LIONEL MESSI looks set to miss a number of PSG games after suffering a foot injury.
The Argentina star, who has had a tough start to life in Paris, will miss the trip to Metz but could also be unavailable for their Champions League clash with Manchester City.
But transfer news still rolls on with Arsenal set to make a bid for Noa Lang.
And Ronald Koeman has come under fire at Barca for playing Gerard Pique as a STRIKER.
Chelsea's Marcos Alonso will no longer take the knee before games, with the Spaniard preferring to point to the No Room for Racism badge on his sleeve.
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- Giacomo Pisa
TIME FOR TARIQ
Tariq Lamptey is set to feature for Brighton tonight for the first time since December last year.
The 20-year-old underwent surgery on a hamstring injury but was an unused substitute in the 2-1 win against Leicester.
And Potter is confident Lamptey will return the same player, saying: "I’ve seen the way the medical department have worked with him. I’ve seen the character of Tariq.
"Watching him in training, he’s the same player. I see exactly the same. It’s just that he’s going to take some time like anybody would. When you have that amount of time off, it’s normal. We have to understand that.
"That’s why it’s important he plays the right amount of time in the game. There’s no point in him playing 100 per cent of the game at 50 per cent of his capacity.
"He’s better off playing less of a percentage of the game but at 100 per cent of his capacity because then you’ll get the real Tariq Lamptey."
Getty Images - Giacomo Pisa
FOURTH ROUND DRAW
And the draw for the fourth round of the Carabao Cup will take place immediately after the conclusion of Manchester United vs West Ham.
By that time there will be just 16 teams left standing in the competition.
Micah Richards and Harry Redknapp will be conducting the draw.
- Giacomo Pisa
CARABAO CUP FIXTURES
The third round of the Carabao Cup continues tonight, with a number of Premier League clubs in action.
The remaining ties in the round are:
- Brighton vs Swansea
- Arsenal vs AFC Wimbledon
- Chelsea vs Aston Villa
- Manchester United vs West Ham
- Millwall vs Leicester
- Wolves vs Tottenham
- Giacomo Pisa
PARTEY TIME
Arsenal were handed a massive boost with Thomas Partey returning to training following his latest injury scare.
The midfielder, 28, appeared alongside his team-mates at London Colney on Tuesday.
That is despite the fact he limped off late on in Saturday's 1-0 win at Burnley.
Partey had already missed action this season with ankle and knee problems so there were further concerns at Turf Moor.
But pictures from Arsenal's training session yesterday showed the Ghana international getting stuck in.
- Joshua Jones
OVERNIGHT FOOTY UPDATE
Chelsea hope to tie five top stars to long-term deals as the Blues join Arsenal, Spurs and Manchester United in Carabao Cup third-round action tonight.
Boss Thomas Tuchel reportedly wants extended contracts for centre-backs Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger, plus midfielders N’Golo Kante, Jorginho and Mason Mount.
Chelsea host Aston Villa this evening, while the tie of the night could be Manchester United's home clash with West Ham.
The Red Devils landed a 2-1 Premier League comeback win at London Stadium three days ago but are likely to be much-changed, with injury victim Phil Jones finally eyeing a return.
Tottenham visit Wolves and Arsenal's mini-revival would be rocked if they lose at home to League One AFC Wimbledon.
Bernd Leno is tipped to come back in for Aaron Ramsdale in his battle to regain the Gunners No1 shirt.
Prem clubs are also involved in the night's two other ties, Leicester travelling to Millwall and Brighton hosting Swansea.
United keeper Dean Henderson reportedly wants a January loan move – after David de Gea re-established himself as first-choice keeper.
And Fifa have handed Hungary a two-match stadium ban – albeit with the second game suspended for two years – and a £160,000 fine after fans racially abused England stars on September 2.
Finally, Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly broke a transfer ‘pact’ with Juventus when he rejoined the Red Devils, having been offered to Man City and Atletico Madrid.
- Ian Tuckey
CARABAO CUP ROUND-UP
Championship sides Stoke City and Queens Park Rangers pulled off the shocks of round three so far, beating Watford and Rafa Benitez's Everton respectively.
Charlie Austin's brace was enough to take Everton to penalties, where QPR won 8-7.
