Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti remains confident Jude Bellingham is getting stronger every day from his shoulder problem – but feels surgery cannot be ruled out if the issue flares up again.The England midfielder is enjoying a standout debut campaign with Los Blancos, having scored 15 goals so far in all competitions.Bellingham, 20, had been sidelined ahead of the international break,...Full Story »

Nick Pope has told Newcastle they have to believe they can win every game if they are to be thought of as a top team.The Magpies head into Tuesday night’s crunch Champions League clash with Paris St Germain knowing their first campaign in two decades could be over if they lose.Memories of October’s 4-1 demolition of the French champions at St James’ Park, which took Eddie Howe&...Full Story »

Luis Enrique said Kylian Mbappe is in a good state of mind to return to his Paris Saint Germain side ahead of Saturday’s Ligue 1 meeting with Toulouse.The striker was absent from the squad for the opening-weekend goalless draw with Lorient following a tumultuous summer in which a dispute over his future left him training separately from the first team.The 23-year-old has only a year to run...Full Story »

Captain Millie Bright expects the hostile environment England will encounter against Australia in their World Cup semi-final to feel like well-trodden territory for the European champions.Wednesday’s game is a sell out at the 75,000-plus capacity Stadium Australia in Sydney, with the vast majority issued to home supporters, who have backed their side in rapidly-rising, record-smashing fash...Full Story »

Hearts head coach Frankie McAvoy is expecting a “real tough game” when his side come up against Rosenborg in the UEFA Europa Conference League third qualifying round first-leg in Norway.The Jambos will be looking to make it to the group stage for the second consecutive year but need to beat the 26-time Norwegian champions and would then meet either Hajduk Split or PAOK if they are to...Full Story »

Keira Walsh could make a stunning return for England’s last-16 World Cup clash against Nigeria.Walsh was carried off on a stretcher late in the first half of the Lionesses’ 28 July victory over Denmark, with fears that the influential midfielder’s tournament could be over, but scans revealed her knee injury was not as serious as first suspected.The 26-year-old took another step...Full Story »

England boss Sarina Wiegman declared she is willing to “make changes” as the Lionesses look to secure a second successive World Cup victory against Denmark on Friday.Wiegman stuck with the same starting XI for every match of England’s triumphant Euro 2022 campaign, but the retirements of striker Ellen White and midfielder Jill Scott alongside injuries to European champions Beth...Full Story »

Vera Pauw is “a bit concerned” about Louise Quinn’s fitness as the Republic of Ireland look to put a losing start in the Women’s World Cup behind them against Canada.A 1-0 defeat against tournament co-hosts Australia in Sydney last week was compounded by Quinn suffering a foot injury, with the defender touch and go to face the Olympic champions in Perth on Wednesday.She l...Full Story »

Dean Smith has been sacked as Norwich head coach, the Sky Bet Championship club have announced.The decision comes following the Canaries’ 2-1 defeat to Luton on Boxing Day.Norwich remain fifth in the table but the position masks a poor run of form with the side having won just three of their last 13 league games since early October.Norwich City have today parted company with head coach Dea...Full Story »

Livingston goalkeeper Shamal George is unlikely to be ready for Saturday’s cinch Premiership match at home to Dundee United as he still recovering from the thigh strain that kept him out of the last game before the World Cup break.Striker Kurtis Guthrie is back training following an ankle injury he sustained away to Rangers two months ago and could be in the squad.Jamie Brandon is working ...Full Story »