Chris Mepham insists the Wales squad are “100 per cent” behind embattled manager Rob Page.

Wales’ terrible run of results has piled the pressure on Page just nine months after he signed a four-year contract as national team manager.

Page has taken Wales to two major tournaments – the delayed Euro 2020 finals and the 2022 World Cup – but a run of one win in 12 games has left serious question marks over whether he is the man to lead the country in the post Gareth Bale-era.

Many Wales fans on social media have made it clear they want managerial change now, but Bournemouth defender Mepham says Page has the full backing of the squad.

Asked if the players were fully behind Page after Monday’s 2-0 European Championship qualifying defeat in Turkey, Mepham replied: “100 per cent. He’s someone I really admire.

“He brought me into the Wales set-up in the first place and I’ll make sure I give everything I can for him.

“On the flip side, it is a results business, but we’ve also played a lot of tough teams – Belgium twice and Netherlands twice in this run – and we’re mixing it with the very best.

“We know we need to do better and we’re definitely be looking at ways to do that. We believe we can turn it around.”

Successive defeats to Armenia and Turkey have left Wales’ hopes of automatic qualification for Euro 2024 hanging by a thread.

Wales now trail Group D leaders Turkey by five points at the halfway stage of their campaign, while Armenia and group favourites Croatia are also above them with games in hand.

Mepham said: “I think it’s a free hit for us now. We’re five points behind Turkey and the onus on us now is to win games.

“In a weird way, the pressure is off a little bit because there is that gap.

“We’ve got to make sure in the next camp that we go full guns blazing and get a result to close that gap.”

Wales return to Euro 2024 qualifying action in Latvia on September 11 before hosting Croatia the following month.

They finishing with a November double-header away to Armenia and at home to Turkey.

Even if Wales do not finish in the top two, there is a strong chance they will contest the play-offs in the hope of qualifying for the finals in Germany next summer.

Page said Wales must improve their discipline after red cards for Kieffer Moore and Joe Morrell saw them reduced to 10 men against Armenia and Turkey.

But Mepham insists there is no overall disciplinary issue, saying: “The gaffer drives getting stuck in, putting your body on the line and getting into tackles.

“But we’re experienced professional footballers and we know what’s worth going into and what’s not.

“I think Kieffer’s red card the other day was harsh, but in big moments you can’t put the team at risk by losing a man.

“Certainly having 11 men makes the game a lot easier.”

England Under-21s’ Tommy Doyle admits Manchester City’s treble winners have given him inspiration for Euro glory.

The midfielder watched as his parent club won the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League while on loan at Sheffield United.

Doyle also won promotion with the Blades after finishing second in the Championship.

He is in Georgia ahead of England’s Group C opener with the Czech Republic in Batumi on Thursday and feels Pep Guardiola’s superstars have provided added motivation for him.

“It’s massive to see and gives you inspiration as well to go on to win and get yourself in that team as well to enjoy success,” said the 21-year-old.

“It was special. Of course you want to be there as well and be involved but you have to respect where you’re at at this moment.

“I was 110 per cent focused on Sheffield United and what I needed to do there but, as well as a player of City, I’m a fan as well so I was always watching. I had my fan hat on more because I was at a different club.

“It’s massive for the club. They deserved it, they were brilliant and when it got to the business end they stepped up another level.”

The Young Lions go into the tournament as one of the favourites in Georgia.

Cole Palmer won the treble with Manchester City this season, Ben Johnson helped West Ham win the Europa Conference League, Max Aarons has won the Championship twice and Morgan Gibbs-White, Angel Gomes and Emile Smith Rowe lifted the Under-17s World Cup in 2017.

Gareth Southgate believes the senior side have serial winners and Doyle feels the Young Lions, who also face Israel and Germany in the group stage, are the same.

He said: “Yeah, of course. It’s on a little bit of a different scale. A lot of the lads in the seniors, the ones I know from City, have just come off the back of winning a treble and that is obviously massive for anyone as a player.

“But lads here have won a lot, whether that be at academy level or stepping up and winning promotions or whatever that is.

“We have lads who love to win, want to win and who have won before. That obviously does help.”

