KIRK’S UP FOR STAR TREK
GREAT BRITAIN star Liam Kirk is waiting by his phone for the message that will send him back across the Atlantic to chase his NHL dream.
Kirk made a sensational four-goal debut for Sheffield Steeldogs as the second-tier National League finally got under way over the weekend after nearly a year’s break.
But he is waiting for news of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) re-starting again so that he can push his claims for an NHL contract. He was drafted by NHL Arizona in 2018 and still harbours hopes of becoming the first British-born and trained player to ice at the highest level.
At 21, he has already been listed among the Coyotes’ top 25 players under the age of 25.
The GB forward said: “It wasn’t my plan to come back to England but under the circumstances I felt I had to. My hope is to sign an NHL contract but I have got to take it day by day.
“I definitely believe I can make it. I have got the skill set.
“I have been out for a while and that’s why I have joined the Steeldogs, to get game time.
“As soon as a decision to start the OHL again is made I have to be on a flight and get quarantine done so I don’t know how long I am here.”
WEST HAM are lining up a summer move for £12m Sampdoria winger Mikkel Damsgaard.
MIDFIELDER John Buckley has signed a new three-and-a-half year deal at Blackburn.
PORTSMOUTH boss Kenny Jackett will be on leave from Thursday while he recovers from having a mole removed from his forearm.
CRAWLEY chief John Yems has been given a two-match touchline ban and fined £750 for attempting to enter the officials’ changing room.
DARRELL CLARKE has taken over as Port Vale boss after quitting Walsall. Assistant Brian Dutton will replace Clarke at Walsall until the end of the season.
ORIOL ROMEU reckons VAR has made a complete mockery of the handball rule.
The Southampton midfielder is alarmed by inconsistencies from on-field referees and VAR officials.
Saints’ Ryan Bertrand was penalised in their home defeat to Wolves after the ball hit his hand from close range with his back turned.
But Wolves defender Leander Dendoncker escaped punishment when he was struck in a similar way.
And Romeu (inset)
by HECTOR NUNNS
wants to know why officials gave one but not the other.
He said: “I have the feeling that to make things easier for the referees they want to write everything down and put all the situations on paper.
“But it’s football. It is endless in terms of options and shots and blocks. “We didn’t really understand why it was punished in our box and then not punished in theirs. “So if it is a penalty against us, why hasn’t it been given on the other side?”