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Brett Lee’s chances of returning for next week’s third Test have been reduced after he was left out of Australia’s tour match against Northamptonshire

Peter English23-Jul-2009Brett Lee’s chances of returning for next week’s third Test have been reduced after he was left out of Australia’s tour match against Northamptonshire on Friday. There was an outside chance Lee would be picked in an attempt to prove his fitness from a stomach injury that ruled him out of the first two Tests, but the selectors have decided against rushing him back.Australia, who are behind 1-0, missed Lee when Mitchell Johnson misfired at Lord’s and the fast bowler must now prove he is ready for the intensity of back-to-back Tests through his work in the nets. Lee, who has taken 310 wickets in 76 matches, was under pressure entering the tour following ankle surgery, but he showed his form during the warm-up match in Worcester before succumbing to the stomach problem.Lee’s absence allows Stuart Clark a chance to push for a recall after he was left out in Cardiff and Lord’s when Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus were preferred to support Johnson. It is expected that only one of Hilfenhaus, who performed strongly at Lord’s, and Siddle will turn out in the three-day fixture.Australia named a 12-man squad and have given the captain Ricky Ponting, deputy Michael Clarke and wicketkeeper Brad Haddin a break, leaving Michael Hussey to lead the side. The game will be no easy ride for Johnson or Phillip Hughes, who are fighting for form after disappointing starts to the series increased the pressure on their spots.Hughes has been roughed up by Andrew Flintoff’s short-pitched attack while Johnson was unable to hold a consistent line at Lord’s. Despite the setbacks, which include some family issues back home, Johnson has still managed to take eight wickets and the Australians don’t want to give up on him.”I don’t want to bowl him into the ground as there is just over a week until the Test starts,” Hussey said. “I don’t want him punching out 25 to 30 overs in an innings or anything like that. I’ll communicate with him and see how he’s feeling, and also take into account the situation of the game.”Hussey said Johnson seemed to be in a good frame of mind. “He seems comfortable and was focused at training,” Hussey said. “He and [the bowling coach] Troy Cooley are very clear on what they need to work on.”The allrounders Shane Watson and Andrew McDonald will appear in their first matches of the tour alongside Graham Manou, the back-up gloveman. Ponting, Clarke and Haddin have scored a century each in the series and will turn their thoughts to rescuing the Ashes instead of facing Northamptonshire.Australia squad Phil Hughes, Simon Katich, Michael Hussey, Marcus North, Shane Watson, Andrew McDonald, Graham Manou, Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle, Stuart Clark, Ben Hilfenhaus, Nathan Hauritz.

Leeds United pundit Noel Whelan has been giving his thoughts for this weekend’s clash with Norwich City following Marcelo Bielsa’s early team news, Football Insider report.

The Lowdown: Raphinha and Shackleton expected to be fit

Raphinha suffered an injury last weekend against Wolves but posted a positive update on social media revealing his knock is nothing serious.

The Brazilian was left out of the squad against Arsenal in the week, with youngster Jamie Shackleton was also missing.

Bielsa admitted after the defeat at the Emirates that he ‘thinks’ both Raphinha and Shackleton will be fit to take on the Canaries, a potentially huge boost.

The Latest: Whelan’s comments

Whelan was talking to Football Insider after learning of the two injury boosts ahead of the trip to Carrow Road.

This is what the BBC Radio Leeds man had to say, labelling who gets the first goal of the game as ‘massive’.

“They should be aiming for no less than three points.

“It’s so important that we take something away from the away games. They’ll be hurting after conceding seven, and they’ll have worked on defending after that defeat.

“We may have to stay patient during the game, but I do think that the first goal will be massive – especially away from home. We need to go there and take the confidence from last week – because that Wolves result felt like a win.

“The players should be full of confidence and belief that they can win the game.

“They’re a wounded animal but we need to step up and be better than the last two games.”

The Verdict: Good news

Shackleton, who Bielsa described as ‘important’ earlier this year, has started the last four Premier League games, and with Luke Ayling out, his availability could be crucial.

Cody Drameh made his debut in the week, but if fit, you’d expect Bielsa would select Shackleton over Drameh – the former has much more experience in senior football.

It seems as if Raphinha may also be available from the off, so the pair could play a crucial role as Leeds look to get their second Premier League win of the campaign – Dan James was disappointing in the Brazilian’s absence against Arsenal, so getting Raphinha back is massive.

