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How will Sunderland respond to their Craven Cottage setback?

Unfortunately, for the Black Cats, their return to the Premier League after the international break was rather subdued, as Regis Le Bris’ men slipped to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Fulham.

They could put things instantly right, though, with a welcome return to home soil up next versus AFC Bournemouth, with the Wearside giants yet to lose at their beloved Stadium of Light so far this season in league action.

The games come thick and fast after this clash with the Cherries, too, with a Tyne-Wear Derby even on the menu as an early Christmas treat in mid-December.

Before you know it, the January transfer window will also reopen, as Sunderland already begin to be linked with some high-profile captures.

Sunderland looking to spend more big money

Le Bris will be hopeful that Wilson Isidor can break his four-game goalscoring duck when Andoni Iraola’s men come to town.

If he does continue to fire blanks, though, Sunderland could be prepared to splash the cash on a flashy, new striker recruit in January, as AC Milan forward Santiago Gimenez begins to be tipped for a move to England, for around the £26m price range.

He, of course, isn’t the only Serie A talent on the Premier League newcomers’ agenda, however.

Indeed, the main rumour rumbling on, heading into the bumper window, is Matteo Guendouzi potentially returning to England with the Black Cats, with a £26m move also being reported on for the Frenchman to link back up with his ex-Lorient manager in Le Bris.

There is a slight spanner in the works, though, with Italian journalist Enrico de Lellis stating – via a relayed report from Sport Witness – that the Lazio star isn’t keen on joining the newly promoted side, even with an offer allegedly being on the table for his services.

De Lellis said: “Guendouzi has an offer from Sunderland, but the player doesn’t want to go there.”

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

The Mackems could well have to battle it out with Antonio Conte’s Napoli for his signature, as per further words from de Lellis, but fighting it out with some elite clubs in the past hasn’t stopped the Black Cats from landing other statement signings, as Le Bris aims to land his next Le Fee in Guendouzi.

How Guendouzi can be Le Bris' next Le Fee

Once allegedly on the radar of Arsenal, Le Fee would end up being a major coup of a loan signing for Le Bris and Co. during their promotion heroics last season.

Le Fee’s classy displays – which included this goal being expertly put away during the tense run-in – gave the Black Cats just that extra bit of pizazz to seal a dramatic return to the Premier League, as the French boss now hopes Guendouzi’s arrival can gift Sunderland another calm and controlled performer, like Fee, in their ongoing bid to punch above their weight in the top-flight.

Like his fellow compatriot, though, who struggled to get going at Lazio’s fierce rivals in AS Roma, Guendouzi hasn’t always had it his own way during his bumpy career.

He was discarded by Arsenal at the close of the 2021/22 season for his “petulance” often getting the better of him, as per the words of ex-Gunners defender Lee Dixon.

Thankfully, since his Emirates departure, Guendouzi has managed to turn into a goal-and-assist machine in Serie A with 16 goal contributions collected, with an expectation he will return to the Premier League and be capable of delivering on the big stage, much like Le Fee showed off when he converted a penalty against Brentford in late August.

Games played

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Goals scored

2

Assists

1

Touches*

57.2

Accurate passes*

41.5 (89%)

Ball recoveries*

4.3

Total duels won*

3.0

He has also put his hot-headedness, which became his undoing in North London, to better use in Italy, with an energetic 4.3 ball recoveries averaged per Serie A clash this season, backing up claims that he is a “monster” by scout Jacek Kulig.

Amazingly, Guendouzi’s high ball recovery numbers put him on the same pedestal as another of Arsenal’s reinvigorated ex-roster in Granit Xhaka, who has 4.6 ball recoveries averaged next to his name. Le Bris will surely be champing at the bit at the prospect of both his ex-Lorient youngster and his standout captain battling it out together from the centre of the park, away from any Le Fee comparisons.

It could well be a deal that’s hard to pull off, but Sunderland’s ambition has previously been rewarded in Le Fee, who joined the ranks permanently in the summer for £19.3m.

For around £6m more, this feels like a transfer fight worth persisting with.

Isidor upgrade: Sunderland open talks to sign "unstoppable" £26m striker

Sunderland are reportedly keen on a move for a striker who could come in as an upgrade on Wilson Isidor.

