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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.”
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.”