All posts by h716a5.icu

Former Tottenham Hotspur defender Alan Hutton has called for Bryan Gil to be unleashed on Thursday.

The Lowdown: Barely seen so far

One of five summer incomings at Spurs this summer, Gil has only appeared for two minutes in Premier League action this season after swapping Sevilla for London.

Gil, 20, started both games of the Europa Conference League qualifying success over Portugeuse side Pacos Ferreira but wasn’t called upon off the bench in Saturday’s 3-0 defeat at Crystal Palace.

With Heung-Min Son and Steven Bergwijn out, Spurs struggled to break down Palace’s defence and lacked any creativity in the final third, but those injuries mean the Spaniard could now start in France.

The Latest: Hutton calls for Gil involvement

Speaking to Football Insider, former Spurs defender Alan Hutton has claimed the barely seen summer signing must start on Thursday night against Rennes.

Hutton believes Gil could help Nuno Espirito Santo with his creativity and the Spanish winger has the ability to ‘unlock defences’.

“I like him. When he signed, I obviously looked him up and he looks really tricky and really good on the ball.

“He’s a player that can split open defences, and probably what they were crying out for the other day against Palace,” Hutton said.

“It would be nice to see him against Rennes and beyond because I think he could really unlock defences in the Premier League.”

The Verdict: Gil could make a difference

Last season in La Liga, Gil made 29 appearances for Sevilla, scoring three and assisting three times to help the club qualify for the Champions League.

Hailed a ‘very talented player’ by Kevin Campbell, Gil’s talent is likely to be showcased in Thursday’s Europa Conference League group stage qualifier and, if impressive against Rennes, will warrant the chance to feature in Sunday’s big game with Chelsea.

The absence of Son and Bergwijn means the door is well and truly open for the 20-year-old to impress and become a first-team regular for his new club so early in his career.

In other news, Spurs have made movements in securing the services of highly-rated midfielder. Find out more here.

Shaun Tait says he aims to play in the closing rounds of the IPL, despite Cricket Australia this month ruling him out of the tournament on medical grounds

Alex Brown28-Apr-2009Shaun Tait is aiming to play in the closing rounds of the IPL, despite Cricket Australia this month ruling him out of the tournament on medical grounds. Tait returned to the nets this week after three months on the sidelines with chronic hamstring tendonitis, and is hopeful of being cleared for the final stages of the Rajasthan Royals’ campaign in South Africa.Tait was the only senior Australian player to be selected in the 2009 IPL auction when purchased by Rajasthan for $375,000. The South Australian paceman was disappointed on learning of CA medical staff’s intention to stand him down from the lucrative Twenty20 league, but believes he has now made sufficient progress in his recovery from injury to be reconsidered.”If I can get myself fit, and there is a window for the final two or three games, that would be fantastic,” Tait told Cricinfo. “Because of the injury, Cricket Australia weren’t keen to release me to play [in the IPL], which ruled me out of training and playing with Rajasthan. That was pretty frustrating, because it was something I wanted to be a part of. But now that I am back in the nets and feeling good, hopefully there’s a chance there.”When fit, Tait has been an integral member of Australia’s 50- and 20-over squads in recent seasons, and the right-armer rates himself a “50-50″ chance of being named in the final 15-man line-up for the World Twenty20 in June. The IPL, he feels, represents an ideal opportunity to gain much needed match-practice ahead of the tournament, in which Australia were defeated by India in the semi-finals in 2007.”Obviously a lot of it depends on how I am going physically, but I feel good right at the moment,” he said. “I will keep bowling in the nets, but it would definitely be good to get a few games under my belt. I’m not sure if I’m in the selectors’ minds for the Twenty20 World Cup, but if so, then a few IPL games mightn’t be a bad thing. And if there was the opportunity for a county stint before the one-dayers in England, then that would be great, too.”Tait has contended with a number of elbow, back and hamstring injuries in recent seasons, but remains willing to live with the physical consequences of his violent bowling action for the sake of pace. The 26-year-old said he was loath to tinker with the bowling action that propelled him from the suburban grounds of Adelaide to Kensington Oval, the scene of the 2007 World Cup final, and would consider standing down from the longer forms of the game to extend his career.”At the end of the day, my action has got me this far,” he said. “I am prepared to cop these injuries to keep bowling fast. Last year I probably targetted the shorter forms more. I think one-dayers and Twenty20s suit my style of game more. In the next three or four months, I’ll see how I go. If I’m still feeling good playing four-day cricket then I’d be stupid to walk away, but if not then I’ll have to have a think about it.”I haven’t bowled a ball in three months, so it’s good to be pain-free again. I’ve learned a few ways that might help me manage my injuries better and keep myself strong. I’m sure I’ll get injured again; that’s just the way it is. Maybe that will mean missing a few games here and there, but hopefully I’ll be able to manage things better.”

