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The series is lost but Ravi Shastri is not “throwing the towel in” yet, and neither are the Indian team. Shastri has singled out his batsmen for not being as mentally strong as they could have been, giving away the advantage to England in situations they should have capitalised on, but despite England holding a series-winning 3-1 lead with only the fifth Test to play, India’s coach believes his team will compete hard in the match at the Oval that starts on Friday, and rectify mistakes made in the first four Tests.The five-Test series got off to an exhilarating start after England held their nerve on the fifth morning at Edgbaston to win by 31 runs. England then obliterated India at Lord’s in a matter of a few sessions. India bounced back collectively to hurt England at Trent Bridge and keep the series alive.In Southampton India had England reeling at 86 for 6 on day one. Still, stunningly, it was India who were left bruised in the end as Sam Curran played another belligerent knock to wrest back control, just as he had done at Edgbaston in the second innings when England were stuttering at 87 for 7. India’s five-man bowling attack failed to stop Curran both times, and paid the price.On the third day, England were in trouble once again and lost quick wickets either side of the lunch break to slip to 92 for 4, but their lower order resisted admirably and hit back to raise a big lead on a worn pitch. India had no answer to Moeen Ali, who kept pitching the ball in the footmarks and getting it to turn and bounce sharply. It was something India’s lead spinner R Ashwin failed to do, which Shastri said was the difference between the sides.But Shastri was still not giving up. “The fact of the matter is that you had a chance,” Shastri said after India’s training on Wednesday. “The scoreline says 3-1 which means India have lost the series. What the scoreline doesn’t say is India could have been 3-1 or 2-2. And my team knows it. They would have hurt, and rightly so, after the last game. But this is a team that will not throw in the towel. It will compete. It will come out there to compete and not look to be on the first flight home, rest assured.”After losing the series in Southampton, India captain Virat Kohli was blunt in his appraisal, saying his team could not be satisfied just with competing, and had to learn how to cross the line. Shastri reiterated that sentiment. “We have run teams close overseas, we have competed. But now it is not about just competing. We have got to complete games from here. And the endeavour is to learn, understand where you made the mistakes, take it head on and try and correct.”Virat Kohli chats with Ravi Shastri•Getty Images

Shastri said India were on top and looking to take a sizeable lead when Cheteshwar Pujara played a ” (a Mumbai cricket term loosely equivalent to bloody-minded)” innings to notch his first century of this tour. But the rest of the batting did not show the same resolve. “It is being aware of being in a good position and then capitalising and not doing something silly to open the door for the opposition. I thought at 180 for 4 there was a definite chance of a 75-80 run lead, and that would have been crucial. So that hurts.”Shastri felt the Southampton defeat would hurt more than the one at Edgbaston because India were in charge of the fourth Test at different points. “At Edgbaston, it could have gone either way. We had our share of luck as well because at one time England were in the driver’s seat. We managed to come back. We were chasing the game there all the time. But here, this would hurt more because you were ahead of them. And there was a stage you could have been really ahead of game after the job the bowlers did on day one.”At the start of this series, Shastri had told ESPNcricinfo that Kohli’s team had the “potential” to be one of the best travelling sides. He said he was making that statement based on India’s spirited performance in the 2-1 series defeat this January in South Africa, where India won the final Test in Johannesburg and were in contention in the first two Tests too, in Cape Town and Centurion.Not everyone is convinced India are improving as a travelling unit overseas though. Speaking to , former India opener Virender Sehwag said India had learned the art of winning overseas under Sourav Ganguly. Back then, India were a stronger batting unit with bowlers who couldn’t consistently take 20 wickets, and Sehwag felt it was the other way round now, with India having a strong bowling unit but a weaker batting group. “Best travelling teams are made by performances on the ground and not by sitting in the dressing rooms and talking about it. One can talk whatever they want to talk about but unless the bat does the talking, they can never become the best travelling team,” Sehwag said.Shastri still maintained India could win overseas. He pointed out that India had won three series and nine Tests overseas since 2015. Incidentally, Anil Kumble was India’s coach for one of those series, against West Indies in 2016, which India won 2-0. Shastri was in his first stint with the team during the 2-1 win on the 2015 tour of Sri Lanka. In Shastri’s second stint, India have won one series overseas, in Sri Lanka (2017), and five Tests.”If you look at the last three years, we won nine matches overseas and three series. I can’t see any other Indian team in the last 15-20 years who had that kind of run in such a short period and you have some great players in those teams.” Shastri said. “So the promise is there. It is just [about] getting tougher mentally. You have got to hurt when you lose such matches, but that is when you look within and come out with the right kind of answers to combat such situations again and get past the finishing line. One day you will, as long as you believe.”

