FOOTBALL SHORTS

THE FA and the Premier League will introduce a mid-season break in February from 2019-20. To make room for a two-week interruption, FA Cup fifth-round ties will be in midweek and settled on the night. A round of PL games will be played over two weekends, five one weekend, five the next.

CLUBS in the EFL can now scrap match-day programmes. They had been compulsory because of sponsorship agreements with the League, but the EFL agree clubs can now ditch them if they wish. Meanwhile, extra time will no longer be played in the Carabao Cup. Matches level after 90 minutes will go to penalty shootouts.

LIVERPOOL have revealed that Germany midfielder Emre Can and 25-year-old defender Jon Flanagan will leave Anfield when their contracts expire this summer. Can, 24, is wanted by Juventus.

OLDHAM have sacked manager Richie Wellens, 38, after their relegation to League Two... FORMER England captain Casey Stoney is the first head coach of Manchester United’s new women’s team... ST MIRREN’S new manager is former Hibernian and Rotherham boss Alan Stubbs.