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The Athletic’s Phil Hay has revealed that Leeds United duo Junior Firpo and Raphinha are “likely to be available” for this weekend’s Premier League clash against Norwich City.

What’s the story?

Marcelo Bielsa’s side have endured a nightmare start to the top-flight season thus far, picking up just the one win and finding themselves just outside the relegation zone.

Both Firpo and Raphinha have suffered their share of injury issues in recent weeks, with the former missing the past couple of games, and the latter being forced off last time out against Wolves.

However, Hay has delivered a promising update to the club’s fans about the duo’s injury status heading into Sunday’s crunch clash against fellow strugglers Norwich.

Writing on Twitter, he said: “Injury latest at Leeds: Firpo and Raphinha are likely to be available but Bamford missing again for Norwich on Sunday. Phillips fine after his return on Tuesday.”

Double boost for Leeds

Given the awful form in which Leeds currently find themselves, the double boost of having both Firpo and Raphinha back and raring to go is a massive boost to Bielsa.

Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson has previously lauded the bargain that Leeds got in Raphinha in particular, declaring: “He’s full of energy, he’s got a (good) work ethic as well where he works for the team, he just does everything right.

“I’m a big fan of his and the recruitment there to find that player, because for £17m, there will be people now scratching their head going ‘why didn’t we get him?'”

While Raphinha’s return is superb news, having the attack-minded Firpo back for a game against the Premier League’s leakiest defence is sure to please Leeds fans, too.

In his real breakthrough season with Real Betis during the 2018/19 campaign, he managed three goals and four assists in La Liga, as well as averaging 0.8 shots, 0.8 key passes and 1.3 dribbles per game.

Speaking to The Yorkshire Evening Post, player analyst Josh Hobbs said of the flying full-back: “Going forwards, he’s a good dribbler – particularly when he gets up to speed and he can steam past players. He likes to play a pass into midfield and then sprint down the line to receive in behind and get into the box.

“His delivery in wide areas is usually a fizzed low cross, which is dangerous as often if the player at the front post misses it, can be met by somebody running centrally or to the back post.”

The £10.8m-rated ace has the attacking instincts to cause real problems for the Canaries this afternoon, and Bielsa should be throwing him into the starting line-up after his return from injury.

Hay’s update on the duo is sure to leave Leeds fans absolutely buzzing.

Meanwhile, Leeds must finally sell this first team player…

Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte would love to secure a deal for Nicolo Barella in the January transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to the Daily Star journalist Paul Brown, who claimed in a recent interview with Give Me Sport that, amid Spurs’ links with a move for the Inter Milan midfielder, Tottenham’s new manager would love to seal a reunion with his former player in north London.

When questioned about Tottenham’s reported interest in a move for the Italy international, Brown said: “Conte would clearly love to have Barella come to Spurs.”

Paratici must move

The fact that Barella has recently put pen to paper on a new deal with the Nerazzurri would appear to make Tottenham’s potential move for the midfielder slightly more challenging. However, when taking into account just how impressive the 24-year-old has been in recent years, it would nevertheless appear an absolute must for Fabio Paratici to do that all he can to land the Italian in January.

Indeed, over his 11 Serie A appearances so far this season, the £58.5m-rated Barella has scored one goal, registered five assists and created a whopping nine big chances for his teammates, as well as taking two shots and making 1.8 key passes per game.

The player who Claudio Marchisio dubbed a “complete” midfielder has also impressed in metrics more typical of his position, making 0.5 interceptions, 1.6 tackles and 40 passes and winning 5.3 duels per match.

These returns have seen the £75k-per-week Italian average an extraordinary SofaScore match rating of 7.44, ranking him as the fifth-best performer in the whole of Serie A.

While it may be an expensive deal to get over the line, Barella clearly seems a player who would be well worth the cost. Also, he would be a signing around whom Conte could build his new-look Tottenham team, just like the 52-year-old did when piecing together his title-winning side at Inter.