Rohit Sharma struck an unbeaten hundred and Hardik Pandya then finished the chase, to follow 4 for 38 with the ball

The Report by Sidharth Monga08-Jul-2018
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsA long tour of England can bring contingencies, and India responded gloriously to the first of those to maintain their clean sheet in T20I bilateral series of three matches. Central to India’s win was a man who might yet have to play a big part in the rest of the summer: allrounder Hardik Pandya stepped up with India missing two of their first-choice quicks to injury and dropping Kuldeep Yadav, who had taken five wickets two matches ago, because of the small straight boundaries.Pandya bowled smartly, not giving England anything to drive and changing his pace often in his personal best analysis of 4 for 38, reducing a marauding England batting to 198 when they had looked good for 225. He was there with centurion Rohit Sharma when India needed to pull themselves out of a brief slowdown when the 15th and 16th over produced seven runs and the wicket of Virat Kohli. Pandya’s 33 off 14 took off any pressure that might have been on his Mumbai Indians’ team-mate as India chased the target down with more than an over to spare.Rohit Sharma lifts one over covers•Getty Images

Selection debateThere was consternation from certain quarters when Kuldeep was left out for debutant swing bowler Deepak Chahar. The pitch looked green, and the straight boundaries were short. India reasoned they wanted a team for the day and not based on history. A few experts said you pick your best bowlers no matter the conditions. To add to India’s woes, Bhuvneshwar Kumar had a stiff back. Jasprit Bumrah was already ruled out of the limited-overs leg of the tour. This is an Indian side confident of taking a punt and going along with it. Their confidence was about to be tested.England get stuck into inexperienced attackThe pace of the three right-arm quicks posed Jos Buttler and Jason Roy no challenge. The Powerplay of 73 for 0 was the best in T20Is in England, and the home side’s second-best effort anywhere. In a knock that didn’t even last half of England’s innings, Roy equalled the England record for most sixes: seven. Pandya was among those taken apart, for 22 in his first over, his most expensive over in T20Is.Two wickets fell in the next seven overs but the runs kept coming. That Yuzvendra Chahal bowled four overs for just 30 when the going rate was higher than 10 might have raised doubts in the Indian minds. They were looking at seven overs of quick bowling with no swing available and small boundaries to defend with 132 already on the board.Pandya strikes, and keeps strikingPandya, who had come back with a two-run second over, showed he had learned from his mistake early on. He wasn’t bowling as short as he had done earlier but still didn’t give England the length to drive or to slog. He rolled his fingers on the ball to good effect, too. Eoin Morgan top-edged a slog, was dropped, but repeated it next ball for MS Dhoni to take one of his world-record five catches in the innings. Alex Hales looked to late-cut him and got the top edge. Pandya came back in the 18th over to thwart another surge from England, this time taking out Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow. That England fell 25 short was down entirely to these wickets.Rohit exits a slumpComing into this match, Rohit had averaged 26.08 at a strike rate of 104.1 in all T20 cricket since February 17 this year. Those were surprising numbers for a batsman of his ability in limited-overs cricket, which is probably why not many questioned his place in a line-up overflowing with batting talent. Rohit showed why by dismantling the England bowling with 11 fours and five sixes. Most of the big hitting was done down the ground because of the boundaries but when England went short, he was equal to it with his pulls. For support he had KL Rahul during a 41-run second-wicket stand and Kohli in an 81-run association for the third wicket.How ineffective the bowling, how short England were of a par score, was all evident in how all the three wickets fell to exceptional catches. the pick of the lot was the third one as Chris Jordan hung on a Kohli shot drilled back at him in his follow-through. That wicket and the consequent quiet, with Pandya promoted ahead of MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina, left India 44 to get in four overs.Pandya, Rohit end itJust then, though, Pandya hit the first two balls of the 17th over for fours, and India were back on track. Rohit duly reached his hundred, and Pandya provided the exclamation mark with a six off the fourth ball of the 19th over.

