Sport news

• Switzerland star Xhaka relieved to avoid serious injury

  31-05-2018 23:59
  After the Arsenal midfielder appeared to suffer a serious injury in training, Switzerland's Granit Xhaka has been cleared by a scan.
  
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• Cricket: Lewis leads the way as West Indies star in T20 fundraiser

  31-05-2018 23:53
  The West Indies put on a show at Lord's as a World XI was beaten by 72 runs in a one-off T20 fundraiser.
  
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• Could Real Madrid get Arsene Wenger? It's not as crazy as it sounds

  31-05-2018 23:53 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  The prospect of Wenger taking over as the manager of Real may seem bizarre. In fact, it is far from that. Real courted Wenger for several years after he proved a success at Arsenal.
  
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• Blanc prime candidate for Chelsea job with Grant in running if search for boss remains a struggle

  31-05-2018 23:52 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  The future of Chelsea was shrouded in uncertainty on Thursday night after a day of stunning revelations — while Laurent Blanc emerged as a serious candidate for the managerial job.
  
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• Granit Xhaka relieved to hear knee injury will not rule him out of World Cup

  31-05-2018 23:47 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Granit Xhaka is 'very relieved' to learn his World Cup dreams are still in tact after suffering a nasty looking knee injury intraining with Switzerland.
  
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• 94% of Football League fans want the option of safe standing at matches, large-scale survey reveals

  31-05-2018 23:46 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  EXCLUSIVE BY MIKE KEEGAN: Over 33,000 completed the survey in less than two weeks, with an overwhelming majority calling for a choice between sitting and standing at stadiums.
  
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• Tottenham face fight to keep Pochettino as Real Madrid eye move after Zinedine Zidane resigns

  31-05-2018 23:41 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Zinedine Zidane stunned European giants Real Madrid on Thursday by resigning as coach five days after winning his third Champions League title in Kiev.
  
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• Zinedine Zidane quits Real Madrid: What does that mean for football?

  31-05-2018 23:35 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  RIK SHARMA: After three consecutive Champions League triumphs, Zidane stood down and when the world’s most successful club is forced to reshuffle, everybody else holds their breath.
  
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• Frank Lampard and his assistant Jody Morris could be a dream partnership at Derby

  31-05-2018 23:33 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  JAMIE REDKNAPP: If I was a Derby player, the first thing I’d have done after learning Frank Lampard was my new manager would have been to go for a run. Frank will command respect.
  
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• Real Madrid ready to offer new contract to unsettled Gareth Bale

  31-05-2018 23:32 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Real Madrid are considering extending Gareth Bale's contract in a bid to thwart interest from Manchester United. His representatives are due to hold talks over the next fortnight.
  
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• Joe Root and England have to adapt to conditions at Headingley against Pakistan

  31-05-2018 23:32 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  NASSER HUSSAIN: The key to England’s chances in the second Test will be the importance of adapting to conditions. And there is no better venue for that than Headingley.
  
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• Bayern Munich will listen to offers for Jerome Boateng, Thiago, Juan Bernat and Arturo Vidal

  31-05-2018 23:32 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Bayern Munich are willing to listen to offers for Jerome Boateng, Thiago Alcantara, Juan Bernat and Arturo Vidal. The German champions want to cut down the size of their squad.
  
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• Raheem Sterling can escape the storm by inspiring England to World Cup glory in Russia 

  31-05-2018 23:31 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  JEFF POWELL: The crunch of eggshells cracking under tentative feet is following Raheem Sterling towards the World Cup as persistently as the vehement condemnation of his gun tattoo.
  
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• Wolves eye move for Rui Patricio as they look to bolster squad ahead of Premier League action

  31-05-2018 23:30 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  The 30-year-old Portuguese shot-stopper had been expected to replace Pepe Reina at Napoli but the Serie A side may now face intense competition from Wolves.
  
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• Russian doping whistleblower Rodchenkov reveals he is aware of member of hosts' World Cup squad

  31-05-2018 23:30 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Grigory Rodchenkov, the Russian doping whistleblower, has revealed that he is familiar with a member of Russia's World Cup squad from his own doping programme.
  
