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Allrounder reported pain in left knee during second Test against New Zealand

ESPNcricinfo staff10-Dec-2019Ben Stokes will be fit to bowl in England’s Test series against South Africa, after undergoing MRI scans in which “nothing really showed up”, following his return from New Zealand.Stokes reported pain in his left knee after completing his second over on the first day of the second Test at Hamilton, and did not bowl again that day. But he was cleared to bowl after resting overnight, and bowled a further 25 overs in the Test.ALSO READ: Knee injury casts doubts over Stokes bowling again in second Test”It’s alright,” Stokes told TalkSport. “I got some scans when we got back [to] England and there’s nothing really showing up on the MRI scans, which is good news.”I just need to toughen up I guess but it’s alright and it’s just treatment now. I will be fine to bowl [in South Africa].”Stokes underwent surgery on his left knee in May 2016 after tearing cartilage while bowling against Sri Lanka and has had to manage the injury ever since. Ahead of the first Test of the New Zealand series, he admitted he was managing his workload because of it, and he was used somewhat sparingly in that game.Joe Root admitted after the second Test that it can be hard to take the ball out of Stokes’ hand, even when he has a niggle.Joe Root and Ben Stokes contemplate their options•Getty Images”With Ben, you’re always trying to make sure he’s being honest with you,” Root said. “He’ll continue to keep bowling unless you pull him off.”You don’t want him to hurt himself and he’s managing that very well, he’s being a lot smarter with it and making sure that if he is sore he’s not going to rule himself out of any games.”Stokes also warned against expecting too much from Jofra Archer, who endured a difficult series against New Zealand in his first overseas tour as an England player.”When you achieve what he achieved in such a short space of time, you’re expected to do it day in, day out, but that’s just impossible,” Stokes said.”He’s 24 years old: he doesn’t have that much experience, he’s still learning how to bowl properly, he’s still learning how to bowl in Test cricket.”I saw he got a bit of stick in New Zealand but he’s never bowled with a Kookaburra ball before, so he’s still learning and understanding how to bowl in different conditions. So you’ve got to give him a bit of leeway, understand that he’s still learning the game and still maturing as a player, and not expect him to go out and take 4 for 50 every innings.”

Athletic Club could give a salary hike to Nico Williams if he snubs Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain in order to stay at the club.

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Athletic Club's plan to keep WilliamsReady to give the winger a salary hike Barca, PSG remain interested in the playerWHAT HAPPENED?

Speculation surrounding Williams' future has intensified in the wake of his starring role in Spain's Euro 2024 triumph. La Liga giants Barcelona have remained keen on roping in the player this summer and are reportedly ready to trigger his €58 million (£48m) release clause. Ligue 1 champions PSG are also in the race to sign the youngster, although the Catalan giants are being considered the favourite candidates at the moment.

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Per Fabrizio Romano, the Basque club are planning to offer a salary hike as an incentive for the winger if he decides to stay instead of joining either Barcelona or PSG. Williams put pen to paper on a new deal last season and had seen an increase in his earnings, however, Athletic Club are reportedly prepared to offer one more hike within just a year to reward his loyalty.

DID YOU KNOW?

It was earlier reported that several Premier League clubs, including Arsenal and Chelsea, have also shown interest in the player as the duo look to bolster their attacks ahead of the 2024-25 season.

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR NICO WILLIAMS?

Amid all the speculation regarding his future, the 22-year-old is currently enjoying a well-earned break after his scintillating performances for club and country in the 2023-24 season.

