Welbeck has impressed this season and is currently the club’s top goalscorer with 11 goals in 30 appearances, the latest coming in Sunday’s 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest.

His performances have put him in contention for an England recall in the lead up to this summer’s World Cup, with boss Thomas Tuchel revealing before the qualifiers in November he gave serious consideration to handing Welbeck a place in his squad.

Tuchel names his next squad – the last before selecting his World Cup party – later this month.

Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler has made clear his desire to ensure Welbeck stays at the club in recent weeks.

Welbeck joined Brighton in October 2020 after leaving Watford and has since scored 48 goals in 191 appearances.

The team from Morphettville led by Gordon Richards and Damien Moyle hold a Plan B ready if showers materialise across the weekend as predicted.

They have nominated Tapinforpar for The Dominant Advantage Handicap (1400m) over Morphettville Parks track this Saturday, although Richards views the weather prognosis unfavourably.

Assuming the rain does come, Richards stated Tapinforpar is set to be scratched in favour of the Murray Bridge program a Saturday hence.

Nevertheless, current arrangements target Saturday, with Richards reporting the gelding in excellent shape for his 1400m tilt.

“This prep has been really good,” Richards said.

“He won first-up over 1200 (metres) at Gawler and then I thought he was caught in the wrong part of track second up and it could have been a bit of the ‘old’ second-up syndrome as well, but he didn’t get beaten very far.

He ran well the other day, but being a big horse, he had trouble negotiating through the field and then he dived late.”

Richards allowed that Tapinforpar may fare better on Morphettville’s more open expanse than at Parks, but appreciates the 1400m.

“We’ve got him out over a mile a couple of times and he tends to over-race early and then doesn’t have the finish,” Richards said.

“The only place they have 1400-metre races is at Murray Bridge or the inner track here at Morphettville.

Murray Bridge is alright, he has raced well up there before, and our intentions were if he didn’t draw a barrier this week, we would go to the Bridge next week.

He’s drawn a good barrier, but having said that, I don’t know what’s going to happen with the rain.

It might throw everyone’s plans into confusion.”

As Richards put it, Tapinforpar’s last preparation fell short, owing to damp surfaces.

Now, Tapinforpar has regained his dependable streak this campaign, poised for a win to breach $300,000 prizemoney.

Richards persists with jockey Connor Murtagh after his first mount on the gelding last start.

“He’s consistent, but you seem to go up in the ratings when you run seconds or thirds without getting a picture on the wall,” Richards said.

“We’ve stuck with Connor because he rode him well the other day and the horse seemed to respond to him and he’s learned a bit about the horse also.

We’re hoping that will pay a dividend.”

Head to the betting sites for competitive racing betting markets on The Dominant Advantage Handicap.

Man Utd youngster Chido Obi was forced off the pitch after suffering a head injury playing for the U21s on Monday.

Manchester United youngster Chido Obi was substituted just a few minutes into the Under-21s’ game against Chelsea due to a head injury. Obi pressed the Chelsea goalkeeper from kick-off, and the clearance struck his head.

The youngster received medical attention and was substituted after a lengthy delay. Obi was applauded by fans as he got to his feet, and Under-21s interim manager Adam Lawrence checked if he was ok.

It remains to be seen whether the head injury keeps the youngster out of the FA Youth Cup quarter-finals against Sunderland on March 18.

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The Premier League and FA have rules on how to deal with head injuries, which outline clear ‘return to play’ guidelines for players who are suspected of having suffered a concussion. Those rules state that no player will be allowed to return to a competitive game for at least six days.

After that, players are allowed to progress by a step every 24 hours. The steps are: No physical activity, light aerobic exercise, sport specific exercise, non-contact training drills, full contact training, and then return to play (after an all-clear from the club’s medical officer).

Obi will be assessed in the coming days, and he may face a nervous wait to see whether he passes the concussion protocols in time to feature in the Youth Cup quarter-finals at Old Trafford.

The WBA is reportedly set to order a world title showdown at 135lbs after stripping Gervonta Davis of his black and gold belt in January.

Davis became the sanctioning body’s ‘champion in recess’, meaning he has not been completely removed from the picture, after being dealt a domestic violence charge at the beginning of 2026.

