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Danny Mills reckons that the injury-enforced absence of Diego Llorente will hurt Leeds United at the start of the 2021/22 season. 

Mills, who played for the Whites between 1999 and 2004, was speaking to Football Insider about the 27-year-old.

The lowdown

Llorente was forced off midway through the first half of a friendly against Real Betis at the end of July, and a source close to the player has said that he faces two to three weeks out with a leg muscle injury.

While the problem is ‘not major’, it could rule Llorente out of Leeds’ clashes with Manchester United and Everton later this month.

The Spaniard struggled with injuries during his maiden season in Yorkshire, missing 13 games with groin issues and a further month with a hamstring problem (via Transfermarkt). He was limited to 14 Premier League starts, averaging 2.2 successful aerial duels, 2.3 tackles and 2.5 clearances per game (via WhoScored).

The latest

Mills is not only fearful of the immediate impact of Llorente’s absence, but also of the long-term repercussions of an early lay-off.

“It is a big blow,” he said to Football Insider. “He’s a real quality player that holds that team together.

“It looks like he’s going to miss the start of the season which is a strange situation.

“He needs to get fit and play in a run of games. We’ve seen before once the season gets underway and you’re playing catch up trying to play your way fit without a proper pre-season it’s tough and really difficult to do.”

The verdict

When Llorente’s injuries abated in the latter part of last season, he enjoyed a fine run of form and grew in stature. The 27-year-old even earned a spot in WhoScored’s Team of the Month for April.

However, availability is just as important as ability and this is a stinging setback for the Whites. It’s a small problem, yes, but it doesn’t bode particularly well for the season ahead, and as Mills notes, it has interrupted the process of ramping up to full fitness.

In the short term, it could well make Leeds’ tough early assignments even trickier.

In other news, Leeds have tabled a offer for this centre-forward target.

A number of Liverpool supporters are overjoyed after the reliable David Ornstein claimed that Jordan Henderson is set to sign a new Reds deal.

The club captain has been a wonderful servant for Liverpool, now spending 10 years at Anfield and counting. The 31-year-old recovered superbly from a tough start on Merseyside to become a key man under Brendan Rodgers, before going up another level with Jurgen Klopp at the helm.

[freshpress-quiz id=“359326”]

Henderson has grown into one of the greatest captains in the club’s history, lifting both the Premier League and Champions League and proving to be a special character at the club.

There have been some doubts surrounding the England international’s Liverpool future, but it looks as though the issue has been resolved. According to The Athletic’s Ornstein, an improved three-year deal looks set to sign by Henderson, coming as a huge boost to the club and its fans.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/the-latest-liverpool-transfer-news-copy-4/” title=”The latest Liverpool transfer news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

Liverpool fans delighted with Henderson update

These Liverpool fans took to Twitter to show their delight at the “great” news about Henderson’s future.

“Great news to wake up to this morning , Jordan Henderson perfectly personifies the values of this football club and city – I hope at this stage he knows what true fans feel about him”

Credit: @KurtLFC99

“Yessss babe”

Credit: @zanetalkssports

“My captain”

Credit: @ScouseMouse97

“Ornstein on a Monday morning, what a way to start the week eh”

Credit: @Somos_LosRojos

“The significance of this cannot be overstated. Here’s to another 3 years, Jordan Henderson, hopefully discussions go smoothly and the skipper is back with a bang soon. A leader of leaders.”

Credit: @MattySixTimes

“YESSSSS MY CAPTAIN”

Credit: @SamWilliams_96

In other news, some Liverpool fans have been mocking one rival’s comments. Find out who it is here.

A round-up of the second round matches of the Emerging Players Tournament in Brisbane

