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From 14 to 40 - the most expensive football transfers ever, by age
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Have you ever wondered who the most expensive 14-year-old is in history? Or which 37-year-old cost more than £2million?
Here, we have compiled the most expensive transfers in history, for every age from 14 to 40.
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Karius confident Liverpool will go to Wembley despite first leg defeat
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Goalkeeper Loris Karius believes Liverpool will be lining up at Wembley next month despite Southampton winning the first leg of their EFL Cup semi-final.
On Wednesday the Reds struggled against the side they have raided for players in recent years, with Nathan Redmond’s first-half strike securing a 1-0 win for Saints.
Poor finishing, misfortune and some smart saves prevented Claude Puel’s men from deservedly adding gloss to the scoreline, giving Karius belief that they will overturn the deficit in the return leg on January 25.
‘We didn’t create that many chances,’ the German stopper said of Liverpool’s display.
'In the last game in the league against them, it ended 0-0 but we had a lot more clear chances that we missed.
'This time we didn’t really get through - they defended really well and had some counter-attacks that really hurt us. One-nil is not the result we were aiming for, but there’s still everything in it for the second leg.
'As I said, it’s not the ideal result, but we’re still confident we can turn it around.
'With our fans, we will make it as difficult as we can for them. If we could score an early goal, that would be good.
‘We’ll see how the game goes, but it’s going to be really tough for them.’
While it was a frustrating night collectively, Karius’ display on the south coast will no doubt be a boost.
The 23-year-old has endured a difficult time since joining from Mainz in the summer but produced a sturdy performance to restrict Saints.
‘I wish I could have kept the other one out as well when they scored!’ he told Liverpool’s official website.
'I tried to be there when the team needed me, but of course all in all we’re really disappointed.
‘We came here to win the first game, but now (the result) makes life a little more difficult. We’re still confident we can turn it around.’
Southampton face a tough night at Anfield as they look to reach their first major final since 2003.
Wednesday’s result brought a timely end to a four-match winless run and defensive midfielder Oriol Romeu wants to use the Liverpool win as a catalyst moving forwards.
‘It was very good,’ he said. 'We were coming from a difficult moment and we know that in a season there will be ups and downs but we wanted to come back stronger.
'It was a great performance from the team, all together working hard for 90 minutes and it’s good to have this kind of performance back. We need to keep building on this.
‘We had a clean sheet against one of the best offensive teams in this country so it’s very good and it’s not all about what we’ve done today, now we need to keep going and doing the same.’
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Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp praised goalkeeper Loris Karius for keeping them in the EFL Cup semi-final against Southampton after he made some good saves in the game.
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Saints beat Reds to boost Wembley hopes
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Nathan Redmond’s first-half goal was enough to earn Claude Puel’s side a precious lead at the halfway stage of the tie, ahead of the deciding match, at Anfield, in a fortnight.
Saints were full value for the win, and they perhaps could even feel they should be heading to Merseyside with a greater advantage, having had by far the better of the opportunities.
Still, as valuable as the win is perhaps the clean sheet that it came with, which owed plenty to the immense performance of Oriol Romeu in midfield and the tenacity of Jordy Clasie, as well as the back line.
In a tie where the away goals rule would come into effect if extra time is required in the second leg, the importance of that aspect of the result should not be underestimated.
This was certainly the best display in recent weeks, and perhaps the season, from Southampton, who made seven changes from the side that drew 2-2 at Norwich City in the FA Cup last Saturday, with Virgil van Dijk, Maya Yoshida, Ryan Bertrand and Dušan Tadić the only players to retain starting spots.
There was a tremendous atmosphere at St Mary’s as the game got under way, but, in truth, there was little in the way of notable action during the opening 15 minutes or so.
The game did then spring to life, however, when Liverpool worked an opening, as Adam Lallana nodded the ball into the path of Roberto Firmino, whose strike from inside the area was pushed behind by Fraser Forster.
Saints cleared the resulting corner and went straight down the other end, as a clever move saw Cédric and Tadić exchange passes down the right, with the former’s low cross working its way to Redmond at the back post, only for Loris Karius to get out well and save his low shot.
