Newcastle United have reportedly opened talks with Rangers over the potential signing of youngster Alex Lowry this summer.

According to Football Insider, the Magpies have held talks over signing the 18-year-old attacking midfielder, with current employers Rangers keen to extend the exciting prospect’s deal.

The Scotsman is currently contracted to the Scottish Premiership champions until 2024 and it is understood that Lowry has recently been offered an improved deal at £5,000 per week.

As the North East club prepare for their first summer transfer window under the ownership of PIF, it is expected that the Tyneside outfit are to spend big in an attempt to completely reform the look of the current squad.

However, the future definitely has to be considered and, in Lowry, the Toon Army could save millions on a prospect that’s rapidly gathering attention.

Imagine him & Bruno

Granted, given Lowry’s lack of game time in the Rangers first team the 18-year-old would be initially included in Newcastle’s U23s.

The attacking midfielder made his Premiership debut in January, playing the entire 90 minutes in a 1-0 win at home to Livingston whilst also scoring on his debut against Dumbarton in the Scottish Challenge Cup.

Moreover, Lowry has also netted in the 4-0 Scottish Cup victory against Stirling Albion and was an unused substitute in the 2-1 extra-time victory against fierce rivals Celtic that booked Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side’s place in the final.

As for where the youngster would fit in on Tyneside, Newcastle’s U23s have had a decent campaign, with the young Geordies sat seventh in the second division of Premier League 2 and would undoubtedly be able to accommodate a player with an abundance of potential.

Lowry’s former academy coach Graeme Murty claimed that the 18-year-old is “unlike any other player” at Rangers and has “a remarkable degree of self-confidence.”

When it comes to the first-team picture, Eddie Howe’s attacking midfield options are somewhat limited.

Just Joelinton and Miguel Almiron are the Magpies’ only recognised attacking midfielders, with the duo scoring a combined tally of just three goals this term; there’s certainly room for improvement in that area.

However, January signing Bruno Guimaraes has already proved to be a nuisance in the box, scoring three goals already for the Toon Army.

With the box-to-box ability of the Brazilian alongside Lowry’s forward-thinking play, Newcastle could one day unearth an electric partnership in the middle of the park.

AND in other news: Howe and PIF are now heading for their first big NUFC error, it would be a disaster

West Ham faces a centre back crisis ahead of their next Premier League match against Arsenal, with Craig Dawson suspended and Kurt Zouma and Angelo Ogbonna injured.

This could leave a door ajar for a young prospect in the Hammers academy to make the step up and give David Moyes a selection headache.

The onus could fall on Aji Alese but another such player is Levi Laing, the 19-year-old centre back who has featured for the West Ham U23 squad ten times in the Premier League 2 as well as making an appearance in the EFL Trophy in September.

The defender signed his first professional contract back in July 2021 and this runs until 2023, with the option of an extra year. His U23 coach Dmitri Halajko stated: “The progress that he’s made in such a short period of time has been really positive”. The future looks bright for the youngster.

This wasn’t the only praise exuded by admirers, with Mark Robson explaining that Laing was “outstanding” following a performance against Exeter in a 3-0 win for the U23s.

West Ham have been fantastic this season, but with so many games played in Europe and domestically, there is injuries at the heart of the defence, and with Dawson suspended for the next Premier League match, Moyes should have no clams about putting Laing in the mix.

Ogbonna is fast approaching 34 and with his contract expiring at the end of the season, plus his injury woes, there is absolutely no reason why the young Englishman can’t be the long-term heir to the towering centreback in the near future.

Both players are over 6 foot 1 and have a commanding presence in the air. With Ogbonna and Laing sharing traits such as height and the way they play, then it could be an effortless change.

Moyes could end up saving the club millions in the transfer market too, despite European success bringing in added revenue, the future could look bright for the Hammers.

AND in other news, Sources: West Ham eye swoop for “brilliant” 21 y/o, he’s “similar to Eden Hazard

سلط بيبي، قلب الدفاع المتمرس الذي سجل هدفًا يوم الثلاثاء في فوز البرتغال 6-1 على سويسرا في دور الـ16 من مونديال 2022، الضوء على رد الفعل الذي قدمه الفريق الليلة.

