Newcastle United full-back Lewis Hall is considering his future at St James’ Park following his unexpected omission from the England World Cup squad.

The 21-year-old has been left deeply frustrated by a recent lack of game time under manager Eddie Howe.

Sources indicate the former Chelsea academy product feels he had performed well enough to secure a place on the plane to America this summer.

That disappointment was compounded when veteran team-mate Dan Burn was selected by national team boss Thomas Tuchel instead.

Growing frustration on Tyneside

The highly-rated defender views himself as one of the standout young English players in his position.

His impressive performances earlier in the campaign earned him a nomination for the Premier League Young Player of the Season award.

However, the technically gifted youngster has increasingly found himself watching from the sidelines during crucial recent fixtures.

Sunday’s final domestic game against Fulham could now carry added significance as uncertainty swirls around his long-term plans.

Manchester United monitor situation

The Magpies are not actively looking to sell a player they currently have under contract until 2029.

Any potential departure would require a significant fee, with the North East club reportedly valuing him at around £70m.

Manchester United have maintained a long-standing interest in the versatile defender.

While no formal approach has been made by the Old Trafford hierarchy, the current situation presents a potential summer transfer opportunity.

Summer of upheaval expected

If a move does materialise, the player remains determined to continue his career in the English top flight.

He has no desire to move abroad at this crucial stage of his development and would prefer to avoid a return to London.

His potential exit could form part of a broader summer rebuild for Newcastle.

The club is bracing for major squad changes, with key figures Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali also linked with lucrative moves away.

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker is set to remain at Anfield despite recent transfer interest from Juventus.

The Merseyside club recently triggered a 12-month extension in the Brazilian’s contract, securing his services until the summer of 2027.

Speculation had mounted regarding a potential return to Italy, with reports suggesting the Serie A giants were prepared to offer a lucrative long-term deal.

“All indications are that he will stay at Liverpool, he is very happy at the club,” a source close to the player told WinWin.

Slot prepares for major Anfield rebuild

Head coach Arne Slot is already preparing for a significant summer overhaul following a challenging domestic campaign.

Stalwarts Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson are confirmed to be leaving on free transfers, creating a critical need for defensive continuity.

Retaining an experienced leader will be vital for the Dutch manager as he navigates this sweeping transitional period in the Premier League.

Future succession plans already in motion

While the immediate future of their current number one appears secure, the Reds have already taken steps to address his eventual departure.

Georgian international Giorgi Mamardashvili was signed previously to acclimatise to English football before eventually taking over the starting role.

Keeping their world-class shot-stopper for another season prevents a rushed integration of new recruits and provides much-needed stability during a volatile window.

Bordeaux have defeated Leinster 41-19 at the San Mames Stadium in Bilbao to win the Investec Champions Cup, extending the Irish province’s agonising run of final heartbreak.

Leo Cullen’s side suffered their fifth final defeat since their last European triumph in 2018, falling once again to formidable French opposition.

A disastrous first half saw the four-time winners fall 35-7 behind as the Top 14 outfit ran riot in the sweltering Spanish heat.

The bitter result means Leinster’s elusive pursuit of a record-equalling fifth European star continues for another gruelling season.

Bielle-Biarrey and Lucu inspire French rout

France international Louis Bielle-Biarrey scored two thrilling tries to spearhead a relentless attack before the interval.

The electric winger was orchestrated brilliantly by scrum-half Maxime Lucu, who claimed the player of the match award following a masterclass in game management.

Tommy O’Brien had initially given the Irish outfit a promising start by touching down in the right corner following a sweeping forward move.

However, the French heavyweights responded swiftly as Lucu sniped through the middle and Pablo Uberti finished a clinical strike move off a scrum.

Leinster defensive frailties exposed

The Dublin-based province found themselves constantly on the ropes, starved of possession and absorbing relentless waves of attack.

Bielle-Biarrey then took centre stage, showcasing dazzling footwork to exploit numerical mismatches before capitalising on a Matthieu Jalibert kick.

A Yoram Moefana interception try in first-half overtime compounded the misery for the beleaguered Celtic League giants.

The one-sided dominance in Bilbao mirrored events from the previous evening, where Ulster were comprehensively beaten by Montpellier in the Challenge Cup final.

Second-half resurgence falls short

Play resumed with a temporary lifeline for the trailing side as Bordeaux captain Lucu received a 10-minute suspension for pulling Joe McCarthy’s hair.

The towering lock immediately punished the indiscretion by diving over from close range to offer a brief glimmer of hope.

Garry Ringrose also crossed the whitewash to add a third try, but the runaway leaders had already established an unassailable advantage.