ByDan Emery Nov 27, 2025

William Saliba could not resist taking aim at Tottenham star Richarlison following Arsenal's thumping 4-1 win over Spurs in the north London derby on Sunday. Eberechi Eze scored a hat-trick as Mikel Arteta's side claimed the bragging rights and moved six points clear at the top of the Premier League table. Saliba celebrated the victory on social media after the game, with Declan Rice quick to join in.

• Eze haunts Spurs in Arsenal win

  Eze stole the show at the Emirates on Sunday, bagging his first hat-trick for the Gunners to secure a crucial win. The former Crystal Palace man was wanted by Tottenham in the summer transfer window but ended up moving to Arsenal instead. Eze showed Spurs what they were missing with a superb showing to condemn Thomas Frank's side to a fifth Premier League defeat in 12 matches. Richarlison did manage a brilliant effort for the visitors, beating David Raya from just beyond the centre circle, but it was the only real bright spark for Spurs on another tough afternoon.

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• Saliba trolls Richarlison after win

  Richarlison was targeted after the game in a social media post by Saliba. The Arsenal defender posted photos of the match, leading with one of the two players tangling, with the caption: "North London is still Red." Team-mate Rice was among the thousands who commented, posting a padlock emoji and the word "up" to summarise Saliba's performance against the Brazilian star.

• Arteta delights in derby win

  Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was understandably delighted at seeing his team swat aside their local rivals and extend their lead. He reserved special praise for Eze after the game, telling reporters: "Things happen for a reason. After the international duty, he had two days off, and after one day he wanted to train, and he wanted to improve, and he wanted to do extra practice and he was asking me questions about this and that. When a player has such a talent, and his desire is at that level, then these things happen. And he fully deserves it. I’m so happy for him, because since the day that he came, he brought something else to the team. So it’s a joy, it’s an aura that this team needed and hopefully it will give him a lot of confidence, to him and the team, that at any moment he can win us a game. And that’s the ability that he has and he certainly needs to fulfil that talent."

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• Frank apologises to Spurs fans

  It was a different story for the visitors, with manager Frank apologising to fans after another derby defeat. Spurs have only managed one point in games against Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United this season – a record Frank admits is not good enough.

  He told reporters: "I think it's three different games. I think the United game was a much better performance than today and the Chelsea one. I also think there's a difference in the Chelsea and the Arsenal performances. Even though both of them look bad on paper. I need to watch this back as well. I think there's definitely a lot to work on still. I think it's fair to say that we are very disappointed and unhappy with the performance today. I don't want to run away from that. I apologise to the fans. I think it's also fair to say where we're coming from. We finished 17th last year. And we've tried to build something, which today didn't look like we tried to build something."

Tottenham Hotspur are set for a pretty intriguing transfer window under the new leadership of co-sporting directors Fabio Paratici and Johan Lange, with Spurs believed to be in the market for another attacker in January amid serious interest in Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo.

Thomas Frank has attracted some criticism over the Lilywhites’ general lack of creativity in the final third, despite their respectable start on paper.

While the north Londoners sit fifth in the Premier League table and are well in contention for a Champions League place, they’ve already been booed off on multiple occasions this term thanks to their uninspired forward play.

It’s been exacerbated by tactical stubbornness on Frank’s part too.

Throughout most of 25/26 thus far, the Dane has consistently deployed two defensive-minded midfielders in Joao Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur, which has brought stability but severely limited their attacking impetus and ability to break down organised defences.

They haven’t been helped by the slow form of summer signing Xavi Simons either, who put in a match-winning display against FC Copenhagen in the Champions League last week but has largely underwhelmed.

Spurs also have 11 first-team players sidelined right now, including key creators Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison, with Randal Kolo Muani dislocating his jaw against Man United and star winger Mohammed Kudus missing his second-successive game with a knock.

Dejan Kulusevski

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James Maddison

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01/06/2026

Radu Dragusin

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22/11/2025

Ben Davies

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23/11/2025

Kota Takai

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Mohammed Kudus

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Randal Kolo Muani

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Yves Bissouma

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Lucas Bergvall

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Dominic Solanke

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Archie Gray

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via Premier Injuries

Spurs have been linked with both a new centre-forward and winger for the January window, and TEAMtalk have now revealed which is the more likely signing that Paratici will make.