وتأهل منتخب البرتغال لربع نهائي مونديال قطر 2022، ليلاقي المنتخب المغربي. 

وقال بيبي في تصريحاته لـ “Sport TV”: “علينا أن ننسب الفضل إلى العمل الجماعي، لقد قمنا بعمل مثالي”.

وأضاف: “الجميع يعرف أهمية المباراة، يجب تهنئتنا جميعًا، إنه لشرف كبير أن أكون جزءًا من هذه المجموعة”.

من الناحية الفردية، سلط بيبي الضوء أيضًا على “أداء الحلم” للشاب جونزاو راموس، وأفاد: “إنه يظهر أن المدير الفني يمكنه الاعتماد على الجميع”.

متابعًا: “لقد كان عرضًا مهمًا للغاية، كان سعيدًا بتقديم أداء الحلم، أنا سعيد جدًا من أجله، إنه طفل يعمل كثيرًا، كان يعمل دائمًا بتلك الروح للمساعدة، عندما يكون الأمر كذلك، يصبح كل شيء أسهل”.

وعن ما قاله المدير الفني فرناندو سانتوس عند انطلاق المباراة، استطرد بيبي: “لا أستطيع أن أقول كل ما قاله”.

اقرأ أيضًا | كريستيانو رونالدو يرد على أنباء انضمامه لـ النصر السعودي.. ويوجه رسالة لـ بيليه

وأكمل: “لقد حذر من أهمية تلك المباراة، وتحدث عن الروح التي يجب أن تكون لدينا.. واستجاب الفريق بشكل جيد، كنا أذكياء للغاية، فزنا بالعديد من الكرات الثانية والعديد من المبارزات”.

وشدد بيبي على الراحة اللازمة استعدادًا لمواجهة المغرب: “لدينا أربعة أيام حتى المباراة التالية، هناك عمل طبي مهم لمساعدتنا على التعافي قدر الإمكان، لدينا ما يكفي من الوقت لنكون بخير في المباراة القادمة”.

وإذاك كان منتخب البرتغال المفضل للفوز بكأس العالم، ختم بيبي بالقول: “أنا لا أقول إننا مرشحون أكثر الآن، لدينا ثلاث نهائيات أخرى، وأمامنا مباراة صعبة بالفعل ضد المغرب، علينا أن نرتقي إلى مستوى هذه المباراة، التي سوف تتطلب منا الكثير”.

MatériaMais Notícias

Depois de conquistar triunfo sobre o América-MG no primeiro jogo da semifinal do Campeonato Mineiro, a equipe comandada por Thiago Larghi se reapresentou nesta sexta-feira. O técnico contou somente com 19 jogadores, os titulares fizeram preparação e recuperação muscular, Felipe Santana foi resolver problemas particulares na Alemanha e Carlos sentiu tornozelo.

Além do atacante, que se lesionou no treino, os jogadores: Uilson, Arouca e Clayton, machucados, não participaram da atividade. O zagueiro Felipe Santana foi liberado pela diretoria para ir até a Alemanha resolver pendências particulares e também ficou de fora. Durante as atividades, Carlos sentiu uma pancada no tornozelo e acabou saindo mais cedo do treino.

Thiago Larghi encerrerá a preparação para o segundo jogo contra o Coelho, neste sábado. Para segunda partida da semifinal, o Atlético-MG pode até empatar que garante uma vaga na decisão do Campeonato Mineiro.

RelacionadasAmérica MineiroLateral-direito do América-MG foca na partida contra o Atlético-MGAmérica Mineiro23/03/2018América MineiroPresidente e técnico do América-MG ironizam arbitragem da semifinalAmérica Mineiro23/03/2018

Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
Abdur Razzak’s rapid strikes ensured Bangladesh were always in control of their defence of 246•Associated Press

