Republic of Ireland boss Martin O Neill hopes Stoke City goalkeeper Shay Given can make the most of an unexpected chance of first-team action before the end of this season.
Veteran stopper Given, who came out of international retirement in 2014 to help guide Ireland to a place at Euro 2016, has not played a competitive match since suffering a knee injury in the qualifying win over world champions Germany last October.
The 39-year-old s club team-mate Jack Butland had his Euro 2016 dream shattered over the weekend when a fractured ankle sustained during England s 3-2 victory against Germany in Munich left him facing around three months on the sidelines.
Jakob Haugaard is expected to make his Stoke debut against Swansea City this weekend as Given continues to build…
Milan are keeping close tabs on Corinthians defender Fabio Santos, .
The Rossoneri sporting director Ariedo Braida has made a check on the highly rated full-back, who could arrive at San Siro as a replacement for Djamel Mesbah.
Santos, 27, has been playing at a very high level over the last couple of years and even made three friendly appearances for Brazil national team.
The left-back is widely tipped to make a move to Europe in the near future, with Milan looking to pounce.
Fabio Santos is valued at around €5 million and he wouldn’t take up a non-EU spot at San Siro considering he holds a Portuguese passport.
He is currently contesting a Club World Cup final with Corinthians as the Brazilian club battle Chelsea for the coveted trophy.
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Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov is upset over his treatment at Old Trafford and has confirmed he is looking to leave the club.
The former Tottenham man was brought to the club four years ago, but has struggled to earn a regular place in the team in recent times.
Despite finishing the 2010/11 season as United s top scorer, the mercurial Bulgarian has featured mainly as a substitute over the past 12 months as his side finished the campaign empty handed.
Berbatov told Bulgarian television channel BTV: My time at Manchester United is running out. I no longer feel like a valuable part of this team.
I think I did well in the few opportunities that I received. But I am a little frustrated by the way this happened, I do not think I deserved it.
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