Naturally, his unsavoury behaviour outside the ring has resulted in a prolonged spell of inactivity, which is also why the WBA no longer considers him an active champion.

The 31-year-old’s last outing saw him make a successful WBA title defence, boxing to a controversial draw against Lamont Roach in March 2025, before inking a deal to face Jake Paul in an exhibition match.

Due to allegations of domestic violence, though, Davis was ultimately removed from the event and replaced by Anthony Joshua, who scored a sixth-round finish over Paul in December.

As for the vacant WBA lightweight title, boxing journalist Dan Rafael reported via social media on Monday that the organisation will order a clash between Floyd Schofield and Lucas Badhi.

“Letters expected to go out this week but [the WBA] told me [on] Sunday it will order Floyd Schofield-Lucas Bahdi [for the] vacant 135[lb] title.”

Schofield has not fought since his blistering first-round finish over Tevin Farmer in June, when the 23-year-old cemented himself as the WBA’s leading lightweight contender.

Placed just behind him in the rankings is Bahdi, another unbeaten operator, who comes off a unanimous decision victory over Roger Gutierrez in August.

As per the WBA’s rules and regulations, both parties will be given a 30-day negotiation window once their world title fight is ordered, with their matchup heading to a purse bid hearing if a deal cannot be reached.

The US-Israel war with Iran has caused many sporting events in the region to be postponed. The conflict is also affecting other events farther afield, largely by forcing changes to travel arrangements. Some questions cannot yet be answered.

Iranian women kick off Women’s Asian Cup campaign

The 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup kicked off on Sunday – a day after the US and Israel began launching airstrikes on Iran, but also a long way away from the conflict, in Australia. On Day 2 of the tournament, on Monday, all eyes were on the Iranian team, one of 12 taking part in the Women’s Asia Cup. The Iranian women took to the pitch as scheduled and there appeared to be no outward sign of the conflict raging in their homeland. South Korea dominated the football match from the outset, perhaps to have been expected given that they sit at 21st in the FIFA women’s rankings, well above Iran at 68. South Korea won easily 3-0.

Formula 1: Australian GP to go ahead.

Formula 1 motor racing officials have sought to play down the impact of the US-Israel war with Iran on the 2026 season, which is to open with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on Sunday, March 8.

“Our next three races are in Australia, China and Japan and not in the Middle East ― those races are not for a number of weeks,” an F1 spokesman said. “As always, we closely monitor any situation like this and work closely with relevant authorities.”

However, the conflict has the series scrambling to rearrange travel plans.

Travis Auld, managing director of the Australian Grand Prix, estimated that the number of people linked to the race who had to make alternative plans was around 1,000.

He said instead of flying to Australia via Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Doha, many had opted for Singapore or Hong Kong.

Meanwhile, tire supplier Pirelli has said that its testing of wet weather tires planned for the Sakhir circuit in Bahrain over the weekend had been scrapped for safety reasons.

Cricket: English team’s match canceled, alternative T20 travel plans

Sunday’s match between the England Lions developmental team and the Pakistan Shaheens in Abu Dhabi was cancelled, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced ⁠Saturday.

“The safety and security of ​our teams and staff is our top priority,” the ECB said in a statement.

It also announced that while it was delaying the departure of the England women’s team to Abu Dhabi next week, the men’s team, currently playing in the Twenty20 World Cup, would travel from Sri Lanka to Mumbai ​for Thursday’s semifinal against India as planned.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) said on Saturday said it was working on alternate flight plans for visiting players and officials seeking to return home from the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, due to the conflict. 

Basketball: Euroleague cancels under-18 tournament      

Euroleague Basketball ⁠announced ​the cancellation of the adidas NextGen EuroLeague qualifying ​tournament in Abu Dhabi, citing safety concerns.

The eight-team competition was called off during the second quarter of the opening match between Monaco and Aris Thessaloniki.

“After careful evaluation and ongoing ​consultation with relevant authorities and stakeholders, it was determined that cancelling the event is the most responsible course of action at this time,” ​the league said ⁠in a statement on Sunday.

Domestic football leagues suspended, ‘Finalissima in doubt’

Several football associations in the region have announced that they have suspended play over the conflict. Among these were the Qatar FA, which postponed all matches from Sunday, and the Persian Gulf Pro League, Iran’s top flight. The Israeli Premier League has also suspended play for the time being. 

