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West Ham United travel to Newcastle on Saturday afternoon looking to win a third game in a row, but David Moyes has a number of injury concerns.

The Irons were magnificent for the most part against Leicester City last time out as the London Stadium natives stormed to their third-straight three-goal lead, but faced a nervy finish when Brendan Rodgers’ side pulled it back to 3-2.

Managing to hold out for a 16th win of the Premier League season saw West Ham move to within a point of the third-placed Foxes and they can now put the pressure on the East Midlands outfit, who face Southampton in the FA Cup semi-finals this Sunday.

However, West Ham head to St James’ Park with a number of injury concerns. With that in mind, here’s a potential line-up that Moyes could name, with two changes from the side which beat Leicester…

Moyes will be without Declan Rice at Newcastle as the England international continues his recovery from lateral knee ligament damage, which is likely to keep the midfielder out until May.

Mark Noble has stood in for Rice in recent games before sustaining a “bad” injury against Leicester following a kick to his elbow, although the veteran skipper expects to be fit for this weekend’s trip to the northeast.

While Noble feels he will feature, Moyes is likely to be without Aaron Cresswell after the left-back sustained a hamstring injury at home to Leicester, with the West Ham boss confirming on Friday that it would need to be checked ahead of kick-off.

Cresswell being deemed unavailable will likely see Arthur Masuaku continue his run of appearances at full-back, with a return for Said Benrahma to the starting line-up to offer the Hammers width in attack from the left-hand channel.

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Masuaku had appeared to develop a hamstring injury of his own in the closing stages of West Ham’s 3-2 win over Leicester last Sunday, but is expected to be available at Newcastle after training all week.

Having Masuaku on hand will come as a huge boost for Moyes, who confirmed on Friday that Michail Antonio will again be absent as the striker recovers from a third hamstring injury of the season.

Moyes received an additional boost ahead of travelling to Newcastle with word that Angelo Ogbonna has overcome his high ankle sprain, allowing the Irons’ head coach to recall the Italian brute, who he hailed as “magnificent” earlier in the season.

Ogbonna will be expected to replace Issa Diop in the starting line-up should he receive the green light to start at St James’ Park, and reform the centre-back pairing beside Craig Dawson which kept four clean sheets in eight Premier League games.

AND in other news, a £4.5m-rated West Ham enforcer is being lined up for a summer move out of east London…

MatériaMais Notícias

O técnico Cuca relacionou 24 jogadores para a partida entre Palmeiras e Sport, às 17h deste domingo, no Allianz Parque, pela 32ª rodada do Brasileirão. O lateral-direito Fabiano, que sentiu uma fisgada na coxa na partida contra o Grêmio, no meio de semana, está na lista. Se tiver condições, deve ser o titular.

As baixas entre os relacionados são o zagueiro Edu Dracena, poupado em função de desgaste físico, e o atacante Gabriel Jesus, suspenso pelo terceiro cartão amarelo.

O último treino antes da partida foi na manhã deste sábado, com portões fechados. O provável Verdão tem Jailson, Fabiano, Mina, Vitor Hugo e Zé Roberto; Tchê Tchê, Moisés e Jean; Róger Guedes, Dudu e Barrios.

Confira a lista dos 24 jogadores relacionados:

Goleiros: Jailson e Vinicius
Laterais: Egídio, Jean, Zé Roberto e Fabiano
Zagueiros: Thiago Martins, Yerry Mina e Vitor Hugo
Volantes: Gabriel, Arouca, Thiago Santos, Tchê Tchê e Matheus Sales
Meias: Allione, Cleiton Xavier e Moisés
Atacantes: Dudu, Alecsandro, Erik, Lucas Barrios, Leandro Pereira, Rafael Marques e Róger Guedes

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeirasBarrios enfim agrada Cuca, pode ser titular e tem nova chance de reagirPalmeiras21/10/2016Brasileirão32ª rodada! Veja a classificação, onde assistir e aponte o favorito ao títuloBrasileirão21/10/2016

Leeds United have been told to offer Kalvin Phillips a new deal at Elland Road, amid likely interest from a number of top clubs.

The 25-year-old has matured into one of the most important players at Marcelo Bielsa’s disposal, proving to be an influential performer in midfield.

Phillips has also become a regular for England, winning seven caps and standing a good chance of making Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2020 squad this summer.

Although his current deal at Leeds doesn’t run out until 2024, other clubs may be eyeing up a move for the impressive Whites star in the coming months.

