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Kevin Phillips has given his reaction to some Newcastle United injury news involving Callum Wilson.

The Lowdown: Back training

Speaking in his pre-game press conference before the Magpies lost 2-1 at Wolves on Saturday, Steve Bruce revealed that the 29-year-old is due to start training ‘in the next couple of days’, and hinted that he could make a return to the squad after the upcoming international break.

The former Bournemouth striker has not played since he scored in the 2-2 draw at home to Southampton in the Premier League in late August.

The Latest: Phillips reacts

Speaking to Football Insider, former Premier League Golden Boot winner Phillips has claimed that Wilson being back in training is a big boost for Newcastle. He said:

“That’s a massive boost. They’ve missed him hugely. When he plays, he guarantees you goals, guarantees you a threat.

“That’s what Newcastle have lacked. It’s great news for him to be back in training.

“I’m sure they can’t wait for him to get out there and get going again.”

The Verdict: Huge

It certainly is huge that Wilson is back in training, as he could be back in a black-and-white-striped shirt after the international break has finished.

There is no doubt that Newcastle have missed him, having not being able to win any of the last four Premier League games without him, only managing to score four goals in that time (two in three matches prior to his injury.

He is such a key player for Bruce’s team and gives them a focal point up top from which the likes of Allan Saint-Maximin, Miguel Almiron and Joe Willock can thrive.

In other news, find out what controversial beIN reveal has been dropped on the potential takeover

Ralph Hasenhuttl has been boosted by the news this week that James Ward-Prowse is back in Southampton training and is in contention for today’s game against Everton.

What’s the word?

There were doubts that the club captain would be fit enough to feature at Goodison Park for the Saints’ Premier League opener after he missed much of pre-season with a knee injury.

Despite missing the friendly games against Levante, Cardiff City, Swansea City and Athletic Bilbao, the 26-year-old looks likely to start against Rafa Benitez’s side on Saturday after making his return to training earlier this week.

Hasenhuttl confirmed that the England international has proved his fitness in time for the game, saying: “He is going to be okay. I am looking forward to seeing him back on Saturday.”

A huge boost for Hasenhuttl?

Considering that Ward-Prowse has played every single minute in consecutive Premier League seasons for Southampton, it would have been a huge blow to have him missing for the opening fixture, as the Saints look to win their opening game of the season for the first time since 2013.

The 26-year-old was the Saints’ most consistent performer last season, continuing to impress despite their slide down the Premier League table in 2021, and it seems clear that he will be hugely important once again this campaign, especially following the departures of Danny Ings and Jannik Vestergaard.

Ward-Prowse contributed eight goals and seven assists in 38 Premier League appearances in 2020/21, averaging an impressive 7.07 rating from WhoScored for his performances, which was comfortably the best of any Saints player.

Therefore, it is vital that he stays fit this season, as without him you’d worry that Southampton could get dragged into a relegation battle should they continue their woeful form from the second half of last season.

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However, it seems as if he will be starting Saturday’s game against Everton, and Southampton fans will surely be delighted to see him feature and will count on him to help them earn a rare win at Goodison Park.

In other news… Hasenhuttl should unleash “brilliant” Saints gem vs Everton

Newcastle United are reportedly now ‘on the prowl’ to sign Philippe Coutinho in the January transfer window.

The Lowdown: Remembering his Liverpool days

Coutinho is a name that will be very familiar to Premier League fans from his time at Liverpool, where he was quite simply sensational, scoring 54 goals and making a further 45 assists in 201 games in total over all competitions (Transfermarkt).

His performances earned him a big-money move to FC Barcelona back in the 2018 winter window, in which he left Anfield for a whopping £121.5m.

His form allowed him to work his way into the Brazil national team as well, as the great Pele admitted that he liked Coutinho back in 2015, calling him an ‘excellent’ and ‘intelligent’ player.

