All posts by h716a5.icu

A number of Liverpool supporters are overjoyed after Harvey Elliott took part in a behind-closed-doors match, potentially the final step in his recovery from injury.

The Reds haven’t always convinced in midfield this season, with the likes of James Milner and Jordan Henderson arguably looking their age, while other key figures like Thiago have been injured.

One player who made an excellent start to the season was Elliott, with the 18-year-old enjoying a real breakthrough and starting three Premier League games in the early weeks.

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Sadly, the creative midfielder suffered a serious ankle injury in the 3-0 win at Leeds United back in September and he has been out of action ever since.

Elliott’s return to the fold is edging closer all the time, however, with journalist Paul Joyce taking to Twitter to confirm that the Liverpool youngster was playing in an Under-23s game against Wrexham on Saturday – he scored and provided an assist.

This is not the first piece of big news the supporters have been greeted with this week, with reliable reports claiming a deal for Porto star Luis Diaz should be wrapped up soon.

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Liverpool fans love Elliott latest

These Reds fans expressed their happiness at the news on Twitter, as Joyce confirmed Elliott could even be back in first-team action next weekend.

“This boy is special and he’s BACK”

Credit: @EmadZafar

“OMG my starboy is back”

Credit: @sweetsadio

“Love it”

Credit: @JamalJilloo

“My life just keeps getting better and better”

Credit: @SawkurGod

“Yesss”

Credit: @LFC_Lewis66

“Things you love to see”

Credit: @ste_malone

In other news, some Liverpool fans have mocked a Premier League rival after a key update. Read more here.

Wolves are still eyeing up a potential move for Lille centre-back Sven Botman in January, according to a fresh transfer rumour from France.

The Lowdown: Botman linked in the past

Wanderers are enjoying a good run of form in the Premier League, with Bruno Lage impressing as manager and his team sitting sixth in the table after 13 matches.

Nevertheless, Wolves could be on the lookout for defensive reinforcements in the January transfer window, and Botman was linked with a move to Molineux in the summer.

The 21-year-old has started nine Ligue 1 games for Lille so far this season, also featuring twice in the Champions League, and his current deal doesn’t expire until the summer of 2025.

The Latest: New update emerges

While Wolves missed out on the Dutchman in the summer, L’Equipe have hinted [via Sport Witness] that they could return for him in January.

Although Lille don’t necessarily have plans to sell Botman, the ‘courtiers have not disappeared’ with regards to attempting to sign him, which would seem to indicate that Wanderers remain keen on the player.

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The Verdict: Ideal January addition

It may not be easy for Wolves to acquire the Dutchman’s signature but it could feel like a huge coup if they manage to do so, with his potential apparent in being hailed as ‘simply brilliant’ by journalist Robin Bairner earlier this year.

At 21, he is already a key player for a team playing in the Champions League, and he has enjoyed a 91.3% pass completion rate in the tournament this season, along with an average of 2.5 aerial duels per match, plus 2.2 per game in Ligue 1.

In comparison, Wolves centre-backs Max Kilman (1.8) and Conor Coady (one) lag well behind in the aerial duel stakes, which suggests that Botman could be a much more dominant presence in that area if he comes to Molineux.

In other news, Luke Hatfield believes Wolves could make a move for one attacking player. Find out who it is here.

Having gained a significant first-innings lead, South, thanks to Karthik and CM Gautam, consolidated their dominant position to set West Zone an intimidating 536 for victory