Rather than scrapping it altogether, the global qualifier field will now be split into two eight-team qualifying tournaments

Peter Della Penna23-Jan-2020The ICC has eased concerns over proposed plans to scrap the men’s T20 World Cup Qualifier for the 2021 edition of the men’s T20 World Cup, announcing that it will remain in a revised format.After receiving push-back from some leading Associate members over threats to scrap the qualifier altogether, the global qualifier field has been expanded from 14 to 16 teams but will be split into two eight-team qualifying tournaments.Under the format of the 14-team qualifier that concluded last October in the UAE, the top six out of 14 teams advanced to the T20 World Cup in Australia for October 2020. But for 2021, only four qualification spots will be up for grabs. Two each will go to the top pair of teams from each of the redesigned eight-team global qualifiers. A decision had already been taken that all teams advancing to the Super 12 stage for the 2020 T20 World Cup would automatically be part of the 2021 T20 World Cup, meaning a reduction in the number of qualifying berths remaining via the qualifier pathway.The initial proposal that was reportedly under discussion in October was for the last four berths to be decided by four regional qualification finals.However, that could have presented a possible scenario in which only one of Ireland, Scotland and Netherlands may have been able to advance to the 2021 T20 World Cup in the event that none of the three European countries advanced from the opening round into the Super 12 of this year’s T20 World Cup.Similarly, it could have presented a scenario where only one of Bangladesh or Sri Lanka could have advanced from a 2021 Asia regional qualifier if neither country progresses to this year’s Super 12. It also meant two of the ICC’s five Associate regions would have to play a joint regional final to account for the difference between five regions and four berths.To avoid such a scenario, the global qualifier has remained open. The ICC will still use lead-in regional events – as has been done since 2011 – to decide some berths for teams participating in the dual 2021 global qualifiers. Two teams each from Asia, Europe and the Americas will join the regional champion from East Asia-Pacific and Africa in advancing to the global qualifier to take up eight of the 16 slots. The four teams who fail to advance to the Super 12 stage in Australia will also fall into the 2021 global qualifier.Meanwhile, the ICC stated that the remaining four slots in the global qualifier have been decided based on rankings. Zimbabwe, Nepal, UAE and Hong Kong are the beneficiaries of the four ranking-based slots. Both UAE and Hong Kong fell just short of advancing to the 2020 T20 World Cup in Australia after losing playoff matches to Scotland and Oman respectively in Dubai.Navin Param is carried off the field after his unbeaten 72 off 41 balls took Singapore home•Peter Della PennaThe expansion of total teams in the global qualifier field from 14 to 16 is a nod toward the inclusion of Zimbabwe and Nepal after their absence from last year’s qualifier in the UAE. Zimbabwe were prevented from participating in the 2019 men’s T20 World Cup Qualifier after receiving an administrative suspension by the ICC in the summer of 2019.However, Nepal’s inclusion based on rankings is a decision that may ruffle feathers in some quarters of the Associate world. Nepal finished behind both Singapore and Qatar in their 2019 Asia regional qualification final in July, losing convincingly to both teams. Singapore went on to register two wins at the global qualifier in the UAE, including one over Scotland. But the value of Nepal’s television ratings and traveling spectator fan base far exceed Singapore, Qatar and anyone else expected to be in the qualifier, making their participation important for commercial reasons.The decision to split the global qualifier from one 16-team event into two eight-team events also opens the door for bidding from more nations to host either of the dual qualifiers. The UAE has hosted the global qualifier on four occasions, in 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2019 due in large part to being the only country with a sufficient number of venues to stage matches. Ireland hosted the inaugural qualifier in 2008 when it was only eight teams while Ireland co-hosted a 14-team qualifier with Scotland in 2015.The 16-team qualifier in 2012 and 2013 and 14-team event in 2015 and 2019 used a format in which teams were split into two groups of eight or seven teams for a round-robin stage before playoff matches. Splitting the two “groups” into their own respective eight-team global qualifier eliminates the need for one country to take on the logistical burden of hosting twice as many teams. It could open up the opportunity for a country such as the Netherlands or USA to host either of the dual qualifiers with fewer venues necessary.The lead-in five regional qualification finals for the 2021 Men’s T20 World Cup Qualification process will take place between March and September 2020. The two eight-team global qualifiers will then be scheduled for between March and July 2021 ahead of the 2021 Men’s T20 World Cup which is scheduled to be held in India that October.