Wolves’ Tyler Roberts and Leicester City’s Brandon Cover headline a 20-man Jamaica Squad set to participate in the CAC Games in El Salvador. Collegiate star Olufolasade Adomolekun and Mireya Grey of the Seattle Sounders headline the women’s squad.

Roberts, 19, made his debut for the Reggae Boyz in an International Friendly against Trinidad & Tobago in March while Cover, also 19, recently made his Reggae Boyz debut against Jordan.

On the women’s side, Adomolekun has represented the Reggae Girlz 16 times since her debut in 2019 while Grey has score one goal in eight games since her debut in the same year.

The following players and staff have been selected to represent Jamaica at the Central American and Caribbean Games in El Salvador. The competition starts on June 24 and ends on July 7 while football begins on June 28 and ends on July 6.

The men must be 22 years old or younger, while there is no age restriction for the women.

The men are drawn in Group B with Costa Rica, Guatemala and Honduras while the women are also drawn in Group B alongside Colombia, El Salvador, Mexico and Puerto Rico.

The full squads are as follows:

Men

Adrian Reid

Anthony Bennett

Asher Hutchinson

Brandon Cover

Christopher Matthews

Christojaye Daley

Daniel Russell

Devonte Campbell

George Grant

Jaheim Thomas

Jahshaun Anglin

Marlon Allen

Matthew Baker

Philando Wing

Romain Blake

Ronaldo Webster

Rushike Kelson

Shaniel Thomas

Stephen Young

Tyler Roberts

Women

Andrene Smith

Chris- Ann Chambers

Dannique Wilson

Davia Richards

Destiny Powell

Katie Oakley

Kersha Thomas

Lauren Reid

Logan McFadden

Maliah Atkins

Mikayla Dayes

Malika Dayes

Mireya Grey

Natoya Atkinson

Olufolasade Adomolekun

Shaniel Buckley

Shanhaine Nelson

Sheyenne Bonnick

Sydoney Clarke

Theanna Burnett

Staff 

Xavier Gilbert

Wendell Downswell

Marcell Gayle

Michael Jackson

Rudolph Austin

Andrew Sewell

Karen Clarke-Lumsden

Scotland’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Georgia was held up for almost two hours after starting in farcical conditions following a heavy downpour in the hour before kick-off at Hampden.

The game was suspended immediately after Callum McGregor fired Scotland into a sixth-minute lead but it eventually resumed following several pitch inspections.

It was immediately clear the game was in doubt following the 7.45pm start. Simple passes were getting stuck, water was splashing up with every step and a well-struck shot from the visitors almost stopped in the goalmouth, although it was going wide anyway.

McGregor netted after John McGinn’s sixth-minute corner ricocheted back to the midfielder, before the referee went off to have discussions with an official on the sidelines.

The Georgia players remonstrated over the conditions and Hungarian referee Istvan Vad signalled for both teams to leave the pitch several minutes later.

It was soon announced there would be a reassessment of the pitch in 20 minutes’ time, and fans were then told there would be another 10-minute delay.

The rain began to ease but a large volume of water was still being swept off the surface by ground staff, ball boys and other officials as the referee carried out his inspection.

The inspection was being carried out to the strains of AC/DC’s Thunderstruck and Garbage’s I’m Only Happy When It Rains on the public address system.

Every successful bounce of the ball and pass was cheered by the Hampden crowd before the referee went back off and down the tunnel.

The announcement was then made that the players would be back out at 8.45pm for a 10-minute warm-up and the game would then restart with Scotland 1-0 up.

Vad continued to test the roll and bounce of the ball as the players warmed up amid a light drizzle before the referee disappeared back down the tunnel yet again.

About half a dozen stewards joined the attempts to sweep water out of the Scotland penalty box as the players warmed up and waited for the referee to emerge.

There was further confusion as both teams again left the park before it was then announced to the crowd that the game was scheduled to resume at 9.15pm, with further emphasis placed on the word scheduled.

The Scotland players came back out again with several minutes to spare, with the pitch looking much improved, although still not ideal. Crucially, the rain had stopped. There was no sign of the visiting team or the referee though.

Vad appeared at 9.17pm to take another look at the surface and disappeared back down the tunnel two minutes later amid claims the Georgians were refusing to leave their dressing room.