Cricinfo staff04-Feb-2010West Zone 50 for 0 (Pathak 41*, Khadiwale 8*) and 251 need another 486 runs to beat South Zone 400 and 386 for 9 decl (Dinesh Karthik 150, Gautam 88, Kulkarni 5-58)
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
Dinesh Karthik became a member of a unique club on the third day•AFPDinesh Karthik became only the third batsman to score a century in each innings in a Duleep Trophy final – the others are Lalchand Rajput and Yuvraj Singh – on yet another favourable day for South Zone. Having gained a significant first-innings lead, South, thanks to Karthik and CM Gautam, consolidated their dominant position to set West Zone an intimidating 536 for victory.Not that it was smooth sailing all along. Dhawal Kulkarni found plenty of swing and movement to rattle the South top order, which squandered a solid start delivered by the openers. S Anirudha and KB Pawan fell pray to away going deliveries, failing to curb the temptation to play at them and producing the outside edge. Arun Karthik and Ganesh Satish were clueless against the inswinger, one comprehensively bowled and the other trapped in front. At 71 for 4 – the four wickets had fallen for just 16 – West, despite having conceded a massive first-innings advantage, had reason for optimism but a counter-attack, not unlike his previous knock, from Dinesh Karthik quashed any hopes.Boundaries were easy to find and with a reliable partner in Gautam at the other end, Dinesh Karthik was quick to swing the game back South’s way. His 150, off 162 balls, was laced with 22 boundaries, though he was extremely fortunate. Fresh to the crease, he too, almost, succumbed to Kulkarni’s teasing length, pushing at one to get the outside edge while on zero, but earning a lifeline as Ravindra Jadeja, who would be kind to him again later in the innings, spilled a sitter. The reprieve might well prove decisive in the outcome, for Dinesh Karthik and Gautam went on to add 247 for the fifth wicket, taking the lead close to 500. Both fell off consecutive balls, allowing the bowlers to run through the tail but after much damage had already been inflicted.West had another highlight after Kulkarni’s five-for. When South decided to declare on 386 for 9, they may have hoped to nip out a couple of wickets before the close. But opener Chirag Pathak defied the norm, opting to play the aggressor in only nine overs available to smack seven boundaries in his 27-ball 41. The innings has begun on a positive note, but with two days to go, South will back their bowlers to complete what Dinesh Karthik had set up.

Taking to Twitter, Goal Brasil reporter Thiago Fernandes has now shared a big update on West Ham United’s pursuit of FC Basel powerhouse striker Arthur Cabral.

The Lowdown: West Ham eye new forward…

It is no secret that manager David Moyes has been targeting fresh forward additions since club record signing Sebastien Haller departed the club for Ajax a year ago.

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Bids have been made for new strikers since last January with many names entering the fray since then, including prolific Basel ace Cabral.

The Irons and new head of recruitment Rob Newman have been linked with a move for the in-form 23-year-old since the end of 2021 amid West Ham’s striker search as Fernandes now shares a major update on social media.

The Latest: Fernandes makes major claim…

According to the reporter’s sources, West Ham ‘promises’ a formal offer to sign Cabral ‘in the coming days’ with a move for the player now imminent.

“West Ham promises formal offer for Arthur Cabral in the coming days,” he explained on Twitter.

“Basel wants 15 million euros, player asks for 2.5 million euros per season.”

The Verdict: Right move?

Scoring an incredible 27 goals and assisting eight others in all competitions already this season (Transfermarkt), it’s little wonder West Ham are about to make their move for Cabral.

At just 23, the Brazilian could also come with significant potential for sell-on value and has been lavished with praise on multiple occasions for his talent.

Basel ‘squad planner’ Philipp Kaufmann lauded Cabral’s ‘phenomenal’ numbers (via Nau.ch) whilst Swiss journalist Andre Oechsner told Hammers News that the South American also has a ‘phenomenal’ eye for goal.

The powerful 6 foot 1 attacker, according to Oechsner again, possesses ‘excellent physicality’ – a redeeming quality of his playing style which could make him a more-than ideal fit for the Premier League.

Given his club are apparently demanding just €15 million (£12.5m), this offer surely must be made.

In other news: West Ham source: Newman also eyeing bid for brand new forward target as club green light sale, find out more here.