Cricinfo staff17-Jul-2008
Scorecard

Theo Doropoulos made a crucial 69 to steady Australia © Getty Images
Powered by half-centuries from middle-order batsmen Peter Forrest (81) and Theo Doropoulos (69), Australian Institute of Sports posted a challenging 274, and registered a 37-run win over New Zealand Emerging Players.New Zealand’s new-ball bowlers, Trent Boult and Brent Arnel, had Australia in trouble after the hosts had been sent in – three wickets fell in the space of six runs as Australia slumped to 3 for 30. A 131-run stand between Forrest and Doropoulos turned the game around, and though captain Moises Henriques fell cheaply, Steve O’Keefe’s 40 carried on the good work for Australia. Boult was the most effective bowler for New Zealand, finishing with 3 for 37.Unlike Australia, New Zealand got off to a solid start, but none of their top six went on to make significant score: all of them got into double-digits but no one topped 35. Their No. 7 Corey Anderson made up for his poor bowling by top-scoring with 73 but it wasn’t enough and they slumped to their first loss. Fast bowler Aaron Varun, one of the two Indian players from the MRF Pace Foundation in the Australian team, did most of the damage, taking three middle-order wickets.
ScorecardIn a match that was strikingly similar to the one between South Africa and New Zealand on Tuesday, the team batting first was again bundled out cheaply and the chasing side had some anxious moments before overhauling the target. The South African Emerging Players, though, triumphed this time, with their Indian counterparts having a day to forget.Sent in to bat, India folded for 80 – with 13 being the highest individual score – despite the presence of several impressive performers from the IPL. Wayne Parnell, South Africa’s captain at the Under-19 World Cup earlier this year, took three middle-order wickets to derail India and offspinner Thandi Tshabalala cleaned up the tail to set up what should have been a straightforward chase for South Africa.However, with fast bowler Siddharth Trivedi and legspinner Amit Mishra taking two wickets apiece, South Africa needed a resolute 36-run stand for the sixth wicket between Imraan Khan and wicketkeeper Daryn Smit to see them home.

When Rafa Benitez was appointed as the new manager of Everton it sparked controversy amongst supporters at Goodison Park.

Already frustrated by Carlo Ancelotti’s surprising exit, Toffees fans were incensed that Benitez was the wrong man.

They went as far as posting signs outside his house in protest of his arrival in Merseyside. The reason was a simple one; his association with Liverpool.

Benitez coached the Reds to Champions League glory in 2005 during a six-year stay at Anfield. In the process, he labelled their fiercest rivals a ‘small club.’

The 61-year-old has since apologised for that but he’s not done a great deal since arriving at Everton to calm the waters.

They’ve made mediocre efforts to improve their squad in the transfer window and lost 4-0 to Manchester United in a pre-season friendly last weekend.

However, it’s important to remember just what Benitez has achieved in his managerial career. He is one of the most renowned coaches on the globe and has helped to define certain aspects of modern football.

You only need to look at Xabi Alonso, a footballer who introduced a new role to a tactics board; a creative defensive midfielder.

The Spaniard played 210 times under Benitez, spraying passes in various directions while showing a bullish approach to defending.

He was a remarkably composed footballer but wasn’t afraid to get his hands dirty when it mattered.

During the 2014/15 campaign at Bayern Munich, he took a mind-boggling 163.5 touches per game, orchestrating play from deep on a regular basis.

Speaking about his style of play, ex-Bayern director Matthias Sammer once said: “Xabi Alonso has incredible skills, passing and ball control. He has an eye for the game, he knows how to defend and he is physically strong.”

But why is this all relevant to Everton? Well, Benitez could discover his new Alonso this summer in the form of Sander Berge.

The Norwegian is valued at a mighty £35m and has been linked with a move to Goodison throughout the last few months.

He has only played three times for the Blades in 2021 but like Alonso was, he’s a composed footballer who loves a tackle.

Described as the “complete midfielder” by Chris Wilder, he completed 85.6% of his passes in the Premier League last term. Sitting deep and distributing play in the manner Alonso did for Liverpool, Madrid and Bayern, he also produced 1.1 successful tackles per game.

It speaks volumes that it wasn’t Berge’s best season either. His greatest tally for tackles came in 2016 when he recorded 2.1 per match for Valerenga in Norway.

That final statistic is close to Alonso whose career average according to data tracked by WhoScored, stands at 2.9 an outing.

The former Spain international was, of course, a class above. Berge would have to do a lot to be registered in the same category but he’s certainly got similar attributes.

He’d be a fantastic signing for Everton based on the aforementioned traits.

AND in other news, Everton dream of signing “dangerous” £34m-rated gem, he’s perfect for Benitez…

