Major League Cricket (MLC), the fledgling T20 tournament in the USA, is set to expand from six teams to eight by 2027, with a move into Canada being explored in developments that could have wider implications for the sport.Chicago, Philadelphia, Atlanta and Toronto, cities with significant South Asian communities, are on the shortlist with final decisions expected this year. Market potential and local government support in helping build stadium infrastructure will be among the determining factors.Expansion officials travelled to Chicago recently and were believed to be encouraged by the local support. Visits to the other cities are expected in the coming months.MLC co-founder Satyan Gajwani will launch one of the franchises, while fellow co-founders Vijay Srinivasan, the league’s chief executive until recently, and Sameer Mehta will helm the other. Investors are likely to partner up with them once the two cities have been selected.Three of the six teams in the MLC are owned by IPL team owners – Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders, Chennai Super Kings – while Seattle, the only small-market franchise in the league, have ties with Delhi Capitals. San Francisco and Washington don’t have any IPL attachments, but have partnerships with Cricket Victoria and Cricket NSW respectively.”We have options ahead of us. I don’t think we’re committed one way or the other right now,” Gajwani told ESPNcricinfo. “That’s realistically a decision we will take closer to launch.”Expansion will likely lead to more games and a longer duration of the competition. MLC power brokers do eventually want a home-and-away season – where the teams play each other twice – to underpin the tournament.Last year’s second season ran for 23 days in July and overlapped with the Hundred in the UK. This season’s scheduling has not been announced, but a lengthier tournament is expected, although it might start earlier in June.The well-heeled MLC’s emergence has become a major talking point in English cricket, heightened when Jason Roy opted out of his ECB contract to represent LA Knight Riders, who have the same owners as KKR.”There are many cities in America that have large populations of people who already love cricket. But the goal is to grow the game and that means expanding beyond that fan base,” Gajwani said. “America is the largest sports market in the world. It’s also very competitive, and continuing to be relevant will be a challenge.”But I think the economics of sport in America are pretty robust. The NBA and NFL are in 28 cities. We’re in six right now. We still have a lot of headroom for growth in the medium to long term.”The tournament’s first two seasons were entirely played at the 7200 capacity Grand Prairie Stadium, a redeveloped baseball ground, near Dallas and the more modest Church Street Park in Morrisville, North Carolina.Existing franchises – other than Dallas-based Texas Super Kings – have faced challenges getting suitable infrastructure off the ground. But there is confidence that San Francisco Unicorns will start playing home games this season at the iconic Oakland Coliseum, which up until recently was the long-time home of the Athletics in the MLB. The new franchises hope to play at home grounds from the start.Jason Roy opted out of his ECB contract to represent LA Knight Riders at the MLC•MLC

“In the ideal case, we firm up on the city, lock up a land deal and then build a stadium – whether retrofitted or building from zero,” Gajwani said. “The ideal outcome is that we play at home for our first game in 2027.”There is this balance of wanting to build something that’s right for where the market is, but have the flexibility to grow with the market. Every city will have its own dynamics.”The cities in the running may be further incentivised by the prospect of potentially hosting cricket matches at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Cricket will end a 128-year Olympic drought but venues have yet to be determined, with the men’s and women’s competitions possibly extending beyond Los Angeles.”There’s the added element that a fully-fledged cricket venue up and running by 2027 could possibly host matches at the Olympics,” Gajwani said. “The IOC or the LA Organising Committees will make that decision. But they openly said they’re looking for infrastructure that can host Olympic matches. It’s definitely a factor that we’re all thinking about.”The league also announced Johnny Grave as its new CEO, replacing Srinivasan. Grave is a prominent figure in cricket administration, having most recently served as CEO at CWI for seven years. He was previously the commercial director at the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA) in England.”I am honored to lead the league at this transformative time,” Grave said in a statement. “Cricket is beloved globally and I am thrilled to see its fan base growing rapidly in the United States. I look forward to working with the MLC team to help elevate the league, engage with fans, and build a thriving, sustainable future for cricket in America.”

Leeds United will only have Premier League matches to worry about for the rest of 2025 after they were knocked out of the League Cup on Tuesday night.

The Whites, amazingly, lost 3-0 on penalties to Sheffield Wednesday after missing their first three spot kicks, and will have to wait for the FA Cup in January to start their next ‘road to Wembley’.

