UPDATE 1:30 PM: Speaking at his pre-Burnley press conference, Jurgen Klopp said that there is a “tiny chance” of Diogo Jota being fit for the weekend but he will definitely miss the clash at Turf Moor and is still a doubt to face Crystal Palace.

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Liverpool duo Diogo Jota and Ozan Kabak are not expected to play any part in Liverpool’s final two games of the season after picking up separate injuries.

What’s the latest?

Jota is facing a race to be fit in time for this summer’s European Championship after picking up a foot injury in the 4-2 victory over Manchester United in midweek. The Portugal international picked up the problem after Eric Bailly put in a strong challenge on the 24-year-old, and he missed Liverpool’s dramatic win over West Bromwich Albion last time out as a result.

Kabak was also absent from the victory at The Hawthorns and may have played his final game for the Reds following a loan spell with mixed success. Following a shaky start, the Turkish youngster had delivered some strong performances for the Reds, not least in the Champions League against RB Leipzig.

Jurgen Klopp has been unable to call upon the Schalke loanee’s services for Liverpool’s last three outings as he continues to suffer from a muscle problem, and the Reds manager provided an update on the pair’s fitness after Sunday’s memorable encounter.

“Diogo (Jota), I don’t know actually. As I said, it is not too serious, but as always, you have to wait (to see) how it develops, how it heals. It is a little bone in the foot, and we have to see,” Klopp told a recent press conference (via Goal.com).”I think he will now be in a boot for two weeks or so, and when he gets out of the boot, then the doctors will check how it developed, how far the progress is, so I don’t know that, but of course, it is not a top moment.”Ozan, no. No for the long-term (injuries), Ozan isn’t in the long-term (injuries), but nobody is coming back, I think.”Yet another injury setbackLiverpool’s season has been ravaged by injury issues. Season-ending injuries were sustained by Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip relatively early in the campaign, while key figures such as Jordan Henderson, Jota and Naby Keita have also had prolonged spells on the treatment table.This latest double setback will have Klopp feeling gutted going into what is likely to be a season-defining final two games of the Premier League campaign.The 2019 European champions are facing a battle to qualify for next season’s Champions League, with just one point separating the Anfield outfit and fourth-placed Chelsea, and the absence of both Jota and Kabak will be a significant blow to their top four hopes.Jota has bagged an impressive 13 goals in 29 appearances since signing for the Anfield giants, while Kabak has helped steady a shaky defence since arriving in January, with the Reds fielding the inexperienced centre-back duo of Nathaniel Phillips and Rhys Williams in recent games.Liverpool will have to qualify for the Champions League the hard way after a campaign where it’s felt as if everything has gone against them.In other news…Title-chasing star is flattered by Liverpool’s interest, Edwards must get a deal done – opinion

Crystal Palace could land a dream partner for Wilfried Zaha in RB Leipzig’s Hwang Hee-chan.

What’s the story?

According to recent reports from The Telegraph, Roy Hodgson’s side have their sights set on signing the South Korea forward this summer, but are set to face significant competition from the likes of fellow Premier League outfit West Ham.

Imagine him and Zaha

An article on Bundesliga.com raved about his Roberto Firmino-esque ability to be the sole striker or having players alongside him, and that should be music to the ears of Zaha.

It said: “Hwang is not dissimilar to Liverpool’s former Hoffenheim striker Firmino. Happy leading the line as part of either a duo or a front three, Leipzig’s first summer signing likes to get on the ball and has a trick or two up his sleeve to shake off a defender.

“Comfortable with both feet, with the strength to hold off an opponent and the pace to exploit space, he could cause problems for many a Bundesliga defence – just like Brazil international Firmino did before him.”

Meanwhile, former Salzburg boss Peter Zeidler added: “He’s exceptional, has a brutal dynamism. I’ve rarely seen anything like it.”

With 63 goals and 41 assists over his career thus far, Hwang has proven before that he can be effective at both finding the net himself and setting up his teammates to score.