Mid-way through an overcast morning, Bangladesh were in a familiar predicament: the top-order had failed and Shakib Al Hasan, the reluctant captain, was saddled with the responsibility of achieving a target his spinners could defend on a pitch that assisted turn. Having had ample practice at this challenge, Shakib went about it manfully, but he also had an able ally. His risk-free batting was at odds with Mushfiqur Rahim’s impish stroke play but their 116-run stand was the bedrock of the highest total of the series. It proved more than enough.Shakib waited only three overs before entrusting the defence of 246 to a spinner. He had to wait only three balls to see that decision yield results. Abdur Razzak continued his torment of Zimbabwe in this series: his quick strikes decapitated the chase, his economy brought it to a standstill and Bangladesh were assured of a 2-1 lead by the time the mandatory Powerplay was over.The heart of the victory lay in the way Bangladesh, for the second time in succession, batted satisfactorily. They didn’t begin in that manner, though, and were 71 for 4 in the 20th over, when Shakib and Mushfiqur began their alliance. The Zimbabwe spinners had tightened the tourniquet on the run-flow and Shakib had been watchful – a back-foot cut through point would be his only boundary for 54 balls. Little Mushfiqur, in contrast, was anything but watchful at the start of his innings, slicing Prosper Utseya just wide of the fielder at point before dispatching the next ball to the midwicket boundary with a dismissive swat.The partnership would not have reached the proportions it did, had Tatenda Taibu stumped Mushfiqur on 14, when the batsman advanced and missed an on-drive. Mushfiqur, undeterred, attempted a flamboyant cut next ball and edged over the short third man. Thereafter, he too reduced the risk.Utseya made so many bowling changes during the middle overs that it was hard to keep count, but Shakib and Mushfiqur played them all adeptly. When Shakib reached his fifty in the 38th over, Bangladesh were in control. Mushfiqur’s cutting was the highlight of his innings and one off the stumps against Ray Price brought up his half-century. Shortly after, Mushfiqur swung Graeme Cremer over midwicket for the innings’ only six in the 42nd over.Bangladesh kept the batting Powerplay for the last five overs, the intention being for Shakib and Mushfiqur to surge. Those plans were undone by Utseya, standing in as captain for the injured Elton Chigumbura. He had Mushfiqur caught at deep backward square just before the Powerplay, and trapped Shakib lbw while attempting a reverse-scoop soon after. Bangladesh’s set batsmen were gone, but wayward bowling yielded 30 runs from the final two overs of the innings.Three overs into the chase, Shakib had seen enough of seam from both ends and gave Razzak the ball. Moments later, Chamu Chibhabha went back into his crease to play a ball. Mistake. Razzak skidded the arm ball through and it would have hit leg stump had the pad not been in the wayBrendan Taylor and Hamilton Masakadza made an effort to play Razzak off the front foot. Masakadza took the ploy too far, though. His charge and heave against the spin connected with nothing, and Mushfiqur stumped him. At the other end, Taylor continued pressing forward and nearly survived the mandatory Powerplay. To its final ball, he was unsure whether to move forward or not. Razzak got the ball to turn, kick, and take the edge towards first slip. Zimbabwe were 29 for 3.Shakib gave Razzak a break after that and brought back Shafiul Islam, who induced an edge from Craig Ervine that went to the third-man boundary in the 12th over – only the second four of the innings. In his next over, Shafiul drew another edge from Ervine, this time to Mushfiqur.While wickets tumbled at one end, none had fallen from the other where Mortaza was bowling, even though he found movement at a brisk pace. In the 15th over he also found the top of Tatenda Taibu’s off stump after the batsman shouldered arms. At 40 for 5, Zimbabwe were finished, and Shakib hadn’t bowled a ball. By the time Shakib brought himself on, Razzak had already taken a wicket in his second spell, trapping Regis Chakabva lbw.Razzak did not bowl again until the 44th over, which allowed Zimbabwe to reach 181 and Utseya to make a half-century, which he celebrated with a smile. Utseya’s 67 was one short of a career best, his 4 for 38 in Bangladesh’s innings was a career best. He will aim to reprise the performance in the next game and hope his team-mates lift too.

It’s crunch time for West Ham United on Thursday evening, as David Moyes’ side take on Eintracht Frankfurt in what is set to be an enthralling, Europa League, semi-final, second-leg clash.

The Hammers head into the game on a run of four matches without a win in all competitions – having lost their last three both in Europe and domestically – although all hope is not lost with the current aggregate scoreline at just 2-1 in favour of the Bundesliga side.