Leeds escaped a penalty shootout scare against Championship side Fulham, with Illan Meslier saving the day.
Brentford hit Oldham Athletic for seven, with forward Marcus Forss scoring four.
Jay Rodriguez and Maxwel Cornet turned on the style for Burnley.
The Englishman bagged four second half goals to seal a win for the Clarets against Rochdale.
And Manchester City and Liverpool got through their Carabao Cup third round ties comfortably against Wycombe and Norwich respectively.
- Ian Tuckey
KEPA FINALLY 'HAPPY'
Thomas Tuchel believes Kepa has the £71.6million monkey off his back.
And the Chelsea boss is backing keeper Arrizabalaga to play his part as the club look to battle for trophies on four fronts this season.
Spaniard Kepa made his first Premier League appearance of the campaign in Chelsea’s 3-0 victory over Tottenham on Sunday after Edouard Mendy was ruled out with injury.
Tuchel has opted to keep Mendy — a £24m signing from Rennes last summer — as his No 1 this year, starting him in both the Prem and the Champions League already.
Yet Kepa is set to earn his second start in tonight’s Carabao Cup clash against Aston Villa — and could even feature against defending Prem champions Manchester City on Saturday as Mendy races to be fit.
Tuchel feels that Kepa’s desperation to impress and prove his worth after his world-record move for a goalkeeper from Athletic Bilbao in 2018 is long gone — and that can only be a good thing.
The German coach explained: “He seems happy to me in the place that he is and the part he plays in this team.
“He is pushing and he is fighting for his chances — but you cannot force situations.
“Now I have the feeling with his mindset that he is here, with the calmness and the positivity he trains with and he gets the rewards and it came to him.
“It was not necessary to prove to me he is a good keeper. I see this everyday."
- Ian Tuckey
PATINO IN LINE TO FACE WIMBLEDON?
Arsenal Under-23s' sensation Charlie Patino is being talked up ahead of tomorrow night's home EFL Cup clash with AFC Wimbledon.
- Ian Tuckey
CLATTENBURG: IDIOTS MADE ME QUIT REFFING
Mark Clattenburg made the decision to quit refereeing after deciding he 'wasn't bothered' with criticism from Jose Mourinho.
Having picked up the whistle in non-League football in 1994, the County Durham-born official worked his way up the pyramid to reach the Premier League in 2004 and Fifa's elite list two years later.
But Clattenburg fell out of love with the game after losing his patience for complaining managers and disagreeing with his fellow refs.
In the 46-year-old's autobiography, which has been serialised in The Times, he revealed the moment he decided to quit English football.
Following a match between Manchester United and Stoke City, Mourinho voiced his frustrations with the official and earned an earful in reply.
Clattenburg has admitted to throwing a boot at a wall and shouting at the manager to get out.
Overwhelmed by the stresses of the game, he felt that he 'could not be bothered with idiots like that any more'.
After leaving the Prem for a job overseeing referees in Saudi Arabia, he moved to the Chinese Super League and now works with Uefa in Greece.
- Ian Tuckey
RAMS RECEIVE VITAL FIRST KAIDE
Derby County will receive a much-needed cash injection after Kaide Gordon made his Liverpool debut.
Gordon, 16, started his first game for the Reds in their Carabao Cup clash at Norwich on Tuesday.
And Liverpool agreed to pay The Rams £100,000 after Gordon's first appearance as part of the deal which saw him swap Derby for Merseyside.
Derby received £1million for Gordon up-front but that fee could rise to £3m depending on add-ons.
The move, which happened in Janaury, came as a blow to Rooney.
Speaking about whether Gordon would be a good signing for The Reds, Rooney said: “It looks that way. Once the champions of England come in and want to sign you it’s difficult to turn down.
“Kaide is a fantastic player. I brought him into the first-team squad because he was showing the qualities I wanted in my players.
“He’s still a very young lad. But there’s been an offer there for Kaide, even before I was in this role."
- Ian Tuckey
RON ‘BROKE JUVE PACT’
Cristiano Ronaldo broke a transfer ‘pact’ with his former club Juventus by moving back to Manchester United, reports say.
The legendary forward, 36, was expected to see out the final year of his contract in Turin.
But he decided to complete a dramatic deadline day return to former club Man Utd.