What Zaha desperately needs at Selhurst Park is someone who can really ease both the goal-scoring and creative burden on his shoulders – once again, he tops the charts for the Eagles in terms of most goal contributions this season.

Having Hwang in the team alongside him would give him someone to both feed and combine with, and that could prove to be the kind of lethal strike duo which gives Palace a much-needed cutting edge outside of just relying on Zaha to conjure a bit of magic.

Hwang is everything that Palace need, and he is someone Steve Parish should be looking to land this summer.

In other news, read more on the latest twist in the reported search for Hodgson’s successor at Selhurst Park.

Southampton have been linked with Santiago Moreno recently, and if he were to join Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side this summer, it could spell bad news for Moussa Djenepo.

According to The Telegraph, the Saints, Leeds United and Rangers are all keen on signing the 21-year-old from Deportivo de Cali this summer. The report suggests that his style of play has been compared to former Saints winger Sadio Mane, whilst he is expected to be able to adapt to the demands of Premier League football.

During his time with the Liga Dimayor side, the young winger has contributed 10 goals and seven assists in just 49 appearances, which suggests that he can add a goalscoring threat in Hasenhuttl’s team next season should Martin Semmens bring him to St Mary’s this summer.

This could spell trouble for Djenepo, who has struggled to perform consistently since his move from Standard Liege in the summer of 2019, with just four goals and two assists to his name in 51 appearances for Southampton.

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This season has been particularly disappointing for the Mali international, as he has managed just one goal and no assists in 27 Premier League appearances, earning a less than impressive 6.37 rating from WhoScored for his performances.

This ranks him as the 17th-best performer in Hasenhuttl’s side this season, which suggests that the 22-year-old could soon find himself surplus to requirements should another winger arrive at St Mary’s this summer.

Considering that Nathan Tella has perhaps already moved ahead of Djenepo in the pecking order at Southampton, whilst Theo Walcott’s loan move has been made permanent, it seems likely that the Malian will struggle for game time with the Saints next season unless his performances drastically improve.

Therefore, the addition of a young exciting winger such as Moreno, who seems to have much more of an eye for goal than Djenepo, could spell serious trouble for the latter’s future in Hasenhuttl’s side.

In other news… Semmens can end Hasenhuttl headache with Saints swoop for “explosive” beast

MatériaMais Notícias

O trágico acidente com o avião que levava a Chapecoense e jornalistas brasileiros nesta terça-feira para a Colômbia, onde a equipe disputaria nesta quarta-feira a primeira partida da final da Copa Sul-Americana e que vitimou 71 pessoas, abalou o jovem William Barbio. O atacante, de 24 anos, que tem contrato com o Vasco até o fim de 2017, defendeu as cores da equipe de Chapecó no ano passado onde fez amigos com os quais mantinha contato até os dias de hoje. Emocionado, ele falou com o LANCE! sobre o ocorrido desde o recebimento da notícia que chocou o mundo.

– Recebi a notícia 5h da manhã por minha esposa. Ela e eu fizemos amigos para sempre enquanto estive por lá. Desde cedo estamos falando com as esposas e amigos da cidade que me acolheu tanto bem. O maior desejo que podemos ter nesse momento é o de Deus confortar a todos. Até agora não acredito que perdi tantos amigos. O que falam da Chapecoense ser uma família, uma união gigante entre todos, é pura verdade. Foi uma honra ter tido a oportunidade de pisar em Chapecó com o povo acolhedor e ter defendido as cores da Chapecoense – disse o jogador com a voz engasgada.

