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West Ham United manager David Moyes has been dealt a blow ahead of tonight’s crunch clash with Sevilla in the first leg of their Europa League last 16 tie.

The Lowdown: West Ham without key men…

The Hammers have had to cope without some influential figures in recent weeks/months as Moyes seeks to maintain his side’s push for Champions League qualification.

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West Ham are still in contention for a top-four place in the Premier League and take on La Liga giants Sevilla tonight as they also eye a run in Europe.

As the Irons fight on two major fronts, players who have proven integral over this last year have been absent recently, including defenders Angelo Ogbonna and Vladimir Coufal.

Both men are sidelined and unavailable tonight with there being plenty of fears in this last week surrounding another star player in Jarrod Bowen.

The Englishman was forced off in West Ham’s 1-0 defeat to Liverpool on Saturday, and despite the club confirming his knock isn’t a serious one, it appears Moyes will also be without his star player for Sevilla alongside the likes Coufal and Ogbonna.

The Latest: Bowen blow…

Speaking to the press, via football.london, West Ham’s manager confirmed Bowen won’t be playing at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium this evening.

“It [missing Bowen] will limit us as Jarrod has an X factor,” he said when asked about the winger.

“He has been in good form the last two to three months, it will not change us a great deal but we are missing an important player.

“We hope Jarrod can make it for the second leg. He has had three or four scans and there is noting severe but we are hoping to find the cause and to get him back as he is important.”

The Verdict: Huge miss…

Bowen is undoubtedly a contender for West Ham’s player of the season so missing him for tonight is a major blow.

As consistently reiterated by Moyes, Bowen has been ‘really important’ for the club this season, as evident by his WhoScored statistics in the Premier League.

Not only is the 25-year-old West Ham’s top provider of goals and assists combined (8G, 8A), he’s also averaged the highest overall match rating out of their entire squad (7.23) and an even better number than big name star Declan Rice (7.17).

Completing more dribbles per 90 (1.6) than any man in Moyes’ squad, Bowen is consistently the Hammers’ most potent threat and his absence could well be detrimental.

Labelled ‘incredible player’ by Noel Whelan, West Ham will sorely miss him tonight.

In other news: Chief sports writer says West Ham have opened talks to sign ‘out of the ordinary’ £22.5m-rated star, find out more here.

Rangers winger Ryan Kent ‘flatters to deceive’, according to BBC Scotland’s chief sports writer Tom English. 

The lowdown

The 25-year-old played the full 90 minutes as the Gers drew 1-1 with their Glasgow arch-rivals in Sunday’s Old Firm derby, missing what may be their final opportunity to breathe fresh life into the Premiership title race.

Early in the match, with the score still 0-0, Kent beat Anthony Ralston to James Tavernier’s cross but could only steer his volley wide from around eight yards out.

Midway through the second half, though, he teed up Fashion Sakala for the Gers’ equaliser.

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The latest

Speaking on BBC Sportsound, English said that Kent simply had to convert what was a “tremendous” chance for the visitors early in the match, slamming the former Liverpool winger’s lowly goal return of just three in 42 appearances 2021/22.

The journalist chimed: “I thought Rangers started very well but Ryan Kent has got to score with that tremendous chance. It’s one of my problems with Kent, he flatters to deceive, he’s got three goals this season – it’s nowhere near good enough.”

The verdict

Kent’s assist for Sakala was his 18th of the season in all competitions – a mightily impressive tally. He has set up more goals than anybody in the Rangers squad, with James Tavernier his nearest challenger on 16.

However, it’s still fair to demand more from the club’s most valuable asset, particularly in games of this magnitude. After all, Kent’s 6.2/10 SofaScore rating was the lowest among Rangers’ outfielders on Sunday.

In addition to missing a ‘big chance’, the £18,000-per-week winger lost eight of the 13 ground duels that he contested and also committed two fouls.

Rangers fans will hope that he truly rises to the occasion at Ibrox on Thursday when they take on RB Leipzig in the second leg of their Europa League semi-final.

In other news, Alex McLeish has dropped a transfer claim concerning this Rangers youngster

Aston Villa forward Leon Bailey has been dealt a blow after picking up another injury in the win over Norwich City on Saturday.

What’s the word?

Speaking in his post-match press conference following the 2-0 victory over Dean Smith’s side, manager Steven Gerrard revealed that the Jamaican speedster faces a race to be fit for next week’s trip to Turf Moor, having been withdrawn just 40 minutes into the clash with the Canaries.

Asked about the summer signing’s status, the Villa boss said: “It’s an ankle issue. In terms of the extent and the damage I’m sure he’ll be MRI scanned in the next 24 to 48 hours. I’m really disappointed and frustrated for him because he’s worked really hard to get back, he’s been training ever so well.”

The Englishman then went on to add: “He said there was a bit of a twist after the contact so we’ll get him looked at. He’s obviously going to be a major doubt for the next game against Burnley because it’s very rare that you come off the pitch and you’re available for the next game, so we are concerned about it.”

