CONCERNED Gareth Southgate fears financial fair play rules could damage his European Championship hopes as stars face burnout from extra money-consuming friendlies.

Tottenham and Newcastle have an end-of-year tour to Australia ahead of the tournament, with James Maddison, Kieran Trippier and Anthony Gordon.

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After Saturday’s friendly against Brazil, England will play Belgium on Tuesday.

But boss Southgate is facing his worst injury crisis and Harry Kane looks set to miss both.

With fears that more Premier League teams will also head abroad in May, there are concerns that other stars will suffer injuries or fatigue.

Asked about Tottenham’s controversial match against Newcastle in Melbourne on May 22, Southgate said: “It’s going to happen more and more.

“Why? Financial Fair Play means that clubs must generate money.

We are in a bizarre world where there is more money in the game than ever before and yet everyone is trying to make more money.

“The normal way to do that is to play more games, so is that good news for us in terms of preparation? No.”

Kane, Jordan Henderson and Cole Palmer are absent on Saturday, while the battered Bukayo Saka returned to Arsenal.

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And Southgate added: “We have around 40 players and a third are not available for this match, which is the most ever.”

Kyle Walker will captain the Three Lions in Kane’s absence.

And Ollie Watkins or Ivan Toney will have a chance to take the lead.

Kane has missed just one international in the last two and a half years – the 1-0 win over Australia in October.

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RICHARLISON has made it clear where his priorities lie when it comes to club or country.

The Tottenham star is currently on international duty with Brazil as he prepares for two tough clashes.

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Brazil will face both England and Spain during the international break and Richarlison will be hoping to earn his 49th and 50th caps for the Selecao.

Despite always showing his passion when representing Spurs, the 26-year-old has revealed that the Brazilian team will always be his first priority.

Speaking ahead of Saturday’s Wembley match against England, he explained how he made sure Brazil boss Dorival Junior knew how much he valued his place in the national team.

He said: “He came and spoke to us face to face, and I told him that for me the national team comes first.

“It’s God in heaven and the national team on earth. I passed that confidence on to him.

“It’s the beginning of a new cycle, it’s great to be at this beginning, I hope we can build a winning team.”

Richarlison also told how he was able to turn his attention back to football after seeking help from a psychologist.

He explained: “It is very important to have the support of a psychologist. All players must receive that support.

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“That really helped. Now I am fully mentally focused on my football.”

He added: “There were days when I didn’t want to leave the house, leave my room.

“I went to training, went straight home and locked myself in my room.

“Because I come from the countryside and there’s kind of an attitude of, ‘I’m not going to do this [therapy] sessions, because I’m not crazy’, or something like that. My family has this prejudice.”

His focus on the pitch is paying off, with the striker enjoying a fantastic season for Spurs under Ange Postecoglou.

The former Watford player has scored ten goals and assists in his 23 Premier League appearances this season.

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TRAIN STRIKES will plunge Premier League fans into chaos next month.

It has been confirmed that the latest series of strikes will take place between Friday, April 5 and Monday, April 8.

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Drivers from Chiltern, GWR, LNER, Northern and TransPennine will strike on Saturday when seven Premier League matches take place.

Of those matches, the disruption is expected to mainly affect Newcastle’s trip to Fulham – kick-off at 3pm.

Walkouts over the weekend will also affect fans making the trip to see Sheffield United vs Chelsea at Bramall Lane.

But the fans who will suffer the most are those going to Tottenham vs Nottingham Forest in North London on Monday night.

That’s because the list of notables includes c2c, Greater Anglia, GTR Great Northern Thameslink, Southeastern, Southern/Gatwick Express, South Western Railway mainline and depot drivers and the SWR Island Line.

And that is not the only disruption, because on the same day drivers of the London Underground, who are members of the Aslef union, will also strike.

It comes after 98 percent of drivers voted in favor of action – with a second strike on Saturday, May 4, when another series of Premier League matches take place.

The above-ground strike is taking place due to a long-standing dispute over wages.

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The underground strike is the result of employees contesting their terms and conditions.

The latest travel scare comes after Chelsea fans faced cancellations ahead of their trip to Manchester City last month.

And in January, Arsenal fans suffered the consequences of tube attacks on the day of their 3-1 win over Liverpool.

BAYERN MUNICH are reportedly interested in appointing Antonio Conte as their next manager.