Manchester United duo Leny Yoro and Rasmus Hojlund will face a spell on the sidelines after suffering injuries in the pre-season defeat to Arsenal.

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Yoro out with foot injuryHojlund has pulled his hamstringBoth will miss start of 2024-25 seasonGettyWHAT HAPPENED?

Neither player was able to complete the first half of United's friendly against the Gunners last weekend, with Hojlund lasting just 16 minutes and Yoro little more than half an hour. The French defender was later seen using crutches and wearing a protective boot, and it's since been confirmed, via , that he will be out for three months with a foot injury – thought to be a broken metatarsal. It was initially reported that the 18-year-old, who joined United in a £52 million deal ($68m) from Lille this summer, was facing up to two months out.

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Hojlund, meanwhile, is set to miss six weeks after pulling his hamstring, according to . The striker will have wanted to make a fast start to the new season after flashing his potential in 2023-24, while Yoro figured to be an immediate starter for Erik ten Hag. It's a blow for the Red Devils, and an unfortunate case of deja vu after United's pre-season trip to the United States last season was marred by injuries to Kobbie Mainoo and Amad Diallo.

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Marcus Rashford and Antony added to United's injury woes in their 3-2 win over Real Betis. Rashford received a blow to the ankle in the second half and was seen limping after the match, while Antony was visibly upset after lasting just 23 minutes.

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WHAT NEXT FOR UNITED?

Ten Hag felt that United's 2023-24 season was derailed by injuries and he won't like what's happening to his team right now. There's little time to rest before their next game, however, with a friendly against Liverpool to come in the early hours of Sunday.

The long-term future of Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag remains unclear after yet another xG-defying result in the Premier League over the weekend.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS may want to go in a different direction with the head coach of the club in the summer, particularly given the worrying trend of performances in the top-flight this season.

The Red Devils fought to secure a 2-2 draw against Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday in the Premier League. However, wasteful finishing stopped them from being convincingly beaten, as the away side ended the game with 3.67 xG and 62% possession to United's 0.7 xG.

It is now being reported that the club are eyeing up a manager from the Serie A to arrive in Manchester, should they decide to part ways with their current tactician.

Man Utd make contact over deal for Serie A manager

According to Italian outfit La Repubblica, the Red Devils have made contact with Bologna to request information on their boss Thiago Motta ahead of the summer.

The report claims that there is currently an expectation that the 41-year-old chief will leave the Serie A side to join a 'top club' for the 2024/25 campaign, although it remains to be seen whether or not that club will be based in Manchester.

United are not the only team interested in securing his services as Italian giants Juventus have also been keen on him for several weeks, and it is said that they are the club in 'pole position' at this moment in time.

Ratcliffe and his team are keeping tabs on Motta and his situation and could utilise the information gathered on the Brazil-born tactician to make a move for him in the summer if Ten Hag is dismissed.

The 4-2-3-1 manager, who has been with Bologna since September 2022, has only lost five games in 31 Serie A matches so far this season, which has left his side fourth in the table and fighting to secure Champions League football for next season.

Why Man Utd may want Thiago Motta

The former Italy international's excellent coaching has been on display throughout the 2023/24 campaign, as his side have been defensively excellent whilst also offering an attacking threat.

In 31 Serie A games, Bologna have only given up 20.86 xGA from open play and 5.16 xGA from corners, and have conceded just 25 goals in total.

United, meanwhile, have given up a staggering 35.23 xGA from open play and 9.44 xGA from corners, along with 3.66 xGA from set-pieces in 31 Premier League matches.

Andre Onana is currently second in the division for goals (xG) prevented with 4.52, which shows that the former Inter star has bailed out the team's poor defending on many occasions.