It was then announced that the game would resume at 9.30pm.

Georgia returned to the pitch to loud jeers, Scotland went off and back on again, and the match eventually restarted at 9.33pm with the visitors taking centre following McGregor’s goal.

The Prince of Wales told the England Women’s football team “go get them” as he made a surprise visit to St George’s Park to wish them luck ahead of their World Cup campaign.

William, president of the Football Association, dropped into England’s national football centre in Burton on Tuesday to meet players, staff and head coach Sarina Wiegman, who led the team to European Championship success last summer.

The Women’s World Cup, taking place in Australia and New Zealand, kicks off on July 20 and runs until August 20.

William spent about an hour with the Lionesses, who had not known he was coming, after FA chief executive Mark Bullingham welcomed him to the centre.

He chatted with the team before enjoying a game of table football with England stars Millie Bright, Mary Earps and Rachel Daly.

Bethany England was also presented with her commemorative legacy cap by William, before he called up a “flabbergasted” Wiegman to receive her honorary CBE.

Addressing the team and staff, William said the “sky is the limit” as he praised them for what they have done to advance women’s sport.

He said: “I can’t believe another tournament has come around again. You’ve set yourself up now and the only way is up.

“What you did for the country last year at the Euros was phenomenal and where you’re going to take women’s sport, not just football, is incredible.

“You’re a great team, the vibe I get from you all is fantastic. There are a lot of teams out there who could learn a lot from the way you work together.

“Huge respect, and go get them.”

As he handed Wiegman her honorary CBE, William joked that he did not usually “travel up and down the country to present them” but said: “There’s one person that deserves this more than anyone else.”

As the team clapped and cheered, the head coach said: “I really did not expect this. It’s very pretty.”

She added: “Thank you very much, but it’s all about the team. I am so honoured, I feel a bit emotional. Let’s go and make some more history.”

Speaking afterwards, Wiegman said she had “no clue” about the presentation.

She said: “I feel so honoured and privileged to be in this position.”

She also praised William for his continued support, saying he visits them a lot, adding: “He’s a big fan of us and he knows a lot about the game and the players.

“He comes very informally and he wants to know how we all are. It’s just very nice when he comes by.”

England are one of 32 nations taking part in the Women’s World Cup next month, with their first match against Haiti on July 22.

Scotland’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Georgia was interrupted for work to the pitch ahead of an inspection after the hosts took the lead amid farcical conditions at Hampden.

A torrential downpour in the hour before kick-off led to the match kicking off in unplayable-looking conditions.

Simple passes were getting stuck, water was splashing up with every step and a well-struck shot from the visitors almost stopped in the goalmouth, although it was going wide anyway.

Callum McGregor fired Scotland ahead after John McGinn’s sixth-minute corner ricocheted back to the midfielder, before the referee went off to have discussions with an official on the sidelines.

The Georgia players remonstrated over the conditions and the referee signalled for both teams to leave the pitch several minutes later.

It was soon announced there would be a reassessment of the pitch in 20 minutes’ time.

Kevin Van Veen has completed his move from Motherwell to Dutch second-tier side Groningen.

The striker has moved to the recently-relegated club for an undisclosed fee believed to be about £500,000 after hitting 29 goals for the Steelmen last season.

The 32-year-old scored 40 goals in 83 appearances over two seasons after arriving from Scunthorpe.

He broke a club record by scoring in his last 11 games for the club, the best consecutive scoring run in Scotland’s top flight for more than half a century.

Van Veen told the cinch Premiership club’s website: “Leaving Motherwell has been a really difficult decision. From the day I arrived, I felt loved and I felt at home.

“It has been emotional and a privilege to feel the support from all the fans since day one. From having my own song, to the banners, this has been a special time of my life and I’ll never forget it.

“Breaking the records is one of my biggest accomplishments to date but more importantly, I hope in doing so, repaid the fans for their support.

“I’ll be following Motherwell from now on, every week and I’ll look back fondly on my time here. Thanks for the memories and I’ll miss you all.”

A club statement read: “Following an initial approach we received some weeks ago and after a number of discussions with the player and his representatives, at a board meeting last week, the club reluctantly agreed to sell Kevin Van Veen to Dutch side Groningen.

