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Opener Karl Turner posted his maiden County Championship half-century as Nottinghamshire made a steady start in reply to Sussex’s imposing first innings total at Trent Bridge

13-Sep-2011
Scorecard
Opener Karl Turner posted his maiden County Championship half-century as Nottinghamshire made a steady start in reply to Sussex’s imposing first innings total at Trent Bridge.Starting the second day on 312 for 6, Sussex added a further 176 before they were finally dismissed for 488, Murray Goodwin advancing to 170 and Amjad Khan making 65 as the visiting side’s tail wagged to great effect. Nottinghamshire seamer Andre Adams finished with 5 for 110, his seventh fifth-wicket haul of the season.In reply England Twenty20 opener Alex Hales hit a rapid 49 to pass 1,000 Championship runs for the first time in his career, while Turner finished the day on 52 not out, with Notts closing on 132 for one, 356 behind.As on day one, the match had a distinct end-of-season feel to it. Neither side are in the title hunt or at threat of relegation. Goodwin continued to accumulate steadily in the morning session while Naved Arif went on the attack, pulling Luke Fletcher for three fours in four balls before he was caught behind off the seamer for 30.Hales dropped a sitter at first slip off Khan when the former England seamer had made just five and the 30-year-old went on to post the fifth half-century of his career as the home attack toiled. Goodwin was eventually caught at gully off Charlie Shreck shortly before lunch – driving at a ball that bounced a fraction – having batted for more than seven hours, facing 329 balls and hitting 21 fours.Khan and James Anyon then put on 62 for the ninth wicket before Adams returned to wrap up the innings, Anyon being caught behind for 28 and Khan lbw playing across his pads.With nothing resting on the game, Hales and Turner were able to bat with some freedom in the early stages, although it was the right-handed Hales who once again looked the classier batsman with impressive drives through the off-side.A single to mid-off took the 22-year-old to 1,000 Championship runs – the first top-order batsman to reach that milestone for Notts since Mark Wagh in 2008 – but having reached tea on 54-0, Hales then threw his wicket away on 49 attempting to hit Monty Panesar over the top, only to find Ed Joyce at mid-on.Left-handers Turner and Darren Bravo found the going tough against the England spinner, but a drive through midwicket did see Turner reach 50 – and the 23-year-old will hope to add to his score on day three as he pursues a contract for next season.

Deep into this series, if these two teams are level and the injury list gets too long, we could have just Stuart Broad go against Rahul Dravid, and it would be a contest just as engrossing

The Report by Sidharth Monga30-Jul-2011
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were outRahul Dravid scored his third century in five Tests, all in tough conditions, all after his 38th birthday•AFPSmart stats

Stuart Broad’s hat-trick is the first by a bowler at Trent Bridge and the fifth by an England bowler since 1990. It is also the first Test hat-trick against India.

Rahul Dravid’s 117 is his second century of the series and his 34th in Tests. His century tally brings him joint-fourth on the list of batsmen with most Test centuries.

Broad’s 6 for 46 is his best bowling performance in Tests and his fourth five-wicket haul.

Broad became only the fifth England player to score over fifty and pick up a five-wicket haul in the same match against India. Ian Botham has achieved the feat on two occasions.

The 21 runs added by India for the last five wickets is the fourth-lowest aggregate runs for the last five wickets in Tests against England.

The 128-run stand between Dravid and Yuvraj Singh is the third-highest for the fifth wicket for India in Tests in England.

VVS Laxman averages 96.55 in the second Tests of series since January 2009 with two centuries and seven fifties.

The 93-run stand between Laxman and Dravid was their eighth fifty stand in the last 21 times they have batted together. Their last century stand came in the Sydney Test in January 2008.

Yuvraj’s 62 is only his second fifty outside the subcontinent. Outside Asia, he has now scored 345 runs at an average of 20.29.