Open play

20.86

35.23

Corner

5.16

9.44

Set piece

1.58

3.66

Direct free-kick

0.82

1.09

Penalty

4.57

2.28

As you can see in the table above, Bologna have been significantly better defensively in every metric aside from penalties conceded, which suggests that Motta is far more capable of organising a solid defensive structure than Ten Hag.

Fabrizio Romano shares Man Utd manager news on rumoured front-page target

An “interesting” update has emerged.

ByHenry Jackson Apr 8, 2024

Meanwhile, the Italian side have also scored 45 goals in their 31 games – as many as Juventus in third – and have minimised their defeats and pushed into the top four due to the platform their fantastic defence gives them to go and pick up points.

The abandonment means Ireland now have an unassailable 1-0 lead in the three-match series

The Report by Hemant Brar19-Jan-2020No Result Rain had the final say in St Kitts when West Indies were 16 for 1 in 2.1 overs, chasing a DLS-adjusted target of 152 against Ireland in the second T20I. The no result means Ireland now have an unassailable 1-0 lead in the three-match series.After putting Ireland in, West Indies captain Kieron Pollard picked up a four-wicket haul to restrict the opposition to 147 for 9 in 19 overs in a rain-interrupted innings.On a start-stop day, Ireland had done well to reach 109 for 3 in 13 overs, thanks to Gareth Delany’s 44 off 22 balls. But they could manage only 38 in the last six overs and posted what looked like a below-par total on a small ground. However, the rain gods had other plans.Delany, Balbirnie step up after slow startUnlike the first T20I where Ireland had smashed 93 in the powerplay, they found it difficult to get going against Sheldon Cottrell. From the other end, debutant Romario Shepherd removed Kevin O’Brien in his first over in T20Is, just before the rain made the first appearance. When play resumed after almost an hour, Paul Stirling hit Shepherd for a six and collected two more fours in the seamer’s next over. However, Cottrell removed him for 17 to leave Ireland 28 for 2 in five overs.Delany then joined hands with Andrew Balbirnie and two added 72 in 7.1 overs for the third wicket. Both batsmen shuffled in the crease to disrupt the bowlers’ lines and found boundaries with ease. Delany was particularly severe on Hayden Walsh Jr who struggled with the wet ball. In the legspinner’s second over, the tenth of the innings, Delany struck him for four successive sixes as Walsh bowled either too short or too full.Pollard stalls Ireland’s progressAfter that big over from Walsh, Pollard realised he couldn’t afford to continue with spin anymore and brought himself own. And it took him just two balls to make the breakthrough. Delany once again tried to clear long-on but Khary Pierre held on to a superb catch running to his left near the boundary line. In his next over, he sent back Balbirnie as well to peg Ireland further back. Using the crease, Pollard either took the pace off or banged it short. Two such slower balls did Gary Wilson and George Dockrell in as Pollard finished with career-best figures.Harry Tector’s 31 off 23 took Ireland towards 150 but another 20-minute rain intervention led to a chaotic end of the innings. Ireland were 147 for 6 in 18.3 overs when the players walked off. But after the resumption – with the game reduced to a 19-over contest – they lost three wickets in three balls with Cottrell getting Simi Singh caught-behind followed by two run-outs as the batsmen tried to sneak in byes.Third time unluckyWith Balbirnie not coming out due to a hamstring strain, stand-in captain Stirling took the gamble to open the bowling himself. While Lendl Simmons hit him for a six and a four, the move paid off as the batsman was caught at deep square leg as he couldn’t resist another go. But then the rain returned and this time for good to deny West Indies a go at what looked like a chaseable total on a small ground.

Paul Mullin has revealed the extreme pain he endured while playing with a spinal injury last season for Wrexham.

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Mullin played on through injuryForced to take painkillersEventually had spinal surgery this summerWHAT HAPPENED?

Mullin underwent 'minor' spinal surgery earlier this summer, after lower back and hamstring injuries left him experiencing pain and discomfort throughout last season. The Wrexham star played on and helped guide his team to automatic promotion from League Two, but after finally undergoing surgery he has opened up about how much he struggled during this period.