[freshpress-quiz id=“351040″]

Give Phillips a new deal, says McLeish

Someone who thinks Phillips should be offered new-and-improved terms is former Scotland manager Alex McLeish, who told Football Insider it is vital, in terms of preventing other clubs from snapping him up:

“You have to look after the home-bred guys. Kalvin Phillips would command a monster fee.

“Homegrown guys tend to be much more expensive. When you’re maybe casting your eyes abroad and you’re looking, you could possibly get a wee bargain here and there.

“But when you get home-grown guys like Phillips, tying him down is of the utmost importance.

“I think there’s a few clubs that could be definitely looking at a homegrown guy.”

Transfer Tavern take

McLeish himself has described Phillips as ‘outstanding’ in the past and the thought of Leeds losing him in the summer is a grim one.

The player himself certainly appears to be content at Elland Road, but the lure of playing for one of the title-chasing sides can turn an individual’s head.

It will be interesting to see if Leeds hand Phillips a new deal at the end of the season, or if they bide their time with plenty still left on his current contract.

In other news, Leeds are reportedly interested in signing a hugely experienced player this summer – find out who it is here.

Everton have landed a huge boost in the race to sign Lucas Vazquez after the Real Madrid maestro reportedly named Goodison Park as his preferred destination.

What’s the word?

According to a report in Spain, Vazquez has decided that he will leave the Santiago Bernabeu at the end of the season and he has his heart set on a reunion with Carlo Ancelotti and James Rodriguez.

Vazquez is due to be out of contract when his £113,000-per-week terms expire in June and he has not seen the La Liga giants reopen negotiations after he rejected the terms of a new deal.

The Spain international is now set to leave Real, unless there’s an expectational change in circumstances, and he has a wealth of admirers in Everton, Leeds United, AC Milan and Real Betis, while Valencia, Sevilla and SSC Napoli have previously been linked.

Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Atletico Madrid are also potential destinations, though Vazquez is now said to be considering a move to Merseyside as he knows what to expect if playing under Ancelotti.

Vazquez never made an appearance for Ancelotti during the Italian’s time in charge of Los Blancos, but the Everton boss apparently values how the £13.5m-rated winger has since developed and grown as a person.

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Should Everton sign Vazquez?

Everton’s alleged intention to bring Vazquez to Merseyside in the off-season to benefit Rodriguez is not new, with Defensa Central claiming at the start of the month that Ancelotti had targeted the Real Madrid forward as part of his plans to keep the Colombian on side.

It was thought that Ancelotti was pushing Everton to sign Vazquez as his arrival would help convince Rodriguez to stay at Goodison Park, as the Colombian had reportedly grown disillusioned by life in the Premier League and was considering a return to Spain.

But the Toffees can benefit from having Vazquez on the pitch, as well, as the soon-to-be free agent can allow Ancelotti to play with either a four or five-man defence after impressing in a right-wing-back role for Real Madrid this season.

Ancelotti has often rotated between naming two and three centre-halves this season, with a 4-3-3 his most-used system for Premier League games with it used on nine occasions so far. He has utilised three centre-back formations five times and two centre-half systems 23 times, per WhoScored.

It was also in a five-at-the-back that Everton hosted Manchester City in the FA Cup quarter-final on Saturday, with Seamus Coleman started at full-back over Mason Holgate.

Ancelotti has favoured Holgate in the role for 12 top-flight fixtures to Coleman on 10 occasions to date, in which they have contributed a respective 2.5 and 2.1 successful tackles, 1.6 and 0.5 interceptions, 0.3 accurate crosses from 1.6 and 1.4 attempts plus 0.3 and 0.5 key passes, per WhoScored.

Vazquez, meanwhile, has made 10 of his 22 La Liga outings this term as a wing-back, in which he has averaged three successful tackles, one interception, 1.4 accurate crosses from 5.8 attempts and 2.1 key passes.

That goes to show the Galacticos talent may not only create more goalscoring chances for the likes of Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin to fire Everton up the Premier League table, but also take some of the defensive burden away from Ben Godfrey and co. in the centre next season.

So, not only could Vazquez give Rodriguez a morale boost, but he could also give Ancelotti a competent and productive wing-back option without Everton paying Real Madrid a penny.

AND in other news, Everton are monitoring a £17m ace dubbed the next Erling Haaland…

Crystal Palace have joined Premier League rivals Sheffield United in the race to sign Wolves centre-back Dion Sanderson.

