TOTTENHAM'S Premier League clash at Brighton on Sunday is OFF as Spurs Covid crisis grows.
Eight Spurs stars and five staff members have tested positive, leaving boss Antonio Conte with only 11 fit players and a fixture headache.
Thursday night's Europa Conference League tie at Rennes was postponed 24 hours before kick-off.
And on Thursday Tottenham said in a statement: "We can confirm that our Premier League fixture at Brighton & Hove Albion, on Sunday, December 12 at 2pm, has been postponed following a Premier League Board meeting this afternoon (Thursday)."
Elsewhere, Eddie Howe is eyeing up Stoke striker Tyrese Campbell as his first signing at Newcastle.
The son of former Everton forward Kevin Campbell, Tyrese has scored twice in nine games for the Potters this season.
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Get all the latest football news, updates and transfer gossip below…
- Anthony Chapman
TIMO TIME
Timo Werner revealed he has never struggled so much to get back on track after a knock.
He said: “After my injury, it was difficult to come back after one month. I never had something like that before.
"It was important to come back in shape and the two goals helped me get back to a level to what I had before the injury.
“But in the end, you play as a team and when you don’t win you are disappointed.”
- Anthony Chapman
KAL THE DOCTOR
Kalvin Phillips is being lined-up for surgery on the shoulder injury which almost wrecked his Euro 2020 dream.
The England star, who is wanted by both Manchester United and Liverpool, is out until February with a serious hamstring problem.
And Leeds are looking for ways to fit in a separate operation during his two-month spell on the sidelines.
Phillips suffered a nasty dislocation against West Brom in the final game of last season which he initially feared would rule him out of last summer’s European Championship.
The 28-year-old postponed surgery to play a major role in England’s march to the final and Leeds now are considering whether to use this lay-off for their key midfielder to go under the knife.
- Anthony Chapman
EXCLUSIVE BY DAN CUTTS
Man Utd have been handed a boost with Raphael Varane set to return to full training on Friday.
The 28-year-old defender has been struggling since late October after picking up a groin injury while away with France.
He has been recovering in the gym before returning to the training pitch within the last ten days.
And SunSport understands Varane has now been given the all-clear to join in with full contact first-team action.
The ex-Real Madrid man could even be back on the bench when United travel to Norwich on Saturday night.
But it is more likely he will return against Brentford next Tuesday, with more fitness under his belt.
- Anthony Chapman
ROSE ABOVE
Danny Rose has been told he is not fit enough by Watford boss Claudio Ranieri.
The Hornets boss declared: “I am very confident with him but he has to improve more.
“I remember Danny when he played at Tottenham and the England national team and I need this Danny.
“I think it is more fitness than a confidence issue. When he came he was down on fitness and now he has improved a lot but he needs to improve more.
“It is difficult though to say how long that will take.”
- Anthony Chapman
DON IN THE DUMPS
Donny van de Beek blames himself for Young Boys' shock 1-1 draw at Manchester United.
He said: "For me, lost the ball in the middle, maybe I should kick the ball away.
"I didn't do that. I take responsibility for that. And after that I think it was a little bit difficult.
"I think we didn't get enough pressure on them, with the ball as well we lost too many balls and it's really difficult to command the game.
"I think first 30 minutes was okay.
"We [scored] a good goal from Mason, after that we have a few chances to make it 2-0 or 3-0.
'We didn't do that. I think if we'd done that it would have been much easier."
- Anthony Chapman
SLICE OF THE ACTION
Antonio Conte popped out for pizza as Spurs were hit by a Covid crisis.
The Italian manager enjoyed a taste of home as he enjoyed a few slices in London.
Tottenham’s Europa League game against Rennes on Thursday was axed due to a coronavirus outbreak at the club.
And now their weekend Premier League clash with Brighton has also been postponed as the fixtures begin to pile up.
- Anthony Chapman
DRAW UP PLANS
Liverpool and Man City are both in the bag for Monday's Champions League draw.
Let's take a look at their potential opponents…
- Anthony Chapman
LEICEST WE FORGET
Hundreds of Leicester fans were 20 minutes late for their Europa League clash with Napoli after police led their coaches the WRONG WAY.
Away supporters complained on social media about delays to shuttle buses to the Maradona Stadium.
And up to 600 of them are understood to have been made late to the game after their coaches took a wrong turn.