Deep into this series, if these two teams are level and if the injury list gets too long, we could have just Stuart Broad go against Rahul Dravid, and it would be a contest just as engrossing. On the second day of the Test, Dravid showed impeccable discipline, courage and skill in scoring his third century in the last five Tests before Broad brought England sensationally back, with a hat-trick and a spell that read 5.1-2-5-5 to keep India’s lead to just 67. Dravid’s support cast was stronger on the day, though: VVS Laxman charmed 54, Yuvraj Singh timed 62, and Ishant Sharma removed Alastair Cook before stumps to leave India ahead. For how long, though, is difficult to say in this Test with massive swings of fortune.While there was much for both sides to be pleased about, there were major concerns too. England had trouble with injuries: Graeme Swann, who took a blow on the left hand while batting, remained ineffective after he came on to bowl in the 56th over, and Jonathan Trott might not be available to bat after he hurt his shoulder while fielding. India, on the other hand, lost wickets in two clusters: the first three for 46, the last six for 21.All that with sun out, which made the conditions a touch easier, but it was hardly what batsmen would queue up to get a chance at. Two batsmen, though, the grand old men of Indian cricket, love exactly such challenges. And if injuries have put them in unusual batting positions, it becomes twice the fun. Dravid and Laxman came together when Abhinav Mukund fell first ball of the innings yesterday, survived the torturous last hour, and then played some blissful cricket in the morning, adding 69 in the first hour and a half, 56 of those in boundaries.Their partnership was much more crucial and beautiful than the 93 runs might suggest. India’s batting order was in disarray, they were coming off a disaster at Lord’s, and the conditions were demanding. The two responded with positive yet tight cricket. Laxman played some gorgeous drives and mere pushes for fours through the off side, and Dravid exploited the vacant third man region. Laxman kept on pulling; it mattered little that the same shot resulted in his crucial dismissal in the second innings at Lord’s. Dravid kept on leaving outswingers even marginally outside off, making sure he didn’t repeat his crucial Lord’s dismissal.Both James Anderson and Broad swung the ball either way. However, the India batsmen, unlike yesterday, were not going to let them bowl where they wanted. The two hit four consecutive boundaries in the second and third over of the day; those 16 runs in four balls followed 24 off the first 100 legal deliveries of the innings.The next hour was a masterclass, from Laxman in timing and placement, and from Dravid in holding one end up. Singles weren’t bothered about. The first time they changed ends was in the 12th over of the day, when Laxman flicked one straight to fine leg. Only Anderson came close to getting a wicket, but the Hot Spot didn’t register an edge off an outswinger.The scoring-rate and the mesmerising stroke-play might have created an impression that the bowlers were not in the game had the England quicks not kept asking questions with the occasional inswinger or the extra bounce. The bat kept coming down in time for the inswingers, and although one of the short ones hit Dravid on the wrist, the two negotiated the bounce well. They had built a solid base for India before Tim Bresnan bowled the perfect outswinger to send Laxman back for 54.Dravid, having popped a painkiller after the blow to the wrist, kept up the vigil. England showed they would keep fighting as they took out Sachin Tendulkar and Suresh Raina to turn 93 for 1 into 139 for 4. Dravid, despite all the funny bounce, movement and momentary physical discomfort, stood resolute at 51 then. It was a clever effort. Out of those 51, 40 came in boundaries, fully utilising the attacking fields.If it’s the third session, it’s got to be Stuart Broad•Associated PressIn a crucial spell for the match and for Yuvraj’s career, Kevin Pietersen dropped Yuvraj on four. Unlike at Lord’s India made England pay for that drop with a 128-run partnership, the biggest of the match. Apart from that drop, Yuvraj was authoritative and opportunistic against every loose delivery, especially against spin – 41 of his 62 came against Swann and Pietersen. For Dravid, the fields finally fell back, and he started working the singles. As the new ball approached, Dravid reached his third century past the age of 38, and India attained the lead.Already in arrears, with six wickets to take, England needed some magic. A first-ever hat-trick against India would surely qualify as magic? Who else to turn to, then, if not Broad? He began with Yuvraj’s wicket in the sixth over with the new ball. The ball both seamed away and kicked at him. In his next over, he drew one loose shot from MS Dhoni. Harbhajan Singh hit the leather off the next ball, but was given lbw, which reiterated what a stupid deal his board had brokered in the ICC meeting. Of course Harbhajan wasn’t allowed a review.On the hat-trick, Broad bowled the perfect delivery for Praveen Kumar, who doesn’t like getting behind the line of the ball. Through the bat-pad gap it rattled the off and middle stumps, kicking off Broad’s much-deserved gun-slinging celebrations straight from a Western. Dravid, helpless at the other end, now looked for quick runs and upper-cut straight to third man.Fifteen entertaining runs later, Ian Bell ended the Indian innings with a special short-leg catch. India took a quick wicket to pull some of the momentum back. Over all, India, who pride themselves on making comebacks, were up against a side matching them on that count. Promising days lay ahead.