That’s according to an exclusive report from Football Insider, who claim that the Eagles and Championship outfit Huddersfield Town are now in the hunt for the 21-year-old alongside the Blades.

Sanderson open to move away from Wolves

Sanderson, who has been out on loan at Sunderland this season, is hoping to make his mark with his parent club.

However, the report claims the defender is privately open to a move away from Molineux, should Wolves decide to cash in on him.

Sanderson, who wants regular game time, is out of contract in the Midlands in 2022 and could cost just £2m this summer.

Transfer Tavern take

Sunderland manager Lee Johnson heaped praise on Sanderson just last month, calling him a ‘Rolls-Royce’ and a ‘leader’ even at his young age, so at just £2m this could be a good move for the Eagles to make.

Palace have just one centre-back under the age of 30 on their books at this moment in time, so an injection of youth may prove beneficial in the coming years.

Sanderson has gained plenty of experience at the Stadium of Light this season, making 22 appearances in all competitions.

He’s also plied his trade with Cardiff City in the Championship, so if Palace can offer him game time next season, a deal may well be on the cards.

In other news: Many Palace fans react as ‘shocking’ transfer twist emerges, find out more here. 

أكد أنطونيو كونتي المدير الفني لـ توتنهام أن الباب مفتوح دائمًا للاعب الفريق السابق كريستيان إريكسن، بعد رحيله عن إنتر ميلان.

وتعرض إريكسن لسكتة قلبية مفاجئة خلال مشاركته في مباراة دولية رفقة منتخب الدنمارك في بطولة يورو، الصيف الماضي، أمام فنلندا.

وتلقى صاحب الـ29 عامًا للعلاج على أرض الملعب قبل نقله إلى المستشفى، حيث زُود بجهاز مزيل الرجفان.

وتسبب ذلك الجهاز في فسخ عقده بالتراضي مع نادي إنتر ميلان، قبل فترة عيد الميلاد نهاية العام الماضي، بسبب القواعد المنصوص عليها في إيطاليا.

ويتطلع إريكسن إلى اللعب على مستوى عالِ مرة أخرى، مع العلم أنه يتدرب مع نادِ سويسري درجة ثالثة، كياسو.

اقرأ أيضًا | ضربة قوية لـ توتنهام.. كونتي يعلن إصابة سون هيونج مين ومدة غيابه

وقع إريكسن، الذي يستهدف مكانًا في تشكيلة الدنمارك لكأس العالم 2022 في قطر، من قِبل كونتي في إنتر في عام 2020، وعلى الرغم من أن الثنائي لم يتحدث مؤخرًا، إلا أن كونتي يقول إنه سيكون موضع ترحيب في توتنهام.

وقال كونتي في تصريحات نشرتها صحيفة “ديلي ميل” الإنجليزية: “لم أتحدث مؤخرًا مع كريستيان، بالتأكيد كان رائعًا، من الجيد رؤيته على أرض الملعب ويركل الكرة”.

وأضاف: “نحن نتحدث عن لاعب مهم حقًا، ما حدث هذا الصيف لم يكن جيدًا، سواء بالنسبة له، أو بالنسبة للأشخاص الذين عملوا معه وأولئك الذين يعرفونه، كنت خائفًا في تلك اللحظة”.

وواصل: “والآن رؤيته مرة أخرى مستعدًا للعب كرة القدم هو خبر سار، أعتقد بالنسبة لـ إريكسن فإن الباب مفتوح دائمًا”.

وسبق لـ إريكسن اللعب بقميص توتنهام في الفترة بين 2013 و2020، وشارك في 305 مباراة وسجل 69 هدفًا وصنع 90.

According to talkSPORT, West Ham United have made Josh King their top target before Monday’s transfer deadline…

What’s the word?

Ian Abrahams, affectionately known as Broadcast Moose on Twitter, told supporters on Friday morning that the AFC Bournemouth forward was atop David Moyes’ priorities.

He said:

“My sources tell me despite all the talk about foreign strikers, West Ham still have Josh King as top target and moves are afoot to approach Bournemouth. I’m led to believe reports about his huge wage demands are misguided.”

The 27-year-old is thought to be on around £45k-per-week at the Vitality Stadium.

Shades of Di Canio?

While recent links to the likes of Hwang Hee-chan and Patson Daka are hugely exciting and would certainly help bolster potential ambitions of a shock qualification to Europe this season, adding King instead is no mere downgrade.

The 51-time Norway international is vastly experienced in the Premier League having hit at least six goals in five successive top-flight campaigns with his best tally of 16 coming in 2016/17, via Transfermarkt.

