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A fresh twist has emerged in Newcastle’s pursuit of a new manager regarding former Magpies coach Rafael Benitez.

What’s the talk?

According to Football Insider, the Tynesiders are yet to give up hope of being able to lure the Spaniard back to the club to lead them to survival this season in the Premier League.

The report claims that PIF have had him as their first choice to replace Steve Bruce since they completed the takeover and that a deal could still be possible despite him joining fellow English outfit Everton in the summer just gone.

Newcastle fans on cloud nine

Newcastle fans will surely be on cloud nine following this update. Some fans reacted to his switch to Goodison Park in the summer and were gutted after he went there instead of returning to St James’ Park. PIF are now trying to rectify the situation and appease those supporters who want him back at the club, despite it initially seeming unlikely due to his position at Everton.

The 61-year-old enjoyed a terrific spell on Tyneside as he managed the club for three-and-a-half years. He came in at the end of Newcastle’s 2015/16 relegation season, only losing three of the final 10 Premier League matches as the damage had been done prior to his arrival.

A Championship-winning campaign was then followed by 10th and 13th-placed finishes in the top flight, with Benitez leaving on good terms in 2019 to join Chinese Super League side DL Yifang. He ended his time at Newcastle with an average of 1.48 points per game across 146 matches.

Bruce replaced him and averaged just 1.15 points per game in 97 matches in charge, with Newcastle finishing 13th and 12th in the top flight in his two full seasons at the helm. The Magpies are currently 19th in the table after the 60-year-old led them to three draws and five defeats in eight games, culminating in his dismissal.

This is why fans would surely be delighted with a return to the club for the Spaniard. Even if it is on a short-term basis to help keep Newcastle in the Premier League before another manager comes in to take them forward under PIF, it could give the fans another season of Rafa to enjoy. However, the owners must now find a way to prise him away from Everton and relieve Graeme Jones of his caretaking duties in the next few weeks.

AND in other news, Contact made: PIF must seal dream Newcastle deal for £45m-rated “phenomenon”…

Brentford striker Ivan Toney has revealed he almost signed for Rangers before making the move to the Bees instead.

The Lowdown: Toney shines at Brentford

Toney made the move to Brentford from Peterborough last year for a fee of £5m, and that is looking like a snip.

After helping the London outfit earn promotion to the Premier League for the first time in their history, Toney has managed two goals and two assists in six top flight games as Brentford continue to impress (Transfermarkt).

The Latest: Toney admits close Ibrox shave

Speaking to Ally McCoist on talkSPORT (via Ibrox News), Toney has admitted he also made the move to Rangers. He explained:

“I was going to sign for Celtic but I was also going to sign for Rangers. So you might be happy with that.”

The Lowdown: What could have been

£25.2m-valued Toney (Transfermarkt) had proven to be an outstanding signing for Brentford since making the move there. In his last 97 matches, he has found the back of the net 61 times, while he also broke the Championship scoring record last term during Brentford’s triumphant campaign (iNews).

Rangers themselves did win the Premiership title last season and also reached the last 16 of the Europa League, so it doesn’t seem they were crying out for Toney. However, he is clearly a talented player, and would have given Steven Gerrard a possible long-term replacement should Alfredo Morelos leave.

In other news, Rangers fans are unhappy with this club update.

Nuno Santo is dealing with further injury woes as his Tottenham Hotspur side look to bounce back against Chelsea in the Premier League this afternoon.

The north London outfit have endured a tough week, seeing their unbeaten record in the top-flight come to an end at the hands of then-winless Crystal Palace before they had to settle for a point against Rennes in the UEFA Europa Conference League.

Now they face the small matter of the Champions of Europe at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in a bid to get back on track.

But what sort of XI could we see from the Portuguese head coach? Here’s what we are predicting…

Nuno has been without the services of no fewer than six first-team players this week and on Thursday, their mounting problems got worse as both Steven Bergwijn and Lucas Moura picked up knocks – neither could feature here.

Eric Dier is also likely to still be on the treatment table.