“Our strong preference was to retain Van Veen but it became clear that the club was not in a financial position to make a new contract proposal to Kevin that was competitive with what he was being offered by Groningen or to turn down the significant fee we were able to negotiate for a player with only a year remaining on his current contract.

“The club has always been clear that revenue from player trading is required to ensure we are financially stable over the medium and long term.”

Manager Stuart Kettlewell added: “Of course, we are disappointed to be losing a player of Kevin’s quality.

“His effort in my time here has been exceptional and I appreciate his hard work.

“I have a great relationship with Kevin and know how much he loved his time here. I sincerely hope he has a successful time with Groningen and wish him all the best.

“Now, we face a difficult task to replace Kevin but we are working very hard behind the scenes to take this club forward.”

Academy players Max Johnston and Dean Cornelius also look likely to depart, while Dan Casey is yet to sign a contract extension.

Kettlewell signed Jon Obika on Monday – his first signing of the summer – after the striker netted once in 10 matches on loan from Morecambe in the second half of last season.

Inter Miami CF owner Jorge Mas said Lionel Messi is expected to make his MLS debut on July 21 against Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup.

Mas spoke to reporters on Monday and said Messi had agreed to terms on a contract.

On Tuesday, reports surfaced that the deal will run through the end of the 2025 season with an option for 2026 and be worth $50-60 million per year.

Messi, who turns 36 years old on Saturday, announced on June 7 that he would be joining Miami after his exit from Paris Saint-Germain.

He led Argentina to their first World Cup success since 1986 in Qatar last year, and the Barcelona great has won the Ballon d'Or trophy a record seven times.

“I think there will always be a before and after Messi when we talk about the sport in the United States," Mas told the Miami Herald.

“I have a very, very strong held belief that we can create in North America and the United States if not the greatest league, one of the top two leagues in the world.

“I cannot over emphasize the magnitude of this announcement.”

FC Utrecht have agreed a deal to sign Manchester United youngster Zidane Iqbal, the PA news agency understands.

The homegrown 20-year-old has made one first-team appearance for the club as a substitute against Young Boys in the Champions League in November 2021.

Iqbal impressed on United’s pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia last summer but that has not translated into chances under Erik ten Hag, despite featuring on the bench on numerous occasions.

The Iraq international is now set to move to the Netherlands after Utrecht agreed a one million euros (£850,000) deal with United.

The deal for Iqbal, who club sources believe will be well suited to Eredivisie football at this stage of his career, is understood to include a big sell-on clause but no buyback clause.

England are still waiting to find out where September’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Ukraine will be hosted, the PA news agency understands.

Gareth Southgate’s men continued their 100 per cent start to European Championship qualification by beating North Macedonia 7-0 on Monday.

England’s next Group C match is away to Ukraine on September 9, but a location for the fixture has yet to be rubber-stamped.

Russia’s invasion in February 2022 has forced Ukraine to host matches away from their homeland.

Monday’s qualifier at home to Malta was played in Trnava, Slovakia and last year’s Nations League games were held in Poland – two in Lodz, one in Krakow.

Austria had been considered as host for Ukraine’s qualifier against England, but PA understands the fixture is now unlikely to take place there.

Vienna and Klagenfurt had been reportedly considered as host cities.

UEFA has been contacted for comment.

Motherwell could be set to lose Kevin van Veen with the striker reportedly due to have a medical with Groningen.

The Dutch club previously admitted their interest in the 32-year-old forward, who netted 29 goals for the Steelmen last season.

The potential transfer could bring in £500,000 for the Lanarkshire club.

Motherwell announced the signing of forward Jon Obika on Monday following his loan spell in the second half of last season.

The 32-year-old former St Mirren and Morecambe striker scored once in 10 appearances.

“Having been here last season, I was really eager to come back again this season,” Obika told Motherwell’s website.

“I thrive when I work in a professional environment and feel that’s when I can get the best out of me. This club has high standards in abundance and I’m fully committed for the campaign ahead.

“There is a real feel-good factor at the club and I’m looking forward to trying to create a successful season together.”