In other news: Pundit spots Bielsa fury at something 18-cap Leeds man did. 

علق فتحي مبروك لاعب الأهلي الأسبق، على تراجع مستوى المارد الأحمر خلال الفترة الأخيرة، موجهًا رسالة لجماهير القلعة الحمراء.

وقال مبروك في تصريحات لبرنامج “الريمونتادا” على قناة “المحور”: “رسالتي لجمهور النادي الأهلي، اطمئنوا، المارد الأحمر سيعود إلى هيبته وقادر على العودة من جديد وبقوة”.

وتابع: “إذا نظرت إلى أفضل فرق العالم، ليفربول أو برشلونة، تتعرض لمثل تلك المواقف والتعثرات؛ لذلك أرى أن الأمور عادية، خاصة أن الإجهاد يُحاصر اللاعبين، والفرق العالمية تتعرض لكبوات، وهذا طبيعي”.

وعن قرار مجلس إدارة الأهلي باستكمال الدوري باللاعبين الناشئين، علق فتحي مبروك: “الأهلي يملك لاعبين ناشئين على أعلى مستوى، وقادرون على إعادة الإتزان خلال الفترة المقبلة، البنية التحتية للنادي رائعة، والعمل الإداري أراه مميزًا للغاية”.

طالع أيضًا.. محمد عبد الجليل: “هيبة الأهلي بدأت تروح”.. والاعتماد على الناشئين كارثة

وأضاف: “في وقتٍ سابق رشحت أحمد سيد عبد النبي للفريق الأول مع الأهلي، وأيضًا محمد أحمد شرقية صعدته من الاختبارات وهو لاعب رائع”.

واختتم مُعلقًا على أداء منتخب مصر للشباب في بطولة كأس العرب، قائلًا: “أشيد بمحمود جابر والجهاز الفني لمنتخب مصر الوطني، المنتخب يسير بشكل رائع، وحققوا انتصارات رائعة على منتخبات قوية من شمال إفريقيا”.

Rangers will be looking to end thier run of two games without a win in all competitions as they come up against Livingston in the League Cup tomorrow.

After losing 2-0 to Lyon in the Europa League and drawing 1-1 with Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership, the Gers have a chance to get back to winning ways in the cup.

Steven Gerrard could make some changes to his team given that they played on Sunday and that they have another match on Saturday, against Dundee FC in the league.

One player he should unleash against Livington is experienced central defender Leon Balogun. He was rested against Motherwell as he watched on from the bench, despite an impressive start to the campaign.

The former Wigan defender has been in fine form this season and proved that he can be a quality option when called upon by Gerrard. In the league, Balogun has averaged a sublime SofaScore rating of 7.15 and helped Rangers to keep two clean sheets in four games.

He has won 64% of his duels in the Premiership and shown that he is a strong centre-back who can be a brick wall in the defence for the Gers. Despite the result ending in a 2-0 defeat, Balogun also caught the eye against Lyon with a superb display, as he recorded a rating of 7.10 and made two interceptions, two tackles, two blocks and two clearances against the French side.

The £14k-per-week powerhouse must, therefore, be unleashed against Livingston to improve Rangers’ chances of progressing through to the next round. He is a quality centre-back who could prevent the opposition from testing his goalkeeper, or at least limit what they can test him with, as he has shown that in his performances in the Premiership and Europa League this season.

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Gerrard must name him in the starting XI and start him alongside Connor Goldson. It could give Rangers a solid platform to build on, allowing the attackers to go about their business without worrying about major defensive errors at the back costing them the game.

At the age of 33, Balogun could also bring some vital experience to the side if Gerrard wants to hand a couple of young players opportunities for this match. The head coach has the chance to play academy products to see what they can do, outside of the Premiership and Europa League, and having a wise old head like Balogun in the side could help ease them through the game.

AND in other news, Gerrard masterstroke: Rangers flop has seen value plummet 66% since Ibrox exit…

Aston Villa are ‘in the queue’ to sign wantaway Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah in January, according to Ekrem Konur. 

The lowdown

Nketiah has yet to make the matchday squad for a Premier League game this season, having picked up an ankle injury just before the campaign started.

His only first-team minutes have come in the Carabao Cup clash with AFC Wimbledon, a game in which he scored.

Last season, the England Under-21 international was limited to just four Premier League starts.