Arsenal have been linked with a surprising move for struggling Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk in the summer.

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Mudryk originally wanted by ArsenalSigned for Chelsea but has struggledGunners interested alongside JuventusWHAT HAPPENED?

The Ukraine international was signed from Shakhtar Donetsk in January 2022 for a staggering fee worth up to £89 million ($113m) including add-ons. Thus far Mudryk has come nowhere near living up to that price tag, with his most impressive showings arguably coming on his debut against Liverpool and during pre-season this term. Despite an underwhelming start to his Chelsea career, Arsenal are reportedly interested in bringing him to north London, according to Spanish outlet .

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The report notes that Chelsea will listen to offers for the 22-year-old winger, with a primary objective being a loan transfer to build up his development. However, the Blues could be interested in a permanent sale, where Arsenal and Serie A giants Juventus are listed as potential suitors. That said, Chelsea would look to recoup a significant portion of that £89m investment which, as the report acknowledges, would be difficult given Mudryk's recent performances.

DID YOU KNOW?

Arsenal, of course, were once seen as the primary location for Mudryk before his eventual switch to Chelsea. Mikel Arteta is thought to be a big fan from his Shakhtar playing days and only neglected to sign him after being usurped by the Blues' mammoth offer at the 11th hour. Videos had even been circling of Mudryk praising Arteta and wearing an Arsenal shirt.

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR MUDRYK?

Chelsea may hope their north London counterparts do them a favour as they did when signing Kai Havertz for a staggering £65m ($82m) last summer, and pay over-the-odds for another struggling forward. However, that eventuality would require Mudryk to build on his sorry tally of four goals in 26 appearances this term.