Whilst supporters are still well within their rights to be frustrated with the manner of the performance and the overall result, it does now mean that they will not have any distractions from their attempts to rack up points in the Premier League.

Although you could argue that it does mean there are fewer opportunities for the fringe players in the squad to gain minutes and press their case to come into the league XI.

For example, the clash with Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday night presented Daniel Farke with an opportunity to hand full debuts to Jaka Bijol, Noah Okafor, and Sean Longstaff.

Okafor arrived from AC Milan on a permanent deal earlier this month and the Whites will be hoping that he can add some attacking flair to the squad this season.

What Noah Okafor could bring to Leeds this season

The Switzerland international is a versatile attacker who could be deployed on the left flank as a winger or through the middle as a centre-forward option for Leeds, which provides Farke with flexibility in the way that he can select his teams.

It was on the wing where he made his full debut in the League Cup, though, and the pacey attacker showed glimpses of what he may be able to bring to the team this season.

Minutes

85

Key passes

2

Big chances created

1

Assists

0

Shots on target

2

Goals

0

Dribbles completed

4/8

Duels won

9/17

As you can see in the table above, Okafor was direct, completing four dribbles, and tried to make things happen at the top end of the pitch with two key passes and two shots on target.

Unfortunately, he was unable to register a goal or an assist to change the direction of the match, but there were plenty of positive signs to be encouraged by.

However, it is also worth taking into consideration that Okafor only produced one goal and two assists in 21 games for Milan and Napoli in all competitions last season, per Sofascore, and six goals and three assists in 36 outings in the 2023/24 campaign for the Italian giants.

This does not suggest that he is likely to hit the ground running as a forward who can deliver goals and assists on a regular basis for Leeds, purely based on his lack of consistency in the final third with Milan.

Okafor’s inconsistency in recent seasons and his lack of experience in English football may be why the West Yorkshire outfit are now reportedly looking at another addition out wide.

Leeds remain interested in Premier League forward

According to Football Insider, the 49ers are still eyeing a last-minute move for Tottenham Hotspur winger Manor Solomon before Monday’s transfer deadline.

The report claims that Farke wants to add multiple new attackers to his squad before the summer transfer window slams shut, including another winger on top of the addition of Okafor from Milan.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

It states that they remain long-term admirers of Solomon heading into the final days of the transfer window, suggesting that a last-gasp deal could still be on the cards.

Football Insider adds that the Israel international, who spent the 2024/25 campaign on loan at Elland Road, is ‘certain’ to move on from Spurs before the end of the window.

It is now up to Leeds to make an offer for the winger in the coming days in an attempt to bring him back to West Yorkshire, whether that is on loan or on a permanent basis, as he could be an even better option than Okafor.

Why Leeds should sign Manor Solomon

The Whites should look to bring the Israel international back to Elland Road because he has the potential to be an even better option than the former Milan man on the left flank, for a number of reasons.

Firstly, Solomon may be more reliable when it comes to staying fit. He only missed four games through injury last season, per Transfermarkt, whilst Okafor was absent for 13 matches for Milan and Napoli combined.

This means that he may be more likely to be available week-in-week-out for Farke in a gruelling Premier League campaign that may test the fitness levels of the players as they fight relegation.

Of course, Solomon’s quality on the pitch is another reason why he could offer more than Okafor on the left wing this season, given what he displayed in the Championship in the 2024/25 campaign.

xG

8.14

Top 8%

Goals

10

Top 6%

Shots on target

25

Top 12%

xA

10.30

Top 1%

Chances created

67

Top 5%

Assists

12

Top 3%

As you can see in the table above, the Spurs loanee was one of the best wingers in the division at scoring and creating goals, with 22 goals and assists combined in total.

Meanwhile, Okafor has not registered more than 20 goal contributions in a single season, per Sofascore, and has not produced more than nine since the 2022/23 campaign with RB Salzburg, who were a dominant force in Austrian football at the time.

This suggests that Solomon, who was described as “unplayable” by ex-Leeds boss Neil Redfearn last term, has the potential to provide a greater threat at the top end of the pitch from a left wing position, because of both his quality as a scorer and a creator of goals.