The Latest: Newcastle ‘on the prowl’

As per Sport, the St. James’ Park faithful are now ‘on the prowl’ to sign Coutinho in January, and the North East could be one of his ‘possible destinations’.

He will be given a chance to impress new manager Xavi, who has recently described him as having an ‘innate talent’, otherwise he could well be sold in a couple of months.

The Verdict: Risky?

Coutinho has struggled to settle into life at Barca, and so signing him would be risky business for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) consortium.

There is certainly a question mark over whether he can recapture the form that he had when he was in England before, as that was over three years ago now.

However, as Xavi recognises, Coutinho still has talent, and at 29 years of age, still has plenty of time to prove that he is still one of the best.

Nonetheless, he could add some ‘creative flair’ and ‘pace in attack’ that Eddie Howe himself noted when Liverpool thrashed his AFC Bournemouth side 4-0 in 2017 (The Liverpool Echo), and could turn out to be the difference between relegation from the Premier League and staying up.

In other news, find out which six-foot-one powerhouse NUFC are eyeing here!

Giovanni van Bronckhorst officially started his reign as Rangers manager earlier this week and will now have the chance to run the rule over the first-team squad.

Not only will he be able to sit down and assess the options currently available to him in the team, he will also be able to check up on the players who are out on loan at other clubs to see whether or not they are worth bringing back to Ibrox in January.

Not good enough

One player who could make his way back to Glasgow in January for the wrong reasons is winger Glenn Middleton, who is currently out on loan at St Johnstone in the Premiership.

He has endured a difficult season on the pitch and has now suffered a blow off the field, with Saints boss Callum Davidson confirming that the forward will be out until Christmas. The 45-year-old said: “Glenn will be out for four to six weeks. Which will take us up to Christmas time.”

His injury could allow Van Bronckhorst to have a tough conversation with him at the training ground, presuming that he returns to Rangers to undergo his treatment. Middleton’s form has been poor in the Scottish top flight and the Dutchman must ruthlessly axe him from the squad and allow Ross Wilson to cash in on the youngster in January – recalling him from his loan to do so.

As per SofaScore, he has failed to produce a single goal or assist in 11 league matches this term. He has averaged a dismal 0.6 key passes per game despite playing in a forward role and has 0.5 shots on target per game, whilst losing possession 8.3 times from 19.2 touches per match.

Off the ball, he has been a lightweight. As per SofaScore, he has lost a whopping 76% of his duels on the pitch – on the ground and in the air. This shows that he has not been strong enough to hold his own in the physical side of the game, whilst also faltering in the final third when in possession.

Therefore, the £495k-rated dud is not good enough to make the breakthrough at Rangers any time soon on the evidence he has provided to date. Van Bronckhorst should ensure that he is sold in January whilst he still has potential as the club can maximise value for him, rather than allowing him to continue to play poorly and decrease his value to possible suitors.

AND in other news, Van Bronckhorst set for big behind-the-scenes Ibrox boost which should leave Rangers fans delighted…

Speaking live on air (via Football Daily), broadcast giant Sky Sports have now dropped a West Ham United takeover update.

The Lowdown: West Ham prospective buyers attempt swoop?

As first reported by the Daily Mail, a group of investors based in the United Kingdom have made a takeover bid for West Ham – reaching around £400 million.

Sources close to this development say the prospective takeover bid would’ve injected much-needed transfer funds into the club and hugely benefit manager David Moyes, all while transforming the surrounding area with outside investment.

After having their offer rejected by majority shareholder David Sullivan, the consortium which includes former QPR chief executive Philip Beard apparently remain determined to strike a deal.

The Latest: Sky Sports drop takeover update live on air…

Sky Sports, speaking live on air, have now dropped their own update after this development and shed light on the situation.

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According to the broadcaster, GSB still ‘do not want to sell’ and any interested party must prove they have the finances to take West Ham to the next level.

“West Ham’s owners have turned down an informal approach to buy the club,” they explained (via FD).

