GLORY FOR CITY COULD MEAN COMMUNITY SHIELD IS AXED

Manchester city’s involvement in the champions League could lead to this year’s community shield being scrapped for the first time since 1947. the Fa want to stage the traditional curtain-raiser to the top-flight season as normal in august, but with next season’s calendar yet to be agreed they have been unable to confirm a date, with city’s european exploits emerging as a complicating factor. champions Liverpool could contest the community shield any time in august as they were eliminated from the champions League in March, but the availability of their most likely opponents is uncertain. city hold a 2-1 lead over real Madrid with the home leg to come in their last-16 tie and if they make it through to the quarter-finals it is unlikely they could take part in the community shield, as UeFa have decided to conclude this season’s champions League with an eight-team minitournament in Lisbon from august 15-23. city face newcastle in the Fa cup quarter-finals tomorrow, and if Pep Guardiola’s side combine domestic with european cup success the Fa would have to decide whether to cancel the community shield or invite another team to play Liverpool.

BURNLEY could face an exodus of senior players if Sean Dyche leaves following his bust-up with chairman Mike Garlick, as reported by Sportsmail this week. Goalkeeper Nick Pope and centre back James Tarkowski will attract offers this summer, while captain Ben Mee, Jay Rodriguez, Ashley Westwood, Robbie Brady, Erik Pieters, Matej Vydra and Matthew Lowton are all out of contract next year and reluctant to commit to new deals given the uncertainty surrounding Dyche (right). The Burnley boss has been told to reduce the average age of the playing staff, but is unhappy at the budget he has been given to do so, arguing that young players yet to reach the peak of their careers are more expensive than the veterans the club want to replace.