Finally, the Tottenham forward is also experienced in England and has played in the Premier League with Fulham and Spurs, as well as in the Championship with Leeds, which means that he could hit the ground running in the top-flight.

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Therefore, Solomon may be an even better option than Okafor, who has no prior experience in England, a patchy fitness record, and a lack of consistency in the final third in recent years, which is why the club should be pushing to sign him.

Glasgow Rangers head into the first international break of the season after drawing all four of their first four matches in the Scottish Premiership.

It has not been an ideal start for the Ibrox giants or Russell Martin, who will have to wait until the middle of September, at least, before grabbing his first win in charge of the club.

There were some positives for the Gers in their 0-0 draw with Celtic, including the debut of Bojan Miovski as discussed in the clip above and a clean sheet, but there were also some worrying performances.

Thelo Aasgaard was selected to play in the number ten role for the Gers behind the Macedonia international, and failed to impress in an attacking sense.

Thelo Aasgaard's performance in numbers

The Norway international, who signed from Luton Town on a permanent deal this summer, was unable to offer a threat at the top end of the pitch, as he ended the game with zero shots on target and zero key passes, per Sofascore.

Aasgaard was also unreliable in possession, completing just 57% of his attempted passes, and Martin may not have been happy with how sloppy he was on the ball.

The former Wigan Athletic star was, however, a physical outlet for Rangers. He won nine duels, including eight of his 12 on the ground, and won two tackles without being dribbled past a single time.

Performance in Numbers

Want data and stats? Football FanCast’s Performance in Numbers series provides you with the latest match analysis from across Europe.

Aasgaard put himself about and was up for the scrap defensively, which helped Rangers to avoid losing too many 50/50s, and was far from the worst performer for the Gers.

Martin's possible tactical mistake for Rangers against Celtic

One player who was even worse than Aasgaard against Celtic was left-sided attacker Mikey Moore, who was unable to cause Anthony Ralston many problems.

Ahead of the match, Ralston appeared to be the weak link in the Hoops defence due to the injury to first-choice Alistair Johnston. Despite that, Martin opted to move Djeidi Gassama over to the right flank to accommodate Moore on the left.

Gassama has scored four goals and provided one assist in nine appearances as a left winger for Rangers this season, which is why it seemed like he would be the most obvious option to take the game to Ralston and expose him on that side.

Minutes

72

Pass accuracy

44%

Shots on target

0

Key passes

0

Dribbles completed

1/3

Crosses completed

0/1

Duels won

4/9

As you can see in the table above, Moore did not take the game to the Scotland international and put in a disappointing all-round performance on the left flank, failing with 66.6% of his dribbles and completing just 44% of his passes.

That tactical decision also put Gassama out on the right, on his right foot, and meant that he struggled to take Kieran Tierney on down the outside in tight spaces, leaving Rangers too one-dimensional going forward.

In the end, the poor decisions in the wide areas heavily contributed to the team’s failure to create a single ‘big chance’ in the game, which left Miovski starved of service.

This is why Martin’s call to put Moore, who had an underwhelming afternoon, in on the left ahead of the usually electric Gassama was one that cost Rangers the win, as they were unable to take advantage of Johnston’s injury at right-back.

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Whilst it is not a guarantee that Gassama would have won the game for Rangers, his statistics as a left-winger suggest that there was a good chance that he would have made a big impact and could have sealed all three points with a moment of magic.

As the transfer deadline looms, Everton are once again at the centre of speculation.

The Toffees have been among the more proactive Premier League sides this summer, with David Moyes overseeing a rebuild designed to inject both quality and long-term stability into the squad.

Jack Grealish’s high-profile switch from Manchester City dominated headlines, and he wasted little time in making his mark at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, registering two assists on his competitive debut in a 2-0 win over Brighton.

Everton backed up that performance with a comfortable 2-0 EFL Cup victory over Mansfield Town, further raising optimism among supporters.

Despite those encouraging results, Everton’s league campaign began with a setback – a narrow 1-0 defeat away at Leeds United.

That loss underlined the need for further reinforcements if the club are to mount a genuine push into the top half of the Premier League.

Everton looking to sign another English talent

Moyes has already welcomed the likes of Thierno Barry, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, and Tyler Dibling into his squad, yet midfield remains an area of focus.