Significantly, his contract is up come the end of the season and, according to a report from David Ornstein in August, ‘there is no sign’ of a forthcoming extension.

Arsenal may, therefore, be under pressure to sell their £14.4million-rated asset in January amid the risk of losing him for free.

The latest

Nketiah ‘plans to leave’ The Emirates at the turn of the year because he ‘wants regular first team football’, Konur says.

Villa can expect to face competition from newly-promoted Brentford and from Leeds United, where Nketiah had a spell on loan during the 2019/20 season.

The verdict

It certainly looks as if Nketiah will be leaving the Gunners, but it’s hard to see Villa being his next destination.

If he wants to be playing week-in, week-out, then he surely won’t go to a club where he’ll be behind two other strikers – Danny Ings and Ollie Watkins – in the pecking order.

Perhaps Villa should look in-house if they want to bolster the first team’s attacking ranks. Cameron Archer has been particularly impressive.

In other news, fans flocked to this update on Leon Bailey.  

Watford host Newcastle United at Vicarage Road in the Premier League today as they go in search of their first set of back-to-back wins in the division this season.

The Hornets beat Norwich 3-1 at Carrow Road last weekend, their second win of the campaign, and could head into this match full of confidence.

Xisco Munoz’s team did lose 3-1 to Stoke in the Carabao Cup in midweek, although it was a much-changed Watford side with a number of first-team stalwarts rested.

How many changes will Xisco make to the line-up for this match? Here is our predicted XI…

We are predicting that he will make eight changes to the team from midweek, with Ben Foster, Will Troost-Ekong, Danny Rose, Juraj Kucka, Moussa Sissoko, Tom Cleverley, Ismaila Sarr and Emmanuel Dennis all coming into the side.

Starting between the sticks, Foster should return as the number one. He had a solid game against Norwich and Rob Elliott did not do enough against Stoke to show that he deserves to be starting in the Premier League, whilst Dan Bachmann is struggling with a knee injury.

In defence, Troost-Ekong and Rose could return to join up with Jeremy Ngakia and Christian Kabasele. Kiko Femenia is a slight injury concern and we have gone with Ngakia to take his place if the Spaniard is not 100% ready to start the game.

We are also predicting that the entire midfield three will change. Imran Louza, Ozan Tufan and Dan Gosling started against Stoke and the 3-1 scoreline sums it up – they did not do their job well enough to control the game. Sissoko, Kucka and Cleverley started in the win over Norwich and could all come straight back in to make up the midfield.

Finally, we believe that Ashley Fletcher could make his Premier League bow for the club, with Sarr and Dennis returning to the team either side of him. Fletcher scored in the defeat to Stoke, his second goal in as many cup games for Watford this season, and he could get the nod over Josh King, who has zero goals in four league matches for the Hornets.

Dennis and Sarr both scored against Norwich and deserve to come back in after being rested against the Potters. They have shown that they can score goals in the Premier League, which is why they should be in the starting XI today. This is why Ken Sema must be axed from the line-up alongside Cucho Hernandez, with neither of them showing enough against Stoke to warrant a starting berth against Newcastle.

In other news: Possession lost 28 times – Watford lightweight let Xisco down badly with worrying display against Stoke

MatériaMais Notícias

O Criciúma venceu o Guarani por 3 a 2, na noite desta sexta-feira, no estádio Heriberto Hülse. Com o resultado, o Tigre chegou a oito pontos e saiu momentaneamente da zona de rebaixamento. Já o Bugre, perdeu a chace de dormir na liderança da competição, posição ainda ocupada pelo Juventude.

O jogo começou bem demais para o Criciúma. Com dois minutos de jogo, Luiz fez ligação direta para Lucão, que escorou de cabeça e deixou Silvinho na cara do gol. O atacante tocou na saída de Leandro Santos para abrir o placar para o Tigre no Heriberto Hülse.

O Guarani conseguiu o empate aos 26 minutos, com Evandro. Depois de chute de fora da área de Buno Nazário que pegou na trave, a bola sobrou limpa para o atacante, que não teve trabalho para empurrar para o fundo da rede. Mas a alegria durou pouco. Aos 36, Lucão recebeu dentro da área e chutou no canto esquerdo do goleiro para colocar o Tigre de novo na frente antes do intervalo.