Huge Blow

That frustration for all concerned stems from the fact that it has been a disrupted debut campaign for the 24-year-old since his £25m move from Bayer Leverkusen, having been restricted to just seven Premier League starts for the Midlands side.

The £27m-rated man had missed a fair portion of the season over the festive period with a thigh injury, although since his return to action in February he has failed to nail down a regular starting berth, despite the club’s inconsistent form.

He had arrived last summer with a big reputation after providing 65 goal contributions in 156 games in all competitions for the Bundesliga side, although has since chipped in with just one goal and two assists in the top-flight during his brief stint at Villa Park.

Nevertheless, he had begun to show signs of life in his recent outings, notably going close to scoring early on in Saturday’s win, only to be denied by a fine save from opposition stopper Tim Krul, while Birmingham Mail writer John Townley wrote that he looked “lively in spells” prior to his withdrawal.

With Gerrard’s men still not certain of survival – despite reaching the ‘magic’ 40 point mark with that latest victory – they are still in need of all the help they can get, with Bailey’s potential absence in the coming weeks far from an ideal situation.

Yes, it has not gone to plan so far, but there is certainly an immense talent in there somewhere, with his former coach Heiko Herrlich previously suggesting that he “can do anything” such is his undoubted quality.

He looked as if he had begun to build some rhythm in recent weeks, although this latest setback is set to be a huge blow for both his manager, the supporters and the player himself.

In other news, “I’m told”: Journo gives huge Aston Villa transfer boost, Gerrard will be delighted…

Chris Waugh is buzzing over some early Team News for Newcastle United before they play Manchester City away from home in the Premier League.

The Lowdown: Wilson return?

Speaking in his pre-game press conference ahead of the match (via The Athletic), Eddie Howe revealed that Callum Wilson has been training all week, and looks ‘very good’ from a physical perspective.

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The former Burnley and AFC Bournemouth manager then added that there is a ‘good chance’ that he will be involved against the reigning top-flight champions.

The Latest: Waugh buzzing

Taking to Twitter, The Athletic journalist Waugh was left buzzing when he heard the news from Howe:

“Callum Wilson looks like he may be available for Sunday, which is a huge boost for NUFC.”

The Verdict: Relief

It will certainly comes as a relief to both Howe and the Toon Army that Wilson seems to have recovered well from an injury that has ruled him out since December.

He still remains their top scorer in the Premier League with six goals so far this season, and to have any chance of getting anything against a wounded City side, you would think that Wilson would have to feature.

Nonetheless, with safety all but secured in the top flight, this is about the Magpies now finishing off the term strongly ahead of what could be a very exciting summer transfer window at St. James’ Park.

In other news, find out which former Sunderland ace NUFC are now eyeing here!

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly interested in a move for Racing Club starlet Carlos ‘Charly’ Alcaraz, according to reports in Spain.

What’s the word?

As per Marca, the Premier League outfit have been named as one of the clubs believed to be keeping an eye on the promising 19-year-old following his impressive displays for the Argentine club since his senior debut in January 2020.

The report suggests that, while the teenager has a $25m (£20.4m) release clause in his current contract, Spurs could well be able to secure his services for $20m (£16.3m) should they wish to bring him to England this summer.

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One of the most highly-rated prospects in South America, the report compares him to compatriot Lautaro Martinez for the potentially colossal fee that he could command in the future.

The next Ardiles?

A move for the teenager would no doubt stir memories of another great Argentine to have played for the Lilywhites, with the hope that he can go to replicate the success of the club’s legendary former player and one-time manager Ossie Ardiles.

The similarities don’t just exist in their country of birth, with Alcaraz also mirroring the Tottenham great in the attacking midfield role that he plays.

A star of English football in the 1970s and 80s, Ardiles scored 25 goals in 311 appearances in all competitions for the north London side in a glittering decade-long stint at White Hart Lane, notably winning the FA Cup in successive seasons in the early 1980s while also claiming the UEFA Cup in 1984.

Although it may well be an unwanted burden to compare the youngster with such an icon of the game, the £1.35m-rated gem has already shown glimpses of his talent in his embryonic career to date, netting four goals in just 13 Copa de la Liga games this season, while also developing something of a penchant for free kicks.

An all-round talent, the starlet also has a 51% dribble success rate and averages 1.2 tackles per game, while he has won an impressive 64% of his aerial duels this term – an illustration of his tenacious, hard-working nature.

Such qualities appear to indicate a player who would be at home under Antonio Conte, with Tottenham’s sporting director Fabio Paratici needing to get the deal over the line for the Ardiles-like Argentine talent Alcaraz.

In other news – Imagine him & Bentancur: Spurs can find perfect Conte gem in £49.5m-rated “phenomenon”

Sunderland have been handed a major boost ahead of the League One Play-Off Final game against Wycombe Wanderers.

What’s the latest?