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• Powered by spite, vultures are tearing at Aston Villa's carcass

  31-05-2018 23:30 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  MARTIN SAMUEL - CHIEF SPORTS WRITER: Aston Villa did not end up in the Championship because they were getting it right. The same as any Premier League team, really.
  
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• New Derby boss Frank Lampard eager to bring back pride

  31-05-2018 23:30 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Frank Lampard does not know it but a conversation about Derby County’s list of possible youth targets played a significant part in his being introduced as a manager on Thursday.
  
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• If Tottenham's ground isn't ready in time... their title bid could be over before it starts 

  31-05-2018 23:30 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  MARTIN SAMUEL - CHIEF SPORTS WRITER: Tottenham get very upset at suggestions that their new White Hart Lane stadium will not be ready for next season.
  
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• England boss Gareth Southgate calls time on cliques that hindered golden generation before World Cup

  31-05-2018 23:30 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  SAMI MOKBEL: England boss Gareth Southgate believes he has solved the historical problem of disruptive cliques in the Three Lions dressing room ahead of the World Cup in Russia.
  
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• Diogo Dalot to undergo Manchester United medical ahead of £17.4m move

  31-05-2018 23:30 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Dalot has been receiving treatment for a meniscus injury while United have been negotiating over his £17.4m release clause.
  United want a right back to compete with Antonio Valencia, who is 33.
  
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• Agents to hold crisis meeting over FIFA's proposed earnings cap

  31-05-2018 23:30 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  CHARLES SALE - SPORTS AGENDA: FIFA are proposing a three per cent limit for an agent’s cut on a transfer deal, part of a range of much-needed measures to regulate middlemen.
  
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• Slovakia 1-1 Holland: Quincy Promes earns friendly draw for Dutch

  31-05-2018 23:10 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Ronald Koeman's team, third in the 2014 tournament and runners up in 2010, have failed to qualify for Russia 2018, a second successive major tournament they have not reached.
  
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• Jones’s new attack coach charged with increasing England’s try count

  31-05-2018 23:00
  • Scott Wisemantel aims to inject new life into back division• Short-term contract will cover his presence in South AfricaScott Wisemantel, England’s new attack coach, having cast his eye over their Six Nations woes, is in no doubt as to the task that awaits him under Eddie Jones.In Wisemantel’s words, to go from fifth in the Six Nations to a first series win in South Africa would be a “Cinderella story”. Rags to riches may be pushing it for the Rugby Football U
  
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• Morocco 0-0 Ukraine: Atlas Lions extend unbeaten streak to 16 matches before World Cup return

  31-05-2018 22:39 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Herve Renard's side continued their preparations for Russia on Thursday evening with a goalless draw against a Ukraine side managed by Andriy Shevchenko in Geneva, Switzerland.
  
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• Serena Williams cranks up game to beat Ashleigh Barty in three sets at French Open

  31-05-2018 22:26
  Former world No1 beats Australian 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 in second roundWilliams could face old rival Maria Sharapova in last 16Eventually, this looked a little bit like one of those Serena Williams comebacks of old, filled with brilliant strokes and full-throated screams of “Come on!”For the first half-hour in the French Open second round on Wednesday, the 23-time grand slam singles champion played the way you would expect from someone competing at her first major in 16 months – and th
  
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• Russian World Cup player recognised by doping whistleblower

  31-05-2018 22:20
  • Grigory Rodchenkov is former director of anti-doping lab
  • Unclear whether player is part of Fifa-approved squadThe Russian whistleblower Grigory Rodchenkov has admitted he recognises one of Russia’s World Cup squad from his own doping programme.The former director of Russia’s national anti-doping laboratory has claimed he was responsible for covering up positive tests and is now in witness protection in the United States. Continue reading...
  
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• Spurs schedule new stadium test event for August - but could play some home games at Wembley

  31-05-2018 22:10
  Spurs schedule new stadium test event for August - but could play some home games at Wembley
  
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• Manuel Neuer WILL be Germany's first-choice World Cup goalkeeper if he makes squad - Oliver Bierhoff

  31-05-2018 21:12 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Bayern Munich favourite has not played competitively since September due to injury, although did recently feature in a pair of training matches and is set to face Austria on Saturday.
  
