeeper in their squadCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      Introduced in 1934, a FIFA rule stated that three members of each squad must be goalkeepers.
      This was after USA went to the inaugural World Cup in 1930 with just one goalkeeper – the man who kept the first clean sheet in the tournament’s history.
      The rule remains in place, as ahead of the 2022 World Cup, FIFA stated among their list of rules: “Three players must be goalkeepers”.
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      Therefore, we will once again see each squad have at least three goalkeepers included as 32 teams search for World Cup glory.
      On one occasion, North Korea’s coach tried to bypass this rule by naming striker Kim Myong-won as their third choice goalkeeper in 2010 before FIFA informed the country that he would only be allowed to play if he was between the sticks.
      Unfortunately, Myong-won wasn’t given the opportunity to show his skills in goal. More

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      When will England’s 2022 World Cup squad for Qatar be announced?

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      ENGLAND will be hoping to bring the World Cup home when Gareth Southgate’s side travel to Qatar in November,The England boss is set to name his World Cup squad with plenty of time to go before the tournament starts.
      Harry Kane is one dead cert in England’s World Cup squad, if he avoids injuryCredit: Getty
      England were among the favourites to lift the trophy in Qatar, but a recent horror run of results has seen the Three Lions slide down the reckoning.
      However, Harry Kane and Co would have had the perfect send off had they completed an incredible comeback against Germany.
      Here is all you need to know about when England will name their squad and what to expect…
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      What date will Gareth Southgate name England’s 2022 World Cup squad?
      The England squad for the tournament will be named on Thursday, October 20.
      This will give Southgate 30 days to prep his squad for the tournament, where they will play Iran, USA and Wales in Group B.
      England are not playing any warm-up games for the tournament, so the defeat to Italy and draw to Germany were the last matches the Three Lions played before the tournament.
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      How many players can be named in a World Cup squad?
      All 32 World Cup managers can name 23 to 26 players in their squads.
      The deadline for the World Cup squad announcements is November 13, 2022. More

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      England in right-back crisis with James and Walker crocked, Trent out of form and Southgate left with unfancied options

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      GARETH SOUTHGATE has gone from being spoilt for choice at right-back to an injury crisis in the position.The England gaffer has been rocked by the news that Reece James could MISS the tournament after suffering a knee injury in the week.
      Reece James is set to see a specialist over the weekendCredit: Getty
      Kyle Walker is currently recovering from groin surgeryCredit: Reuters
      Trent Alexander-Arnold is sidelined with an ankle problem and horrendously out of formCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      James is the third Three Lions right-back in two weeks to be struck down – following Kyle Walker and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
      Manchester City star Walker had groin surgery following the 6-3 win over Manchester United at the start of the month and is a major doubt for the tournament.
      While Liverpool ace Alexander-Arnold is set for two weeks on the sidelines after picking up an ankle injury in the 3-2 loss to Arsenal – and he is horrendously out of form.
      With Southgate’s three first-choice right-backs currently out of action, there is the chance for an unexpected name to book their ticket on the plane to Qatar.
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      Alexander-Arnold is expected to recover in time for the tournament, but has come under fire for his performances this season and was left out of England’s matchday squad for the 3-3 draw with Germany last month.
      He is set to be fit for the World Cup but with James and Walker doubts, SunSport run through Southgate’s remaining options.
      Kieran Trippier
      The most experienced of those waiting in the wings, with 37 caps to his name.
      Trippier, 32, has been played at left-back by Southgate for England but right-back remains his natural position, and his impressive form for Newcastle this season only strengthens his chances.
      Kieran Trippier is the most senior of the remaining options for SouthgateCredit: Getty
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      Ben White
      The 25-year-old has been superb this season after being displaced in the heart of defence at Arsenal by William Saliba.
      Likely to be on the plane for his ability to play both positions, but White’s form at right-back is one encouraging point for Southgate in the midst of the injury crisis.
      Ben White has been brilliant at right-back for Arsenal this seasonCredit: Getty
      Kyle Walker-Peters
      Southampton ace Walker-Peters does have England experience, playing in the friendlies against Switzerland and Ivory Coast earlier this year.
      The 25-year-old has started all nine of Southampton’s Premier League games this season, but is likely to be behind both Trippier and White in the pecking order.
      Kyle Walker-Peters is a potential optoin for SouthgateCredit: Getty
      James Justin
      Like Trippier, Justin can also play on either side of defence and has one cap to his name.
      But with Leicester suffering a torrid season so far, the 24-year-old is not approaching the World Cup in the best of form.
      James Justin has been capped by England onceCredit: Getty
      Aaron Wan-Bissaka
      An outside candidate, the Manchester United defender was tipped for an England call up before falling out of form in recent months.
      But Wan-Bissaka is now well down the pecking order at Old Trafford, playing just four minutes of action in all competitions this season.
      The 24-year-old has represented both England and DR Congo at youth level, with suggestions last year that he could snub the chance to represent the Three Lions in favour of the African nation.
      Aaron Wan-Bissaka is out of favour at Manchester United and an unlikely candidateCredit: Getty More