LiveScore Daily: Today’s football news in bite-sized chunks

LiveScore Daily is here to deliver all the big talking points from the world of football throughout the day. Keep refreshing this page for the latest stories in bite-sized chunks.

Dean doubt

Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper admits Dean Henderson may not play again this season. 

Henderson, on loan from Manchester United, has been out since January with a muscular problem. 

He was due to return to training last week but a "small setback" hampered his progress. 

And with just seven games to go in Forest's battle for Premier League survival, Cooper is not sure the keeper will recover in time to feature. 

Ahead of tomorrow's trip to Liverpool, he said: "Dean's not back in training. He's not really any closer.

"He's still in the medical room, unfortunately, so we'll see where that takes us in the next week or so. 

"I hope he will play again this season but I don't know. It's just been ongoing. There has been a small setback.

"The other thing with Dean is he's a Man United player and you have to work in conjunction with them. 

"They have been absolutely great and the communication has been really good. There has been a lot of joined-up thinking, because you have to do that. 

"He's frustrated, as you can imagine. Let's see when he's ready to come back."

Marching on together

Javi Gracia has told his Leeds stars it is time for action and not words as the club's Premier League status hangs in the balance. 

The Yorkshire outfit have faced fierce criticism after conceding 11 goals in damaging back-to-back home defeats to Crystal Palace and Liverpool.

Pundits and fans have questioned the players' desire, with it also being suggested Gracia lacks leaders in his side. 

The Spaniard, 52, said: "I think it's time to do, not to speak. We have to show what we're able to do.

"In my opinion, there are different leaders, there are different ways to be a leader. 

"Some of them speaking more, some of them doing and learning from examples every day. 

"Maybe we don't have players that show that character outside. But inside, I can tell you we have a good atmosphere. 

"All of them respect each other, help each other, and I'm happy with the atmosphere."

Leeds head to Fulham tomorrow two points clear of the drop zone. 

Red-hot Ollie

Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins is loving life under Unai Emery and is determined to keep his scoring run going tomorrow against former club Brentford.

The England striker, 27, netted twice in last weekend's 3-0 victory over Newcastle to make it 11 goals in his last 12 appearances. 

It was Villa's fifth successive win and lifted them to sixth in the Premier League, continuing the upward trajectory they have enjoyed since Emery took over as boss last October. 

Speaking to the club's official website, Watkins said: "I'm loving it, there's no denying it — all the boys are. 

"Since the manager has come in, we couldn't have made a better start. I'm really enjoying it, working hard and trying to keep the momentum going. 

"I'm trying to keep doing what I'm doing — scoring goals, assisting and helping the team to win and keep clean sheets. 

"It's going really well. It's probably the best moment since I've been at the club. 

"We've got seven games to go and I'm trying to score a lot more goals."

Moving on

Acting head coach Cristian Stellini insists Fabio Paratici's departure will not affect Tottenham's preparations for Sunday's trip to Newcastle. 

Paratici resigned from his role as the club's managing director of football earlier today after his appeal against a 30-month ban was rejected yesterday. 

The Italian had already temporarily stepped away from his duties at Spurs on March 31 when FIFA extended his ban globally. 

Stellini said: "This has not affected preparations because Fabio was far from here for a couple of weeks, so nothing changes in this situation. 

"But humanly we're very close to Fabio, all of us. It was a tough period for him and now the final result is very sad for everyone, for him and his family. 

"Humanly we're very close to him. The club made a statement and this is all that I can say. 

"It's a tough moment so I want to be close humanly with him. All my heart is with him."

No thanks

FIFA have been warned there is "no room" in the calendar for the new Club World Cup. 

The 32-team tournament, set to feature 12 European sides — including the last two Champions League winners Chelsea and Real Madrid — was first announced by FIFA president Gianni Infantino last December. 

The concept has since gained the support of Europe's top clubs via the European Club Association but the World Leagues Forum claim they have not been consulted on the matter. 

Claus Thomsen, a director of the European Leagues body representing 40 competitions across the continent — including the Premier League and Football League — has urged FIFA to reconsider. 

He said: "The world does not need more club competitions in the international match calendar. 

"It is detrimental because there is no room. It's not good for the players. 

"If you need to pay for a new tournament, it takes money away from another.

"What I think FIFA should seriously consider is how to invest in the development outside Europe. I think that would be fantastic. 

"We need to make everything sustainable. We do not need endless growth. We need sustainability and to protect the culture and the communities around football."