Cricinfo previews the opening match of the tri-series between Zimbabwe and India

The Preview by Sidharth Monga27-May-2010Match FactsFriday, May 28, 2010
Start time 0900 (0700 GMT)
Elton Chigumbura will make his debut as Zimbabwe captain•Associated PressThe Big PictureOnce was Zimbabwe cricket. Now it’s just a carcass, almost like a country starting anew after a bloody war. World cricket looked healthy when Zimbabwe were healthy. A team comprising Heath Streak, Flower brothers, Alistair Campbell, Paul Strang, Neil Johnson, Murray Goodwin, Henry Olonga, Guy Whittall and Stuart Carlisle at the bottom of the pile was not a bad sign at all. In the mid-to-late nineties, this team threatened the notion of minnows. A decade later, they have just about started rising from the shambles and have already hit the first roadblock – Prosper Utseya’s resignation from captaincy under mysterious circumstances.By no means is this tri-series top-flight international cricket: it features two other teams who should by now be sick of playing each other, that too massively under-par because of rested players. Nonetheless, it is international cricket, it is being played in Zimbabwe, and that should be cause for celebration, cause for looking forward to whether the game still enjoys a following in the country.As far as India is concerned, Zimbabwe is remembered as the place where Sourav Ganguly and Greg Chappell embarked upon a rather harmonious captain-coach journey. That was five years ago, and no such drama is expected this time. None of the players from that tour have made the trip this time around. Some, like Irfan Pathan, have taken their personal careers down the Zimbabwe route. Some, like Harbhajan Singh who recently helped Zimbabwe get proper kits, have been rested. It only promises closer contests. India, led by young Suresh Raina who’s yet to play a Test, against Zimbabwe, charged by their battery of strangulating spinners, who have everything to gain.Form guide (most recent first)Zimbabwe LLLLW
India LWWLWWatch out for…Weeks after the coach Alan Butcher raised a mild disciplinary question about him, Elton Chigumbura finds himself leading the side, following Utseya’s resignation. He is one of the most cleanest hitters in the side, and he now has a very important responsibility.Raina is an unlikely captain too, keeping the seat warm for a resting MS Dhoni. He promises a more eager, energetic performance from the young side he is leading, something his own play does too.Team newsOn the slow and low pitches in the West Indies, Zimbabwe were used to playing a line-up full of spinners, with Chigumbura to bowl some seam-up. Here they could get Chris Mpofu in.Zimbabwe (possible) 1 Vusi Sibanda, 2 Hamilton Masakadza, 3 Charles Coventry, 4 Brendan Taylor, 5 Tatenda Taibu (wk), 6 Elton Chigumbura (capt.), 7 Andy Blignaut, 8 Greg Lamb, 9 Graeme Cremer/Prosper Utseya, 10 Chris Mpofu, 11 Ray Price.India, too, should rely mainly on their spinners, including part-timers like Ravindra Jadeja, whose career ODI economy-rate of 4.90 is in stark contrast with his performance in the World Twenty20 (9.75).India (possible) 1 M Vijay, 2 Dinesh Karthik/Naman Ojha (wk), 3 Suresh Raina (capt.), 4 Virat Kohli, 5 Rohit Sharma, 6 Yusuf Pathan, 7 R Ashwin/Ravindra Jadeja, 8 R Vinay Kumar, 9 Amit Mishra, 10 Pragyan Ojha, 11 Umesh Yadav.Stats and trivia Zimbabwe have won only one out of their last 11 ODIs. Four of those losses have come against Bangladesh. At 23 years 182 days, Raina will become the ninth-youngest man to captain an ODI side. He has played 90 ODIs without a Test cap, overtaking the Indian record for 73 ODIs before Test debut, held by Yuvraj Singh. By the end of the tri-series, he should have at least equalled Andrew Symonds’ world record – 94.Quotes”The tour will be an opportunity to learn and press for a regular berth in the ODIs and stake a claim at the highest level – Test cricket.”
“This is a real tough two weeks for us as we try to re-establish ourselves as a top cricket country. We have done pretty well in the last couple of months and are keen to continue.”

Things got even better for Puttick on Saturday, when he blasted a 62-ball 104 to crush Otago and lead Cobras into the second stage of the tournament

Cricinfo staff11-Oct-2009Andrew Puttick had been a key member of the Cape Cobras’ Pro20 title-winning campaign this year and was gutted to find himself left out of their original squad for the Champions League Twenty20. It was little more than a week ago that he was recalled and put in charge of the side, after original captain Graeme Smith pulled out due to injury.Things got even better for Puttick on Saturday, when he blasted a 62-ball 104 to crush Otago and led Cobras into the second stage of the tournament. “I took quite a knock not making the original squad in my belief that I could play this game,” Puttick said. “To come back and score a hundred in a winning performance means a hell of a lot to me.”It hasn’t really sunk in yet but it’s a really special night for myself. Just to get a hundred in any form of the game, let alone Twenty20 cricket, is special for me and in such a big event it means a lot.”It was a thoroughly dominant performance from Cobras, whose bowling and fielding also improved from the nervy show against Royal Challengers Bangalore in front of a partisan capacity crowd on Thursday. “I am happy with the way the boys bowled,” Puttick said. “The boys were outstanding tonight; our fielding improved from the shaky effort the other night.”Losing captain Craig Cumming said someone from his side needed to have come up with a big knock like Puttick if Otago were to chase down the stiff 194. Four of our guys got in, but the difference was one of their guys got a hundred,” he said. “If we can get a big score in the next game, we’re certainly going to be competitive.”For Otago to have an extended stint on the big stage, they need to beat Bangalore on Monday. “The next one will be a good one for us to win because then we carry on. Obviously Bangalore at home won’t be easy, but we’re still backing ourselves,” he said. “We’re more than happy for people to write us off.”