However, it’s expected that Heung-min Son will be able to make a much-needed return after picking up an issue during the international break, whilst the South American trio of Giovani Lo Celso, Davinson Sanchez and Cristian Romero are finally available for selection, having returned to the UK on Saturday.

We expect club captain Hugo Lloris to take up his usual spot between the sticks, replacing Pierluigi Gollini from midweek, whilst it could be an entirely different back four, with Japhet Tanganga absent through suspension.

Sergio Reguilon and Emerson should come in for both Ben Davies and Matt Doherty – the 29-year-old struggled against Rennes – on the flanks, whilst the aforementioned central defensive duo of Sanchez and Romero could well be thrown straight in, given the club’s threadbare options in the role.

In midfield, Tanguy Ndombele should keep his place after making an impressive statement on his first start of the season in France and he could be joined by Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Dele Alli in the engine room, meaning there is no place for Oliver Skipp.

Should Son return, then he may well have to be joined by summer signing Bryan Gil, whilst Harry Kane will undoubtedly lead the line.

Predicted Spurs XI vs Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Lloris; Reguilon, Romero, Sanchez, Emerson; Hojbjerg, Ndombele, Alli; Son, Gil, Kane.

AND in other news, 0 dribbles, 0 key passes: £14.4m-rated Spurs passenger badly let Nuno down once again vs Rennes…

West Ham United could sign Paul Onuachu off the back of their Europa League meeting with Genk, according to Sport/Foot journalist Peter t’Kint. 

The lowdown

West Ham are set to host Genk on Matchday Three of the group stages on 21 October.

Onuachu has been in devastating form to start the season, with nine goals in his first eight Jupiler Pro League matches.

According to Transfermarkt, only four forwards in the world have bagged more top-flight goals up to this point in 2021/22 (nine, with 11 in all competitions), while he also smashed in an incredible 35 strikes in 41 games last term.

The 27-year-old has three years left to run on his contract and his value is estimated at £18million.

The latest

T’Kint, a Belgian reporter at Sport Magazine, was looking ahead to the clash at the London Stadium next month and reported that talks could take place between player and club.

Intriguingly, he writes that if Onuachu ‘hands over his business card’ when the sides meet 23 days from now, ‘he will be gone in January’.

This comes after extensive links in the summer, with David Moyes even specifically instructing GSB to sign the towering target man according to some claims from his homeland.

The verdict

The 6 foot 7 Onuachu will surely be looking to impress his prospective employers, while West Ham may take the opportunity to court him.

We shouldn’t forget that the Irons wanted to sign a striker during the summer transfer window. Moyes publicly stated that they were ‘short’ in that area and needed ‘cover’ for Michail Antonio, and his reported desire to bring in Onuachu suggests he will be keeping a close eye on him when the sides meet.

The Nigerian frontman has an immense strike record, and he could be the perfect alternate option to come in this January and allow Antonio to rest and rotate.

In other news, West Ham are apparently prepared to part with this valuable asset. 

Alex McLeish has claimed that James Forrest has been a ‘big’ loss to Celtic since his injury.

The Lowdown: Forrest update

As cited by the The Scotsman, Ange Postecoglou has confirmed that the 30-year-old, along with Christopher Jullien, will return to training with the first team after the international break in October.

Forrest has not played for the Hoops since their 2-0 Europa League qualifying first leg win at home to AZ Alkmaar in August.

The Latest: McLeish on Forrest

When asked by Football Insider if not having Forrest available has been a loss for Celtic, former Scotland manager McLeish replied:

“100 per cent.

“Sometimes get people watching games and say: ‘What does he really do?’ James does a lot. He probably isn’t open to those kinds of questions

“But you’ll see other players getting that asked of them: ‘What do they really do?’

“When they’re out of the game, that’s when you see how big a loss they are to a team.

“He’s produced so many goals over the seasons and so many assists. Not only that, his work rate for the team, his tracking back, he does all that’s well.

“That’s one of the things with last week’s Livingston result, Ange is going to be into those defenders. You’ve got to be back sharper, you’ve got to be out quicker.

“For me, there were a lot of players at half pace last weekend. Maybe it’s a confidence thing.”