“The offer lead by the former QPR chief executive Philip Beard was rejected because it was vague and not in the best interests of the club we’re told.

“David Gold and David Sullivan bought West Ham in 2010 and have regularly been approached by prospective buyers, now we’re told they do not want to sell, and anyone wanting to make a bid would need the finances to take West Ham to the next level.”

The Verdict: Disappointing?

Friction between West Ham fans and the club’s owners is no secret and there have been large protests past seasons over their decision making and how the Hammers are run (Evening Standard).

In particular, a large section of fans were disappointed at West Ham’s progression since they were asked to leave their spiritual home of Upton Park for the London Stadium – with the board previously promising a world class team and failing to deliver (The Guardian).

While they have qualified for the Europa League group stages next campaign, it was arguably very unexpected given the lack of investment and more a real overachievement by manager David Moyes.

As such, there may be a fair number of Irons fans who are disappointed by this latest update from Sky.

In other news: West Ham in contact to sign 23 y/o, lucrative five-year contract already discussed…find out more here.

Harry Kane has insisted that he wants to leave Tottenham Hotspur this summer and if he does end up leaving the north London club, Dean Windass has backed Steven Bergwijn to replace the golden boot winner.

Even for Kane’s high standards last season was a special one as he finished as the Premier League’s top scorer for the third time, but also finished the campaign with the most assists in the league. However, that was not enough to win the PFA Player of the Year award.

Since arriving in January 2020, Bergwijn has failed to impress on a consistent basis managing just four goals in 51 league appearances, but under a new manager and in a new role he could flourish and prove why Spurs brought him from PSV Eindhoven.

He has only ever been deployed as a striker 11 times as he has spent most of his career as a winger, but to save his club several million this summer he could put his hat in the ring to replace Kane if he goes, according to Windass who spoke exclusively to Football FanCast:

“It could be a situation now where it’s a great opportunity for him because he could say he’s number one now if Kane does end up leaving. I know he’s played in the wide areas but the boy is a talent.

“He’s only a young boy and I watched the Spurs documentary and when he signed he looked quite happy and his family were quite happy. So he’ll be rubbing his hands together now, not for the fact that he’s losing Harry Kane but because it’s a great opportunity for the kid.”

It would not likely be a good replacement for Kane in the eyes of Tottenham fans considering Kane is regarded as one of the best strikers in world football, whereas Bergwijn has only ever scored more than nine goals in a season once.

If the worst does happen and Kane leaves, whoever is the new manager will have a very large transfer budget to sort the squad out and improve it in almost every area after a very poor previous campaign.

Liverpool had a relatively quiet transfer window as they watched their domestic rivals spend vast sums of money on several new acquisitions, leaving large sections of their supporters feeling frustrated at the lack of movement.

What’s the story?

Former RB Leipzig centre-back Ibrahima Konate was the only acquisition added to Jurgen Klopp’s squad over the summer following a £36 million deal, despite the Reds managing to offload several fringe players.

The likes of Marko Grujic (Porto), Taiwo Awoniyi (Union Berlin), Harry Wilson (Fulham) and Xherdan Shaqiri (Lyon) all departed on permanent deals, adding substantial sums to the Anfield outfit’s coffers.

However, their departures still weren’t enough for director of football Michael Edwards to splash the cash. And now The Athletic’s Liverpool reporter James Pearce has provided an update as to why the Liverpool hierarchy were so reluctant to make any more moves.

“The combined total generated of £42.8 million may suggest Liverpool made a profit this summer, but that figure includes various add-ons that may never be triggered. Plus, under the terms of the Wilson deal, Fulham won’t start paying the £12 million fee for the Wales international until next summer.

“The big offers expected for (Divock) Origi, Neco Williams and Nathaniel Phillips never materialised,” Pearce’s report read.

Liverpool fans will be fuming

After seeing their side make the Champions League qualification spots last term, many Liverpool fans were dreaming of a raft of summer signings capable of propelling Klopp’s charges back to the summit of English and European football.