A Chapecoense queria no fim do ano passado renovar o contrato de William Barbio, mas Jorginho, então técnico do Vasco, pediu o retorno do atacante. Em São Januário não teve oportunidades neste 2016 e acabou mudando para equipes como o América-MG e o Joinville. Porém, a amizade com os amigos que fez em Chapecó foi além. Um grupo de vídeo-game foi criado com a presença de Barbio e várias vítimas do acidente, como Gil, Ananias, Danilo e Neto. A brincadeira entre os companheiros ia para fora das quatro linhas. E a festa com a classificação para a Copa Sul-Americana foi relatada lá. Há mensagens a serem visualizadas ainda no grupo, mas não há coragem:

– Temos um grupo de vídeo-game com vários jogadores que defendiam a Chapecoense na mesma época do que eu, Neto, Maranhão, Cleber Santana, Gil, Ananias… Depois da classificação da equipe para a final da Copa Sul-Americana foi uma festa lá. Todos animados. Mateus Caramelo também… A amizade era verdadeira. Era nosso momento de lazer, um brincava com o outro. Estava na torcida por todos para a conquista internacional, mereciam muito. Há algumas mensagens ainda no grupo que não tive a coragem de abrir e ler ainda. Está muito complicado para conseguir segurar a emoção.

William Barbio está no Rio de Janeiro desde a tarde desta terça-feira e recebendo mensagens de apoio além de retribuí-las como forma de homenagem aos familiares das vítimas, moradores de Chapecó, no interior de Santa Catarina, e em todos ao redor do mundo que estão com um dia mais triste após o trágico acidente. O atacante não descartou um possível retorno a Chapecoense – o Vasco, que detém seus direitos, assinou nota afirmando a possibilidade de oferecer empréstimo gratuito de atletas para a equipe catarinense começar a se reerguer em 2017.

– Eu poderia estar nesse voo, você também, qualquer um… Tristeza muito grande. Queria abraçar todo mundo agora. Seria uma honra voltar a vestir um dia a camisa da Chapecoense, mas deixo isso com meus empresários. A dor é enorme e agora é orar e pedir a Deus para que forças sejam dadas. Eles estavam felizes prestes a esta decisão histórica da Sul-Americana e agora são campeões lá no céu… Que as responsabilidades sejam apuradas e que os meios de segurança se intensifiquem para que episódios como esse nunca se repitam. Meu carinho a todos. O mundo está de luto – finalizou.

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Crystal Palace could be left sweating over the fitness of Wilfried Zaha for the remainder of the campaign.

According to Roy Hodgson, the Ivorian winger “felt” something in his groin ahead of the Premier League clash with Manchester City – a game in which the Eagles fell to a 2-0 defeat.

Zaha managed to take to the field despite the potential problem, completing the full 90 minutes, but it will nevertheless be a worry for Hodgson in the final few matches of the campaign.

Should the injury be more serious than first thought and the £130k per week winger is ruled out, this would see Palace lose their talisman.

The 28-year-old has once again been at the forefront of Crystal Palace’s season during 2020/21, netting ten goals in all competitions.

Those strikes alone have been worth six points to the Eagles in the Premier League and without them, they would still be firmly embroiled in the battle to avoid relegation.

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Indeed, in the eight games that Palace have played without Zaha this season, they have only one won – a terrible rate.

Whilst the Eagles are under zero threat of dropping into the Championship this season, any injury to Zaha would certainly be a sour note to end the campaign on if he is ruled out and that terrible run continues.

Even if he is not restricted to the sidelines though, Hodgson will certainly be hoping for better from Zaha going forwards if the injury is only minor.

The winger turned in a disastrous performance against Manchester City on Saturday – a display that, on reflection, could potentially have been explained by his apparent groin problem.

Palace will certainly hope he is fully fit and firing for next weekend’s clash against already relegated Sheffield United as the Eagles aim to halt their three-match losing run.

AND in more news, take a closer look at the winger’s awful showing against Manchester City…

According to a report by Football Insider, Tottenham Hotspur chiefs are now ‘confident’ Lilywhites superstar Son Heung-min won’t be leaving this summer transfer window. 

The Lowdown: Spurs exit claims

Amid all the noise surrounding star striker Harry Kane, with Sky Sports recently lifting the lid on his desire to leave north London, Son still hasn’t signed his new deal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The South Korean sensation has been heavily touted to put pen to paper on a £200,000-per-week extension since near the end of last year, but contract talks were put on hold due to the financial difficulties caused by coronavirus.

The Sun also claimed that Kane’s possible exit could spark an exodus of stars from north London, with Son left ‘upset’ and ‘concerned’ over the prospect of losing him.