With Abdoulaye Doucouré departing earlier in the summer, a vacancy exists in the heart of Everton’s team.

The Toffees have been linked with a possible reunion between Moyes and Tomas Souček, but there is also a strong suggestion that another deal could be in the works – one that could see Everton land a player reminiscent of club stalwart Gareth Barry.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

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According to Football Insider, Everton are one of several Premier League clubs weighing up a late move for Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney.

The 23-year-old has told his boyhood club that he would consider leaving if a top-flight opportunity presents itself before the window shuts. Crystal Palace and West Ham are also monitoring developments.

Hackney, described by analyst Ben Mattinson as a “special player,” has been integral to Middlesbrough’s perfect start under new manager Rob Edwards, playing every minute of their three consecutive Championship victories.

He has already contributed a goal and an assist this season, showcasing his ability to influence matches in the final third.

Why Hackney evokes memories of Gareth Barry

For Hackney, the chance to step up into the Premier League could be a natural next step in a career that has already seen him capped 13 times at England U21 level, including as part of the squad that retained the European Championship this summer.

Marketed at around £10m by Transfermarkt, the youngster would represent an affordable option compared with some of Everton’s other recent investments.

That figure is particularly notable when set against the £42m the club committed to sign winger Dibling from Southampton earlier this week – a move that underlined Moyes’ determination to secure the best emerging English talent.

For Everton fans, however, Hackney’s potential arrival carries echoes of one of the club’s most successful midfield signings of the Premier League era: Gareth Barry.

Like Barry, Hackney is a technically accomplished left-footed midfielder who thrives in dictating tempo, recycling possession, and providing a calm platform for more attacking players to flourish.

Statistically, his numbers suggest a player already capable of making the step-up.

According to FBref, he ranks favourably compared to midfielders in similar divisions to the Championship, sitting in the 99th percentile for progressive passes per 90 (9.92) and the 91st percentile for shot-creating actions (3.80) among players in leagues of Championship equivalence.

His ability to move the ball forward – whether through incisive passing or by carrying possession himself (97th percentile for progressive carries) – highlights his suitability for Moyes’ system, which increasingly relies on controlled build-up from deep.

Defensively, Hackney also contributes, sitting in the 82nd percentile for blocks (1.54 per 90), which demonstrates an ability to screen effectively and disrupt opposition attacks.

This blend of on-ball quality and off-ball responsibility is precisely what made Barry such a valuable figure during his time at Goodison Park.

Hackney – 2024/25

Matches Played

43

Minutes Played

3,792

Goals

5

Assists

3

Progressive Carries

118

Progressive Passes

440

Source: FBref

The contrast with Everton’s other major summer signing, Dibling, is instructive.

Whereas Dibling’s profile – marked by elite percentile rankings for dribbles attempted (5.28), fouls drawn (2.49), and dribblers tackled (61.5%) – reflects the skillset of an explosive wide player, Hackney offers a quieter but equally crucial influence.

He would provide structure and control from midfield, knitting phases of play together and giving Everton stability in possession.

This dual-pronged approach of flair on the flanks combined with composure and tempo in midfield is central to Moyes’ vision of a balanced squad.

Hackney would not only cover the void left by Doucouré’s departure but also give Everton something they have lacked in recent years: a metronomic midfielder capable of dictating rhythm against stubborn opponents.

Much like Barry did during his four-year spell at the club, Hackney could serve as the understated yet indispensable figure around whom others operate.

His consistency at Middlesbrough – 43 appearances last season, contributing five goals and three assists – shows a player with the reliability and endurance to take on such a role at the top level.

With a market value of £10m, Hackney represents both a relatively low-risk and potentially transformative addition.

His signing would also reinforce Everton’s emerging identity as a club investing in technically proficient English players who could form the core of the team for years to come.

With the window set to close on Monday, Everton must act swiftly if they are to secure Hackney’s signature ahead of their rivals.

For the player himself, the lure of the Premier League and the chance to develop under Moyes could prove decisive.

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انتقد الإعلامي أحمد شوبير تصريحات مسؤول الزمالك، التي أثارت جدلًا واسعًا خلال الساعات الماضية، معتبرًا أن تصريحاته غير موفقة وتسيء إلى كيان كبير بحجم القلعة البيضاء.