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Mullin was forced to miss Wrexham's pre-season tour in America this summer, instead spending time recovering from surgery with his family. He was initially expected to miss the start of the 2024-25 campaign too, when Wrexham will play in League One for the first time in 20 years. However, reports suggest Mullin may be back "sooner rather than later".

WHAT MULLIN SAID

“It’s something I’ve struggled with for a while," Mullin told LeaderLive. "Because I was managing to play with the injury, I wasn’t sure about having the operation but the pain was getting worse. I couldn’t even put my socks on the day after a match." He continued: “I don’t like taking pain-killers but I had to. That’s when we decided it had to be surgery and it’s proved to be the correct decision.”

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR WREXHAM?

Despite the positive news regarding his recovery, Mullin will still be a doubt for Wrexham's first game back in League One, a home clash at the Racecourse Ground against Wycombe Wanderers. It will be a stern test against a team who were recently playing in the second tier, but Wrexham's squad are more than capable of competing at this level, even without their star striker.

Newcastle United's injury troubles have been well documented in recent months, with Eddie Howe's side suffering from multiple long-term absentees throughout the 2023/24 campaign.

Jamaal Lascelles is the latest player to join the Magpies' extended injury list after suffering an ACL rupture during the sensational 4-3 comeback win over West Ham United just a couple of weeks ago.

He joins the likes of Sven Botman, Nick Pope and Joelinton, who are currently on the sidelines after suffering their own injuries, with the latter two potentially returning towards the end of the campaign.

However, another Magpies first-team player remains sidelined with the club potentially needing to cash in on him given his recent record with injuries.

Callum Wilson's stats in 2023/24

Striker Callum Wilson has often had to settle as Newcastle's second-choice option behind Alexander Isak, understandable given the Swede's record of 19 goals in all competitions so far this campaign.

The former Bournemouth forward has only featured 22 times this season and just twice in 2024, managing to score on eight occasions, in a term that has been plagued with injuries.

Wilson has suffered four separate injuries since 2023/24 commenced back in August, which has seen him miss large parts of the campaign.

He's been sidelined by two different hamstring issues, whilst a calf injury saw him miss a further two months before suffering a chest injury upon his return in the 3-2 victory over Nottingham Forest in February.

Chest injury

57

9

Calf injury

37

6

Hamstring injury

31

6

Hamstring injury

13

4

Wilson has a past of suffering with injuries, having twice torn his ACL during his time at Bournemouth, with the now 32-year-old starting to struggle to put a run of games together before picking up another problem.

That, coupled with his huge drop in market value, should see the club look at potentially moving him on when the summer window opens in a couple of months time.

Callum Wilson's transfer value in 2024

Nearly four years on from his £20m move to St James' Park, Wilson has seen his market value plummet by more than half with injuries playing a huge part in the decline.

The striker is now only valued at £8.5m as per Football Observatory, with the Magpies forward now valued at a staggering £77.5m less than man of the hour Bruno Guimaraes, whose market value is £86m.

The 32-year-old attacker only has one year left on his current deal at the club, with Wilson turning 33 before the end of next season. That being said, the club should look to move him on this summer, just a couple of months after being linked with the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal.

Howe and the Saudi PIF should look to recruit a new young striker, who can develop and learn from current forward Isak whilst providing tough competition for the former Real Sociedad attacker.

Wilson has been a brilliant addition to the Magpies over the last couple of seasons but unfortunately, his injuries have been getting the better of him in recent times. Newcastle need to cash in to prevent him leaving the club for nothing in 2025.

Napoli striker Victor Osimhen has asked to leave the club this summer as per club director Giovanni Manna amid Chelsea links.

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Victor Osimhen asked to leave Napoli Linked with a move to Chelsea Blues looking to sign striker on loanGettyWHAT HAPPENED?