Sheffield Wednesday manager Darren Moore has provided an update on the fitness of Chey Dunkley and Sam Hutchinson… 

What’s the latest?

The Owls boss has revealed that both players will return to training on Monday following their respective injury layoffs ahead of the club’s trip to Plymouth next weekend in League One.

He told Yorkshire Live: “Chey and Sam will be back in full training on Monday. We expect the whole group to be available and training as one on Monday.”

Fans will be buzzing

Sheffield Wednesday fans will be buzzing with this update from Moore as it means that neither player is set to miss any more matches due to injury. There are no long-term issues which need attending to and they could now be in contention to face Plymouth, which will be a boost ahead of the game as the head coach now has two more options at his disposal.

Both players will also be welcome returns due to their quality on the pitch. Dunkley is currently second in the squad based on WhoScored ratings, with an average score of 7.34 across his two appearances in League One. The experienced centre-back won 13 aerial battles and four tackles and made 10 clearances, two interceptions and two blocks in his matches against Rotherham and Fleetwood.

Hutchinson is not far behind him in fifth with a score of 7.04 in three League One outings. In those matches, he won 10 aerial battles whilst also making six interceptions, nine clearances and three blocks against Fleetwood, Doncaster and Charlton. The Owls did not concede a single goal in those games, highlighting how impressive his defending has been.

These statistics emphasise how important Hutchinson and Dunkley can be for Wednesday this season, as they have both shown that they can put in excellent performances at this level. Therefore, supporters will surely be over the moon that they could both be fit and firing ahead of the clash with Plymouth as it means that two of the club’s best-performing players are available for selection.

In theory, this should boost Wednesday’s chances of winning the match as they have both shown that they can be strong defenders in League One and keep the opposition at bay. Their work then allows the forwards to do their business in the final third without worrying about any mistakes costing goals at the back.

AND in other news, Darren Moore confirms key injury update on midfield beast…

Leeds United youngster Sam Greenwood is believed to have impressed Marcelo Bielsa hugely with his performances at Thorp Arch.

The Lowdown: Greenwood one to watch

The 19-year-old has arguably emerged as the most exciting player in the Whites’ academy, catching the eye after joining from Arsenal last year.

Greenwood has scored 14 goals in just 22 appearances for Leeds’ Under-23s, not to mention 12 in 14 caps for England’s Under-17s.

[freshpress-quiz id=“359346″]

The Latest: Exciting update emerges

According to Football Insider, a Thorp Arch source has claimed that the forward is considered a ‘phenomenal’ talent at Elland Road.

It is even stated that Greenwood has ‘blown Marcelo Bielsa and his backroom team away’ with his talent, suggesting he could become a Premier League star in the future.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-news-15/” title=”Latest Leeds United news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The Verdict: Minutes this season?

Greenwood looks like a special prospect and it would be encouraging to see him given the chance to shine in the first-team this season, having made just one senior appearance to date.

Bielsa could use him in domestic cup competitions – they are generally seen as an opportunity to rest key men – and allow him the chance to prove himself.

With the likes of Mason Greenwood, Harvey Elliott and Bukayo Saka shining for some of the biggest clubs in the country, Leeds shouldn’t be afraid to throw their own young star in at the deep end, if they believe he is ready.

In other news, a pundit believes one player’s Leeds career is over. Find out who it is here.