Tottenham sources convinced Spurs will sign attacker amid serious Antoine Semenyo interest

According to their information, Paratici and Lange are leaning towards signing a winger rather than a number nine, but Tottenham sources are “convinced that a new attacker will be through the door in January”.

In terms of who they could target, Bournemouth’s Semenyo stands out as a very exciting target.

The Cherries star was a revelation under Andoni Iraola last season, establishing himself as one of the Premier League’s most dangerous forwards. The Ghana international finished 24/25 with 11 goals and five assists in 37 top flight appearances, and he’s carried on this electric form into 25/26.

Bournemouth have scored 11 goals this season, with Semenyo involved in nine of them — a staggering 81 per cent of their total output and the highest proportion of any player for any Premier League team (The Analyst).

His form has been relentless, with 10 goals in his last 18 Premier League appearances dating back to April, meaning there’s a 77 per cent chance that if Bournemouth score, Semenyo will be directly involved (The Analyst).

Semenyo is, by some way, Bournemouth’s attacking linchpin — leading to serious interest from N17.

As per TEAMtalk, Tottenham recruitment chiefs are massive fans of Semenyo as they actively look at new wingers, but the south coast side won’t be letting him go on the cheap after just tying down the winger with a new deal.

Bournemouth are apparently set to demand £75 million for the African and are in a great position to do so, meaning Spurs will have to smash their transfer record to make any move happen.

That being said, if the Lewis family want to make a statement of intent after Daniel Levy’s departure, signing Semenyo would definitely be it.

Liverpool are now reportedly ready to spend over £100m to sign Brighton & Hove Albion’s Yankuba Minteh in an attempt to solve one of Arne Slot’s glaring problems.

Winless in four Premier League games, Liverpool’s title defence has turned into an unexpected nightmare. Slot’s side have looked out on their feet even when clawing victories at the start of the campaign. For the first time in the Dutchman’s time at Anfield, he is under increasing pressure.

Defeat at Brentford was particularly damning. The Red were bullied in West London and a squad built on a £400m+ spending spree were silenced by some old faces in a stark reminder that money doesn’t always equal success.

Alas, what should concern those at Anfield the most is Slot’s recent admission that he’s yet to find a solution to the physical style that sides are implementing against Liverpool. In the era of Premier League football, the champions have simply been unable to compete, with Arsenal epitomising the change taking place in England’s top flight.

Former Anfield star Jamie Carragher recently echoed those struggles, saying: “Losing four games in a row for Brentford would be a disaster. To see the champions do it with the expenditure in the summer means we’re in crisis time for Liverpool right now.

“There will be a lot of serious questions asked in the dressing room between the players and the coaching staff and the people above the manager. When they’ve looked at what they’ve spent, they’ll be looking for a lot more.”

The solution may not even come internally for Liverpool either, who are ready to break the bank for Minteh in an attempt to at least fix one problem.

Why Liverpool are ready to break the bank for Minteh

According to FootAfrica, Liverpool are now ready to spend over £100m to sign Minteh from Brighton in 2026. The winger has enjoyed an impressive season so far and with the Reds looking to inject the directness that they lost when selling Luis Diaz in the summer, he has emerged as an ideal option.

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Although the goals are yet to come for Minteh, his take-on success is something to take note of when compared to Salah. The Egyptian, in one of his worst starts to a Liverpool season, has completed just two take-ons. Minteh, meanwhile, is already on 23 and still isn’t close to Diaz’s 36 for Bayern Munich.

Simply put, the Reds have not replaced Diaz’s direct ability with the ball which progresses play and maintains possession. Take that away and Trent Alexander-Arnold’s ability to progress play with his passing range and Liverpool’s struggles begin to make sense.

The new Thiago: Liverpool "superstar" is becoming a "huge disappointment"

This Liverpool mainstay has flattered to deceive this season.

1 ByAngus Sinclair Oct 29, 2025

Described as “exciting” by scout Jacek Kulig, Minteh represents the type of player that Michael Edwards built his reputation on signing and should do so once again in 2026.