As per Sunderland Echo, Alex Neil has issued an update on the health of his squad and it is entirely positive from a Sunderland perspective.

Neil said: “We’ve got a clean bill of health I think for the first time [since I’ve been here].

“People we didn’t expect, who we thought might not be able to make it, [could be available]. People like Winny have been in training.

“So at the moment, we’re looking good.”

Sharing more on the fitness of Carl Winchester, Neil stated: “I think we’ll have a better idea of exactly where he’s at after today and tomorrow.

“He’s been on the grass, and he’s done a little bit, but today and tomorrow will have a big bearing on how close he actually is.

“It’s pleasing for Winny as well because he has had a big contribution since I’ve been here to get us to where we are. It’s a good situation.”
On the status of Nathan Broadhead, who returned from injury in a one-minute cameo in the last game against Sheffield Wednesday, Neil added:

“Nathan’s been fine. He had limited time at the weekend (in the second leg) but the difficulty I had there was because of the way we played the game and the shape we adopted, he’s a natural centre-forward and we were only playing with one in the game.”

A major boost

The return of Winchester, who has not featured since the game against Cambridge United on the 23rd April will come as a big boost for Neil who will undoubtedly be elated to see him back.
The 29-year-old has featured 40 times for Sunderland in League One, in what has been a seamless transition from League Two football for the Northern Irishman in his first full season for Sunderland.
His versatility is his greatest asset in this side. He is a true utility man, having played at right-back, centre-back, centre midfield and defensive midfield on more than one occasion for the Black Cats this season.
Boasting what he claims to be “a clean bill of health”, the Black Cats boss and his squad will fancy their chances against Wycombe on Saturday.
Additionally, the return to full fitness of Broadhead is also a big boost with the Everton loanee scoring ten goals in the third-tier this term. That’s exactly the sort of potency that could lead Sunderland back to the Championship this weekend.

In other news: Sunderland keen to sign 15-goal gem who’s “perfectly placed”, Imagine him and Stewart 

Pollard and Seifert smashed 49 in the final two overs to give Knight Riders a fighting total

Danyal Rasool07-Sep-2021A masterclass of a bowling performance saw Trinbago Knight Riders rout Jamaica Tawallahs for 92, inflicting a 75-run defeat in the process. American fast bowler Ali Khan ran the show, removing the first three while conceding just two runs in his first two overs and finishing with figures of 4 for 6, before the spinners suffocated Tallawahs and effectively put an end to the chase before it could truly begin.Knight Riders had put on an above-par 167 for 4 despite struggling with the bat for much of their own innings, before Tim Seifert and Kieron Pollard added 49 in the final two overs to give them momentum they would never relinquish.Batting first, Knight Riders started cautiously, content to go along at a run a ball in the powerplay without losing a wicket. However, as the innings wore on, it became clear runs off the spinners were hard to come by, with Imad Wasim and Veersammy Paul allowing just 33 in their combined eight overs. They also removed Colin Munro and Leonardo Julien, while Carlos Brathwaite took care of an off-colour Lendl Simmons at the top.The innings looked like it was stalling before Seifert came out to partner Pollard. Smashing 24 off just eight balls, Seifert helped Pollard change gear too, setting up a chase that suddenly looked extremely stiff.Tallawahs never really got going, mainly due to an explosive two over spell from Ali Khan at the top. He might have been bowling in a Test match, so conventional was his line, but it kept on producing the same result. Kennar Lewis, Haider Ali and Shamarh Brooks all nicked off to length balls shaping away, and as the asking rate began to rise, the batters crumbled under stifling discipline from the spinners. Sunil Narine, held back until the tenth over, took two wickets for 11 in his four, including that of Andre Russell towards the death, which effectively killed the game off.Akeal Hosein and Khary Pierre played their part at the top, complimenting Ali Khan by keeping things tight at the other end, while Tallawahs’ belief of chasing the total down diminished rapidly. In the end, both innings illustrated the importance of tight spin bowling, but Knight Riders’ ability to keep their powder dry by having wickets at the end to play with, and an explosive final two overs with the bat, had made all the difference.

Sussex seamer played four times for England during lengthy career with Surrey

ESPNcricinfo staff08-Sep-2021Stuart Meaker, the Sussex and former Surrey fast bowler, has announced that he will retire at the end of the season.Meaker, who has claimed 396 wickets in 203 matches across the three main formats in a 14-year career, was once considered one of the most promising young fast bowlers in the country.He played four times for England – in two ODIs in 2011 and two T20Is in 2012, all against India – claiming four wickets in total, but proved unable to press for further honours.Domestically, however, he was in his pomp in those two seasons, claiming 98 first-class wickets in 2011 and 2012, including career-best figures of 8 for 52 against Somerset at The Kia Oval in May 2012.He remained a frequent candidate for England Lions selection, playing 18 fixtures across formats including tours of Bangladesh, Australia and the UAE between 2011 and 2016.