Lucu returned to the field to slot two decisive second-half penalties, ruthlessly extinguishing any prospect of a miraculous late comeback.

Former Formula 1 driver Mika Salo has been hospitalised with a deep leg wound after suffering a suspected knife attack by a passing moped rider while on holiday in Thailand.

The Finnish ex-racer was crossing a pedestrian intersection in the Thai capital on Tuesday when he felt a sudden impact from a passing scooter.

Unaware of the severity of the strike, the 109-race motorsport veteran only realised he had been injured when a bystander pointed out his heavy bleeding.

“I looked down and saw that my shoe was completely covered in blood.”

Mika Salo

Deep gash requires hospital treatment

A local taxi driver rushed the Scandinavian to a nearby hospital after he discovered a severe gash on his calf.

Medical professionals treating the wound concluded that the clean, straight cut was highly likely to have been inflicted by a sharp blade.

Staff at the medical facility subsequently informed the former Ferrari stand-in that several other individuals had been admitted that evening with similar injuries.

The unidentified moped rider is believed to have embarked on a random stabbing rampage across the city.

Recovery and ruined holiday plans

Salo famously stepped up to drive for Ferrari during the 1999 season when he replaced Michael Schumacher following the German’s leg-breaking crash at Silverstone.

Now dealing with his own serious leg trauma, the 57-year-old has been placed on a strict course of antibiotics but currently requires no pain medication.

Medical advice dictates that the wound must remain completely dry to prevent infection in the heavily humid Asian climate.

“It’s a shame. You can’t swim or really do anything. You spend quite a lot of time in the hotel room.”

Mika Salo

Refusing to live in fear

Despite the distressing nature of the random assault, the racing veteran insists he will not let the incident ruin his perspective on the city.

He considers himself fortunate that the attacker only targeted his lower body rather than striking a more vulnerable area.

“If they had wanted to do more damage, of course they would have tried to hit someone’s upper body. Then maybe I wouldn’t say much here.”

Mika Salo

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has urged broadcaster TNT Sports to reverse its decision and make next Saturday’s Champions League final between Arsenal and Paris St-Germain free-to-air in the United Kingdom.

Every previous final since the European Cup was rebranded in 1992 has been available to watch free of charge for British viewers.

However, it was revealed last week that fans will need a paid subscription to view all three European club finals this season.

A break in broadcasting tradition

The prime minister has written directly to television executives to formally express his disappointment regarding the unprecedented paywall.

“I was saddened to see that, for the first time since the competition started 34 years ago, TNT Sports has decided that the fixture will not be free to watch for football supporters here in the UK.”

Starmer, a known supporter of the North London club, emphasised that the showpiece event holds immense cultural significance nationwide.

“The Champions League is the biggest club football competition in the world and rightly means a lot to fans in this country – the home of football.”
“I am a firm believer that the final of this competition should remain free to watch, whether Arsenal have made it or not.”

Prioritising the supporters

The government leader highlighted that the occasion transcends club loyalties and brings communities together across the nation.

“This is about supporters of all teams coming together in living rooms and pubs in every corner of the country to watch the most elite players in Europe battle it out.”
“Hard-working people should not have to worry about forking out for a subscription to watch a game of this magnitude.”

He also noted a broader push for fan accessibility, having already encouraged Fifa to ensure affordable ticketing at upcoming international tournaments.

Network defends subscription model

The rights holder required a paid subscription for viewers to watch Aston Villa secure the Europa League trophy last week.

The same restrictions will apply to Wednesday’s Conference League climax between Crystal Palace and Spanish side Rayo Vallecano.

In response to the political intervention, the broadcaster defended its pricing strategy and highlighted the recent success of English teams in Europe.

“Having three Premier League clubs reach the finals shows the strength of English football and something that we are proud to continue to support.”

The network stated that providing access to all three Uefa finals via a monthly streaming pass represents exceptional value for its audience.

British number one Emma Raducanu and 24-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic headline the opening day of the French Open in Paris this Sunday.

The main draw gets under way on the iconic clay courts of Roland Garros, featuring a host of top seeds and home favourites.

Raducanu is scheduled to play her first-round match on Court 12 against Argentina’s Solana Sierra at approximately 14:00 BST.

The 2021 US Open champion is hoping to make a strong start following a disrupted build-up during the recent clay-court swing.

Djokovic begins historic title defence

In the evening session, the defending men’s champion will step onto Court Philippe-Chatrier from 19:15 BST.

The Serbian great faces a tricky opening test against French hopeful Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in front of a heavily partisan crowd.