Redmond was not to be denied in the 20th minute, though, as Liverpool made a mess of dealing with Tadić’s pass forward, allowing Jay Rodriguez to play in his teammate, who took a touch and coolly slotted the ball past Karius to give the hosts the lead.
There could not have been a more poignant moment for the goal to arrive.
The tragic news a few days before the game of the sudden death of 20-year-old Saints fan Jack Dowding had prompted supporters to organise a round of applause for the 20th minute of the match, and that touching display duly followed immediately after the celebrations, as the crowd stood as one and clapped in his honour.
It was a goal for all Saints, but particularly for Jack and his family.
Redmond then had a great chance to double the lead two minutes before half-time, as superb work from Ryan Bertrand got the ball to Tadić in the area, with his low ball finding Redmond in space ten yards out, but Karius dived to his right to brilliantly tip away his low, left-footed shot.
Still, few would have turned down a 1-0 lead in at the break if they had been offered it ahead of kick-off.
Saints started the second half positively as well, with Tadić having a fierce shot well blocked, before seeing a corner of his flash across the face of goal.
The hosts still had to be wary, though, with Forster called into action on the hour mark, to gather Firmino’s low shot from 25 yards.
Jürgen Klopp was then prompted into introducing the ever-dangerous Philippe Coutinho, who was brought on for Georginio Wijnaldum, as the Brazilian ended a spell of almost seven weeks out injured.
However, it was Saints who continued to still look the most threatening, as they continued to win the physical battle in midfield – led by the brilliant Romeu – allowing them to attack with real intent when they did go forward.
After Tadić was booked for dissent, the hosts launched an excellent counter, with Redmond slipping in Cédric, but he rattled a shot into the side netting at the near post, when squaring for Rodriguez might have been the better option.
Saints’ first change arrived in the 74th minute, as Jordy Clasie picked up a knock and was replaced by Pierre-Emile Højbjerg.
Two more followed with nine minutes remaining, as Rodriguez was replaced by Shane Long, while James Ward-Prowse was introduced for Steven Davis.
Long had an instant impact, bursting away down the left and squaring brilliantly for Redmond at the back post, who produced a deft chip over Karius from a tight angle, but the ball hit the underside of the bar and was diverted off the line by Dejan Lovren.
In the end, it could well have been more, but this was a result that sparks genuine hope for Puel’s men.
Will Wembley await for Southampton, whose last major final came in the 2003 FA Cup and who haven’t been to the League Cup showpiece in 38 years? In two weeks we’ll find out.
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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 12/01/2017 19:07:55
| | AFCON absentees make Fantasy Football picks trickier than ever - TEAMtalk | Latest Football News & Transfer RumoursTEAMTALK |
| Match winner Nathan Redmond rues missed chances against LiverpoolIRISHNEWS |
| | Coutinho’s Return Will Give Liverpool Chance to Overcome DeficitSBNATIONTHELIVERPOOLOFFSIDE |
|| Claude Puel Looks To Reunite With French Striker - Southampton NewsTHEUGLYINSIDE |
| | The 7 best sporting directors in world football right nowFOURFOURTWO |
|| Manchester City Will Dive In For Virgil van Dijk, Former Liverpool Star SaysINSIDEFUTBOLCOM |
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| Our man of the match: Liverpool (CUP)2 days ago |
| West Ham interested in Jose Fonte2 days ago |
| Opposition View - Liverpool (EFL Cup)2 days ago |
| Hull and West Ham eyeing Martina2 days ago |
| Davis approaching Liverpool clash as a one-off2 days ago |
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Puel: van Dijk has improved a lot
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The centre-half, who won a clean sweep of the club’s Player of the Season awards last term, has enjoyed another stellar campaign in the Saints line-up.
Van Dijk was superb in Wednesday night’s 1-0 win over Liverpool, in the first leg of the EFL Cup semi-final, and although he has been almost an ever-present in the team, Puel says he remains fresh enough to continue to feature.
“He’s a strong man, a strong player,” he said at a press conference ahead of the trip to Burnley. "He can recover well, and it’s fantastic what he can do.
