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Crystal Palace will be without club captain Luka Milivojevic against Newcastle United this evening, Matt Woosnam reports.

The Lowdown: Milivojevic under Vieira

Milivojevic has struggled for regular game time under Patrick Vieira this season, starting just eight Premier League games.

The central midfielder, who Roy Hodgson labelled as ‘outstanding’, has been an unused substitute in 12 top-flight fixtures and has been limited to just 18 appearances in all competitions.

The 31-year-old, who will be entering the final 12 months of his Selhurst Park contract in the summer, did feature at Wembley on Sunday as a substitute, but he won’t be turning out this evening.

The Latest: Woosnam’s update

Woosnam took to Twitter on Tuesday to relay an update from Vieira regarding Milivojevic.

He shared details of a hamstring issue for the central midfielder, who will not travel with the squad as a result.

The Verdict: Options…

Milivojevic hasn’t been a regular this season, so Vieira shouldn’t be too worried about his absence this evening.

James McArthur and Cheikhou Kouyate got the nod from the off against Chelsea on Sunday, so that could once again be an option at St. James’ Park.

Jeffrey Schlupp has also featured as a central midfielder on a regular basis this season, so if Vieira wants to change things up, he could move into a central role which could allow Michael Olise to make a first start since his injury out wide.

In other news: Source: Freedman now stepping up Palace move for ‘phenomenal’ left-footed star as news emerges. 

Journalist Pete O’Rourke has talked up the idea of Celtic completing the signing of exciting Bayern Munich youngster Christopher Scott this summer.

The Lowdown: Hoops keen on Scott move

Ange Postecoglou already has a strong squad at his disposal at Parkhead, with yet another Scottish Premiership title on the cusp of coming the club’s way.

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That’s not to say that new signings don’t need to come in this summer, however, and Scott is one player who has been linked with a move to Celtic.

The 19-year-old looks set to leave Bayern at the end of this season, with his current deal expiring in June. He has made two appearances for the Bundesliga giants to date.

The Latest: Journalist talks up signing

Speaking to Give Me Sport, O’Rourke was positive about Celtic signing Scott, claiming he would be an ‘exciting’ addition:

“It’s an interesting link, this one. Obviously, he’s a young player, only 19. He would maybe fit the bill for Celtic as he’s out of contract in the summer, so he could arrive as a free agent.

“He’s been playing for Bayern Munich’s reserves, so we don’t know too much about him, but at 19, he seems like an exciting attacker.”

The Verdict: One for the future

Scott joining Celtic for free this summer feels like it could be an ideal match for all concerned, with the attacking midfielder clearly not seen as a key player at Bayern moving forward.

He could come in as a squad player under Postecoglou, maturing over time and potentially becoming a key figure, considering he has already played for a club of Bayern’s stature.

Planning for the future is always vital, ensuring the Hoops’ squad doesn’t age together, and Scott is someone who could act as a long-term capture rather than a quick fix, who also has the potential to make an impact from the off.

In other news, an expert has made a key claim regarding the ownership of Celtic. Read more here.

India’s environment ministry has ordered an investigation into the building of an international cricket stadium by the Kerala Cricket Association, citing violations of coastal protection laws

Tariq Engineer24-Dec-2010India’s environment ministry has ordered an investigation into the building of an international cricket stadium by the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA). Citing violations of coastal protection laws, the ministry sent an order on December 21 to the Kerala State Coastal Zone Management Authority instructing it to put a halt to all construction activity, take appropriate action under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and to submit a report within 15 days.The ministry claims the land contains protected mangrove swamps, most of which the KCA is accused of illegally removing, as well as being part of a Ramsar site, which are wetlands of international importance designated under an agreement signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971.The KCA has denied the area ever contained mangroves, saying it was land that was used to grow paddy. “We are not lawbreakers,” KCA secretary TC Matthews, told ESPNcricinfo. “We are a law abiding association.” According to Matthews, construction has not even begun on the site as the stadium is still in the process of being designed by the architects, so there is no question of putting a stop to it. They have also applied to the state government for various building permits. “We have applied to the state government for an exemption to the Wetland Act and the Land Ceiling Act because we don’t want a problem at a later stage.”The KCA had acquired a 23.5 acre plot in Edakochi, a part of Ernakulum district in Kerala, to build the stadium. Its construction is widely supported by the local community, who see it as a way of attracting tourists, which in turn would boost further development. The prospects of the stadium actually coming up in Edakochi, however, appear somewhat bleak, as the Union environment minister, Jairam Ramesh, told the last month that “we will not support a stadium coming up in that area.”