The Verdict: Big miss

Forrest has certainly been a big miss to the Hoops, as you only have to look at their league position. Before their clash with Dundee United today, they were lingering in sixth spot, which is simply not good enough for a club of their calibre and adds credence to McLeish’s claim about him being a huge loss to Postecoglou’s side.

The 30-year-old had also started the season well, scoring two goals and supplying a further three assists in seven matches across all competitions (Transfermarkt), so he still plays a key role in the team.

The Bhoys will be hoping to have the Scotland international back as soon as possible so that he can help rejuvenate their campaign.

In other news, Celtic have been dealt a triple injury blow

Newcastle United journalist Chris Waugh says he can’t see Steve Bruce’s position coming under threat ‘any time soon’. 

The lowdown

Newcastle find themselves in 18th place after following up a 4-2 defeat against West Ham United on the opening weekend with a 2-0 loss at Aston Villa on Saturday.

As Chronicle Live journalist Lee Ryder notes, the Magpies have now lost 13 games over the course of the calendar year, and only Southampton and Burnley have suffered more top-flight defeats since New Year’s Day.

Back in March, Bruce was able to survive after a 3-0 defeat to relegation rivals Brighton and Hove Albion left his side teetering just two points above the drop zone. He subsequently steered them to a 12th-place finish.

The latest

After the defeat at Villa Park, Waugh was asked by a supporter in a Q&A for The Athletic if Bruce’s job is ‘really ever going to be under threat’.

The journalist replied that he expects the hierarchy to maintain their policy of keeping faith in the manager, even to the point where it may not seem ‘wise’ to do so, saying: “The hierarchy stuck by him last season and have done with previous managers, perhaps beyond when was wise. I think they’ll do likewise this season as well.”

The verdict

There may come a point – perhaps if the long-mooted takeover goes through – that Newcastle need to dispense with Bruce to realise their lofty ambitions.

Realistically, he’ll probably guide them to a steady lower mid-table finish this season, and those in situ might simply be happy with that.

It’s also worth acknowledging that we are only two games into the new season, and there’s a week of the transfer window still to go, so the activity on that front over the coming days could alter the picture somewhat.

In other news, Lee Ryder was critical of this man’s performance against Villa. 

Daniel Vettori, the New Zealand captain, has told his batsmen they must produce a first-innings total of at least 300 to compete with Australia

Peter English19-Nov-2008
Daniel Vettori: “We’d love to have a three-Test series against Australia, it’s the biggest series for our public back home, and it’s going to be the series that enables us to get better quicker” © Getty Images
Daniel Vettori, the New Zealand captain, has told his batsmen they must produce a first-innings total of at least 300 to compete with Australia, but the side’s output may depend on who wins the toss on Thursday. Wet weather in Brisbane means the pitch will suit the fast bowlers and there was a feeling around the Gabba that only more of the predicted rain could make the game last five days.New Zealand carry an inexperienced squad, particularly in the batting order, and Vettori has called on the top six to make heavy contributions. “It’s something we’ve been crying out for, for a long, long time,” Vettori said. “Trying to get our top six past the 300-mark, unless you do that, you have no chance against Australia. It’s asking a lot from inexperienced guys, but I think we have the talent to do it.”Jesse Ryder, the No. 3, has appeared in only two Tests while Ross Taylor (10), Daniel Flynn (5), Jamie How (14) and Aaron Redmond (5) are the other relative newcomers in an order that relies on the experience of Brendon McCullum. The wicketkeeper, who is fighting a foot injury, is a veteran by New Zealand’s standards after playing his first game in 2004.With a line-up tinged with as much green as the pitch, Vettori was trying not to let his team be swept up in the belief that the contest relied on the coin. “It’s a difficult one because I want to keep the toss to myself and not influence the other guys, and put all your eggs into one basket,” he said. “If we don’t win the toss the game’s over – a lot of teams can get into that mindset all over the world.”Vettori said if the pitch remained green he would look to bowl, but if Australia decided to field he wanted his team to fight through the first day. “If we can get through those two to two-and-a-half sessions you do give yourselves a chance,” Vettori said. “At the Gabba, watching over the years, if you can bat into the second day you have a chance. I don’t want to put too much emphasis on the toss, but we all understand it’s going to be important.”A pitch that helps New Zealand’s seam bowlers should bring the teams closer together, but Vettori remained wary of Australia being ranked first and his side seventh. “They’re always the thoughts when teams enter a game when the wicket is not a traditional flat wicket, that it may bring another side more into play,” he said. “We’re hoping we can compete no matter the conditions. With the rain and nature of the wicket, if you win the toss and bowl, make some early inroads, it can make a huge difference to your fortunes throughout the game.”The Gabba is Matthew Hayden’s home ground and he felt it was like an old-fashioned Sheffield Shield pitch. “It’s going to be spicy, there’s no doubt about that,” he said. After two months in India Hayden said the surfaces had gone from “the Hume Highway to the backyard pitch”.While Ricky Ponting and Vettori spoke in depth about the toss, Hayden was not concerned about whether he would have to bat first on Thursday. “It will be hard no matter what,” he said. “It’s often harder here on the second or third day when it starts to quicken up, you get committed to the line and it still seams. It will seam around all game.”New Zealand have been engaged for two Tests, the same number as on their previous tour in 2004-05, and Vettori hoped the contest could be expanded in the future. “We have to acknowledge we’re a smaller-market side,” he said. “We’d love to have a three-Test series against Australia, it’s the biggest series for our public back home, and it’s going to be the series that enables us to get better quicker. But we also know our place in world cricket.”

