South Africa set for one-day Caribbean carnival

“It’s all part of the game these days,” South African captain Shaun Pollockreflected as he answered questions on the rapid turnaround – in attitude andfocus – required of his players as they turn from test match cricket to one-day internationals

Marcus Prior27-Apr-2001″It’s all part of the game these days,” South African captain Shaun Pollockreflected as he answered questions on the rapid turnaround – in attitude andfocus – required of his players as they turn from test match cricket to one-day internationals within the space of just three days.It is a philosophical approach which will serve the South Africans well as they prepare for seven matches on six seperate islands against the West Indies over the next three weeks. It has already been close to two months since the bulk of the touring party set off for the Caribbean, and although new arrival Jonty Rhodes buzzes about like a bee in a honeypot, South Africa’s ability to raise their game and stir themselves for battle as home backons will be crucial to their chances in the series.”It’s actually quite enjoyable to be on a tour now,” Rhodes said as the players relaxed at a sponsor’s function on Thursday night. “The guys are already talking about going home and I’ve just arrived, so I’ve got to be careful that I’m not too enthusiastic when I know the guys have been here for a long time. I’ve got to try and temper my enthusiasm a bit so I don’t start irritating them with my over-zestfulness!”After their victory in the test series and with their recent one-day record (one defeat in twelve matches) South Africa will start the series as favourites. They will bat down to number nine at least, probably to ten. Their bowling options will be plentiful and all of quality. And since readmission they have looked to set the standard in the field.Encouragingly too, Lance Klusener is beginning to suggest that his rhythm and timing are on their way back after a miserable time with the bat in the Test series. His unbeaten 42 in the six-wicket defeat of Jamaica in a warm-up game on Wednesday was ominous in its power and efficiency.Another stand-out performer in that match and a name which is almost certain to be heard a great deal more in future is 21-year-old Justin Ontong. The all-rounder from the small and unpretentious Boland province north of Cape Town is certain to see game-time in the series and after his 2-38 from ten overs and a positive 12 not out – including a straight driven six to win the match – as South Africa chased a low total, he may even be drafted straight into the starting eleven for his first cap at Sabina Park on Saturday.Ontong is a genuine all-rounder. He recently scored his maiden first-class century in South African domestic competition, bowls a Tendulkar-esque mixed bag of leg-breaks and off-spin and as you would expect from a young South African, is a dynamo in the field. He is young and inexperienced, but exactly the kind of player South Africa would like to see established in the side by the time of the 2003 World Cup.Whether he does get the nod or not will depend to a large degree on what spin options the South African selectors want to take into the first game. Paul Adams has been kept on tour after both Nicky Boje and his replacement Goolam Bodi were sidelined by injury, but he is not considered a one-day specialist.Klusener has also been described as “our version of a spinner” by captain Shaun Pollock, although the fact that he bowled off his full run-up and gained substantantial movement through the air against the Jamaicans (he took 5-23 from ten overs) would suggest he will not be asked to bowl his off-cutters.Despite his poor run with the bat, opener Gary Kirsten is still too important a member of the one-day team to lose out quite yet, but the claims of Boeta Dippenaar will be hard to ignore if the left-hander fails to find some runs early in the series. Otherwise, the top six should have a familiar look to it.The team below would leave Justin Kemp, Makhaya Ntini and Andre Nel onthe outside looking in as well. Any side which can afford to leave out thatkind of talent is going to be hard to beat.South Africa (possible): Gary Kirsten, Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, Jonty Rhodes, Neil McKenzie, Lance Klusener, Mark Boucher, Shaun Pollock, Justin Ontong, Roger Telemachus, Allan Donald.

Wolves fans on Patricio transfer update

Some Wolves fans have been left to fume as a transfer update emerged on Rui Patricio.

As per Calciomercato, Jose Mourinho wants to bring an experienced goalkeeper with him to AS Roma, and at 33 years of age and a full Portugal international, Patricio fits that mould.