Arsenal are reportedly interested in a move for Juventus midfielder Arthur this summer, according to journalist Gianluca Di Marzio.

What’s the word?

As per German outlet Wettfreunde, the Sky Sports transfer guru revealed that the Brazilian playmaker “could come to Arsenal” in the upcoming window, with his current side potentially set to try and cash in as they pursue other targets.

The report suggests that the north Londoners were keen on a deal for the 25-year-old in January – as backed up by claims at the time – and could continue that interest again at the end of the season.

Di Marzio does, however, suggest that Max Allegri’s side could ask for centre-back star Gabriel in return, with the Serie A side seeking a replacement for long-serving stalwart Giorgio Chiellini, who is set to leave the club in just over a month or so.

Supporters will be buzzing

If they can avoid having to let their current gem depart as part of the deal, a move for his compatriot Arthur would no doubt prove to be an astute piece of business for both Mikel Arteta and sporting director Edu.

The 22-cap international – who joined the Turin outfit in a swap deal involving Miralem Pjanic from Barcelona two years ago – has found game time hard to come by at the Allianz Stadium so far this season, making just ten league starts, although has shown enough quality previously to warrant the hype.

Even amid a difficult stint in Italy, the £18m-rated man has still produced some impressive statistics, ranking in the top 3% for completed passes among midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues, as well as in top 15 % for both progressive passes and progressive carries.

Such quality in possession has previously seen the former Gremio man likened to Spain icon Xavi by former teammate Lionel Messi, while pundit Kevin Campbell also dubbed him a “baller” for his technical talent.

At present, Arteta’s men are crying out for new additions in the centre of the park, with a playmaking, midfield metronome seemingly required alongside the more defensive-minded Thomas Partey. As a result, any move for a player like Arthur would surely have supporters beaming from ear to ear.

He may be slightly older than last summer’s additions – with all six signings made under the age of 23 – although he still has plenty of time ahead of him to thrive in the Premier League, with links to both him – and 25-year-old Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus – perhaps illustrating an exciting change of tack in the transfer market from Edu and co.

IN other news, Forget Laca: Arsenal already have their new Saka in “deadly” 17-goal Hale End starlet…

Haroon Lorgat, the ICC chief executive, has promised that all the details of the Pakistan spot-fixing investigation will be revealed once the verdict is announced on February 5

Andrew McGlashan in Melbourne15-Jan-2011Haroon Lorgat, the ICC chief executive, has promised that all the details of the Pakistan spot-fixing investigation will be revealed once the verdict is announced on February 5. The six-day tribunal in Doha concluded without a final decision and it was revealed two Tests were now under scrutiny.The key development over those days, where information was scarce and carefully controlled, was the charges brought against Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Asif and Salman Butt in relation to The Oval Test, the third of the series, which wasn’t part of the initial spot-fixing controversy that erupted after a News of the World sting during the Lord’s Test that concluded the contest.Amir and Asif were cleared regarding The Oval match before the conclusion of the hearing in Doha but Butt, the Pakistan captain for the series in England, remains under investigation. Despite that news becoming public, Lorgat wouldn’t elaborate on the details which led the ICC to extending their investigation towards the match Pakistan won by four wickets to level the series.”You’ll recall when we held a press conference when the spot fixing first broke in London, Sir Ronnie Flanagan [the head of the ACSU] and myself indicated that wherever the evidence leads us we will proceed to investigate in absolute detail,” Lorgat told reporters in Melbourne.”As we proceeded with the initial Lord’s Test that was the subject of the original investigation there were certain leads which led us to The Oval Test match. We weren’t prepared to leave any stone unturned so we presented certain charges for that match as well.”We don’t comment on investigations, we don’t report on ACSU matters and once all of this is said and done and the verdict is out a more full report will be provided.”Despite the delay in the final outcome of the hearings, which means the decision will be given even closer to the World Cup, Lorgat was satisfied with how the investigation had moved. “I am pleased with the progress we have made,” he said. “It is a short space of time, it is a complex matter and it is running alongside a criminal investigation. I believe we have done very well to get to this position with a six-day tribunal that has sat and now we await a judgement.”None of the three players central to the controversy will be involved in Pakistan’s World Cup campaign, but the new date for a ruling on the case is just two weeks before the tournament launches on February 19. As much as the ICC try to separate the two it is likely to provide a significant cloud of the major global one-day competition.