In other news – “For sure”: Conte drops 12-word hint on £100k-p/w beast which will delight Spurs fans

Marcus North continued his Ashes form by posting an unbeaten 103 as Western Australia started their Sheffield Shield campaign strongly

Cricinfo staff13-Oct-2009
ScorecardMarcus North followed up his fine Ashes tour with a first-up century for the Warriors•Getty ImagesMarcus North continued his Ashes form by posting an unbeaten 103 as Western Australia started their Sheffield Shield campaign strongly against Queensland at the WACA. The Warriors, who won a tight FR Cup match on Sunday, moved to 4 for 247 at stumps after the captain North took control.North scored two centuries during the Ashes series, when he secured a spot at No. 6, and he backed up with another heavy contribution after entering at No. 4 with his side 2 for 85. The Warriors were patient during the first two sessions, but North lifted his pace after tea.He struck 75 in the final session, including a four over mid-on off Ben Cutting to go to 99. Four balls later he glanced Cutting to fine leg to reach three figures and walked off following a 160-ball stay which included a six and 16 boundaries.Scott Walter, playing his second match, picked up the first two wickets, beginning with Wes Robinson lbw for 10 after Queensland won the toss. He followed up in the second session by yorking Luke Towers (43) before Marsh and North combined for a 119-run partnership that strengthened the hosts’ position. Marsh showed commitment in reaching 70 from 194 deliveries before he played on to Lee Carseldine, while Adam Voges was caught behind late in the day to Cutting.

Leeds United have sent scouts to watch Nottingham Forest attacker Brennan Johnson in action, according to Football Insider.

The Lowdown: Johnson profiled

The Wales international, has scored 16 goals during his senior career to date, three of which have come during the current campaign.

Capable of playing on either wing, as an attacking midfielder or a centre-forward, Johnson has been a regular for the Reds in the Championship following a successful loan spell with Lincoln City last season.

He was described as a player with ‘real quality’ by Michael Appleton, his manager during his time the Imps, and it now seems as if Victor Orta has his eye on the 20-year-old.

The Latest: Source shares Leeds interest

Football Insider, who were informed by a Leeds source, claimed that the Whites are tracking Johnson as they put together a list of potential January and summer targets.

The report added that the Yorkshire club even sent a scout to watch him live in action against Queens Park Rangers – the first step in a possible transfer for the youngster.

The Verdict: Mixed displays…

Leeds reportedly watched Johnson live towards the end of October in west London, and statistically he had a mixed display that evening.

The youngster played up front with Lewis Grabban, but it was the experienced striker who was replaced on the hour mark, with Johnson playing the entire game. He completed four successful dribbles and had six shots in total, but he also lost the ball on 21 occasions and attempted just 12 passes [SofaScore].

Nonetheless, it seems as though the Whites are keeping a close eye on Johnson, and they would’ve been more impressed following his display on Saturday in a 3-0 win over Preston as he won a penalty and came out on top in eight of his 12 duels [SofaScore].

At the tender age of 20, a certain level of inconsistency may be expected, but the Leeds target does seem to be showing some good signs in recent games and has a decent goal tally at this early point of his career.

In other news: £40k-p/w Leeds colossus who Bielsa called ‘important’ now wants out of Elland Road for good

India and Bangladesh will contest the opening game of the ICC World Cup 2011. The fixtures were announced at an ICC event in Mumbai on Monday

Cricinfo staff09-Nov-2009India and Bangladesh, two of the co-hosts, will contest the opening game of the 2011 World Cup in Mirpur on February 19. The fixtures were announced at an ICC event in Mumbai on Monday.The first game in Sri Lanka will feature the hosts taking on Canada in Hambantota, a new venue, on February 20. Pakistan, who lost their share of World Cup matches due to the security situation in the country, are playing all six of their group matches in Sri Lanka, which is hosting a total of 12 games.The tournament in India, which is hosting 29 matches in all, will kick off with New Zealand playing Kenya in Chennai on February 20. India’s first home game is against England in Kolkata on February 27 and they will also play their four remaining group games at home. Defending champions Australia begin their campaign against Zimbabwe in Ahmedabad on February 21.The quarter-finals will be played in Dhaka on March 23 and 25, in Colombo on March 24 and in Ahmedabad on March 26 while the two semi-finals will be played in Colombo and Mohali on March 29 and 30. The renovated Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai will host the final on April 2.”This announcement is an important indicator of the excellent progress we are making towards our flagship event which brings together teams from all our Members in nation-versus-nation action,” ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat said in Mumbai. “Preparation of venues and safety and security planning continues and I am confident that the host countries will showcase our great sport with its great spirit in the best possible light.”A total of 13 venues will be used over the 43-day tournament, which is a week shorter than the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies. The ten Full Member countries and four Associates have been divided into two groups of seven each, with the top four from each group qualifying for the quarter-finals. Group A includes Australia, Pakistan, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Canada and Kenya. Group B comprises India, South Africa, England, West Indies, Bangladesh, Ireland and the Netherlands..