He has been named as one of the ‘keepers that the Serie A club may target in the summer window, and could well be available for as little as €8-10m (£6.9-£8.6m).

This has not been deemed to be enough in the eyes of some members of the Molineux faithful for a regular starter, who has not missed a single minute in the Premier League so far in the 2020/21 term (Transfermarkt).

Nonetheless, without a suitable replacement lined up, it would be silly for the Midlands club to let go of one of their key players for such a small fee.

Wolves fans on Patricio transfer update

These WWFC supporters fumed as the update was shared on Twitter, with one fan even going as far as to claim that the reported price was a ‘joke’:

“What you gonna do with the £10m? If you can’t use it to replace with someone better than Patricio then it’s bad business”

Credit: @dancarrington11

“No no, we’re not allowing this”

Credit: @LBradders

“Excuse me”

Credit: @NetoProp

“I beg your pardon”

Credit: @Suan3J

“PLEASE NO PLEASE NO I WILL BE DEPRESSED IF HE LEAVES”

Credit: @WWFCAdam_

“Nah that’s a joke price”Credit: @PlayA4231In other news, find out what Tim Spiers update has left Wanderers raging here!

Celtic set to miss out on Milan van Ewijk

Celtic’s pursuit of Eddie Howe is finally reaching a conclusion, according to fresh reports.

It has been nearly three months since Neil Lennon left the Hoops behind but at long last, it looks like the top brass at Parkhead have found a resolution.

With that in mind, the Bhoys can finally begin planning for next season.

What’s the word?

Celtic’s transfer plans have been in disarray because of the manager situation, something that’s hardly ideal considering some of their top players have been linked with the exit door.

However, in terms of arrivals, Howe has already been dealt a blow before he’s even walked through the door.

Earlier this year it was reported that Celtic were in the hunt to sign ADO Den Haag right-back Milan van Ewijk.

Unfortunately, the Bhoys are to lose out on the defender with new claims stipulating he’ll be moving elsewhere.

Dutch outlet AD claim that fellow Eredivisie side Heerenveen have won the race to sign him.

A deal will come cheap too with a bid of €600,000 being accepted (£516,000).

Managerial mess

This whole situation is likely to leave Celtic’s incoming chief executive officer, Dominic McKay, absolutely fuming.

He is yet to formally take up that position but he has already begun his work behind the scenes at Parkhead.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-celtic-manager-and-transfer-news-howe-favre-mcgregor-mccann-tierney” title=”Read the latest Celtic manager and transfer news!”]

It’s unlikely he will have been left too impressed by his opening few weeks in Glasgow, especially with transfer targets now starting to pass them by.

If Celtic already had a new manager in place they’d be able to be active in the transfer window, pondering options to bolster the squad.

Unfortunately, until a new boss has walked through the door, they won’t be able to sanction any transfers.

Stephen Welsh signed a new contract without Howe or a new manager present but signing a completely new player is a whole different ball game.

Van Ewijk would have been a superb acquisition too.

A touch-tackling defender, he’d have been an undoubted upgrade on Jonjoe Kenny at right-back.

The Everton loanee has been a liability from a defensive point of view and has been at fault for countless goals in Celtic’s matches with Rangers in recent months.

Van Ewijk, on the other hand, is mightily consistent in the defensive third.

Throughout the current campaign the 21-year-old has won 109 tackles at an incredible rate of 3.4 per game. That makes him the most prolific tackler in the entire Dutch top-flight with ten more successful challenges than anybody else.

For context, the highest number of tackles by a Celtic player this season is Ryan Christie with 54. The Bhoys do a lot less defending due to their league position but that is quite an alarming statistic.

The young Dutch full-back would have offered plenty to Paradise if the Hoops could have secured a move. They cannot afford to miss out on more players like this; a new manager must arrive as soon as possible.