Ronaldo’s agent, Jorge Mendes, had been working to find a way out of Juventus for his client. And super agent Mendes had offered Ronaldo to both Manchester City and Atletico Madrid.
But the LaLiga champions turned the chance to sign Ronaldo down due to fears over backlash from their fans.
According to Spanish radio station Cadena Ser, Mendes made an agreement that Ronaldo could only move on before August 15 – two weeks before the deadline.
The two weeks would then give Juve time to identify and potentially sign a replacement. And once the August 15 deadline had passed, the Turin-based club were under the impression that Ronaldo would stay.
But as events showed, a move to Man Utd materialised quickly and the deal was officially done on deadline day.
- Ian Tuckey
BLUES 'WANT LONGER DEALS FOR 5 STARS'
Chelsea reportedly want to tie down a number of their key stars after defenders Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger sign contract extensions.
The pair have entered the final 10 months of their contacts at Stamford Bridge and the club are keen for them to sign on.
As Sunsport exclusively revealed, Christensen, 25, is expected to sign a new long-term contract worth £120,000.
French World Cup winner N’Golo Kante and Euros champion Jorginho have 24 months left on their current deals and are expected to be handed new contracts by the club.
Academy graduate Mason Mount has impressed since being given his debut by former boss Frank Lampard and has become a key man for club and country. And the England international, 22, is expected to become one of the top earners at the club after his stellar performances.
But as Mount is a fan of the club and recently signed a new deal in 2019 – Christensen and Rudiger are Chelsea's priority.
Alongside Rudiger and Thiago Silva, Dane Christensen has excelled in Tuchel’s preferred 3-4-3 formation.
But Rudiger, 28, has stalled on a new deal after it was reported he was open to leaving for free next summer. The ex-Roma centre-back is believed to want around £200,000 a week amid interest from PSG and Real Madrid.
- Ian Tuckey
WINSTON'S HAMMERS DEAL TERMINATED
West Ham have agreed a deal to allow former captain Winston Reid to terminate his contract with the club, writes DUNCAN WRIGHT.
The defender, 33, scored the last ever goal at Upton Park before their move to the London Stadium in seven years with the Hammers.
But the New Zealand international has been blighted by injuries in the last couple of years and is well out of the plans of boss David Moyes.
Reid spent a spell on loan at Brentford last season, and is now looking to a possible move to MLS in America.
- Ian Tuckey
ARSENE'S JACK CONFESSION
Arsene Wenger has revealed he feels partly to blame for the injury-hit careers of former Arsenal stars Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey.
Wenger, 71, who left The Emirates in 2018, claims that as manager he was responsible for maintaining the fitness of his players.
But Arsenal players were often sidelined with injury, with Abou Diaby and Tomas Rosicky two others who regularly joined Wilshere and Ramsey on the treatment table.
In fact, Wilshere spent the entire 2011-12 season out with an ankle injury, while Ramsey broke his leg aged 19 in a match at Stoke.
Speaking about how VAR has impacted on the protection of attacking players, Wenger shared his guilt.
He told The Telegraph: “I see more positivity. Before there was more kicking and I must say the media allowed that. The Var has brought more respect for the offensive game.
“Sometimes the more technical guys were kicked. Why? It was not very encouraging. We have moved forward from that.
“We (Arsenal) always tried. It was a frustration sometimes. When I look back at players like (Jack) Wilshere, (Aaron) Ramsey who have been injured early in their career and when you are a manager you feel very responsible for that.”
- Ian Tuckey
MAN FACES JAIL FOR MASTURBATING AT GAME
A LILLE fan is facing a year in prison and a £13,000 fine after masturbating in front of Lens fans during the heated derby clash.
Tensions boiled over in Lens' 1-0 win over rivals Lille.
So much so the Ligue 1 club's ultras invaded the pitch and marched towards the travelling Lille fans in a shameful act of intimidation, delaying the start of the second half.
Saturday's game saw six injured in total, including a riot police officer who was trying to keep the peace.
And one Lille supporter is potentially facing prison time.
La Voix du Nord are reporting that a Lille supporter masturbated in front of the home crowd, an offence punishable with a year in prison and a £13,000 fine.
The unidentified supporter was pictured in the act, showing his genitalia to the Trannin stand occupied by Lens supporters, including families.