St. Kitts & Nevis’ Sugar Boyz will tonight play the biggest match in the history of St. Kitts and Nevis football at 9 pm when they face French Guiana with a spot in the Concacaf Gold Cup group stage on the line.

If the Sugar Boyz win, it will be the first time St. Kitts and Nevis would qualify for the prestigious tournament, which will be played in the US.

The match tonight will be at the DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The players are up and raring to go, and some of them have a message for the fans. Romaine Sawyers, during the pre-match press conference on Monday, recalled the last time St. Kitts and Nevis narrowly missed out on Gold Cup Qualification in 2019 against Suriname.

He noted this will motivate them to do well tonight. Meanwhile, Gerard Williams, one of the longstanding players with the national team talked about the importance of the moment and what qualifying for the Gold Cup would mean for him.

“This one is really, really special to me because I’ve been trying all the years to actually get in the Gold Cup and I feel if I really get to achieve this, it will be one of my biggest accomplishments in International Football,” Williams said.

It’s not just the fans at home that will be watching. When St. Kitts and Nevis played Curacao on Friday, there were St. Kitts Nevis fans in the stadium cheering on. Raheem Somersall spoke of the importance of the fans at home and abroad, supporting the team to the very end.

“That’s always a good thing, to know you have that support of the 12th man in the stands or at home…I know for myself it motivates me a lot because you look over and you see your (national) colors and it’s always a special feeling just knowing somebody else is there to cheer you on other than your coaches,” Somersall said.

St. Kitts and Nevis has a history with French Guiana, having first played them in the Caribbean Cup in 2014, defeating them 2-1.

In 2016, the Sugar Boyz lost to them 1-0 also in the Caribbean Cup and drew 2-2 in 2019 in the Concacaf Nations League.

Their last encounter was a 3-1 loss in 2019 in the Concacaf Nations League that result in relegation to League C of the Nations League.

Now, the Sugar Boyz have an opportunity to right the wrongs of that match with a victory that will clinch a historic qualification in the Concacaf Gold Cup.

Kalvin Phillips insists he wants to stay at Manchester City as he aims to become the latest player to find his feet after a tricky first season at the Eithad Stadium.

The England international moved across the Pennines from Leeds last summer but has seen his game time restricted by a combination of injury and selection decision.

Phillips, 27, started just two Premier League games as City swept aside all opposition to win a historic treble.

He ended the season by scoring his first England goal in Monday’s 7-0 thrashing of North Macedonia in a Euro 2024 qualifier at Old Trafford and goes into the summer with no plans to leave City.

“To be honest I was injured before I even went to City, so that is one of the main reasons why I was injured so much,” he said.

“City have been amazing to help me get back to full fitness and I eventually played a few more games for City and England, so credit to the medical staff at City for helping me.

“My intention is to stay there. We have just won the treble, so there is no reason for me to leave, other than if I am not playing I will obviously have to think about it.

“I cannot give it 12 months and say, ‘I am not playing so I am going to leave’. I came to Manchester City to win trophies and we won the trophies, but I didn’t play as much as I wanted to do.

“With England I played a little bit, but was ruled out through injuries as well. It is just nice to be back fit. I have nothing to worry about now. Everything is fine with my body. I will continue to work hard next season and hopefully do well when I go back to City.”

Phillips revealed he spoken to the likes of Nathan Ake and England colleague Jack Grealish, the pair having also needed time to settle in to the way Pep Guardiola asks his City side to play.

Asked if he was telling himself he is not the only new arrival to need time, the midfielder replied: “I’d like to think so, to be honest. I just know how difficult it is to understand the way Pep wants to play and how quickly you need to adapt to play in his system.

“I am on the brink of almost getting it. Obviously there is a little bit of work in pre-season and hopefully be all right.

“As you have seen with many players at City, it can take quite a while to cement yourself into the team. Hopefully I will enjoy my off-season and then work hard when I get back.”

“I spoke to quite a few of the players about it. Nathan Ake being one, Jack, they all said the same, they all said the first 12 months were the hardest of their City careers but after that, it doesn’t become easy, but easier.

“I’m just going to go away for the off-season and enjoy myself with my family and girlfriend and friends and then come back fighting.