Pro-Israel comments from former Under-19 captain draw CSA into choppy waters

Firdose Moonda15-Jan-2024David Teeger’s removal as South Africa’s Under-19 captain, a week before the home age-group World Cup being held here, has popped the cork on the connection between sport and politics at a high-octane moment for the country.Officially, Teeger was stood down over concerns for his and other players’ safety after he expressed views in support of the Israeli army at an awards ceremony in October last year. Complaints against him dedicating his Rising Star trophy to “the young soldiers in Israel” were lodged by the Palestinian Solidarity Alliance (PSA) and several stakeholders in South African cricket, including sponsors, clubs and concerned citizens, who demanded his removal from the national team. CSA appointed an independent advocate, Wim Trengrove, to determine whether Teeger had breached their code of conduct and it was found that he had not. But the story did not end there.Since Teeger’s comments, the South African government has taken Israel to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on a charge of genocide, and pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli demonstrations have taken place countrywide. In almost all instances, these protests have been peaceful, including at Newlands on January 3 on the first day of the New Year’s Test between South Africa and India, and a mass march on January 13, though there have been occasional instances of police involvement. Several sources confirmed to ESPNcricinfo that they expect picketing at the Under-19 World Cup to be organised, non-violent and outside the stadium, with no access to the players. The PSA confirmed to ESPNcricinfo that they have applied for the right to protest and expect no objections.CSA’s official reason for Teeger’s removal as captain, however, was to mitigate the risk of “conflict or even violence” during the tournament. CSA’s CEO Pholetsi Moseki told ESPNcricinfo that the decision had been taken to “lower the temperature”, even though a recently concluded Under-19 triangular series between South Africa, India and Afghanistan was played at a club ground in Johannesburg, Old Edwardians, without any obvious security concerns.Instead, it seems there is an ideological reason for Teeger’s removal, which is not so serious that he cannot be part of the squad but serious enough that he is considered not fit to lead it.When Trengrove was appointed, on November 26, it was to determine whether Teeger’s acceptance speech had breached the code of conduct of either CSA or his provincial team, Lions. His report referenced Teeger’s constitutional right to freedom of expression, and concluded that he had not participated in any unbecoming or detrimental conduct. On December 7, CSA confirmed that Trengrove’s findings had been “received, considered, and accepted” and Teeger was cleared to continue as Under-19 captain. Five weeks later, that changed.In the time since, South Africa presented their arguments to the ICJ. On the same day as their submission, CSA’s board met and, the following day, it was announced that Teeger would be removed as captain, citing the security threat. That rationale was immediately met with suspicion. “It was political” were the words used by the Afrikaans weekly on their front-page lead, while a spokesperson for the South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) criticised the move as “shameful”.In Teeger’s response to Trengrove, submitted in November last year, he had stated: “My personal and honestly held view is that Israel and its soldiers have not committed genocide, war crimes or crimes against humanity.” His view, he added, was “held by many people and democratic governments around the world”, and could not be construed as support for genocide, “because in my view Israel is innocent of all these allegations”.On Tuesday last week, South Africa’s sports minister Zizi Kodwa addressed the Under-19 team, handed over the national flag and in a seemingly impromptu speech said: “Whatever you do now, you are no longer yourselves. You are ambassadors for South Africa.”It’s not unthinkable that, with the knowledge of the ICJ case and Kodwa’s words, CSA was forced to consider whether Teeger would be the best captain for the national Under-19 side in the current circumstances. One could imagine a similar upshot if, say, an England captain had been stood down for making homophobic statements, given the UK’s stated advocacy for LGBTQI+ rights.It has been learnt that Teeger was asked to stand down last week and refused. He has also privately rejected requests for a retraction or an apology for his statements. At a CSA board meeting on Thursday night, it was decided to remove Teeger as captain and the message was communicated to the team on Friday morning.Where CSA messed up – not for the first time – was with their messaging and timing. Instead of communicating the debate around Teeger as captain, they issued a statement on security threats that appears to be disingenuous, and have since refused to comment further despite it leading to damaging accusations of anti-Semitism. They could and should have been honest about the reasons behind their decision, for themselves and for Teeger.Far from turning the spotlight away from Teeger, it has now been shone directly onto him. At the age of just 19, he has become – at least in some circles – the face of an issue that ought to be way beyond the remit of a national captain of any age. Ultimately, there is a duty of care that CSA has failed to discharge in allowing this row to escalate in such a fashion. Teeger is young, and hopes to forge a long career in cricket. This does not preclude his statements from scrutiny beyond the boundary, but he does not deserve to be the symbol of this situation.

Tillakaratne Dilshan is no mood to let go of any opportunity that comes his way, not even wicketkeeping