How Arne Slot has already replaced Salah

Ashes spots in sight as spinners prepare for T20I series with South Africa

Vithushan Ehantharajah09-Sep-2025As Shoaib Bashir bowled to Jeetan Patel – while Adil Rashid (leg slip), Rehan Ahmed (first) and Liam Dawson (padded up ahead of his turn to bat in the nets) watched close by – the centre-but-one pitch at Sophia Gardens was a picture of the past, present and future of English spin.The ‘past’ being Patel, with the Anglo twist being that New Zealand’s former offie now oversees England’s tweakers. His focus for a chunk of Tuesday morning’s session was on the return of Bashir, as England’s primary Test spinner reboots from a broken finger sustained during the Lord’s Test against India.Patel’s work with Bashir a day before the start of the T20I leg of South Africa’s tour was as much a nod to the importance of this winter’s Ashes as the Kiwi’s all-encompassing role. He has also worked with Rehan and Dawson across both red- and white-ball codes, the latter coming in for the fourth India Test as a replacement for Bashir, ending an eight-year absence from the format. Both will be keen to make these next five days count in front of Brendon McCullum to secure their own Ashes spots.Related

• South Africa beat England and the rain to leave Cardiff 1-0 up

• England, SA face questions on road to the T20 World Cup

• McCullum: England must 'find ways to deal with' packed schedule

• Jofra Archer: 'There was an ooh or an aah every single over'

• Ferreira relishes 'heater' role as Invincibles' six-hitter-in-chief

The odd one out is Rashid. All his work with Patel has been in limited-overs cricket. Tests are now a thing of the past, the last of his 19 appearances – January 2019, against West Indies in Barbados – a matter of months after Patel had called time on his own first-class career. And not even the carrot of an Ashes entices legspinner in the way it did his good mate and Beard Before Wicket co-host, Moeen Ali.”What would my answer be?” Rashid replied, bemused, when asked if an ‘Ashes?’ text might work on him two years on from reeling Moeen out of retirement.”It would be a no. I’m quite comfortable and confident of what I have been doing the past seven years or when I finished red-ball cricket. I’m confident in that and my own game.”But I’m sure it wouldn’t come to that because the spinners coming through now are very good and when they go there, they’ll put good performances in as well. So, I’m confident they’ve got it sorted.”They do, to a point. Bashir has been backed to the hilt, but England are reluctant to put their spin responsibilities in the hands of 21-year-olds across the board. Rehan’s omission from the opening XI in Cardiff is no slight on him in the midst of a generational purple patch across formats this season.”I’m confident that if he does get a chance for a longer period, he will flourish,” beamed Rashid, who spent training working alongside Rehan, and the trio of Jacob Bethell, Will Jacks and Dawson, who will share the spin loads on Wednesday, offering orthodox turn both ways.”When we’re bowling in the nets, we’re all together bowling to the batters so it’s just a bit of a conversation of how we go about things. Feeding off each other, certain batsmen, where we should look to bowl, where are their strengths and weaknesses, what we should look to do.”I’ve been around a few years, Rehan’s coming through, lots of spinners are coming through – so it’s just having discussions back and forth about certain things, tactically, and mindset wise as well. That’s going both ways – it’s not just myself going to them, but it’s them speaking to me, in that sense.”There will be understandable frustration that Rehan must wait a little longer for a first limited-overs cap in 2025, particularly with the hot hand coming into this series following an impressive Hundred campaign for Trent Rockets (189 runs and 12 wickets).English cricket loves looking too far ahead, and there is understandable desire to have Rehan plugged into the XI ahead of next year’s subcontinental T20 World Cup. He will likely get a go either in Manchester or Nottingham, where the straight boundaries are more forgiving. At the same time – why rush to crown the prince when the king still thrives?The white-ball dynasty might have crumbled, but Rashid remains a stoic presence. Since 2024’s semi-final defeat to India, England have played 14 completed T20Is, winning eight and losing six. The schedule has meant a full-strength squad has not been brought together in this period, but Rashid has played all but two. It is a streak he is likely to keep up for the rest of the year, including next week’s brief tour of Ireland, then October’s tour of New Zealand.Establishing the right balance adds extra credence to persisting with Rashid at every available opportunity, his brilliance notwithstanding, which was reinforced during the recent the ODI series loss to South Africa bears out. A veteran of 301 international caps is trending towards what would be his sixth T20 World Cup appearance just as vital and as hungry as ever.”I’m going alright. I’m 37… for my personal stuff, I like to take it a game at a time, a day at a time. I don’t look too far ahead in terms of World Cups, this and that. It’s making sure that whatever’s ahead – tomorrow’s game, for example – and then day by day, I let things just unfold as it is and let nature take its course. Ultimately if I’m there trying my best, giving my best, performing and hopefully I can carry that on.”Personally, I’d like to play cricket for as long as possible as long as the body can hold it and as long as you’re performing to a certain level. And that’s what it is. So hopefully at 37 I’m not looking at age, as long as I’m moving well, I’ll try my best.”

