Mane facing long road to recovery after World Cup dream is shattered

Sadio Mane could face several months on the sidelines after undergoing the surgery that ended his slim hopes of playing for Senegal at the World Cup.

The Bayern Munich forward underwent what his club described as a successful operation on Thursday.

Bayern said in a statement: During the operation, a tendon was reattached to the head of his right fibula.

The FC Bayern forward will therefore no longer be available to play for Senegal at the World Cup and will begin his rehab in Munich in the next few days.

According to widespread reports in Germany, Mane s recovery is unlikely to be a quick one, with the former Liverpool forward said to be facing possibly three to four months out of action.

Sadio Mané underwent successful surgery in Innsbruck on…

Scrapping of FA Cup replays sparks calls for EFL clubs to be compensated

FA Cup replays are being scrapped next season, ending 150 years of tradition and sparking calls for EFL clubs to be compensated for lost revenue.

The Football Association announced the format change on Thursday morning as it confirmed a new agreement with the Premier League which will increase funding to the grassroots game by up to an extra £33million per season.

The FA’s chief executive Mark Bullingham said the new format – which includes fifth-round ties reverting to weekends after five seasons in midweek, and the final being played on the penultimate weekend of the Premier League season – would strengthen the FA Cup.

The FA and The have reached an agreement to strengthen the format and increase support for grassroots football.

Swipe for detai…

Inter´s Marotta dismisses interest in Fiorentina star Vlahovic

Inter CEO Giuseppe Marotta downplayed interest in Dusan Vlahovic as clubs reportedly queue up to sign the Fiorentina star.

Vlahovic is set to leave Fiorentina after opting against signing a new deal in Florence, with the Serbia international s current contract expiring in June 2023.

The 21-year-old has been linked to Serie A champions Inter, Juventus, Premier League holders Manchester City, Manchester United, Bundesliga winners Bayern Munich, LaLiga titleholders Atletico Madrid, Tottenham and Arsenal.

Marotta was asked about Inter s rumoured interest in the in-demand forward.

He is a talent, I know there is a conflictual situation with Fiorentina, but I hope they can solve their issues, Marotta said.

However, we have a good mix of young and expe…

Liverpool 1 Manchester City 0: Wijnaldum sets up battling triumph for Klopp´s men

Liverpool strengthened their grip on second place in the Premier League by closing out 2016 with a hard-earned 1-0 victory over fellow title aspirants Manchester City.

Chelsea s record-equalling 13th consecutive victory against Stoke City earlier on Saturday left their closest challengers looking at respective nine and 10-point deficits when they kicked off at Anfield, although this did nothing to dull Liverpool s senses as Georginio Wijnaldum headed them into an ultimately decisive early lead.

For much of the first period, Jurgen Klopp could claim tactical mastery over his old Bundesliga sparring partner Pep Guardiola in the City dugout and it is Liverpool s superstar manager who now looks the most likely challenger to Antonio Conte in the battle for the league title.

Modric glad to see Ronaldo back

Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric was delighted to see Cristiano Ronaldo return and believes his star team-mate will only get better.

Ronaldo made his return from a knee injury and needed just six minutes to score in Madrid s 5-2 LaLiga win over Osasuna on Saturday. Modric, who also got on the scoresheet, praised the Portugal captain and is thrilled to see him back in Zinedine Zidane s team.

The fact that he s back means a lot to us, the Croatia star told the club s website. He s a great player and his presence and leadership out on the pitch are very important. I m sure that with every game he plays, he ll get stronger.

Today he got his name on the scoresheet and played very well. In my eyes, Cristiano is the best player in the world, although I don t like …

BREAKING NEWS: Gundogan signs four-year Man City contract extension

Ilkay Gundogan has ended speculation over his future by signing a new four-year deal with Manchester City.

The midfielder has recommitted until 2023 in a boost to the Premier League champions a day out from their season opener away to West Ham.

There were fears Germany international Gundogan would leave on a free in 2020 after entering the final 12 months of his previous contract.

Talks over an extension broke down during the second half of last season but Gundogan expressed a willingness to reopen negotiations at the end of City s treble-winning campaign and an agreement has now been reached.

FOUR MORE YEARS

br

— Manchester City (@ManCity)

I have hugely enjoyed the last three years here at City and everyone at the club ha…

Inter 1 Cagliari 2: Icardi penalty miss proves costly as pressure piles on De Boer

Much-criticised Mauro Icardi missed a penalty as Samir Handanovic s calamitous own-goal ensured that Inter s poor form under Frank de Boer continued with a 2-1 home defeat to Cagliari in Serie A.

Icardi had been blasted in the run-up to Sunday s encounter following comments made in his autobiography regarding Inter s support, with the club s largest ultras faction Curva Nord demanding the striker be stripped of the captaincy.

Inter vice-president Javier Zanetti confirmed before kick-off at San Siro that the armband may well be taken from the Argentine, who did not help his cause with a terrible attempt from 12 yards out midway through the first-half.

Joao Mario s first Inter goal had appeared to cancel out that miss 10 minutes after the interval, with Handanovic …

Real Madrid target Camavinga: It´s nice when big clubs are interested

Rennes star Eduardo Camavinga admitted it is nice when a big club is interested amid ongoing links with LaLiga champions Real Madrid.

Camavinga has been tipped to make the move from Ligue 1 outfit Rennes to Madrid, who are long-time admirers of the France sensation.

Ligue 1 holders Paris Saint-Germain, Serie A champions Juventus and Manchester United have also been linked to the 18-year-old midfielder.

Of course it is nice when a big club is interested in you, Camavinga told Canal as speculation mounts over his future. [But] me, I keep a cool head.

I am at Stade Rennais. We will wait until the end of the season.

We will meet around the table and we will weigh the pros and cons [then].

90+4 : C est terminé. Les Rouge et Noir concèdent…

Deschamps praises Coman after France brace

France coach Didier Deschamps praised Kingsley Coman s performance in a comfortable 4-1 win over Albania in Euro 2020 qualifying on Saturday.

Coman struck twice at the Stade de France to go with goals from Olivier Giroud and Jonathan Ikone, while Antoine Griezmann missed a penalty as the hosts cruised to victory in Group H.

The goals were the Bayern Munich attacker s first at international level since March 2016 and Deschamps hailed the 23-year-old.

It s been a while since he s with us. He was there before the Euros [in 2016] and before, younger, he said, via L Equipe.

His match is more like what he has been doing for a year with Bayern Munich. He is more attracted to the goal and decisive.

He always had this ability to destabilise the opponent…

Rumour Has It: Barca willing to sell De Jong and Ter Stegen, Man Utd´s Ronaldo could make Madrid ret

Barcelona are in disarray – out of Champions League and out of money.

Funds are limited at Camp Nou and it is forcing the embattled LaLiga giants to make some tough decisions.

Frenkie de Jong and Marc-Andre ter Stegen could be sold.

 

TOP STORY – DE JONG AND TER STEGEN TO LEAVE CAMP NOU?

Barcelona are willing to sell Frenkie de Jong and Marc-Andre ter Stegen due to the club s finances, according to Diario AS.

Eliminated from the Champions League at the group stage, Barca are in the midst of a financial crisis, having been forced to part with superstar captain Lionel Messi at the start of the season.

Barca head coach Xavi faces a rebuilding job but needs to raise funds, and star midfielder De Jong and goalkeeper Ter Stegen co…