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• Zinedine Zidane knew storms are never far away at Real Madrid

  31-05-2018 21:11
  Frenchman did it his way during three seasons in the Bernabéu hot seat and is leaving before his legacy can be spoiled“It might look like a strange moment but it is the right moment,” Zinedine Zidane said. And so, 878 days after taking over as manager and only five since he led them to the European Cup again, he walked away from Real Madrid. During the press conference at which he announced the decision, the president, Florentino Pérez, sitting alongside him wearing a d
  
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• Abramovich has been great but Chelsea are now smallest of the Big Six

  31-05-2018 21:05 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  MARTIN SAMUEL – CHIEF SPORTS WRITER: The Home Office decided to make a point, so Abramovich made one back. His abandonment of the plans have left Chelsea in an uncertain position
  
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• Costa, Pique and Iniesta in high spirits as Spain gear up for pre-World Cup Switzerland friendly

  31-05-2018 21:04 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Spain, who head into the tournament in Russia as one of the favourites, were in a very relaxed mood during training on Thursday afternoon in Las Rozas near Madrid.
  
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• Real Madrid target Tottenham’s Mauricio Pochettino to replace Zidane

  31-05-2018 20:55
  • President Florentino Pérez makes Argentinian first choice
  • Spurs insist Pochettino’s contract contains no Madrid clauseReal Madrid have identified Mauricio Pochettino as the principal candidate to take over as manager after Zinedine Zidane’s surprise decision to walk away. Tottenham, however, are adamant the Argentinian’s new contract does not contain a clause that allows him to join the triple European champions. Related: Real Madrid target Tottenham’
  
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• New Rangers boss Steven Gerrard scouting in Toulon as he issues rallying cry ahead of first day

  31-05-2018 20:49 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Liverpool legend observed two Group C matches in Vitrolles and his spying trip could be extended with the tournament due to last another week. Gerrard officially starts work at Ibrox on Friday.
  
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• Chelsea tell Maurizio Sarri they will not pay Napoli release clause

  31-05-2018 20:48
  • Talks with the Italian over two-year deal are progressing well• Napoli play hard ball and Sarri’s lawyers consider their optionsMaurizio Sarri and his legal representatives have been left to explore ways to extricate him from the final two years of his Napoli contract as the Italian seeks to end the delay to his prospective appointment at Chelsea.The Premier League club have held talks with Sarri, who was replaced by Carlo Ancelotti at Napoli this month, despite Antonio Conte,
  
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• Rafael Nadal moves up a gear to demolish Guido Pella in French Open

  31-05-2018 20:42
  • World No 78 overwhelmed 6-2, 6-1, 6-1 in just 90 minutes
  • Nadal will meet his friend Richard Gasquet in third roundGreat players have gears and Rafael Nadal is idling as he edges towards an 11th title at the French Open with the understated conviction of a man who respects his rivals but knows his destiny.On Thursday, he did to the world No 78 Guido Pella in an hour and a half on Court Suzanne Lenglen what it took him twice as long to do to the tricky Simone Bolelli on the main
  
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• Maria Sharapova regains regal air after Donna Vekic win in Paris

  31-05-2018 20:17
  • Russian meets world No 6 Karolina Plisokova in third round
  • Heather Watson loses 6-3, 6-4 to Elise Martens
  The prospect of a third-round match against the world No 6, Karolina Pliskova, does not shake the self-belief of Maria Sharapova, 24 places below her in the rankings but still in command of her hauteur, not to mention her audience.The Russian has been through the wringer over the past couple of years but, as she progressed further into the draw on a lovely summer’s d
  
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• Lionel Messi given hero's welcome in Barcelona as he arrives with Argentina squad

  31-05-2018 20:14 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Lionel Messi was given a hero's welcome in familiar surroundings as he arrived in Barcelona with his Argentina team-mates. A crowd gathered to catch a glimpse of Messi and Co.
  
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• Eddie Jones’s England training methods to come under scrutiny

  31-05-2018 20:09
  • Rugby’s powerbrokers concerned over rise in injuries
  • Jones responded to criticism from Bath’s ownerEddie Jones’s training methods will be at the top of the agenda at the board meeting between the powerbrokers of the English game amid an escalating row over the number of injuries suffered at his England camps, Premiership Rugby has revealed.Premiership Rugby on Thursday expressed its concern at the number of injuries sustained in training – both with England
  
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• Neymar misses Brazil training on Thursday ahead of 2018 World Cup

  31-05-2018 20:06 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  The PSG striker is still being hampered by a broken foot he suffered while playing for the Ligue 1 club in March. Brazil are training at Tottenham Hotspur's facility in Enfield, North London.
  