Following Steven Gerrard’s appointment as Aston Villa’s new manager last week, the 41-year-old has been linked with a host of players that he could look to bring into Villa Park in the upcoming January transfer window.

And, considering the incredible success the former Liverpool captain achieved with a number of players in his former Rangers side, such as Ryan Kent, Joe Aribo, Glen Kamara and Nathan Patterson – all of whom have been tipped for a reunion with Gerrard at the second city side – perhaps these rumours should not come as a surprise.

However, before the manager goes splashing the clash on incoming signings this winter, it may well be wise to take a closer look at some of Villa’s up and coming talents before doing so – with Carney Chukwuemeka being arguably the most promising of the club’s academy products at present.

Chukwuemeka could save Villa millions

Being dubbed as “the best 16-year-old in England” by Aston Villa chief executive Christian Purslow last year, exactly how high expectations are for the future of Chukwuemeka amongst those at Villa are clear for all to see.

Indeed, it is equally easy to understand why Purslow holds this belief about the central midfielder, as, over his 26 appearances for Villa’s U18 side, the £2.25m-rated man knocked up a highly impressive ten goals and eight assists, in addition to bagging a further three goals and five assists for the club’s U23 side.

These returns led to reports that both Manchester City and Manchester United started to keep a very close eye on the progression of the recently turned 18-year-old, while the likes of Liverpool, Bayern Munich, Juventus, RB Leipzig, Monaco and PSV have also been credited with an interest in the England U19 international.

However, despite his abundance of potential, Chukwuemeka has so far played just 81 minutes of Premier League football for Aston Villa, something that Birmingham Live suggest could see the youngster tempted into a move away from Villa Park upon the end of his current contract in the summer of 2023.

And, with Jack Grealish very much being the archetypical example of how important an academy graduate can become when given the opportunity, in addition to the not-dissimilar level of talent Chukwuemeka possesses in comparison to that of the £90m-rated Manchester City man when he was first coming through, it would seem highly advisable for Gerrard to start unleashing the 18-year-old on a much more regular basis in the coming weeks.

The youngster could just end up saving the club millions of pounds in the January transfer window.

In other news: Ashley Preece drops “serious” Aston Villa transfer claim which is sure to excite fans

Brad Hodge has been passed fit to return for Victoria in their Sheffield Shield match against Queensland starting at the MCG on Friday

Cricinfo staff26-Nov-2009Brad Hodge has been passed fit to return for Victoria in their Sheffield Shield match against Queensland starting at the MCG on Friday. Hodge missed the previous match with hamstring tightness and has been included in the 12-man squad at the expense of Lloyd Mash.He is expected to replace Rob Quiney in the starting line-up with no other changes to the squad that beat Western Australia. Nick Jewell, the Victoria opener, said the state’s depth had been tested due to a string of injuries, especially to the fast bowlers, and the players were making their mark.”We’ve been challenged with injuries recently but the guys have stood up really well and we’ve had a good spread of contributors,” Jewell said. “Hodge is obviously a great inclusion but hopefully once again there’s a number of other blokes who stick their hands up and take their opportunities. Queensland have got a few young guys coming through who are performing well so it promises to be a cracking game.”Victoria squad Nick Jewell, Chris Rogers, Brad Hodge, David Hussey, Cameron White (capt), Andrew McDonald, Rob Quiney, Matthew Wade (wk), John Hastings, Clint McKay, Darren Pattinson, Bryce McGain.Queensland squad Ryan Broad, Nick Kruger, Lee Carseldine, Wade Townsend, Nathan Reardon, Chris Simpson (capt), Chris Hartley (wk), Ben Cutting, Daniel Doran, Luke Feldman, Nathan Rimmington, Scott Walter.

Newcastle United are reportedly now interested in signing Nicolas Pepe in the January transfer window.

The Lowdown: Move away likely

With the emergence of England international Bukayo Saka on the right-wing, Pepe has become more of a bit-part player at the Emirates Stadium this season.

The former Lille star has only managed to make seven appearances in the Premier League so far, with two of those coming off of the bench (Transfermarkt). And with no European competition for Arsenal this season, there are fewer opportunities for fringe players to see regular minutes.

Considering this, a move away from north London in the winter, whether that would be on loan or on a permanent deal, appears likely for a player who cost the Gunners a club record £72m, and so would surely be expecting more game time.

The Latest: Newcastle interest

As per French outlet Jeunes Footeux, the St. James’ Park faithful are one of three teams in the top flight now ‘interested’ in signing Pepe, along with both Everton and Crystal Palace.

