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Dedryck Boyata could give Celtic a welcome injury boost by returning to face Hibs on Wednesday night after missing the Scottish champions’ last four matches.

Sunday’s win at St. Johnstone was a costly one for Brendan Rodgers with Mikael Lustig, James Forrest, Ryan Christie and Odsonne Edouard joining the list of the walking wounded.

Lustig’s Achilles injury made it a clean sweep of the first-choice back four with Boyata, Filip Benkovic and Kieran Tierney already sidelined.

Benkovic has been ruled out for at least another month but Chris Davies was able to deliver some good news on the fitness of his defensive partner.

“Boyata trained today having been out for a couple of weeks,” the Celtic assistant said, as quoted by The Evening Times. “We’ll see how he reacts to that and then see what his availability is like for Wednesday night.

“As he’s been injured for a couple of weeks we’ll have to see. He’d a slight groin issue so we’d [need] to get that right.”

Celtic fans will have to wait until 6.30pm to find out if Boyata is fit to make his second appearance since the turn of the year, teaming up with Jozo Simunovic in the centre of defence.

Jack Hendry or Nir Bitton are the other options available for the visit of Hibs, with either likely to be capable of keeping the Edinburgh side at bay.

Next week’s Europa League tie with Valencia is a different matter. The return of Boyata and any of the injured stars is desperately needed if the Hoops are to stand a chance of reaching the last 16 of the competition.

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Leeds United forward Kemar Roofe has revealed that he is hopeful of returning to action ‘for the final six or seven games’ of the 2018-19 Championship season.

What’s the latest?

Roofe said on Radio X, via the Yorkshire Evening Post:

“I’ll be back for the final six or seven games, maybe a bit sooner. I suffered damage to my lateral ligament and I’ll be out for six to eight weeks.”

The striker picked up a knee ligament injury during his team’s 2-1 win over Swansea City in the Championship on February 13.

Roofe completed the 90 minutes, but it soon became apparent that he had picked up an issue, which will see him miss a key period of the season.

Leeds have another 14 league games to play this term, starting with a home fixture against Bolton Wanderers on Saturday afternoon.

Roofe has revealed that he is aiming to return ‘for the final six or seven games’, although he is remaining confident that it will be before that.

Which match could mark Roofe’s return?

If Roofe misses Leeds’ next seven Championship matches then he will be back for the trip to Birmingham City on April 6.

The Whites travel to Preston North End after visiting Birmingham, before facing Sheffield Wednesday, Wigan Athletic, Brentford, Aston Villa and Ipswich Town in their final five matches of the regular campaign.

The fact that Roofe will miss games against the likes of West Bromwich Albion, Bristol City and Sheffield United is far from ideal.

However, it had been feared at one point that the team’s leading scorer could miss the entirety of the campaign, which will not be the case if everything goes as planned.

Heading into the game against Cardiff City, Everton were in desperate need of a win to save Marco Siva’s reign.

The Toffees had only won two out of eight games in 2019 preceding it, losing the other six. In what could have been seen as a do-or-die scenario for Silva, Gylfi Sigurdsson emerged as the hero to save Everton from further doom.

Playing against a Cardiff City side looking to bounce back at home, Everton played like the old days under Silva. They dominated a poor Cardiff side, playing incisive, attacking football to showcase their devastating potential. Sigurdsson proved as the key to unlocking their potential.

The Iceland international’s – now rated at £27m by Transfermarkt – movement in the final third was excellent, as he often wandered astray to find himself in promising positions.  He scored his first thanks to intelligent movement, before adding another with a thumping finish from out of nowhere. Recording an 80% passing accuracy (stats via Fotmob) and even creating a good chance for Dominic Calvert-Lewin, he pumped Everton forward at every opportunity.

With the fantastic brace, Sigurdsson took his tally to eleven for the season, having also assisted three times for Everton. Even in this difficult season, he’s maintained swagger in his gameplay and kept on creating chances, only to see poor finishing foil his good work.