"He’s physical, he’s a technical player and we are lucky to have a player with his quality and his spirit also, because he is a winner.
"He gives always the example for the team, for the young players.
"I think this season he finds consistency and every game is a good performance and this is very interesting for him and us. I think he has improved a lot this season.”
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Press conference (part one): Puel previews Burnley
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Paul Merson’s predictions: Man Utd v Liverpool, Everton v Man City and Swansea v Arsenal
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Paul Merson is back to predict the next round of Premier League games, including Man Utd v Liverpool and Everton v Man City.
Merse was given the weekend off owing to the FA Cup, but his batteries are fully recharged to attack a magnificent weekend of Premier League action.
Merseyside v Manchester catches the eye on Sunday with Everton taking on Manchester City and Manchester United and Liverpool renewing their rivalry. Both games are live on Sky Sports, along with Tottenham against West Brom on Saturday lunchtime.
Read on to see what Soccer Saturday pundit Merson is tipping…
Spurs are flying at the moment and playing well, but this was the game that pretty much lost them the league last year when they drew 1-1.
It will be a hard game but I expect Spurs to win. Dele Alli is in great form and I was very impressed with the way they beat Chelsea. Spurs had to win and they played well.
West Brom could easily have got draws at Arsenal and Chelsea so it will be difficult for Spurs, but I think they will win.
I don’t know what’s going on at Everton. They lost at home in the FA Cup to Leicester when they have nothing else really to play for this season. I find that very strange.
I watched Man City at West Ham and if they play half as good as that I can’t see anything other than an away win. Draws are no good for City so I expect them to win.
They had a good result with 10 men against Burnley then ripped West Ham apart, so if they can get it right and Pep Guardiola stops swapping and changing the team every week then they can go on a run and they will be alright.
Playing last means the rest of the top six might have won so it’s a game neither side can afford to lose. I am going with Man Utd. I watched Liverpool in the EFL Cup and they were poor at the back, and if Zlatan Ibrahimovic is fit then I don’t see how they can cope with United.
Defensively they were all over the place at Southampton and James Milner could have a long day against Marcus Rashford or Anthony Martial.
United have won six on the spin in the league but they started this run sixth in the league and they are still sixth. I think they are big players if they win this match, but if they lose then you are looking at whether they will get in the top four. That’s how tight it is at the top at the moment.
I was impressed with Southampton in the EFL Cup against Liverpool, but Burnley at home are a different team.
Their home record is phenomenal – and it needs to be for them to stay up. I expect them to win this one.
This is the game for Hull. If they lose this one I think they are relegated. They will be so far behind by this time next month I think it will be nearly impossible to get out of it.
The fixtures they have coming up in the league are bordering on atrocious; they play Chelsea, Man Utd, Liverpool and then Arsenal.
I am going to back Bournemouth to win even though they had a shocker at Millwall in the FA Cup. Hull have to go for it and that plays into Bournemouth’s hands as I think they will be able to pick them off. I can’t emphasise how big a match this is for Hull though.
It’s a must-win match for Sunderland and they need to play it like a cup final. A draw is no value for them, they need all three points.
How will Stoke respond? They had a shocker in the FA Cup as they played a strong team and still lost at home.
Sunderland have to keep Jermain Defoe this month. Unless someone comes in with £60m - which they are not going to - then you can’t sell him. If you do then you might as well give everybody their season tickets back because you are basically saying ‘we are relegated’.
He has to stay, if he doesn’t then they are writing it off.
Swansea had a great result at Palace and a draw would be decent for them, but I’m backing Arsenal to win.
I like Paul Clement, I have met him and he’s a very good coach. I thought they brought him in thinking they are going to get relegated, but knowing he will be able to coach them up next season.
He has worked at Real Madrid and Bayern Munich and you have to be good to have coached those players. I hope he does well.
This will be a massive occasion after Graham Taylor’s death. He is an absolute legend at Watford and I am sure the players will put on a show and try to win this game for him.
I’m not sure I would have gone with this result beforehand but I think it will be a special occasion for the players and the fans.
