The Football Association of Ireland has extended John O’Shea's spell as interim head coach of the men’s national team.

The FAI announced on X, external that former Manchester United defender O'Shea, 42, will lead the side for international friendly matches against Hungary and Portugal in June.

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Sheffield United

More from Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder on Oli McBurnie, who will miss the rest of the season after not featuring in Wednesday's 4-2 defeat at Manchester United with a groin injury: "It's a massive blow for us, but it goes alongside a lot of the situations we've had all season.

"It's a really disappointing one. He went to see a surgeon, a specialist, it doesn't require surgery, but obviously that's a big one to miss from a leadership and experience point of view."

Sheffield United

Sheffield United are dangling over the cliff edge of relegation and could see their fate sealed this weekend if they lose to Newcastle at St James' Park.

Chris Wilder has been chatting to the media and unfortunately, his first piece of news was not good, as the Blades boss revealed striker Oli McBurnie is out for the remainder of the season.

Full quotes to follow.

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You can get all the latest news on Newcastle United by clicking here for BBC Sport's club index.

Right, over to Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder and some disappointing news on the fitness of Oli McBurnie...

You can read more news on the potential future of Newcastle's Brazil midfielder Bruno Guimaraes in Friday's BBC Sport gossip column:

Arsenal and Manchester City have been made aware that Newcastle United will listen to offers in excess of £80m for 26-year-old Brazil midfielder Guimaraes this summer.(90min), external

As confirmed by Eddie Howe today, Guimaraes' £100m release clause will only be active for one month, from late May to late June. (Fabrizio Romano, via Caught Offside), external

Meanwhile, Crystal Palace's Dougie Freedman is on Newcastle United's shortlist to become their new sporting director. (Mail), external

Want more transfer news? Read Friday's full gossip column

Newcastle United

A final word from Newcastle boss Eddie Howe on Bruno Guimaraes' £100m release clause expiring at the end of June: "Having that was well planned and structured by the club, in a sense that there’s a sort of finish point. We don’t want constant speculation, it’s not healthy for the player or for us.

"It goes without saying we want to keep him, I want to build our team around him. His form has been very good and he seems very happy and settled.

"He’ll be thinking about a very busy summer ahead, where hopefully we can take the team, with him a big part of it. But we aren’t in control of that so let’s see."

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Newcastle United

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In an interview with Gary Neville on The Overlap, , externalAnthony Gordon revealed how meditation helps him to cope with the pressure of playing football. He also talked about how seeing Liverpool's Mohamed Salah talk about visualisation helped him take more interest in it.

"Meditating is more of a coping mechanism to help with pressures of playing and just allows me to react from a higher place than my own emotions as playing emotionally doesn’t help me," said Gordon.

"My preparation starts two days before the game. I do a lot of meditation and visualisation, so if a chance comes to me in the game, it's like I already lived it. It helps me trust in my ability, so when the opportunity comes in the game I don’t overthink it.

"My confidence comes from my preparation. I don’t know where it comes from as no-one around me is like that, I love learning stuff and I took a liking to psychology. Some footballers like to play instinctively, but I love the mindset of getting myself into that space before getting into that position.

"I have seen seen [Mohamed] Salah talk about it and that’s where I took more of an interest in it, as he is a machine and a winner and you wouldn’t go wrong following what he does."

It is not yet clear where Newcastle need to finish in the table to guarantee qualification for Europe next season. Seventh could be enough, but, as it stands, sixth place would secure a place in the Europa Conference League.

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Newcastle United

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe on the final five games of the season as they aim to secure a second consecutive season of European competition: "We must learn and absorb all the lessons from Wednesday.

"Every game is so difficult, it is up to us to firstly go into the game with the right mentality and let our players express themselves in the right way. We have to finish the season strongly, we are under no illusions on how important these fixtures are."

Newcastle United

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe on further team news before his side face relegation-threatened Sheffield United: "Callum [Wilson] came through fine, I thought he looked good and worked well with the lads around him. He had a couple of dangerous moments, that was a positive from Wednesday."

On Nick Pope, Joelinton and Miguel Almiron:"They are getting closer. Nick is beginning to start his early training sessions with us. He has started to be with outfield players in shooting drills. Joelinton has seen a specialist and is working on his own programme. Miggy is there or thereabouts and could be back next week."

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Newcastle United

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe provided an update on defender Tino Livramento, who was an unused sub against Crystal Palace and has been struggling with an ankle issue: "Tino came on against Tottenham and had a slight reaction in his ankle after that game. It was minimal.

"It is the same story with a few of the players - we are having to look after him and hopefully those few days' rest will make a big difference. Let’s see how he feels today before making a decision on him tomorrow."

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Newcastle United

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe on his side's 2-0 defeat at Crystal Palace on Wednesday: "We were disappointing, we acknowledge that and hold our hands up to it.

"We missed those resilient qualities that we need and that has been too often the case away from home. We have to do better."

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OK, we will carry those quotes from Neil Warnock on VAR in a moment, but first, let's hear from Eddie Howe...

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder and Newcastle's Eddie Howe have been holding their pre-match news conferences. We will be hearing from them shortly.

Here is how the bottom half of the Premier League table looks, going into this weekend's fixtures.

Regardless of results elsewhere, Sheffield United will be relegated if they lose at Newcastle on Saturday, although a draw would probably also send them down, given their vastly inferior goal difference.

Basement club Blades are 10 points behind Nottingham Forest, in 17th, with four games to play.

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Neil Warnock
Former Sheffield United, QPR and Cardiff boss on BBC Radio 5 Live

At the moment you would say Nottingham Forest [will survive], wouldn't you, when you look at the other two [Luton and Burnley]?

But Burnley are on a good run. Nothing would surprise me about Vincent [Kompany]. He is going to keep going to the end. They lost a lot of good players last year that they had on loan so it didn't surprise me that they had struggled a bit.

Luton have been fantastic. Whatever happens with Luton, Rob [Edwards] has done a great job there so it will be interesting in the run-in.

It's not going to be straight-forward for Forest.

BBC Radio 5 Live

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Neil Warnock has been talking on BBC Radio 5 Live this morning, ostensibly to share his experience on what it is like as a manager dealing with the pressure of a title run-in or relegation battle.

He was asked about the chances Burnley, Luton and Nottingham Forest had of escaping relegation, after conceding that his former club Sheffield United were now doomed for the drop.

And Warnock also shared his - very frank - views on VAR. It seems he has changed his mind after initially welcoming the innovation. Trust me, he pulls no punches.

Liverpool

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk believes prospective new Reds manager Arne Slot's playing philosophy could be suited to the Anfield club.

"I find it hard to answer of course, but I think Arne Slot is perhaps one of the better Dutch coaches at this moment," Van Dijk told Viaplay. , externalfollowing his side's 2-0 defeat at Everton on Wednesday.

He said of his fellow Dutchman: "I think the way of playing and the philosophy he has, that he could be a Liverpool coach.

"Only I think from what I read and hear is that it's still far from being completed. We shall see."

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Arne Slot led Feyenoord to the 2022-23 Eredivisie title and this season's Dutch Cup, and he has previously been linked with Tottenham and Leeds United.

The 45-year-old Dutchman took over as Feyenoord manager in 2021 and confirmed his interest in managing in the Premier League when he was linked with Spurs in 2023.

It is believed that the attacking style of Slot's teams, his personality and his ability to develop players are key factors in making him Liverpool's preferred candidate.