However, he took things into his own hands into helping Everton get back to winning ways on Tuesday night. With the Merseyside derby next, Sigurdsson and company will aim to keep up their inspired form to give Silva new lease in life at Everton.

The club might have overpaid for his services initially but the man who once rejected a move to Liverpool now looks to be Everton’s first hero in a long time.

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Darren Moore has dismissed the rumour that Celtic have an option to buy Oliver Burke at the end of his loan spell.

The 21-year-old has made an instant impact since moving north, playing a lead role as Celtic returned from their winter break with five successive wins.

Burke has been converted into a striker by Brendan Rodgers and although he has only scored twice he has added a powerful, pacey edge to Celtic’s play.

His impact has inevitably raised the question of the move becoming permanent with the player diplomatically answering that issue at a media conference on Monday.

Loan players have to tread a careful line of respecting both their loan and parent clubs when asked about the future, with Burke pleased to be getting game time working under a progressive, respected manager.

Burke’s comments were relayed back to Moore but the West Brom boss offered Celtic no encouragement over a permanent move.

“Not that I know of no, if there is it’s something between Celtic and our board of directors,” 44-year-old Moore is quoted by the Birmingham Mail as saying amid talk of the loan becoming permanent.

“As far as we are concerned we sent Oli up there to get some games, to play at a level that we thought was right for him.

“We couldn’t [have] thought of anywhere better for him, the opportunity of Celtic coming in for him and working under the manager up there, that would help him develop to get him to where we think he should be.

“He is a young player that the football club has invested in, he is a West Bromwich Albion player and until told otherwise, the agreement is he goes up there on loan in an idea of playing games.

“Hopefully we get him back in the summer and see a more rounded Oli Burke because of the matches he has played. If that happens it’s a massive tick for us, a massive tick for Celtic and a massive tick for Oli Burke.”

Before leaving the Midlands Burke had barely featured in the Championship, but he’s already become a prominent figure in Rodgers’ Celtic side.

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Following his deadline day arrival from Ligue 1 strugglers Monaco, Newcastle fans must be licking their lips in anticipation as they wait for Antonio Barreca to make his expected debut against Tottenham this weekend.

To make your debut in English football at Wembley is the stuff of dreams, and Barreca could have a particularly enjoyable time against Spurs if he is deployed in a left wing-back role given the north Londoners’ issues at right back.

What sort of player is Barreca?

The former Italy Under-21 international is a solid, dependable left-back who particularly excels at tackling and maintaining his focus throughout. The 23-year-old excelled in the Serie A two seasons ago before his move to France, but has joined the Magpies after falling out of favour under Thierry Henry before he was sacked by Monaco.

Be sure to check out the incredible story of the man who rose from a Tanzanian refugee camp to become one of Australia’s biggest football stars in the video below…

His talents have made the Tynesiders work hard to bring him to St James’ Park on deadline day (as per the BBC), and the Italian looks like he could be worth bringing to the club on a permanent deal should he perform to his maximum.

Where could he hurt Spurs most?

As aforementioned, he should line up at left wing-back in Rafa Benitez’s 5-4-1 system against Mauricio Pochettino’s side, who are particularly struggling at right-back this season.

Tottenham have deployed each of Kieran Trippier, Serge Aurier and Kyle Walker-Peters in the problem position this season, and none of them have done enough to convince the former Southampton boss that they should be trusted to start consistently – Trippier’s performance against Crystal Palace in the FA Cup was strikingly poor.

Pochettino likes to play wing-backs too, so it should be a direct battle between Trippier and Barreca down that side of the field, and one that Barreca should come out on top of given the England international’s awful form this season.

As a result, the game could be won or lost given who wins the battle down that flank, as Barreca’s impressive crossing ability onto the head of target man Salomon Rondon could be the order of the day if Benitez wants to claim a second successive scalp.