West Ham United will need to do all they can to claim victory against Norwich City and cement their hopes of finishing in one of the Premier League’s European spots.

The Hammers were knocked out of the Europa League on Thursday at the semi-final stage after losing 3-1 on aggregate to Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt. David Moyes’ side now face another huge battle to secure European football next season by finishing in the top seven, and it begins with a trip to Norwich.

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The Canaries are already relegated which will be a boost to West Ham’s hopes, with Wolverhampton Wanderers securing a draw yesterday and now only two points behind the East Londoners.

You can forgive Moyes for prioritising the Europa League as it would have provided the club with Champions League football and a first European trophy for over two decades.

However, with full focus now on the remainder of the league campaign, here’s Football FanCast’s predicted starting line-up for the Hammers against Norwich…

We predict that the Hammers will make three changes with the obvious move seeing goalkeeper Łukasz Fabiański return between the sticks for the league encounter.

There will also be a return for Ben Johnson who will replace Vladimir Coufal at right wing-back who could be a more clinical threat offensively. When you compare both players, the Englishman comes out on top in quite a few areas.

He has a higher pass completion percentage than Coufal and also performs better when it comes to stopping dribblers with him tackling 15% more than the Czech.

Coufal moved to the London Stadium in 2020 and earns £27k-per-week. He has performed consistently well for the club, but at 29-years old and with his contract expiring next year, now is the time for the club to look ahead. After all, his side of the pitch has been described as a “problem” when he’s in the team this season.

The final change we expect Moyes to make sees Benrahma replace Lanzini in the front three. The Algerian is the third-highest scorer for the Hammers this season with nine goals, and will be hoping to reach double figures before the campaign ends.

Being a bigger threat in front of goal will give West Ham a chance to strengthen their goal difference against a weak Norwich defence who have conceded the second-most goals in the league in 2021/22.

The 26-year old has been labelled “exquisite” by former player Joe Cole and could be the difference-maker today.

IN other news: Moyes must finally unleash “magical” £17.5m West Ham monster, he’d terrify Norwich…

A commanding performance by South Africa’s spin bowlers, bounce from Morne Morkel and a clinical showing with the bat gave them a convincing victory over Zimbabwe in their first warm-up match in Chennai