This would be on an initial loan deal in January, with the option to buy the Ivory Coast international in the summer.

The Verdict: Worth a punt

Pepe’s career in North London may not be all that impressive considering his price tag, given that he has only managed 25 goals and 18 assists in 98 matches in total over all competitions across the last three seasons (Transfermarkt).

However, he did not choose how much he was going to cost, and a loan deal with an option could make sense for the Magpies.

The 26-year-old will have a point to prove, and could make the right-wing spot in the North East his own with his ability to cut in on his left foot, with Allan Saint-Maximin coming in on his right from the opposite flank.

Even if things are not quite working out for Pepe, he still works hard on the pitch, as Mikel Arteta hailed his ‘phenomenal’ work ethic at the end of the last campaign. That is what the Toon Army expect from any player who dons the black and white stripes, and the winger certainly has the capabilities of getting them up off of their feet with his pace and directness.

Incidentally, he never lost a game against Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth side, and so the Tyneside boss may already know plenty about him, and perhaps relish the chance to work with him rather than against him.

In other news, find out which £125.9m-rated poacher NUFC are in the mix to sign here!

Chris Gayle whipped up the fifth fastest century by balls faced in Test history as West Indies refused to be blown over on a dramatic and heated day in Perth

The Bulletin by Peter English17-Dec-2009West Indies 2 for 214 (Gayle 102, Dowlin 55) trail Australia 7 for 520 dec (Katich 99, Watson 89, Haddin 88, Hussey 82, North 68) by 306 runs
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were outNo, Chris, we should be bowing at you: Gayle kneels down to mark his awesome century•Getty ImagesChris Gayle whipped up the fifth fastest century by balls faced in Test history as West Indies refused to be blown over on a dramatic and heated day in Perth. Gayle unleashed the controlled fury of a captain who had watched his bowlers struggle for penetration with a 70-ball hundred that catapulted his side to 2 for 214, a promising collection which still leaves them 306 behind.Australia felt chirpy after declaring at 7 for 520 but were soon silenced by Gayle’s hot blade as he clumped 102 within 25 overs. The WACA has hosted some brutal innings and this one probably included the biggest six at the ground, with one of his straight sixes off Nathan Hauritz landing on the roof of the towering Lillee-Marsh Stand.That rocket, which was powered by his charge down the pitch and a free-flowing swing, took him to 91 and it was appropriate that his century came with another six, this one sailing over the sightscreen. It was his fourth clearance off Hauritz and sixth of the innings, prompting him to drop to his knees for a praiseworthy celebration. Everyone watching deserved to be bowing down at him.After a hard-working, unbeaten 165 in Adelaide, which re-floated his side after their three-day defeat in Brisbane, Gayle followed up in his traditional style. This was a batsman preening and flexing, exterminating the frustration of time in the field.Sulieman Benn, the giant spinner with a seriously grumpy alter ego, had signalled that West Indies would not slip away meekly when he started a lengthy confrontation with Brad Haddin that ended with Mitchell Johnson pushing the bowler away. Gayle then showed the right sort of aggression for a modern cricket field, an innings containing defence and leaving with Twenty20-style explosions thrown in.Gayle is without two of his best batsmen – Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Adrian Barath are out injured – on a surface with a reputation for supporting fast bowlers. He didn’t care. His team might look fragile but he was not going to be pushed around. Four boundaries were taken in Johnson’s opening two overs to set Gayle’s tempo and he would calm down only momentarily.The debutant Clint McKay was initiated with a four in front of point first ball and returned after tea to be swatted down the ground and lifted for a six to long-on. Gayle barely followed through and with his score on 79 from 46 balls there was a chance he could tackle Viv Richards’ record of 56 deliveries. It didn’t happen but, like Adam Gilchrist’s 57-ball effort in Perth during the 2006-07 Ashes, it didn’t matter.Strokes that would usually wedge in the mind were replaced at the speed of a wedding-ceremony slideshow. When Gayle flicked Doug Bollinger over square leg to bring up his half-century from his 34th ball it seemed like the shot of the series. An effortless swing cleared the fence on one of the world’s biggest grounds and the batsman’s heart-rate would not have fluttered. More grunt followed the grace.Smart Stats

Australia’s total of 520 is the second-highest score that did not feature a single century. Only India’s score of 524 for 9 declared against New Zealand is ahead on the list and featured six fifties against Australia’s five.

Marcus North and Brad Haddin scored the 14th and 15th half-centuries for Australia in this series, but the hosts are yet to register a hundred.