Sidharth Monga in Colombo11-Jul-2009Tillakaratne Dilshan is a man in a hurry. It’s the case for every late bloomer. Not long ago, he was just another waste of abundant natural talent. Then he found himself a permanent place at the top of the order, and he changed as a batsman. Now he is no mood to let go of any opportunity that comes his way, not even wicketkeeping.Just before the start of this series, Sri Lanka were in trouble because of injuries to two key players, the best spinner and possibly the best wicketkeeper in the world. With Muttiah Muralitharan out they needed to play an extra bowler, and with Prasanna Jayawardene also ruled out, they had an opportunity to squeeze in another bowler (Angelo Mathews) by making one of the batsmen keep wicket. Kumar Sangakkara had to bat at No. 3 and also captain, so he asked Dilshan what he thought of it. “I said yes. I am ready to do anything and everything for the team,” Dilshan told Cricinfo.It was a big gamble to get a non-regular keeper to go into a Test match. In some ways Dilshan was the perfect man for the job. He is at a stage in his career where nothing fazes him. Right now, he is an extremely confident man, and if seen from afar perhaps even overconfident. Dilshan the batsman doesn’t worry about the previous ball, if he was either comprehensively beaten or played the worst shot in the book. Dilshan the wicketkeeper is no different. He doesn’t worry about the previous miss or the number of byes against his name, he is always looking ahead.He let go 25 byes in the last match, but effected two run-outs that normal wicketkeepers might have struggled with. What he lacks in pure skill, he makes up for with superb hand-eye coordination and athleticism.Dilshan and the rest of the team will acknowledge that he is not the prettiest behind the stumps, but that doesn’t really affect him. “I am not bothered about the technique,” he said. “I took every catch and stumping that came my way. So I don’t need to think about technique.” Pretty much what you’d expect from a man who plays the most unbelievable of shots in world cricket.Dilshan will also remind you of how he started off as a wicketkeeper. “The thing is, I started my career as a wicketkeeper,” he said. “I came to the side in 1999, when Romesh Kaluwitharana was keeping, so I had to play without wicketkeeping. I took that challenge too. But my body still has some keeping left in it.”It’s worth noting that Sangakkara often keeps in the limited-overs format. “In the next couple of months, you could see me keeping in the one-dayers also,” Dilshan says. “Already I have done that in four-five one-dayers, and a Twenty20. I am trying to grab every opportunity that comes to me.”But it is as big a sacrifice as it is a risk. It should have some sort of impact on his batting, although it helps that he comes in at No. 6. “Not really,” he says. “The thing is, we are professional cricketers, we are doing proper fitness training, and everything. My fitness level is very high. I can do keeping and batting easily with my fitness level.”Every word Dilshan says is full of the kind of confidence that his coaches feel can sometimes end up bringing him down. “He is someone who needs to be kept on the edge,” Paul Farbrace, Sri Lanka’s assistant coach, told Cricinfo last month. “He has such belief in his own ability and is very strong-minded, and sometimes that’s his downfall.””I am ready to do anything in international cricket, be it keeping, batting, fielding, bowling,” Dilshan says. “I am enjoying doing whatever the captains or selectors ask. I am ready to deliver anything.”One of those can be a move up the order in Tests too. But he has to wait, for such a move cannot be possible with him having to keep wicket on a more regular basis.The move to have Dilshan keeping in Tests has to be a temporary one, because it is too big a gamble. A specialist is always the better option. Twenty five byes is way too many on a good pitch, but Sri Lanka feel what the allrounder Mathews brought in (on debut) meant more than that. A dropped catch or a missed stumping might make them change their mind, and Dilshan is hell bent on not letting that moment arrive. Still somewhere down the line, they will have to find a solution. Until such time, with the man who can do anything behind the stumps, nobody is complaining.

Tottenham Hotspur reportedly have their eyes on a "special" centre-back alongside the heavily linked Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo.

Postecoglou makes defender admission ahead of January

Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou has brought attention to the club's lack of centre-back depth on more than one occasion over the last month. The Australian's currently bereft of star options behind favoured pairing Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero, with the former still out injured due to a hamstring problem.

International could push to join Spurs for one key trait Postecoglou has

The Australian is seriously tempting Tottenham’s transfer target.

ByEmilio Galantini Dec 23, 2023

Makeshift centre-back Ben Davies has partnered Romero to great effect at the heart of Postecoglou's defence in recent weeks, as Spurs win three of their last three Premier League games.

However, just one or two more defensive injuries could put Tottenham in a very precarious situation. Postecoglou expressed his desire to sign a centre-back at Spurs earlier this month, but also explained to Sky that whoever comes in must be the perfect fit.

"When you think about it, we let Davinson Sanchez go after the [summer] window closed," said Postecoglou on Tottenham signing a new defender.

"We kind of knew we were taking a bit of a risk; we couldn't get the extra centre-back that we were trying to get in, and for the early part of the year that was fine.