Daniel Vettori went through a gamut of emotions in the 95.4 overs that played out in Abu Dhabi, but at the end of it all it was relief which most stood out

Cricinfo staff10-Nov-2009Daniel Vettori went through a gamut of emotions in the 95.4 overs that played out in Abu Dhabi, but at the end of it all it was relief which most stood out. New Zealand were given a major scare by the second highest last-wicket stand in ODIs but managed to hold their nerve to win by seven runs, thus sealing their first away series win over Pakistan.A relieved Vettori termed the historic success as a huge morale-booster ahead of the Twenty20 matches in Dubai later in the week. “For us to come over here and win as confidently as we did in the last two games is something I know a lot of the guys will cherish,” he said. “The wickets and the atmosphere are very similar to Pakistan – there’s a lot of support for Pakistan here and it’s like a Pakistan home game.”The key thing is it’s a victory and no matter how you achieve it, it’s still a series win. And tour wins for New Zealand sides away from home – we don’t have that many.”After failing to bat out 50 overs, New Zealand reduced a shaky Pakistan from 47 for 0 to 101 for 9 to raise hopes of a facile win. When the young fast bowler Mohammed Aamer came to bat at No. 10, Pakistan needed 126 runs from 26.5 overs with only two wickets in hand, and people were emptying the Sheikh Zayed stadium thinking the game was over. What followed was a near epic as Aamer and last man Saeed Ajmal turned the heat right back on New Zealand.It went to the last over, bowled by Jacob Oram, with Pakistan needing eight runs to win, but Ajmal top-edged the first ball and was caught by Kyle Mills at short fine leg. Vettori said that despite the intense situation he had been confident of New Zealand’s chances and had no worries giving Oram the final over.”I always backed us to get a wicket. I think when you only need one wicket you probably try a bit hard to get it,” he said. “We backed Jacob to do it – he’s bowled the last over a few times for us and he’s done a really good job.”The other notable contributors to this win were Brendon McCullum, who hit a brisk 76, and Tim Southee, who dismissed the Akmals, Umar and Kamran. “Brendon played exceptionally well again – he’s probably the only batsman who made it look really easy in the last two games while everyone else struggled a bit,” said Vettori. “Tim Southee was outstanding for a guy who’s only played twenty-odd one-dayers. This shows the confidence of the team – there’s still quite a lot of young inexperienced players in there and some guys really stepped up today. They’ll take confidence from it and hopefully take it into the Twenty20s as well.”The two sides will now play two Twenty20 matches on November 12-13.

The Delhi Daredevils fast bowler Ashish Nehra will continue to miss the initial few weeks of the IPL due to a rib injury he picked up during training in Mohali last week