But it is his other characteristics that make him an even-more desired addition and you could argue, he’s displayed shades of a Hammers great in Paolo Di Canio too.

The Italian sensation was absolutely one of a kind, but was also known for his versatility across the frontline, his technical ability, creativity, eye for goal and dribbling skills.

King covers a lot of these; as seen above, he’s been a prolific option in the Premier League and just like Di Canio at Sheffield Wednesday, he’s been tried and tested prior to a move to east London.

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In addition to that, only ten other players across the top-flight attempted more dribbles than King (122) last season, as per FBRef. By comparison, Michail Antonio topped the Irons’ charts with 107 attempts. If anything, that shows why King would be a decent fit for Moyes.

The Cherries frontman also attempted more carries into the final third of the pitch, averaging 1.66 times per 90, compared to Antonio’s 1.02 average, also via FBRef.

What makes King technically-gifted is his relentless energy to press the opposition’s backline. Again, only 14 other players across the whole division managed to win possession more times than the Norweigen dynamo (9.4 per 90).

It means his ruthless consistency in front of goal, ball-carrying skills and clinical finishing coupled with his dynamic versatility means West Ham could land the closest thing they’ve had to Di Canio, ever.

When speaking about King to Match of the Day, former Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe dubbed him the “complete package” as he is “outstanding physically, technically and mentally” (via The Football Faithful).

Again, those words are cut from the same cloth as the Hammers legend.

It’s thought that King could be available for just £10m before Monday’s deadline, according to The Athletic’s Wolves reporter Tim Spiers (5th Jan Molineux View), so that would certainly present good value considering Salzburg would want €25m (£22.5m) for Daka.

Getting all the aforementioned attributes for half the price the club sold Sebastian Haller for would be an absolute bargain for Moyes. The Hammers’ hierarchy, namely David Sullivan, needs to get this done in the next few days.

AND in other news, Imagine him & Lingard: Why Hammers need to clinch this prolific machine…

With Rangers’ managing director Stewart Robinson recently stating that the club may be forced to sell some of its prized assets in the summer to boost their financial position, Borna Barisic, Connor Goldson, James Tavernier and Kai Kennedy are a handful of names that immediately spring to mind.

The latter of whom happens to be a highly talented teenager and with his contract set to expire in 2023, it’s understandable why the club might be tempted to cash in on the promising starlet.

Rangers youngster Kennedy, who was once dubbed a “fabulous little player” by Steven Gerrard, recently signed a new two-year contract that will keep him at his boyhood club for the foreseeable future. However, the 18-year-old has previously attracted interest from the likes of European giants Bayern Munich, Manchester City and Roma, as well as Premier League strugglers Sheffield United.

But all that talk will have to wait for now, however, as he is continuing to make waves in the Championship with Raith Rovers after a short stint with Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

The scorer of two goals and supplier of four assists this season, Kennedy has caught the eye with his flair for the theatrics, while he is proving to be a force to be reckoned with his combination of pace, physicality, athleticism and technique.

Don’t let his small stature deceive you – a return of three assists sees him rank sixth in the Championship this season, which shows that he is a real menace for the opposition.

Following the arrival of Scott Wright from Aberdeen, Kennedy could’ve been forgiven for feeling a little anxious about his long-term prospects.

But Rangers sporting director Ross Wilson’s recent comments show just how highly he is rated within the club.

“Kai consistently stated during all of our conversations that his ultimate ambition is to be a successful Rangers player and we are pleased we have a clear plan that allows him to move towards achieving the ambition he has held since joining our Academy as a young lad.

“He has progressed beyond our B Team and he needs to develop and influence strongly at first-team level now. We were pleased with his performances at Inverness and thank John Robertson for his work with Kai.

“For personal reasons, Kai wanted to be closer to his family during Covid times and we look forward to monitoring his contribution to Raith Rovers in their pursuit of promotion.”

Intuitive, quick and capable of bringing the ball out to put his side on the front foot, it looks like Kennedy has a bright future ahead of him. Whether he will be plying his trade at Ibrox next season remains to be seen, as he may end up leaving on loan, but whoever acquires his services will be delighted to get their hands on one of Scottish football’s hottest prospects.

AND in other news, Ianis Hagi stars in Rangers’ 1-0 win over St Johnstone…

This has been a horrific season for Celtic and it is showing no signs of getting any better.