Other investigations are also under way in the aftermath of the crowd trouble.
- Ian Tuckey
SUPER LEAGUE PENALTIES BLASTED
Premier League clubs are at odds over a set of proposals to prevent a fresh European Super League breakaway bid.
Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham and Manchester City joined six European counterparts in attempting to form the new competition earlier in the year.
But major fan protests and revulsion by their fellow English clubs led to a swift U-turn.
The six then agreed to each pay a £25million fine and take a 30-point deduction if they attempted to revive the plot.
The issue is set to take centre stage at a shareholders' meeting between the 20 Prem teams on Wednesday.
With next season's fixture list, formulated around the Qatar World Cup, one of many items on the agenda, it will be the first in-person get together in London since the pandemic struck.
The biggest issue of contention is likely to be the planned 'Owners Charter', described as 'toothless' by some clubs.
Clubs finally received the revised nine-point document on Thursday, despite asking for updates since the original proposals were rejected at the summer meeting.
- Ian Tuckey
HENDERSON EYES LOAN DEAL
Dean Henderson wants a January loan move after his dream of establishing himself as Manchester United’s No 1 fell flat.
But one player who is set to revive his United career is Phil Jones in his first appearance in 20 months in tonight’s Carabao Cup tie with West Ham at Old Trafford.
Henderson was due to be given the goalkeeper’s shirt this season ahead of David de Gea.
But the 24-year-old has been suffering from long Covid and unable to even make the bench so far this season.
In that time De Gea has been in inspired form not least on Sunday when his injury-time penalty save earned United all three points at West Ham.
Henderson has been at United since he was 14 and enjoyed two successful loan spells at Sheffield United.
He returned last summer in the belief that he could take the number one spot from De Gea. His 13 appearances, however, were not convincing.
But manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was still prepared to start him this season until Long-Covid initially made him unable to train.
- Ian Tuckey
PATINO FLOWERS
Charlie Patino's sensational progress aged just 18 has weakened Arsenal's reported desire to splash out on a central midfielder next summer.
Patino's brilliant form this season has helped the Gunners' Under-23s to second in the table, with four wins from five games.
NINTCHDBPICT000678559423Credit: Getty - Ian Tuckey
MACCA SCOFFS AT SALAH 'WAGE DEMANDS'
Liverpool legend Steve McManaman insists Mo Salah's reported £500,000-a-week demands are far too much for the club to afford.
Macca told his Horseracing.net column: “I don’t think Liverpool would pay any player that much in wages.
“Regarding the links with Salah to PSG, then most people would think that Ligue 1 is a step down from the Premier League wouldn’t they?”
Credit: Alamy - Ian Tuckey
48-GAME BAN FOR HEADBUTTING RIVAL
Amateur footballer Raschid Arsanukaev has been handed a 48-GAME ban after intentionally breaking the nose of an opponent.
The Russian is claimed to have headbutted a rival player after being sent off by the referee for two bookable offences.
According to Kronen Zeitung via Bild, Arsanukaev took exception to match official Romano Giovanni during the Austrian ninth-tier clash between FC Viktoria 62 Bregenz and Gofis Satteins 1b.
He was given his marching orders in the 87th minute for an attempted headbutt, which Arsanukaev protested against.
But the referee insisted that the offence was worthy of a second yellow card.
It has been stated that he then approached Giovanni where he is alleged to have said: "I'll show you what is punishable."
Arsanukaev then headbutted an opponent resulting in the individual breaking his nose.
The incident resulted in Viktoria immediately releasing him, while the police recorded the incident where they reported it the court.
- Ian Tuckey
JOSE EYES DALOT
Jose Mourinho is looking to sign Manchester United right-back Diogo Dalot for the SECOND time in January, reports say.
Mourinho signed Dalot for Man Utd back in June 2018, six months before he was sacked for a poor start to the 2019/19 season.
And according to Calciomercato, the legendary serial-winning manager wants to bring Dalot to Italy’s capital of Rome to play for Roma in January.
Dalot brings a wealth of experience in the Serie A, having spent last season on loan at European giants AC Milan.
Mourinho believes Dalot is the best option out there to strengthen his right-back options.
The Portugal international would provide competition for current first-team right-back Rick Karsdorp.