No segundo tempo, o jogo vinha truncado até os 11 minutos. O goleiro Leandro Santos recebeu o passe e se complicou ao tentar driblar os atacantes do Trigre. Lucão não bobeou e fez o terceiro do Criciúma. O gol deu uma desanimada no Bugre, que tinha dificuldades em criar perigo ao gol do adversário.

Após a expulsão de Barreto, o Guarani se animou de novo. Chegou ao segundo gol aos 38 minutos, com Claudinho, colocando fogo mais uma vez na partida. Apesar da reação, não deu tempo para o empate, e o Bugre não evitou a derrota em Santa Catarina.

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MatériaMais Notícias

Uma noite de pouca inspiração dos jogadores de linha do São Paulo, somada à inspiração de Renan Ribeiro no gol, com boas defesas, resultou no empate sem gols com o Sport, na Ilha do Retiro, nesta quarta à noite. Confira as notas:

SÃO PAULO

7,0
Renan Ribeiro
Fez três defesas importantes para evitar que o Sport marcasse. Atuação segura, mantendo sua média no Brasileirão.

6,5
Militão
Foi o melhor da zaga enquanto compôs um trio com Maicon e Lucão. Depois passou a ser volante e fez o básico, com boa marcação.

5,5
Maicon
Começou inseguro, cometendo erros bobos na marcação e vacilando na cobertura, mas depois se acertou. Fez bom segundo tempo.

5,5
Lucão
Dessa vez não cometeu falhas graves, mas o Sport criou ao menos duas boas oportunidades aproveitando o espaço às suas costas.

5,5
Marcinho
Começou como ala pela direita e passou para a ponta esquerda após a entrada de Wesley. Apresentou menos do que nos jogos anteriores.

6,0
Jucilei
Como de costume, fez bons desarmes no meio de campo e foi importante para não deixar o Sport crescer. Com a bola no pé, fez o simples.

5,5
Cícero
Apareceu constantemente no ataque nos primeiros minutos, mas foi caindo de rendimento. Mal era notado quando foi substituído.

6,0
Júnior Tavares
Apareceu com força no ataque algumas vezes, sobretudo no primeiro tempo, mas errou os cruzamentos. É um fundamento a se corrigir.

5,0
Wellington Nem
Deu velocidade ao ataque são-paulino, mas tomou muitas decisões erradas e acabou não sendo efetivo.

6,5
Thomaz
Criou praticamente todas as chances do São Paulo no primeiro tempo, mas foi o primeiro a ser substituído. Poderia ter jogado por mais tempo.

6,0
Lucas Pratto
Brigou muito na frente, muitas vezes sozinho, e por pouco não marcou o gol da vitória. Também saiu da área para tentar criar, sem muito efeito.

6,0
Wesley
Entrou na lateral direita, cumpriu uma função exclusivamente defensiva e foi bem. Não apareceu no ataque.

6,0
Lucas Fernandes
Entrou bem, com drible fácil e passes inteligentes. Mostrou para Rogério Ceni que pode ser levado em conta mais vezes.

6,0
Gilberto
Ficou mais preso na área e liberou Pratto para ajudar na criação. De cabeça, exigiu grande defesa de Magrão no fim do jogo.

6,0
Téc: Rogério Ceni
Poderia ter tirado Nem antes de Thomaz, mas essa substituição reduziu o ímpeto do Sport. Time sofreu menos que domingo, mas não criou muito.

SPORT

7,0
Magrão
Salvou o Sport com defesa à queima-roupa contra Gilberto no fim.

5,5
Samuel Xavier
Mal no cruzamento. Tentou driblar na zaga e quase entregou.

6,5
Ronaldo Alves
Bem nos cortes e na bola aérea, diminuiu o trabalho de Magrão.

6,5
Durval
Mais uma atuação segura do capitão. Ganhou a maioria dos combates.

6,5
Sander
São Paulo teve menos espaço pelo seu setor. Boas aparições no ataque.

6,0
Rithely
Se esforçou nos desarmes, mas falhou e errou passes em lances bobos.

6,5
Patrick
Eficiente para roubar a bola no campo de defesa e dar início às jogadas.

5,5
Osvaldo
Discreto. Teve dificuldades para vencer a marcação e pouco criou.

5,5
Thallyson
Outro que não conseguiu passar pelos defensores. Saiu no intervalo.

6,5
Thomás
Melhorou quando inverteu o lado. Deu belo passe para André na área.

7,0
André
Esforçado, teve ao menos duas chances boas de gol. Parou no goleiro.

