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Fast bowler Daren Powell and allrounder Ryan Hinds have been dropped from the 17-man West Indies touring party for the Test series against England. Three uncapped players – Grenada fast bowler Nelon Pascal, Barbados batsman Dale Richards, and Jamaica medium-pacer Andrew Richardson – have been included in the squad.However, in a blow to West Indies’ hopes Dwayne Bravo has been ruled out of the two Tests after medical advice said he hadn’t recovered sufficiently from the ankle surgery that kept him out of the game for eight months. He returned with impressive results in the one-day series against England and was expected to make this tour but the management are taking a cautious approach.Powell was axed after a prolonged spell of poor form – he managed only 25 wickets at 60.80 in his previous 14 Tests – while Hinds was left out after a lacklustre showing in the final Test against England.Richardson was called up after playing a pivotal role in taking Jamaica to the domestic four-day title, bagging 33 wickets at 23.12. “This year Richardson has been bowling very well and deserves his selection,” Clyde Butts, the chairman of selectors, said. “He is tall, accurate and has the ability to get wickets at crucial stages in the game.”Pascal, 21, who has taken 20 wickets in his previous five first-class games, caught the selectors’ eye with his pace while the 32-year-old Richards regains a place after recovering from a foot injury that ruled him out of action in February.Guyana’s Narsingh Deonarine, who played four Tests in 2005, has been recalled after becoming the first West Indies batsman to make more than 1000 domestic runs this season. “We felt he needed to get scores and take his game to another level and he did just that,” Butts said. “He has been consistent and deserves this chance.”Another player who has been out of the national reckoning for a long time, allrounder David Bernard, makes a comeback while medium-pacer Darren Sammy, who burst onto the international scene with a seven-wicket haul on debut during the 2007 trip to England, also finds a place. The tour starts on April 21 and will include three warm-up matches and two Tests.West Indies squad Chris Gayle (capt), Denesh Ramdin (wk), Lionel Baker, Sulieman Benn, David Bernard, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Narsingh Deonarine, Fidel Edwards, Brendan Nash, Nelon Pascal, Dale Richards, Andrew Richardson, Darren Sammy, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Lendl Simmons, Devon Smith, Jerome Taylor.

Tottenham Hotspur could find themselves a new Jan Vertonghen next year and he may not cost a penny…

What’s the word?

According to Italian outlet Calciomercato, Spurs are among the clubs interested in a move for versatile Borussia Monchengladbach defender Matthias Ginter in 2022.

The 27-year-old’s current contract is due to expire at the end of the season and his situation has alerted several clubs across Europe, including Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and the Premier League outfit.

Capped 44 times by Germany, the 6 foot 3 colossus is able to negotiate with foreign clubs from January, meaning that the north London hierarchy could snap him up without having to pay a transfer fee.

That would certainly be a bargain move from sporting director Fabio Paratici and co, considering that Ginter is valued at £27m by Transfermarkt.

Shades of Vertonghen

Primarily a centre-back, Ginter can also be deployed at right-back and in defensive midfield. That may draw some comparisons to former Spurs star Jan Vertonghen, who left the club in the summer of 2020.

The Belgian is only one inch smaller than the Gladbach ace and he too was a solid option at both left-back and in the middle. Both can also chip in with the odd goal, as well.

Ginter featured in a back three on his way to the Confederations Cup in 2017, at right-back in Euro 2016 qualifying and the 2018 UEFA Nations League, and when you throw in his aerial ability and distribution, then you can really see why he has earned serious comparisons to former Real Madrid star Sergio Ramos.

That’s according to another great in the game, Lothar Matthaus.

“Ginter has become a leader at the back, in a similar way to Ramos at Real,” the German football legend told Sport Bild (via Bundesliga.com). “He doesn’t just give instructions to his teammates, but leads them as well. That’s what Ginter is doing really well at the moment. He reminds me of Ramos.”

The word “leader” isn’t a term used loosely around the German international either, with his former Gladbach boss Marco Rose echoing such thoughts.

Meanwhile, former national team head coach Joachim Low believes he’s “so solid, reliable and dependable.”

Throughout his career, Ginter has won an average of 2.7 aerial duels won per game, emphasising his ability in the air, whilst also averaging 1.5 interceptions, 1.3 tackles and 3.1 clearances each outing too, as per WhoScored.

