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Maddison's return

James Maddison is expected to return for Leicester's Boxing Day clash with Newcastle having recovered from a hamstring issue.

Maddison, 26, travelled with the England squad for the World Cup in Qatar but missed the opening matches due to the injury and could only make the bench for the latter stages.

The Foxes ran away 3-0 winners as domestic football returned last night — beating MK Dons comfortably in the Carabao Cup.

Maddison was missing but assistant manager Chris Davies has confirmed that he is no longer struggling with the problem.

He said: "We just need to get him up to speed really, he’ll be training this week, he was training with England, he didn’t train initially when he first went but then he did.

"He is fine, he will be training with us this week and he’s fine.

"James came back a little bit later than the other guys that played tonight from the World Cup, so he was not up to speed to play, just as the other guys wouldn’t if they came back later."

Pep praises Alvarez

Pep Guardiola has congratulated Julian Alvarez on his World Cup success with Argentina.

Alvarez, 22, scored four times in seven appearances for the champions and the Spanish coach was quick to speak on how impressed he was.

He said: "We’re delighted for Julian, he played a lot, his contribution was amazing for the team.

"We have a world champion in our team. We are incredibly happy for him. Congratulations to him and Otamendi, and personally to Messi. To Argentina, well deserved."

Manchester City had 16 players absent in Qatar and all are in different stages of returning ahead of the Premier League's resumption on Boxing Day.

Guardiola said: "Step by step people come back and we are happy they are back.

"We will see [how they are] but I have the feeling that the players who were at the World Cup are in better condition than players who weren’t."

FA announces surge in female sign-ups

The Football Association have announced that they have seen a 12.5% rise in the number of females to have registered with them since the Euro 2022 triumph.

The Lionesses made history in July by beating Germany to become European champions at Wembley.

Using a participation tracker, the FA have calculated that the success is helping to create a lasting legacy, with the women's game having grown substantially over the last year.

According to the data, interest in women’s football is up 12% among girls aged five to 16 in England, while during the past six months female affiliated clubs have grown by five% and there has been a nine% increase in female registered football teams.

Baroness Sue Campbell, the FA’s director of women’s football, said: "When the Lionesses lifted the Euro trophy, they not only made history and created an outpouring of joy that I’ve never seen before, but they also created an opportunity to transform the future of the game."

"What we’ve seen in 2022 is more women and girls stepping forward to play, coach, referee, volunteer, more fans filling our stadiums and new commercial partners all wanting to be part of this great movement for change.

"There’s no doubt there is more work to be done however we can reflect on this year with a huge amount of pride."

Broja undergoes surgery

Chelsea forward Armando Broja has confirmed that he has successfully undergone surgery following an injury he picked up during the winter break.

Broja, 21, was taken off on a stretcher after clashing with Ezri Konsa in a friendly against Aston Villa.

His post on Instagram read: "Pleased to say I underwent a successful operation this morning.

"Time to rest up before starting my road to recovery.

"Thank you once again to everyone who has sent messages of support."

Chelsea appoint Vivell

Premier League giants Chelsea have announced that Christopher Vivell is their new technical director. 

Vivell was previously employed by RB Leipzig and was in charge of recruitment and scouting across all age groups.

He also spent five years at RB Salzburg in Austria as head of scouting and recruitment.

Following his appointment, he said: "Chelsea are building the most exciting project in global football and I’m extremely proud to be joining the club.

"There is so much potential for the club to continue to succeed, develop and grow.

"Under the new ownership, Graham Potter and the broader sporting team, there is a clear and sustainable philosophy underpinned by performance analysis, data and innovation, and I am looking forward to playing a part in that."

Todd Boehly also expressed his delight at bringing Vivell on board, saying: "We are delighted that Christopher is taking up this important leadership role at the club.

"His work in Germany and Austria speaks for itself. We are confident he will continue on his impressive trajectory here at Chelsea.

"He will provide important support to Graham and the ownership group and play a vital part in advancing our overall vision for the club."

Toon on top  

Newcastle midfielder Allan Saint-Maximin does not care who his side draw in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup after the Magpies edged past Bournemouth on Tuesday.

The Tynesiders have not collected silverware since 1955 but are pushing hard under Eddie Howe with belief growing among fans.

And Saint-Maximin has expressed no concern over his next opponents, saying: "We don’t care, we only look at us.

"We are going to do everything we can to play against anybody and we just need to focus on ourselves and go game by game.

"If we do that, we will win as many games as possible."

Bournemouth put up a strong fight at St James' Park but were ultimately undone by an Adam Smith own goal.

Many Geordies will be hopeful that Newcastle can win the competition, to which Saint-Maximin added: "For that, we always need luck, and we need to play very well."