Fan Sam_Lambert7 wrote on Twitter: “2 hours on a bus to the ground and still over an hour away. Only bonus is it’ll mean I miss us going 2-0 down after 10.”
- Anthony Chapman
PARTY’S OVER
Newcastle have been told to look elsewhere for a director of football after Arsenal legend Marc Overmars signed a contract extension at Ajax.
The Dutch icon has put pen to paper on a new deal to keep him at the Johan Cruyff Arena until June 2026.
Overmars said: “I still feel very excited by my work and get a lot of satisfaction out of it.
“I have a feeling that my work at Ajax is not done yet, so I would like to continue here.”
- Anthony Chapman
NAPOLI 3 LEICESTER 2
Brendan Rodgers' Foxes have been dumped out of the Europa League after defeat in Italy.
Leicester battle back from two goals down to level the game but couldn't stop Napoli from eventually winning.
And after Legia Warsaw were beaten 1-0 by Spartak Moscow, the Foxes have dropped into the Conference League.
- Anthony Chapman
BRIGHT IDEA
Tottenham’s Premier League clash at Brighton on Sunday is off as their Covid crisis mounts.
Eight Spurs players and five staff members have tested positive, leaving boss Antonio Conte with only 11 fit players.
Thursday night's Europa Conference League tie at Rennes was also postponed 24 hours before kick-off.
- Anthony Chapman
FEELING BLUE
Here's the teams Chelsea could face in the next stage of the Champions League…
- Anthony Chapman
XAVING A CLEAR OUT
Barcelona will reportedly place a number of players on the transfer list ahead of the January window.
According to Gerard Romero, Frenkie de Jong, Sergino Dest and Marc Andre Ter-Stegen are set to be replaced next year as Xavi looks to overhaul the squad.
The decision comes after Barcelona crashed out of the Champions League group stages for the first time since 2000.
And Premier League clubs are set to be on red alert for any bargains available this winter.
- Anthony Chapman
WHEN IT RENNES IT POURS
Rennes are demanding the cancellation of their Europa Conference League match with Tottenham after confirmation of the game’s postponement.
According to the Daily Mail, Rennes have told Uefa they will not be accepting the new date and are furious with Tottenham, as they had already travelled to London.
The Ligue 1 side claim the North Londoners refused to reveal the number of players affected by Covid-19 when competition rules dictate a game must be played if the team has at least 13 outfield players and a goalkeeper.
And there are some serious questions being raised about when the match can actually take place, given Uefa’s rule stating all group fixtures must be completed by December 31.
- Anthony Chapman
LEICESTER TEAM NEWS
Napoli: (4-2-3-1) Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Juan Jesus, Mario Rui; Demme, Zielinski; Ounas, Lozano, Elmas; Petagna
Leicester: (4-3-3) Schmeichel; Castagne, Soyuncu, Evans, Bertrand; Ndidi, Tielemans, Dewsbury-Hall; Maddison, Barnes; Vardy
- Anthony Chapman
NEW LOOK
Arsenal are being linked with numerous players ahead of the January transfer window.
Should Mikel Arteta land his top targets, the Gunners could look very different in 2022.
Here's how Arsenal may line up if they have a successful transfer market…
- Anthony Chapman
GOAT LORDS
It is the question that divides football fans across the globe.
Who is better: Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo?
We compare the duo here…
- Anthony Chapman
RAM RAID
Everton are lining up a January swoop for ex-Arsenal star Aaron Ramsey.
CalcioMercato claims the Juventus midfielder is no longer wanted by Max Allegri.
And he will be allowed to quit Turin this winter for a Premier League return.
Rafa Benitez is keen on bringing Ramsey to Goodison Park as he looks to get Everton's season back on track.
And the Welshman could jump at the chance to play for the Toffees.
- Anthony Chapman
SPURRED OFF
Tottenham are facing a Christmas fixture nightmare after tonight’s game against Rennes was called off.
Spurs, who have been hit by a Covid outbreak, have been ordered to play the French side BEFORE December 31.
Antonio Conte’s side have already seen their Premier League game against Burnley postponed due to a snow storm.
But just how are Tottenham going to fit all those fixtures in?
- Justin Lawrence
NEW TOON
Rob Lee urged Newcastle to sign English trio Jesse Lingard, James Tarkowski and Kieran Trippier in January.
The former Toon midfielder warned that mega rich Newcastle will be relegated unless they splash the cash when the transfer window opens.
Lee said: “If they keep this team, as much as they’ve improved under Eddie Howe, they’ll go down without a doubt. They need people to help them.