Graham Manou made an unbeaten 79 to keep South Australia on target for a competitive first innings at the Adelaide Oval, amid reports that his future with the Redbacks is in doubt

ESPNcricinfo staff10-Mar-2011
ScorecardGraham Manou was unbeaten on 79 at stumps on day one•Getty Images

Graham Manou made an unbeaten 79 to keep South Australia on target for a competitive first innings at the Adelaide Oval, amid reports that his future with the Redbacks is in doubt. Manou was still at the crease at stumps with the debutant Chadd Sayers on 14, as South Australia reached 6 for 255 against the top-of-the-table Tasmania.The Tigers have need only first-innings points to secure a home Sheffield Shield final against New South Wales, and when the Redbacks were 2 for 39 Tasmania seemed on target for their goal. But Daniel Harris (65) helped rebuild the innings with Tom Moffat, who made 36, before Manou continued the effort.And with the former Victoria assistant coach Darren Berry having signed on as the new South Australia coach, there is speculation that Manou’s days could be numbered. Reports have suggested that the former Victoria wicketkeeper Adam Crosthwaite, who was bumped aside when Matthew Wade took the gloves with the Bushrangers, might be recruited under Berry.”The way I’m going at the moment, I’d like to play forever,” Manou told AAP after the first day. “I’m still feeling like I’m playing really well.”

MatériaMais Notícias

Depois de conquistar a18ª taça do Catarinense, no último domingo, contra a Chapecoense, o Figueirense volta as atenções para a Série B do Brasileiro. Opresidente do Furacão,Cláudio Vernalha, enfatizou mais uma vez que a prioridade do clube é a manutenção do elenco para o resto da temporada.

– A ideia é fazer uma manutenção do time, dentro das possibilidades. A ideia é manter esse time, deixar jogar junto mais tempo. A própria Chapecoense vem jogando com esse grupo faz tempo e a gente vê que existe um entrosamento. Estamos com o time montado há pouco tempo, alguns jogadores ficaram, o que nos deu uma base, mas acho que durante o ano é melhorar cada vez. A tendência é que eles se entendam melhor em campo – disse o mandatário.

O dirigente também falou sobre a chegada de reforços. Cláudio Vernalha afirmou que além da vinda de Daniel Costa e Índio, o volante Matheus Sales, ex-América-MG, é aguardado no clube para assinar contrato.

– Temos jogadores de peso, não sei se precisa de um jogador de nome. Precisamos de bons jogadores, a verdade é essa. Que não atrapalhe o trabalho que tem sido feito, que seja bom dentro do vestiário. Daniel Costa já está treinando desde segunda-feira, o Índio se reapresenta amanhã, estava no Tubarão. Deve ter uma peça ou outra, o Matheus Sales ainda não tem nada assinado, não posso dizer que ele faz parte do elenco ainda. Seria excelente a vida dele, é um excelente jogador, gostaria muito de contar com ele, mas só digo que é nosso quando tiver assinado – comentou o presidente do Furacão.

Cláudio Vernalha descartou o retorno domeia André Santos. O jogador foi revelado no Figueirense e está atualmente no Boluspor, da Turquia.

– Conversamos bastante, ele recebe um salário diferenciado lá fora. Ele joga de meia hoje, uma posição que temos bons jogadores, não estou fechando a porta, ele é uma excelente pessoa, mas nesse momento entendemos que não é para vinda dele. Quem sabe para o final do ano, mas agora não é o momento – ressaltou o mandatário.

O próximo desafio do Furacão é na sexta-feira, no Orlando Scarpelli. O time faz sua estreia na Série B do Brasileiro, contra o Juventude.

Wolves are prioritising the signing of a striker this summer and see Reims’ Hugo Ekitike as an option.

What’s the word?

That is according to John Percy’s latest report via The Telegraph, who states the Wolves are scouting Ekitike but face serious competition to sign him.

Newcastle United had a £25m bid rejected for the 19-year-old as recent as the January transfer window.

Though Wolves are indeed prioritising the signing of a goalscorer, with Lage expressing his frustration after Sunday’s 1-0 defeat to Burnley: “We have to continue to work hard, but the average of goals. We are not scoring goals and the frustration comes from that.”

The next Mbappe

According to Percy’s latest report: “Lage has been given the green light to sign a young striker ahead of next season.”

As a result, that gives Lage the licence to sign the man dubbed as “the next Mbappe” according to journalist Graeme Bailey on Twitter.