AND in other news, Forget Turnbull: Celtic liability who took 126 touches was their unsung hero on Weds…

Ashes in England: Australia on top in last three

Ashes in England: Last three series preview

Arshad Chughtai23-May-2001Australia dominated England in their last three trips. They won1989 Ashes series (4-0), 1993 series (4-1) and1997 series (3-2).Brief highlights of the last three Ashes series played in England:1989
Allan Border-led Australia convincingly won the six Test rubber 4-0. Steve Waugh topped the batting averages by scoring 506 runs (avg 126.50) with the help of two hundreds and one fifty. He notched up unbeaten hundreds, 152 not out at Lord’s and 177 not out at Leeds. Dean Jones also scored two centuries in the series – 157 and 122. Mark Taylor scored 136 at Leeds. Terry Alderman claimed 41 wickets (avg 17.36), the highest by an Australian in a test series. Geoff Lawson followed with 29 wickets (avg 27.27) and Merv Hughes with 19 wickets (avg 32.36).For England Robin Smith was the most successful batsman with series aggregate of 553 runs (avg 61.44). Skipper David Gower’s contribution in the series was 383 runs (avg 34.81). He scored 106 at Lord’s. Allan Lamb scored 125 at Leeds. Neil Foster claimed 12 wickets (at 35.08) and Angus Fraser took 9 wickets (at 9.40).1993
Shane Warne bowled Mike Gatting with the ball of the century and that set the tone for this series. According to some, Warne’s delivery has become more famous in the Ashes archives than Eric Hollies’ googly that got rid of Don Bradman for a second ball duck in his final innings.
They won the first test match at Manchester by 179 runs, second at Lord’s by an innings and 62 runs, fourth at Leeds by an innings and 148 runs and the fifth at Birmingham by 8 wickets. The third test at Nottingham was drawn. England won the sixth and final test at the Oval by 161 runs. Australia won the series 4-1. Allan Border led Australia and Graham Gooch captained England.Steve Waugh once again topped batting averages (83.20). Six of their batsmen aggregated over 400 runs in the series. David Boon scored 555 runs (avg 69.37) in the series with three centuries and a 93. Michael Slater scored his maiden test hundred in the second test at Lord’s 152 (263 balls) in seven minutes shy of five hours. Ian Healy also made his maiden century (102no) in the first test at Manchester. He was brilliant behind the stumps too with 26 dismissals including five stumpings. Shane Warne’s bowling mesmerized the England batsmen and was something to treasure. Merv Hughes also troubled the English batsmen with his pace and aggression.1997
Mark Taylor led the Australian team on the last trip in 1997 while Mike Atherton led England. Australia won the series 3-2. England won the first test at Birmingham by 9 wickets and the final test at the Oval by 19 runs. The second test match at Lords was drawn. Australia won three successive Tests at Manchester (by 268 runs), at Leeds (by an innings and 61 runs) and at Nottingham (by 264 runs). Glen McGrath and Graham Thorpe were the men of the series for the two teams. Nasser Hussain scored a double century (207) and a century (105) in the series. Steve Waugh scored a hundred in each innings (108 and 116) at Manchester. Graham Thorpe scored 138 and Mark Taylor 129 at Birmingham. McGrath claimed 8 for 38 to dismiss England for one of their lowest totals of 77 in the first innings at Lord’s. Matthew Elliott scored 112 for Australia in that match.Shane Warne claimed 6 for 48 in the first innings at Manchester. At Leeds, man of the match, Jason Gillespie, claimed 7 for 37 in the first innings. Matthew Elliott scored 199 and Ricky Ponting 127 for the tourists. Ian Healy scored 63 and 16 and took seven catches at Nottingham. In the low scoring sixth Test at the Oval, Phil Tufnell claimed 7 for 66 and 4 for 27 in the two innings to guide England to a 19-run win. McGrath claimed 7 for 76 in the first and Michael Kasprowicz took 7 for 36 in the second innings, two noteworthy performances for the visitors in the match.