"But once we lost Micky [van de Ven], and Eric Dier's had some issues as well, we don't have another centre-back. Young Ash Phillips had just joined the club, so it's fair to say that we can't run the risk of that happening again, so that's obviously a priority for us in January.

"But again, we've got to get the right person. It's not just about bringing another body in, it's about getting the right one in and hopefully that'll happen."

In terms of named targets, one player they're already moving for is Todibo. The 23-year-old, according to reliable media sources, has held talks over joining Tottenham with the January window just days away from opening.

Tottenham eyeing Tosin move ahead of January

However, while Spurs are seriously pushing ahead for Todibo, the Frenchman is by no means the only option on Postecoglou's radar Indeed, Fulham defender Tosin Adarabioyo is another defender very much liked by Spurs.

Journalist Rudy Galetti, taking to X, says Tottenham are "working" and have eyes on Tosin alongside Todibo. The Englishman has started to feature more under Marco Silva recently whilst also impressing, and his contract is set to expire in the summer as things stand.

Proven in the Premier League and a potentially cheaper option, the 26-year-old has also been called a "special player" by his manager.

Sunderland have been through the wringer over the last ten decade or so, fighting against relegation from the Premier League valiantly on a regular basis before dropping out of the top flight in the 2016-17 season and never returning since.

Back-to-back relegations down to League One saw a dark cloud hang over the Stadium of Light that never looked like lifting, with the club staying put in the third tier as a big fish in a small pond for three successive gruelling campaigns before promotion was finally sealed via the playoffs in 2022.

20th position in the Premier League – 2016-17

24 points

24th position in the Championship – 2017-18

37 points

5th in League One (promoted) – 2021-22

84 points

Fast forward to now, Tony Mowbray's side are very much in the promotion reckoning this season – fighting it out for a playoff spot amongst a whole cluster of teams dreaming of making the step-up to the promised land of the Premier League possible.

With the current wave of positivity at Sunderland infectious, the hardened Black Cats faithful will have blocked out memories of past players who flopped during those tough times that saw the club fall down to the third tier.

Jack Rodwell is a name that has been understandably lost to the past, the ex Manchester City man a notable dud at the Stadium of Light.

How much Sunderland signed Jack Rodwell for

Sunderland would break the bank to bring Rodwell into the building in 2014, signing the central midfielder for £10m after a short-lived spell at the Etihad.

Rodwell would never justify that price tag when pulling on the Black Cats strip however, a move plagued by off-field issues that saw him become a pantomime villain for the Sunderland fans to routinely jeer at.

It even led to Chronicle Live journalist James Hunter – at the time of his departure from the club – labelling Rodwell as the 'worst signing in Sunderland's history' – a title Rodwell certainly won't wear like a badge of honour looking back on this period of his career.

Jack Rodwell's statistics at Sunderland

Rodwell's disastrous time at Sunderland did start with the midfielder showing signs of his quality, scoring three goals from 23 appearances during this debut top-flight season with the club.

However, when Sunderland succumbed to relegation to the Championship, Rodwell's time with the club started to unravel.

The former number eight was even demoted to the U23 ranks amidst the club's period of freefall to the second tier and lower, notably falling out with Sunderland boss Chris Coleman during that depressing time span.

Rodwell would only go on to make just three more appearances for the club in their doomed Championship relegation campaign, leaving the club after this season with his contract was torn up before the League One season got underway.

Earning a reported £70k per week – on top of costing £10m – Rodwell goes down as a colossal waste of money for what he offered the Black Cats during an ill-fated stay.

Sunderland star who left in 2021 is now outscoring every striker at the club

Sunderland will look back on this sale with regret now, especially as the current crop of Black Cats attackers continue to fire blanks.

ByKelan Sarson Nov 27, 2023

Yet, the now 32-year-old is still playing well into the twilight of his career at Sydney FC regardless of this bruising experience.