بعث قائد يوفنتوس، جورجيو كيلليني، ونجم الفريق كريستيانو رونالدو، برسالة تحفيزية من أجل الاستعداد للموسم الجديد.

ويخوض يوفنتوس أولى مبارياته غدًا في الدوري الإيطالي لموسم 2020/2021، أمام سامبدوريا.

وعبر حسابه الرسمي على “تويتر”، غرّد كيلليني: “غدًا سيبدأ سباقنا نحو العاشر على التوالي! هيا يوفنتوس!”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. بيرلو يؤكد غياب ثلاثي يوفنتوس عن مواجهة سامبدوريا في الدوري الإيطالي

من جانبه نشر رونالدو صورة له من ملعب “آليانز ستاديوم”، معقل البيانكونيري وكتب: “الموسم الموسم الجديد قادم! جاهزون؟ معًا للنهاية، فورًا يوفي”.

وتوج يوفنتوس بالدوري الإيطالي لتسع مرات متتالية ويأمل في الحفاظ على اللقب وحسم اللقب العاشر على التوالي.

ويخوض البيانكونيري مباراته الرسمية الأولى تحت قيادة المدرب الجديد أندريا بيرلو.

The new season is coming! 😀💪🏼
Are you ready? 👊🏼#finoallafine #forzajuve pic.twitter.com/5mOhnXtDaA

— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) September 19, 2020

Domani inizierà la nostra corsa verso il decimo consecutivo! Forza Juve! ⚪️⚫️ pic.twitter.com/Ugji76giEm

— Giorgio Chiellini (@chiellini) September 19, 2020

أعلن مهاجم الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي الزمالك، مصطفى محمد، عن رغبته في الانضمام إلى صفوف فناربخشة المنافس في بطولة الدوري التركي.

ووصل عرض لنادي الزمالك قبل أيام من قبل فناربخشة بقيمة 2.5 مليون يورو ولكن الإدارة برئاسة، مرتضى منصور، قد رفضته نظرًا لارتباط الفريق ببطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

وأجرى مصطفى محمد حوارًا مع مجلة “فرانس فوتبول” الفرنسية الشهيرة، وقال: “نعم، هناك رغبة من فناربخشة في ضمي، وأريد الانتقال إلى هذا النادي التركي الرائع”.

وتابع: “عمري الآن، 23 عامًا تقريبًا، حان الوقت لاتخاذ خطوة للأمام والانتقال إلى الاحتراف الأوروبي، أريد الرحيل عن الدوري المصري”.

وماذا عن رفض رئيس النادي، مرتضى منصور، وإثارته للمشاكل السياسية بين مصر وتركيا في الآونة الأخيرة (طالع تصريحات رئيس الزمالك): “نعم، أعرف ذلك ولكن لا علاقة لي بهذه الأمور، لأنني لاعب محترف، ولا أهتم بالسياسة وهذا ما فعله محمود حسن تريزيجيه (احترف في قاسم باشا) ومحمد النني (احترف في بشكتاش) في السنوات الماضية”.

وأضاف: “أريد الانضمام إلى فناربخشة في أسرع وقت ممكن، والتأقلم سريعًا على الأجواء في تلك البطولة القوية وهذا كل ما أركز عليه”.

واستمر: “إنه لشرف كبير أن ألعب لنادي الزمالك، إنه أحد أكبر الأندية في إفريقيا، وجماهير النادي دائمًا ما تمتلك حماسة وشغف كبيرين، لذلك فالزمالك يعتبر مؤسسة كبيرة وصرح عظيم في مصر”.

وعن لقبه “البلدوزر” وهل يحب هذا الوصف؟!، أجاب ضاحكًا: “نعم، أحب هذا الوصف لأن الجماهير تطلقه علي بسبب بنياني الجسدي، وحصلت على لقب آخر: “الأناكوندا”.