Flower brothers lead Zimbabwe fightback

Zimbabwe enjoyed much the best day of the First Test against India atthe Queen’s Sports Club in Bulawayo, batting throughout the third dayto finish on 303 for seven

John Ward09-Jun-2001Zimbabwe enjoyed much the best day of the First Test against India atthe Queen’s Sports Club in Bulawayo, batting throughout the third dayto finish on 303 for seven. The main contributors, as so often forZimbabwe, were the Flower brothers, Andy and Grant, who both scoreddetermined fifties, as did Stuart Carlisle.Night-watchman Brian Murphy did not last long into the morningsession, out to a fine diving catch by Shiv Sunder Das at short legfor his overnight 10 off Zahir Khan, who had just received his secondwarning for running on the danger area of the pitch. Ashish Nehra,another left-armer, bowling over the wicket, was also to receive asecond warning later.Carlisle, although beaten occasionally, played some good strokes,especially drives and cuts, and it was a fine drive through extracover that brought him his fourth Test fifty. His highest is 58, andonce again he failed to reach 60. When 52, he played back loosely toNehra and was caught at second slip. Zimbabwe were still 21 behindwith half their wickets gone.Once again the Flower brothers were together with almost everythingdepending on them. Andy Flower was playing far more typically than hedid in the first innings, choosing his deliveries carefully andwaiting for the bad ball to put it away unerringly. At lunch Zimbabwewere 143 for five, still two runs in arrears.A reverse sweep for four by Andy Flower off Harbhajan Singh in thelatter’s first over after lunch took Zimbabwe into the lead. It wasnot long before a similar stroke brought up his ninth fifty in tenTest innings. It was the ninth time in 12 Test innings against Indiathat Andy has passed 50. Only once have India been able to dismiss himfor less (when he made 30) as on the other two occasions he was notout.India strove in vain to break the fraternal partnership until thesecond new ball was due in the last over before tea. Once again thebrothers proved how they have been the backbone of Zimbabwe’s battingduring the country’s nine-year Test history. At the interval Zimbabwewere 230 for five, 85 runs ahead.Andy Flower disappointed in the first over after tea. He slashed atNehra and the thick edge just cleared the slips and went to theboundary. Off the very next ball, he failed to profit from the warningand sliced a hard catch into the slips where Sadagoppan Ramesh took itvery well. He scored 83, another fine innings, but must have beendisappointed to give his wicket away through the basic error offailing to play himself in again after an interval, and immediatelyafter receiving a warning the previous ball. He also missed the chanceof recording his tenth Test century. The brothers had put on 101 runstogether, and neutralized the threat of Harbhajan very effectively.Heath Streak almost immediately had the benefit of a very close lbwappeal against Nehra, but survived to fight again. Grant Flowerreached his fifty, a fine effort after some trouble early on. Streak(14) played inside a ball from Zahir Khan to be out lbw; at thispoint, with only the inexperienced Andy Blignaut and two tail-endersto partner Flower, Zimbabwe were only 128 ahead.Shortly afterwards umpire Harper bit the bullet and removed Nehra fromthe attack, after two previous warnings from umpire Tiffin at theother end for persistently running on the danger area of the pitch.Blignaut, initially very nervous, gradually settled in and gaveoccasional evidence of the powerful hits for which he is renowned indomestic cricket. Flower seemed to go into his shell, playing for theclose, which ended due to bad light `only’ 30 minutes after thescheduled close with two overs unbowled. Flower had 67 and Blignaut11.

Rangers fans on Graham Spiers’ post

Many Rangers fans have been left to fume as Graham Spiers tweeted about ‘The Rangers problem’.

The Scottish sports journalist tweeted that the Glasgow club have been ‘trashed’ by various forms of media after footage emerged of the celebrations following their title win, calling it an ’embarrassment’.

