horrible

ISAAC HAYDEN feels sympathy for Chelsea ‘bomb squad’ members Raheem Sterling and Axel Disasi.

The ex-Newcastle midfielder, now at QPR, spent the first five months of last season in limbo after failing to secure a summer move.

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Sterling shared a photo of himself training alone late in the evening, while boss Enzo Maresca admitted he has not even spoken to the winger this season.

Hayden, 30, was not in Eddie Howe’s plans but his circumstances were slightly different.

He told SunSport: “I have sympathy because footballers want to play — but everyone’s got different reasons as to why they find themselves in a so-called ‘bomb squad’.

“It happened to me because I couldn’t find a solution during that summer window which fitted in with what Newcastle also wanted.

“But I had constant contact with Eddie and was given nothing but support.”

Hayden made 187 appearances for Newcastle, won the Championship title in 2017 and had five seasons playing in the Premier League. 

But a knee injury in December 2021 sidelined him for 5½ months and Howe later told him he was surplus to requirements.

Hayden said: “By the time I’d come back, they had signed Bruno Guimaraes, and Joelinton was playing as a No 8 — so there was no space.

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“And the team had been transformed from one fighting relegation to having top-six form.

“Eddie was honest and said he had five players in front of me. You think to yourself, ‘I know where I stand’. I’d rather  that than the manager not talking to me.

“You hear people talk about bomb squads where they isolate you, and that’s horrible — but Eddie and Newcastle didn’t do that.

“We had the conversation as to why he couldn’t name me in the 25-man squad.

“And it’s not as simple as, ‘Why not let him train with the first team?’. If you’re doing an 11 v 11 game and everyone’s fit, you’re not going to be able to train with the group because there are too many players.

So Eddie’s solution for me to train with the Under-23s was better. It meant I could train normally every day — and not by myself.”

Hayden actually embraced that period and even did some coaching.

He said: “The bottom line is you’re getting paid good money by the club as a professional footballer. So you give 100 per cent to them in whatever role you’re in.”

After spending the second half of last season on loan with Portsmouth, Hayden joined QPR permanently in the summer.

And now he is hoping to play for Jamaica at next summer’s World Cup.

He said: “One of the huge blessings to come out of that period was I was able to go to Jamaica for a few days to sort my  passport out so I could play for them.

“Had I been playing first-team football every week I’d have not been able to.

“Now I have a chance of making the World Cup. It goes to show you can make everything work out in the end.”

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It’s sits on a beautiful 22-mile coastline and has one of the most unique natural environments in the country – but it’s not to everyone’s taste

Most Britons consider Spain and Greece when deciding where to head for a seaside getaway.

The reliable sunshine and balmy temperatures make these two nations a favoured choice for those tired of drizzle and overcast, grey skies as the autumn weather draws in.

Nevertheless, the UK boasts a stunning array of beaches that are perfect for a day trip or even an extended break.

According to The Beach Guide, there are 1,500 beaches scattered across the UK and Ireland.

The guide has assembled a list of Britain’s finest beaches, but one location is notably missing from the rankings, reports the Express.

Southport Beach forms the northernmost section of Sefton’s spectacular 22-mile shoreline and boasts one of the nation’s most distinctive natural habitats.

It provides sanctuary for thousands of migrating wading birds from their northern nesting areas and is renowned for staging the Southport Air Show.

Regrettably, numerous beach visitors have been far from satisfied, based on feedback posted on Tripadvisor.

One frustrated holidaymaker named Jessica raged: “Horrible, walked miles without seeing any sea, shells everywhere, it’s just sand and there are no cubicles to get changed.”

Another visitor, Suzie, agreed, posting: “Absolutely disgusting! One of my worst experiences ever.

“Walked miles on end for the sea just to realise that it was not clean and full of jellyfish.

“There were shells everywhere and my feet got cut with shells and sharp objects in the sand. Do not go to this beach for the sea because you will never find it!”