On the above evidence, the Gladbach defender would be a very astute addition to Nuno Santo’s playing squad next summer. Clearly, he’s respected on both a domestic and international level, and his figures back up exactly why.

Paratici could find Spurs’ next Vertonghen by launching a move for the soon-to-be free-agent.

AND in other news, Spurs may forever rue big summer blunder over £18m-rated “machine”, Nuno must be livid…

Haidee Tiffen, the New Zealand captain, believes her team has the ability to win the Women’s World Cup, which starts next month in Australia. Tiffen had played a key role in the team’s triumph in the 2000 edition of the tournament, New Zealand’s only World Cup win, scoring 187 runs and taking eight wickets.”The victory in the 2000 World Cup is very special to me and is very close to my heart,” she said. “It was a privilege to be part of that extremely talented side. Now we again have a world-class side which has all the credentials to regain the World Cup.”Tiffen, 29, said it was “difficult and unfair” to compare the current side and the one lead by Emily Drumm at the World Cup in 2000. “That side was amazing and had world-class players in Catherine Campbell, Drumm, Hockley, Rebecca Rolls, Anna Smith, Katrina Keenan, Kathryn Ramel and others while in the present team we have outstanding young talent in Amy Satterthwaite, Nicola Browne, Suzie Bates, Beth McNeill, Aimee Mason and others.”Like any other player in the side, it’s my dream and wish to win the World Cup again. But for any dream to come true, it requires tremendous hard work and commitment which we have put in over the last couple of years,” she said. “It is any sportsperson’s dream to be crowned as world champion. I know how it feels and would love to taste it again also because I am now the captain.”New Zealand had a 2-2 result in their recent Rose Bowl series away in Australia, and Tiffen believed the experience against the defending champions would hold them in good stead. “It was an excellent opportunity to play against the world’s best side just before the World Cup. We can draw a lot of positives from that series, keep improving and learn to be more consistent.”One of the positives from the series was that we reshuffled our batting order in almost every match to provide a chance to each player to take the responsibility and show what she has to offer. I am glad that every player rose to the occasion and performed which gives me the confidence that our batting not only has depth but is very flexible with every player capable of batting at any position and in any situation.”Our bowling is decent and has shown it can not only contain batters but can also pick up wickets at regular intervals. However, we have to be more intelligent while bowling in PowerPlays and have to try to be as straight as possible.”New Zealand raced to a 2-0 lead in their quest to regain the Rose Bowl, but lost the next two games. The final ODI was washed out, enabling Australia retain the trophy. “We also need to be a bit more consistent as victory is always nice and gives you the much required confidence,” Tiffen said. “Such is the format of the tournament that if you are not consistent, you could be knocked out with one defeat. It is going to be a very tough tournament and consistency will be the key to success.”Tiffen said New Zealand’s tournament opener against Australia – South Africa and West Indies are the other teams in their group – will be a crucial game. “It is a very important match not only from a psychological point of view but also because of the carry-over points that the teams take to the Super Six stage,” she said. “We have a couple of warm-up matches in the lead up to the tournament opener in which we will try to give final shape to our side so that we are best prepared for the match against Australia.”In any tournament, you want to be in the best position and this tournament is no different as we would like to go in the Super Six stage with maximum carry-over points. But the task will not be easy as Australia is a tough team to beat and with the event being staged in its backyard, it definitely has an edge over its main rivals. I have been part of the team that won the tournament on its home turf and know what home advantage can do to your confidence and can bring the best out of you.”Tiffen said her team were expected to make it to the Super Six. “South Africa and the West Indies are the other sides in our pool and though we haven’t played them in the recent past, it would be a fair comment to say we should qualify for the Super Six stage.” The top three teams from the group qualify for the second stage.Tiffen felt four sides were in the reckoning to win the tournament. “I think Australia, New Zealand, England and India are of equal strength and any team can beat the other on its day. It is an open tournament with no clear-cut favourites. It boils down to the fact that the team which plays better on the match day will walk away the winner.”

A number of Sheffield Wednesday supporters have criticised Liam Palmer’s performance in the Owls’ 1-0 defeat to Morecambe on Saturday.

Darren Moore’s side had made a superb start to the season going into the weekend action, picking up ten points from four games and topping League One.

