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GRANIT XHAKA RULED OUT OF ARSENAL CLASH DESPITE POSITIVE TREADMILL PROGRESS

Granit Xhaka is officially out of Sunderland's trip to Arsenal. Régis Le Bris shares the latest on the captain's ankle recovery.

Granit Xhaka Ruled Out Of Arsenal Clash Despite Positive Treadmill Progress
Régis Le Bris Confirms Xhaka Will Miss Trip To Former Club Arsenal

Sunderland head coach Regis Le Bris says Granit Xhaka’s recovery is going well, but he won’t be fit in time to face his old club Arsenal this weekend.

Xhaka’s been a standout since he came back to the Premier League with Sunderland last summer. He’s played a huge part in their strong season—the club’s first back in the top flight. But he hurt his ankle during Sunderland’s 2-1 win over Crystal Palace and has missed the last two matches against West Ham and Burnley.

No one’s put an exact date on Xhaka’s return, but Le Bris has already suggested his captain might be out for a while. According to The Sunderland Echo, Xhaka could be sidelined for several more weeks, which is a real blow for a team chasing European football.

Missing the Arsenal game stings a bit more for Xhaka personally, since it means he won’t get to play at the Emirates against his old side.

Reporters pressed Le Bris about Xhaka’s latest scan. He said, “Not yet, but he’s going well. He ran on the treadmill today, so that’s positive.”

When asked if there was any upside to Xhaka getting a break from the grind of Premier League football, Le Bris didn’t sugarcoat it: “It’s tough to answer because he’s a really good player. When our best players are on the pitch, things are just better for the team. But that’s football. Injuries and suspensions—they happen, especially at this level. You just have to deal with it. For the guys who step in, it’s a chance to show what they can do.”

Le Bris wants Xhaka back as soon as possible. “He’s still connected with the team. I hope he recovers quickly and comes back as his best self before the season ends.”

Sunderland managed to hold Arsenal to a 2-2 draw back in November at the Stadium of Light—a rare slip for the Gunners this season.

Looking back at that match, Le Bris said, “We learnt we have to show the best version of Sunderland and play with that underdog mentality. Arsenal are a top side—fantastic in the league, brilliant in Europe, and one of the best teams around right now. Playing them is tough, but it’s exciting. The bar is high, so we’ll give it everything.”

Asked whether he enjoys Sunderland’s underdog role, Le Bris didn’t hesitate: “Yeah, for sure. We’re newly promoted. If we keep this mindset and stay humble and stick to our principles, we give ourselves a chance. The level’s high, and mistakes get punished fast, but we can play with freedom. That’s shown in our performances so far.”

He also wants his players to keep showing the confidence and belief they’ve had all season. “Maybe it’s the energy of youth, maybe it’s the club’s identity. Early on, we talked about challenges. If you only expect to win against weaker teams, you miss your shot against the best. You have to believe it’s possible and have that confidence, especially in these big games. But at the same time, you know you’re facing a top squad, and you have to fight for every point.”

TOTTENHAM BOARD TO HOLD EMERGENCY IGOR TUDOR TALKS DURING INTERNATIONAL BREAK

Igor Tudor faces an uncertain future at Tottenham after a 3-0 loss to Forest leaves Spurs in 17th place.

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Igor Tudor’s Future Hinges On April 12 Result At The Stadium

After that brutal 3-0 home loss to Nottingham Forest, there’s quite a bit of chatter coming from Tottenham Hotspur insiders about Igor Tudor’s future. The confidence around his leadership is wavering, especially given how Forest’s Igor Jesus, Morgan Gibbs-White, and Taiwo Awoniyi all found the net.

Forest went ahead just before halftime thanks to Jesus, who got a free header from a corner delivered by Neco Williams. Then, in the second half, Gibbs-White, whom Spurs had tried and failed to sign last summer, added to the pressure. Callum Hudson-Odoi made a clever play down the wing before setting up Gibbs-White, who was unmarked inside the box, and with a relatively simple finish, put Forest further in front. Questions will definitely be raised about Spurs’ goalkeeper, Guglielmo Vicario, after that.