Firdose Moonda in Chennai12-Feb-2011
ScorecardA commanding performance by South Africa’s spin bowlers, bounce from Morne Morkel and a clinical showing with the bat gave them a convincing victory over Zimbabwe in their first warm-up match in Chennai.South Africa had what Zimbabwean coach Alan Butcher called an “inadequate total” to chase and went about it in authoritative fashion. They reached the target of 153 inside 24 overs and only lost two wickets in the process. Hashim Amla and Graeme Smith laid the platform with a first wicket partnership of 69.Amla reverted back to the wild side of himself that he displayed in the first few ODIs against India in January, even though he previously indicated that he would steer away from such extravagant play. His first boundary came off the first ball, a flashy shot that Brendan Taylor should have caught at first slip but let through. That served only to spur Amla on and he played some flashy shots to complement a few beautiful boundaries in his 45. He became South African’s first wicket, falling to Ray Price.Smith was far more controlled and made particularly good use of the cut shot in his 41. South Africa’s standout batsman was Jacques Kallis, who looked in dangerous form in his first innings since returning from injury. Kallis has been out of action for six weeks but returned looking as good as ever. “It was a nice knock for him and will be good for his confidence,” Smith said. “Now we will look to build him up to the next stage, which will be bowling.” Kallis played no part with the ball, although he did field.Zimbabwe’s bowlers were taken apart but Butcher was satisfied that they “did an okay job.” They used three spinners, including Prosper Utseya, who they opened with, and Butcher said that the strategy of opening with a spinner is one they will in all likelihood continue with. “Our spinners have been out best bowlers over the last year or so and in these conditions it will suit us to open with a spinner, as we have been doing. I’ll be surprised if other sides don’t do the same at some stage in the World Cup.”Zimbabwe’s woes were more about their batting than their bowling and they were bundled out for 152 by a rampant South African outfit. Their opening partnership puzzle looks to be solved with Taylor and Charles Coventry putting on a solid 49 for the first wicket. Captain Elton Chigumbura was disappointed that the team could not build on that “good start.”Morne Morkel removed Coventry and Tatenda Taibu with successive balls to start the Zimbabwean collapse. Morkel was the only South African seamer to take wickets and Smith was particularly impressed with his performance. “Even on a slow, dead wicket, he was still hitting us pretty hard in the slips. He has some good performances back home and it’s nice to see him being consistent.”Dale Steyn was unconvincing in his first spell, bowling slower than usual while not receiving any assistance from the track. Lonwabo Tsotsobe was injured after bowling just two overs. He suffered a mild sprain to his right knee while fielding at fine leg. Team manager, Dr Mohammed Moosajee said they “didn’t want to risk using him” in the rest of that match and he will be reassessed on Sunday morning.South Africa’s spinners did the rest of the damage, with Imran Tahir and Robin Peterson introduced in successive overs. Tahir’s appearance on the international stage was widely anticipated and when he came on in the 14th over, he was met by a loud cheer from the local crowd. He went wicketless for four overs, while Robin Peterson was the man succeeding at the other end.Petersen removed Greg Lamb and Elton Chigumbura with the second and fifth balls of his second over while Brendan Taylor weathered the storm with confidence. He became the first of Tahir’s three victims. Butcher said believes Tahir will “have an impact” in the tournament and Chigumbura praised his “good lines and good areas.”With Zimbabwe at 95 for 6, South Africa should have wrapped up the tail quickly but Sean Williams and Regis Chakabva resisted for a while. Morne Morkel broke their partnership while Tahir mopped up the bottom order. “He was a little bit excitable upfront, but then he calmed down and got some wickets,” Smith said.Both captains were surprised by the pitch, with Chigumbura saying his batsmen “expected it to turn more and played the wrong lines.” Smith said “it was not a great wicket and a bit underprepared” but he expects it to be ready for the main tournament.Chennai’s first match of the tournament is in eight days time but it will play host to a warm-up game between India and New Zealand on Wednesday. South Africa’s play their second warm-up game in Bangalore on Tuesday and Zimbabwe take on Ireland in Nagpur on the same day.

A round-up of the fourth day of the third round of the Regional Four Day Competition

ESPNcricinfo staff22-Feb-2011Combined Campuses and Colleges completed a comfortable 158-win over Leeward Islands at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua. Gavin Tonge, batting at No.9, offered some late resistance, striking seven fours and three sixes in his 65, but his efforts only served to delay the inevitable. It was a historic moment for CCC, who earned their first victory over the home team in five tries. The win also moved them into a three-way tie with Jamaica and England Lions at the top of the table after three games. All three teams have 24 points. Leewards remain bottom of the table with three points.Lendl Simmons was unlucky to miss out on a hundred after providing plenty of entertainment on the final day as Trinidad & Tobago earned a draw with England Lions at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain. England Lions declared their second innings on 277 for 6, leaving T&T 320 for victory in a little over two sessions, and Simmons came out with intent. He smashed 12 fours and two sixes in a whirlwind 94 from 99 balls, but his departure, caught at cover off the last ball before tea from legspinner Adil Rashid, after he had charged down the pitch and played a wild hoick, put paid to T&T’s ambitions of chasing the game. Lions picked up six points to move to the top of the table, with T&T in fourth with 21 points.Former West Indies batsman Marlon Samuels made his second hundred of the tournament as Jamaica ground out a draw with Barbados at the Kensington Oval in Barbados. Samuels, who was dropped twice in the slips, took advantage of his chances to make 105, an innings that included eight fours and one six and took close to five hours. He added 127 for the third wicket with Wavell Hinds, who made 57, reaching his century with a drive through extra cover off Jason Holder. Jamaica took six points from the game, while Barbados picked up three.