Which? magazine has named the beach as one of the worst seaside towns in the UK for two years running.

Yet, Southport beach isn’t all doom and gloom, scoring a respectable 6.7 on beaches-searcher.com..

Indeed, some holidaymakers have sung its praises, awarding it a perfect 10 out of 10.

One such visitor, Rajdwip Tapadar, commented: “A good place to hang out but if you are expecting some sea then you might need to walk more. Take a beer and relax in the lap of nature.”

During Love Island’s explosive Movie Night, Helena was exposed for calling her best friend Meg ‘a mug’ behind her back and criticising Dejon to others

Love Island viewers were left cheering from their sofas during Movie Night as Helena’s true colours were finally exposed to the entire villa. Once seen as Meg’s closest friend, Helena’s behind-the-back digs were aired for everyone to see, revealing a brutal betrayal that stunned both Islanders and Love Island fans alike.

In a clip titled “Mugged Off,” Helena was seen calling Meg “a mug” for giving Dejon another chance, just hours after comforting her to her face. The footage also showed Helena slamming Dejon to other Islanders in private, creating further chaos in the already tense villa.

Meg looked shocked and visibly upset as the truth played out in front of her, while Dejon sat in silence, taking in the brutal commentary. Meanwhile, the rest of the group watched in awkward disbelief as Helena’s two-faced behaviour was laid bare on the big screen.

Fans took to social media instantly to share their reactions. One viewer tweeted, “Helena got caught in 4K and it was beautiful to watch.” Another added, “Meg deserves better. That girl has been smiling in her face and stabbing her in the back.”

Someone else said: “OMG so happy Helena’s ways have finally been exposed.” Another echoed: “Meg can finally see how sneaky Helena and Harry actually are. Saying one thing to their face and another behind their backs. So weak.”

While Helena tried to defend herself after the screening, the damage appeared done. Many Islanders grew visibly cold toward her, with some questioning where her loyalties really lie.

Elsewhere, drama reached boiling point on Love Island tonight as the long-awaited Movie Night delivered one of the most explosive episodes of the season. Shocking footage from Casa Amor triggered a major fallout between Meg and Dejon, whose relationship now hangs in the balance.

Islanders gathered under the stars to watch secret clips from their time apart, but what was meant to be entertaining quickly turned tense. A montage of Dejon’s flirty behaviour, particularly his interactions with Andrada and Malisha, left Meg visibly shaken.

“F**ing hell, any more flirting?”, Meg exclaimed after watching her partner entertain connections during Casa Amor. The comment sent a ripple through the group as Dejon attempted to defend himself, but the damage had already been done.

The tension escalated when Andrada, who had formed a connection with Dejon during Casa, was pulled into the confrontation. Putting her foot down, she said: “I’m going to stand my ground,” as Dejon tried to interject.

Later that evening, Meg pulled Dejon aside to confront him privately, accusing him of embarrassing her in front of the entire villa. “I feel violated in front of all of the girls,” she told him, holding back tears.

Dejon, seemingly caught off-guard by the intensity of her reaction, struggled to explain himself. He admitted to being confused, saying he didn’t know if he was truly being honest, with Meg or himself after his true actions were finally exposed to the girl he had been coupled up with from day one.

Meanwhile, social media lit up with mixed reactions. Some viewers backed Meg’s emotional response, while others questioned her decision to direct her anger at Andrada rather than Dejon. One viewer on X said: “Meg was WAY too calm for what she just saw. If I were her? Explosions. Nuclear. #LoveIsland”

Another echoed: “Dejon fumbled Meg for a Casa flirt and a laugh? Make it make sense. #MovieNightMadness.” Someone else added: “I actually think Meg was more mad at Andrada than Dejon?? Redirect that anger, babe.”

Elsewhere, another fan said: “Dejon is acting confused like he didn’t just get EXPOSED on the big screen. Please. And Andrada staying calm while getting glares from Meg is iconic.”

Love Island continues on Sunday night at 9pm on ITV and ITVX.

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