The Latest: Club chiefs ‘confident’ of keeping Son

In an encouraging claim, Football Insider believe that Spurs chiefs are now ‘confident’ of keeping the 28-year-old despite the saga surrounding Kane and his future with the club.

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The prospect of losing another star attacker would have been a tough pill to swallow for Lilywhites supporters, but FI report Tottenham chiefs are under the firm belief that Son isn’t going anywhere this summer.

As relayed by this report, there has been some speculation over whether the winger could force an exit of his own. However, it appears the club have been boosted in their hopes of keeping hold of Son for now.

The Verdict: Big boost for Spurs…

Apart from Kane, Son was Tottenham’s next best player over the 2020/2021 season – bagging a brilliant 17 goals and ten assists in the Premier League alone (WhoScored).

Son and Kane also formed a devastating partnership, breaking Alan Shearer and Chris Sutton’s previous record of most English top flight combinations for goals in a single campaign (Premier League).

Gary Neville perhaps summed up his quality in the most efficient way, labelling Son an ‘absolutely world class’ player when speaking on Sky Sports (via football.london).

It’s safe to say, as a result, that Spurs supporters can take real encouragement from this Football Insider claim as they continue to await where Kane will be next season.

In other news: ‘I hear from a reliable source’…Journalist drops major Harry Kane claim, find out more here.

Brian Deane has exclusively told Football FanCast that goalkeeper Sam Johnstone would be a good signing for West Ham.

With the Baggies’ relegation back to the Championship now confirmed, Johnstone already has a number of Premier League sides interested in his signature, with the Hammers one of them.

And recent reports believe that they’ve now moved ahead of Tottenham in the race for the England shotstopper, who was rewarded for his outstanding form this season with his first call-up by Gareth Southgate for March’s World Cup qualifiers.

The 6 ft 4 Johnstone, who former England manager Glenn Hoddle labelled as ‘outstanding’ earlier this year, has not only made the most saves in the Premier League this season but has managed six clean sheets and even an assist from his 35 appearances.

West Ham have three senior goalkeepers currently at the club, but number one Lukasz Fabianski has just one year left on his contract and has been short of form of late, whilst his back-up, Dave Martin, will become a free agent this summer having failed to make a single first-team appearance this season.

And the former Hammers striker Deane told Football FanCast that he’s been impressed with Johnstone’s form:

“He’s saved more than anyone else in the league and certainly when I’ve seen him, he’s looked a very good player. I think he would be a good candidate.

“He’s not let anybody down at West Brom and that could be a good move.”

علق وليد الركراكي المدير الفني للوداد المغربي، على الفوز أمام الزمالك في المباراة التي أقيمت اليوم الجمعة بدوري أبطال إفريقيا.

الوداد انتصر على الزمالك، بهدف دون رد، في المواجهة التي لعبت ضمن منافسات الجولة الرابعة من مواجهات المجموعة الرابعة للبطولة القارية.

طالع | الاستغناء عن 6 لاعبين.. قرارات رادعة من مرتضى منصور بعد خسارة الزمالك أمام الوداد

وقال الركراكي خلال تصريحات في المؤتمر الصحفي في وجود مراسل “بطولات”: “مواجهة الزمالك دائما لا تكون سهلة، ونحن أول نادي مغربي يحقق الفوز عليه في القاهرة وأعتبره إنجازا كبيرا بالنسبة لنا”.

وأضاف: “نجحنا في فرض أسلوبنا على الزمالك بعدما قمنا بغلق المساحات وعدم إتاحة أي فرص لهم تقريبا، وأحرزنا هدفًا في مرمى حارس كبير مثل أبو جبل”.

وتابع: “أشكر لاعبي فريقي بعدما حققنا الفوز على الزمالك ذهابًا وإياباً واقتربنا من التاهل إلى الدور المقبل، وراض بشكل كبير عن أداء اللاعبين في هذه المباراة”.

وأكمل: “نجحنا في العودة اليوم بعدما خسر منتخبنا في بطولة أمم إفريقيا الماضية أمام المنتخب المصري بعد ريمونتادا محمد صلاح”.