Thousands of the Ibrox faithful took to the streets to celebrate after they were handed the trophy, with a minority causing trouble, as 20 people were arrested (firstpost.com).

Due to the current situation with the global pandemic, there were certainly some causes for concern, but Spiers has suggested that these acts of over-celebrating and violence in some cases are just a problem for the Gers, as if other Scottish clubs or events in the city have not caused the same kind of reaction.

Unsurprisingly then, his post did not go down well at all with several RFC supporters.

Rangers fans on Spiers’ post

These Rangers fans flocked to the post on Twitter to voice their fume:

“”The Rangers problem”. My word. I suppose for people like yourself, Graham, it’s easier to blame a club who turned you down rather than society as a whole. Much easier to point the finger, eh?”

Credit: @crmpicco

“You’re part of the problem”

Credit: @blupac82

“And here lies the reason you are not welcome at Ibrox mate.”

Credit: @torrygillick

“Hater”

Credit: @Magtruss

“Go away please”

Credit: @GayleAtkinson11

“Is it just a “Rangers problem” Graham?”

Credit: @BryanSpark2

In other news, find out what Helen Martin article gas left Gers livid here!

Partab Ramchand wonders if India can be deemed the favourites for the series against the West Indies

Going by what is being said and written of late, it would appearthat the Indians have been installed as the favourites for thefive-match Test series against the West Indies

Partab Ramchand02-Apr-2002Going by what is being said and written of late, it would appearthat the Indians have been installed as the favourites for thefive-match Test series against the West Indies. From Ajit Wadekarto Erapalli Prasanna and from Vivian Richards to Andy Roberts,besides critics, commentators and fans, opinions have beenexpressed that clearly indicate this. Well, well, that issomething. Who would have thought that India would be handed thefavourites tag for a series away from the sub-continent?


While it is true that the West Indian team of today is but a pale shadow of their all-conquering squad that ruled world cricket roughly from the mid-70s to the mid-90s, it must not be forgotten that the continuous reverses they have suffered have been away from home. In the Caribbean, they are still a force to reckon with as the recent record illustrates.