The Italian boss has been out of work since March last year following his dismissal from Tottenham.

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But he could be tempted by the chance to succeed for the first time in Germany with Bayern.

It would also give him the chance to work with Harry Kane again after managing the striker at Spurs.

He is seen as a priority for Bayern and one of their top candidates to replace Thomas Tuchel La Repubblica.

But negotiations are proving difficult and Conte is likely to demand a significant salary after earning £15million a year at Tottenham.

Bayern have a number of targets they are looking at, including Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso.

Faced with a first season without trophies in twelve years, Bayern’s main plan was to reach the end of the season with Tuchel and assess the situation.

But last month it was confirmed that Tuchel will actually leave at the end of this campaign.

Conte, 54, has won the Premier League and Serie A four times with two different clubs.

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He also led Spurs to an unlikely Champions League qualification and got the best out of Kane, who scored 32 goals under Conte last season.

If Conte returns, he will also reunite with Eric Dier, whom he previously managed.

PREMIER LEAGUE bosses are making plans for an unprecedented end to the season amid a tense battle for the title.

But there’s one potential headache…

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What will they do with the winners’ trophy when it comes down to the final day and there are three teams still in the race to finish on top?

Since 1992, two teams have battled it out for top spot on the final day nine times, with Liverpool and Manchester City doing so two years ago.

But if the table looks the same on Sunday, May 19 as it does today, City, Arsenal or Liverpool could all be crowned champions.

All three teams are at home: Arsenal play Everton, Liverpool play Wolves and City play West Ham.

There are two identical, solid silver trophies originally cast by Asprey London, the Crown Jewellers.

Trophy No. 1 will remain with the holders until they return it three weeks before the end of the campaign.

There is also a second trophy that the Premier League takes around the world for various sponsorship events.

Clearly the two trophies cannot be in three different places, but SunSport understands there is a solution.

Premier League Productions is a company that provides studio shows and commentators for viewers of the English game around the world.

It is based at Stockley Park in Uxbridge, which is also home to the VAR control room.

A Premier League trophy is on display at PLP and while it is not identical or solid silver, it is a convincing stainless steel version.

So this is likely the trophy that would be in the home of the third-placed team on the final day, in case they skip the other two teams.

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Anyone who lifts the trophy on May 19 will initially have to return it after two weeks so that it can be cleaned by expert specialists.

The silverware is always dirty after title celebrations because of the sheer number of people who have handled it.

BRAZIL TO GLORY

TOTTENHAM star Richarlison and his Brazilian teammates are based at Arsenal’s training ground ahead of their sold-out friendly against England on Saturday.

It is the Samba Boys’ first match against a European country – outside a World Cup – since they defeated the Czech Republic in Prague in 2019.

Brazil have played regular friendlies in Europe and drew 0-0 at Wembley in 2017.

But the Nations League has had a big impact on all the South American countries coming here because the international calendar is busier.

SARNIE OF CHAMPIONS

Do you want to know the food of champions?

Erling Haaland loves a colossal sandwich with Parma ham, burrata cheese, pesto, sun-dried tomatoes, truffle oil, arugula and pistachios.

Manchester City invited a Sardinian couple, who run Italian sandwich shop Ad Maiora in the city, to treat the team after beating Manchester United in the derby.

The players chose the ingredients and Haaland apparently loved his gut-buster.

And now, until the end of the month, you can buy the Haaland Sandwich, although it will cost you £13.90.

THREE clubs are ready to fight for Ivan Toney as the player plans an exit for Brentford.

A disastrous run of form has left the Bees just five points above the relegation zone.

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With Brentford perilously close to the bottom three, three sides are vying to get into pole position to land the striker this summer.

SunSport understands that Tottenham, Chelsea and West Ham have all expressed interest in signing the 28-year-old.

It comes after Arsenal, who were previously linked with Toney, cooled their interest.

As for Chelsea, the West Londoners know they have to sell before they can buy or risk breaking profit and sustainability rules.

Our source said: “If Brentford drop out of the Premier League, which now seems a real possibility, there will be a race to sign Ivan Toney.

“That’s why some clubs are already taking steps to try to get into pole position and sign the player.”

“It is understood that Chelsea and Spurs both need a number nine and Toney would suit both clubs, but West Ham are now also interested.

“The club believes Toney can be a real statement signer and take the team to the next level.