The 22-year-old has two years left on his current deal at Man Utd, and has only played 53 minutes for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side this season.
Should Dalot make the January switch, he’s likely to make more than six appearances – the amount he made under the 58-year-old at United – for Mourinho’s Champions League-chasing Roma.
- Ian Tuckey
MENDY EYES RETURN VS CITY
Chelsea keeper Edouard Mendy faces a 'race against pain and time' to be fit for Saturday's epic Premier League clash against Manchester City.
The shot-stopper missed Chelsea's 3-0 away win over fierce rivals Tottenham with a hip injury.
And he's due to miss Wednesday's Carabao Cup tie against Aston Villa too.
But tomorrow's game is the worry for Chelsea in terms of getting Mendy fit.
They have Kepa Arrizabalaga or Marcus Bettinelli who can fill the hole left by the 29-year-old.
Saturday's six-pointer against City, however, is for the Blues.
Champions League-winning boss Thomas Tuchel confirmed Mendy's absence for Wednesday.
And says an appearance on Saturday against City depends on how much pain the keeper is in come first-team training on Thursday.
- Ian Tuckey
WENGER BLAMES HIMSELF FOR WILSHERE WOE
Arsene Wenger has revealed he feels partly to blame for the injury-hit careers of former Arsenal stars Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey.
Wenger, 71, who left The Emirates in 2018, claims that as manager he was responsible for maintaining the fitness of his players.
But Arsenal players were often sidelined with injury, with Abou Diaby and Tomas Rosicky two others who regularly joined Wilshere and Ramsey on the treatment table.
In fact, Wilshere spent the entire 2011-12 season out with an ankle injury, while Ramsey broke his leg aged 19 in a match at Stoke.
Speaking about how VAR has impacted on the protection of attacking players, Wenger shared his guilt.
He told The Telegraph: "I see more positivity. Before there was more kicking and I must say the media allowed that. The Var has brought more respect for the offensive game.
“Sometimes the more technical guys were kicked. Why? It was not very encouraging. We have moved forward from that.
“We (Arsenal) always tried. It was a frustration sometimes. When I look back at players like (Jack) Wilshere, (Aaron) Ramsey who have been injured early in their career and when you are a manager you feel very responsible for that.”
- Ian Tuckey
ROYALS FACE 9-POINT PENALTY
Reading are set to be hit with a NINE point deduction after breaking EFL financial rules.
The Championship club are locked in showdown talks with EFL chiefs over a sanction between six and nine points, according to the Telegraph.
Reading’s punishment is set to be applied this season which will leave them in a relegation scrap after only picking up 10 points from their opening eight league games.
The club are working to the EFL's regulation 85 in their sanctions which allows both to settle the dispute before going to a disciplinary commission.
It was announced in July The Royals broke the EFL’s profit and sustainability rules and were hit with a transfer embargo which limited them to free agents and loans this summer.
Rules state clubs are forbidden to to exceed a £39million loss over three years but the Berkshire side – who are owned by Chinese businessman Dai Yongge – have nearly tripled that figure.
In 2018-19 Reading’s wage bill was £40m and the following season their accounts showed losses of £138m.
And their most important pre-tax loss showed another £93m over a three year period. Despite their issues, the club released a statement last month telling fans they remain in "positive" talks with the EFL and owner Yongge is still committed to the club.
- Ian Tuckey
THE GOLDEN LEW
Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski has been awarded the European Golden Shoe award for scoring the most goals last season.
The 33-year old veteran scored an incredible 41 times in just 29 Bundesliga games in the previous campaign, putting him head and shoulders above the rest of the nominees including youngsters Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland.
Lewandowski, with his wife Anna, has won the European Golden Shoe prizeCredit: Instagram @_rl9 Upon scooping the award, the Polish striker thanked Bayern for their support and stressed the important role teamwork played in helping him win the prize.
Lewandowski beamed: "I’d like to thank my family, my team-mates, the coaching staff and the whole of FC Bayern.
"I couldn’t win titles like these without their support. In sport – like in life – it’s crucial that you value each other, support each other, are always fair with each other and try to be a role model for others.
"That’s why I dedicate this award to all the people who are by my side every day. I’m very happy with what we’ve achieved together as a team. Thank you very much."
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