Ekitike has enjoyed a fruitful breakthrough season in Ligue 1, having scored an impressive nine goals whilst chipping in with three assists – despite only featuring as a starter for Reims in just 41% of their games this term.

His nine goals rank him as Reims’ top scorer, having also bagged more times than a certain Lionel Messi in Ligue 1 this year.

Though, the real comparison we should be making is the one between the new Mbappe and Raul Jimenez, with the latter failing to reach the heights he has previously achieved.

The Mexican has played eight more games than Ekitike at the time of writing and has three assists.

Ekitike would offer Wolves a totally different avenue in attack too, with his mobility and ability with the ball perhaps the biggest contrast between the pair.

The 19-year-old is happy to generate his own chances with his average of 30 carries per 90 demonstrating his prowess as a ball progressor.

Wolves are right to be tracking the young Frenchman and Lage would surely be pulling off a masterclass if he could beat some of Europe’s biggest outfits to his signature.

In other news: Wolves now plot bid for “exceptional” 96-goal machine, he’s far better than Trincao…

Kumar Sangakkara has rated the series win over Australia as the best of his captaincy, but said his team must avoid lapses like the one at the Gabba if it is to be the best in the world

Peter English at the Gabba07-Nov-2010

Kumar Sangakkara has rated the series win over Australia as the best of his captaincy, but said his team must avoid lapses like the one at the Gabba if it is to be the best in the world. Sri Lanka followed their Twenty20 victory last week with two wins to claim the ODI trophy, but stumbled to an eight-wicket defeat in Sunday’s dead rubber.After their batting was so strong over the rest of the tour, the tourists were knocked over for 115 in only 32 overs to end their chances of a clean sweep. “The real thing about today is we know we’re a good team, but if we want to be the best, things like this can’t really happen,” Sangakkara said. “We are on our way to where we want to go, but we’ve got fine-tuning to do.”Sangakkara, who took over from Mahela Jayawardene in 2009, led the side to their first series victory in Australia and said the result was “definitely” the best result of his captaincy. “We had a couple of targets, one was to try and beat India in India, which we couldn’t do, and the other was to try to beat Australia in Australia. We managed to do that and it’s a great team effort and we are very happy.”Sri Lanka now return home to prepare for a three-Test series against West Indies starting on November 15. “Sometimes it’s a good thing [not having much time between games], when you’re in form and in rhythm,” Sangakkara said. “Sometimes it’s important to keep playing, and winning games.”

Ernest Hilaire, chief executive of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), believes that major changes will have to be made to the management structure of Caribbean cricket in order to deal with the challenges posed by the modern-day game, not least the growing tendency for the region’s top players to turn down central contracts in favour of lucrative deals in Twenty20 tournaments such as the Indian Premier League.Consulting firm Deloitte Touche Tomhatsu has been commissioned by the board to compile a study of cricket’s changing landscape, and Hilaire believes that their findings will have to be taken seriously by the region’s administrators. “Once that exercise is complete, you will see some fundamental changes to how West Indies cricket is managed,” Hilaire told ESPNcricinfo. “Anyone who thinks we don’t have to change are just fooling themselves.”Hilaire said the board had asked the three players who have turned down their central contracts for next season – Dwayne Bravo, Kieron Pollard and captain Chris Gayle – how to ensure such a situation does not arise again in the future.”Two of them have said they are willing to share with us how this matter can be dealt with,” Hilaire said. All three of them will be considered for selection for West Indies and the board will assume that they are available to tour at that time.Bravo and Pollard, followed by Gayle, turned down the one-year central contracts offered by the WICB last month. The contracts require the players to make themselves available for the West Indies team at all times, something the three players – all of whom have forged prominent careers in domestic Twenty20 competitions including the IPL – were reluctant to do.”I don’t know that we should necessarily condemn them or chastise them [for doing so],” Hilaire said. “I don’t think it is the right decision and I will tell them that.”Under the current rules of international cricket, those who want to play in overseas competitions, such as the Big Bash in Australia or the lucrative IPL, must get clearance to do so from their national board. Hilaire said the WICB has not received any requests from any players so far but the board is re-evaluating its liberal policy of issuing NOCs.”We need to be a little more circumspect. It is not ideal to allow somebody to turn up just before a Test match. It doesn’t make sense, but we did it. On the eve of a major series, we can’t have key players exposed to exhaustion or injury.”We want to know that when we are selecting players, there are some assurances that they will participate in preparatory activities and be at the standard that we need.”Gayle arrived in England two days before the first Test at Lord’s in May 2009, two days after his scheduled arrival. He was granted two further days so that he could squeeze in one more IPL match with the Kolkata Knight Riders .”We are not against players trying to maximise their earnings,” Hilaire said. “You should go out and earn money. You are a professional sportsperson. But there are other interests and we have to figure out how best to protect all the interests involved.” He admitted that it is unlikely everyone will be completely happy but believes it is possible to come up with a framework that can satisfy all the stakeholders in West Indies cricket.Hilaire said the board has not had any discussion on whether Gayle should be replaced as captain. The West Indies selection committee will be meeting in Jamaica in a few days and will select a captain and vice-captain for the tour of Sri Lanka.”The selection committee is empowered to pick a captain and should do so. We [the WICB board of directors] can only hold a discussion after we receive a recommendation.”Hilaire reiterated that the board is committed to the rejuvenation of West Indies cricket and is encouraged that 22 of the 25 players offered central contracts have signed them. “We have a new generation that are eager to play for West Indies on the international stage. They understand the importance of playing for the West Indies and it is an opening for us to build on that.”He said the board was focused on specific activities and programs geared at getting players ready for international cricket, as well working on broadening the base by facilitating more youngsters to take up the game. “There is competition from other sports more now than ever before. Post 15 [years of age] we should not lose players to basketball, football, tennis and swimming. If you don’t have programs, they will go into other sports that do offer programs.”The WICB also wants to improve its relationship with West Indies Players’ Association (WIPA), as the two organisations have to work together, but Hilaire said the relationship is “still a work in progress,” and that there will always be moments where the board and WIPA do not agree. However, the important thing, according to him, is that everyone agrees “that some direct and aggressive intervention is needed” to turn West Indies cricket around.