“West Ham are crying out for a striker who can help turn a good side into one that can really challenge for the Champions League.

“Arsenal are less interested now. Mikel Arteta has a system and a way of playing and he doesn’t think a conventional number nine like Ivan Toney is what they need.”

SunSport can also reveal that Toney is ‘open-minded’ about remaining in the capital after making it clear to his advisers that he does not want to leave the Premier League.

Our source added: “Clubs in Italy and Spain have been following Toney for ages. He is one of the most sought after players in Europe.

“But Ivan is not really interested in moving abroad. He sees his future in the Premier League.

“His priority is to score the goals that save Brentford and cement his way into the England squad.

“But after that there is a general acceptance that he will move on and start at a new club in the Premier League next season.

“It will be a new start and, at the age of 28, the biggest step of his career.”

FORMER Tottenham star Darren Bent has admitted he would rather see Arsenal win the Premier League than see England triumph at the 2024 European Championship.

The former striker, 40, became Spurs’ record signing when he signed from Charlton in a £16.5million contract in 2007.

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Despite playing for the Lilywhites for two years, Bent remains a loyal Gooner.

During talkSPORT, Bent was asked by co-host Andy Goldstein whether he would prefer Prem or Euro 2024 glory later this year.

He replied emphatically: “As an Arsenal fan I want the league. I want Arsenal above all else.”

Goldstein, 50, then replied: “You don’t want FA Cup – Arsenal, Euros – England?”

Bent admitted it would be close but appeared to be heading towards the European Championship, although he stressed: “Champions League, Premier League above all.”

He then left Goldstein stunned by claiming that even a domestic cup double would have done it for him at the European Championship.

The 12-cap former England striker added: “FA Cup and League Cup. No, I’m not kidding. FA Cup, League Cup. Arsenal.”

After his opinion was called “crazy,” Bent continued, “As a fan, I’m club over country.”

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Bent played 79 times for Tottenham, scoring 25 goals and providing seven assists.

After falling down the pecking order at White Hart Lane, he moved to Sunderland in 2009.

He scored four goals in twelve England caps, including three in the European Championship qualifiers, but never earned a call-up to a major tournament with the Three Lions.

Bent had already shown his love for Arsenal over former club Tottenham this season.

Ahead of September’s North London derby, he picked eleven Arsenal players in a combined XI.

This meant Gabriel Jesus stunningly got the nod over Son Heung-min, although the South Korean made Bent eat his words by scoring twice in the 2-2 draw.

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PREM giants face fines of more than £50m if they fail to get in touch with the government’s new independent football regulator.

The long-awaited measure will be introduced in the House of Commons on Tuesday and is expected to receive cross-party support.

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Under its powers, the regulator will be able to impose a funding deal between the Prem and the EFL after the process stalled again last week, stop and eliminate rogue owners and prevent clubs from joining a breakaway from the Super League.

But the regulator will also have “the ability to fine clubs up to 10 percent of their turnover for non-compliance”

Meaning potential ENORMOUS fines, with the Big Six racking up more than £500m every year.

Tory MPs said the regulator would prevent repeats of the financial chaos that overtook Bury, Derby, Wigan, Bolton and non-league Rhyl in recent seasons.

Mid-Derbyshire MP Pauline Latham said: “The Regulator is a new dawn for fans of the beautiful game.

“I’m so proud that we were able to save Derby County, but many other clubs are not so lucky.

“And I don’t want other fans to have to face what we did.

“The government has listened and is taking strong action to give football fans a voice.”

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In a brief response, Prem leaders said they agree that it is “critical that football clubs are sustainable, remain at the heart of their communities and that fans are fundamental to the game”.

However, the Prem warned of the “unintended consequences of legislation that could weaken the competitiveness and appeal of English football”.

In contrast, EFL chief executive Rick Parry hailed an “important milestone to help us secure the long-term financial sustainability” of the pyramid.

Parry added: “If implemented on the right terms, this landmark legislation could help fix the game’s broken financial model and ensure all clubs can survive and thrive in a fair and competitive environment.”

ISAAK DAVIES is attracting interest from across Europe, with clubs in France, Germany and Belgium all keen to sign him.

The 22-year-old forward from Wales is on loan to Belgian side Kortrijk from Cardiff for a season and has scored eight goals in twenty games in the Jupiler Pro League.

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Davies’ impressive performances on the continent have alerted Euro hopefuls, with Monaco, Freiburg and Genk all leading the hunt for his signature.