The reality has been far from that, though. While Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United have acquired the likes of Jack Grealish, Romelu Lukaku and Cristiano Ronaldo, Liverpool are left with Divock Origi and Takumi Minamino as their attacking backup options, and that will be a tough pill to swallow for Reds’ fans.

And although their front four of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota have started 2021/22 well, the lack of strength in depth will leave the fanbase fuming that at the lack of incomings over the summer.

Liverpool could really feel the true effects of their lack of action over the summer months when Salah and Mane depart Anfield in order to represent their nations at the African Cup of Nations, a tournament which could see the pair be absent for up to a month.

Only time will tell how much the club’s hierarchy’s reluctance to spend will restrict their success on the pitch this season, but Klopp will need to extract every ounce of ability out of his current options to keep up with Liverpool’s more affluent rivals.

And, in other news…Neil Jones sheds light on failed Liverpool transfer swoop, Klopp will be fuming 

Many West Ham United fans have been angered on Twitter, following a disappointing performance from goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski in their 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon.

Enduring a frustrating afternoon between the sticks, the Poland international’s torrid time between the sticks was summarised perfectly in the stats, receiving a measly 5.9/10 match rating from SofaScore – the lowest of any Irons player.

In an entertaining London clash, Fabianski struggled immensely with the first Palace goal of the day, failing to turn Conor Gallagher’s routine effort round the post as it slithered into the bottom corner [Guardian].

Rounding off the scorers, Pablo Fornals and Michail Antonio netted for the Hammers, whilst Gallagher converted another close-range strike to give Palace a share of the points.

In light of their first dropped points of the campaign, no wonder loads of West Ham United fans took to Twitter to protest Fabianski’s display.

West Ham United fans react:

Replying to multiple outlets on Twitter, here is what some supporters had to say about recent developments:

“Only a matter of time before Areola is in goal imo. 6 shots on target faced an 5 goals conceded.”

Credit: @westhamtransfer”Fabianski really isn’t it anymore unfortunately surely only a matter of time before Areola comes in.”Credit: @OC02_”Fabianski isn’t number 1 quality”Credit: @1bbyWHU”No way should Fabianski be getting beat at that angle for the first goal, shambles”Credit: @whujack7″About time fabianski got the boot. Cost us points last season. And will cost us this season”Credit: @abush90″Spot on. Midfield was non existent. Dawson isn’t good enough at all. Find fabianski frustrating, since his injury don’t think he’s been anywhere near the same.”Credit: @robson1896In other news, West Ham fans react to Europa League fixture confirmation. Find out who they got here.

If Celtic are to compete with the best again they need to dig deep and overhaul their squad during the upcoming summer transfer window.

It’s all change for the Hoops’ hierarchy but there should be plenty of new faces in terms of the playing staff at Parkhead too.

On the chalkboard

One player who will never play for Celtic again is Diego Laxalt.

The Uruguayan arrived on loan from AC Milan last summer in a deal that looked attractive on paper.

It’s not often you sign someone from an elite club in Europe with plenty of international experience to their name. However, he left Glasgow amid strong criticism for his performances.

Laxalt didn’t play in the final five league matches of the season and after the way he was torn apart in the Scottish Cup against Rangers, you can understand why.

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Described as a “horror show” by ACSOM presenter Paul John Dykes, he was run ragged by Joe Aribo down Celtic’s left-hand side.

As a result of his poor end to the season, Celtic performed a U-turn on the player and will not welcome him back next term.

Brilliant Bakker

Last summer Celtic were interested in signing PSG left-back Mitchel Bakker on loan.

They registered a bid for the defender in September but that was swiftly knocked back by Paris officials.

A month later they ended up welcoming Laxalt through the door in a deal that never really amounted to much.

With the Uruguay international returning to Milan, they now have an opportunity to go back and get Bakker.

PSG may have rejected a bid last summer but he now looks as though he’ll be available to sign.