7,0
Everton Felipe
Driblou marcação, mas faltou capricho no último passe.

6,0
Rogério
Contra o antigo clube, criou boas jogadas pela esquerda. Não foi efetivo.

6,0
Juninho
Ficou pouco em campo, mas o suficiente para cruzar bola perigosa.

6,0
Téc: Vanderlei Luxemburgo
Aumentou volume de jogo com inversão dos meias, mas faltou criatividade ao time.

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The international break came at a timely instance for Wolverhampton Wanderers and their new manager, Bruno Lage.

His men are yet to secure a point this season or score a goal but that doesn’t tell the full story of the football they’ve played.

Wolves have fashioned chances on a regular basis but can’t seem to stick them away despite their eye-catching performances.

On the chalkboard

Wolves failed to sign anyone on transfer deadline day after a rather tame summer window.

However, the best business they may have done was keeping Adama Traore at Molineux.

The Spaniard had been linked with the exit door on what felt like a weekly basis before Tottenham made a late dart to acquire his services.

Wolves had been in deadlock with Traore over a new deal and it didn’t look as though he was going to pen fresh terms.

Therefore, Lage had to determine whether to stick or twist. Spurs forced his hand but none of their offers were too appealing.

The Midlands club wanted £50m but the north Londoners were only offering a loan move or £30m in cash.

The solution

Spurs eventually deferred their interest on transfer deadline day with no further talks taking place.

Since then, Wolves have worked hard to bring Traore back to the negotiating table. Fortunately, it looks as though they’ve had luck.

The Athletic’s Tim Spiers claimed at the weekend that further talks were ongoing before The Sun suggested that Wolves were about to make him their highest-paid player on £120k-per-week.

That’s a lot of money but keeping him at the club will undoubtedly be a huge boost to the Molineux side and it is one that will elate Lage significantly.

The Portuguese manager is all too aware of Traore’s qualities but he’s also stated already this season that he must improve in a fundamental area of his game; finishing.

That came after he spurned a huge opportunity to score against Leicester. Clearly, in the few weeks that have followed, his ability to find the back of the net hasn’t got better.

Ruben Neves played a delightful ball in behind during their loss to Spurs but left one-on-one with Hugo Lloris, he stuck it straight at the French goalkeeper.

You get the sense that once the flying winger starts scoring goals more regularly, he will become an elite player.

After all, his pace is frightening and the ability to beat opponents is second to very few in world football. The Spain international is yet to score this season but his dazzling talents have seen him record ten dribbles per game; a high across all of Europe’s top five leagues.

On that evidence, keeping the 25-year-old has been of utmost importance. It will delight the manager and fans alike that he’s set to commit his future to the club.

AND in other news, Left for £1.17m, now worth £53m: Wolves made epic error over “outstanding” 27-goal gem…

West Ham United fans are not happy with the news that they reportedly have £45m to spend during this final week of the transfer window.

The Hammers have made a fantastic start to the new season, winning both of their two Premier League games and scoring four goals in each (whufc.com).

So far, they have made just one new signing in goalkeeper Alphonse Areola though – not including the permanent capture of Craig Dawson – and if they want to remain competitive throughout the rest of the season, including in the Europa League, they will surely need to bring in some more fresh faces.

According to Jim White on talkSPORT (via shinawins.com), the Hammers have £45m to spend before the transfer window comes to a close. That number was previously said to be at £75m, and the Irons have certainly left it late to get their business done – all of which has not pleased the West Ham supporters.

The news was shared on Twitter by @central_louis, and it attracted plenty of attention from the supporters. They took to the social media platform to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about the news below

“So it went from around £80m down to £45m by the end of the window…..”

Credit: @Joshua_Mbu

“Great tell everyone prices just go up”

Credit: @Jinglis01492553

“45m = £10 and a half eaten pack of monster munch using the Sullivan & Gold calculator.”

Credit: @northwesthammer

“only saying it bc when we dont sign anyone they’ll say we gave moyes 45 mil but he didnt spend it so blame is shifted”

Credit: @JoeMammaWestHam

“£45m is embarrassing! Although there are some bargains about, that his won’t cover bringing in enough squad depth and quality. The board should be ashamed of themselves for not backing and helping Moyes out”

Credit: @joegreene2

“What happened to the 75m”

Credit: @Callumfitzer_

In other news, West Ham fans want to sign this central defender.