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The London Stadium outfit weren’t at their best in that defeat on home soil, although that one-goal deficit ensures it is all still to play for, with history seemingly on their side as they overcame the same opponents at the last four stage of the European Cup Winners’ Cup back in 1976.

Ahead of this pivotal encounter, here’s how the Football FanCast think that Moyes will line his side up…

With the former Manchester United boss announcing a clean bill of health in his pre-match press conference, the only changes to be made are likely to be tactical ones, with the Scotsman having shuffled his pack in the weekend defeat to Arsenal. As such, we are predicting that the 59-year-old will make four alterations from the side that lost at home to the Gunners.

One of those tweaks will see Alphonse Areola return in goal having featured in nine of the ten games in the competition, while ahead of him Craig Dawson returns to the backline after his brief suspension on Sunday, lining up alongside Vladimir Coufal, Kurt Zouma and Aaron Cresswell.

The latter will return to his usual left-back berth, meaning that £38k-per-week dud Ryan Fredericks will drop out – the full-back having been dubbed a “shocker” by journalist Thomas Clark earlier this season.

In midfield, the club’s “man mountain” Tomas Soucek, as he has been described by pundit Micah Richards, replaces club captain Mark Noble alongside talisman Declan Rice, while ahead of them should be the attacking trio of Pablo Fornals, Manuel Lanzini and Jarrod Bowen.

Leading the line will almost certainly be Michail Antonio – with Said Benrahma making way – although as his manager admitted, the Jamaica international is in desperate need of a goal, having scored just twice in all competitions since New Year’s Day.

In other news, Forget Rice: Moyes now set for West Ham disaster on “remarkable” £125k-p/w giant

Liverpool are looking to open contract talks with defender Neco Williams this summer.

What’s the word?

That’s according to a report by the Liverpool Echo, who claim that the Reds are planning to hold talks with Williams at the end of the season, before making a final decision on the defender’s future at Anfield.

With the club making the 21-year-old available for around £10m last year, it has been a remarkable turnaround for the player.

There were no bids for Williams in the summer and this led to him joining Fulham on loan in January, where he has excelled.

Jurgen Klopp sees progress

The Welshman’s form in the Championship with Fulham – who were recently promoted back to the Premier League – has convinced Klopp to see what the future holds for the defender at Liverpool.

The £10m rated defender has played 14 times for his adopted side in all competitions and registered an impressive two goals and two assists during that time. A solid return for a right-back and this will surely have impressed a watching Klopp.

The manager is clearly a massive admirer of the defender, explaining that he “trained like a machine” with further compliments also coming from his international boss, Rob Page.

Page stated that Williams “had to be brave” to join Fulham from Liverpool in January, moving away from what could be a historic achievement if they win the quadruple and training with world-class players on a daily basis.

This move seems like it has paid dividends, however, with the news that Klopp could want the player – who Page also claimed is a “recipe for success” – to remain at Anfield after the summer transfer window.

There is no doubt there he is a talented player, his success already proves this, plus the fact he has been capped for Wales 18 times at such a young age.

And, should Williams continue his impressive form at Anfield next season, the right-back could well begin to challenge Trent Alexander-Arnold for his place in the Reds starting XI, something that would undoubtedly please Klopp greatly.

Indeed, with more competition for a starting role, the England international will need to be at his absolute best in order to remain as the German’s number one in the position – something that is only likely to improve Liverpool further next season, meaning Williams could indeed be Klopp’s recipe for success.

AND in other news: Liverpool now plot £67m bid for “sensational” 76k-p/w “winner”, imagine him and Salah.