Also on Sunday, Asian soccer’s governing body postponed continental club championship playoffs scheduled in the Middle East for this week, saying AFC Champions League Elite Round of 16 games would be rescheduled.

Meanwhile the “Finalissima” match slated for March 27 in Doha is in doubt. The contest is to pit European Championship winners Spain against ⁠Copa ⁠America champions Argentina.

Paralympics: Iranian, Israeli athletes qualified

One athlete each has qualified from Iran and Israel to represent their countries at the Paralympic Games in Milan Cortina, which open on Friday, March 6. Iran’s Abolfazl Khatibi is a 23-year-old para-cross-country skier, while Israel’s Sheina Vaspi, 24 is a para-alpine skier, who competed at the 2022 Paralympics in Bejing four years ago. It’s not clear how the conflict could affect their participation.

Men’s football World Cup: Will Iran participate?

Even as the women were playing their opening match at the Women’s Asian Cup, the big question on football fans’ minds all over the world is whether the Iranian men would do the same at this summer’s World Cup.

Iran’s group matches are all scheduled to be held in the United States, with two matches in Los Angeles and one in Seattle.

The president of Iran’s FA now says he can’t yet say whether the team will take part.

Edited by: Matt Pearson

Boxing fans remain hopeful that a rematch between Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia could be on the horizon, for what would now be a welterweight world title unification bout. Should that happen, two division conqueror Zab Judah forecasts a one-sided ‘destruction’.

Haney and Garcia remain as fierce rivals, following on from their controversial 2024 encounter, where Garcia missed weight and then tested positive for performance enhancing drugs, after handing Haney a first career defeat.

The result was overturned to a no-contest and fans continue to debate whether Garcia would have had the same overwhelming success in the fight, if not for his unfair advantages.

Now, with Garcia joining Haney as a welterweight world champion last month, talk of a second meeting between the Californian duo is rife, for what would be one of the most high-profile events of the 2026 calendar.

Amid the speculation, Judah, who is the godfather of Haney, told MillCity Boxing that ‘The Dream’ will ‘destroy’ Garcia when the time is right.

“I know one thing, when the opportunity presents itself and Devin does make the decision that he wants to get back into the ring with Ryan Garcia, I can promise y’all, we are going to destroy him. I can promise you all.

“But, it has got to be up to Devin to say, ‘I am ready to do this’. Once he says that, it is over. Devin makes his own decisions, he knows what he wants.”

Despite the rematch talk, Garcia has also unveiled plans to return to the super-lightweight division in pursuit of a showdown with another undefeated star, Shakur Stevenson, who currently holds the WBO crown at 140lb.

Michael Freedman joins others in scrutinising Randwick’s track rating before Apocalyptic takes on Tempted during the Surround Stakes.

The Group 1 filly triumph winner will start irrespective, but Freedman admits his belief would lessen if deterioration exceeds Friday’s soft 7 substantially.

“I’m looking forward to seeing her back there. I am just keeping an eye on the weather,” Freedman said.

“Anything in the soft range would be OK, but if we got into that heavy range it may change things a wee bit.

“You probably can’t not run because she has never been on heavy. But I get the feeling she wouldn’t want it too wet.”

Last spring’s three-time Princess Series conqueror Apocalyptic resumed odds-on but trailed Savvy Hallie home second in the Light Fingers Stakes (1200m).

Freedman considered the run “good enough” in a race suited to leaders, with the three-year-old thriving in the interim.

Savvy Hallie and Tempted oppose again in the Surround Stakes (1400m), unverified at the trip.

However, the trainer highlights strengths in both, aligning with punter preference for $1.60 market leader Tempted’s recent races.

“I know a few people have queried Tempted at 14 (1400 metres), but to my eye she looks like she’d run it out pretty solidly,” he said.

“She’s run second in an Everest and was obviously impressive first-up. She’s the one that’s got the really good from going into it.”

Unconvinced Apocalyptic relishes deep mud, Freedman trusts Manaal fully for the Guy Walter Stakes (1400m), boasting three wins from five on soft/heavy.

Runner-up fresh in the Triscay Stakes (1200m), she rates prominently at Randwick weight-wise.

“She’s a terrific mare. She’s always thereabouts,” Freedman said.