Batsman Moeen Ali has extended his contract with Worcestershire for three more years, which will keep him at the club till the end of the 2011 season

Cricinfo staff03-Feb-2009
Moeen Ali: “I’m very happy to commit to Worcestershire and repay the faith that the club, and Steve Rhodes, in particular, have shown in me.” © Getty Images
Moeen Ali has extended his contract with Worcestershire for three more years, which will keep him at the club till the end of the 2011 season.An explosive batsman, Moeen – whose contract was to expire at the end of 2009 – averages 28.36 in 16 first-class games, and 22.81 in 35 List A games.”I’m very happy to commit to Worcestershire and repay the faith that the club, and Steve Rhodes [Worcestershire’s director of cricket], in particular, have shown in me,” Moeen, 21, said. “New Road is an exciting place to be at the moment and I’m delighted to be part of a team that I believe can do well in all formats of the game.”Following his move from Warwickshire in September 2006, he played a crucial role in Worcestershire’s Pro40 Division One triumph in 2007, partnering Steve Davies at the top of the order. Their 151-run partnership in less than 17 overs helped secure victory in the deciding match against neighbours Gloucestershire at Bristol.Rhodes said he was pleased Moeen had chosen to stay on. “Moeen is a young and very talented player and is the kind of player we want to see flourish with the county,” Rhodes said. “He has already proved his worth but he has a great opportunity to cement a regular place in the team this year following Graeme Hick’s retirement. I am delighted he has committed his future to Worcestershire.”Moeen’s other notable achievements include the captaining the England Under-19 team for the World Cup in 2006, representing England at the U-15 and U-16 levels and winning the Denis Compton medal two years in succession. He is the cousin of Kabir Ali, who has played one Test and 14 ODIs for England.

Ricky Ponting has bowed to long-term interests by taking a mid-series break despite wanting to stay on and lead his team

Cricinfo staff02-Feb-2009
Ricky Ponting: “There had been suggestions I have a break earlier, but I did not think there was ever an appropriate opportunity and I am not sure there ever will be a good time to do it” © Getty Images
Ricky Ponting has bowed to long-term interests by taking a mid-series break despite wanting to stay on and lead his team through its current slump. Australia’s selectors have rested Ponting for the next two fixtures with New Zealand even though his side is behind after losing the first match of the Chappell-Hadlee Series in Perth on Sunday.Ponting said it was “painful” to leave the current situation. “There is never a good time to be rested from the Australian side and I accept that this certainly is not a good time,” Ponting told the Australian. “The selection panel were determined to rest me no matter what. There had been suggestions I have a break earlier, but I did not think there was ever an appropriate opportunity and I am not sure there ever will be a good time to do it.”Australia have suffered Test and ODI defeats to South Africa, which followed the Test loss in India, but Ponting maintains committed to leading the team through the transition. “But I can see that the long-term interests of my health and the team are best served if I am fit and rested before embarking on another long year of cricket,” he said. “I will leave the side reluctantly but hopefully return refreshed and more determined than ever to rebuild our reputation and lead the team to the best of my abilities.”Callum Ferguson, the South Australia batsman, and Adam Voges, from Western Australia, have come in to the 13-man squad for the matches in Melbourne on Friday and Sydney on Sunday. Shaun Marsh, the opener, is injured after tearing his left hamstring in Perth.Phillip Hughes and Simon Katich were both overlooked despite being in outstanding touch for New South Wales. Both batsmen scored centuries in the win over Tasmania in Newcastle and were part of the squad that won the domestic Twenty20 tournament.”You couldn’t ask for better form,” Katich said of Hughes in the Daily Telegraph. “Phil’s form in the Twenty20 was outstanding, he got runs and got them quickly. He’s probably disappointed to have missed out but at the end of the day he’s in contention for the South African tour and hopefully he gets the thumbs up.” The selectors will meet on Wednesday to choose Matthew Hayden’s replacement.

Ali Bacher has said South Africa are almost at the “end of the road” of its racial transformation policy that was introduced in the 1990s

Cricinfo staff13-Dec-2008
Ali Bacher says it is disappointing Makhaya Ntini is the only “black African” in the Test team © Getty Images
Ali Bacher has said South Africa are almost at the “end of the road” of its racial transformation policy that was introduced in the 1990s to make the team more reflective of the country. With the current 15-man touring squad containing seven non-white players Bacher, the former chief executive of the South Africa board, told the Age the targets should still apply at the grass roots of sport, but would soon no longer be necessary at elite levels.”We are arriving at a time when the best team will have players of colour in it, and whether it is three or four or six to me is immaterial,” Bacher said. “I think it is on its way out.”Makhaya Ntini, Ashwell Prince and Hashim Amla are expected to be part of the Test team in Wednesday’s opening match against Australia in Perth while Robin Peterson, JP Duminy, Lonwabo Tsotsobe and Monde Zondeki are also in the squad. “I think we are nearly at the end of the road here [with the policy],” Bacher said. “It served its purpose.”In the late ’90s I drove it vigorously and was subject to a lot of criticism by white people because of it. It was the right thing to do and I would do it all over again.”However, Ntini’s presence in the side has not led to a huge influx of players from disadvantaged backgrounds. “At the moment on merit there is only one black African in the team and that is a disappointment,” Bacher said.