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Tottenham Hotspur have confirmed that Harry Kane and Dele Alli are back on a football pitch after sustaining serious injuries.

Kane damaged his ankle ligaments in the 1-0 loss to Manchester United at Wembley and, per BBC, was initially ruled out until March.

Alli, meanwhile, sustained a hamstring problem in the 2-1 win over Fulham and, per Sky Sports, was also expected to be out until March.

Former Wigan & Fulham man, Jimmy Bullard recently showed that he’s still got it! Check out the video below…

However, Tottenham confirmed on Friday that both England internationals had begun “on-field rehabilitation”.

The Sun had claimed that Kane could make a miraculous comeback against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League, with the first leg set to be played next week.

And supporters are hopeful that both players could soon be back, with the club still vying for the Premier League title.

Spurs are five points behind both leaders Manchester City and second-placed Liverpool and play Leicester City on Sunday as they look to keep the pressure on the top two.

Manchester United’s 2-0 defeat at the hands of a weakened Paris Saint Germain side showed just how Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s tactics of blind freedom won’t work in big games.

As much as José Mourinho’s pragmatic style produced groans around Old Trafford, you’d bet his organisation would make this Champions League tie closer than it might be after the second leg. Although José clearly fell out with much of the dressing room, it’s important to realise that his tactics have won titles.

It seems United have gone from Jose’s shackles to Ole’s freedom, and in games against lesser opposition, this is all well and good. It gives United fans the fast, attacking football they’ve missed since Sir Alex Ferguson, but, against more talented teams, organisation to that style is required to win ties.

Sir Alex Ferguson wasn’t all attack, attack, attack. There were times when he had to defend well to grind out results, and Ole must understand a middle ground needs to be found between blind attack and sitting back.

Look across the north west and both Liverpool and City play quick, exciting football but they also have organisation to their play. Every player knows their role and sticks to it, and that seemed to be something that was missing against PSG.

It is important to note that United’s midfield and backline is nowhere near up to scratch, and so the manager can’t be blamed for the situation he inherited. But he must learn to play the way that gets the most from these players and adapt in games against top European opposition.

If Solskjaer is to get the job at the end of the season, he must learn to develop a more organised style of attacking. Blind freedom at United is exciting for the fans, but that’ll wear off if the club don’t win enough big games because of it.

If you ask every Everton fan for a position they need to strengthen in during summer, they’ll say up front, right? They simply haven’t replaced Romelu Lukaku yet, but Edin Dzeko could be just the man to push Everton into the European spots.

Calciomercato have linked the Bosnian Diamond, as he’s affectionately known, with the Toffees earlier this month, and he’ll be remembered fondly for his time at Man City from 2011-15. He had spells in and out of the team during his time, but there’s one thing that was certain, his finishing ability was up there with the best.

Indeed, he’s continued that at Roma since arriving there from Manchester, and there’s a very high chance he’d do the same at Goodison too.

He’s scored 35 goals in 85 appearances for Roma and was a major factor in them reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League last season. He’s got height on his side but far better technical ability than many tall forwards such as Lukaku have.

In fact, these are exactly the kind of attributes that make him the perfect man for Marco Silva’s system.

Everton’s wide men can utilise his hold up play and height, while his movement behind the lines and link-up play can give Gylfi Sigurdsson someone to work with who actually enjoys to shoot.

Richarlison looked to be the most promising of Everton’s Lukaku replacements but even he’s not an out-and-out frontman and it shows when Everton arrive at the box without a natural predator waiting to finish their chances.

Dzeko is 32-years-old so it’s not a long-term fix, but Marco Silva doesn’t have time to develop a long-term fix at the moment.

He’s under pressure to get results and excite the Goodison faithful, so bringing in a forward who will do just that can bide him the time to find a younger understudy to learn from a great striker like the ex-City man.

Everton fans, would signing Dzeko finally answer the striking problems in place at Goodison Park? Join the discussion by commenting below…