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Stuart Jamieson

Premier League news as Southampton defender could return for Leeds United test

Here is the latest Premier League news for Tuesday, March 22.

Bednarek could return for Leeds

Southampton could have Jan Bednarek back in their starting XI when they make the trip to Elland Road to face Leeds United after the international break. The defender was a surprise absentee in the Saints' FA Cup defeat to Manchester City last weekend, but manager Ralph Hasenhuttle has revealed it was due to concerns over his international commitments.

Hasenhuttl told Hampshire Live: "He is ok. He has a big game for Poland next week and it seems to me that he is not 100 per cent with his mind for us here today, so I didn't want to take a risk that perhaps in some moments he didn't want to take the last step to hurt himself. We need everyone in this game."

Bednarek has been a regular for Southampton this season, featuring 27 times for Saints in all competitions, scoring three goals. He is due to face Scotland in a friendly on Thursday ahead of a World Cup qualifier next week.

READ MORE: Marsch must trust Leeds United to protect their Raphinha future

Fan-led review plea

The Government has been urged to commit to legislation in its response to the fan-led review of football by the Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham. Burnham says English football has reached "a now or never moment" and that significant reform will only be achieved if an independent regulator, recommended by the fan-led review, is underpinned by legislation.

Burnham, a supporter of the Fair Game group which seeks reforms to make clubs more sustainable, said: "There's no doubt English football is at a crossroads. We need a sustainable future for football in England and Wales at every level. A future where the history, heritage and traditions of our clubs are protected.

"Football needs to change. In the next few days, the Government are going to respond to the fan-led review. It is not enough just to welcome the findings, which included a new, independent regulator. There needs to be a firm commitment to legislation and I believe that legislation should be included in May's Queen's Speech.

"I appeal to everyone in this country who cares about our beloved game to appeal to the Secretary of State Nadine Dorries to make sure the vital pledge to legislate for a regulator is included in the Government response. Without it, this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to save the future of English football risks being kicked into the long grass."

Euro 2028 bid

The UK and Ireland's bid to host Euro 2028 is set to be unopposed, according to reports. The Times reports that no other bidders have come forward so far to declare an interest, with the deadline set by tournament organisers UEFA for 5pm UK time on Wednesday.

UEFA said - when the tournament regulations were released last October - that the bidders would be announced on April 5. If no other countries come forward and the five-nation bid is declared successful, it will be swift vindication of the decision confirmed last month to go for the Euros instead of launching a bid for the 2030 World Cup.

Speaking last month, Football Association chief executive Mark Bullingham said: "When you look at it for the Euros, we've got a very clear bidding landscape and bidding timeline and, when we assess everything for that, we know we can put together a highly-competitive bid. I think with the World Cup, there are many areas of uncertainty, in terms of the timeline, in terms of the frequency of the events and so on."

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