Australia’s T20I captain has a series against India starting on Wednesday but could return to Shield cricket after that

Andrew McGlashan27-Oct-20253:26

McGlashan: ‘Marnus has done everything asked of him’

The door remains open for Mitchell Marsh to return to Test cricket in the Ashes, with Australia head coach Andrew McDonald saying he’s batting “as well as he has for a long period of time”, while Usman Khawaja has endorsed his Queensland team-mate Matt Renshaw as the best option to partner him in the first Test.Speaking ahead of the T20I series against India but with much of the focus on the Ashes, McDonald said the selection panel would be confident picking a player out of white-ball cricket to face England, but added there could be a window for Marsh to return to the Sheffield Shield when it overlaps with the first two Tests.McDonald’s view is consistent with what was first stated back in April when the chair of selectors said Marsh’s Test career wasn’t over after his axing against India in January. In recent weeks the notion of a recall has gained traction amid Marsh’s impressive ODI and T20I form, which has brought 555 runs in his last ten innings.Related

Webster hopeful he doesn't get 'squeezed out' of Australia's XI for Perth Test

Marsh laughs off Ashes question as serious India task awaits

Renshaw makes swift Sheffield Shield return for final round of Ashes selection race

What does Pat Cummins' absence mean for Australia?

“We would be comfortable picking someone, and if you want to put a name to it, Mitch Marsh, out of white-ball cricket, if we felt like that was going to benefit the Test team,” McDonald said. “He’s the captain of the white-ball team. It’s very hard for him to vacate and balance out Test preparation, if he was to be in the window for that.”We feel he’s batting as well as he has for a long period of time. And when he got dropped last summer, I think he was one of our highest averages from Headingley [in the 2023 Ashes] to that point. He hit a bit of a flat patch there, and we felt it best at that time to bring Beau Webster in.”Marsh, Australia’s T20I captain and stand-in ODI leader, has played down the prospects of a Test return with varying degrees of humour over the past month, starting with a simple “no” in New Zealand when asked if he was thinking about to, to saying he’ll be “six beers deep” by lunch on day one having got tickets for the opening Test.”We still haven’t given up on Mitch Marsh’s Test career,” McDonald said. “So what would the prep look like for him? It would have to be through white ball or maybe some Shield cricket after white ball if he isn’t in that first squad and then [he] he can press his claim through that.Mitchell Marsh’s immediate priority is the T20I series against India•Cricket Australia via Getty Images

“There’s Shield [rounds] five and six also when we’re playing the Test matches, where players that aren’t in the first Test will obviously go to work then.”Western Australia play a day-night game against South Australia from November 22 and then face Victoria in the final round before the Big Bash break. Marsh played two Shield games last season before the India series, where he was then dropped after six single-figure scores in seven innings.It’s unlikely Marsh would be an all-round option, having shelved his bowling and not done any since late last year against India.Meanwhile, Khawaja believes that Renshaw is ready to return to Test cricket as the selectors ponder over who will open in Perth. Sam Konstas is the incumbent alongside Khawaja, having done the job in the West Indies but has just one fifty in four Shield innings so far this season after his lean returns in the Caribbean.Marnus Labuschagne could yet take the role if both Cameron Green and Webster make the XI but Khawaja would prefer him to return at No. 3.”I think our best line-up has Marnus three, [Steve] Smith four and [Travis] Head five,” he said ahead of Queensland’s match against New South Wales at the Gabba. “I know if Renshaw is picked, that he is in the best space right now to have a crack at Australia again and be ready to score runs. Obviously, I am a little bit biased because he is my opening partner and a friend of mine, but he’s been there and done it. He has scored 184 for Australia.”He hasn’t done himself any harm with the way he has played in the last three matches in the one-dayers [against India]. He has taken the pressure on really well and looked the part, which he always does whenever he goes to the next level. You feel like he is one guy that really belongs at the next level.”