South Australia is fighting to make New South Wales bat again after hundreds to Peter Nevill and Nathan Hauritz put the hosts in a commanding position

ESPNcricinfo staff09-Dec-2010
ScorecardCallum Ferguson holds the key for South Australia after finishing unbeaten on 55•Getty Images

South Australia is fighting to make New South Wales bat again after hundreds to Peter Nevill and Nathan Hauritz put the hosts in a commanding position. The Blues declared after lunch at 8 for 461 and had the Redbacks 4 for 178 at stumps, still 95 behind with a day to play.Callum Ferguson delivered a timely reminder to the national selectors with 55 not out while Daniel Christian was unbeaten on 43 as the battling visitors finished with a promising stand of 76. South Australia were in trouble after Tom Moffat finished his first game with 0 and 11 after nicking Trent Copeland, while the captain Michael Klinger (9) was caught behind off Stuart Clark. Steven Smith picked up his first wicket when he had Tom Cooper stumped on 41 and also had Aiden Blizzard lbw for 3.It was much easier batting for New South Wales and Nevill, the wicketkeeper, gained his second Shield century. He collected 12 fours and a six and stormed from his half-century to his hundred in 38 balls.Nevill built on the work of Hauritz, who became the highest scoring nightwatchman in the competition. His 146, which ended when he edged Christian, overtook the 134 of Victoria’s Ray Jordon in 1963-64.

Newcastle United journalist Scott Wilson has been left thrilled by what he has now heard ahead of their game at home to Liverpool in the Premier League.

The Lowdown: ‘Getting closer’

Speaking in his pre-game press conference ahead of the match, Eddie Howe has revealed (via The Northern Echo) that both Kieran Trippier and Callum Wilson are ‘getting closer’ to a return from injury, with the former having started training again.

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Wilson is ‘not quite there yet’, although he should start training with the rest of the squad soon enough, and both players are expected to play some part before the campaign concludes.

The Latest: Wilson reacts

Taking to Twitter, Wilson was thrilled by the injury news on both players, claiming that they were ‘positive noises’:

“Positive noises on Kieran Trippier and Callum Wilson being able to return for #NUFC this season. Trippier made a brief return to first-team training with the rest of the squad this week…”

The Verdict: Big boost

Despite not being ready to face title-chasing Liverpool, the fact that the pair seem to be edging closer to a return is no doubt a big boost not just for this season, but next as well.

Trippier currently ranks as their best performer in the top flight so far this campaign, while Wilson remains their top scorer with six goals, despite his spell out through injury (WhoScored).

The St. James’ Park faithful have all but guaranteed their safety now, meaning that they can concentrate on next term, starting with the summer transfer window.

They will hope that both players can get games under their belt in the run-up to pre-season, so that when new players start to get integrated in, the club will be best prepared for the new term.

In other news, find out which ‘top class’ star NUFC are now ‘expected’ to sign here!

Sky Sports journalist Florian Plettenberg has dropped an update regarding Manchester United and Djed Spence.

The Lowdown: Spence profiled

Spence, labelled as ‘incredible’ by former top flight right-back Alan Hutton, is currently on loan at Nottingham Forest from Middlesborough, and has caught the eye following his displays at the City Ground.

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He has made 40 appearances for Forest as a right-back and right midfielder, helping the Reds climb up the Championship table under Steve Cooper.

Forest are now in serious contention for a place in the Premier League next season, but it looks as if Spence could move to one of Europe’s biggest clubs ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.

The Latest: Plettenberg’s post

Manchester United have been credited with an interest in Spence recently, and Plettenberg took to Twitter on Tuesday to provide an update on the 21-year-old.

He revealed he has five offers on the table but his ‘dream’ is to play for United due to being a boyhood Red Devils fan.

“Update Spence: Selling price is €12-15m! It is said that he has got 5 offers. City, Arsenal & Tottenham are among the interested clubs.

“Djed‘s dream is to play for MUFC one day. He is a fan! Been told there should be still a loose contact with FC Bayern.”

The Verdict: A risk?

Spence, known for his pace, has shone in Forest’s 3-4-1-2 system, playing as both a right-back and right-midfielder in the second tier.

He seems to thrive in a back three, however, Erik ten Hag likes to use a 4-3-3 system, a formation which may not play to Spence’s strengths, should the Dutchman look to go with his preferred system during his first year in charge of Manchester United.

Therefore, a move for Spence could be a risky one to start with, and even though he wants to move to Old Trafford, he could be better off looking to join a side like Tottenham, slotting right into Antonio Conte’s back-three system.

In other news: Man Utd make £55m bid for ace with ‘better quality than Pogba’; agent set for Old Trafford talks.