French outlet MaxiFoot suggests this week that he won’t be considered next season and will be free to leave.

Bakker is valued at €30m (£26m) but if a loan deal can be arranged, it would be a superb move for the Celtic hierarchy to complete.

For starters, he’d be a pretty hefty upgrade on Laxalt offensively and defensively.

The Dutchman is far more disciplined in defence and despite making 1.4 tackles per game, 0.3 fewer than Laxalt, he commits fewer fouls (0.6 vs 1.9).

The Uruguayan’s stay at Celtic was littered with errors so bringing in a player who is more competent in the challenge is certainly a good sign.

Described as a “tenacious tackler” by scout Jacek Kulig, the defender is also “extremely dominant in the air.”

However, Bakker’s qualities extend beyond the defensive side of the game.

Writing about the youngster, Kulig added: “[He is a] modern defender, who combines strength with good technique and passing.”

That’s evident in the fact he’s completed over 90% of his passes this season. That’s considerably more than Laxalt who managed 77.1%.

In committing fewer fouls and completing more of his passes, Bakker looks calmer and composed than Laxalt ever was at Paradise. That would make the signing a triumph.

AND in other news, Forget Soro: Celtic already have their Scott Brown heir in 6 ft 6 “man mountain”…

Wolverhampton Wanderers have once again been linked with a move for Brentford striker Ivan Toney this summer.

According to a recent report by 90min (via Birmingham Live), Bruno Lage is in the market for adding a striker to his squad ahead of next season, although his side could be priced out of a move for the Englishman.

Toney has settled into the top-flight excellently after catapulting the Bees into the Premier League last term with 33 Championship goals, finding the back of the net 12 times in the current campaign for Thomas Frank’s side, who now look all but safe after their first season in the first division.

Having played in League One, the Championship and now the Premier League over the last three seasons, the 26-year-old’s rise up the English football ladder has been remarkable.

Netting 139 senior goals over the course of his career, Toney has been a kingpin for Frank’s men, despite only joining in September 2020.

The Danish manager has previously labelled the striker as “special” whilst also claiming that he has the “mindset of a lion.”

The former Newcastle youth player has quickly established himself as one of England’s most prolific forwards and is certainly destined for bigger things, with no disrespect to Brentford.

Although the Englishman would see sides that can offer European football as a preference, joining Wolves would certainly be a step up with the West Midlands club enjoying a successful first campaign under the management of Bruno Lage.

The Old Gold currently find themselves eighth in the Premier League, although they are three points behind seventh-placed West Ham with a game in hand.

Securing European football is still very realistic for Lage’s men which, if they are successful in doing so, will make them a much more attractive prospect for potential signings.

Despite their strong campaign, quality in the final third has frequently been lacking for Wolves who have scored just 33 goals in 32 matches – with only Brighton, Burnley, Watford and Norwich have scored fewer.

Therefore, adding a prolific striker will certainly be a priority for the Portuguese manager.

This season has seen the return of forward Raul Jimenez after a horrific skull fracture that could’ve easily forced the Mexican into early retirement.

However, while the 30-year-old is Wolves’ joint-top goalscorer this term, he has been well below the standard previously set prior to his injury, scoring just six goals.

Although there were extra matches with the West Midlands outfit reaching the quarter-final of the Europa League, the 2019/20 campaign saw Jimenez score a whopping 27 goals and assist a further 10 in 55 games.

Moreover, the season prior saw the Mexican find the back of the net on 17 occasions in 44 appearances.

Had Wolves’ defence not been as good as it has been this campaign, the Golden Boys would undoubtedly find themselves well out of contention for a European spot.

Therefore, adding a more consistent goalscorer over the summer is vital as Lage’s men cannot rely on solely shutting teams out regularly to progress. With a good record, plenty of potential and top-flight experience, Toney would be an excellent candidate.

AND in other news: Huge blow: Wolves dealt late injury setback ahead of Burnley, Lage will be gutted