AS Roma have been linked with a late summer swoop for Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz.

The Lowdown: Luiz’s summer

Luiz has had a busy summer both on and off the pitch since the end of last season.

The holding midfielder, hailed as ‘fantastic’ by Gregg Evans, was linked with a return to Manchester City at the beginning of the window. City had a buyback clause of £27.5m for the 23-year-old, however, that expired in June and as we know, Luiz remained at Villa Park.

He then represented Brazil at the Olympic Games in Tokyo and won gold with his country, playing the entirety of the final against Spain.

Roma were also trying to sign Luiz earlier in the summer, and it now seems as if Jose Mourinho and co could be back in for the south American with days remaining in the window.

The Latest: Roma links resurface

According to Il Messaggero, cited by Sports Witness, Roma are keen on Luiz.

The report states that a move would cost around €30m (£25.6m) and has been described as a ‘difficult’ one to complete, but it seems as if former Tottenham manager Mourinho, 58, is once again interested in Luiz.

The Verdict: Keep

Villa are yet to add to their central midfield ranks this term, so keeping hold of Luiz should be a priority during the final days of the window.

A number of central midfielders have been linked with a move to the Midlands, most recently Abdou Harroui, so should Villa sell Luiz, they may need more than one midfield arrival before the end of the month.

A reported £25.6m price tag also seems low, especially with the player having two years left on his deal and a £31.5m Transfermarkt valuation.

In other news: ‘Oh no’, ‘This is not good’ – Many AVFC fans fume as ‘shocking’ news is confirmed. 

Celtic target Thomas Henry is on the verge of swapping OH Leuven for Gent, according to The Daily Record’s Keith Jackson.

The Lowdown: Henry links

The Hoops were first linked with the 26-year-old last week, with The Scottish Sun suggesting Celtic were on the brink of securing a big-money deal.

Henry was seen as the ideal replacement for Odsonne Edouard, who is still working on a Parkhead exit.

The forward’s agent even revealed on Saturday that Henry wants to join Celtic over Rangers or Gent, but it now seems as if a move to Parkhead will not materialise after all.

The Latest: Gent move

According to Jackson, Henry is on the verge of penning a long-term deal with Gent.

A move is thought to be 95% complete after the two clubs shook hands on a £4.5m agreement last week.

Sources in Belgium expect a deal to go through before the weekend, unless Celtic launch a late counter offer.

The Verdict: Time is running out

Celtic have had all summer to sort out Edouard’s future and replacement, with the Frenchman making it clear he wanted out regardless of who came in as manager back in April.

There are now just weeks remaining in the window, so time is running out.

Henry could well have been a shrewd replacement for Edouard, especially after just coming off the back of his best season in front of goal.

It appears as if he will now move on for under £5m, so Celtic may well look back on this as a missed opportunity to possibly replace Edouard, should he seal a Glasgow exit.

In other news: Leeds keen on another Celtic ace alongside Leo Hjelde. 

Shoaib Malik will lead Sialkot Stallions’ 15-man squad in the Champions League with spin set to be a major part of the game plan

Cricinfo staff25-Nov-2008Shoaib Malik will lead Sialkot Stallions’ 15-man squad in the Champions League with spin set to be a major part of the game plan.Sialkot are Pakistan’s one representative in the tournament after receiving a late invite following the expulsion of Kent, the English Twenty20 runners up, because of their ICL players.Malik, Abdur Rehman and legspinner Mansoor Amjad will provide frontline spin options for a tournament where the slow bowlers are likely to play a major role.Squad Shoaib Malik (capt), Abdur Rehman, Adeel Malik, Ali Khan, Bilal Hussain, Faisal Naveed, Kashif Raza, Kamran Younis, Mansoor Amjad, Mohammad Ayub, Mohammad Ali, N Qazi, Qaisar Abbas, Sarfraz Ahmad, Shakeel Ansar