Welcome to the first issue of Zimbabwe Cricket Online for the 2002/03 season

John Ward13-Sep-2002Welcome to the first issue of Zimbabwe Cricket Online for the 2002/03 season. Despite the problems in the country at present, ZCU are looking positively to the future and we will try to reflect their approach and their plans in our weekly issues.Zimbabwe cricket faces the 2002/03 season with a mixture of anticipation and trepidation. With the World Cup early in 2003 to be partially hosted in Zimbabwe, there is everything to look forward to, but the holding of this tournament could yet be scuppered by political events, while the future of Zimbabwe cricket itself will be very dependent on both political and economic developments.First of all, it is necessary to assert that the situation in Zimbabwe is nowhere near, and never has been near, a state in which visiting players would be in any kind of physical danger. Life goes on as normal in every area that visitors are likely to go, except for increasing economic hardships. The future is always unpredictable, but there is a long way to go before anybody in Zimbabwe would have any concerns about their inability, or even their need, to protect visiting players.Zimbabwe’s playing resources will be similar to last season, with Heath Streak having been invited and found willing to resume the captaincy. Stuart Carlisle captained the side for most of the previous season, a virtual third choice after Streak resigned and Brian Murphy was injured, but did not feel he had the confidence of the authorities as he tackled a difficult job that nobody else seemed to want. The team naturally found its resources stretched, but by the end of last season was beginning to pull together under coach Geoff Marsh. Apart from the World Cup, though, they face a rather slack season.In modern cricket there is always the chance of an invitation to yet another one-day tournament; at present the only one for Zimbabwe apart from the World Cup is the ICC Champions Trophy in September. In October all the players are expected to be available for the first half of the revamped Logan Cup competition; in November comes Zimbabwe’s only Test cricket of the southern summer. Pakistan, who know what it is like to be shunned by other countries for tours, visit Zimbabwe for two Tests and five one-day internationals.There have been two late additions to the international programme. In December Kenya make their first official tour of Zimbabwe to play five one-day internationals, and in January South Africa A come up for a brief tour that will allow young or fringe players on both sides good preparation for the World Cup.In January the first official limited-over inter-provincial competition is played, and then in February and March comes the World Cup. In April the Logan Cup is completed, and then immediately the players are off to England for their second official tour to that country, playing two Tests – Lord’s and the inaugural Test match at the impressive new Riverside stadium in Chester-le-Street, Durham – and a one-day tournament.The Logan Cup will for the first time be contested over the whole season, which precludes the CFX Academy from participating, as their year ends in December. Mashonaland A have also dropped out of the first-class arena, but several leading Mashonaland players are being deployed in other provinces to bring about a better balance of strength. The four provincial teams participating, therefore, will be Mashonaland, Matabeleland, Manicaland and Midlands. They will play each other both at home and away, six four-day matches each.An innovation is the introduction of a B Division in the Logan Cup. This will consist of the A teams of each of the four major provinces, plus Masvingo. The five teams will play four three-day matches each, which will not be first-class. There are therefore nine teams in Zimbabwe this season all playing competitive versions of the longer game, a healthy state of affairs that will benefit cricket in the country.In between times, the national club cricket league will continue. The first league, which struggled to maintain standards with twelve teams last season, has been pared down to ten, with Bulawayo clubs MacDonald and Bulawayo Sports Club dropping down to the second league. There remain six Harare teams: Harare Sports Club, Old Hararians, Old Georgians, Alexandra Sports Club, Universals and Takashinga. There are two Bulawayo sides, Queens and Bulawayo Athletic Club, and also Mutare and Kwekwe, from Manicaland and Midlands respectively.In Mashonaland the Vigne Cup club competition will take place, only Mashonaland Cricket Association general manager Gus Mackay (an interview with whom will appear next week) expects it to be renamed after a major sponsor. He believes it will be a stronger competition than the national league, where the country’s strength is split between ten teams. The Harare club competition contains seven teams, and many major players from other provinces return to the capital to play in that.First-round results are included in this issue. The format has been changed. Impressed with the format used by the Birmingham League, where Mackay played for several seasons, he has abolished the 50-over limitation, which however remains in the national league. Matches are played to a maximum of 110 overs, with the team batting first required to declare after a maximum of 55. No restriction is placed on the number of overs a bowler may bowl.They must then bowl out the opposition to win the match. Failure to do so gives them merely a `winning draw’ (6 points) instead of a victory, while their opponents are credited with a `losing draw’ (2 points). The reward for an outright victory is 20 points.

MatériaMais Notícias

O goleiro Jefferson segue a recuperação para voltar aos gramados. Nesta quarta-feira, ele voltou ao consultório médico Marcio Scheifer, que acompanha a recuperação do ídolo alvinegro, e ouviu o que gostaria: a cicatrização do braço esquerdo está bem, conforme desejado e esperado.

Parece simples, parece lógico, mas a notícia é muito boa, principalmente considerando a raridade da lesão. Foi no tendão do tríceps do braço esquerdo, no dia 12 de maio do ano passado. Na ocasião, o goleiro precisou deixar o campo durante a partida contra o Juazeirense, pela Copa do Brasil.