What Jack Rodwell did after leaving Sunderland

In the immediate aftermath of his Sunderland exit, Rodwell was on the books at a number of EFL clubs – trialling with Watford, whilst going on to win deals with Blackburn Rovers and Sheffield United.

Making only two appearances for the Blades, Rodwell did fare better at Ewood Park – scoring one goal from 22 appearances for Blackburn.

Relocating to Australia however has seen Rodwell reignite his career slightly, playing for both Western Sydney Wanderers and Sydney FC in recent memory.

The 32-year-old even has a goal from limited appearances for Sydney FC to date, playing further back in the A-League as a centre-back option.

Rodwell – now valued at just £172k by Football Transfers' xTV model – has seemingly found his feet again after the move to Sunderland had the potential to swallow him whole completely and leave him disenchanted with football altogether, whilst the Black Cats continue to search for a return to the Premier League after years in the wilderness.

Wolverhampton Wanderers' summer was marked by considerable levels of upheaval at Molineux, Julen Lopetegui leaving the club after a short stay in England whilst key first-teamers such as Matheus Nunes, Ruben Neves and Nathan Collins all followed suit out of the building to Manchester City, Al-Hilal and Brentford, respectively.

It's left new boss Gary O'Neil with a tough old job to come into, many predicting Wolves to suffer even more on the pitch with relegation fancied by neutrals and Wolves fans alike.

But, at this present moment in time, the West Midlands-based outfit are performing above all expectation – occupying a commendable 12th spot in the Premier League so far, recent wins include a 2-1 victory over the team who sacked O'Neil in the summer in AFC Bournemouth and a smash-and-grab Molineux win over champions, Man City by the same scoreline.

Even with these promising results to kickstart the season, Wolves will be looking to strengthen their still depleted squad when January comes along – one potential signing in the form of Facundo Pellistri could be on the cards even on just a loan basis.

Are Wolves interested in signing Facundo Pellistri?

As reported by LR Uruguay – via Fabian Bertolini – and further on Molineux News, Wolves were interested in snapping up the Manchester United talent on loan this summer with the Red Devils wanting their young £20k-per-week gem to get more game time away from Old Trafford.

Luton, Burnley and Bournemouth all put their hat into the ring to potentially sign Pellistri also – as per the report above – but a move wasn't forthcoming in the summer.

Could Wolves reignite their interest in the Uruguayan when the transfer window reopens at the start of 2024?

Impressive in spurts for Man United – Pellistri making 16 appearances to date for the Red Devils, including six in the Premier League this season – Wolves' squad would be significantly boosted with this potential addition.

How good is Facundo Pellistri?

Signing for the Red Devils in the summer of 2020, featuring for Peñarol previously in his birthplace of Montevideo, the 21-year-old is highly thought of in Man United quarters.

Scoring three times for the Man United U21's in nine matches after initially moving to England, the Uruguayan midfielder has managed to gradually work his way into Erik Ten Hag's first team plans recently – one beneficiary of the recent up-and-down form experienced by Ten Hag's men, given opportunities to the likes of Pellistri ahead of underperformers.

Labelled as "scintillating" after a brief but impactful spell in a Europa League last-16 tie against Real Betis last season by football journalist Alex Turk – Pellistri having a part to play in Wout Weghorst's game-clinching fourth goal in a 4-1 win – the youngster has also further excelled in Cup competitions this year too.

The Uruguayan's work rate in a recent EFL Cup win versus Crystal Palace was highlighted as a major positive by football pundit Danny Webber, praising the collective "full-throttle" approach of the much-changed eleven fielded by ten Hag which saw Pellistri play the full 90 minutes.

Wolves could well look to Pellistri as a potential upgrade on Pablo Sarabia, the silky Spanish midfielder for the Old Gold is now 31 and his minutes in the first team have been cut under O'Neil's management – having started just two league games this season.

The former Paris Saint-Germain ace clearly has quality, with four assists to his name in all competitions to date in 2023/24, although three of those came in the League Cup clash with lower league side, Blackpool, having subsequently been "anonymous" against Premier League opposition – according to journalist Alex Richards.