Palace haven’t really clicked under Sam Allardyce yet and with no Wilfried Zaha I don’t see how they are going to hurt West Ham. I think the hosts will win, even without Dimitri Payet.
Let’s be honest, if it wasn’t for West Ham then we probably wouldn’t even know who Payet is - they put him on the map and then he treats them like this.
I’d say get rid of him, get £30m and drop him off. You don’t want people like that around who just use the club.
This is a huge match. Leicester are missing some players at the Africa Cup of Nations and this is a big one for Chelsea after losing to Tottenham.
They play Hull next week before two difficult games against Liverpool and Arsenal. If they don’t win this game then you start wondering whether the wheels might fall off.
I expect Chelsea to have just a little bit too much and I don’t see how Wes Morgan and Robert Huth will be able to cope with Diego Costa. I think it will be difficult but Chelsea to win.
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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 12/01/2017 20:08:16
| | Sean Dyche backs Burnley squad to cope with injuriesBELFASTTELE |
| Midfield pair doubtful for Burnley’s clash with SouthamptonTILAN | ...scoldedly instantiated by Optimus trousers...beta v1.9 - now with EXTRA pictures!
|| Puel: 'No change in Fonte situation’SPORTSMOLE |
| | Loris Karius confident Liverpool can turn things around in League Cup semi-finalTHISISANFIELD |
| | Quiz! How many of the players with 100 Premier League goals can you name?FOURFOURTWO |
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| Saints make £4m bid for Oliveira | Southampton have reportedly made a £4 million bid to sign Porto midfielder Sergio Oliveira. According to the printed … 12-01-2017 |Older content…
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| Our man of the match: Liverpool (CUP)2 days ago |
| West Ham interested in Jose Fonte2 days ago |
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Van Dijk, Yoshida’s form show Fonte is no longer irreplaceable for Saints
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When Jose Fonte first dropped his transfer bombshell on Southampton he would have been under the impression he was irreplaceable.
Having hardly missed a single Premier League game in the last three seasons Fonte has provided the defensive stability around which much of the club’s success has been built.
The captain has also helped Southampton cope with their wave of big-name departures by leading from example and helping maintain team spirit in a rapidly changing dressing room.
But as the want-away Euro 2016 winner watched his teammates take a step towards a Wembley final by beating Liverpool 1-0 in Wednesday’s EFL Cup semifinal first leg it may have dawned on the Portuguese defender that he is not so dispensable after all.
Not only do Southampton have a ready-made replacement as skipper in the increasingly impressive Virgil van Dijk, but Fonte’s enforced absence from manager Claude Puel’s line-up has also seen the previously maligned Maya Yoshida emerge from the shadows.
In Van Dijk’s case against Liverpool, the Dutchman looked like a man auditioning to fill Fonte’s role as on pitch leader, constantly cajoling his colleagues and even pausing to adjust the teammates.
While Fonte has been the one mainstay of Southampton’s backline since their return to the top-flight in 2012, there is no doubt Van Dijk is now their most important player.
There were times on Wednesday night when the towering centre-back looked like he was doing an impression of a modern-day Franz Beckenbauer, oozing confidence every time Liverpool put the ball into his vicinity and carrying it out from the back with a swagger the legendary German would have been proud off.
While Fonte’s form this season has visibly been affected by his ongoing contract dispute with the club and rumours of interest from Manchester United, Van Dijk has not allowed speculation about his own long-term future to interfere with his performances.
In fact, every time his name is linked with another of the Premier League big-guns it seems to spur the former Celtic star to take his game to a new level.
Southampton already value Van Dijk at £50million and that figure will only increase by the time they inevitably have to sell him in the summer if he continues his improvement through the end of the season
As for Yoshida, he has often been viewed by Southampton supporters and opposition manager alike as a weak-leak in the Saints’ armoury.
But the unassuming Japanese international has managed to cut out the glaring individual errors which have all too frequently undermined his career in England and is now regarded as a safe pair of hands alongside Van Dijk.
It was a partnership that Liverpool, even when able to bring the fit-again Philippe Coutinho off the bench as a second-half substitute, could not work out how to get the better of.