Ele foi operado, havia a expectativa de retorno em três meses, mas a cicatrização acabou sendo apenas parcialmente bem sucedida. Um novo procedimento foi necessário, Jefferson já vem trabalhando no gramado, mas um prazo para o retorno aos gramados ainda é tratado com cautela.

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While football didn’t end up coming home this summer, former Three Lions international Joe Cole has admitted he had faith in Gareth Southgate’s side to go far in the tournament.

Have suffered so much heartbreak and disappointment in major tournaments over the last 55 years, England fans could be forgiven for not having too much expectations of success heading into Euro 2020.

But Cole insists the signs were already there that this England team would produce a summer to remember. On Just Eat’s Home Advantage, he said: “I’ve been banging the drum for this team for years now.

“I couldn’t believe we weren’t getting more excited – I know we’ve been burned over the years when we’ve built up our expectations – but you look at the record, this team knows how to win games.

“And even in the first two games, Scotland and Croatia, I thought there was a nice balance. It wasn’t the team I would’ve picked in both games but I’m happy to let Gareth do his thing now because the decisions he’s made have all been impeccable.

“I was at the Czech game and the Germany game, and the fans lifted those players for sure.”

Throughout the tournament, Just Eat’s Home Advantage brought the best of food and football together, with Munya Chawawa ordering a takeaway with some of the UK’s favourites footballers each week throughout the tournament.

Footballing legends including the likes of Ally McCoist, Joe Cole, James Collins, David James, Casey Stoney, and Alan Hutton sat down with the Instagram sensation and shared their thoughts on everything from the teams, players and managers, to the best food to eat while watching the action.

The last episode saw the return of Scotland legend Ally McCoist, as well as ex England and Wales internationals, Joe Cole and James Collins. Check out the video below to see them catch up on the state of play, as well as some rather dubious initial predictions.

 Catch all the episodes from Just Eat’s Home Advantage here.

Celtic have opened talks to sign Kyle Edwards after he recently left West Brom, according to Football Insider.

The Lowdown: January interest

This isn’t the first time the Hoops have been linked with the 23-year-old.

Back in December, Celtic were thought to be looking into a loan deal for the winger, who can play on the left, right, or even in the middle. Edwards was on Neil Lennon’s winter window radar, but, as we know, a deal never materialised.

He’s now without a club after his contract with the Baggies expired, and it seems as if the Hoops are making their move.

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The Latest: Source shares update

According to Football Insider, who have been informed by a Celtic source, the Hoops have opened talks over a possible cut-price move for Edwards.

The report claims that Celtic are working on a deal, which would cost them in the region of £300,000 due to cross-border compensation rules.

Edwards, who released a music single following West Brom’s promotion in the 2019/20 season, made 49 appearances during his time in the Midlands, scoring four times and registering five assists.

The Verdict: Worth a punt

Edwards was on just £2,000-a-week at The Hawthorns and would cost Celtic only £300,000, so a move could be worth a go by the Hoops.

At just 23 years of age, you’d expect Edwards still has room for improvement, and Celtic could do with wide additions following Mohamed Elyounoussi’s return to Southampton.

Ange Postecoglou currently has James Forrest, Maryan Shved and Mikey Johnston as wide options, so that area of the pitch could do with adding to.

Edwards has five Premier League appearances to his name and 32 in the second-tier, so it could turn out to be a smart move in the long run given his age and low cost.

In other news: Celtic now ‘moving’ to sign ace on Top-100 prospects list alongside Sancho, Foden and Saka, find out more here. 

Andover’s bid to cling on to their new found ECB Southern Electric Premier League leadership has suffered a double blow