A Jim Allenby half-century and 4 for 33 from Dean Cosker helped Glamorgan towards only their second Clydesdale Bank 40 victory of the season with a three wicket success over Sussex at Swansea. The defeat is a setback to Sussex’s chances of reaching the competition semi-finals and was not the best way to warm up for Monday’s Friends Provident t20 clash against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge.Alex Hales returned to haunt Durham by smashing an unbeaten 96 in Nottinghamshire’s five-wicket Clydesdale Bank 40 triumph at Chester-le-Street. On his last visit to the ground, 21-year-old Hales held a controversial boundary catch which turned a Twenty20 match in his side’s favour. He insisted the catch was clean and Dale Benkenstein, who was on 40, took his word for it when a six had been signalled.Ravi Bopara put his England snub behind him by hitting a superb half-century as the Essex cruised to a nine-wicket Clydesdale Bank 40 victory over the Northamptonshire at Wantage Road. Young opening batsman Rob Newton blasted his first half-century in senior cricket, making 66 off 78 balls, but some indifferent batting from his team-mates meant the Steelbacks could only reach 198 for 9 off their 40 overs.Veteran seamer and Hampshire captain Dominic Cork held his nerve in a last-ball finish in Canterbury to clinch a tense two-run win over Group C rivals Kent. Chasing Hampshire’s par-for-the-course 40-over total of 238 for 7 on a tricky St Lawrence pitch, Kent needed 13 off Cork’s final over of the game with six wickets still intact. Home opener Joe Denly chipped a single from the first ball to reach a 107-ball century – the first by a Kent player in this year’s competition – but it was Cork who kept his cool.Mike O’Shea hit 90 to help the Unicorns pull off a shock three-wicket victory over stunned Worcestershire in a thrilling match at Kidderminster. Needing 278 to win, they reached their target with two balls to spare. O’Shea was the hero with his best one-day score which included five sixes and seven fours off 62 balls. He put on 115 in 13.3 overs for the fourth wicket with Keith Parsons who made 47 to leave embarrassed Worcestershire still searching for their first Group A win of the season after seven attempts.Ajmal Shahzad marked his selection in the England Test squad with a four-wicket haul as Yorkshire maintained their 100% winning record with an eight-wicket win over Middlesex. The 24-year-old, selected in the 12-man Test squad to face Pakistan on Thursday, took 4 for 34 as Yorkshire coasted to a comfortable victory. Shahzad’s efforts together with a fine unbeaten innings of 86 by Jacques Rudolph means Yorkshire top Group B with five wins from as many games.A Marcus Trescothick cameo helped Somerset maintain their 100% record in this season’s Clydesdale Bank 40 with a crushing 94-run victory over Surrey to stay top of Group A after six matches. Batting first on a magnificent pitch at The Oval, the Sabres posted a massive 303 for five thanks to a whirlwind 69 off 47 balls from Trescothick and a stand of 145 in 19 overs between Zander de Bruyn and James Hildreth – a Somerset record for the fourth wicket in one-day cricket against Surrey.Warwickshire strengthened their grip at the top of the Group C table with a 25-run victory over Leicestershire, despite a brilliant unbeaten century and career-best bowling figures from James Taylor. Warwickshire opener Neil Carter laid the foundations for the Bears’ win with the third limited-overs century of his career, scoring 101 out of their challenging total of 272 for 8.

