Lionel Messi has been left off Argentina's upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Colombia to allow the forward to rebuild his match fitness at Paris Saint-Germain as he recovers from COVID-19. Messi has not played for PSG since a 1-1 draw at Lorient in Ligue 1 on Dec. 22. With Argentina having already qualified for the World Cup, head coach Lionel Scaloni announced his 27-man squad W...Full Story »

Tranmere boss Micky Mellon was thrilled with Charlie Jolley’s “fantastic” double in a convincing 2-0 win over Rochdale.Jolley netted a first-half brace to put Rovers out of sight in Dale’s first game in four weeks due to Covid-19 issues.Match-winner Jolley capitalised on Joel Coleman’s mistake to fire an unstoppable opener.The impressive 21-year-old then cut in to c...Full Story »

Derek Adams hailed the “bravery” of matchwinner Paudie O’Connor after his header earned Bradford a 2-1 comeback victory over 10-man Salford.Centre-half O’Connor, who lost a tooth from the earlier challenge that saw Salford goalscorer Brandon Thomas-Asante sent off, headed home the winner from Callum Cooke’s cross in the 85th minute after Ryan Watson’s own goal...Full Story »

Grimsby claimed their first win in six matches by beating Altrincham 2-0 at the Cleethorpes Stadium.Ben Fox and Luke Waterfall came close for the Mariners in the first half as they chased a maiden win in 2022 but they were largely subdued in the opening 45 minutes by a stubborn visiting defence.But within two minutes of the restart, Grimsby hit the front courtesy of a magnificent volley from Joh...Full Story »

Home Secretary Priti Patel wants to extend the scope of football banning orders, which can already be imposed on people convicted of violence, disorder and racist or homophobic chanting, to also cover online hate offences. Marcus Rashford was one of the England players to receive vile racist abuse Credit: Reuters Priti Patel said the beautiful game had been 'marred by disgraceful racism from o...Full Story »

Hartlepool boss Graeme Lee hailed super sub Joe Grey after the 18-year-old stepped off the bench to fire Hartlepool into the FA Cup fourth round for the first time since 2009.Moments after replacing Mark Cullen on the hour mark, Grey swept home the winner to seal the League Two side’s come-from-behind win over Championship Blackpool.It was Grey’s second goal in senior football and Le...Full Story »

Newport welcome back Mickey Demetriou and Joe Day for their League Two clash with Salford.Goalkeeper Day and defender Demetriou have completed their Covid-19 isolation periods having missed last weekend’s draw with Walsall.That match yielded no new injury concerns, while Priestley Farquharson made his first appearance since suffering a knee injury in September and will hope for more minute...Full Story »

Four-goal hero Harry McKirdy produced “the best match of his career” as Swindon ended their winless League Two run by thrashing promotion rivals Northampton 5-2.McKirdy’s four goals were added to by Tyreece Simpson as the Robins won in the league for the first time since November and moved to within three points of their second-placed opponents.Swindon boss Ben Garner was ecsta...Full Story »

League One strugglers Gillingham ended a run of six-straight defeats in all competitions by grinding out a dour goalless draw at play-off chasers MK Dons.The third-from-bottom Gills’ first game in three weeks was easily forgettable and although the visitors earned their point, it still leaves them four adrift of safety, while the Dons sit just outside the top six.The only clear chance of a...Full Story »

Tom Cleverley can return for Watford’s Premier League clash with Tottenham on New Year’s Day.The midfielder is back in training after hamstring trouble.The Hornets will be without Kiko Femenia, who has picked up his own hamstring problem, while Danny Rose has a knee injury.Tottenham are likely to be without Steven Bergwijn, Giovani Lo Celso and Ryan Sessegnon.Bergwijn (calf) picked u...Full Story »

Bruno Fernandes will return from suspension when Manchester United welcome Wolves to Old Trafford on Monday.The Portuguese missed Thursday’s 3-1 win against Burnley after collecting his fifth booking of the season at Newcastle earlier in the week.Ralf Rangnick hopes to have Victor Lindelof back after testing positive for Covid-19 and Raphael Varane looks set to start instead of Eric Bailly...Full Story »

Walsall will be without Emmanuel Monthe for their clash with Newport.The defender is serving a seven-match ban for making a homophobic comment to an opposition player while playing for Tranmere last season.Forward Rory Holden is also likely to miss out as he continues his recovery from a long-term knee injury.The Newport game will be Walsall’s first since December 11 after having two of th...Full Story »

MIKEL ARTETA has tested positive for COVID-19 and will not be at the Emirates for Arsenal vs Manchester City on Saturday. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has tested positive for coronavirus and will miss the match against Manchester City on New Year's Day. Arsenal are on a run of four consecutive wins in the Premier League but will have to be without their manager on Saturday. A statement on the ...Full Story »

Angelo Balanta’s third goal in four matches sealed Dagenham & Redbridge’s 1-0 National League win over Aldershot.The forward conjured a cute lob for his seventh league goal of the season in the 39th minute.Dagenham secured their third win in four matches in all competitions, to sit eighth in the league table.Aldershot were bidding to hit back to winning ways after a 1-1 draw at W...Full Story »

Arsenal's home match against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Dec. 28 has been postponed due to COVID-19 cases and injuries in the visitors' squad, the Premier League announced on Sunday. It marks the second match postponed for that Tuesday, with Leeds United's clash against Aston Villa at Elland Road also called off due to a COVID-19 outbreak. The two cancellations raises the number of postponed P...Full Story »

Mansfield boss Nigel Clough was delighted his gamble of making sure the game went ahead, despite a depleted side, paid off as the Stags came from 2-0 down to beat Hartlepool 3-2 in thick Nottinghamshire fog.Already shorn of four key players, Clough lost another four with positive Covid tests.But, from 2-0 down, three goals in 11 second-half minutes saw them home for a 10th win in 11 games.&ldquo...Full Story »

Gerrard has tested positive for Covid-19 and will be isolating during the Christmas period meaning he will miss the games against Chelsea and Leeds United Steven Gerrard has tested positive for Covid-19 and will miss Aston Villa's next two Premier League matches. The Liverpool legend will not be on the sidelines for the games against Chelsea and Leeds United. The club said in a statement: "As...Full Story »

Tottenham Hotspur are out of the Europa Conference League after UEFA decided the club "forfeited" their final Group G match against Stade Rennais after the Premier League side cancelled the match following a COVID-19 outbreak within their squad. Spurs were due to play the Ligue 1 side on Dec. 9 but the game was postponed hours before kick-off -- with their opponents already in London -- after...Full Story »

Steven Schumacher will take charge of his first home game when Plymouth welcome Charlton to Home Park on Saturday.The Pilgrims boss is assessing the fitness of left wing-back Conor Grant, who missed the 2-1 defeat at Sunderland last week with a pelvic problem.James Bolton could be added to Plymouth’s squad this weekend even though the 27-year-old has yet to make an appearance in the league...Full Story »

Middlesbrough are hopeful that Matt Crooks will be fit to face Bournemouth.The 27-year-old, along with fellow midfielder Duncan Watmore, had to be substituted in the draw against Stoke after both sustained knocks.Boro boss Chris Wilder is confident Watmore will be available but there have been slight concerns about Crooks.Isaiah Jones was also on the receiving end of a heavy challenge late on at...Full Story »