He is hunting for a fourth Roland Garros crown and a historic record-extending 25th major championship overall.

British interest and top seeds in action

Fellow Briton Fran Jones also features on the opening Sunday schedule, taking to Court 14 from midday.

The rising Yorkshire star faces a formidable challenge against Brazilian seed Beatriz Haddad Maia.

Elsewhere, fourth seed Alexander Zverev opens his tournament against home player Benjamin Bonzi on the main show court.

Selected Sunday Order of Play

Play officially begins at 10:00 BST on the outside courts and 11:00 BST on Philippe-Chatrier.

Olympic champion Masai Russell fell just 0.02 seconds short of the women’s 100m hurdles world record at the Xiamen Diamond League, clocking a staggering 12.14 seconds.

The American star dominated the race to finish ahead of current global record-holder Tobi Amusan.

Nigeria’s Amusan crossed the line 0.14 seconds behind the newly crowned Paris gold medallist.

Russell had already established herself as the second-fastest woman in history over this distance last year with a time of 12.17 seconds.

“I don’t know when the world record is going to come but I keep getting closer and closer,” Russell said.

“I’m blessed, I’m ecstatic and all the hard work is truly showing.”

Yan Ziyi produces historic javelin throw

Earlier in the Chinese city, 18-year-old Yan Ziyi stunned the home crowd by producing the second-longest women’s javelin effort in history.

The teenager launched her very first attempt to an incredible 71.74m to comfortably win the competition.

Her phenomenal distance also set a brand new under-20 world record.

Only Czech legend Barbora Spotakova has ever thrown further, having set the current world record of 72.28m back in 2008.

“I came to this event with the goal for 65m, so it really blew my mind to see that result,” the young prodigy admitted.

“A flash in the pan is not what I want, I don’t want this 71.74 to be just a one-time thing.”

Dos Santos outpaces Warholm in hurdles duel

The men’s 400m hurdles provided a thrilling track battle between two Paris Olympic medallists.

Brazilian bronze medallist Alison dos Santos surged past Norwegian silver medallist Karsten Warholm in the closing stages.

The South American crossed the finish line in a rapid 46.72 seconds to claim a prestigious victory.

In the men’s 100m sprint, Kenya’s Ferdinand Omanyala accelerated aggressively at the halfway mark to win in 9.94 seconds.

He successfully held off a late surge from South African rival Gift Leotlela.

Jackson cruises as Yihune battles to 5000m win

Jamaican sprint queen Shericka Jackson secured her second consecutive weekly victory in the women’s 200m.

Great Britain’s Amy Hunt endured a difficult race, finishing seventh in the nine-woman field.

American Jamal Britt was victorious in the men’s 110m hurdles as compatriot Cordell Tinch faded to fifth.

The men’s 5000m concluded with dramatic scenes as Ethiopia’s Addisu Yihune secured a gritty victory in 12 minutes 57.32 seconds.

The distance runner launched a decisive attack on the final bend before collapsing to the track clutching his knee.

Latvia have handed the United States their third defeat of the Ice Hockey World Championship with a stunning 4-2 victory in Zurich.

Sandis Vilmanis was the hero for the Baltic nation, scoring two empty-net goals in the final stages to seal a memorable upset.

Deniss Smirnovs had earlier broken a 1-1 deadlock early in the third period to set up a frantic climax at the Swiss Arena.

Late drama seals American fate

Desperate for an equaliser, the Americans withdrew goaltender Devin Cooley for an extra attacker in the dying minutes.

Vilmanis capitalised on the empty net with 62 seconds remaining, extending the Latvian advantage to 3-1.

The reigning champions immediately struck back through Mathieu Olivier, who fired home from the slot after being set up by Matthew Tkachuk.

However, any hopes of a miraculous comeback were extinguished just nine seconds later as Vilmanis found the unguarded net for a second time.

Defending champions face uphill battle

Haralds Egle had initially opened the scoring for the underdogs midway through the first period, converting on only their second shot of the contest.

Tkachuk, making just his second tournament appearance after arriving late on Tuesday, levelled the tie with a second-period power-play goal.

The unexpected loss leaves the two-time Stanley Cup winner and his compatriots languishing in fifth place in Group A, sitting one point behind their weekend conquerors.

The United States must now regroup for crucial remaining group stage fixtures against Hungary and Austria to keep their knockout stage hopes alive.

Denmark secure first victory

Elsewhere in Group B action in Fribourg, Denmark recorded their first win of the campaign by shutting out Slovenia 4-0.

The weekend schedule concludes with host nation Switzerland facing Hungary, while Germany take on Austria in Group A.