Australia coach Andrew McDonald has warned England that Scott Boland will be a different prospect at home, and any belief they have figured the Victorian out is based on a false economy.Boland’s role for this summer’s Ashes is now appearing increasingly important, with concerns over how many Tests Pat Cummins will be able to play throughout the series.The 36-year-old Boland debuted against England four years ago on Boxing Day, with his 6 for 7 in the second innings catapulting him into cult-hero status.Related

• Boland: 'I've got my own internal motivations'

• Stuart Broad: 'Worst Australian team since 2010-11'

• Cox to leave England Lions tour early after lucrative ILT20 contract

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• Cummins says he's 'less likely than likely' to play in the first Ashes Test

The one blip in Boland’s Test career remains the 2023 Ashes, where England went after him and messed with his lengths at Edgbaston and Headingley.Boland’s career average of 16.53 also remains the best of any bowler in the past 100 years, while his economy-rate of 2.75 makes him the most miserly of any regular seamer since his debut.But he took just two wickets at an average of 115.5 in the 2023 Ashes, as England’s batters walked at Boland and took him for 4.91 runs an over in his two Tests.That alone prompted former England captain Michael Atherton to state this week Cummins’s back injury was a massive boost for the tourists given they had no fear for Boland. Not that Australia’s coach is buying into the suggestion.”Scotty was challenged with some lack of bounce in the benign conditions in England,” McDonald said. “I think conditions sort of conspired a little bit against him. I know there’s been some press around that England have worked Scott Boland out.  But when he comes back into the Australian conditions, he gets bounce, hits the deck, he’s a handful.Will it be a big Ashes for Scott Boland?•Getty Images

“And as we saw last year against India, I think Rohit Sharma rated him the best of that series. That’s a huge compliment from an opposing captain.”McDonald pointed to two overs Boland sent down under heavy cloud at Edgbaston during the 2023 Ashes as proof the situation may have been conditions-dependent.”We did get the overheads there for that short snippet at the end of day three,” McDonald said. “And when he bowled a few overs under the cloudy skies, he looked like he was going to get a wicket every ball.”So we’re confident and comfortable that Baz can get the job done in Australia, which he’s done over a long period of time. And bounce will be his friend.”McDonald also insisted there was enough depth in Australia’s pace-bowling stocks to cover if injuries struck. He has not had to call upon a frontline quick other than Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood or Boland since December 2022.Cummins will have a clearer picture later this week on whether he is a chance to play in the first Test, with the captain needing at least four-and-a-half weeks of bowling in the lead up.Tight turnarounds between the final three Tests could also cause workload-management headaches, particularly if the third Test in Adelaide was to go the distance.”It’d be nice if we sat back at the end of the summer and said there were only four fast bowlers used,” McDonald said.  “But we’ve got some good options in [Brendan] Doggett, [Sean] Abbott, [Michael] Neser.  Jhye Richardson is potentially coming back around that midpoint of the series.”So I feel like we’ve got some good options if we do get stretched, which is one of the great things of domestic cricket.”

France boss Didier Deschamps has doubled down on his decision to allow Kylian Mbappe to leave the squad early, saying there was no need to take any “risks” with the forward’s fitness after he fired his country to the 2026 World Cup. The Real Madrid star pulled out of his side’s final World Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan on Sunday after sustaining an ankle injury in Thursday’s win over Ukraine.

• Mbappe chalks up 400 goals as France seal World Cup berth

  Mbappe was in fine form as he scored twice against Ukraine to help France book their place at the World Cup. The 26-year-old was joined on the scoresheet by Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise and Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike as Les Bleus secured their spot at the next summer’s tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States with a game to spare.

  Former Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain attacker Mbappe also chalked up 400 career goals thanks to his brace against Serhiy Rebrov's Ukraine, becoming the youngest player to achieve the milestone. He was in no mood to over celebrate the occasion, however, insisting it is a record “people are not impressed with”.