A major factor that is being perceived to be in favour of theIndians is the weakness of the opposition. Richards, a formercaptain and coach, has made it clear that the West Indian team’sfortunes are at an all-time low. “The player pool is not as bigas it used to be,” he has lamented.Roberts, a former fast bowling great, has also said that Indiastood a better chance than any other team touring the West Indiesin the last few years. "Cricket in the West Indies is not what itused to be,” Roberts has conceded. However, he also struck acautionary note.”But we are improving in the last few months and we always playwell at home like any other team does. Also, we have someyoungsters who have shown a lot of potential to develop intogreat fast bowlers. They are bowling genuinely fast and I am surethey will do well in this series,” Roberts has said.In India, the optimism is more enthusiastic than guarded. “Thisis India’s best chance to beat the West Indies on their homesoil. If we cannot win now, we will never win,” said Wadekar, wholed India to their only series win in the West Indies, a 1-0victory in five-Test series in 1971.”West Indian cricket is in doldrums. Except for Lara, Hooper andChanderpaul, they do not have any reputed international players,”Wadekar has said. He also cited the lack of quality fast bowlersin the West Indian ranks as a reason for being optimistic aboutIndia’s chances. Another factor in the favour of the Indians,according to Wadekar, is the slowness of the pitches.”The wickets in the West Indies are no longer as fast as theyused to be. As such the West Indies are not able to produceworld-class fast bowlers any more,” according to the 61-year-oldformer left-handed batsman.Prasanna, 62 next month, shares Wadekar’s optimism. “India shouldwin because of the West Indies’ overall weakness,” said theformer Test off-spinner, who is one among three Indian cricketersto have toured the West Indies thrice.”I would give India a 65-35 chance. Matches may go the full fivedays, but India will prevail in the end,” he is quoted to havesaid.While it is true that the West Indian team of today is but a paleshadow of their all-conquering squad that ruled world cricketroughly from the mid-70s to the mid-90s, it must not be forgottenthat the continuous reverses they have suffered have been awayfrom home. In the Caribbean, they are still a force to reckonwith as the recent record illustrates.During the last few years, when the slide has been palpable, theWest Indies have defeated New Zealand, India, England, Zimbabwe andPakistan, have shared a series with Australia and have lost only toSouth Africa 2-1 in a five-match series last year. True, whatever thebatting limitations following the retirement of several stalwarts, theyhad the services of the old firm of Ambrose and Walsh in allthese contests, barring the final one when Walsh had to plough alonely furrow after Ambrose had called it a day.Against India even Walsh will be missing, the world-record holderhaving retired as well. The newer breed of fast bowlers areadmittedly nowhere in the class of their predecessors and this isbeing cited as the chief reason why India have been installed asfavourites. It is worth recalling, however, that the main wreckerwhen the Indians last toured the West Indies five years ago wasneither Walsh nor Ambrose and not even that other experiencedcampaigner and much feared fast bowler Ian Bishop but a rookienamed Franklyn Rose who made his debut in that series.This year too, according to reports, the West Indies have onesurprise weapon in a young fast bowler Adam Sanford. The 25-yearold Leeward Islands speedster has been named in the list of 22probables currently going through the rigorous of a training campunder the watchful eyes of the coach, former West Indian offspinner Roger Harper.In any case, whatever the bowling limitations of the West Indies­ and admittedly it is difficult to see the inexperienced line-upscythe through an Indian batting order of Das, Dravid, Tendulkar,Laxman, Ganguly and Mongia ­ the batting credentials of the hometeam cannot be just shrugged off.The return of Brian Lara is one positive factor in the WestIndies’ favour. As the recent series in Sri Lanka proved, Larahas lost none of his class or skill and continues to be a fearedopponent. And a batting line-up that has, besides Lara, the likesof Ridley Jacobs, Carl Hooper, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Daren Ganga,Chris Gayle, Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Wavell Hinds cannot bedismissed lightly.But the most encouraging news from the West Indian viewpoint isthat Gary Sobers is to be closely involved with the team. Thelegendary all-rounder’s inputs, priceless bits of advice and hisvery presence is bound to inspire the young players to greatheights.Ultimately, however, one has to observe India’s record in theCaribbean and wonder how the team could ever be installed asfavourites while the underdogs tag would perhaps be more apt. Inseven Test series’ from 1953 to 1997, India have lost six and wonone. Of 33 Tests, India has won two, lost 14 and drawn 17. It isalso worth pondering over the fact that even in 1997, when theWest Indian decline was clearly marked, they still managed todefeat India. With all this evidence, should India realisticallybe the favourites or the underdogs for the Test series?

West Ham: Soucek stole the show v WBA

A second-half comeback inspired West Ham United to victory as they bolstered their chances of qualifying for Europe by beating West Brom at the Hawthorns.

David Moyes’ side now need just one point in their final match to seal a Europa League berth and their highest league position since 1999.

After Declan Rice missed a penalty in the game’s opening stages, Matheus Pereira soon handed the Baggies the lead but right before the break, the man of the moment – Tomas Soucek – equalised before Angelo Ogbonna and Michail Antonio sealed all three points.

It was simply an outstanding display from the Czech warrior in the heart of the engine room as he dominated the opposition at either end of the pitch.

You can forget about Antonio causing a constant nuisance up top, capping his own performance with an injury-time strike and earning rave reviews from the Evening Standard, as it was Soucek who arguably ran the show on the night.

The 26-year-old beast was graded as the Irons’ best player (8.3), as per SofaScore ratings and it’s easy to see why.

Only one other player for either team managed more than his 70 touches, showing just how big an influence he was in driving the visitors forward, as well as thwarting the home side in their tracks.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-west-ham-news-transfer-rumours-and-the-latest-gossip” title= “Read the latest West Ham news, transfer rumours, gossip and more!”]

