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Oliver Glasner sidesteps striker transfer talk after draw with Nottingham Forest

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Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner refused to get involved with transfer talk following his side’s 1-1 draw with 10-man Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.

Jean-Philippe Mateta was not in the Palace squad amid reports that he is on his way to AC Milan to be replaced by Jorgen Strand Larsen moving from Wolves to Selhurst Park.

Glasner had a thin squad going into the Forest match and named two goalkeepers on the bench as well as youngsters Kaden Rodney and Zach Marsh.

Morgan Gibbs-White put the hosts in front in the fifth minute and it looked like they would take a half-time lead until Neco Williams used his had to keep Jefferson Lerma’s strike from going in on the goal line.

Williams was sent off and Ismaila Sarr coolly slotted in from the resulting penalty but Palace failed to take advantage of the extra man as the score remained 1-1.

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When asked about transfers, Glasner said his only focus was on the match.

He said: “I don’t know. I just told you before in all the interviews, told the board. I don’t want to talk about the transfers today because I want to focus on the game, this group of players.

“I know Adam Wharton, Daichi Kamada and Evann Guessand will be training tomorrow and hopefully available for Brighton next Sunday.

“Then we have a clear agreement and commitment it will be JP Mateta or somebody else. I don’t know how the situation is.

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“But if JP leaves, a striker, a number nine comes in and then let’s see what’s happening but I would prefer not to talk the day before deadline day so much about transfers.

“My wish would be everything is sorted two weeks ago so we can train, we can focus and develop. I spoke to my staff this week, we have to make a step backwards.”

Palace are now without a win in their last nine but a draw with Forest means they are still nine points above the relegation zone.

Glasner added: “I don’t want to blame anybody but the reason for this is our psychological situation over weeks and months now.

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“How I have seen us playing, especially in the first half, gives me a lot of confidence for the rest of the season.

“We drew at Selhurst 1-1 playing with Marc Guehi, Eberechi Eze, Daichi Kamada, JP Mateta, with Wharton. None of these players were available today.”

Forest are now unbeaten in their last four and have moved six points above the bottom three.

And with 10 men, Dyche believes it is a point gained.

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He said: “It has to be a point earned, it’s not easy playing 10 v 11 particularly in the Premier League, and well earned.

“The only disappointing thing is if (Williams) doesn’t handball it, 11 v 11 I fancy us to win it.

“It’s clear handball but I think it’s just an instinctive thing. Neco’s been tremendous since I’ve been here.

“I thought the players were terrific. We are linked with loads of players so we will see which ones we can land. There are two or three I know of but that doesn’t mean we will get them.”

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Williams took to X after the match to apologise for his dismissal.

He posted: “I take full responsibility for my sending off today and want to apologise to my team mates and you fans.

“The lads showed determination and fight out there to get the point but we wanted more. Proud of this team.”

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Sports

I can’t control none of that

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LSU Tigers star Flau’jae Johnson has been widely projected to be a lottery pick in the 2026 WNBA draft. Johnson’s collegiate career ended last month, and she has her eyes set on Monday’s draft.

In her interview with NBC Sports on Thursday, Johnson was asked by hosts Natalie Esquire and Terrika Foster-Brasby about her preferred destinations in the WNBA.

“My mindset right now is really just like, I can’t control none of that,” Johnson said. “I’m not even thinking about that. Honestly, I’m like, whoever picks me, I’m grateful, you know, to even have the opportunity to play in the WNBA. Like that sounds crazy. And whoever doesn’t pick me, like I get to see them all the time. I get to play them.

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So for me, it’s a win-win situation. For whoever drafts me is a win-win situation. I’ll be very thankful to bring my talents to that city and represent how I do. But I can’t control any of it. It’s not like I could be like, ‘I wanna go there.’ So I’m just thankful for where I’m at right now. I just wanna hear my name get called.”

In her final collegiate season with the Tigers, Johnson averaged 14.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.5 assists on 46.5% shooting, including 39.3% from 3-point range. She was a finalist for the John R. Wooden Award as the National Player of the Year this year and ranks No. 6 in LSU history with 2,050 career points.

Johnson was part of LSU’s 2023 championship team. Following that, she led the team to two Elite Eight appearances and a Sweet 16 berth this season.

In ESPN analyst Michael Voepel’s mock draft on Wednesday, Flau’jae Johnson is projected to be selected by the Chicago Sky with the No. 5 pick.

Flau’jae Johnson is part of the official WNBA draft invitees

On Friday, the WNBA released a list of 15 prospects who will attend Monday’s draft day at The Shed at Hudson Yards in New York City. The list notably includes LSU Tigers star Flau’jae Johnson, Spain’s Awa Fam, UCLA’s Lauren Betts, Connecticut’s Azzi Fudd and TCU’s Olivia Miles.

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Before the traditional “orange carpet,” the invited prospects will visit the Empire State Building for a lighting ceremony to celebrate the draft. Also invited are Nell Angloma, Angela Dugalić, Gabriela Jaquez, Raven Johnson, Gianna Kneepkens, Ta’Niya Latson, Cotie McMahon, Madina Okot, Kiki Rice and Marta Suárez.

The Dallas Wings have the top pick in the WNBA draft for the second straight season. The Minnesota Lynx have the No. 2 pick, followed by the Seattle Storm, Washington Mystics and Chicago Sky. The expansions teams, Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire, will have the No. 6 and No. 7 picks, respectively.