Wednesday also hadn’t even conceded a goal, with the early signs suggesting a promotion push is on the cards.

The Owls were the overriding favourites to win away to newly-promoted Morecambe on Saturday, but things didn’t pan out that way.

Dennis Adeniran’s own goal proved to be the difference between the two sides, with the visitors unable to break down their opponents, despite their dominance.

Palmer may have been an excellent servant for Wednesday, but he didn’t have a great day at the office in a central defensive role, managing no tackles, no blocks and just one interception.

Sheff Wed fans lambast Palmer display

These Owls fans laid into the Scot on Twitter, following a hugely disappointing defeat.

“Brilliant touch thanks again Palmer for your loyal service you truly are an awful footballer”

Credit: @hatty1983

“Substitutions were shocking how the hell did Johnson stay on for 90mins, Brown and Adeniran should have stayed on. Palmer cost us the game, can’t control a ball”

Credit: @Boxingday40

“Poor. Lost plot after goal #swfc Palmer shocking”

Credit: @kris32827497

“All because of Palmer who couldn’t trap a bag of cement. I wouldn’t have him anywhere near the team, accident waiting to happen that bloke”

Credit: @FinlayDerbyshi3

“Not surprising with Liam Palmer at centre half!”

Credit: @OwlPricey

“Need new CB this week”

Credit: @stevie1953

In other news, Dom Howson has provided a key Sheff Wed transfer update. Read more here.

Wolves reportedly tried to sign Rafael Leao in the summer transfer window, but a deal never materialised in the end.

The Lowdown: Leao impresses

Leao put in a very impressive display for AC Milan in their 2-0 home win over Lazio in the Serie A on Sunday evening.

The striker opened the scoring shortly before the first-half whistle, while also winning three of his duels and recording two successful dribbles, one key pass and one accurate cross in the game (Sofascore).

The Latest: Wolves interest

As per Calciomercato, the Midlands club were one of a number of teams that tried to sign Leao in the summer.

Everton, Marseille and Borussia Dortmund also failed with their attempts, and is not clear whether their interest will be revisited in Janaury.

The Verdict: Try again

Even though the Molineux faithful have now brought in Hwang Hee-chan from RB Leipzig, he is only on loan for the time being, and so Leao could be a great alternative to sign on a permanent deal.

Once likened to both Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe, the £22.5m-rated ace clearly has a lot of promise at just 22 years of age, and has gotten off to a good start this season.

Described as a ‘game breaker’ by Calciomercato, Leao would help ease the burden off of Raul Jimenez up top, and being Portuguese, could work well with Bruno Lage.

Nonetheless, signing him would certainly feel like smart business by WWFC.

In other news, find out what news has Wanderers buzzing here!

Crystal Palace must be regretting the decision to allow Andros Townsend to depart the club this summer as he has begun life at Premier League rivals Everton in scintillating fashion.

The 30-year-old was allowed to leave Selhurst Park on a free transfer as new manager Patrick Vieira overhauled his first team squad, but he has already gone on to prove his worth on Merseyside.

What was the word?

Townsend was one of many ageing players to be released by Palace following the conclusion of 2020/21, but he revealed back in June that negotiations over a new deal were taking place with the capital club.

“We’re still having brief discussions,” Townsend told talkSPORT (as reported by Football.London).”The club have told all of us that there’s no decisions being made until a manager has been appointed.

“Since then, Christian Benteke has signed a new deal, so… (laughs). So I don’t know. I want to be somewhere on July 1st.

“My agent is in the background now getting as much interest put into an offer, and then I’ll sit down with my agent, and around July 1st (we’ll) see which one is the best for me at this time in my career.”

However, just a month later, the Evening Standard reported that a change in circumstances meant that the former England international would not be returning to Palace, leaving the door open for Everton to swoop.

One that got away?

Although Townsend didn’t accumulate an abundance of goal contributions during his five-year stay in south London, bagging 16 goals and providing 28 assists in 185 appearances for the Eagles, he played a pivotal part in their success under Roy Hodgson.

Last season, as per WhoScored, the former England international’s respectable haul of five Premier League assists was bettered only by Eberechi Eze, while the pair’s 1.1 shots per league game were the joint-third highest totals amongst their Palace teammates.

Townsend’s tally of 1.2 key passes per league game was second only to Eze, while his match average of 1.3 dribbles was the fourth-highest total when compared to his former Eagles colleagues [WhoScored].