وقال شوبير في تصريحات عبر برنامجه الإذاعي صباح اليوم: “تعالوا نراجع معًا تصريحات الأستاذ حسام المندوه الحسيني، أمين صندوق نادي الزمالك، أولًا وثانيًا وثالثًا، حضرتك عندما تظهر في برنامج تلفزيوني، عليك أن تنتبه جيدًا لمن تجلس أمامه، وكيف ستتحدث، وأن تحدد أهدافك من الحوار، لأن هذا أمر في غاية الأهمية”.

وتابع: “كما أقول دائمًا: هناك مذيع طيب، ومذيع مهني، ومذيع خبيث، وآخر يحب الإيقاع بالضيف أو يبحث عن اللقطة، هذا أمر موجود في كل مكان، سواء كان المذيع رجلًا أو إمرأة، الإعلام بطبيعته هكذا، والناس تصنّف بعضها البعض كما تشاء، فهناك من يُقال عنه إنه مهني، وآخر إنه خبيث، أو أنه باحث عن اللقطات، وهذه التصنيفات تختلف من شخص لآخر، لذلك يجب أن تكون حذرًا في حديثك دائمًا”.

وأضاف: “كذلك، هناك نوع من الضيوف السهل التعامل معه، تقول له مثلًا: “إزيّك؟” فيبدأ بسرد كل شيء دون تحفظ، وهؤلاء لا يحتاجون إلى مذيع من أي نوع، لأنهم ببساطة يسلمون أنفسهم بالكلام دون وعي، ولذلك يجب على كل شخص أن ينتبه لما يقوله”.

وواصل: “بصراحة، تصريحات الأستاذ حسام المندوه الحسيني لم تعجبني على الإطلاق، خاصة قوله إن الزمالك كان مريضًا والآن يموت، أولًا، الزمالك لم ولن يموت أبدًا، وأطمئنك وأطمئن جمهور الزمالك العظيم، فالأندية الكبيرة والكيانات العريقة مثل نادي الزمالك لا تموت، قد تمر بوعكة، أو أزمة، أو تعب مؤقت، لكنها لا تموت أبدًا، تصريحك هذا جانبه الصواب تمامًا”.

طالع أيضًا | حسام المندوه يبرر تصريح “الزمالك بيموت”.. ويلوم الجماهير: تذكروا كيف تسلمنا النادي

وشدد: “ثم خرجتَ في اليوم التالي لتقول إن كلامك فُهم بشكل خاطئ، وإنك كنت تقصد توضيح حجم الأزمة المالية التي يمر بها النادي حاليًا، وليس المعنى الحرفي لكلمة يموت، لكن يا أستاذ حسام، أنت من قلت هذا الكلام، ولسنا نحن من نسبه إليك، فلا مجال هنا لسوء الفهم، فعبارتك كانت واضحة وصريحة”.

واستمر: “قلتَ أيضًا إنك أردت توضيح الحقائق لجماهير الزمالك، ولم ترغب في تجميل الصورة، بل في عرض الواقع الصعب الذي يعيشه النادي، ودعوة المسؤولين للتدخل بعد سحب أرض الزمالك في أكتوبر، مشيرًا إلى أن هناك تبرعات من محبي النادي وأعضاء مجلس الإدارة، وأن استعادة أرض أكتوبر تمثل الأمل الحقيقي للنادي، وأن بدونها ستستمر الأزمات”.

وأكد: “كنت ببساطة تستطيع أن تقول هذا الكلام منذ البداية، دون الحاجة إلى عبارة الزمالك بيموت، لأنك في النهاية تمثل منصبًا رسميًا داخل مجلس إدارة النادي، وتصريحاتك تُحسب على الكيان كله، لذلك، كان تصريحك غير موفق على الإطلاق وجانبه الصواب تمامًا”.

واختتم: “وبغضّ النظر عن محاولات التوضيح بعد ذلك، فالمعنى كان واضحًا، ما قلته فُهم كما هو، لدينا في مصر أمر غريب، لا أحد يخرج ليعتذر ويقول: أنا آسف، تصريحي كان خطأ، كنت أقصد كذا وكذا، الاعتذار ليس عيبًا ولا حرامًا أبدًا، بل هو شجاعة واحترام للجمهور”.

