Two of the nation's leading sports stars will be suffering that Monday morning feeling, although the gravity of their respective situations differs markedly. While Rio Ferdinand's football future "hangs in the balance", his plight is put into perspective by rugby star Will Geenwood.
The England centre, who scored a try in Saturday's win over South Africa, has rushed back from Australia to be with his pregnant wife in hospital.
The couple lost their first child, Freddie, who was born prematurely last year.
And The Guardian describes the Greenwoods' situation as a reality check that has hit the England squad with "distressing haste".
 | BACK PAGE HEADLINES TheTimes: Video replays aid England bid to fast-forward to semi-finals The Guardian: England stunned by Greenwood crisis Daily Telegraph: Greenwood in rush to wife The Independent: England bank on swift return by Greenwood The Sun: Nobby storms out on Bobby Daily Express: Brazil nut - Abramovich opens talks on �50m bid for Roberto Carlos Daily Mail: Future is bleak for Rio Daily Star: Sort your head out - Wenger on Wiltord Daily Mirror: Your number is up, Rio |
The Daily Express says Greenwood gave "a remarkable display in appalling circumstances" against the Springboks, and The Independent claims England need his "swift return". As for Ferdinand, his troubles centre around having left his mobile phone on while he went shopping on 23 September.
The Football Association are "losing patience" with the Manchester United defender, according to the Daily Mirror, as they continue to wait for his phone records.
The Daily Mail reports that the FA are "aghast" at seeing those records "splashed across the pages of two Sunday tabloids" and remain "deeply suspicious".
Another storm is brewing in the north-east, according to The Sun, which claims Nolberto Solano has "stormed out" of Newcastle after a bust-up with Craig Bellamy.
But on a more posirtive note, David Beckham tells the paper it is time for English football to clean up its act.
"I think it's important we get back to thinking about the beautiful game," says the England captain.
And it's not all gloom and doom in football - at least if you'rte a Chelsea fan.
After Wayne Rooney, David Beckham and Rio Ferdinand in the last three days alone, the latest name to be linked to Stamford Bridge is Roberto Carlos, for a paltry �50m according to the Express.
MMIX
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