Constantly supplying the likes of Benteke and Wilfried Zaha with a stream of quality crosses is where the speed demon really excelled. He recorded 1.6 crosses per league match throughout 2020/21, the highest tally amongst the Palace squad.

There were question marks over whether Townsend could make the step up to Everton, but so far he has done so with ease, bagging two goals and laying on two assists in just five outings in all competitions.

His outrageous long-range strike against Burnley on Monday night was a reminder of just how good he can be on his day and may leave a large section of Palace fans ruing Steve Parish’s decision not to renew the £6.3m-rated wizard’s contract.

In other news… Imagine him and Zaha: Vieira must unleash “magnificent” Palace gem against Liverpool 

استطاع منتخب مصر الأول لكرة السلة أن يحقق فوزًا كبيرًا على السنغال بنتيجة 67-43 في أولى مبارياته بالمرحلة الثانية من التصفيات المؤهلة لكأس العالم.

ولعب منتخب مصر في الثامنة من مساء اليوم الجمعة أمام السنغال في المباراة التي أقيمت على صالة برج العرب بمدينة الإسكندرية.

طالع أيضًا.. اتحاد السلة يتفق مع الأمن على حضور الجماهير لمباريات تصفيات كأس العالم مجانًا

ونجح منتخب مصر بقيادة مدربه الكندي روي رانا في فرض سيطرته منذ بداية المباراة وأنهى الفترة الأولى لصالحه بنتيجة 23-10، قبل أن يواصل تألقه في الفترة الثانية وينهي الشوط الأول متقدما بنتيجة 38-25.

وفي الفترة الثالثة تمكن منتخب مصر من أن يواصل سيطرته على مجريات الأمور في المباراة وتمكنوا من حسمها لصالحهم بنتيجة 59-35، وحافظ الفراعنة على أدائهم في الفترة الرابعة ليحسموها وينهوا اللقاء لصالحهم بنتيجة 67-43.

ويتواجد المنتخب المصري في المجموعة الرابعة بتصفيات كأس العالم، رفقة كل من: السنغال، الكونغو الديمقراطية، وكينيا، ويتأهل أصحاب المراكز الأولى من المجموعة للمرحلة الأخيرة من التصفيات.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Botafogo definiu o seu principal alvo para a posição de centroavante: trata-se de Luciano, atacante com passagens pelo Corinthians e Leganés-ESP na última temporada. Ele não deve permanecer na Europa e, com vínculo válido até o final do ano com o clube paulista, desperta o interesse do Glorioso, que busca no mercado um camisa 9 para concorrer com Roger pela posição de titular.

A diretoria alvinegra – representada pelo gerente de futebol, Antônio Lopes, se reuniu com os representantes de Luciano nos últimos dias, em busca de saber as condições para que o negócio seja concretizado. Acontece que os espanhóis têm até o final de junho para exercer a prioridade de compra de 3 milhões de euros (cerca de 10,9 milhões). Caso o Leganés indique que não vai avançar na compra do atleta de 24 anos, o campo fica aberto para o Botafogo por Luciano.

O contrato do atacante com o Corinthians termina no final do ano. Ele não está nos planos do clube paulista para a sequência da temporada, podendo ficar livre para negociar e ser o tão desejado camisa 9 do Glorioso na sequência.

Com a saída de Sassá – que está acertado com o Cruzeiro – e a escassez de um centroavante no elenco – Joel não agradou até o momento – o Botafogo busca um jogador para a posição para disputar vaga com Roger. Luciano se encaixa nas características desejadas pelo técnico Jair Ventura: apesar de centroavante, tem mobilidade para sair da área e ajudar na recomposição dentro da partida.

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Nottingham Forest midfielder Joao Carvalho certainly made a positive impact on his return to the City Ground, as he netted a brace against Bradford City on Wednesday evening.

What’s the story?

Carvalho has found regular game time hard to come by with Nottingham Forest in recent seasons, having signed permanently for the Reds back in 2018.

The midfielder has made 67 appearances in total for the Championship side, and has chipped in with six goals and nine assists in his time with the club to date.

He spent last year’s campaign on loan with Spanish side Almeria, and made 36 appearances in total for them, as they finished fourth in the Segunda Division.