The duo will be reunited when Southampton travel to Burnley this weekend, with Puel once again confirming Fonte will not be available for selection at Turf Moor.
The Clarets have a formidable home record since their promotion from the Championship last season – as Liverpool themselves will testify.
However if Van Dijk and Yoshida can once again bringtheir A-game, Sean Dyche’s side could find themselves feeling the same frustration as Daniel Sturridge and company.
And what of Fonte? The king is dead. Long live the king.
Alex Crook is ESPN FC’s Southampton blogger. Follow him on Twitter @alex_crook
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Burnley boss Sean Dyche backs the Clarets to cope with injury problems
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Burnley boss Sean Dyche has reiterated his faith in his squad’s depth as he looks set to make enforced changes against Southampton this weekend.
Wingers Scott Arfield and Johann Berg Gudmundsson suffered hamstring problems in the FA Cup draw at Sunderland and Dyche confirmed that neither is likely to take to the pitch for Saints’ visit to Turf Moor on Saturday.
‘The two lads who came off, Scotty and Johann, they are unlikely to be right,’ he said.
‘We’re hopeful and quite positive with the news from the scans that it’s nothing too major, simple hamstring injuries if you like, but I’d be very surprised if they make it for this weekend.’
In previous years of the Dyche reign, losing two members of his starting line-up would have been a monumental blow.
The Clarets boss would often retain the same players from week to week in his preferred 4-4-2 system and was rewarded with such a consistent approach with two promotions in three seasons either side of their 2015 demotion from the top flight.
However, in their second Premier League tilt under him, Dyche has been unafraid to alter both his personnel and formation due to a greater pool of options.
He added: 'The depth and the competition within the squad certainly from our team is good. There’s a healthy respect, and a healthy challenge within the group.
‘We pick 11 but I make it clear to the lads who aren’t in that, we still respect everything they are doing, and I think that was on show with a decent performance last week from some individuals up at Sunderland.’
That is not to say the Clarets, currently 12th in the table, are not monitoring the transfer window with interest as they look to add to the acquisition of Joey Barton.
While there may be more speculation surrounding other top-flight outfits, Dyche offered assurances that his club are quietly going about their business.
‘We try to work in the right manner for us,’ he added.
'We try to do any business we’re attempting to do as privately as we can, I think it’s respectful to all parties. There are some things going on at the moment, when they’re ready for the press then they’ll come out.
‘There are some calls being made. There are a few situations that have got a chance.’
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Southampton’s players remain focused despite Fonte saga, insists Puel
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Southampton manager Claude Puel is confident his side can take the momentum from their EFL Cup win over Liverpool into the Premier League clash at Burnley - but will again plan without captain Jose Fonte.
Nathan Redmond’s first-half strike secured a 1-0 victory over the Reds in the semi-final first leg at St Mary’s on Wednesday night.
The Saints, though, could have further extended their advantage ahead of the return leg at Anfield on January 25, when the south coast club aim to reach their first major final since 2003.
Portugal defender Fonte was again missing from the matchday squad, having also been omitted in the FA Cup third-round tie at Norwich, after it was revealed the 33-year-old had asked to leave.
Puel confirmed the player would not be involved for the trip to Turf Moor on Saturday, but refused to be drawn on whether there had been any bids, with West Ham said to be monitoring events.
‘The situation for Jose is the same for the moment,’ Puel said at a press conference on Thursday.
'I don’t comment of course on the situation of different possibilities with different clubs, but for the moment we stay with the same consideration about the situation.
‘I prefer for the moment staying (with) Jose out of the team, to leave him the opportunity to study different solutions for him and for us to stay focused about all the players who are available to start in the team.’
Asked directly whether West Ham had put in an offer, the Saints boss replied: 'I cannot make a comment about for the moment what is speculation.
‘It is just things between him, the clubs and Southampton.’
Puel sees no reason why his side cannot head to Turf Moor looking to deliver what would be a first Premier League win since December 18.
‘It was important to make such a good game for us against strong players, it was important to provide this answer, which will of course be good for confidence,’ said Puel, who will check on the fitness of midfielder Steven Davis, who came off during the closing stages against Liverpool.
