Baseball in Britain got a boost from the national team's performance at the World Baseball Classic

VIDEO: LeBron James blew a dunk during the Western Conference Finals.

Gareth Southgate warned Harry Maguire he may have to leave Manchester United to keep his England place, as he said the centre-half’s continued sidelining under Erik ten Hag is “not a situation that can continue forever”. The England manager also said that it would be difficult for Jordan Pickford to remain his first-choice goalkeeper ahead of Euro 2024 if Everton were relegated from the Premier League, due to the different level of football in the Championship. Maguire has posed Southgate with his first real difficulty in this regard, however, as he has been a key centre-half in an area short of top-level talent. His reduced minutes at United this season have given his international boss more to ponder, as he also pointed to how Kalvin Phillips has not played as much at Manchester City. “Inevitably it’s not a situation that can continue for ever,” Southgate said as he announced his squad for next month’s Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia. “It’s like Kalvin Phillips, they are important players for us and with Kalvin we haven’t got many players who can play as that single pivot. “Of course the longer that situation goes on the more concerning it is and we’ve got in Marc Guehi, Lewis Dunk, Tyrone Mings, players who are playing well without the same experiences of club European football or international football. But we’ve got to keep searching for competition in that area of the pitch.” As regards Pickford, Southgate was a bit more open – but pointed to the differences in speed at the lower level of football if Everton were to go down and the goalkeeper remained at Goodison Park. “That would depend on how well he was playing,” Southgate said. “It wouldn’t be ideal because clearly the level of attacks, finishing, speed of the game would be completely different so I think it would be difficult but let’s see what Sunday brings.” Southgate meanwhile spoke in detail about Raheem Sterling‘s omission from the squad, after the England manager had a conversation with the winger about this summer’s matches. Sterling has endured a difficult first year since joining Chelsea from Manchester City and will instead focus on recuperating his body in preparation for next season. “I found him positive, strong, understanding what’s gone on,” Southgate said. “Difficult for everybody with all the changes this year at the club. Three different managers, three different ways of training, three different ways of playing, so a lot of upheaval. Clubs have these moments. “If I was looking at him I would always back him to respond strongly and to have the resilience and tenacity to prove himself. He said himself earlier in the week he has not been happy with how it has been. That would be a temporary thing for sure.” Southgate also acknowledged that Trent Alexander-Arnold could again play in midfield for England, after Jurgen Klopp similarly experimented with the role this season. “All things are possible,” Southgate said. “I don’t think we should rule anything out. I think his ability with the ball we are all aware of, so the opportunity to get him into those areas. “There’s a still a lot to learn in terms of receiving it more under pressure. A lot of the teams they have played so far, there has been time to receive, a couple of the more recent games he has been pressed a lot more and that has been different. Defending in midfield would be slightly different so there is a new aspect of the game to learn and that’s not going to be perfect to start. “But I think it is really interesting and he obviously has some attributes that are quite unique... there are different ranges of passing, I would say. He is one that will look forward early and will play passes in behind defences where others maybe don’t have that view first. You have [James] Maddison and players like that who are also talented passers of the ball. It’s interesting because he’s a different profile to what we might have.” Read More Eberechi Eze and Callum Wilson called up as England name squad for Euro 2024 qualifiers Gareth Southgate hopes racist abuse suffered by Vinicius Jr forces change Gareth Southgate critical of Ivan Toney ban: ‘We’ve got to look after people’ Gareth Southgate adamant Raheem Sterling has the mental toughness to bounce back England hit by striker shortage with No 9s set to dominate transfer market Gareth Southgate urges football to be ‘careful’ after Ivan Toney punishment

Defending champion South Dakota State remains at the top as the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs are set to get underway

Bernardo Silva has committed his future to Manchester City after he signed a new contract with the club until 2026. Silva has again been linked with a summer switch away from the Etihad Stadium, with Barcelona reportedly chasing his signature for a number of years. The Portugal international has ended speculation over his future for now by signing a new deal after his previous terms were due to expire in 2025. “I’ve had six incredible years at Manchester City and I’m delighted to extend my time here,” Silva said. “I am going into my seventh season at City. Since I arrived, I can only remember one season where we weren’t successful, so to be here until now meant trophies, meant winning a lot and I like to win. It is good to win. “It is not easy to be a winning team. It is a very good feeling and I wanted to keep it that way. We heard that four in a row was never done in the Premier League before, so we want to try that. Bernardo Silva “It has been a dream in terms of what we have achieved, the prospects of what we can still do. In six years, we have won five Premier Leagues, one Champions League and all of the cups. I couldn’t have it much better to be honest. “What we achieved last season is something unique and we are going to try and grab that opportunity again this season. “We heard that four in a row was never done in the Premier League before, so we want to try that because it is so tough.”

Wales manager Rob Page has told top-flight clubs to make a move for “Premier League player” Daniel James. The Wales winger’s club career remains uncertain following Leeds’ relegation to the Sky Bet Championship. James spent last season on loan with Fulham but has now returned to managerless Leeds and the second tier, where he shone at Swansea to earn a 2019 move to Manchester United. Page said: “I do think DJ is a Premier League player and he could easily play there again. “If I’m a Premier League manager and I find out he’s available, personally I’d take him. “I’m bound to say that because I’m his Welsh manager, but for me he always poses a threat. “He still has things to work on but with the pace he’s got it is a brave team that plays a high line against him.” James cost Leeds £25million in joining from Manchester United in August 2021. The 25-year-old struggled for game-time at Fulham, making only five Premier League starts among 23 appearances in all competitions and scoring three goals. James has often reserved his best performances for a Wales shirt and started 34 consecutive competitive games before being benched for the World Cup defeat to Iran in November. “He has taken one for the team in recent months because I’ve asked him to play a different role,” Page said ahead of forthcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers against Armenia and Turkey. “He likes playing wide left and the way we play now suits us because he gives us the width on the left. “He’s that option in behind and when you’ve got a tool like that in your armoury it really is effective. “In the Premier League, and at international level, he poses a threat. It was a frustrating few months for him when I played him at centre-forward with Gareth (Bale). “Now we’ve changed and he is back out in his natural position.” Wales return to action at home to Armenia on Friday and against Turkey in Samsun three days later having taken four points from their opening two games in March. Page, who has taken his squad to Portugal to prepare for the Euro 2024 double-header, says he has felt the benefits of speaking to Warren Gatland, head coach of the Wales rugby team and former British and Irish Lions boss. I do think DJ is a Premier League player and he could easily play there again. If I'm a Premier League manager and I find out he's available, personally I'd take him Rob Page on Daniel James “I had a great chat with him over dinner and wanted to pick his brains,” Page said of his meeting with Gatland at the Football Association of Wales’ National Coaches Conference in Newport. “It’s not every day you get the chance to share dinner with a man of his stature. “We talked about how we deal with players, groups of men, and it was really interesting. “He spoke about how he deals with individuals. It was refreshing to learn it’s how I’ve dealt with individuals in the past. “We are from a similar era and share similar culture and values. When you are dealing with a player, you do it to their face.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live A look at Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City trophy haul after treble triumph How do Manchester City’s treble-winners compare to Manchester United in 1998-99? The key games that brought Manchester City a treble

Manchester United have announced they have re-signed academy graduate Jonny Evans on a short-term deal following his release by Leicester City.

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