وأتم: “الزمالك لديه العديد من اللاعبين المميزين أتمنى ضمهم في صفوفنا مثل محمد أوناجم وأشرف بن شرقي”.

Newcastle United boss Steve Bruce could fix Rafa Benitez’s major Newcastle howler by signing Adam Armstrong this summer.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent weeks and months have suggested that the Magpies are leading the race to sign the Blackburn Rovers striker, with a number of other Premier League clubs also said to be interested.

And, former Newcastle ace Steve Howey has suggested that Armstrong would jump at the chance to move back to St James’ Park, saying: “I think he’d relish the chance of coming back and he’d be desperate to score goals because he is a goalscorer and we’ve seen him score some excellent goals for Blackburn.

“I think he’d be desperate for the chance to come back but it’s just whether the club are prepared to make that move.”

Bruce’s perfect chance

With 28 goals in 40 Championship games this season, it’s fair to say Armstrong has more than showed the kind of talent that he possess, and it just raises real question marks as to why Benitez sold him in the first place.

The Spaniard opened up on the decision to let Armstrong go on a permanent deal, saying: “Sometimes you have to think about the best for everyone.

“When a young player has no chance of playing too many minutes in the team it is important for him and everybody around him to realise he has to play. It was a good move for him and he has had minutes there. He is playing regularly at a good level.”

Benitez could have, and probably should have, shown more faith in the young striker back when he was in charge at St James’ Park, and offered him the kind of confidence and faith showed to players who arrive for big-money deals for example.

He made just 21 appearances for the Magpies before his departure, and his boss at Ewood Park, Tony Mowbray, has hailed the kind of progress he has made since joining his club.

He said: “He’s a goalscorer. He always has been. I took him to Coventry because I saw him score some amazing goals for England Under-19s. He scores off both feet, he’s electrically fast off the mark, he’s got all the attributes.

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“As long as you’ve got players who can slide him in, put passes over the top, put the ball in space for him he’ll score goals. His explosive pace at the top end of the pitch allows you to play both ways. It’s a devastating effect for the team.”

With Howey’s claim that the £14k-a-week earning Armstrong would surely “relish” the chance of joining the Magpies, it’s surely the perfect time for Newcastle’s current boss Bruce to fix one of Benitez’s biggest mistakes at St James’ Park.

Meanwhile, Newcastle United could sign a major Miguel Almiron upgrade in this star…

Charlton Athletic have been dealt a major injury blow ahead of their crucial League One fixture this Sunday.

What’s the latest?

According to a statement on the club’s official website, Jake Forster-Caskey will miss the remainder of the Addicks’ season after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury in the recent 3-1 win over Lincoln City.

The midfielder was withdrawn after just 38 minutes on Tuesday due to the injury and will now miss the club’s must-win showdown against Hull City on Sunday, as well as their potential play-off fixtures.

Regarding the 27-year-old’s knock, Nigel Adkins said: “Jake has had a fantastic season and has been a really important part of our team. He has begun rehabilitation and will be provided with excellent medical care and attention throughout his recovery.”

Huge blow

With Charlton knowing that nothing but a win against Hull will do in their quest to finish in a play-off place come the end of the season, the news of Forster-Caskey’s injury will undoubtedly leave Adkins furious.

The midfielder has been one of the 56-year-old’s most influential players over his 34 league appearances for the Addicks this season, scoring six goals and registering two assists, in addition to averaging 1.6 interceptions, 2.2 tackles and 1.4 key passes per game, earning an average SofaScore match rating of 7.26 – ranking him as the club’s best performer in League One.

However, Charlton must now attempt to forget about the absence of Forster-Caskey ahead of Sunday’s game, despite the magnitude of his absence, as any distraction could well cost them their shot at a top-six finish – something which already relies on the Addicks securing a win while hoping that results elsewhere go their way.

In other news: Lost possession 15x: Charlton passenger who committed 6 fouls let Adkins down vs Imps – opinion