If O'Neil and co do swoop in for the young Man United star again, Wolves would have an explosive and direct talent on their books who could usurp Sarabia's place in the squad, with the experienced asset just not cutting it at present.

If Pellistri were to impress, he could find himself knocking on the door for even more first-team opportunities at Old Trafford in the near future, or potentially move to cement a permanent stay at Molineux.

Former Lancashire allrounder Arron Lilley has signed a two-year contract with Leicestershire

George Dobell01-Oct-2018Arron Lilley has joined Leicestershire on a two-year-contract. Lilley, an offspinning allrounder, was released by Lancashire at the end of the season and joins seamers Chris Wright, from Warwickshire, and Will Davis, from Derbyshire, in signing for Leicestershire.Lilley developed through the Lancashire system and has a decent record in all forms of the game. Due to Lancashire’s strength in spin bowling, however, he struggled for opportunities – he has played only one first-class and one List A match in the previous two seasons – and saw most of his appearances come in T20 cricket, where he has batted in the top-order and sometimes opened the bowling.He was a member of the Lancashire side that won the T20 Blast in 2015 and will join left-arm spinner Callum Parkinson, who also developed through the Lancashire Academy, at Leicestershire.The club hopes the signing of Lilley will go some way to filling the chasm left by the departure of Ben Raine, who has returned to Durham. Zak Chappell has also left, signing for Nottinghamshire, while Ned Eckersley, Richard Jones, Tom Wells, Mark Pettini and Rob Sayer were released at the end of the season. The club have also been in a long-running dispute with Michael Carberry, who has not played since he was deposed as captain in May. It seems most unlikely he will return.Leicestershire also confirmed last week that Pakistan seamer Mohammad Abbas, who had an outstanding 2018 season, will be returning next year.”Arron will add great value to our side,” Leicestershire’s head coach, Paul Nixon, said. “He is a three-dimensional cricketer who will be valuable in all formats. Lancashire are renowned for producing high-class spinners, and he wants to compete for a place in all three competitions.”Arron also has a very good white-ball record and will add to our plans nicely. Arron is a hard-hitting batsman, fine off-spinner and tremendous fielder, and we’re delighted to have him on board for the 2019 season.”Lilley said: “I am delighted to be joining up with Paul Nixon and the squad. I am keen to develop my game in all three formats and am confident that Grace Road is the best place for me to do that. I can’t wait to get started.”

Cameroon could be banned from international tournaments if Wilfried Nathan Doualla is proven guilty of 'age cheating'.

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• 62 players suspended by Cameroon's football federation
• Doualla was in Cameroon AFCON squad
• Indomitable Lions face potential international ban

• Getty Images
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Cameroon's participation in international football tournaments hangs in the balance following allegations of age fraud involving Doualla. The Cameroonian Federation, known as FECAFOOT, has taken decisive action by suspending 62 other players including Doualla – who was the youngest member of the squad for January's Africa Cup of Nations.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The 17-year-old midfielder from Victoria United was a surprising addition to Rigobert Song's squad for the tournament held in Ivory Coast. However, FECAFOOT alleges that Doualla misrepresented his age, leading to his disqualification from participating in the Elite League's play-off games. Doualla's true age still remains undisclosed, adding to the controversy surrounding the issue.

• WHAT VICTORIA UNITED SAID

  Meanwhile, Victoria United has vehemently denied allegations of double identities involving Doualla and his teammate Nji Richmond.

  "We believe that this might be an error from the Fecafoot," a club statement read. "We call on our supporters to remain calm as we have submitted the necessary documents to justify that the players do not have a double identity."

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  This is not the first time Cameroon have faced scrutiny over age-related issues. In fact, it marks the third consecutive year that the nation has been embroiled in controversy surrounding age fraud. The regulations set by the Nations Cup stipulate severe consequences for such violations. If fraud or forgery is proven, the national association in question faces suspension from participating in the following two editions of AFCON. If due to an administrative error, however, the suspension will be applicable just for one edition.