Ricky Ponting is confident that Shaun Tait can make a successful return to Test cricket following his self-imposed exile from the game

Cricinfo staff02-Oct-2008
Ricky Ponting hopes Shaun Tait will be back in Australia’s team in the future © Getty Images
Ricky Ponting is confident that Shaun Tait can make a successful return to Test cricket following his self-imposed exile from the game. Tait is preparing for his first-class comeback with South Australia after appearing in Australia A’s one-day tour of India last month.Tait believes his best chance of again featuring in the international arena will be in ODIs. His decision to walk away from the game in January due to mental and physical exhaustion followed his unsuccessful return to Test cricket and a disappointing run with injuries.”We all want to see him do well for South Australia when he goes back home as well,” Ponting told . “Once he gets some Shield cricket under his belt for South Australia, his opinion on playing Test cricket then might change, but at the moment he’s only played the shorter versions really and lots of positive signs there.”For someone like Shaun that [one-day cricket] would be the easier way back. The rigours on your body and your mental state I guess through a Test match or a tough Test match tour can really wear you down, there’s no doubt about that.”Tait, 25, has proven a destructive force in ODIs and has 33 wickets from 18 games, including an outstanding tally of 23 victims in the 2007 World Cup. His three Tests have been less successful – he has five wickets at 60.40 – but Ponting believes that Tait could still be a useful addition to the Test attack in the future.”I think he can be a match-winner for us in Test cricket,” Ponting said. “If he gets his body right and his mind right then we’ll hope down the track he does want to play five-day stuff with us.”

Celtic talisman Odsonne Edouard has been shortlisted by European giants AS Roma as they look to beef up their offensive arsenal, as reported by Daily Record.

The Lowdown: Celtic undergo mini-exodus as 2021/22 gets underway

As the 2021/22 season gets underway, new manager Ange Postecoglou has began to initiate the rebuilding processes needed at Parkhead in earnest.

Multiple senior exits were always likely this summer, as reflected by the departures of influential figures such as Scott Brown, Kristoffer Ajer and Olivier Ntcham [Transfermarkt], and the Hoops now look set to lose yet another prize asset following recent reports.

The Latest: Edouard on Roma shorlist as Dzeko exit imminent

Edouard is rumoured to be on a shortlist at the Stadio Olimpico to help bolster their striking options, as per Daily Record.

Circumstantially, this has come around as a result of the imminent transfer of Roma striker Edin Dzeko to divisional rivals Inter Milan, creating a need for a new centre-forward in the Italian capital to replace the two-time Premier League winner.