  “Four hundred goals? It is great, but people are not impressed with it," Mbappe told reporters on Thursday. "When you have one guy with 950 [Ronaldo] and one with 900 [Messi], I need 400 more if I want to be in the conversation that will shock people.

  “Cristiano Ronaldo's 1,000 goals? It's unreal. But we will try the unreal. I have to try: I only have one career!”

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Les Bleus captain leaves camp after sustaining ankle complaint

  But while Mbappe has set his sights on chasing down Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi’s goal outputs in the long term, the France captain will have to wait to add to his tally in the short term after withdrawing from Sunday’s clash with Azerbaijan after sustaining an ankle complaint against Ukraine.

  Confirming the decision to send Mbappe back to club side Real as a precaution, The French Football Federation (FFF) said in a statement: “French internationals Manu Kone, Eduardo Camavinga, and Kylian Mbappe have been released back to their clubs.

  “The French national team delegation is flying to Baku where they will face Azerbaijan on Sunday at 9:00 PM local time (6:00 PM French time). 

  “Camavinga, Kone, and Mbappe will not be making the trip.

  “Kone received a yellow card against Ukraine and is suspended. Cama was suffering from a muscle strain in his left hamstring.

  “Mbappe is still experiencing inflammation in his right ankle, which requires further examination. He will undergo these tests today in Madrid.”

• AFP
  

  Deschamps defends France's call to release Mbappe early

  However, while the decision to allow Mbappe to withdraw from international duty has raised eyebrows, manager Deschamps has stressed France had nothing to gain from forcing their star man to face Azerbaijan, having already sealed their place at the World Cup.

  Explaining the call to release Mbappe early, Deschamps said in his pre-match press conference ahead of the Azerbaijan game: “He still has inflammation in the ankle. I’ve sent him back to Real Madrid, and their medical staff will decide what they need to do.

  “There was absolutely no risk to take since we're already qualified. It was the same with (Eduardo) Camavinga, who could have been available for tomorrow. I'm not taking risks with anyone.”

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• Real Madrid boosted by Mbappe's return ahead of Elche clash

  Mbappe’s early release is a major boost for Spanish heavyweights Real ahead of the return of La Liga next weekend. Xabi Alonso’s men are looking to stay top of the table when they travel to Elche on Sunday, 23 November. Los Blancos currently lead the way with 31 points after 12 games, three ahead of fierce rivals Barcelona, who sit second.

  Mbappe has been in a rich vein of goalscoring form for Real in 2025-26, netting 18 goals in just 16 games in all competitions. He is the current top scorer in La Liga, with 13 goals, while he has also bagged five times in just four Champions League outings. Only Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen (6) has scored more times than Mbappe in Europe’s premier club competition this season.

Tottenham boss Thomas Frank says a “not as highlighted” member of his Spurs squad is extremely underappreciated ahead of his side’s Carabao Cup trip to Newcastle on Wednesday.

Tottenham defence shines in 3-0 victory at Everton

On Sunday, the Lilywhites continued their solid start to the campaign overall by making history away to Everton.

Tottenham became the first away team to win at the brand new Hill Dickinson Stadium on Merseyside, with a brace from star defender Micky van de Ven and substitute Pape Sarr catapulting the north Londoners to third in the Premier League.

In the build up, much was made about Spurs’ problems with creativity in the final third, especially after a 2-1 loss to Aston Villa last weekend and their tepid 0-0 draw away to Monaco in the Champions League — where goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario spared their blushes time and time again with fantastic saves.

Vicario did make a vital stop to prevent Everton from going 1-0 up with a fine, point-blank save from Jack Grealish before van de Ven opened the scoring midway through the first-half.

The Toffees did briefly equalise, only for the goal to be chalked off for a foul on Vicario, with van de Ven then doubling the away side’s lead by getting on the end of another corner just before half-time.

Vicario’s fine form continued, thwarting Beto’s acrobatic overhead kick with an excellent reflex save from close range before denying them again. Richarlison had a chance to kill the game off when he found himself in on goal, but Jordan Pickford frustrated the Brazilian with a one-on-one save.

However, the striker redeemed himself with an assist for Sarr in the 89th minute to seal all three points for Frank’s side – putting what was a torrid week behind them as they prepare for another tough trip to St. James’ Park on Wednesday.