Jamie Alter in Delhi16-Mar-2010The Delhi Daredevils fast bowler Ashish Nehra will continue to miss the initial few weeks of the IPL due to a rib injury he picked up during training in Mohali last week. Eric Simons, Delhi’s assistant coach, confirmed Nehra would be out of action for as long as two weeks but added he had faith in the support cast.”He has a rib problem and he will be out for probably two weeks,” said Simons at a press conference in Delhi. “We certainly miss him because he adds balance to the side, but there is a lot of young exciting talent around. You can’t buy experience, and losing someone like Ashish is a big blow.”Nehra was a key figure in Delhi’s IPL campaign in South Africa last year, taking 19 wickets to finish the third-highest wicket-taker in the tournament. That achievement factored hugely in his return to the Indian side last summer.In his absence, Delhi’s attack will be led by the left-arm quick Dirk Nannes, who was outstanding in the team’s first two matches. Simons picked out legspinners Amit Mishra and Sarabjit Ladda, who made his IPL debut against Rajasthan Royals on Monday, as key players for Delhi.”Amit Mishra is a quality cricketer for one and he has done extremely well for a number of years,” he said. “One of the exciting things for Indian cricket is the discovery of youngsters, and I arrived here a couple of weeks ago and saw Ladda bowling and all of us were quite excited to see what he can do and what he can’t. It is important at least to keep the opposition guessing and we wouldn’t throw a youngster if we didn’t believe in him. We believe he has a role to play but will he play all games? I am not sure.”Through the longer format you learn about technique, about action and in the shorter you are put under extreme pressure and that’s when your problem in technique might come through. I would advise the younger bowlers to concentrate on the longer format and then play the shorter version.”In two games, where they’ve chased on both occasions, Delhi lost one of their high-profile openers and needed the other to bat on. In the first game against Kings XI Punjab it was captain Gautam Gambhir who batted until the final over with a superbly-paced 72, while last night Virender Sehwag went ballistic and smashed 75 from 34 balls to down Rajasthan Royals. The other two overseas batsmen, AB de Villiers and Tillakaratne Dilshan, have not done much. In fact, Dilshan has faced three balls so far and is yet to score.”I was concerned against Kings XI but not last night,” said Simons. “One of the strengths of Delhi Daredevils is the balance of not only overseas professionals and Indian cricketers but also the experience in the side. We have good experience in the side, we have players who have done it many times before and they will come through when time is needed.”

Former Granada boss Diego Martinez is the ‘front-runner’ to replace Marcelo Bielsa as Leeds United manager, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The Lowdown: Bielsa’s future unknown

The 66-year-old Argentine has been an incredible manager for the Whites since taking charge back in 2018, guiding them back into the Premier League and leading them to ninth upon their top-flight return. However, he only signed a one-year contract extension in the summer and it is currently unknown if he will do the same at the end of the season.

One figure who has been linked with the Leeds job in the past few weeks is Martinez, whose most recent role was at Granada, prior to leaving in May of this year.

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The Latest: O’Rourke makes Martinez claim

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, O’Rourke claimed that the 41-year-old is the most likely manager to replace Bielsa at Leeds, should the Argentine move on in the near future.

The journalist said: “I think Diego Martinez is probably the front-runner for me. He’s out of work. Victor Orta’s got the Spanish connection with Martinez. He plays an attacking, innovative style of football as well.”

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The Verdict: Ideal candidate?

Martinez may be a relative unknown in England but he looks an exciting candidate to come in and potentially replace Bielsa at Elland Road.

He guided Granada back into La Liga, much in the way Bielsa did with getting Leeds into the Premier League, also taking them to the top of the Spanish table for a brief period in 2019/20, as well as the Europa League quarter-finals last term.

The fact that Martinez has reportedly been in England studying the game suggests that he could be eyeing up the Whites job, and the attacking style of play to which O’Rourke refers is similar to Bielsa’s. Put those pieces together and it seems a real possibility that the 41-year-old could be the next man for Leeds.

In other news, a pundit has discussed the prospect of a Leeds player joining another Premier League club. Read more here.

West Brom confirmed on Wednesday evening that left-back Conor Townsend has signed a new contract at The Hawthorns.

And, as to be expected, a number of Baggies fans went wild at the news on social media.

The 28-year-old’s fresh deal will keep him in the Midlands until 2025, with his previous contract running until 2024.

Townsend has started every Championship fixture under Valerien Ismael this season, turning out in his natural left-back role as well as at centre-back and as a left-midfielder.

He’s averaged more crosses than any other West Brom player this season and is second on the list for the number of key passes completed per game in the Championship, while also being dispossessed the least of any Baggies regular. [WhoScored]

Baggies fans react

West Brom officially shared the news regarding Townsend on Twitter. This is what these Baggies supporters had to say in reply, with many delighted and one labelling it as ‘massive’.

“Well this has just absolutely made my day. Works hard, keeps himself to himself and has performed consistently in the three years that we’ve had him. Is it not about time he had his own song? Love you my mate”

Credit: @TheBaggiesBible

“Huge”

Credit: @anguswba

“Massive news. Made my day”

Credit: @MStephens1977

“YES! Incredible bit of news, can’t wait for him to be back at LWB”

Credit: @ftbl_mouraa

“SIUUUUUUUUUUUU”

Credit: @danwba_

“Best news all day”

Credit: @GregTheThird