Roberto De Zerbi has threatened Mason Greenwood and his Marseille squad after seeing them claim a notable Classique victory over arch-rivals Paris Saint-Germain. A battling win in a rearranged fixture at Stade Velodrome underlined the title credentials of De Zerbi’s side, but he has pointed out that said win will count for little if it does not set a standard for the rest of the season.

Marseille held their own against Real Madrid

Marseille finished as Ligue 1 runners-up in 2024-25, booking them return tickets to the Champions League. They held their own for long periods in a European opener with Real Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu, with USMNT star Tim Weah firing them in front before going on to suffer an agonising 2-1 defeat against 10 men.

AdvertisementAFPFought off PSG following storm delay

De Zerbi’s team were able to get over the line in their latest outing, with Nayef Aguerd netting the only goal of the game inside five minutes against PSG – in a match that was delayed by 24 hours due to stormy weather conditions in southern France.

Are Marseille Ligue 1 title contenders?

De Zerbi showed plenty of passion in that contest, as he was shown a late red card for arguing with the match officials, and wants to see his players prove that they are capable of challenging for a domestic crown.

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GettyDe Zerbi's warning to Greenwood & Co

De Zerbi told reporters of the need to build on victory over PSG, who were without Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele: “This victory should not give anything more to the team. The defeat in Madrid brought us a lot, made us realise that we have strong players. The squad is strong, we know that, but Friday will be even more important than tonight's match. I have already threatened the players, they know it. If we beat Paris and then tap dance against Strasbourg, it means we are not a great team.”

Wicketkeeper Nicole Faltum has been handed her first call-up for the three-match T20I series in late March

Tristan Lavalette26-Feb-2025

Alyssa Healy has battled a run of injuries and is now targeting the ODI World Cup in India•Getty Images

Australia captain Alyssa Healy will miss next month’s T20I tour of New Zealand, but there is “no doubt” over her status for the ODI World Cup as she rehabilitates after a wretched run of injuries.With Healy absent as expected due to a foot injury, Melbourne Renegades wicketkeeper-batter Nicole Faltum has been called up in Australia’s 14-player squad for the three-match series starting in Auckland on March 21.Tahlia McGrath will captain with Ashleigh Gardner to be her deputy, while Beth Mooney will again take the gloves in Healy’s absence.Related

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Healy to miss WPL 2025, remains coy about future beyond ODI World Cup

Faltum, 25, has yet to play international cricket but is coming off a strong season for WBBL champions Renegades and captained the Governor-General’s XI against England in January. She beat out Tahlia Wilson and Maddy Darke for the New Zealand tour.”We just see Nic slightly ahead of the others, particularly for the T20 format,” Australia chief selector Shawn Flegler told reporters. “It’s really unlikely that she will play. Obviously, Beth will take the gloves for this tour and she did a really good job during the Ashes replacing Alyssa.”But we just thought it was a great opportunity for Nicole to come in and be around the group, train with them and get to see the environment first hand.”Healy, who turns 35 in March, was not named in the squad due to the stress fracture in her right foot. She missed the T20I portion of the Women’s Ashes and had to prove her fitness for the MCG Test before playing as a specialist middle-order batter.Healy had ruptured her plantar fascia in her foot at the T20 World Cup in October last year which saw her miss Australia’s final group match and the semi-final against South Africa. She also suffered a knee injury in the early stages of the WBBL which meant she missed the remainder of the season and the subsequent ODI series against India.Healy had to skip the ongoing Women’s Premier League, but a return to the field could take place at the women’s Hundred ahead of an ODI series in India in September that runs straight into the World Cup.”My understanding is that there’s no doubt that she’ll get through to the World Cup, that’s for sure,” Flegler said. “She’s had a complicated last couple of years with some different injuries that’s been related to foot…some Achilles and stuff.Nicole Faltum will be part of her first Australia tour•Getty Images