Nick Kruger booked his new side Tasmania a place in the Sheffield Shield final with a century on the first day against New South Wales in Hobart, after the Blues were rolled for their sixth-lowest Shield total of all time

ESPNcricinfo staff03-Mar-2011
ScorecardNick Kruger booked his new side Tasmania a place in the Sheffield Shield final with a century on the first day against New South Wales in Hobart, after the Blues were rolled for their sixth-lowest Shield total of all time. Adam Maher picked up 5 for 14 and Luke Butterworth (3 for 20) continued his outstanding form to skittle New South Wales for 74, before Kruger helped the Tigers cruise to first-innings points.That was enough to ensure they will play in the final, although New South Wales are also likely to reach the decider due to their healthy buffer from the third-placed Queensland. But they will need to lift after their effort at Bellerive, where they were sent in and quickly capitulated to Butterworth and Ben Hilfenhaus, who collected two wickets.New South Wales were 4 for 11 and they never recovered, only just lasting until after lunch. Following the break, Kruger, who was axed by Queensland during the off season, powered to triple figures, totally dominating as Tasmania reached 2 for 204. At stumps, Kruger was unbeaten on 124 with the Tasmania captain George Bailey on 25.

Trevor Chesterfield, the veteran cricket journalist and former first-class umpire, has died aged 75 in Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, where he had been living and working for several years

ESPNcricinfo staff06-Apr-2011Trevor Chesterfield, the veteran cricket journalist and former first-class umpire, has died aged 75 in Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, where he had been living and working for several years. A regular contributor to various publications and websites across the world, he was also the author of several books, including the biography of South African fast bowler Fanie de Villiers and .Chesterfield was present at almost all the World Cup matches held in Sri Lanka last month and appeared in reasonable health, though he had many long-standing medical issues. A couple of days before his death, he went to a talk show and complained of the unbearable cold in the TV studio. On Wednesday morning he fell off his bed while asleep and was taken to the hospital in Moratuwa but is believed to have died on the way.Haroon Lorgat, the ICC’s chief executive, called him a “true lover of the game”, a “fair, balanced and fearless journalist with strong views on the game, underpinned by a genuine desire to see cricket continue to flourish.”Cricket South Africa president Gerald Majola said: “His passion for the game knew no bounds, and his astute analysis of the match of the day was always well worth reading.”Sri Lanka Cricket also paid tribute to him for bringing an “international flavor into the local cricket columns” and said readers, cricket administrators, players and fans would miss his writing.Owen Murray Trevor Chesterfield, or “Chesters”, as he was known, was one of the true eccentrics in cricket journalism and was obsessed with the sport – his email handle was lbwbambrose, a nickname given to him by Bob Woolmer and a reference to the limp he was afflicted with following an accident. He lived a global life – born in New Zealand, he moved to South Africa, where he umpired and wrote on cricket before settling down in Sri Lanka, attracted to the warmth of the people and the climate. In between, he found time for a reporting stint in Vietnam during the war – he would speak of reading Cardus in the trenches, and of trying to attract his American colleagues to an alien game.In South Africa, where he spent most of his working life, he was the long-serving cricket correspondent for the Pretoria News and was a keen follower of the Nashua Titans. He covered several tours in the post-Apartheid years, including the historic first tour of India in 1991. One such tour, in 1993, took him to Sri Lanka and it was there that he eventually settled down.Jayaditya Gupta adds: An evening with Chesters was never complete without a glass or three of the best wine and hours of conversation about the minutiae of cricket that these days seems to have got lost amid the glitter. He could talk on almost any subject, thanks to his experiences across the globe, but almost always the conversation came back to cricket – and especially Test cricket. He would be genuinely baffled, especially when in India, at anyone who was indifferent to the sport and would take pains to try and sort out the “problem”. A stickler for cricket’s traditions and code of conduct, he practiced what he preached, wearing a jacket to matches in the heat and humidity of Sri Lanka – and a tie if the match involved New Zealand.Chesters was a man of the world and his heart belonged to many places. To his native New Zealand, which, he felt, received short shrift from its trans-Tasman big brother in the post-war years; to South Africa, where he was a staunch and vocal opponent of apartheid while he lived there but whose cricket he loved, down to the picture of the Centurion cricket ground on his laptop screen; and to Sri Lanka, where his eccentricities endeared him to an accommodating people.Yet he loved cricket above everything else and was more than happy to share his thoughts with anyone who had a spare moment – and even with those who didn’t. He always made time for younger colleagues and many would benefit from his vast library of cricket books, the size of which was matched only by his wine cellar. He frequently despaired of the direction the game was taking, at the way money was taking centre-stage, but never lost the belief that the basic values and traditions were in place. In an age when cricket writing is fast becoming a collection of sound bytes and focused on celebrity, Chesters was a reminder of the profession’s highest standards. He will be missed.