Sport shorts: Dele Alli and Jesse Lingard left out of England squad and Dina Asher-Smith is Team GB’s golden girl
Ten things from the world of sport on Thursday 3 October
1. Alli and Lingard left out of England squad
England boss Gareth Southgate has named his squad for the Euro 2020 qualifying games against the Czech Republic and Bulgaria.
Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli and Manchester United’s Jesse Lingard have been left out while Liverpool’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Manchester City defender Kyle Walker are also omitted.
There are call-ups, however, for Chelsea duo Tammy Abraham and Fikayo Tomori, while Everton’s Fabian Delph is recalled.
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When asked about the players left out Southgate said: “Alex [Oxlade-Chamberlain] has only had a couple of games. It’s a bit like Dele [Alli]. Their seasons haven’t really got going.
“I think Jesse [Lingard] has had a difficult time too. As an attacking midfielder, you are going to be judged on your goals and assists. The competition is a lot higher than it was 18 months ago. Jesse is another player who can get himself back in the squad.
“All of those players will recognise why I’ve made these decisions.”
England play away against the Czech Republic in Prague on Friday 11 October then travel to Sofia to play Bulgaria on Monday 14 October.
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England squad
- Goalkeepers: Tom Heaton (Aston Villa), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Nick Pope (Burnley)
- Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Ben Chilwell (Leicester), Joe Gomez (Liverpool), Michael Keane (Everton), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa), Danny Rose (Tottenham), Fikayo Tomori (Chelsea) Kieran Trippier (Atletico Madrid)
- Midfielders: Ross Barkley (Chelsea), Fabian Delph (Everton), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), James Maddison (Leicester), Mason Mount (Chelsea), Declan Rice (West Ham), Harry Winks (Tottenham)
- Forwards: Tammy Abraham (Chelsea) Harry Kane (Tottenham), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City), Callum Wilson (Bournemouth)
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2. Lawrence in Wales squad after drink-drive charge
Derby County forward Tom Lawrence has been named in the Wales squad for the Euro 2020 qualifying matches against Slovakia and Croatia. The 25-year-old was charged with drink driving following a crash in September.
Wales head coach Ryan Giggs said: “It was a case of speaking to everyone involved. We’ve been liaising with Derby and I spoke with [manager] Philip Cocu to see what their stance was. It wasn’t an easy decision.
“But from a football point of view, he played [on Wednesday] with Derby and I wanted him involved in the squad. He’s an important player for us.”
3. Simpson: Salazar ban should be longer
Former 1500m world champion Jenny Simpson believes that Alberto Salazar should have received a longer ban than four years for doping violations.
American Simpson said: “Get him out, that’s my reaction. If you cheat, you get banned. I’m a believer in lifetime bans. I wish it was longer. Don’t cheat.”
4. Stokes proud to win player of the year award
England’s Cricket World Cup hero Ben Stokes has been voted the Professional Cricketers’ Association player of the year.
The 28-year-old all-rounder said: “You take a lot of personal pride when you receive this award because it’s your peers that vote for you. Earning this award is a huge moment and something I am very gracious of.”
5. Liverpool fend off Salzburg fightback
Red Bull Salzburg almost pulled off one of the great European comebacks only to run out of energy late on as Liverpool had the last word in a rollercoaster encounter.
In last night’s group E game Champions League holders Liverpool took a three-goal lead before Red Bull battled back. Mohamed Salah settled the tie at Anfield by scoring the winning goal in the 4-3 thriller.
Chelsea secured their first points in group H after winning 2-1 away at Lille. Tammy Abraham and Willian scored for Frank Lampard’s side.
Champions League: Salah spares Liverpool’s blushes as Red Bull rattle the holders
6. Pogba out of Europa League clash
Five British clubs are in Europa League action tonight. Manchester United travel to Holland to face AZ Alkmaar in group L but will be without French midfielder Paul Pogba, who has a foot injury.
Tonight’s Europa League fixtures for UK clubs
- Group G: Young Boys vs. Rangers (5.55pm, live on BT Sport 3)
- Group K: Besiktas vs. Wolves (5.55pm, live on BT Sport ESPN)
- Group L: AZ Alkmaar vs. Manchester United (5.55pm, live on BT Sport 2)
- Group E: Celtic vs. CFR Cluj (8pm, live on BT Sport 3)
- Group F: Arsenal vs. Standard Liege (8pm, live on BT Sport 2)
7. Jags aim to cash in on ‘Minshew mania’
ESPN reports that NFL team the Jacksonville Jaguars are looking to cash in on “Minshew Mania”.
Rookie quarterback Gardner Minshew has impressed on the field and now the Jags hope that their headband-wearing, mustached star can attract fans to the home games against the New Orleans Saints and New York Jets.
The Jags are offering a Minshew Mini Pack, which includes a bandana, mustache and the chance to wear them on the pitch for a picture.
8. Jones urges England to show passion
England head coach Eddie Jones has named his team for Saturday’s Rugby World Cup pool C clash against Argentina.
George Ford plays at fly-half with captain Owen Farrell returning at inside centre. Lock George Kruis comes in for Courtney Lawes in the back row.
Earlier this week Pumas hooker Agustin Creevy predicted a “war” between the forwards at the Tokyo Stadium and Jones said: “Argentina are always about the physical contest. They’ve got good players, they’ve got a reasonably settled way of playing.
“They enjoy World Cups more than the other major teams, because there’s such a pride and there’s such a passion. The challenge for us is to show the same level of intensity and passion at the start of the game.”
England team
- Starting XV: Daly; Watson, Tuilagi, Farrell, May; Ford, B Youngs; Marler, George, Sinckler; Itoje, Kruis; Curry, Underhill, B Vunipola
- Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, M Vunipola, Cole, Lawes, Ludlam, Heinz, Slade, Nowell
Argentina team
- Starting XV: Boffelli; Moroni, Orlando, De La Fuente, Carreras; Urdapilleta, Cubelli; Chaparro, Montoya, Figallo, Pagadizabal, Lavanini, Matera, Kremer, Desio
- Replacements: Creevy, Vivas, Medrano, Alemanno, Lezana, Ezcurra, Mensa, Delguy
Rugby World Cup: victories for Ireland and Fiji
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9. Lewis predicts ‘awesome’ Japanese GP
Lewis Hamilton is excited at the prospect of Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull going head-to-head at the Japanese Grand Prix on 13 October.
Hamilton said after his victory last weekend in Russia: “It’s going to be awesome. Suzuka is incredible.
“It’s one of the most exciting parts of the year and now so more than ever before because you’ve got three solid, incredibly fast teams, particularly pushing each other and having the ability, the potential to win a race.”
F1: Valtteri Bottas ‘can’t wait for next year’ to pursue title dream
10. Dina is Team GB’s golden girl
Dina Asher-Smith was left speechless after storming to victory in the 200m at the IAAF World Athletics Championships in Doha last night. The 23-year-old broke the British record with a time of 21.88 seconds.
Asher-Smith, who earlier this week also won silver in the 100m, told the BBC: “I’m lost for words. I dreamed of this and now it’s real. I don’t think it’s properly sunk in.
“I woke up thinking, ‘This is it. This is the moment you did all your work for’. The tiredness disappeared. [My coach] John [Blackie] and I knew I could do it, it means so much.”
Today’s back pages: ‘golden wonder’ Dina Asher-Smith is in dreamland