Williams wasn’t done either, providing the assist for Awoniyi late in the game. His cross was volleyed home after the striker fended off Kevin Danso. That goal sealed a tough night for Spurs, pushing Forrest two points clear of them. Spurs now sit precariously in 17th place just above the relegation zone. The only slightly bright spot is that West Ham, another team struggling near the bottom, was also beaten 2-0 by Aston Villa.

Our transfer correspondent Graeme Bailey has been hearing different takes from Spurs insiders on Tudor’s situation. One source hinted that the players seem unresponsive to his coaching, making it difficult to see him continuing for much longer. If the club believes the squad has lost faith, they won’t hesitate to make a change. Yet another contact suggested there’s no immediate plan to replace him, though discussions are expected during the upcoming international break.

Spurs’ next challenge is Sunderland on April 12, which could be a critical moment for Tudor’s tenure.

Meanwhile, on social media, a group calling themselves ‘five elite reporters’ with a significant following claimed that Spurs legend Harry Redknapp has offered to step in as temporary manager until the season ends. Redknapp has a history with Spurs, having taken charge in 2008 when the club was struggling at the bottom of the table. He turned things around impressively, even earning Premier League Manager of the Year in 2009-10. His strong connection with the fans could help steady the ship, though it’s worth noting he’s now 79 and hasn’t managed since 2017.

Another potential option might be Robbie Keane, who is younger and already building a coaching profile while enjoying support from the Spurs faithful. Mauricio Pochettino, Roberto De Zerbi, Oliver Glasner, and Marco Silva are also mentioned as candidates.

However, Spurs face two significant hurdles in appointing a new top-tier coach. First, no ambitious manager wants to jump into such a tough situation mid-season. Second, if Spurs were to be relegated to the Championship, the whole dynamic changes, forcing the club to look at an entirely different pool of potential managers. The coming weeks will be crucial for everyone involved.

HOW JAMES MADDISON’S INDIVIDUAL TRAINING SIGNALS A SHOCK SEASON RETURN

James Maddison returns to individual training as Igor Tudor prepares Tottenham for a vital relegation battle with Forest.

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James Maddison Returns To Training Ahead Of Critical Nottingham Forest Clash

Ahead of Tottenham’s match against Nottingham Forest, manager Igor Tudor gave an update on when James Maddison might return from injury. It’s a crucial moment for Spurs as they prepare to host Forest in what could be the defining 90 minutes of Tudor’s time at the club and quite possibly a key fixture that will shape the season for both teams.

Currently separated by just one point, Tottenham and Forest are locked in a battle against relegation. A win would push Spurs four points clear of the drop zone, while a loss might drag them into the bottom three. The stakes couldn’t be clearer.

Tudor’s side heads into this game with renewed energy, surprisingly positive given the mood just two weeks ago. The draw at Anfield broke a six-game losing streak, and their recent 3-2 victory over Atlético Madrid, though not enough to overturn the aggregate score, brought back a sense of belief. Young players like Xavi Simons and Archie Gray impressed, while Mathys Tel kept the opposition on their toes. The atmosphere at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was electric in a way fans haven’t felt for months. While the Champions League hopes are dashed, that performance has injected valuable momentum into Spurs’ survival fight.

There’s also some hopeful news on the injury front. Dominic Solanke, who missed the Atlético leg with a hip issue, might be available. His physical presence adds a different dimension to Tottenham’s attack, which Tudor will surely be glad to have.

But the most promising update came from Tudor’s comments about Maddison. The creative midfielder, sidelined since August after rupturing his ACL in a preseason friendly, has begun some individual training, spotted alongside Palhinha. Recoveries from ACL injuries are never straightforward, and the team won’t rush him back. With only seven league games left after Sunday, there’s a narrow window for his return. Still, even the possibility of Maddison getting back on the pitch—someone who can change a game with a moment of skill or a precise pass—offers a much-needed morale boost.

For now, though, the focus remains firmly on Forest.

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