Davies is under contract with the Bluebirds until the summer of 2025, but his emergence means the forward is likely to make a move this summer.

Kortrijk are second in the table but Davies’ winner at second-placed Anderlecht on Saturday inflicted their first home defeat of the season.

Davies was a youth team product of Cardiff and was previously the subject of a £2.5 million bid from Burnley.

While the highly rated Davies, who joined the Championship club at the age of seven, had also attracted the attention of Brentford and Southampton.

Uncapped Davies was left out of Wales’ Robert Page squad for Thursday’s Euro 2024 play-off semi-final against Finland in Cardiff.

But the versatile forward has represented Wales at all levels between U17 and U21 and if he continues his form in Europe, Page will have to take that into account.

Cardiff could do with Davies’ goals and assists at the moment as they sit 11th in the Championship.

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They are currently eight points away from a play-off spot, with the season at risk of coming to naught.

Adding to the misery is the fact that they lost the South Wales derby 2-0 to Swansea City this weekend.

In more positive news, Aaron Ramsey returned for the Blue Birds this weekend after coming off the bench.

His fitness will be key for Wales if they want to qualify for the European Championship.

DREAM TEAM managers should be aware that Gameweek 28 only features four Premier League matches.

However, six top clubs will take part in the FA Cup quarter-finals this weekend, with players scoring points as normal.

This means that six teams will not miss a single match in the coming Gameweek: Arsenal, Bournemouth, Brighton, Crystal Palace, Everton and Sheffield United.

With this in mind, let’s think about possible Booster strategies and captaincy options.

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It’s probably wise to keep Park the Bus and Max Captain in the holster, as both Boosters are best deployed in a double Gameweek, like Gameweek 29 for example.

The same goes for 12th Man, although this Booster could also serve another function for blunders left wanting by this weekend’s blunders.

Some of Mikel Arteta’s favorites are among the most popular players in the game, so it is likely that many bosses will not be able to field a full XI in Gameweek 28, even after their transfers.

Players such as Pervis Estupinan (£2.7m), Lewis Dunk (£3.1m), Jordan Pickford (£2.7m), Dominic Solanke (£3.8m) and Eberechi Eze (£4m) will also twiddling their thumbs this weekend.

Most gaffers should be able to tolerate one or two inactive players, but those missing half their lineup may feel like they need to activate their 12th Man Booster to bolster their ranks.

Erling Haaland (£7.9m), Mohamed Salah (£6.5m), Darwin Nunez (£4.8m) and Son Heung-min (£4.6m) are all exceptional candidates.

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And it is exactly the same names that lead the conversation about the captaincy.

It’s been months since the classic pitch between Haaland and Salah, but that’s exactly how many blunders it will see this week.

Manchester City host Newcastle, while Liverpool travel to Manchester United for their respective FA Cup quarter-finals.

Neither initially looks like a particularly favorable match, but the Magpies have conceded 16 goals in their last seven games as they drop to 10th in the Premier League.

Current form suggests Eddie Howe’s side are not adequately prepared to withstand an Etihad attack.

Likewise, Erik ten Hag will privately fear a grenade on Sunday, given the nature of his injury-affected defense.

The Red Devils beat Everton last weekend but they gave away plenty of chances and with Liverpool having scored 25 goals in their last eight games, things could get messy for the hosts at Old Trafford.

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Of course, there’s always a chance that the key players will be rested in the FA Cup, but with a place in the semi-finals at stake and an international break to follow, it would be a surprise to see Pep Guardiola or Jurgen Klopp field a weakened line . upwards.

Salah was on his worst form against Sparta Prague on Thursday evening, ending Gameweek 27 with 22 points to his total, but Haaland has the best points per game this season (9.5).

Both are fantastic options, but perhaps the home advantage goes to the Norwegian poacher after all?

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Elsewhere, Son is probably the most attractive alternative.

The Tottenham captain played superbly against Aston Villa last weekend for his 16 points in what was a statement win in a difficult stadium to attend.

The South Korean superstar has averaged a goal or an assist every 90.8 minutes this season and will be keen to improve his numbers against Fulham on Saturday.

Those unsure about the FA Cup line-up should note that Spurs’ visit to Craven Cottage is a Premier League match.

The deadline for Gameweek 28 is Saturday 11:15am – good luck!

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