Having brought in four new senior players during the recent January transfer window, Aston Villa have shown how active they are willing to be in the transfer market to strengthen their side however they can.

Taking that into account, it appears as though the Midlands club have identified one player, that will be familiar to a number of Premier League followers, that they would like to sign during the upcoming summer transfer window.

What’s the news?

According to a recent report from the Daily Star, Villa are readying a summer transfer move for Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi with Steven Gerrard apparently being given £50m to secure his signature.

The midfielder joined the fellow Midlands outfit back in the 2017 January transfer window from Belgian club KRC Genk in a deal worth a reported fee of £15m.

Since then, the 25-year-old has comfortably cemented himself as a crucial figure for the Foxes by racking up a total of 199 appearances across all competitions, chipping in with 10 goals and 11 assists along the way.

Imagine him and McGinn

Labelled as a “unique” player in the past by Foxes boss Brendan Rodgers, Ndidi has managed to earn himself an overall season rating of 6.94 according to WhoScored, making him their third-highest rated player so far in this campaign, highlighting how important he is to their side.

If Villa were to secure the Nigerian’s signature in the summer, he would surely help Gerrard’s side fix up defensively given how he’s racked up more tackles per game (3.3) than any other Leicester player so far this season.

With that in mind and the fact that current Villa midfielder John McGinn has managed to rack up a similar figure of tackles per game (3.1) this season in the league, having those two players in the same side could be just what the Villans need to strengthen defensively having conceded nine goals in their six previous league games.

Moving forward, Villa should definitely try their best to sign Ndidi, who is currently valued at £54m according to Transfermarkt, this summer to add some strength to their midfield having missed out on January transfer moves for Rodrigo Bentancur and Yves Bissouma.

A defensive midfield department of McGinn and Ndidi is an attractive prospect for Gerrard’s system at Villa Park, especially as it would allow the Scotsman to drive forward a little more again.

In other news: “Could be huge”: Preece drops mouthwatering Villa transfer claim, fans will be buzzing – opinion

A key update has emerged on Rangers striker Kemar Roofe and his availability for Gio van Bronckhorst at the Ibrox giants in the coming weeks…

What’s the latest?

Jamaica boss Paul Hall has revealed that the player told him that he did not want to be selected to represent his country next month.

He told the Daily Record: “Kemar would have been one of the first names on my list. However, Kemar had indicated that he needs to fully recover from his last injury. Hence his absence from the squad.”

Buzzing

Rangers fans will surely be buzzing by this news as it comes as a major boost for van Bronckhorst ahead of games against Livingston, Ross County and Celtic.

He would have missed key games for the club if he had been called up by his country, which is why supporters will be delighted with his decision to remain in Glasgow instead of heading out on international duty.

Roofe made a comeback from injury against Stirling Albion on Friday and could be closing in on a return to full fitness as Rangers prepare to clash with Celtic next month. This shows that he has not rejected Jamaica because he is not able to play at all and has, instead, turned them down to continue playing for Rangers whilst also managing his knock at the same time.

Supporters will be delighted with this as it shows a determination from the player to do his best for the Gers, as he has put his club above his country in this instance. They will be particularly pleased with his decision as he is a proven Premiership performer who has been superb since arriving in Glasgow.

So far this season, Roofe has scored six goals in six starts for the club in the league. Last term, he managed 14 goals and three assists in 18 Premiership starts, which means that he has directly contributed to 23 goals in just 24 starts for Rangers domestically.

This highlights how big of a player he can be for van Bronckhorst and why having him available for crucial matches next month is a major boost for the Dutch head coach. Fans will want to see him in the squad, whether that is from the start or off the bench, as he has the potential to make an impact on the pitch and win games for the Scottish giants.

AND in other news, Rangers could finally axe “really poor” lightweight by landing £2.8m-rated playmaker…