Osimhen has been linked with an exit from Napoli all summer long as he had been reported as a major target for Paris Saint-Germain. However, Les Parisiens quickly pulled out of the deal due to the Nigerian's price tag and their willingness to stick with Randal Kolo Muani and Goncalo Ramos.

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Luckily for the striker, Chelsea has emerged as a potential destination over the last few weeks. A potential swap has reportedly been discussed between Napoli and the Blues which would include Romelu Lukaku going the other way. The Belgian is somebody Antonio Conte wants at Napoli and a swap deal could be something that would see Osimhen leave the Italian club, which he wants as per Manna.

WHAT MANNA SAID

Speaking to the media, Manna said: "Victor Osimhen has asked to leave the club. He wants to go. The situation is clear, there were already chances for his exit last summer. Victor wants to leave. We will see in the next 20 days."

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WHAT NEXT FOR THE DEAL?

Osimhen's agent, Roberto Calenda has rejected the possibility of a swap or a loan deal this season. However, with the striker wanting a move away from Napoli as soon as possible, he may be forced into making the switch on Chelsea's demands.

Leeds United are currently fighting to secure an instant return to the Premier League with automatic promotion out of the Championship.

The Whites are currently third in the table and only two points separate them, Leicester, and Ipswich across the top three, whilst Southampton are three points behind them in fourth.

Daniel Farke's side will be looking to get over the line in the final three games of the regular season, although they will need the two teams above them to slip up before the focus can turn to the upcoming summer transfer window.

Leeds have a host of senior players currently out on loan, having been shipped out after the club's relegation from the Premier League at the end of last term, and there is one player who reportedly has little chance of being a part of Farke's team moving forward.

Leeds want to move on from Brenden Aaronson

According to Football Insider, USA international Brenden Aaronson will not be part of the Leeds squad for the 2024/25 campaign, irrespective of the division the club are in.

The report claims that the former Norwich City and Borussia Monchengladbach tactician does not have any place in his side for the American attacker, whether that is in the Premier League or the Championship.

It states that the Yorkshire-based outfit will be 'desperate' to cash in on their current contingent of loanees, including Aaronson, if they fail to earn promotion, but could also loan them out again if needed.

The Whites swooped to sign the attacking midfielder from Austrian side RB Salzburg for a reported fee of £25m, and it remains to be seen how much of that they would be able to recoup.

He is currently on loan with Union Berlin in the Bundesliga in Germany, having joined them last summer, but Football Insider state that they are unlikely to sign him again next season.

Why Brenden Aaronson should not have a future at Leeds

The 23-year-old dud has not enjoyed a successful season on the pitch with Union, as the Leeds loanee has failed to nail down a regular place in the starting XI.

Aaronson, who was once hailed as a "weed" for his rapid growth by Jesse Marsch, has started 10 of his 25 Bundesliga appearances during the 2023/24 campaign, and has contributed with two goals and zero assists from an attacking midfield position.

This could be why the German side are unlikely to pursue another deal for the American midfielder, who has averaged 9.9 completed passes per game in the league, in the summer transfer window.

Appearances

36

Sofascore rating

6.51

Goals

1

Assists

3

Duel success rate

40%

As you can see in the table above, the £45k-per-week whiz endured a frustrating season in the Premier League after his £25m move from Salzburg. Over the last 365 days, for Union and Leeds, Aaronson ranks within the top 1% of attacking midfielders and wingers for blocks (2.16) per 90, and the top 3% for tackles (2.30) per 90 – showing that he does work hard for his team defensively.

However, he also ranks within the bottom 24% for non-penalty goals (0.14) per 90, and the bottom 2% for assists (0.00) per 90, which speaks to how little the midfielder offers from an attacking perspective.

Therefore, it is not surprising that Farke does not see a place for Aaronson in his side and is preparing to sell him as his statistics in the final third over the past two seasons are far from impressive, and the Whites should now do all they can to move him on permanently this summer.