“We certainly don’t want to rush it. As far as I’m aware, there’s no risk that she’ll miss out on that World Cup.”Allrounder Sophie Molineux will continue to be on the sidelines as she recovers from a knee injury that ruled her out of the multiformat Ashes series. “We want to make sure that she’s right for that World Cup, we think she’ll be an important member of that side,” Flegler said.”When she came back into the team, she played a really good role for us across all formats. We’re not going to rush her back. It’s a bit of a complex injury, but we want to make sure that she’s good to go in September.”But there is no set timeline for Tayla Vlaeminck, who dislocated her bowling shoulder just moments into Australia’s T20 World Cup match against Pakistan last October. She is hoped to return at some stage next summer.Australia will enter the T20 series against New Zealand in high spirits after their historic 16-0 Ashes triumph. But Australia should feel extra motivated facing the reigning world champions on their turf in what will be rare matches in the format ahead of next year’s T20 World Cup in England.”We were really disappointed with how the T20 World Cup ended for us, and New Zealand did extremely well to win that World Cup,” Flegler said. “It’s a great chance for us to go up against them. There’s always a great rivalry against New Zealand and I’m sure they’ll be keen to play well against us.”We don’t have that many T20s leading into the next T20 World Cup, so every opportunity we get is really important to keep trying those different combinations and getting players used to those positions that they are now in.”Australia squad for New Zealand tourDarcie Brown, Nicole Faltum, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Grace Harris, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath (capt), Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham

Leeds United have now held talks over a deal for an “outstanding” Rodrigo Muniz alternative, who has scored 85 career goals, according to a report.

Leeds looking to sign striker ahead of Premier League campaign

Leeds’ opening Premier League fixture is now less than one week away, with Everton set to travel to Elland Road on Monday August 18, and while Daniel Farke has made major improvements to his squad, he is still looking to get another striker through the door.

That is due to the fact that Patrick Bamford is surplus to requirements, while Mateo Joseph has already joined Mallorca on a season-long loan, and the Whites have identified Fulham’s Muniz as their number one target at centre-forward.

A deal for the Fulham star could be on the expensive side, however, with a potential transfer fee of £50m previously being touted, which means the Premier League newcomers may be forced to move on to alternative targets.

According to a report from Leeds United News, Leeds are now stepping up their pursuit of a free agent, having recently held fresh talks over a deal for former Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who is still without a club since leaving the Toffees at the end of June.

The 28-year-old is not the only option on the shortlist, however, with transfer expert Graeme Bailey adding: “Rodrigo Muniz remains Leeds’ number one choice centre-forward, whilst Mehdi Taremi and Josh Sargent are also options being discussed internally.

“However, Calvert-Lewin is also someone they remain hugely keen on. He is the right sort of profile.”

While the ex-Everton striker is available on a free transfer, his huge wage demands could be a problem for Farke’s side, with the centre-forward raking in £100k-a-week during his time with the Toffees.

"Outstanding" Calvert-Lewin could be solid Muniz alternative

The Sheffield-born striker wouldn’t be the flashiest of signings, and there may be some justified concerns over his injury record, having spent prolonged periods on the sidelines during his time at Goodison Park.

Season

Games missed due to injury

2022-23

29

2023-24

6

2024-25

15

That said, the Englishman has proven himself as a consistent source of goals over the course of many years, scoring 89 senior career goals for club and country, and he is vastly experienced in the Premier League.

Not only that, but the 11-time England international received some high praise during his time with Everton, with journalist Patrick Boyland lauding the striker as “outstanding” during the 2023-24 campaign.

As such, if Calvert-Lewin is willing to lower his wage demands, he could be a savvy addition to Farke’s squad on a free transfer, and there is a feeling he would be keen on a move to Elland Road, having recently sacked his agent in a bid to force through a deal.

After suffering a 3-1 defeat in the first leg of their Champions League qualifier against Club Brugge, Rangers have reportedly been handed further concern in the form of an opening bid for one of Russell Martin’s star men.

Martin "proud" despite Club Brugge defeat

There’s no denying that it’s been a disastrous start for Martin at Rangers. The former Southampton boss is yet to win in the Scottish Premiership and even watched on as his side made hard work of defeating Scottish League One side Alloa Athletic in the cup last weekend. So the arrival of Club Brugge couldn’t have come at a worse time.

Unlike Rangers as of late, the Belgian side were in a ruthless mood and raced into a shock 3-0 lead within the space of 20 disastrous first-half minutes. Ibrox began to empty and the thought of qualifying for this season’s Champions League proper became a mere fantasy for the Gers, who only managed to gain one goal back courtesy of Danilo.