A 1-0 defeat to Rangers was the worst possible way to start the New Year and it feels as though not even some investment in the January transfer window will save them.

What’s the word?

If there were two areas that Celtic needed to focus on the most this month it would be in defence and on the flanks.

The Hoops have conceded a bucket load of goals in the SPFL and shipped 19 in just six Europa League outings. On the wing, meanwhile, they have a lack of depth with James Forrest out injured for the majority of the season.

As a result, two attacking players have already been targeted this month. One is young Airdrie winger Thomas Robert and the latest link emerging regards Exeter man Joel Randall.

According to The Athletic, both Swansea and Celtic are understood to have expressed their interest in signing the 21-year-old wide man.

Others are also reportedly monitoring Randall’s situation so it may not be a straightforward pursuit.

The next Sinclair

Signing a player from League Two in England might not be the most attractive of proposals for Hoops supporters but the immense potential and talent Randall possesses cannot be underestimated.

Capable of playing on either wing and using both feet, he is a dynamic player capable of causing carnage from a wide area.

Randall has already scored eight goals and registered five assists for Exeter this term so it’s no great surprise to see him linked with bigger pastures.

But what sets him apart from the rest? Well, we’ll let his manager Matt Taylor do the talking: “He’s had talent and potential in him since a young age. His running stats are phenomenal but he’s added an extra dimension to his game in terms of the end product,” he began.

Taylor continued: “He’s been a constant threat down that left side, worked tirelessly for the team and contributed at all times this season. He’s been a standout player.”

Also described as “energetic,” it’s clear to see why we’re comparing him to former Hoops attacker Scott Sinclair.

Like Randall, the winger is a menace to the opposition and can cause a nightmare for defenders.  Sinclair was always a constant threat down the left and worked relentlessly hard.

He scored 62 goals in 167 games for the Glaswegians and although that’ll be hard for Randall to live up to, there are already incredibly positive signs.

The Grecians winger is certainly one to watch.

AND in other news, Christie 2.0: Hammond must seal Celtic swoop for 4-goal dynamo…

Speaking exclusively with Football FanCast, former West Ham United striker Marlon Harewood backed David Moyes to utilise Tomas Soucek in efforts to sign Slavia Prague striker Abdallah Sima.

The Irons have been credited with interest in the 19-year-old marksman, but face competition from Premier League big-hitters Arsenal and Manchester United and Serie A giants Juventus.

Sima has scored 14 goals in 21 games this season, after making the step up to Jindrich Trpisovsky’s first-team with strikes to his name in the Fortuna Liga and Europa League.

Slavia have been expected to rebuff any approaches in January and look to cash-in on Sima come the summer, after rejecting offers worth €10m (£9m) during the last transfer window, but would not refuse bids of €50m (£44.5m).

Harewood would not judge Sima on the fee Slavia President Jaroslav Tvrdik touted, but rather bend the ear of 6 ft 4 Moyes favourite Soucek after the midfielder’s time at Slavia Prague.

“The best person to ask would be Soucek. If he’s played with him, he would know straight away and he can explain to him what it’s going to take to [make it in England],” Harewood told FFC.

“He’s been playing with him for quite a while at his previous club, so it’d be good, he knows what he’s about. And if he says: ‘Yes, he’s the one that’s going to help us build and do really well for seasons to come’, then I think he’ll be the best person to ask that question.

“But his ratio seems really good. The money, nowadays, it’s hard to judge a player on a price tag.”

Sima made his Slavia first-team debut after Soucek joined West Ham in a permanent £19m transfer this summer, but the Irons’ star midfielder has previously waxed lyrical over the Senegalese teen.

“I’m excited about him. His goals are very much similar to what I’ve been scoring. I’m glad that such a player was found, but it’s not just about that. He shows one-on-one qualities, finishing, just a typical winger,” Soucek told CT Sport.

“I have to say that the guys or the media around West Ham know about him. I would only be happy if another player from Slavia came, but it is still far away. He’s still a young player and he has to prove it. But a lot of people know about him and notice him. Only good for him.”

Soucek’s love is well placed, with Sima scoring twice against Ligue 1 side OGC Nice in the Europa League earlier this season, and finding the back of the net twice in the Fortuna Liga derby against rivals AC Sparta Prague.

Whether West Ham move to sign Sima this month remains to be seen, though Moyes’ side are certainly in the market for a striker after Sebastien Haller’s £20m move to AFC Ajax.

AND in other news, West Ham are considering a £15.5m-rated striker without a goal since October to replace Seb Haller…