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• Maria Sharapova digs deep to overcome Donna Vekic and reach third round at the French Open

  31-05-2018 19:55 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  The Russian lost six games in a row during her first-round victory over Richel Hogenkamp and had to dig deep again to beat Donna Vekic in round two.
  
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• NBA finals: Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue says he is being treated for anxiety

  31-05-2018 19:46
  Cleveland play Warriors in Game 1 of NBA finals on ThursdayLue took time off in March after being treated for chest painsKevin Love available for opener after suffering concussionAs the Cleveland Cavaliers prepare to take on the Golden State Warriors in the NBA finals for the fourth year in succession, the Cavs’ head coach, Tyronn Lue, has revealed he is being treated for anxiety. “I’m glad it wasn’t anything serious,” Lue told ESPN in the run-up to Thursday’s
  
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• New Sunderland boss Jack Ross has no fears after being tasked with halting alarming slide

  31-05-2018 19:42 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  The Black Cats' ninth manager in the span of just five years officially began work on Thursday and stated the need for Sunderland to reconnect with their fan base after back-to-back relegations.
  
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• 'I don't like to watch matches on TV, I like to play football, that's that': says Mario Balotelli

  31-05-2018 19:30 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Mario Balotelli has been typically honest in his dislike of video analysis and even admitted he doesn't like to watch football. The Italian forward said he only likes to play the game.
  
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• Cricket: Joe Root urges England to prove doubters wrong in second Test against Pakistan

  31-05-2018 19:21
  Joe Root insists he cannot afford to start feeling sorry for himself – even as England’s worries deepen before the second Test against Pakistan.Root must navigate further uncertainty over the availability of Ben Stokes, facing a late fitness test after scans on his sore hamstring, as England seek victory over Pakistan to avoid a third successive series defeat.Root has given his full support to coach Trevor Bayliss, and the players at their disposal, to arrest a worrying slide.
  
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• England continue preparations for South Africa tour after Eddie Jones defends training methods

  31-05-2018 19:16 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  It appeared to be business as usual for England at Pennyhill Park on Thursday as they trained amid a row over the number of injuries that have been suffered in camp over recent years.
  
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• Joe Root came out fighting with passion, anger and determination ahead of crunch Pakistan Test

  31-05-2018 19:02 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  If Joe Root leads England half as well as he spoke on Thursday in what has become one of their most important Tests in years then Pakistan have no chance at Headingley.
  
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• Chelsea expect Thibaut Courtois to leave this summer as they consider swoop for Alisson

  31-05-2018 19:02 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Chelsea expect Thibaut Courtois to leave the club this summer and are weighing up a move for Roma goalkeeper Alisson. The Brazilian is expected to command a fee of around £60million. 
  
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• Joe Root backs Trevor Bayliss to continue as England Test coach ahead of must-win Pakistan clash

  31-05-2018 19:00 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Joe Root has backed Trevor Bayliss to continue as England's Test coach ahead of his side's must-win game against Pakistan at Headingley. A defeat or draw will mean a third series loss in a row.
  
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• French Open 2018: Del Potro in action, Williams to come after Nadal, Edmund, Sharapova, Halep win – live!

  31-05-2018 18:50
  Live updates from day five at Roland Garros
  Edmund the last Brit standing after Norrie’s loss at French OpenWatson out of French Open after tame defeat to Elise MertensSend Katy an email | Tweet @KatyMurrells5.49pm BST If you’re just joining us here’s a roundup of what’s happened today: 5.38pm BSTRelated: Dear Alexander Zverev, here’s what to say in Yorkshire after a double fault | Andrew MartinContinue reading...
  
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• England defend set-pieces as Gareth Southgate ramps up World Cup preparations

  31-05-2018 18:50 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  The Three Lions, whose World Cup campaign begins on June 18, trained on Thursday afternoon in the gloomy conditions and were put through their paces by England boss Gareth Southgate.
  
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