Brighton are optimistic Scotland midfielder Billy Gilmour will return to action before the end of the Premier League season, the PA news agency understands.

Seagulls boss Roberto De Zerbi said in a media briefing on Saturday afternoon ahead of his team’s trip to Liverpool the 22-year-old had returned from international duty with a knee injury and indicated he would be out for several weeks.

“Unfortunately Billy Gilmour can’t play for a lot of time,” said the Italian.

With the opening game of Euro 2024 a little over two months away, Gilmour sparked concern among Scotland supporters when he subsequently posted a picture of himself in front of his television wearing a knee brace as he prepared to watch his club-mates play at Anfield on Sunday.

Bright…

Fernando Santos has left his role as head coach of Portugal, bringing an end to a reign which saw him become the most successful boss in the team s history.

The 68-year-old departs in the wake of a World Cup quarter-final defeat to Morocco, a frustrating end to a terrific spell in charge that saw him lead Portugal to Euro 2016 and Nations League title triumphs.

His departure was confirmed by the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF), which said in a statement: The FPF and Fernando Santos agreed to end the highly successful journey that began in September 2014.

After one of the best participations ever by the national team in the final stages of the World Cup, in Qatar, FPF and Fernando Santos understand that this is the right moment to start a new cycle.

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Ajax midfielder Riechedly Bazoer was baffled by the racism he was subjected to during his side s 1-0 Eredivisie win over ADO Den Haag last week, but never considered walking off the pitch as he did not realise that was an option.

A group of ADO fans racially abused the Netherlands international throughout the game and the 19-year-old finds it astonishing racism is still an issue in Netherlands in 2016.

I don t understand that there s still racism in football stadiums in 2016, Bazoer told the Ajax website. I am disappointed that the insulting chants and monkey noises continued throughout the game.

But it s in the past now. I have received a lot of support from my mother and brother. That gives me strength. I just want to play football. I am a down-to-earth guy …

Owner Rich Ricci caused a great deal of controversy when he decided to pull out Vautour, the second favourite for Friday’s Gold Cup, out of the race and instead enlist him to run in the Ryanair Chase on Day Three of the 2016 Cheltenham Festival.

This means that Vautour is now short priced favourite to win the Ryanair Chase in spite of his under-par showings of late and with that in mind you should know that new Betfair customers are quoted 12/1 enhanced price on Willie Mullins trained horse.

If you want to get in on the action, make sure to , entering promo code ZHRC47. Then place a bet on Vautour to win the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham in the New Customer market. If your wager wins, you will be paid at 12/1 odds and also get a chance to earn up to €100 in free bets.…

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has probably played his last game at Arsenal because the club never learnt how to forgive , according to former Gunners striker Emmanuel Adebayor. 

Aubameyang was stripped of the Arsenal captaincy in December for a disciplinary breach, which reportedly related to him returning late from a trip abroad. 

It was by no means Aubameyang s first indiscretion, having also last year been reminded of his responsibilities after it was claimed he broke COVID-19 guidelines to get a tattoo. 

The punishment did not stop at having the armband taken off him, though, with Mikel Arteta excluding Aubameyang from the squad for the rest of the month. 

His exclusion led to Gabon asking for him to be released early for Africa Cup of Nations duty…

Thomas Muller wants more support from his Germany team-mates as he bids to ensure Thursday s clash with Costa Rica is not his final World Cup game.

Germany must beat Costa Rica at Al Bayt, and rely on Japan failing to beat Spain, if they are to qualify from Group E.

History is on Germany s side – they have won six of their eight World Cup matches against CONCACAF nations, while Costa Rica have won just one of their last 11 such games against European sides.

But, should Germany fail to get the win they need to stay in the competition, 33-year-old Muller might well have played at a World Cup for the last time.

The Bayern Munich forward is putting that concern to one side, for now, however.

I had that thought briefly after the [defeat to] Japan, s…

Northern Ireland defender Jonny Evans has signed a short-term deal with Manchester United and will be in the squad for their upcoming pre-season fixtures.

Evans, 35, came through the ranks at United after joining as a youngster, and had been training with the club in recent days while considering his options after leaving relegated Leicester.

Speculation had linked the veteran centre-half with Everton, but Evans has now signed a deal which will allow him to take part in United’s pre-season friendly against Lyon in Edinburgh on Wednesday before heading to San Diego with United’s academy while the first-team squad are in New York.

Erik has named a 24-man travelling squad for tomorrow s clash with Lyon, including Jonny Evans, who has signed a short-term deal.

Sporting passion is fuelling blind footballer Azeem Amir’s ambitions on and off the pitch.

As an England international, the 24-year-old is preparing for the International Blind Sports Federation World Games in Birmingham in August and hopes to be lining up at the Paralympics in Paris next year.

Away from the training and match action, Rochdale-based Amir is putting his talents to further good use by running his own disability awareness programme.

Launched two years ago, Learn With ESS (Education, Sport and Speaking) provides interactive sessions for schools, colleges, businesses and sports clubs to help people gain a better understanding of disability in a fun and engaging way.

Amir fronts workshops, delivering inspirational talks and organising games, …

British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe has submitted a bid to buy Manchester United through his chemicals company INEOS, according to reports.

Ratcliffe, a lifelong United fan, will be up against Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad bin Al Thani.

Qatar Islamic Bank chairman Al Thani, who is the son of a former Qatari prime minister, earlier confirmed he tabled an offer that will not carry any debt and vowed to reinvest all profits during his stewardship back into the club or community.

Al Thani s offer was made public roughly two hours before an apparent soft deadline of 22:00 GMT on Friday, though the exact figure on the table was not revealed.

Ratcliffe had previously been the first to formally lodge an interest last month after the incumbent owners – the…

(GSM) England manager Fabio Capello says he is set to remain as England manager until his contract expires. Capello said the only other possibility of him leaving is getting sacked by the FA.

Capello s current deal runs until 2012, but it contains a release clause if he wishes to leave the post. Although it is rumored that many clubs are interested in luring Capello back into club management, the Italian manager maintains his intention to honor the contract he signed upon his arrival.

I have a contract with the FA and it will finish when they decide to sack me, he reflected.

I love this club and love this country but I don t think about my future. My future is the World Cup.

Managing a national team has been a new experience for me, said Capello.

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