LiveScore Daily: The latest 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.
Bale makes MLS bow
Gareth Bale insists he has not joined Los Angeles FC to "wind down" after making his debut for the MLS outfit.
Bale, who turned 33 two days ago, opted to move Stateside after his Real Madrid contract expired at the end of last season.
The five-time Champions League-winning forward came on in the 72nd minute of his new club’s 2-1 victory at Nashville SC and impressed with some neat touches.
Bale said: "I haven't come here just to wind down. I want to try and contribute as much as I can to this team, try to win games and trophies and just do as much as I can.
"I'm excited to get my debut out of the way and hopefully I can just keep building my fitness and helping the team."
He will hope to be at full strength by the time Wales’ World Cup campaign kicks off against USA on November 21 — the Dragons' first finals appearance since 1958.
Zlatan extends Milan stay
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has signed another one-year extension with Serie A champions AC Milan.
The veteran Swede, who turns 41 in October, is facing several months on the sidelines having undergone a procedure on his left knee in May.
However, the Rossoneri confirmed that Ibrahimovic would be staying put despite those troubles.
A club statement read: "AC Milan is pleased to announce the renewal of Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s contract until June 30, 2023. The Swedish forward will continue to wear the No11 shirt."
Vieira bemoans Eagles absentees
Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira says having nine of his senior players absent from their pre-season tour is proving problematic.
Wilfried Zaha, Marc Guehi, Eberechi Eze and Christian Benteke are among those who have not been able to join the Eagles’ stint in Singapore and Australia.
The 46-year-old has refused to expand on individual reasons with coronavirus vaccination status and fitness concerns thought to be among the issues.
Vieira explained: "It is not the ideal situation for a manager to have so many players behind. We are not going to talk about the private situation of players and whether they are vaccinated or not.
"It is difficult. It hasn't allowed us to play games together and work on a tactical basis together. It will take a couple of games before the team starts to gel."
A youthful Palace side will take on Manchester United at Melbourne Cricket Ground tomorrow morning.
Heading ban trialled
The Football Association will trial a ban on heading in matches at Under-12s level this coming season.
It comes after research last year suggested professional footballers are significantly more likely to die from brain disease than other people.
Once results have been assessed, the move could be replicated across the full youth football spectrum.
An FA statement explained: "Should the trial be a success, the aim is to then remove deliberate heading from all football matches at U-12 level and below from the 2023-24 season."
The trial process will be ran alongside the county FA network, leagues, clubs and schools throughout England.
Bolton feel the heat
Bolton players will be made to train "fully and intensely" this afternoon despite soaring UK temperatures after a disappointing pre-season friendly performance.
The Trotters were beaten 3-1 at League Two outfit Carlisle on Saturday and their boss Ian Evatt says that disappointing showing means his squad will need sun cream and water bottles at the ready.
Evatt told local reporters: "We won’t tailor anything because of the heat. They lost that right [on Saturday].
"So they will be training properly, they will be training fully and they will be training intensely.
"We are professionals. We are here to work, we are here to train hard and we will be working a normal working week."