Tuesday’s briefing: Frank’s rallying cry to Spurs fans and Rodri return unclear

Under-pressure Tottenham boss Thomas Frank has issued a rallying cry to fans ahead of Tuesday’s trip to Newcastle as the Premier League limbers up for some pivotal midweek action.

Manchester City are unable to set a timescale on Rodri’s return from injury as Pep Guardiola’s men prepare for their trip to London to face Fulham.

Sheffield Wednesday’s relegation fate has been effectively sealed by a further points deduction, while Celtic captain Callum McGregor insists a Scotland recall is far from his mind.

Frank backtracks on fan criticism

Under-fire Thomas Frank has issued a rallying cry to disconnected Tottenham supporters and insisted they are “nothing without the fans” ahead of Tuesday’s trip to Newcastle.

Frank’s short tenure suffered another setback with Saturday’s dismal 2-1 defeat at home to Fulham, where goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario was booed during the game following a comical error.

Further boos greeted half-time and full-time but Frank has since reflected on his post-match criticism of those he said were “not true Tottenham fans”.

Frank said: “I completely understand the frustration. If we don’t win, there will always be a frustration, so that is normal.

“We are nothing without the fans. No club is anything without the fans. Tottenham Hotspur, we are nothing without our fantastic fans. Nothing.

“We need each other. There is nothing we want more than making them happy in every way.”

Question marks over Rodri return

Manchester City remain unclear when key midfielder Rodri will be fit to return to action.

The Spain international has endured a troubled return after missing much of last season with a knee injury and has appeared just once – and then only for one minute – in City’s last 10 games due to a hamstring problem.

The 29-year-old has been ruled out of Tuesday’s trip to Fulham and is doubtful for the home clash with Sunderland on Saturday.

“No, not yet,” said manager Pep Guardiola when asked, at a short press conference on Monday, if Rodri was available.

Asked if he could feature at the weekend, Guardiola said: “I don’t know.”

Wednesday suffer further points deduction

Sheffield Wednesday have been handed a further six-point deduction for financial breaches by the English Football League.

The Sky Bet Championship club were deducted 12 points in October after going into administration and have now been hit with another points penalty “for multiple breaches of EFL regulations relating to payment obligations”.

Wednesday, now on minus 10 points at the foot of the table, had been aware a possible second points deduction was imminent as the EFL investigated the club’s failure on multiple occasions to pay players and staff on time.

An EFL spokesperson said: “Following earlier media reports, the EFL can confirm that Sheffield Wednesday FC are to be deducted six points with immediate effect for multiple breaches of EFL Regulations relating to payment obligations, with Mr Dejphon Chansiri prohibited from being an owner or director of any EFL club for a period of three years.”

McGregor refuses to be drawn on Scotland return

Celtic captain Callum McGregor refuses to be drawn on the prospect of returning to the Scotland fold for next summer’s World Cup.

The 32-year-old retired from international duty after Euro 2024 with 63 caps to his name in order to focus on being as fresh as possible for his club.

Asked if he would have any interest in being considered for a Scotland recall for the global showpiece, McGregor said: “To be honest, it’s not something I’ve thought of.

“Obviously the guys have done amazing to qualify in the last international break. I’ve a lot of good team-mates and good friends in there, so I was so happy for them.

“And for me, I just want to concentrate on the job I’ve got here (at Celtic). I don’t want to get drawn into anything like that.”

What’s on today

Tuesday’s Premier League action sees beleaguered Tottenham travel to St James’ Park to face Newcastle, Manchester City visit Fulham and Bournemouth host Everton at the Vitality Stadium.

In the Championship, Blackburn and Ipswich will try again in a repeat of their September fixture at Ewood Park that was controversially abandoned in the 80th minute with the home side leading 1-0.