Mike Vimpany24-May-2002Andover’s bid to cling on to their new found ECB Southern Electric Premier League leadership has suffered a double blow.They go into the key match against Havant at London Road 14 points clear at the top – but minus broken-wrist victim Toby Radford and former skipper Jeremy Hayward.It’s a bitter blow for Andover, who boast the only unbeaten Division 1 record after three straight wins against South Wilts, Calmore Sports and Liphook & Ripsley.Radford, the former Middlesex and Sussex batsman who joined Andover from Hungerford in the close season, broke his wrist in last Sunday’s Hampshire Board match against the Channel Islands.His place goes to Marc Kavanagh, with Ian Gardner’s reward for a 2nd XI century last weekend a call up as Hayward’s replacement.”It’s obviously a great shame we’ve lost Toby and Jerry, but I’ve every confidence that Marc and Ian will come in and do a good job for the team,” said Andover skipper Roger Miller.In contrast Havant, who saw their unbeaten start perish at the hands of Bashley (Rydal) last week, expect to be back to full strength.MCC Young Professional Steve Snell and all-rounders Mackie Hobson and Bevis Moynhan, who all missed the Bashley defeat, should return for Havant.Dominic Carson, anticipating a stern workout, says : “Andover will be buzzing after three straight wins and we haven’t forgotten the defeat they inflicted on us at Havant Park when we took the title a couple of seasons ago."”London Road is a difficult place to win at normally and with Andover top of the league, it promises to be doubly difficult.”Watching the outcome with interest will be reigning champions BAT Sports, who lie in second place. They expect to be unchanged and at full strength for the visit of Bournemouth, whose season has hardly got off the ground.”We’ve had two blank weeks out of three so far and lost to South Wilts, so we desperately need to get ourselves motivated,” said Bournemouth skipper Matt Swarbrick.”We’ve assembled a pretty decent, balanced side at Bournemouth, butwhen you can’t get out and play it’s difficult – almost impossible – to get anything together.”Bournemouth go into the match minus Somerset’s Tom Webley, whose place goes to Andy Bell.Fourth placed South Wilts have a weekend double against Portsmouth, who visit Lower Bemerton for a Premier League match tomorrow and an ECB Club Championship third round tie on Sunday.Hampshire’s James Tomlinson is on British Universities duty, so Rob Down comes into the South Wilts bowling line up. Portsmouth, bottom of the pile after two defeats, are back to full strength, with Lee Savident returning from holiday.Burridge have opening batsman Paul Hawkins back for the visit to revitalised Bashley (Rydal), who should have opening bowler John Whiting fit after missing the Havant victory because of a hamstring problem.Neil Taylor lines up three spin bowlers for Bashley – Chris Sketchley, Ross Grierson and Andy Sexton, who took three Havant wickets last week.Calmore Sports look to their top order batsmen to get amongst the runs against Liphook & Ripsley at Loperwood Park.The Totton club’s first five batsmen were bundled out for just 29 runs by South Wilts last week and skipper Tom Pegler is demanding more application from his senior players.

An update has emerged regarding Wolves’ chances of signing Leicester goalkeeper Danny Ward this summer.

What’s the talk?

According to the Daily Mail, Wolves have been given a boost in their pursuit of the Welsh international as they are set to appoint Wales’ goalkeeping coach Tony Roberts, who Wolves are expected to bring in to bolster their coaching department. That could improve their chances of landing the 28-year-old, with whom Roberts is currently working at the European Championship.

The report claims that Wolves are interested in a deal for Ward as they weigh up potential replacements for Portugal number one Rui Patricio. Roma are said to be keen on the Wolves shot-stopper and Ward has been identified as a player who could take his place.

Former Leicester midfielder and fellow Welshman Andy King has lavished praise on the “outstanding” shot-stopper for his performances in the European Championship this summer.

He told Sky Sports: “He’s been one of Wales’ outstanding players in this tournament. He’s been absolutely brilliant. For someone who doesn’t play football for their club week in, week out, he’s assured in everything he’s done.

“It’s not like he’s had to play his way into form or anything like that. He’s hit the ground running and has been outstanding from minute one.”

Fans would hate it

Leicester must avoid making a grave error over Ward this summer. Fans would surely hate it if the club sanctioned a sale for the goalkeeper to potentially bolster one of their Premier League rivals.

Leicester and Wolves finished fifth and 13th respectively in the table last season, but there is no telling how teams will improve or regress heading into the next campaign, and it is entirely plausible that the Foxes could be competing alongside them for European places. That is why they should not be selling any players to the Molineux outfit.

Fans would be fuming if Leicester allowed Ward to join Wolves and then his impressive performances helped them finish above the Foxes in the table, potentially stopping them from getting into Europe.

Given the 28-year-old’s recent displays for Wales, it is plausible that he could make a huge impact for Wolves. He averaged an impressive WhoScored rating of 7.12 in the Euro 2020 group stages for his country as he caught the eye with a string of fine saves between the sticks.

The £22,000-per-week beast has proven that he can produce quality performances at the top level, which is also why he is a reliable backup to Kasper Schmeichel at the King Power Stadium. Whilst the Dane has not missed a minute of Premier League action for three seasons, that run will have to come to an end at some stage for the 34-year-old.

When it does, Ward should be the player Rodgers is able to call upon, and that is why Leicester need to reject Wolves’ interest in the shot-stopper in the coming weeks.

AND in other news, Leicester handed major boost in their pursuit of 86-goal gem, Rodgers will be buzzing…