Mauro Icardi is also said to be on the Giallorossi’s radar, but his prospective financial expenditure within the realm of a transfer fee and wages makes him an unlikely candidate. [Daily Record]

Could this pave the way for the 6 foot 2 Edouard to make the switch to Roma?

The Verdict: Right time for player and club to amicably part ways

With only 12 months remaining on his contract in Glasgow, it would be wise for Celtic to take advantage of the Frenchman’s value and try to make a profit on his services.

In 2020/21, he made a sustained impact for the Hoops , registering 28 goal contributions in 40 appearances with 22 goals and six assists [Transfermarkt]. Furthermore, his average of 3.5 shots per game in the Premiership last year illustrated his ability to trouble defences regularly [WhoScored].

Once labelled as “magnificent” by former Hoops manager Neil Lennon [Glasgow Live], now may well be the correct time for Celtic and Edouard to amicably part ways while they can still recoup a transfer fee for him.

In other news, a Premier League club are in pole position to sign this Celtic star.

A fine fighting century by Michael Lumb boosted what would have been a rather poor Hampshire total on another rain-spoiled day at the Rose Bowl

John Ward at The Rose Bowl20-Aug-2008
ScorecardA fine fighting century by Michael Lumb boosted what would have been a rather poor Hampshire total on another rain-spoiled day at the Rose Bowl. Thanks to his determination, the match appears to be quite well balanced, although Somerset were making a positive reply when the weather intervened again.Hampshire, 113 for 4 overnight, made a steady start to the day, with Lumb taking 15 minutes to score the single he needed for his 50. He chopped Andy Caddick for four between slip and gully to bring up that landmark, and most of his runs early on came in that direction, by intent or otherwise. He often looked insecure, but commendably battled his way onward, gradually increasing the range of his shots to include the covers, and then the wider field.After surviving a couple of close lbw appeals Liam Dawson, Lumb’s overnight partner, eventually fell that way for 17, the fourth batsman to do the hard work and then fall in the teens. His replacement, Sean Ervine, took a long time to get off the mark, which he eventually achieved with a desperate and ferocious lash to midwicket for four. For a while this was virtually his only scoring stroke, but, like Lumb, once he had settled he widened his range and batted with steadily increasing competence.Caddick took the second new ball for the over immediately before lunch, with Lumb on 95. The batsman drove him handsomely straight for fourand then a little more awkwardly for two, to reach three figures off 198 balls. He clearly didn’t consider his work over after lunch and looked intent on playing a major innings, but then, coming forward defensively to Caddick, he edged a ball moving away from him to the keeper. His 107 showed great character and was of inestimable value to his team, the only one of the top order to succeed.Meanwhile, Ervine was batting with much more confidence, showing the class that had made him an international player for Zimbabwe at 18, in the days when they had a reasonable side. He pulled the short balls fiercely and played some authoritative drives as he raced on to 50 off 79 balls. He had 69 on the board when he slashed at a ball from Alfonso Thomas and was very well caught low to his left by Marcus Trescothick at second slip. Minutes later the same fielder pulled an even better catch out of almost nowhere, diving far to his right this time to remove David Balcombe for 4.The remaining runs came mainly from Dimitri Mascarenhas, who produced no real fireworks but still hit an aggressive and valuable 41 before being lbw to Ian Blackwell, who tied down one end with his left-arm spin. When Charl Willoughby bowled James Tomlinson, the innings closed for 316; Hampshire would doubtless have been happy to settle for that at the start of play.Trescothick opened for Somerset, and hit the first ball, from Tomlinson, neatly wide of mid-on for a classic four. Somerset continued to make good progress for as long as they were able – which was not long, as the weather, which had been quite pleasant for most of the day, closed in and bad light and rain took over. After the first break, with seven overs bowled, Hampshire turned to Imran Tahir for his leg spin, but the players were only on for this over before the light was again adjudged to have worsened. After a while, they came on for two more overs before a light drizzle started, so it was all rather farcical at this point.It soon became clear as the rain slowly increased that no further play would be possible, but the umpires took a long time before officially declaring the patient dead. After two truncated days, a result in this match seems rather unlikely, especially with more rain forecast – but cricket in England is played in hope, however misplaced.