Soucek registered double the number of tackles (six) of the next best on the pitch and also chipped in with five clearances, two blocks and two interceptions, via SofaScore – ‘industrious’ would be an understatement.

And that was on top of winning a match-high 15 duels.

But he also contributed further up the pitch, as alluded to by football.london, the midfielder was “an important part of West Ham’s team in both attack and defence.”

The £36m-rated talisman not only notched his tenth goal of the 2020/21 campaign but he also managed to fire off five of their 21 attempts at goal and made 32 passes.

His performance drew glowing praise from the media, with the Daily Star’s Paul Brown claiming he was “immense again.”

Evidently, Soucek was the star of the show up in the Midlands on Wednesday night.

AND in other news, Imagine him & Rice: GSB could form dream West Ham duo by signing £30m “total animal”…

Liverpool want £8m for Taiwo Awoniyi

Liverpool are willing to sell striker Taiwo Awoniyi this summer if they receive an offer of £8m, according to The Athletic’s James Pearce.

The lowdown

The Reds signed Awoniyi from his homeland Nigeria back in 2015 for just under £1m but they have been forced to sanction a succession of loan moves while they waited for him to secure a work permit. His switch to Bundesliga outfit Union Berlin ahead of the 2020/21 campaign was his seventh temporary exit.

Awoniyi finished the campaign as the team’s third highest-scorer with five goals, helping them to a seventh-place finish in the German top flight and qualification for next season’s Europa Conference League.

Mergim Vojvoda, a former team-mate of Awoniyi at Royal Excel Mouscron in Belgium, hailed him as “an excellent player with great qualities”, adding that “Taiwo is a forward who needs to showcase his power”.

Earlier this month, the Nigerian was finally able to obtain his work permit, meaning he could be part of the Liverpool squad next season, while he has two years left on his contract at Anfield.

The latest

Fulham, West Bromwich and Stoke City have ‘already shown interest’ in the 23-year-old, according to Pearce for The Athletic, and he is seen as one of the club’s more valuable assets after impressing in Germany.

Pearce added that the Reds will listen to offers for a whole host of returning loanees, including Harry Wilson, Marko Grujic and Loris Karius.

The verdict

Awoniyi may never have featured for the Reds’ first team, but he could still make an important contribution to Liverpool.

Having sealed the signing of Ibrahima Konate on Friday, The Athletic claimed that further coming incomings will be ‘influenced by how much is generated from player sales’.

An £8m influx is not to be dismissed. It could represent a decent chunk of the fee for a backup forward or a midfielder, while the potential sale of Awoniyi could be similar to how Liverpool yielded big fees for rarely-seen strikers such as Dominic Solanke and Rhian Brewster in the last couple of years.

In other news, could interest from Turkey see this Reds player sold to raise funds?

Hampshire select from 12 for Championship match v Kent

With their Benson & Hedges Cup campaign over, Hampshire return to Frizzell Championship Division 1 action on Wednesday when they meet Kent again, this time at The Rose Bowl.

Vic Isaacs06-May-2002With their Benson & Hedges Cup campaign over, Hampshire return to Frizzell Championship Division 1 action on Wednesday when they meet Kent again, this time at The Rose Bowl.Their injury problems are causing concern, especially amongst the bowlers, Alex Morris is out of the side, Chris Tremlett is also unavailable having suffered a recurrance of the calf muscle injury he sustained in Australia.Robin Smith who missed the B&H match against Middlesex returns to the side, and Giles White who tweaked a hamstring is also likely to be fit.The twelve chosen: Derek Kenway, Will Kendall, John Crawley, Giles White, Robin Smith (captain), Neil Johnson, Nic Pothas (wicket-keeper), Lawrence Prittipaul, Dimitri Mascarenhas, Shaun Udal, James Hamblin and Alan Mullally.

Game
Register
Service
Bonus