Chris Gayle’s century was the fourth for the visitors in the same time.

If the Australian batsmen fail to register a century in the second innings, this would become only the ninth time that Australia have gone through a series of at least three matches without a century.

The 15 half-centuries Australia have scored is already the highest scored by any team in a Test series where it did not score any centuries.

The Australians were in shock and awe, especially Hauritz, who will do well not to have nightmares of Gayle’s right leg stepping down at him. Ricky Ponting kept Hauritz on hoping for a mis-hit, and there was an edge on 81 that was spilt by Michael Clarke at first slip. If Gayle missed a century it would have been a bigger crime than the physical confrontation of Benn and Johnson.He didn’t and after such carnage his dismissal was as weak as the winds in the eye of a storm, a limp waft at a short ball floating to Shane Watson at point. Bollinger was the bowler but the noise that followed was for Gayle’s innings of 72 deliveries, which also had nine forgotten fours. As he exited to the first ball of the 24th over he had all but 34 off his side’s 136.Travis Dowlin was the almost silent partner but his 55 was hugely valuable until he scooped a catch to gully off Johnson. By stumps the tourists had Ramnaresh Sarwan on 42 and Narsingh Deonarine on 10, while Johnson, McKay and Hauritz were left to tend their bruises.It was a day for runs, none of which went to Ponting. He did not bat due to his injured left elbow, but closed the innings midway through the second session after Haddin had built on the work of Watson, Simon Katich, Michael Hussey and Marcus North. On another day Haddin’s 88 from 91 balls would have been the most memorable and North’s confident 68 would have been discussed with appreciative nods. Sorry, but Gayle’s special circumstances relegated them to small mentions.Australia resumed the second day at 3 for 339 and quickly lost Hussey for 82, with Haddin soon doing his best to impersonate Gilchrist. Gayle did a better job, but Haddin’s collection was important in inflating Australia’s total, which is still intimidating despite West Indies’ forceful reply.Haddin threatened to become the first Australian of the series to score a hundred, but instead became the 15th local to reach a half-century during a purposeful innings that gained intensity with his elongated debate with Benn. The complicated exchange inadvertently brought in Johnson when the bowler pointed at Haddin and accidently brushed his partner’s shoulder.It had all begun when Haddin took offence at Benn and Johnson running into each other when the bowler was fielding in his follow-through. The ultimately harmless episode was an unnecessary and ugly period that showed both teams have some fight left after three weeks of play. It didn’t help Benn though, as he returned 1 for 87 off 28 overs, but added to the excitement of a breathless day.

The matches are currently scheduled to start at 2:30 p.m., but board officials said the remaining matches, beginning with Bangladesh’s clash against Sri Lanka on January 8, will start 30 minutes earlier

Sriram Veera in Dhaka06-Jan-2010The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) will ensure earlier starts to matches in the second half of the tri-series to minimise the effect of dew on the pitches, an issue that has been severely criticised by all three captains. The matches are currently scheduled to start at 2:30 p.m., but board officials said the remaining matches, beginning with Bangladesh’s clash against Sri Lanka on January 8, will start 30 minutes earlier.The 2:00 pm local start was decided after the BCB tried to ensure the matches started 90 minutes earlier. However, Nimbus, the broadcaster, could only push it forward by 30 minutes.”It won’t happen for tomorrow’s [Bangladesh versus India] game, but we are hoping that we can start the next game early, or do it for the other matches,” Jalal Younis, the BCB’s chairman of media communications, told Cricinfo on Wednesday. The dew factor has been threatening to strip the tournament of its competitiveness, with all the captains believing that the toss could be a huge factor in deciding the outcome of the game.Shakib Al Hasan, the Bangladesh captain, showed his displeasure at the end of the defeat against Sri Lanka on Monday and said it could adversely affect the future games. “It was almost unplayable out there,” he said. MS Dhoni too has advocated an early 11.00 am start and Kumar Sangakkara has said early starts, if possible, would make for good cricket.The organisers seem to have been caught unawares about the extent of the damage that the dew has caused to the fielding side. “We really didn’t expect this much dew,” Jalal said. “We didn’t realise that there would have been so much fog and it would be so chilly.”Television is one of the main reasons why the game couldn’t be advanced to take the dew out of the picture. “Nimbus, the official broadcasters, have already sold the product to their partners assuming certain time,” Jalal said. “It involves lots of marketing decisions and thought; it’s not an easy decision to just advance the start. They have even sold the product to Europe. We have been in constant touch with their CEO.”