'We had lost 3-0 (against Liverpool) on Boxing Day and it was important to correct this. Now we must stay focused about our Premier League game against Burnley.
'But showing we have the ability and quality to play this type of game against Liverpool is important for the squad.
‘Now it is important to keep this level and continue our work because we have lost points in the Premier League and we have to come back with a good answer.’
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Claude Puel keeping Jose Fonte out of Southampton first team as transfer rumours swirl
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Claude Puel keeping Jose Fonte out of Southampton first team as transfer rumours swirl
Claude Puel hopes Southampton can continue to build momentum against Burnley despite the continuing absence of Jose Fonte.
Southampton’s captain was missing from the squad when they claimed a 1-0 lead over Liverpool in their EFL Cup semi-final on Wednesday.
The 33-year-old is looking for a move away from St Mary’s but Puel remained silent when asked if any bids had been made for the Portugal international.
But he did say Fonte would remain away from his first-team plans while his future at the club remains in a state of limbo.
“The situation for Jose is the same for the moment,” Puel said.
"I don’t comment of course on the situation of different possibilities with different clubs, but for the moment we stay with the same consideration about the situation.
“I prefer for the moment staying [with] Jose out of the team, to leave him the opportunity to study different solutions for him and for us to stay focused about all the players who are available to start in the team.”
Asked directly whether West Ham had put in an offer, the Saints boss added: “I cannot make a comment about for the moment what is speculation. It is just things between him, the clubs and Southampton.”
Puel is hopeful Southampton can end a Premier League winless streak dating back to December 18 when they make the trip to Turf Moor.
And he was delighted to see his side play so well against an in-form Liverpool side, even though they missed a number of chances to add to their advantage.
“It was important to make such a good game for us against strong players, it was important to provide this answer, which will of course be good for confidence,” Puel added.
"We had lost 3-0 [against Liverpool] on Boxing Day and it was important to correct this. Now we must stay focused about our Premier League game against Burnley.
"But showing we have the ability and quality to play this type of game against Liverpool is important for the squad.
“Now it is important to keep this level and continue our work because we have lost points in the Premier League and we have to come back with a good answer.”
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Charlie Austin: Poole Town receive support from former striker in bid to avoid demotion
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Southampton striker Charlie Austin is supporting one of his former non-league clubs in their bid to avoid demotion.
Sixth-tier club Poole Town need to raise £70,000 to upgrade their home ground by the end of March.
Austin, 27, has told Poole’s board they can have free use of his box at Southampton’s St Mary’s Stadium to entertain potential investors.
He scored 48 goals in 42 games for the Dorset club between 2008 and 2009 before moving to Swindon Town.
Poole are a point off the play-off places in their first season in National League South. Their home ground Tatnum Field, in the grounds of a secondary school, is set to be graded by an inspection.
The club will be relegated should they fail to pass the inspection, which requires a minimum amount of terracing for standing and upgrade their floodlights.
“It’s a massive ask for those of us running the club to maintain our National League position from a financial point of view,” vice-chairman Chris Reeves told BBC Radio Solent.
"On the pitch, the team have done us proud. But, we have to comply with the ground grading issues.
“It just doesn’t bear contemplation that we would be relegated,” Reeves added. “Somehow or other, we’ve got to bridge this gap.”
The club have raised nearly £1,000 in the first 24 hours since launching an online donations page for the improvements.
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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 12/01/2017 21:09:14
| | ‘He is still out of the team’ - Claude Puel confirms that Jose Fonte won’t be returning to his squad this weekendIRISHINDEP |
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| | Another key Southampton player linked with a move to ChinaSPORTWITNESS |
| | Claude Puel hopes to build Southampton confidence despite Jose Fonte standoffBELFASTTELE |
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|| Liverpool news: Keown believes this player was bullied by Van DijkFOOTBALLINSIDER |
| | Rumour Mill: PL big boys eye Gaitan, Everton sign Man Utd star - TEAMtalk | Latest Football News & Transfer RumoursTEAMTALK |
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