James McClean's homecoming story looks to have taken a sour turn after his club informed the 37-year-old that they intended to rip up his contract.
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Sports Mole rounds up all of the latest transfer news and rumours today, as West Ham face intense competition from Ajax and Real Betis as they launch a £15m bid for Eredivisie star, and Nick Pope opts to battle for his spot at St James' Park.
Who will win the Carabao Cup this season? (Photo: Getty) Chelsea and Tottenham have both been drawn at home in the second round of the Carabao Cup, with their campaigns getting underway this month. The Carabao Cup kicked-off proper last weekend, with clubs up and down the EFL battling it out, all dreaming of reaching the final at Wembley in March. The second round of the competition is when things heat up as the 11 Premier League teams who did not qualify for Europe enter the draw. That means that, rather unusually, two of England’s biggest clubs, Chelsea and Tottenham are in the hat and will have to play an extra round compared to their typical rivals. Get the latest transfer news every morning Sign up to our daily football newsletter for personalised updates on who your team is trying to sign and who won't be around next season. By virtue of qualifying for the Champions League, holders Manchester City and last season’s finalists Arsenal will enter the cup in round three, as will Manchester United, Aston Villa and Liverpool. The same applies for Crystal Palace, Bournemouth, Sunderland and Brighton, who are competing in the Europa League and Conference League this season. Carabao Cup round two draw Man City beat Arsenal in last season’s Carabao Cup final (Photo: Getty) Northern section draw Stoke City v Hull CityNewcastle v West Bromwich AlbionBlackburn v Sheffield UnitedNottingham Forest v LeedsDoncaster Rovers v MiddlesbroughBarnsley v CrewePreston v EvertonBlackpool v LincolnSheffield Wednesday v WolvesBradford v BurnleyFleetwood v Shrewsbury Xabi Alonso will get an early taste of Carabao as Chelsea boss (Picture: Getty Images) Southern section draw Walsall v Leyton OrientIpswich v LeicesterCardiff v NorwichStevenage v ReadingCambridge v MillwallBirmingham v BrentfordSouthampton v West HamWatford v PeterboroughFulham v AFC WimbledonPlymouth/Exeter v CoventryChelsea v LutonTottenham Hotspur v Charlton When is the Carabao Cup second round? All second round matches are due to be played during the week commencing Monday, August 24. The nine Premier League clubs in European competition join in round three, with those fixtures beginning in the week commencing September 7. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source
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