Carvalho marked his return to Nottingham Forest with a positive performance in their EFL Cup clash against Bradford City on Wednesday evening, as he netted both of the Reds’ goals in a 2-1 win over the League Two side at the City Ground, as they progressed to the next stage of the competition.

‘Superb’

The 24-year-old has shown glimpses of his quality with the Reds so far, but for one reason or another, he’s been frozen out of the first-team in recent seasons.

The Portuguese-born midfielder has been a fan favourite at the City Ground, and you only have to look at the reaction on social media to his brace against Bradford City to see how highly the club’s supporters rate Carvalho.

Carvalho has shown that he can perform to a high standard in the Championship, having scored four goals and been on hand to provide eight assists in 40 appearances for the Reds during the 2018/19 season.

Nottingham Forest were crying out for a player that could provide the creative spark for Chris Hughton’s side last season, as they endured a frustrating league campaign last term, as they finished 17th in the second-tier standings.

Ryan Yates shoould be sweating over their place in the starting XI moving forwards, especially if Carvalho is to remain at the City Ground beyond the summer transfer window.

He’s shown his quality in tr recent win over Bradford, and he couldn’t have timed it more perfectly to stake a serious claim for a place in their starting XI moving forwards into their Championship matches.

Speaking in an interview on EFL on Quest (quotes sourced from Nottinghamshire Live) after his performance against Middlesbrough in a 3-0 win for Forest back in 2019, Stephen Warnock issued high-praise for Carvalho, and labelled him as ‘superb’, before claiming that he was the difference in their win over Boro.

“Carvalho is a superb player. His individual quality is excellent. He has ability on the ball and a fantastic weight of pass. He was the difference against a poor Middlesbrough team, a very defensive Middlesbrough team.”

Nottingham Forest boss Chris Hughton should drop Yates and hand Carvalho a starting spot in their next match against AFC Bournemouth this weekend, as he’s certainly shown that he’s up for the fight when it comes to a first-team place in Hughton’s plans moving forward this term.

AND in other news, Nottingham Forest confirm some exciting transfer news… 

دافعت مويرا تلاجالي، زوجة ووكيل أعمال الجنوب إفريقي بيتسو موسيماني، عن مدرب النادي الأهلي ضد الانتقادات التي يتلقاها مؤخرًا من بعض النقاد والجماهير.

موسيماني منذ وصوله إلى مصر في أكتوبر 2020 ، فاز بستة ألقاب، بما في ذلك لقبي دوري أبطال إفريقيا، وعلى الرغم من هذا السجل الممتاز، فقد ظل باستمرار تحت ضغط هائل من قطاعات معينة من وسائل الإعلام المصرية وبعض أساطير ولاعبي الأهلي السابقين.

اقرأ أيضًا.. الخطيب يُنهي اجتماعه مع موسيماني بسبب حالته الصحية

وتصاعد الضغط على موسيماني في الآونة الأخيرة، بعدما خسر الأهلي أمام الوداد البيضاوي في نهائي دوري الأبطال بالمغرب، وكانت تلك هي المباراة النهائية الثالثة على التوالي للجنوب إفريقي مع المارد الأحمر.

وقالت مويرا في تصريحات نقلتها صحيفة “تايمز لايف” الجنوب إفريقية: “أمر محبط للغاية أن يتمكن الشخص من فعل الكثير ولكن الناس ليسوا سعداء حقًا”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. موسيماني: ما يطلبه الأهلي مني لم أره في أي فريق والزمالك مختلف عن الموسم الماضي

وأضافت: “لا أعرف أسبابهم حقًا، لكني أعتقد أن بيتسو موسيماني أدى بشكل جيد للغاية، ومن المهم أن أوضح أنه ليس كل أنصار الأهلي هم من ينتقدونه”.

وتابعت: “لقد تلقى موسيماني استقبالًا جيدًا ودعمًا من قبل معظم جماهير ومُشجعي الأهلي الذين يقدرون مساهمته في الفريق والألقاب السبعة التي حققها في أقل من 20 شهرًا”.

وأتم تصريحاتها قائلة: “إنه لأمر مُحبط أن هناك انتقادات مستمرة ضده من الأشخاص الذين يلمحون دائمًا إلى أن المدرب على وشك الطرد بعد كل مرة يلعب فيها مباراة”.