“I will definitely speak to Pep. I don’t know whether it will be in the summer because everyone enjoys their downtime and everyone wants their space away from football, so I’ll probably leave it until I go back for pre-season but I’ll just speak to him and have a good conversation.”

Yaya Toure has revealed he is leaving his role at Tottenham’s Academy to take up the position of assistant coach at Standard Liege.

The former Manchester City midfielder coached the Spurs Under-16s side last season.

He previously held positions at Ukrainian side Olimpik Donetsk and Russian team Akhmat Grozny, having left City in 2018 and ended his playing career after spells in Greece and China.

Toure, 40, wrote on Twitter: “I am delighted to share that I will be taking on the role of assistant coach at Standard de Liege.

“It’s an honour to join the club and I am looking forward to working with head coach Carl Hoefkens.

“I would like to thank everyone at the Tottenham Hotspur Academy for their support in the 18 months I spent with the club.

“A special mention to Dean Rastrick, Chris Powell and all the young players. Thank you.”

Spurs meanwhile have confirmed the appointment of Simon Davies as Academy director.

Davies, the captain of Manchester United’s famous youth team of 1992, joined the Academy as head of methodology last year.

He has considerable experience of Academy football having spent eight years at Manchester City. He also worked as assistant to Vincent Kompany at Anderlecht before moving to Tottenham last year.

England’s Rachel Daly says happiness has been a key factor in her form as she prepares for this summer’s World Cup on the back of a superb 2022-23 season.

Following a move from the Houston Dash to Aston Villa last summer shortly after helping England win the Euros, Daly went on to score 30 goals in all competitions for her new club.

That included a haul of 22 in the Women’s Super League which gave her the Golden Boot as Villa achieved a fifth-placed finish, while she also netted five times for her country across the season.

The 31-year-old said: “I’ve had a pretty good year, it’s been a good year for me.

“I think I can put it down to my happiness, the way Carla (Ward, the Villa boss) has given me freedom at the club to play my own sort of game, the team around me has been brilliant and Sarina (Wiegman, the England manager) again at international level. I’d say it’s probably the best season I’ve had in my career.”

Daly joined Villa having spent a decade playing for teams in the United States, apart from a loan spell in the WSL with West Ham in 2020-21.

She added: “A lot has changed for me personally since the last tournament.

“Moving home – I’ve been away for 10 years, so I think mentally I’m in a way better place. I needed to be home and playing in this league was something I wanted to do and revisit again.

“A different position for me in terms of internationally to club level. A lot has changed for me, but I think you can all tell that I’m playing with a smile on my face and enjoying my football, so long may that continue.”

Daly, Wiegman’s starting left-back throughout the triumphant Euros campaign but recently used in attack by the Dutchwoman, was listed as a forward when England’s 23-player squad for the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, which gets under way on July 20, was announced last month.

Regarding positions, Daly said: “That’s Sarina’s decision, and I’ll respect whatever she chooses and I’m ready to play wherever I’m needed.”

Daly said there was a “complete healthy competition” between her and fellow England strikers Alessia Russo and Bethany England, adding: “There’s no ‘I’m the best’, we’re all great friends. The competition is we’re pushing each other and we’ll continue to push each other.”

Asked if she felt the England number nine position was up for grabs, Daly said: “I think every position is. Nothing’s set until July 22 (when England play their opening group game against Haiti in Brisbane).

“But I don’t think anyone is really focusing on that, it’s just, ‘How can we push each other to be the best?’ And whatever Sarina chooses is what she chooses and we all support it.”

Daly was speaking at St George’s Park after England trained in front of the media for the first time in their pre-World Cup camp, which got started on Monday, three weeks after the conclusion of the WSL season.

Daly said: “For me, it’s perfect and I think the girls agreed on that. We’ve had enough time to have a rest and a holiday and completely switch off mentally and physically. I feel like we’re in a great spot.”

Defender Millie Bright, skipper for the World Cup in the absence of ruled-out ACL injury victim Leah Williamson, trained separately from the group on Tuesday, working on an individual programme, as did midfielder Jordan Nobbs.

The Lionesses face Portugal in a warm-up match at Milton Keynes on July 1 before flying to Australia four days later.