Eberechi Eze believes his injury nightmare two years ago gave him the platform for England recognition. The Crystal Palace midfielder is eyeing a senior debut after being included in Gareth Southgate’s squad for the Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia. The call came after Eze was named in England’s provisional Euro 2020 squad in May 2021 – only for a serious Achilles injury on the same day to wreck his dreams. His has fought back and insists his six months on the sidelines only gave him strength and confidence in his ability. Eze said: “I know without setbacks and difficult moments it’s hard to grow and be the person I am today. I look back at those memories fondly because I know it has helped shape who I am. “It’s hard to put into words. I look at things a bit differently. I saw it (the potential call) as I was on the right trajectory, even though I was injured, this was the level I could get to. It gave me the motivation to keep going. “I got a message which gave me an inkling I was going to be called up but being injured that was the end of it for a little while. It’s been a journey getting back to the standard and putting in the performances but it’s been a good one.” Eze scored 10 goals for Palace in the 2022-23 season – six after Roy Hodgson returned to replace Patrick Vieira in March to steer the Eagles to 11th in the Premier League. Hodgson initially signed the 24-year-old from QPR in 2020 and Eze credits him and his assistant Ray Lewington as big influences in his fight to return to the top. “He has got insane wisdom, it’s good to talk to him and hear what he has to say,” he added. “From the first day I met them they have been improving me as a person and a player. It has opened my eyes to more. I have grown so much because of them. “I am very grateful to Roy and Ray for all they did helping me to regain form, they helped me massively with performances and my mental state. In terms of them staying on (at Palace), it’s not my decision.” England travel to Malta for Friday’s Group C qualifier before hosting North Macedonia in Manchester on Monday. Eze, who chose England over Nigeria and has eight Under-21 caps, has the chance of featuring but is not taking anything for granted. “My main focus is training well, doing what I can do, being the best version of myself. All I can do is what I can do, that decision is for Gareth to make,” he said. “Naturally there is always something else you want, when you achieve them it’s on to the next thing (a debut), I am grateful to be in this position. I know I have worked hard but no-one is doing me any favours.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Rory McIlroy skips US Open media duty with PIF merger still in headlines Tottenham fan receives three-year ban for mocking Hillsborough disaster York hope to avenge memory of recent loss during Challenge Cup clash with Leigh

The Baltimore Orioles will be busy upgrading the pitching staff this winter, and it headlines their offseason wish list.

The Utah Jazz have three first-round picks in the 2023 NBA Draft. Which prospect combinations would accentuate their young core the best?The Utah Jazz's 2022-23 season was a tail of two halves. For a couple months, Utah felt like a real playoff contender with a powerful, dynamic offense led...

The Atlanta Braves are looking to avoid a sweep against the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday in Toronto.The Braves have dropped three straight games, but they are still in first place in the AL East this season. Collin McHugh (1-0, 3.38 ERA) will get the start as an opener for the Braves on Mother&rs...

Listed as a heavy favorite at +650 odds, a $5 bet on Rory McIlroy to win The Open Championship would typically profit you just $35.If you sign up with FanDuel Sportsbook and bet $5 or more on McIlroy to win the British Open, you’ll win $100 in bonus bets – even if he doesn&#...

Quarterback Brett Gabbert believes his Miami, the Miami of Ohio, is the one and only Miami. It's a very egocentric mentality, that's for sure.

A.J. Brown has been on an absolute tear for the 7-1 Philadelphia Eagles this season. Let's re-grade the trade that landed him next to Jalen Hurts.

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Pep Guardiola admits he does not know if Kevin De Bruyne and Jack Grealish will be fit for next weekend’s FA Cup final. Manchester City’s attacking duo, and defender Ruben Dias, missed the1-0 final-day defeat at Brentford through injury. The champions, who face Manchester United at Wembley on Saturday as they bid to complete the second leg of an historic Treble, were consigned to defeat by Ethan Pinnock’s late goal. With De Bruyne and Grealish missing completely and Erling Haaland left on the bench, it was a scratch City side and those established stars who did play, like Phil Foden and Riyad Mahrez, had little impact. But Guardiola said: “Congratulations to Brentford for the victory. It’s difficult to faze them, how quick they play, how aggressive they are in all departments. “I’m pretty sure we would have behaved a little bit different if we needed the points. “I don’t have any complaints of how we behaved, I said to the players just now ‘you won the title, enjoy two days with your families and then we will prepare for the first final’. “The guys who didn’t play who normally play were exhausted yesterday, mentally completely drained. They needed to rest to arrive with the right energy to face United.” When asked if the players who missed out would be fit for Wembley, Guardiola said: “I don’t know right now. Hopefully. “Ruben, Jack and Kevin couldn’t play. It is what it is. I think they will be ready but it’s hard to get ready in training. That’s why I had to see the players who played today.” Pinnock’s 85th-minute strike made Brentford the only team to do the double over City this season, and only the fifth since Guardiola took over in 2016. The Spaniard added: “They are the best team by far at set-pieces, they are exceptional. What Thomas Frank has done for years is amazing and the unity of his squad is there for all to see. “Hopefully we can do better and beat them like we did last season, so we have a target for next season already.” The Bees still needed a double save from goalkeeper David Raya to deny Cole Palmer at the death to end another impressive season on a high. They had a slim chance to qualify for the Europa Conference League, and although victories for Tottenham and Aston Villa ultimately scuppered that dream, they finished a creditable ninth. “Of course beating them twice means something, it means even more for the fans, they like that narrative and hopefully City win the Treble,” said Frank. “Ending ninth in the Premier League, getting 59 points – and maybe deserve to have even more – it’s incredible the journey we have been on. “What advice would I give United and Inter Milan? Well, I think we top performed in those two games. “They are the best offensive team in then world so you need to defend very well and we did, and we were very brave throughout the game. I loved that from my players.”

What the papers say Real Madrid have reportedly been given an opportunity to sign Tottenham striker Harry Kane. The Daily Mail, citing Spanish radio station Cadena Ser, says the Spanish giants have been offered the chance to pick up the 29-year-old in a player-plus-cash deal. Kane’s contract at Tottenham expires next summer and any transfer would give Spurs the chance to cash in before risking him leaving as a free agent. Staying with Tottenham, The Sun reports the club’s search for a new manager has taken a blow, with Paris St Germain linked with a move for top target Luis Enrique. Citing Marca, the paper says the French powerhouses are likely to sack boss Christophe Galtier and enter the race for the former Spain coach. Meanwhile, the Daily Mirror says 24-year-old France defender Jules Kounde is set to snub a rumoured approach from Chelsea to stay at Barcelona. Social media round-up Players to watch Samuel Umtiti: The Daily Mirror says the Barcelona and France defender, on loan at Italian side Lecce, is eager to find a permanent deal in Italy. Keylor Navas: Chelsea and Tottenham are among the clubs keeping tabs on the Nottingham Forest goalkeeper, according to Foot Mercato. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has called critics of Jordan Henderson's move to Saudi Arabia "morality officers" after the former Liverpool captain apologised...

Portugal is cruising toward qualification as it takes on a Luxembourg team which has surprised many in the soccer world by becoming a contender to reach its first-ever European Championship next year