“I’d like to see them sign Jesse Lingard – he did brilliantly at West Ham.
“James Tarkowski at Burnley, it’s well known that he can leave for a certain amount of money.
“Kieran Trippier [at Atletico Madrid], he’d like to come back from Spain and Newcastle would be a great opportunity for him.
"So they need to sign those sorts of players that have played in the Premier League and will hit the ground running.”
- Justin Lawrence
NEW RESTRICTIONS
Prem clubs are involved in another ruck with League chiefs over who refunds fans who miss games because of the latest Covid restrictions.
PM Boris Johnson confirmed the introduction of the Government’s Plan B against the Omicron variant in Downing Street.
That will see “vaccine passports” introduced for entry to all sporting events with crowds of more than 10,000 from Wednesday.
Initially, fans will have to show they are double vaccinated or proof of a negative test within 24 hours of a game to be allowed entry.
It is not clear if that means every fan being checked or a continuation of spot tests, with the Government weighing up whether it should delegate decisions to local Safety Advisory Groups to make a final call.
But a number of Prem clubs fear that fans may want rebates on their match or season tickets if they feel the restrictions are too onerous.
That might become even more pressing if, as the PM hinted on Wednesday, the Government does move to a policy of mandatory vaccinations.
And the clubs are urging Prem chiefs to stump up the money rather than seeing their funds take another Covid hit.
- Justin Lawrence
EL OF A PLAYER
Arsenal star Mohamed Eleny is a January transfer target for mega-rich Newcastle, according to reports.
The Egyptian midfielder has been a bit-part player under Gunners boss Mikel Arteta since he took charge.
He has been resigned to the substitutes bench this season, and has barely featured in the Premier League.
And the Mirror report that Toon chief Eddie Howe is targeting the 29-year-old in a deal next month.
His contract runs out next June, but the Magpies want to land him six months earlier for a small fee.
Elneny is one of five players Howe is understood to have put on his wishlist ahead of the new transfer window.
- Justin Lawrence
ONE OF THE BEST
Manchester United legend Andy Cole doesn't think he gets the credit for his career despite being one of the 'best striker's of his generation.'
Cole scored 187 goals in 414 Premier League games for United and he feels he should be mentioned among the greats.
Speaking to the Original Penguin X Campaign Against Living Miserably Under The Surface podcast, Cole said: "No, I’m very vocal about it, but I don’t get the credit I deserve for my footballing career.
"When it comes to being a goal scorer, I was one of the best of my generation, it’s that simple.
"I know that. I’m not going to have anyone try and fudge that and tell me anything else."
- Justin Lawrence
LET HIM GO
Furious Barcelona fans called for Clement Lenglet's contract to be ripped up as he was seen laughing with Robert Lewandowski after the Catalans crashed out the Champions League.
Barca were walloped 3-0 in Germany on Wednesday and ended up finishing third in Group E – their earliest Champions League exit for 21 years.
'P***** off' Barca boss Xavi blasted his players after the defeat and urged them to 'start from scratch' in the Europa League.
But the result did not appear to affect Lenglet as much – as he was seen sharing a joke with Bayern goal machine Lewandowski after the final whistle.
The incident did not go down well with Barca fans already fuming at the European humiliation.
One tweeted: "Smiling after being knocked out in group stage? Rip his contract up tomorrow, let him walk for free. F**k outta here."
Another added: "He's lucky I am not the Barcelona president because he'd not get on the plane back with the team, and tomorrow, I'd terminate his contract."
- Justin Lawrence
TIME TO MOVE JONG
Barcelona starlet Frenkie De Jong is being encouraged to quit the club, with Dutch legends arguing the Nou Camp is not the right fit for him.
The 24-year-old signed for Barcelona in 2019 but has failed to live up to the high expectations that fans put on him.
He has only scored one goal so far this season for Xavi's side who currently sit 7th in the LaLiga table.
Former Dutch international footballers Ron Vlaar and Dirk Kuyt have both criticised the former Ajax man and have suggested that he would be best suited elsewhere.
De Jong has been linked recently with a move to Manchester United as new interim manager Ralph Rangnick plans to sign a number of players in January.
United reportedly want the 24-year-old for a cut-price of £47million, but Barcelona do not want to sell him for less than £60m as his contract does not run out until 2026.
He is said to be the ideal replacement for Paul Pogba, whose contract expires next summer.
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