Tottenham will be without nine players to face Eddie Howe’s side, with Frank confirming no changes to their absentee list from their win at Everton.

Dejan Kulusevski

Knee

22/11/2025

James Maddison

ACL

01/06/2026

Radu Dragusin

Knee

22/11/2025

Ben Davies

Thigh

23/11/2025

Yves Bissouma

Ankle/Foot

08/11/2025

Kota Takai

Ankle/Foot

08/11/2025

Cristian Romero

Groin

01/11/2025

Destiny Udogie

Knee

08/11/2025

Dominic Solanke

Ankle

08/11/2025

via Premier Injuries

While van de Ven stole all the headlines for his obvious contribution, January signing Kevin Danso also enjoyed an absolutely solid outing.

The 27-year-old, tasked with replacing Cristian Romero, has done an excellent job in the Argentine’s stead, especially against Everton, with Danso winning 100 per cent of his duels, both in the air and on the ground.

Danso also made a whopping 18 clearances at the Hill Dickinson, and his defensive heroics were key to Spurs coming away with a much-needed three points.

Minutes

90

90

Tackles won

1/1

0/0

Clearances

18

7

Blocked shots

2

0

Ball recoveries

3

2

Ground duels won

2/2

1/2

Aerial duels won

4/4

1/4

In the aftermath, Frank was quick to herald Danso’s contribution.

Thomas Frank says Kevin Danso is Tottenham's underrated star

Speaking after Tottenham’s win at Everton in a post-match press conference, Frank claimed Danso’s performance was “not as highlighted”, but just as vital to his side claiming victory.

When asked about Danso again before Tottenham’s trip to the North East, Frank piled more praise on the Austrian – claiming he deserves praise.

Danso was brought in at the start of the year to help Spurs during their defensive injury crisis under ex-boss Ange Postecoglou, and he’s hardly set a foot wrong.

Signed on an initial loan with which became permanent for £21 million in the summer, Danso is proving to be worth every penny, but reports suggest he could face stiff competition for minutes pretty soon.

Tottenham are believed to be in the market for another defender in January, despite Danso’s presence and Radu Dragusin coming back from injury, so it will be interesting to see how often he’ll feature for Frank if a new centre-back comes through the door.

Tottenham Hotspur are now pushing hard to sign a “powerful” midfielder who has been likened to Manchester City star Rodri, and his current employers could be willing to sanction a move for £30m…

Tottenham looking to strengthen in midfield after Fulham setback

Tottenham remain without a home win since the opening day of the season in the Premier League, having succumbed to a 2-1 defeat against Fulham on Saturday afternoon, and Danny Murphy has since criticised the lack of creativity in the middle of the park.

As such, Spurs may need to enter the market for some new signings in the January transfer window, and bringing in a new forward may be of key significance, given that Thomas Frank has decided he no longer wants Richarlison.

However, signing another midfielder could also be a savvy move, given the lack of creativity, and there has now been a new update on the north Londoners’ pursuit of Anderlecht maestro Nathan De Cat.

According to a report from Caught Offside, Tottenham sporting director Johan Lange is now pushing hard to sign De Cat, who has impressed scouts from across Europe, with Aston Villa, Brighton and Bayern Munich also keen.

The Belgian club had been hoping to keep hold of the 17-year-old until 2027, but they could now be willing to cash-in on the youngster, who has been compared to Manchester City star Rodri, for £30m.

"Powerful" De Cat could be future star

Likened to Rodri due to being a deep-lying playmaker, the teenager has been praised for his creativity by scout Ben Mattinson, who said he is able to unlock defences “from deep or as creator in the final third”, while also describing the starlet as “powerful.”

Fellow scout Jacek Kulig also clearly believes the Anderlecht ace could be destined for big things, having praised his performances at youth level back in July.

Since then, the Belgian has gone on to become a key player for the Anderlecht first team, making 20 appearances in all competitions this season, which is an impressive feat as such a young age.

Tottenham hold talks with Arsenal target as Frank 'craves his progressive passing'

Spurs need more creativity.

By
Emilio Galantini

Nov 28, 2025

At just 17, De Cat is likely to need more time to develop before being able to slot into Tottenham’s starting XI, but he clearly has a lot of potential, and £30m could end up being a bargain in the long run.