Despite yet another evening to forget, however, Martin was “proud” of his side for how they responded to Club Brugge’s 20-minute thrashing. He told reporters: “That’s as hard as it will ever be for the players on the pitch. I’m proud of how they responded.

“We concede a crazy goal and don’t respond anywhere near well enough. Then we concede out of anxiety and make decisions based on desperation. The game plan went out the window. When you’re 2-0 down after seven minutes, tactics don’t come into it. It’s not about style of play it’s about the reaction and we didn’t react well.”

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As Rangers’ Champions League hopes went up in flames, beaten 3-1 by Club Brugge, a summer signing “looks like he’s hasn’t kicked a ball before”.

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Ben Gray

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Meanwhile, with one leg out of the Champions League, the Gers could reportedly be in for an almighty blow on the transfer front to only add to their recent woes.

Lille submit fresh Igamane offer

According to Rangers Review, LOSC Lille have now submitted a fresh loan offer to sign Hamza Igamane, only for that to be laughed off by the 49ers who have set their price-tag at a hefty £15m to sell the forward. Whether the French side now opt to get anywhere near that valuation before the end of the month remains to be seen.

The 49ers’ stance will come as a major relief to Martin, who simply cannot afford to lose a player of Igamane’s quality at this stage of the transfer window. The talented forward is yet to start a game under the new manager as he works his way back to full fitness after a disrupted pre-season, but Rangers will be hoping to see their star man become a much-needed difference-maker sooner rather than later.

A player who was described as “superb” by scout Jacek Kulig last season, Igamane has all the tools to become the most important player of Martin’s tenure and Rangers simply must avoid his departure at all costs this summer.

Celtic find themselves in a race against time to land a new striker, though they have now made an approach to bring in a forward on the books at a Premier League club.

Celtic fail in bid to land Anderlecht striker Kasper Dolberg

Despite making him their top target, Celtic look to have missed out on a deal for Anderlecht striker Kasper Dolberg, who is primed to complete a move to Anderlecht before the close of play.

Taking to social media platform X, Sky Sports journalist Anthony Joseph reported that the Denmark international now has his set on a move to his former club after the Dutch giants sought assurances over his willingness to snub alternative interest.

He stated: “UPDATE: Ajax are now pressing ahead with their hijack of Kasper Dolberg’s move to Celtic after seeking assurances from the player that he would prefer a return to his old club. #AFCAjax now back in talks with Anderlecht over a permanet deal. This could leave Celtic scrambling.”

Elsewhere, the Bhoys have put forward a loan for Crystal Palace winger Jesurun Rak-Sayki, albeit he could end up at either Rangers, Lyon, and Leicester City, who are also keen on landing the England Under-21 international.

The timing of whether Celtic manage to land a striker or not is critical, given Irishman Adam Idah is set for a move to Swansea after completing his medical, though they have held fire on relinquishing his services until a replacement is found.

Birmingham hold talks to sign "valuable" £3m ace; waiting on "green-light"

This is exactly what Chris Davies could be after.

ByHenry Jackson Sep 1, 2025

Truthfully, the late part of the window for supporters has failed to deliver in terms of excitement, but that could be about to change as they hone in on a new centre-forward.

Celtic make loan approach to sign Chelsea's David Datro Fofana

According to Sky Sports reporter Joseph on X, who was mentioned earlier, Celtic have made a loan approach to try and sign Chelsea striker David Datro Fofana before tonight’s deadline.

Intriguingly, his colleague Ron Walker eluded to the fact that is ‘looks like’ the Bhoys may land his services despite suggesting that Bristol City were in the mix, potentially suggesting that a deal is further down the line than initially thought.

Despite joining Chelsea for £10.3 million in 2022, Fofana has made only four appearances for the Premier League giants and spent time out on loan at Goztepe last term, scoring twice in nine appearances before sustaining a knee injury.

Adding Union Berlin and Burnley to his other loans, the Ivory Coast international, dubbed “aggressive” by Vincent Kompany, has never really settled since joining the Blues from Molde, where he burst on to the scene after netting 24 times in 65 outings.

Celtic appear willing to offer him an olive branch at a late stage, creating a scenario where both parties benefit while Chelsea move another player off their books.