“She has a slightly tougher draw than what she’s had the last few, but if we do get a bit of rain and the track is genuinely soft, it might offset that.”

Hardanger represents in the Sweet Embrace Stakes (1200m), a robust filly due to fire, as Freedman mulls Outspan’s wide berth in the Skyline Stakes (1200m) or deferral to the Black Opal Stakes (1200m) at Canberra soon.

“It was a pretty ordinary set up for him two weeks ago, unfortunately, and it doesn’t look much better for him this week if we don’t get a lot of scratchings,” Freedman said.

Punters should check the betting sites for Surround Stakes specials this weekend.

Chido Obi suffered a head injury at the beginning of Man Utd U21s’ 2-0 defeat against Chelsea in the Premier League 2.

21:10, 02 Mar 2026

Chido Obi was pictured by Manchester United’s photographer walking out at Leigh Sports Village to play for the Under-21s on Monday, but his face was buried into the turf around 90 seconds later.

The start of the match was marred by Obi suffering a head injury. The youngster pressed the Chelsea goalkeeper from kick-off, but the clearance struck his head, and he required attention from the medical staff.

Obi received medical attention for around five minutes and he was applauded by fans as he stood to his feet. Lawrence asked whether he was ok as he went straight down the tunnel to the dressing room.

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The Premier League and FA have rules on how to deal with head injuries, which outline clear ‘return to play’ guidelines for players who are suspected of having suffered a concussion. Those rules state that no player will be allowed to return to a competitive game for at least six days.

After that, players are allowed to progress by a step every 24 hours. The steps are: No physical activity, light aerobic exercise, sport specific exercise, non-contact training drills, full contact training, and then return to play (after an all-clear from the club’s medical officer).

Obi will be assessed in the coming days, and he may face a nervous wait to see whether he passes the concussion protocols in time to feature in the FA Youth Cup quarter-finals on March 18.

The 18-year-old dropped down to play for the Under-18s in the Youth Cup, the pinnacle of academy football, in the fourth round of the competition. Obi scored the match-winner, and he was on the scoresheet again as the U18s won against Oxford City to reach the quarter-finals.

Obi has predominantly played U21 football this season. The decision to play him in the Youth Cup has enhanced the U18s’ chances of winning the competition, so it will be a huge blow if he’s facing a spell on the sidelines due to the head injury he suffered at Leigh Sports Village.

Michael Carrick attended alongside Steve Holland, Darren Fletcher and Jason Wilcox. Last month, Carrick was asked about his continued support for the youth system, and he recalled a memory of when a West Ham first-team coach travelled to watch him when he was a teenager in their academy.

Carrick added: “We want players to come through the system and try and get into the first-team, being around it. So, it’s important that me and the staff support that as much as we can.”

The 44-year-old has not attended academy games for good PR. Carrick genuinely cares about the youth system and has attended almost every U18/U21 fixture since his interim appointment.

Carrick’s presence at youth matches demonstrates there is a pathway to the first-team, although his attendance appeared to be used as extra motivation for Chelsea on Monday night.

When Chelsea captain Shim Mheuka opened the scoring, he celebrated by knee sliding in front of where Carrick was sitting. The youngster looked up to the stands as if to say, ‘are you not entertained?’

Leo Cardoso celebrated in the same corner when he extended Chelsea’s advantage to 2-0 before half-time. Chelsea’s team was full of talented players who have trained with their first-team at Cobham, and they were a cut above for most of the game, despite heading into the fixture two points behind United.

It was hard not to shake the feeling that Obi’s substitution had a huge bearing on the game. The youngster is the academy’s talisman, and Chelsea sensed an opportunity when he was forced off.

It was a shame that Obi was denied the opportunity to audition again in front of Carrick and his backroom staff. The Dane made seven appearances for the first-team last season, but he has only been included in a single matchday squad in the Premier League (Wolves on December 30) this term.

Carrick will have been made aware of Obi’s talent, though. The youngster enjoyed a freakish debut season at United after signing from Arsenal, and coaches believe the sky is the limit for him.

For now, Obi will have to be nursed back to full health after his head injury. It would be a huge blow for the U18s if he’s ruled out of the Youth Cup quarter-finals at Old Trafford later this month.

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